Chapter 42
What a nuisance.
Nanael realized that her broken engagement had been the decisive factor in Cesare’s decision to return home.
He must have been getting bored with life abroad, and this was a perfect excuse to come back.
Nanael replied coolly.
“Don’t butt in and rush me. I’m already completely thrown by the situation.”
The Duke of Ainluk’s declaration of breaking the engagement had dealt a major blow to her side as well.
She’d assumed he would never do it, if only because of the previous duke.
The Ainluk household had forbidden entry to outsiders, but the palace priests had no choice but to visit periodically for the holy water.
It was surveillance disguised as treatment. To confirm that the Duke of Ainluk’s leash was still intact.
According to the latest report, the previous duke’s condition remained unchanged.
His life was barely extended through magic; his body was as good as dead.
Yet, for six years, Alferen had kept breath in that body, acting like the imperial family’s dog—and now, suddenly, he was breaking the engagement.
Because of it, Empress Rosaria had taken to her bed in a half-faint, tormenting Nanael relentlessly.
‘Is he that smitten with Rodellia Peris? Or has he found another way out?’
Either way, her pride wouldn’t allow her to just sit back and watch.
As Nanael ground her teeth in frustration, Cesare asked with a sly smile.
“Shall I get revenge for you, sister?”
“How?”
“Why go the long way around when you have such a capable brother?”
Cesare cupped his chin like a flower and grinned broadly.
In Barnard, Cesare’s reputation was still quite good.
He’d never stayed long in the capital due to attending the academy, and the women he’d toyed with had quietly disappeared.
Empress Rosaria had handled the cleanup neatly, preserving his outward image.
On the surface, his relationship with the crown prince wasn’t bad either, making him one of the more promising marriage prospects.
“I’m everyone’s type, you know.”
It wasn’t baseless confidence. His appearance, strikingly similar to the famously beautiful Rosaria, was dazzling.
If Alferen Ainluk represented the classic handsome ideal, Cesare Barnard had a more distinctive, charismatic appeal.
Especially as a snake-like guy who knew exactly how to make women fall for him.
Nanael smiled as if it might be entertaining.
“Go ahead and try.”
At her approval, Cesare stretched and rose from his seat.
“Don’t worry, sister. These things always start with a chance encounter in disguise.”
Nanael snorted at his smug face.
She hoped his oh-so-charming looks would work on Rodellia Peris.
Of course, if they didn’t, it would scratch Cesare’s ego just the same, which wouldn’t be bad for Nanael either.
* * *
Entrusted with managing the inner affairs of the Ainluk ducal household, the first thing I did was replace the outdated curtains and carpets.
“Just changing the curtains makes it feel so much brighter.”
The head maid, Sophia, looked up at me with an admiring expression.
As we checked the inventory of supplies, I learned that the merchants had been offloading old stock to the unsuspecting maids.
“If it weren’t for you, Lady Rodellia, we’d have paid a fortune for outdated curtains again.”
“That fabric was recently found to cause skin diseases, so it’s no longer sellable. To think they’d try to palm it off—it’s insane.”
“You’re right. Sigh, to attempt such fraud on a ducal house, of all places.”
Sophia sighed at the near-miss of being taken advantage of.
Her face clearly showed self-reproach for her lack of discernment.
After observing the servants for a few days, I’d concluded they were far too soft-hearted.
Despite their stern appearances, they had a strong tendency to be pushovers.
Maybe that’s why I kept wanting to help them.
I casually eased Sophia’s self-blame.
“There are plenty of Dulys out there who think continued kindness means they have rights.”
“Pardon? Dulys?”
When Sophia didn’t understand, Mei, who was nearby, chimed in.
“Our miss often uses slang only she knows, so just let it slide~.”
“Anyway, it’s not your fault, Sophia. Managing this huge mansion is already busy enough; keeping up with trends on top of that is tough.”
“Lady Rodellia…”
“For now, you can trust the merchants on the list I gave you—they don’t pull tricks like this. Each one handles exclusive items, so it’s best to maintain ties with all of them.”
The Ainluk ducal house had fallen behind trends because they’d dealt exclusively with one merchant for so long.
Of course, if the other party had been honorable, it wouldn’t have gotten this bad.
The merchant who’d tried to fleece them, knowing there was no lady of the house, had already been sued by the Ainluk family.
In the merchant world, where trust was paramount, being sued by a grand noble like the Ainluks was as good as being blacklisted from the industry.
“Even this morning, the merchant head came begging to drop the lawsuit.”
“Sophia, don’t go soft. After being taken for six years, if you let them off now, they’ll really see you as pushovers.”
At my stern warning, Sophia, whose resolve had been wavering, nodded vigorously.
The Ainluk mansion was a beautiful building in its own right.
Even with outdated items placed around, it still looked impressive thanks to the building’s unique atmosphere.
Beyond the wide windows, the forest was lush with summer greenery, and the pouring sunlight embroidered stars on the marble floor.
As I gazed quietly at that beautiful scenery, a building suddenly caught my eye.
Nestled in the dense forest, it looked like a villa.
It was as large as the main house, and the hallways bustled with moving maids.
“The previous duke is there, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Sophia gazed at the annex with a wistful expression.
“It was where the previous duke used to rest during his lifetime. It was the late duchess’s favorite spot.”
It seemed they’d chosen it as his residence because it was filled with memories.
To help the patient feel even a little more at ease.
I casually probed the thing I was most curious about.
“How is His Grace doing?”
It could be a sensitive question, so I was cautious. Sophia replied in a calm tone.
“He’s still sleeping just as he has been.”
Beneath her gentle expression, a deep shadow lingered.
“He must be quite bored.”
“If he were conscious, perhaps.”
Sophia gave a bitter smile. It seemed she’d already given up on the previous duke’s recovery.
Even after staying at the mansion for just a few days, it was clear.
Alferen wasn’t the only one exhausted from the long-term caregiving.
Everyone was worn out.
Facing a patient with no hope of improvement would do that to anyone.
I suddenly recalled the rude elder who’d barged into the Ainluk household.
Such insubordination was possible only because the previous duke was still alive.
In the original story, Alferen’s position solidified only after the previous duke’s death.
An inheritance not carried out through proper procedures burdened the successor that much.
Alferen and his close aides would know that best, so they couldn’t be unaware of the worry.
“Could I perhaps meet him?”
The words slipped out before I knew it, and Sophia blinked in surprise.
“Well, that would require the duke’s permission.”
It was a roundabout refusal.
Her face showed extra caution because Alferen was particularly sensitive about his father.
It would be right to back off, but for some reason, it nagged at me.
I pressed again.
“I just want to sit by his side. He’s been asleep so long; he might be lonely.”
“Then I’ll ask about it.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I smiled brightly and was about to discuss the next task.
Sophia murmured with a lingering, thoughtful expression.
“Our duke is truly fortunate. To have found someone with such a beautiful heart.”
“Ahem!”
The unexpected praise at that moment made my face burn hot.
Since we were supposedly dating, it was fitting, but my conscience pricked sharply.
