CH 43

“Or, is there a dressing room that you were originally looking for?”

I remembered the old clothes that I had left behind in Nora’s dressing room.

The clothes were tailored in the dressing room in the countryside, but I still liked them.

But I have no regrets. I brought nothing from the Blick family.

Not a single one.

“No, there is not.”

Sophia politely nodded at my reply.

“Miss Larissa’s clothes are prepared downstairs, I will have the maids move them.”

“Yes, please.”

I chose a light, warm-looking outfit for the outing.

Sophia quickly changed my clothes.

Her movements were gentle and caring, yet very quick.

Even my old maids, who had been serving me for years, couldn’t do this.

“Which dress would you choose for Miss Larissa?”

Sophia asked me.

I raised one eyebrow.

Even though it was about Larissa’s clothes, she asked my opinion, not Larissa’s.

“I will change Larissa’s clothes myself. It will be the same for the time being.”

“Alright.”

Sophia answered without changing her expression.

After changing Larissa’s clothes, we continued the tour of the Grand Duchess’ room.

“This is the last room.”

Sophia pushed the gilded handle and opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, I saw a huge bed in the middle of the room.

The white bedding embroidered with gorgeous gold thread looked soft and neat.

“There is another bedroom. Is it for guests?”

I think the guest room is too wide and glamorous.

Sophia answered, “This is the couple’s bedroom, madam. If you open the door on the other side, you will be connected to the master’s room.”

Whoa, the couple’s bedroom.

As I approached, looking at the shelves neatly lined with various bottles of alcohol, I stiffened as I was.

“This is the shared room between the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess, and the one I saw earlier is my private bedroom?”

“Yes, this is the main bedroom for the two of you.”

This is just a place for dust to accumulate.

I shook my head violently in my mind.

It’s nice to have my own private bedroom though.

If there is only a bedroom for the couple, it will feel like sleeping on a thorn bed every day.

To be in bed with a stranger….., the thought of it is terrifying.

‘Even with Larissa, we still can’t share the same bed yet.’

I looked at Larissa and Sophia.

Fortunately, neither of them seemed to think my attitude was suspicious.

“Do you like the bedding? If there is something you want, I will have the maids change it immediately.”

“No, you don’t have to. It’s okay just like this.”

Because I won’t use it anyway.

I don’t have to use this room even though the bed is so big and beautiful.

‘Besides, that liquor collection…… I can’t touch it either.’

I turned my head

“You did a great job. Tell the others the same, and we’ll move to the Grand Duchess’ room as soon as Larissa’s bed is ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Judging by the skill of preparing all of this in just a few days, Larissa’s bed will probably be ready in no time.

Maybe we’ll move our rooms today or tomorrow?

“When is the Grand Duke planning to move rooms?”

“He already moved this morning. He will probably be in the office by now.”

I looked over the bed at the opposite door.

Is the office somewhere beyond that door?

Even though we live in the same house, it is difficult to see each other even once.

“Is the office on this floor, too?”

“No, the office is downstairs. It’s a more personal room.”

I see. Suddenly, I wondered how the Grand Duke’s room would be arranged.

‘Well, as it should be, it’s Fabian’s personal room, so there’s no need to go there. It’s no use to be curious.’

I shrugged and said to Sophia, “Then I’ll go downstairs and take a look. I also have to change Larisaa’s clothes. It’s okay if you don’t follow me, so just tell me the location of her room.”

“Are you going to the garden immediately after changing Miss Larissa’s clothes?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Then I will instruct the maids to make sure everything is ready by the time you return from the garden. Do you want me to call someone to escort you?”

At first, I was going to say no, but then I changed my mind.

I don’t know the structure of the mansion yet, so I might get lost in the garden.

“I want Sophia to come with me, is that okay?”

“Of course, ma’am!”

Sophia readily answered.

While she went to pass my instructions to the other maids, I brought Larissa downstairs.

Larissa’s room was also spacious and decorated in various ways.

“Larissa, look at this. This outfit is so cute!”

I picked out one of the cutest outfits as many as mine and put it on Larissa.

When I left the room, Sophia was waiting outside the door.

“I told the kitchen to prepare a picnic lunch basket. If you are hungry, you can eat it right away.”

“Thank you, Sophia,” I replied with a smile.

She already had two lace parasols in her hands and a thick piece of cloth to lay on the lawn in the garden.

I took Larissa’s hand with light steps and walked down the central staircase.

Sophia followed one step behind us.

Beautiful weather, a peaceful breakfast, a dedicated and thoughtful maid, a new room, and a mountain of new clothes.

It really was such a perfect day.

So I let my guard down.

I have to be especially careful at times like this. Because I’m always unlucky.

– Is this a mansion or a palace? You ungrateful girls.

“…..!”

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such swear words. It felt like my heart was frozen.

‘……no way?’

It was a voice I knew.

– How dare you to betray me when I’ve fed you and raised you up to this point? Did you think I would not be able to find you?

I reflexively stopped on the spot. But it’s already too late.

We were down to the ground floor overlooking the hall and entrance.

There was Igor who had a fight – almost a physical fight – with the guards.

Larissa, who was descending the stairs with me with light steps, froze on the spot as if she were a stone statue.

“You can’t just walk in. Didn’t I say you should wait here?”

“Get out of the way, I’m the Grand Duchess’ father! You’re not even going to let me see my daughter?!”

My mind went blank.

‘How did you get here? This fast?’

The Blick family’s estate was in the countryside, a month or so to reach the capital.

But how did you find out so quickly?

‘……no, I should have expected it.’

He must have been looking for us desperately, so it could be.

At first, I only thought about escaping.

Escaping from my destiny to be executed three years later.

As soon as I escaped, I felt a sense of freedom.

Larissa also started to noticeably improve soon after she got out of the Blick family.

And the relief in fear, from Fabian’s boast, that he would kill Igor and Villain if I wanted to.

Thanks to him, I let my guard down too soon.

‘……I thought it would be over if I just met Grand Duke Laurent.’

I bit my lip.

‘First, I have to hide Larissa.’

She has barely escaped, but when she returns, she won’t just be locked up in the basement of a mansion with a double door.

He will really kill her.

I’m not going to let Larissa go back to that miserable life. Never.

“Go back to your room. Right Now.”

I hurriedly turned around, whispering to Larissa and Sophia in a low voice.

It was then.

“Larissa! Marcia! My precious treasures! Here you are.”

Igor’s voice, trembling with excitement, echoed high from behind.

I closed my eyes tightly.

– My diamond!

No one can make up the voice of the heart.

When Igor made eye contact with Larissa, he called her Diamond, not her name.

‘No, Larissa is your daughter, not your property!’

She is a child who knows how to smell flowers when she sees them and likes sweet things.

She is a living, breathing person.

“Do you know how long this father has been looking for you?”

Igor poured out harsh language in his heart and played the role of a good father in a disgusting voice at the same time.

Larissa’s body trembled like an aspen.

I went down one step and blocked Larissa from Igor with my body.

‘Should I kick him out right away?’

The urge to do so soared like a fire, but I held it in.

I’m sure he’ll come back as soon as he’s kicked out.

Moreover, he might try to bring Fabian to trial for imprisoning her underage daughter.

It is obvious that he will lose, and Larissa will be handed over to Igor by the hand of the law.

“It’s been a while, Dad.”

I looked down the stairs with a sneer.