Croa had been found collapsed in front of the sanctuary, looking like a beggar.
He kept claiming to be the steward of the Johannes family, but no one believed him.
It was understandable—his appearance screamed years of homelessness. No one would think he belonged to the noble Johannes lineage.
Plus, his occasional ravings earned him the label of a madman.
When Rebecca hid in the sanctuary during her past life, a famine had swelled the ranks of the poor.
The sanctuary was struggling with a labor shortage.
Even so, the Liberta folk didn’t want the delicately raised Rebecca doing rough work.
But her stubbornness won out.
She chose to care for Croa, whom everyone avoided.
Croa often dropped anecdotes only a duke’s confidant would know.
Gradually, Rebecca began to believe he was truly the Johannes steward.
At the time, Yulian had been bedridden for years. Still, compared to past Johannes dukes, he’d lived long.
Croa, his loyal aide, never gave up on him.
He’d wandered the empire seeking a cure, only to lose his mind.
He shared many stories with Rebecca, who nursed him devotedly.
Most were incoherent, but occasionally, he revealed intriguing ducal secrets:
The curse tying the Johannes family to the goddess Dephria, how Yulian fell ill trying to break it, and the story of his only sister, whose identity he fiercely protected.
Croa would often stop mid-sentence, stand, and wail.
“Argh! My poor duke, dying a virgin! Such tragedy! I, Croa, will break the curse… urk, cough!”
Oddly, whenever he spoke of breaking the curse, he’d cough up blood, as if the act itself was cursed.
Still, Rebecca cared for him diligently.
Then, one day, Croa caught a fever that wouldn’t break.
With his last strength, he shouted,
“I’ve found it! The way to save the dukedom… but it’ll anger the goddess… the method is…!”
Grabbing Rebecca’s shoulders, he rambled the cure repeatedly.
After three or four repetitions, he vomited blood and died.
After his death, Rebecca memorized every word.
She intended to inform the Johannes family.
But, fleeing Zeppelin, she couldn’t reach them.
Pregnant and on the run, survival was grueling.
In her desperate life, she gradually forgot about Yulian.
When her child was born, raising it and earning money consumed her.
Living fiercely, she died at Zeppelin’s hands.
“If I’d been braver…”
Her chest ached.
She vaguely recalled Zeppelin mentioning attending a duke’s funeral.
There were only two dukes in the empire. Duke Latranis was thriving then.
The bedridden duke could only have been Yulian.
“He died without fulfilling his lifelong wish.”
Rebecca pictured Yulian’s confident stride and haughty gaze. He didn’t seem like someone who’d die in bed.
Though she’d only heard Croa’s ramblings, she felt deeply indebted to Yulian.
If she’d spoken up, even sent a letter, she might’ve prevented the dukedom’s tragedy.
Using that knowledge to manipulate him now gnawed at her.
But she had no choice.
He was her last lifeline. She needed that straw desperately.
“We’re almost there, Lady Rebecca,” Kanna said, lifting the carriage curtain.
The door opened.
“Lady Rebecca!”
The Liberta folk poured out to greet her.
Stepping out amid their warm welcome, Rebecca saw the sanctuary standing tall under the blue sky.
…
“Is everyone doing well?”
“Thanks to you, Lady Rebecca!”
They were eager to share their stories.
Rebecca beamed at their chatter.
“Wow… she’s so pretty.”
She noticed a child staring, mouth agape.
About seven, with a cute brown bowl cut.
“I haven’t seen you before. Are you new?”
Rebecca patted the child’s head. Gloria, the sanctuary’s matron, smiled.
“Not new. This is Margaret’s child.”
“I’m Jack!” the boy announced, raising his hand.
Margaret’s?
Rebecca’s eyes widened.
She’d known Jack in her past life.
After Croa’s death, she’d worked at Margaret’s La Bonne Salon.
Margaret, a skilled patissier, ran a thriving business, with Jack playing a big role.
He had a knack for drawing people in.
Back then, he was a handsome young man. Seeing him so young now stirred her emotions.
“Jack! I told you not to run off!”
Margaret’s voice rang out as she hurried over.
Seeing Rebecca surrounded, she paused.
“Greetings, Lady Rebecca.”
Her bow was impeccable.
A fallen noble’s daughter, her manners were flawless.
Unlike other Liberta folk, Margaret was reserved with Rebecca.
It was the same in her past life.
She’d smile, but her face would harden around Rebecca.
Hiring Rebecca as a kitchen assistant suggested no real malice, but there was always a distance.
As Rebecca chatted with the Liberta folk, Gloria whispered,
“Your guest is already here, waiting.”
Rebecca nodded. Gloria clapped her hands.
“Come on, don’t bother Lady Rebecca. Back to work!”
Grumbling reluctantly, the crowd dispersed after Rebecca promised to say goodbye before leaving.
Once alone, she turned to Gloria.
“Thank you. We brought refreshments, so don’t worry. I heard Zeppelin cut the funding. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Don’t fret. We don’t have fancy noble treats, but Margaret made cookies.”
“If Margaret made them, they’re sure to be delicious. I won’t refuse.”
Rebecca’s smile lit up Gloria’s wrinkled face.
She seemed thrilled to help, even a little.
“This way.”
Following Gloria, Rebecca glanced at Robert, the guard Zeppelin assigned.
Kanna had hinted he’d been her watchdog for months.
In her past life, Robert was always nearby, too.
He’d been killed on false charges of admiring her, despite only following Zeppelin’s orders.
“Used and discarded, probably.”
She looked at Robert with pity.
But when he smiled brightly at her, she steeled herself.
His friendly demeanor hid his role as her meticulous observer.
He was an enemy now.
The sanctuary was the only place free of Zeppelin’s hounds.
He ignored it, like bugs crawling outside.
Still, Rebecca wasn’t at ease.
She’d only told Gloria about her guest, keeping it from the others.
Gloria likely thought Yulian was a distant relative.
Knowing Zeppelin’s strict control over Rebecca’s outings, she accepted the secretive meeting easily.
Rebecca hadn’t even told Kanna about Yulian’s identity or purpose.
It wasn’t distrust.
It was caution.
Clearing her throat, Rebecca signaled Kanna, who approached Robert.
“The scones here are excellent. Want to try some?”
“Scones? Nice! Got coffee, too?”
Surprisingly, Robert followed Kanna, humming.
His nonchalance felt suspicious.
Rebecca watched his retreating figure.
Sometimes, he’d open his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.
His intentions were unreadable.
“Lady Rebecca!”
Gloria beckoned.
Taking a deep breath, Rebecca stepped forward.
…
“How rude! Making the duke wait!”
Croa munched chocolate-studded cookies, grumbling, then choked, pounding his chest.
Yulian, frowning, handed him tea.
“If you’re just going to complain, why’d you come? And for all your griping, you’re eating plenty.”
Croa gulped the tea, caught his breath, and sighed heavily.
“Are you really going through with this absurd contract?”
Yulian lowered his gaze, thoughtful.
“It’s not a bad deal. Collecting rumors from storytellers or marrying a suspicious woman—neither’s trustworthy. You know I’d do anything to break this damned curse.”
“What if she’s lying? Isn’t that likely?”
“Then…” Yulian looked up, smirking crookedly at Croa.
A playful grin made Croa hesitate.
“I’ll let her fool me.”
