Chapter 16
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 16
Lucas chuckled as if he'd only just grasped the matter, shrugging his shoulders with amusement.
"What? That? It's a secret, but since we're getting married, you'll find out eventually anyway. What's the big deal about that? Surely Grace can accept something like that?"
Haem shook his head in confusion.
Something like that? It was far more than that.
"Well... I don't think the personal secret I mentioned is that, Your Grace? Ah, of course it's not entirely unrelated. But still..."
"What? Speak plainly. What are you trying to say, exactly?"
"Ugh! Why won't you understand! The men of the Black Family have always possessed something special and extraordinary, haven't they! Goodness, why did I have to say this myself!"
"What?"
"Black, as in the Black Family—it means absolute, perfect, and... well, you know!"
Lucas, who had been about to ask stupidly what he meant, let out an absurd laugh instead.
"What are you saying right in front of the person in question?"
"Ah, what can I do? I have to get his undergarments and trousers custom-made separately every time!"
Lucas's eyes narrowed. His hand rose toward Haem.
'Eek.'
Haem quickly shut his eyes, bracing himself for a blow to the head.
He deliberately arranged his expression into one of utter terror.
It hurt less when he looked sufficiently frightened.
Above his tightly closed eyes, a long, straight finger flicked sharply against his forehead with a crisp sound.
"Ow!"
Haem cried out, his eyes glistening with tears as he peeked up at Lucas.
"Stop spouting nonsense and go check on the kitchen."
"That hurts..."
"Next time it might be my fist instead of my finger. Move quickly."
"Y-yes, sir! I'm going!"
Phew, he was fortunate it was only this much.
In truth, he had been rather cheeky.
In any other noble household, he would have been thoroughly beaten for such insolence, but his master was surprisingly kind-hearted and genuinely fond of him.
"He's softer than he appears, that's for sure."
Haem hurried into the corridor, rubbing his swollen forehead with a cheerful grin.
Now he had to rush to the kitchen to check on the first meal for his master and the woman who might soon become the mistress of this estate.
Part 2
The Enraged Man
"Incredible! We finally get to taste Luna 20 thanks to Norman Oellin! I can hardly believe it."
"Ha, we really have a good friend in him! It's rare to find a man as loyal as Norman!"
"They say there are only seven Luna 20s in the Royal Treasury. How on earth did you manage to get one, Norman?"
A group of young nobles entered the Oellin Estate. As they praised Norman, who led the way, he smiled graciously and spoke as if it were nothing special.
"The Black Family sent it as a gift. They said it was for the sake of friendship between our houses."
It was a gift Lucas Black had sent last week, inquiring after Grace's well-being.
Of course, Lucas had sent far more than just this, but Norman could only freely take the wine.
Everything else had gone straight into Marquess Oellin's warehouse.
"The Black Family? Black as in the black horse? The Oellin Family's influence truly is extraordinary. So you've already built connections with the Black Family?"
Norman grinned widely and merely shrugged his shoulders.
He said nothing, but that was enough.
Norman's friends exchanged knowing glances at his smile, their voices tinged with admiration and envy.
"In any case, thanks to this we get to taste Luna, which even royalty supposedly savors. We should be delighted, shouldn't we? I'm already looking forward to it."
"By the way, didn't you say Norman's lovely sister stays almost exclusively at the Estate? I came with high expectations, but catching even a glimpse of her hair has proven difficult."
Someone brought up Grace.
Norman's face immediately darkened.
The young nobles following Norman down the stairs murmured among themselves and quickly changed the subject.
"Right, seeing the Yellow Lily lady is like plucking a star from the heavens, isn't it?"
"I'm curious too. Norman here keeps her locked away and won't even show her off."
"She doesn't attend parties much, so rumors run rampant. That's what makes everyone even more curious, you know?"
Norman barely suppressed his irritation as he responded.
"What are you all talking about? Everyone, please don't pay attention to Grace. She's quite shy and doesn't enjoy being the center of attention. Haha."
"You certainly do cherish your sister. It's heartwarming to see such family harmony!"
"Well, if my sister were so brilliant and beautiful, I'd guard her just as fiercely."
"Exactly. Intelligent, shy, and beautiful—surely there are countless houses vying for her hand?"
At Viscount Lacom's subtle remark, everyone laughed and exchanged knowing glances.
Norman forced a smile and held his tongue.
He knew that several of these men had already probed about marriage prospects with Grace. But...
'I didn't raise her on expensive medicine while nurturing her just to connect her with some insignificant household.'
Norman thought grimly and kept his mouth shut.
He understood that his father's thoughts were not so different from his own.
"The fact that her health is delicate makes her all the more mysterious. How should I put it—like a single blossom? Ah! Norman, don't misunderstand. I simply mean she's a truly remarkable woman."
Objectively speaking, Grace's reputation among the sons and daughters of nobility was not poor.
Norman found it irksome, yet he enjoyed the secondary attention that came from being Grace's brother.
At least she was useful for something.
Truth be told, they were making a fuss over a girl of little consequence.
"Don't be presumptuous. Let's go drink some wine."
Norman led his friends forward with an affable smile.
Maintaining an appearance of harmony, however superficial, was crucial for building even a hollow reputation.
As they passed through the corridor toward the Third Floor Reception Room.
Just as they were passing Grace's door, it swung open.
"Oh."
The two maids who had been cleaning her room startled at the sight of the cluster of noble youths and quickly bowed their heads.
What stopped Norman from passing by without a second thought was a remark from Viscount Hornua, who had been peering through the wide-open doorway as the maids carried out their cleaning baskets.
"So this is what the Flower Lady's room looks like?"
The entire group came to a halt. The men, unable to hide their curiosity, craned their necks and peered into Grace's room.
"What are you all doing?"
'How vulgar.'
Despite Norman's reproach, the men's eyes remained fixed on peering into Grace's room.
Among them, Viscount Laxon, who played the most crudely, suddenly spoke up.
"The owner isn't even here—can't we just take a quick look? There's even a fragrance coming from inside."
"What the—!"
"Sniff, that's right. It smells like flowers!"
'...These madmen.'
Norman's face contorted in displeasure, but the men with their backs to him couldn't see it.
It was Viscount Laxon again who silenced Norman before he could speak.
"Here, take this. Isn't this that pocket watch from the Quentium Royal Treasury you wanted? Take it and just close your eyes for one minute!"
The Laxon Family had been engaged in vast trading enterprises for generations.
When foreign capital was factored in, they possessed far greater wealth than the Oellin Family.
Perhaps because they dealt extensively with foreigners, they were unusually free-spirited and crude, yet their deep pockets made it impossible for anyone to cast them out.
As Norman's lips hesitated at the sight of the exquisite pocket watch, Laxon suddenly flung open Grace's door.
"So this is where the Oellin Family's flower sleeps and lives!"
Seizing the moment, the other men quietly peered into her room as well.
"All of you, stop this shameless behavior and get out."
Norman, feigning reluctance, pocketed the pocket watch.
In that interval, Norman's friends freely touched everything in her room, handling objects as they pleased.
'If that girl finds out, she'll throw a fit. I'll have to have her clean again. For something so trivial to have such a temperament...'
Norman sighed as if troubled, watching his friends' antics unfold.
Given the circumstances, it was better to simply let them look around and leave.
A pocket watch worth three million Krunas was hardly a losing trade for a mere viewing fee.
'What's the big deal about it.'
After some time had passed, Norman urged his friends along in a measured tone.
"Come now, stop your foolishness and get out quickly."
"...Wait. What is this?"
Just then, someone peeked into Grace's dresser and spoke.
"Isn't this a check from Thomson Bank? My, what a modern woman. I didn't know this young lady knew how to use a bank."
At his words, Norman's head snapped around.
* * *
'My, this Estate is absolutely enormous.'
Julie had slipped downstairs for a moment while Grace waited.
Gabriel had prepared tea for Grace, but the anxious Grace needed cool plum tea rather than warm rose tea.
Indeed, the Black Family Estate was staggeringly vast—worthy of the title "wealthiest in the realm."
Julie had wandered for quite some time before finally locating the Estate's modest kitchen.
'With a place this enormous, why are there so few servants?'
The Estate was incomparably larger than the Oellin Family's Town House, yet she scarcely encountered a single servant in the corridors.
That said, the Estate didn't feel dark or neglected—quite the opposite, in fact.
"Hmm."
Fortunately, the modest kitchen revealed two mature, industrious maids at work.
"You're the maid from the Oellin Estate who came as a guest today, aren't you? What brings you here?"
Julie was astonished by their keen eye for recognition.
It was rare for even kitchen maids to know the master's guests by sight.
"Our young mistress tends to suffer from indigestion when she's nervous. Would it be possible to obtain some plum tea?"
"Of course. Please wait just a moment."
Julie found herself marveling at the maids' movements, their manner, and their practiced grace.
Professionals. These women were true professionals!
Even for something as simple as retrieving plum tea, their gestures were swift and economical, without a wasted motion.
What struck her most was their impeccably courteous treatment of a mere maid from another noble house.
After exchanging pleasantries with the kitchen maids, Julie made her way back upstairs.
The maids had been kind, and within appropriate bounds, they'd satisfied her curiosity.
Apparently, this Estate employed far fewer servants than was customary.
They worked with less than half the usual staff, yet all were seasoned professionals of exceptional caliber.
'With fewer people working, you'd think there'd be less work—but that's not how it is. Still, they compensate us with ample rest and fair wages, so we're content. The Duke and the stewards are all exemplary and conscientious people.'
What amazed her further was that they all spoke in unison when praising the Estate's master.
'Here, I only need to do my assigned duties well. There's no unfair treatment from above, no unjust dealings. You're Julie, yes? You must understand how much peace of mind such things bring to one's work.'
How could I not understand?
I'd spent the last seven years watching the Oellin Family's reckless scoundrels—those two wastrels—torment the servants relentlessly.
They didn't merely harass the servants; they were wretched men who troubled every woman they encountered.
Julie reflected silently.
'...I rather like it here!'
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org