“Texting first?”
“Are you saying I texted first?”
“Grandpa, what are you talking about!”
Without realizing it, I slapped Grandpa’s arm, which was across the desk from me.
‘Texting first’ is an abbreviation for ‘sending a message first,’ and it implies more than just the act of messaging first. It’s tinged with the excitement of a crush, the tension of courtship, the courage to show interest—sort of like a sweet magic potion.
Of course, unwanted attention would not be a potion but more like sewage.
“Texting first, that’s not what it is. It’s more like a greeting, right?”
“Why would you be curious about the duke’s well-being, Miss?”
It’s natural to be curious, he’s so nitpicky.
To explain, the duke was so kind yesterday that it moved me. I couldn’t control my emotions and cried in front of Grandpa, but after sleeping and waking up to a new morning, I regained my composure.
Why feel too embarrassed or sorry
I’ll just be nice to him from now on. And the duke is definitely a good person. There’s nothing wrong with being friends!
“I’m just asking if he slept well. I saw him yesterday, still bandaged up. He said there’s nothing seriously wrong with his body, but I’m genuinely curious if he’s really okay.”
“Is that so?”
Grandpa raised his eyebrows again, crossed his arms, and tilted his head skeptically.
“Do you think the other person will just see it as a greeting? Texting first right after lunch?”
“The duke isn’t someone who would misunderstand like that.”
I asserted confidently. The duke probably doesn’t even know the word ‘texting first.’
I’m sure he has no idea how initiating a conversation via messages without a significant reason is interpreted.
So, there’s no need to worry about being misunderstood.
“The duke is different from others. Anyway, he’s just different.”
“Still, it might be better not to send it… Maybe write a letter instead…”
I shook my head cheerfully at Grandpa, who kept objecting until the end.
“No, I’m a seller of messages, how could I contact him with a letter? It’s just a simple inquiry. Don’t worry.”
Grandpa looked at me with a strange expression and sighed.
Then, as he turned away, he muttered something under his breath, but I couldn’t hear what he said.
Wondering if it was directed at me, I quickly responded.
“Anyway, I got it, Grandpa!”
Grandpa turned around sharply and exclaimed in a voice full of grievance.
“They say raising children is pointless!”
Bang, the door closed.
Why is he like that?
I was so stunned that I just stared at the door for a while.
Suddenly, the door opened again, and Grandpa poked his head through.
“It’s because of the wind.”
“…”
“Your response, Miss.”
“Oh, right…”
Grandpa closed the door slightly and left.
It seems Grandpa is going through a stormy period of his own. I can’t understand why he’s so emotionally unstable.
And this is not ‘texting first,’ okay. I have absolutely no feelings for the duke!
“Well, then.”
I sat down in front of the message device, shaking off the light tension.
[Duke, hello. This is Countess Hexen.]
No, that’s not right. It sounds like the first message the duke sent. Like an official document.
[Did you rest comfortably?]
Too stiff.
[Did you sleep well?]
…Sending this might really lead to a misunderstanding.
[Hello! I’m contacting you to ask about your injury. Is it okay to ask when you’ll be removing the bandages?]
Is this neutral enough? It seems fairly neutral.
I rested my chin on my hand and pondered. The message should be light yet polite, formal yet not stiff, conveying just the right amount of friendliness and gratitude.
What would be the best way to express that?
The motto of messaging is easy and straightforward communication, but it feels harder than talking at times like this. Probably because I can’t see the other person’s reaction right away.
After much thought, I chose the sentences.
[Hello, Duke!]
[I really appreciate your kindness yesterday. I hope I didn’t trouble you, especially since you weren’t feeling well.]
[I’m contacting you out of concern for your injury. Have you removed the bandages? How is your wound?]
I sent the messages in three parts and waited anxiously for a reply.
The duke usually responds quickly. It was the same when I first contacted him and afterward.
Since he doesn’t always carry the message device, he must have spent a lot of time at his desk.
Maybe he’s doing the same today?
10 minutes passed.
20 minutes passed.
…Why isn’t there a reply?
Just then, Grandpa entered.
A sandwich thicker than the last time was placed on my desk. Grandpa didn’t leave immediately but glanced over my message screen.
“No reply yet?”
“He must be busy.”
I answered nonchalantly, and Grandpa nodded.
“Well, it’s already lunchtime. He might be eating.”
Hearing that, I suddenly felt relieved.
No, why do I feel relieved?
It’s not that I’m anxious because the reply didn’t come right away.
Maybe the duke hasn’t gotten over it yet. It’s definitely not because I’m missing anything.
Now that I think about it, how does the duke have his lunch?
I can’t imagine him sitting at a desk and munching on a sandwich like me.
He’s probably enjoying a course meal in a dining room.
He can’t eat like that every time, so maybe some days he has something simple like risotto? What kind of food does he like?
If I knew what he eats often, I could treat him to a meal as a token of gratitude.
“Miss? Miss!”
“Oh, what?”
I must not have heard. Turning to Grandpa, I saw his suspicious expression first.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Uh…”
Somehow, it doesn’t seem right to say I was curious about the duke’s lunch menu. I scratched my temple and answered vaguely.
“I’m always thinking about the trading company.”
Message! Oh, a reply came! I checked the message, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.
[Minimum 6% interest. Immediate cash-out available. Friendly♡consultation♥. Message consultation specialist]
These damn people!
I need to contact our support department right away to stop this kind of spam message. Where did my information get sold from? When did I ever carelessly write down my message number?
Feeling drained, I sat down. Grandpa, who was looking at my message, gave me brief advice.
“Reply.”
“If someone ignores you from the start, it’s okay not to answer, right? Maybe it’s the same with messages. If you don’t start a conversation, it might be okay.”
“Is that so?”
“Let’s wait and see. If something feels off, then I’ll reply.”
Surely I don’t have to reply to spam.
I’ve never tried it with messages, so this is a good opportunity.
Grandpa and I waited for a while, but nothing happened. And the duke didn’t reply either.
Damn it. I don’t care. Who cares? There must be some reason. The duke can’t always check messages quickly. Maybe he’ll reply after lunch, or in the afternoon. Or maybe he’s still not fully recovered and is resting.
It was late afternoon.
Still no reply.
I started to get a little anxious. I sent the message at lunch, and now it’s already five o’clock. Plenty of time to have checked.
I looked over the message I sent several times.
Was there anything rude in it? Did I upset him yesterday?
I shouldn’t have contacted him first.
If I knew I’d be ignored like this, I wouldn’t have bothered.
Surely he doesn’t think I’m interested in him, right?
Ridiculous.
Evening came.
No reply.
I returned to my room after dinner.
Still no reply.
I flipped the message device over.
I should just shower and go to bed. Let’s see if I contact him first again. I didn’t want to bother filling the bathtub and didn’t want to call a maid, so I just took a quick shower.
I lathered up, washed my hair thoroughly, and washed my face. After washing, it seems like thoughts of the duke also washed away.
Yeah, I worried too much today. From now on, I don’t care whether the duke replies or not.
Pointless greetings only make the conversation drag on, so it’s better this way!
I turned off the water. I dried off quickly and was about to leave when I heard a sound like a hallucination.
Message!
…Could it be the duke?