CH 11

Author: alyalia

It had been a week since I began to stay at the duchy. As Duke Gracie submitted the adoption papers, I was given tutors for all kinds of classes. From the world situation and the internal affairs of the empire, dance and social etiquette, philosophy, and basic knowledge classes. Under the Duke’s authority, the tutors were silenced until I officially entered the society.

In the meantime, I spent time with Bella, got a massage, and matched dresses and jewelry. It had only been a week, but it felt like a month had passed.

After today’s philosophy class, I stretched my body all the way. Still, philosophy was a little better because it wasn’t my first time learning it. Since it was closely related to the Shinsu clan, it was a study I had been taught by my mother since childhood.

I opened the curtains slightly and tilted my teacup. It’s been a while since I have had some free time. The class schedule was messed up, but I had no other classes today. Unfortunately, I had no time to rest. It was because the tutors in each subject gave me a lot of assignments to match my level of learning quickly. That’s why I had to stay up almost all night for the past week.

I was also being greedy myself. It was only natural for a mother to want her daughter back as soon as possible.

I blinked slowly. It felt heavy, as if something had stuck to my eyelids. With a small sigh, I held up my assignments and books. Alright, let’s do it outside. Even a cool breeze would relieve my fatigue a little.

I groaned and went to the garden. I could see the beautiful roses blooming between the books that covered my view. Unknowingly, the corner of my mouth went up. But the moment I saw the red rose, an unpleasant memory ran through my head.

“Honey, look at this. I brought a bouquet of roses that resemble you.”

“Oh my, it’s so pretty. But roses must be expensive…”

“You work hard at home every day, but you’re so touched by mere things like this. I love you, Lia.”

Without realizing it, my hand holding the book was getting stronger. Even in this duchy, the memories of pain came to my mind vividly as if it had just happened yesterday. I creased my eyebrows slightly and nervously arranged books, parchments, quill, and ink on the table in the garden.

Why do I remember things like this again? Even when I saw this beautiful rose garden, I hated myself for remembering him. I wanted to spit, curse him, but I just took a big breath.

Then, it was when I was about to open the book to do my assignment in earnest.

“How about it? Would you like to work with me?”

“Oh my, hohoho…!”

I could hear someone laughing behind my back. It wasn’t the voice of Bella or Duke Gracie. Maybe it was the servants who enjoyed a secret meeting. Well, it’s none of my business.

I wondered if it was okay to flirt openly like this in the mansion of a noble, but I coldly shut my mouth and spread the books and parchments on both sides.

If we interpret the relationship between the now-disappearing Shinsu clan and humans from a universal perspective… I immersed myself in the assignment by reading with my eyes and moving the quill in my hand.

“Look here. It’s a rose that resembles you.”

“Oh my, it’s so pretty!”

However, not knowing whether they were servants or not, their conversation was quite annoying.

The ability of the Shinsu clan is a substance, and what happens in the world is a phenomenon… I went through the book again, trying to ignore the voices.

“As expected, I knew it would suit you.”

“Oh my…!”

One of my eyebrows twitched. Ah, they’re really noisy. I finally closed the book with a thud sound. Since I wasn’t in a position with authority to say anything about this, it seemed that it would be better for me to move.

I rose up from my seat. Lifting my head and organizing my things, I noticed shiny golden hair from far away. Unknowingly, my eyes fell on him. Like butter flowing on a croissant, his face was shiny, and his eyes were enchanting enough to seduce anyone. The blue eyes that showed through the golden eyelashes that glittered like yellow topaz were as moist as if they were soaked in a lake.

Endimion had one thing to approve of his look, but that guy was more than him. It was just like you looked at a magnificent carved statue, so I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His face is great, but…

However, my gaze looked at him soon and frowned. Judging by his noble attire, he seemed to be a noble who visited here, not a servant.

My eyes narrowed sideways. The man’s manner of speaking and his outfit were very irritating. Putting aside the irritating shirt that was just about to come off, he would never look good as he came to the duchy and seduced a servant.

Just as I was about to frown, my eyes met his. The man’s lips curled up playfully, and he closed one eye cutely. The first thought I had at that moment was that I should avoid him.

I quickly arranged the books and parchments on the table. A large figure blocked my way as I packed up the quill and ink and was about to return to my room.

Lobelia quickly arranged the books and parchment that had been placed on the table.

“Who are you?”

It was the man I had just made eye contact with. Where did he put the maid he was seducing just a moment ago? And why did he come right away to me and do this? I turned my eyes to the side. My adoption process wasn’t over yet, so I didn’t know how to introduce myself, and I didn’t even want to be involved with someone like him.

“Oho, are you ignoring me?”

However, the man followed me closely, raising his mouth as if amused.

“I’ve never seen you before. Are you Duke’s cousin? Or his relatives?”

He was constantly chattering.

“Which family are you from? If I had seen someone as beautiful as an angel, I would have remembered it.”

His shamelessness was like any other human being. The man swept his chin and began to guess my identity.

“Are you here to see Bella? Are you from Duke Bonitare or Marquis Millanion? Or else…”

He winked his eyes slowly and continued. “Marquis Hamilton?”

At that name, my heart dropped. It wasn’t long before my heart beat unpleasantly.

“That’s strange. No woman didn’t fall for my wink.” The man murmured as if I should listen to it.

There was a deep crease between my eyebrows. Leaving aside the feeling of being offended by hearing the name Marquis Hamilton, it seemed like he would stick with me until the end if I didn’t answer.

Unlike how he looks, he’s persistent. Okay. Then I’ll answer as you wish. I finally let out a deep sight. Opening my mouth, I turned my head sharply towards the man I had been ignoring all along.

“Really? That’s even stranger.”

“…Hmm?”

“I admit that your appearance is great, but that’s not everything, right? If all the women fall for you after a wink, do you think you’re the god of love?”

Only after spitting those out did I shut my mouth with a gasp. A conversation between him and the servant a moment ago reminded me of Endimion. That’s why I answered curtly.

“To enter the society, you must know how to hide your expression first.”

Recalling the words of Felix, the manners tutor said, I blamed myself. This man was just someone I didn’t even know. It was only my own problem that Endimion came to my mind. What’s the difference between my current behavior and venting my anger? Feeling sorry for nothing, I put my mask over my hardened face.

“By the way…” After listening with his mouth shut for a while, he slowly opened his mouth. “…Why are you speaking informally?”

“You spoke informally first.”

His shoulders trembled at the sight of Lobelia’s eyes clearly looking at him while smiling leisurely.

“Ho…!”

“If you want to be treated respectfully, you must introduce yourself first. Don’t you think so?”

It wasn’t wrong. I closed my eyes and smiled softly. We didn’t even introduce ourselves, so it was the same. There was no way he would have higher status than me, who would become a princess, so it wouldn’t be a big harm to say something like this.

“…Hmhm, I…”

“Um…”

“Just call me Frinel.”

Introducing himself as Frinel, he coughed in embarrassment. Still, the corner of his lips raised as if he was very interested.

Oh, so you won’t reveal your identity?

I stared blankly at him. His beautiful golden hair was just like Duke Gracie’s and Bella’s. Could it be their cousin or relative? But why doesn’t he tell me? If he really wants to be treated with respect, he should tell me about his identity. I tilted my head in wonder.

Then, Frinel asked. “What’s your name?”

“Lobelia.”

The two eyes, each resembling a different jewel, looked at each other. Staring at Lobelia, one corner of his mouth went up with a strange hunch that this bold woman in front of him might become an important person in his life in the future.