3. This Male Lead, I Can’t Figure Him Out  

‘Huh?’

Without paying attention to the bewildered expressions of the people around him, the Grand Duke seriously repeated the act of scooping soup, bringing it to his lips, and letting it spill back down again. It was as if he were an actor performing a play about eating soup.

Of course, not a single drop of soup went down his throat.

‘Hmm, what a waste of food. What is he doing?’

Naturally, I could afford to be tolerant of the male lead’s eccentric behavior.

“Grand Duke! What kind of rudeness is this?!”

Screech. Marquis Poche pushed back his chair and stood up. He seemed visibly infuriated.

“To treat the meal our family prepared with such care in this manner!”

If he had at least put the spoon under the mask to eat, it would have been one thing, but letting the soup spill like that was tantamount to accusing the food of being poisoned.

“Marquis. The Grand Duke is simply uncomfortable eating because he is wearing a mask.”

“If you don’t want to eat, put down the spoon. How dare you mock us like this…!”

Everyone’s faces hardened, and the atmosphere became tense, as if a fight might break out at any moment.

At that sharp and sensitive moment, a lively laugh broke through the tension.

“Hahaha!”

“Annette?”

“What are you doing now, even you!”

“Sorry. It was just so funny.”

Pfft. I covered my mouth and laughed as if the Grand Duke had just made a really funny joke.

The Marquis, who was livid, looked as though he would grab the Grand Duke by the collar at any moment, and the face of the Marchioness turned red.

I was the only one smiling comfortably, like a carefree child.

“It’s just that seeing His Grace the Grand Duke, a grown man, behaving as if he were a picky eater made me laugh.”

The Marquis, who had criticized the Grand Duke’s rudeness, was also seated at the head of the table. But since I, who was also seated as a host, dismissed the Grand Duke’s rudeness as merely a ‘joke,’ it became awkward for the Marquis to pursue the matter further.

The atmosphere shifted.

“…Hmph!”

The Marquis looked at me disapprovingly before sitting back down. Regardless, I smiled warmly at the Grand Duke.

‘You saw me take your side just now, right? Remember that well.’

“Maybe it’s because they’re engaged to be married. They already seem to get along so well.”

“Indeed. There seems to be something between them that we can’t understand.”

My stepmother and half-sister Caitlyn spoke with barbs in their words, criticizing me.

The implication was clear: everyone in our family had frozen at the Grand Duke’s behavior, but here I was laughing at it. It was their way of saying, ‘You’re not one of us.’

‘If they’re saying I get along well with the male lead, I’m grateful.’

If I could live even one day longer, I’d match humor codes or anything else.

“I’m truly delighted to hear that His Grace the Grand Duke and I suit each other well.”

A special service.

I winked at the Grand Duke.

Unfortunately, the Grand Duke completely ignored my cute gesture.

Perhaps, contrary to appearances, he was shy.

“Lady Annette has already shown an open heart toward His Grace the Grand Duke. On behalf of His Grace and the North, I extend my gratitude. I am Daniel, a knight serving as one of the Grand Duke’s closest aides.”

Instead of the cold Grand Duke, his knight greeted me politely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Daniel.”

I smiled at Sir Daniel, but he wasn’t my target.

I turned my gaze back to the Grand Duke and spoke to him.

“They said you’re wearing a mask because your face is injured. But your neck isn’t injured, is it?”

“Annette.”

The Marquis warned me, seemingly telling me to stop meddling and stay quiet.

Oh? After being ready to clash just moments ago, now he wanted to be polite? It didn’t suit him.

“I want to hear His Grace the Grand Duke’s voice. I don’t need many words. Just one sentence will do. Like whether the food is delicious or what you think of our house.”

“My lady, as I mentioned earlier, His Grace cannot speak easily due to the mask. If there’s anything necessary, I will relay it on his behalf…”

“I appreciate the hospitality of the Marquis Poche family.”

From beneath the silver mask came a grating voice, like metal being scraped. It was the first time I heard the male lead’s voice.

Clatter.

Startled by the eerie voice, Caitlyn unknowingly dropped the utensil she was holding, making a clanging sound.

Flinch. Caitlyn’s face betrayed her reaction to the voice, unable to hide her expression.

Her face clearly said, ‘What kind of face is hidden behind that mask?’

“It’s improper to make clattering noises during a meal, Caitlyn. Especially with guests present, you should behave politely.”

I lightly scolded Caitlyn. Even so, the atmosphere remained heavy.

Sir Daniel, the Grand Duke’s knight, seemed to darken, as if he had expected such rudeness from the Poche family.

“I refrained from speaking because I thought this voice might disrupt the pleasant dining atmosphere.”

Only the Grand Duke remained calm. Fine, in that case, I should live up to expectations and lighten the mood at this chilly dining table.

“Thank you for granting my request, Your Grace. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed the banquet our family hosted.”

“Surprising. Does this voice not bother you, my lady? I thought you’d surely be frightened at the prospect of marrying a man like this.”

Even with the mask on, I could tell. He was teasing me.

Was this a sign of interest?

I smiled at the Grand Duke with composure.

“To think you refrained from speaking out of concern that your voice might startle me. Your Grace must have a warm heart.”

Gasp. Someone inhaled sharply, as if moved. The culprit was none other than Sir Daniel, the knight serving the Grand Duke. He seemed disappointed by Caitlyn’s rudeness earlier, but he now looked at me with admiration for my reaction.

‘Honestly, it’s only because I know he’s the male lead in the original story that I’m not startled.’

The original novel didn’t describe the male lead’s voice as particularly bad. So this must be a deliberately altered voice. Since he already wore a mask, he might as well go all out.

Anyway, male leads are always handsome, except in special cases.

What I should be concerned about wasn’t whether his voice was likable or not, but how Darius felt about me.

“Lady Annette is more generous than I expected. I’m impressed by your tolerance.”

‘Hmm.’

Was that genuine praise? Or was he sarcastically telling me not to try anything funny?

Unlike Sir Daniel, who wore his emotions openly, Darius’ feelings were still hidden behind the silver mask.

“To demonstrate my tolerance further, I’d like to invite you for tea after the meal. After all, conversation is necessary to understand each other.”

“If time allows, I will consider it.”

‘That’s a no, isn’t it? What could possibly keep him busy in someone else’s house? Tch.’

The evening’s conversation was mostly led by Marquis Poche and the Marchioness. Sir Daniel and I occasionally chimed in to steer the mood.

Though the Grand Duke, hidden behind the silver mask, sat silently at the table, his presence was impossible to ignore.

* * *

‘He seems more like the host of this gathering than Marquis Poche, who owns this house.’

Daniel thought to himself, feeling proud of his master. And what about the lady who would become his master’s wife?

Tonight, Annette not only displayed a lovable appearance but also showed wit and charm in her speech.

According to his investigation, the eldest daughter of the Poche family was said to be timid and overly shy, having grown up under a stepmother. But none of that was evident today.

Annette struck a perfect balance—not too much, not too little—and skillfully kept the conversation lively.

Daniel found Annette’s demeanor quite likable, but where there’s someone who likes, there’s always someone who dislikes.

“What’s with her acting all high and mighty like her fiancé is something special? Normally, she can’t even lift her head properly, so why is she acting up today?”

During the usual Poche family banquets, Caitlyn was the one who captured all the guests’ attention.

Caitlyn, with her curly red hair and green eyes, was a beautiful girl and Annette’s half-sister.

Annette usually just filled a seat, her shabby presence making Caitlyn’s charm shine even brighter. But today, it was the opposite.

For some reason, Annette’s appearance today, which drew everyone’s attention, left Caitlyn speechless. It wasn’t until the banquet ended that Caitlyn regained her senses.

“Hmph! What’s so great about marrying a gloomy Grand Duke who doesn’t even show his face or speak?”

As Caitlyn fumed, her personal maid whispered something in her ear.

“Miss Caitlyn, actually, Annette…”

“What?”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened like saucers. Soon, her face turned red, and she clicked her tongue indignantly.

“How ridiculous. An older sister coveting her younger sister’s belongings?”

She finally found a perfect excuse to pick a fight with Annette, whom she disliked.

* * *

“Take off that dress immediately.”

Bang!

Caitlyn burst into the room, glaring at me with disdain. I had just finished dinner and was about to change out of the stifling dress into casual clothes.

“What are you doing, shamelessly wearing that? Are you a beggar? Do you have nothing to wear that you have to steal my clothes?”

Still in my muslin undergarment, I glanced at the nanny. Guiltily, the nanny avoided my gaze.

〈We’re in a pinch, just bring Miss Caitlyn’s clothes.〉

Recalling what I’d overheard earlier, I quickly grasped the situation.

‘Why didn’t you just bring stepmother’s clothes?’

If you’re going to pin the blame on me anyway.