Chapter 17
As Celine left, a light conversation time was arranged. Reina said warmly.
“It seems like you’re sisters since you have the same last name.”
“Yes, that’s right. Madam, please speak comfortably!”
“Should I? Then how many siblings are there in the Daily family?”
“I’m the third, and Rose is the second. The eldest sister is already married and staying outside the territory, and also…… Ah! There are two more younger sisters below me!”
As Lily cheerfully explained her family background that wasn’t even asked, Rose, who had been keeping her mouth shut tight all along, said curtly.
“Lily, there’s no need to say even that. To someone who might leave anytime.”
“Sister, what do you mean by might leave anytime?”
When Lily innocently tilted her head, Rose glanced at Reina and held her tongue.
But unable to stop her itching mouth, she muttered to herself.
“Such a noble royal, how long can she endure in the north anyway.”
Of course, it was a voice loud enough for Reina to hear.
“Uh, sister!”
Flustered, Lily called Rose lowly and checked Reina’s reaction.
It was a flustered expression at her sister’s behavior that seemed to openly criticize the master she served.
But Reina didn’t get angry at Rose’s words.
To begin with, she had heard enough insulting words in the past to the point of being fed up, so this level was cute.
Reina calmly looked at Rose and continued.
“I’m no longer a royal but a Crencia person. So I hope you don’t put up walls like that.”
At the words that pinpointed specifically, Rose’s face turned bright red.
Among nobles who liked to speak indirectly, expressing it so directly and pinpointing was rare.
Of course, Reina didn’t intend to embarrass Rose on purpose.
Rather, it was a sincere and honest expression.
Because she just wanted to get along well with the family that served Crencia.
But for Rose to feel, it was a statement worthy of considering it sufficiently humiliating.
“I want to get along with you guys. Besides, you know the north better than I do. I’d like it if you could tell me a lot.”
“Of course! If you need, I’ll introduce the north to you anytime. Actually, there are so many places I want to take you to?”
Lily quickly interjected and lightened the heavy atmosphere.
Meanwhile, while she was chattering about where is famous in the north, Rose observed Reina with her arms crossed.
The light-colored blonde hair was shiny and glossy rather than dry.
The snow-white skin made the red lips stand out, and the deep blue eyes looked intelligent as if stars were embedded.
‘She’s prettier than I thought.’
Rose sent a gaze full of jealousy and bit her lower lip.
In fact, when she heard about the Duke of Crencia’s marriage, Rose had fallen into great shock.
Because she had no doubt that his wife’s position was hers deep down.
In reality, the successive Duchesses of Crencia were produced from one of the loyal families.
She had been by Kaiden’s side since childhood.
She thought she had been receiving bridal training as his wife until now.
But suddenly, some princess she had never heard of took her place outright.
While she was holed up in her room making a sea of tears because of that, she was even drafted as a close maid, so her pride couldn’t help but be hurt.
Thus, naturally, sharp words came out, but the other party didn’t care at all, which made her even more angry.
Rose clicked her tongue while looking at Reina, who seemed like she would struggle even to hold a sword hilt.
‘A weak woman doesn’t suit Crencia at all.’
She had learned guns from childhood to become the Duchess.
This time too, if she hadn’t been called as a close maid, her skills were outstanding enough to participate in the subjugation team.
On the other hand, Reina had a body that seemed to have no talent in martial arts at all.
Rather, it was unbelievable that Kaiden brought such an existence that seemed like it would only be a hindrance as his wife.
Judging that there must be another reason, Rose tried to suppress the creeping anxiety.
After that, as soon as they came out of Reina’s room, Lily scolded lowly.
“Sister, what’s wrong with you?”
“What about me.”
When Rose curtly feigned ignorance, Lily let out a deep sigh.
“If you were going to be like this, you should have just said you can’t be a close maid. Daisy is dying to do it.”
“I intended to check with my own eyes. Whether she’s suitable for the Duchess of Crencia or not.”
“Why do you judge that? That’s for the Duke to do.”
“Kaiden is quite dull in these matters.”
Just as Rose snorted, she added.
“I guarantee it. She’ll definitely cry and whine that she wants to go back before even a month passes.”
* * *
After receiving all the guidance and resting for a bit, it was already evening.
Leaving behind Kaiden, who had work piled up from visiting the imperial palace, Reina, who solved dinner alone, quietly headed to the library.
It was to find a book worth reading before bed.
While wandering around the bookshelves selecting books, a unfamiliar head was seen in a corner spot.
As she approached, some girl was asleep holding a book as big as her body in her arms.
She probably fell asleep while reading.
Reina looked down at the child with black hair braided into two pigtails and easily guessed the child’s identity.
Seeing her freely coming and going in the Crencia main castle library, it seemed she was staying here.
And there was only one child staying in Crencia Castle.
It must be Kaiden’s younger brother Aiden’s daughter, Dalia Crencia.
Just then, the child curled up as if cold.
Reina covered her with the shawl she was wearing so as not to wake the child.
Following that, as she was about to call someone, she felt someone pulling her skirt.
When she turned around, the child was holding Reina’s skirt, having woken up at some point.
“Mom?”
The child, mistaking Reina for her mom in her sleepiness, gripped tightly.
Following that, with teary eyes, she said.
“Mom, don’t go.”
“…….”
“Dalia won’t whine anymore. Sniff. I won’t bother mom, so please don’t leave.”
At the sudden tears, Reina looked around with a flustered face.
Misunderstanding that she was trying to leave, the child jumped up and buried herself in the skirt.
“Sniff. Waaah…….”
Seeing the child quietly sniffing and swallowing her cries, her feet wouldn’t move.
Reina, deciding to soothe the child first, lifted the child up and patted her back.
“Yes, I won’t go anywhere.”
“Huuung. Promise.”
Dalia whined sleepily and burrowed deeper into Reina’s arms.
In the end, while carrying the child on her back and circling the library, she bumped right into someone who came in just then.
“Dalia?”
A man with a soft impression somewhat resembling Kaiden looked at his daughter with a flustered face.
Reina, standing awkwardly, introduced herself to the wary opponent.
“Hello, I’m Reina Crencia.”
“Ah.”
The man, realizing Reina’s identity only then, bowed his head in greeting.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Aiden Crencia. The Duke is my older brother. I didn’t expect to meet like this suddenly…….”
To the awkward introduction, Reina asked leisurely.
“I’m glad to meet you too. Did you come to pick up the child by any chance?”
“Yes. But why is Dalia in Your Highness’s arms…….”
“The child seems to have mistaken me for her mom in her sleepiness.”
“……I see.”
At that moment, Aiden’s expression became gloomy.
Following that, he said with a depressed face.
“In fact, since the child’s mom died not long ago, she follows any blonde woman like that.”
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By Anna 💓
