Chapter 51 The Beginning of a Misunderstanding
The city library was a total dump all dust and rotting paper. Ilse was holding her breath, trying not to sneeze every five seconds.
In two days, her project to unite Gisella and Julian or at least salvage this stupid love stunt would be tested at the harbor. Ben said Julian was inspecting his family's port in two days. Daytime. Prime time for Gisella to "accidentally" cross paths, look stunning, chat, and boom, love.
But Gisella was a total airhead when it came to business. So now, Ilse had to be the tutor.
Ilse had stacks of books everywhere History of the Holy Order, Vance Family Genealogy, Guide to Tobacco Exports and Farming. The table in front of her was a total wreck. She was scribbling notes, her eyes burning from the dim lamp.
"Okay, Julian hates small talk, he likes efficiency, and he's got tobacco farms in the north," Ilse muttered, scratching away in her notebook.
"Gisella needs to know the difference between grade one and grade two tobacco. If she just stands there blinking like an idiot, Julian's going to think she's just a trophy wife."
She sighed, leaning back against the hard wooden chair. She was exhausted.
"So this is what it feels like to be a third party playing matchmaker," she whispered bitterly.
Suddenly, the vibe changed.
The sound of boots hitting the wooden floorboards. Clack. Clack. Clack. Steady, heavy, and... super familiar.
Ilse glanced over and saw a tall shadow beside her. She looked up, and her heart nearly stopped.
The Duke d'Alen?on. Claus stood there, staring at the pile of books on Ilse's table with raised eyebrows. His military uniform looked so out of place in this dump of a library.
"D-Duke?!" Ilse instinctively try to covered the Vance Family Biography with her hand, but too late. "What... what are you doing here?"
Claus didn't answer. He reached for one of the books Ilse had been studying so seriously, The Vance Family Biography. He lifted it, stared at the cover for a long time. Then he looked at Ilse.
That gaze. Sharp, but with a mischievous glint that made Ilse want to vanish from the earth.
"The Holy Order. Tobacco plantations. And..." Claus smirked, a really annoying smile. "Julian Vance?"
"I-it's not what you think, General," Ilse panicked, her hands crumpling her notebook.
"Oh, really?" Claus dropped the book back on the table with a dull thud. He leaned in, his face way too close to hers. "I know you're a loyal assistant, Ilse. But I didn't think you were this enthusiastic about getting to the bottom of that guy."
"I was just..."
"You don't need to be embarrassed," Claus cut in. He let out a small laugh, a sound that was sarcastic but also playful. "People have weird tastes. And honestly, Julian is the type of guy who's... barbaric, has no ethics. I didn't expect you to like that type."
Ilse stared blankly. Huh?
"My advice," Claus patted her shoulder twice, "don't go too deep. Julian isn't the kind of man you can tame with history books. If you need someone more... orderly to talk, especially about what was your hidden motive, you know where to find me."
Claus winked once, a wink that made Ilse want to gag and kick his shin at the same time, then he walked off, leaving Ilse stunned.
Ilse watched him walk away, then looked at the pile of books with mixed feelings.
"I have a crush on Julian Vance?" she whispered to herself, her voice an octave higher. "Crazy Duke! This is for Gisella, you idiot! Damn!"
She wanted to slam her head against the bookshelf. Two days until the plan, and now the Duke thought she was head over heels for Gisella's stuck-up target. Total disaster.