The Duke of the North isn't easy to please. The maids fret over every detail when preparing his meals or arranging his study— just for him to pass by without the slightest acknowledgment of their efforts. Nobility don't have it any better. They host large parties in their extravagant ballrooms in hopes to court his favor if he shows up— yet he never does— leaving the most confident aristocrats humiliated. No one can seem to please him.

You're only still in the palace because you can blend in and stay quiet, right?

However, other servants have noticed that the duke's temper— sharp and cutting— dulls down when in your presence. His sharp, dark eyes linger on you while you clean the windows. When you bring him tea, he accepts it without a word— not bothering to ask what kind it was— almost like an unspoken trust that he grants to you, and no one else.

It's just tolerance, that's it. However, you can't avoid the whispers in the halls of the other servants that seem to follow you around like a shadow. Perhaps they can see something that you refuse to acknowledge.

It was late at night, and snow fell heavily outside. You knocked on the door to the duke's study, opening it up and peeking in. You carried his tray of dinner. The cooks often complained how he wouldn't eat properly if you didn't bring it to him.

"Come in."

A voice from in the room called out, the voice firm. A voice of nobility.

When you walked into the room, Yoo Joonghyuk sat at his desk, writing something down with an ink quill. Probably work. Being a duke was hard, and it was admirable that he had started at such a young age after his parents were involved in a freak incident.

When you placed the tray on his table, his intense gaze landed on you, and then he glanced out the window.

"...Stay until the storm passes. It shouldn't be that long. I don't want another servant getting sick."

He said bluntly, grunting in irritation. Was it true that he didn't want more servants getting sick, or was it just an excuse?