Chapter 1 – Windberg (Part 5)

Evelyn Dale was not a noble, but like commoners who enjoyed reading newspapers and magazines, she knew a few basic social customs and manners. One of them was that people did not visit each other’s homes in the morning, so the carriage carrying her reached Maxville a little after 3 p.m., when the sun was quite low.

Evelyn was completely overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Ducal residence. The carriage came to a stop at the entrance of the massive mansion. A tall man dressed in black walked briskly to open the door for her. Among all the unfamiliar faces, Jared was nowhere to be seen.

“Welcome.”

Evelyn, holding onto the attendant’s hand, stepped down from the carriage and lifted her head. She looked for the person who spoke the welcoming words with a polite smile. It was not difficult to find. Among the group of people who had come out to welcome her, there was only one person not dressed in a servant’s black attire.

“I am Veronia Glenn.”

Jared’s sister-in-law. The widow of the late Duke.

When their eyes met, Evelyn was surprised. She was surprised by the very young and serene face. A woman with bright blonde hair elegantly styled was standing there with a smile in her eyes. She did not look like a woman who had just lost her husband and was left with a year-old daughter.

“Evelyn Dale. I offer my deepest condolences for your loss.”

Evelyn greeted her formally, and Veronia nodded in response. A faint smile at the corners of her lips.

“Thank you. You are kind.”

And then she turned the topic back to the guest.

“Was your journey comfortable?”

“Not at all. Thanks to your consideration, it was perfectly fine. Thank you.”

“You have no reason to thank me. Welcome to Maxville.”

Veronia was a woman who spoke gently and humbly. Her soft demeanor reassured Evelyn a little. Having braced herself for the worst-case scenario of being blatantly snubbed, she felt somewhat relieved to be welcomed by a member of the Glenn family.

“As you can see, the situation is not ideal, so I am playing the role of hostess. It’s tea time, so let’s go to the drawing room. Maxville’s honey cake is quite a renowned dessert.”

Veronia spoke warmly and turned towards the mansion. Passing through the wide-open doors, the main hall of the mansion came into view. Evelyn slightly lifted her chin to gaze at the scene before her. From the floor to the pillars and stairs, everything was made of stone. The sense of space given by the high ceiling was overwhelming. It felt like entering an ancient cathedral.

“This way.”

Veronia, who was walking ahead, turned left. The silver embroidery on the hem of her gray dress sparkled in the light. Tiny earrings beneath her elegantly styled blonde hair. 

Were they diamonds? 

Evelyn wondered without realizing it, then soon felt ashamed of herself.

“This mansion was first built 800 years ago.”

Walking slowly forward, Veronia struck up a conversation. It was etiquette to ensure the guest did not feel awkward.

“The oldest building is in the west, built as a queen’s villa during the Kingdom of Yerena era. Are you interested in history, Miss Dale?”

“Of course. I like old things.”

“So do I. There are few values as precious as history and tradition. Do you agree?”

As Evelyn walked in step with Veronia, she looked at the frames hanging on the walls. Portraits lined the long corridor. Displaying the faces of ancestors in prominent places to boast history and tradition was a common hobby among nobles. Evelyn answered while looking at an ancient portrait of a man wearing a crown.

“It may not be the most precious, but it’s certainly a rare and valuable thing.”

“That’s well said.”

Veronia turned her head to look at Evelyn. A smile reappeared at the corners of her lips when their eyes met.

On the table by the window in the drawing room, refreshments were already laid out. The maid standing by pulled out a chair for Evelyn. Veronia watched the guest sit first and then took a seat across from her, assisted by the maid. A gray dress with a sophisticated and elegant design. Carefully groomed blonde hair. A necklace sparkling with small jewels. Evelyn observed her.

Evelyn was wearing the best dress she owned. It was a dark green dress specially prepared for meeting Jared’s family. She was not wealthy, but she was not so poor that she couldn’t afford a single satin dress if she cut back on expenses for a few months. Jared hadn’t insisted she wear or buy particularly expensive clothes. Likely because he knew her personality and didn’t see the need to push it.

Anyway, even though she wore the ‘luxurious’ dress she had prepared herself, Evelyn kept feeling increasingly intimidated in this place.

“It’s honey cake. Please try some.”

As if completely unaware of such feelings, Veronia pointed to the cake plate and offered. Evelyn smiled to show her gratitude and used a dainty fork to cut a piece of cake and put it in her mouth. The fragrant and soft taste was exquisite.

“It’s delicious. Very much so.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

At that moment, the maid who had been standing quietly approached to pour tea. Veronia lightly raised her hand to stop her, then picked up the pot herself. Evelyn watched the woman’s white, long fingers as she filled her teacup. The wedding ring on the left ring finger. Seeing it made her aware of the engagement ring on her own hand. She gently clasped her hands together under the table.

“The Duke is away.”

Veronia said as she set down the pot after filling her own cup. Her tone was devoid of any emotion. She did not hesitate at all to refer to her brother-in-law with the title she had used for her husband.

“He should return before sunset, so you’ll see him at dinner.”

“…Yes.”

Evelyn tried to emulate such a demeanor, but it wasn’t easy.

Once the maid withdrew, only the two women were left in the drawing room. Veronia was silent for a moment while she drank her tea. In the bright drawing room, like a greenhouse, only the clinking sound of teacups and saucers occasionally broke the silence.

Evelyn drank her tea and gradually cut and ate the honey cake. It was something to do to overcome the awkward atmosphere. Watching her, Veronia spoke.

“This mansion raises its own chef dedicated to desserts. We take in a talented orphan boy and teach him for a long time to become a chef. Do you know why we go through such a troublesome method?”

Evelyn looked at her inquisitively while eating the cake. It was an unexpected topic, but what did it matter? She was just glad the conversation was resuming.

“Well, why is that?”

“To maintain the reputation of the honey cake.”

“…….”

“To prevent the recipe from leaking or the taste from changing, we have no choice but to use such a method.”

“Then wouldn’t it be enough to find a trustworthy chef to keep the secret? If you entrust it to someone reliable, there wouldn’t be a need for such trouble.”

“Because we can’t easily trust someone brought in from outside.”

The hand holding the fork paused. Evelyn stared blankly at the half-eaten piece of cake. She finally understood what this tea-time invitation was for.

Veronia gave her a moment to think. Then, watching Evelyn slowly put down her fork, she continued.

“It seems almost incomprehensible to go through such trouble just to preserve a mere cake recipe. Especially in today’s world. But that’s the tradition of the Glenn family.”

Veronia emphasized the word ‘tradition.’

“I recently took in a new orphan boy as well. I chose him with great care to raise him as the next chef, but I won’t see him make honey cake. I’ll probably visit as a guest in about ten years to taste it. A cake that looks and tastes exactly like this one.”

Evelyn continued to gaze at the half-eaten cake with her eyes lowered. The lingering honey flavor in her mouth was bitter.

“Even for such trivial fame, there are many costs to be paid over a long time.”

After Veronia’s quiet words, silence resumed in the drawing room. Evelyn picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and then another slow sip. The taste of the cake was completely gone, but her mouth was still bitter.

‘Our eldest sister-in-law, the Duchess, is easy to get along with. She has such a kind heart that she doesn’t know how to upset anyone.’

Evelyn recalled Jared’s words. Whether his assessment was accurate or not, one thing was certain. Among the people she would have to deal with in this mansion, Veronia was the easiest. At least easier than Jared’s mother.

Perhaps it was only for that reason that she found the courage.

“Do you think I won’t be able to pay all those costs?”

She asked, raising her head to meet the other’s eyes. Veronia did not immediately respond to the direct gaze and question. The air gradually grew heavier. In the bright light of the drawing room, the two women quietly faced each other.

Evelyn tried to maintain her composure. She tried to wear the same expression as Veronia. She was surprisingly calm, probably only three or four years older than Evelyn. The aspect people often refer to as ‘noble’ was probably just like that. A calm expression. Unhurried gestures. The ease and grace ingrained in her.

Is this woman as nervous as I am? Is she trying hard not to show any bewilderment?

Evelyn continued to look at Veronia, thinking even her blue eyes seemed noble.

“Miss Dale.”

It was then that Veronia spoke.

“Have you ever been to a zoo?”

Evelyn did not respond to the unpredictable question. However, as if she hadn’t expected an answer,

“I’ve never been. I never had the opportunity.”

Veronia continued nonchalantly as she picked up her teacup.

“They say there are very splendid animals there. Even fierce beasts are trapped and unable to move. They are all magnificent and strong, but they must live as spectacles, confined in cages until they die.”

Evelyn listened silently, her lips sealed. She watched the woman pause briefly and bring the teacup to her lips. Veronia, moistening her lips with a sip of tea, continued speaking, her eyes lowered.

“The life of a Duchess is like that.”

Clink. The teacup settled onto the saucer. Veronia lightly placed the cup down and looked up at her guest. Her face was still extremely composed. Evelyn couldn’t say a word.

“I think I understand now why my parents never took me to the zoo.”

“……”

“But I plan to take my daughter there when she’s a bit older. I intend for her to see those poor animals as much as she likes.”

“……”

“Since she is no longer a Lady, there seems to be no need to cage her.”

Veronia hesitated for a moment as if she had more to say. But soon, she silently turned her head to look out the window. Evelyn gazed at her profile. Even the simple posture of sitting straight and turning her head was elegant. Her lips, gazing distantly at the garden, seemed momentarily set.

“There are values more precious than history and tradition in this world.”

Veronia spoke softly toward the window and then turned her head back to face Evelyn. A gentle smile had spread across her lips as she faced her guest.

“Don’t you agree, Miss Dale?”

Evelyn didn’t know how to respond.