Chapter 43 When Does He Leave?

Abruptly, Mirabelle gagged. Then, she covered her mouth and swallowed.

"Oh god, I almost threw up in my mouth."

Ophelia kept her face calm. Her heart was racing a thousand beats per second. She was never good with confrontations.

"You think I am my brother's mistress?!" Mirabelle gaped, placing a hand on her chest, almost offended. "He's so ugly, why would anyone want to be his mistress?"

"O-oh, w-what?" Ophelia's cheeks turned bright red. She was morbid. Her mistakes were glaring. She wished she could bury herself in a hole.

"M-my husband i-is not ugly," Ophelia finally managed to say.

Mirabelle gawked.

Ophelia blushed.

Ophelia glanced away and awkwardly cleared her throat. Killorn was easily one of the most handsome men in the entire empire, if not, the continent. With his bright brooding eyes, dark hair, and chiseled jaw, who'd dare to insult his appearance?

"You're obligated to say that as his wife, but as his sister, I can reassure you that he is very—"

"H-he's not," Ophelia insisted.

Mirabelle chuckled under her breath. The lady was cute. She could see why her older brother was so smitten by her. Ophelia's embarrassed expression was a delight to the playful Mirabelle.

Leaning closer and taking advantage of Ophelia's baffled statement, Mirabelle cunningly smiled.

"Oh yeah?" Mirabelle snickered. "What else do you think of my ogre-looking brother?"

Ophelia naively blinked. "W-well, he's m-mesmerizing, s-strong…" her voice cracked.

Ophelia bit her bottom lips, realizing she had fallen straight into a trap. Mirabelle suddenly howled with laughter, in the most unlady like manner. Mirabelle even smacked the table, her face lit up with delight.

"It's not f-funny," Ophelia stammered out.

"No, my lady, you are just adorable, that is all."

Ophelia sputtered. No one had ever called her that before. Not knowing what to say, she dived into the soup. When the flavor landed on her tongue, her eyes widened. The stew was creamy and hearty, the meat melting in her mouth.

"How is the rabbit?" Mirabelle asked, almost in a boastful manner. "Usually, rabbits are gamy during winter because they do not have a good diet, but our chef is amazing and makes it taste so fresh!"

"I-it's one of the b-best food I've had," Ophelia shyly admitted. She meant it.

In House Eves, Ophelia seldom experienced good food. The Matriarch was strict with her diet and always made Ophelia dine in her room. Often, Ophelia was given stale bread, slices of cheese or ham, and plain porridge. She had never had something as amazing as this.

"Dig in then," Mirabelle said, her voice softening at Ophelia's tender expression. She had never witnessed this kind of emotion in a noble lady. It was almost as if Ophelia was a peasant trying privileged food, for the first time.

Mirabelle couldn't tell if she found it endearing or heartbreaking.

- - - - -

"Follow me, sister-in-law! Let me take you on a tour around the castle and then, the walls protecting our village. Usually, a magician comes to bless it everyday, but he has been stuck in the empire from bed rest due to his old age," Mirabelle explained. "You'll like him, he's grouchy, but nice, his name is Reagan."

Mirabelle quickly piled more food into Ophelia's plate. "As we speak, his pupil is most likely coming as blessings are extremely important. Especially because lately, there has been more monsters appearing, so perhaps we shouldn't stay near there for long." Mirabelle chirped once their morning meal ended.

Ophelia's stomach was stuffed to the brim. The oily and creamy food was eventually no match for her palette. She wondered if it was normal for werewolves to break their fast with this large of a meal. Back in the human empire, they usually began their days with a light salad and other entrees.

"There will be no need, Lady Mirabelle. Your tutor has arrived, please leave the Madam to me," Cora wisely commented from behind them.

Ophelia's ears perked. Tutors? She wished she had some.

"Aw, but—"

"Seeing as you can't count past four, please attend your lessons, Lady Mirabelle," Cora continued.

Mirabelle narrowed her eyes. "You know that's not true, I am one of the smartest werewolves around!"

"With a sword," Cora corrected. "Lady Mirabelle."

"Just because you add a Lady to my address doesn't make me any less of a fighter, I am almost getting as good as my brother," Mirabelle protested.

Cora glanced at the lady's frilly dresses. Mirabelle followed her gaze and rolled her eyes.

"Just because I like swords and fighting men, doesn't mean I hate lace and cute things. I can be a lady too, when I like," Mirabelle explained.

Cora let out a soft sigh and shook head in disappointment. She knew this conversation was going nowhere, thus, turned to the waiting Lady of the house.

"This way, Madam," Cora instructed.

Ophelia reluctantly parted with the bright and witty young lady. She watched as Mirabelle grumbled her entire way down the other end of the hallways.

Then, she followed Cora for a tour.

"I-I'd like to s-see the training grounds."

Cora paused. She had no choice, but to oblige. Their Alpha had warned everyone this morning that the Lady's words were absolute. Whatever she wanted, she'd get. No one was to deny the Madam of her wishes.

"Your wish is our command, Madam."

Thus, Cora began to guide Ophelia downstairs. As they walked through various hallways, Ophelia admired all of them, but at the same time, noted what needed work. She may not have expertise in running a castle, but she did know what a lavish and well-taken care of house should look like. As quaint and well-cleaned this place was, Killorn was right. The castle could use a large renovation.

"I-I hear there is routine e-extermination of m-monsters," Ophelia suddenly said.

"We're glad the Lady of the House has arrived at such a crucial time. We do daily extermination, but lately, there are more monsters than usual since last night. It is quite strange, for a large nest of goblins suddenly appeared. It's a good thing our Alpha returned so quickly," Cora stated in her usual, solemn voice.

Then, Cora glanced at the Madam. "Unfortunately, he has to leave so soon after his arrival back, but this time, for the empire."

"W-when does he leave?" Ophelia asked, her stomach churning at the thought of departing from him so soon. She barely got to know him.

"You must ask the Alpha that, Madam," Cora stated.

Ophelia realized that the humans addressed Killorn as Duke, whereas the werewolves addressed him as Alpha.

"Shall we start our tour now, Madam?" Cora calmly asked. "Might I suggest we begin from the castle and work outwards from there?"

Ophelia slowly blinked. "L-lets start outwards and move inwards instead. T-the wall p-protecting our people is the most important, f-for it protects our c-citizens."

Cora was stunned speechless. She thought the Madam, hailing from House Eves, was spoiled by heart. Cora expected it when her suggestions were ignored the first time around and then, again. Cora thought the Madam would be spending like a madman to beautify the estate and anything that fancies a woman's money.

"The wall's maintenance is often left to the Alpha, Madam," Cora said. "It is tradition for the Lady of the House to manage the castle's appearance instead, Madam."

Ophelia's shoulders dropped. Did she overstep her responsibilities? She didn't want to disrespect Killorn by overtaking his duties without permission. She still felt like a guest here, instead of someone who'd soon be managing the estates.

"Your suggestion to care for the town is heartfelt and well-appreciated, do not fret. If the townsfolk and our pack heard of it, they'd be touched by your actions" Cora continued, her rigid voice softening only momentarily.

"In regards to the Dukedom, thanks to our Alpha's dedications throughout the two years, monsters are warded from the area, and our population is on a quick increase. Our town is doing well, even during winter, with a few problems here and there, given, Madam," Cora finalized.

Ophelia nodded in understanding. "T-there should be separate budgets," she said to herself in a quiet voice, processing all the information at once.

Ophelia only wanted to help. She didn't know what her duties as lady should begin with. She felt like a child being reprimanded but wasn't sure if that was Cora's intention. The housekeeper was old enough to be Killorn's mother. Soon, they began walking. Occasionally, there was a maid or butler cleaning the hallways and doing their chores, but they'd all pause and bow to greet the two of them.

"I-I'd like to see the castle l-ledgers soon," Ophelia made up her mind.

Even at the pleasing statement, Cora didn't smile. She rarely did. There wasn't much that made her happy.

"We shall bring it to you immediately, Madam," Cora decided.

Ophelia quietly nodded. She wanted to do everything she could, but was worried that her inadequate speech would hinder things. If only, she hadn't been so foolish enough to follow that random maid. She could only blame herself for this predicament—and never Killorn.