Had there ever been a day when she didn’t have to be mindful of her mother-in-law? Lushen had been a kind and gentle husband, but he lacked the strength to completely shield her from his mother’s tyranny.

Well, he was a good son to his mother too. Radilt sighed slightly. A good person…… is usually good to most other people. A person who can’t easily say unpleasant things to anyone.

But Pendlore certainly wasn’t any better than Lushen.

‘Even if Lord Duston could protect me from mother-in-law…… Lord Duston himself is as difficult as she is.’

This must be what they mean by fighting poison with poison. But even if you try to remove poison with poison, the stronger poison will ultimately remain and fester inside.

Radilt shook her head slightly. Since this was a rare peaceful day, she shouldn’t dwell on troublesome thoughts. Let’s bury them deeply, at least until we return home.

Radilt raised her upper body and leaned against a large cushion placed behind her back. Then she pulled a cord hanging beside the bed canopy. It was connected to a bell in the corridor outside the bedroom.

Soon the door opened, and assistant butler Rosie entered.

“You called, Lady Brill.”

“I’m sorry, but could you prepare breakfast for me?”

She still felt sorry about using a single cord to summon people. No matter how comfortable it was, she couldn’t shake the underlying discomfort.

Shortly after Rosie left, a maid appeared pulling a tray loaded with food. A small table that could be placed on the bed was unfolded, and on it was arranged a soft egg dish with mushrooms, thinly sliced and grilled scallops topped with trout roe sauce, and cream soup filled with nuts.

Each dish was so tender it barely needed chewing before sliding smoothly down the throat. The taste was also impeccably excellent.

After emptying the dishes and eating spoonfuls of fresh plum pudding that had been brought for dessert, Radilt spoke to assistant butler Rosie, who was standing to one side.

“Have you eaten, Ms. Rosie?”

“Yes. I have.”

Rosie answered calmly. When could she possibly have eaten? Radilt asked skeptically.

“You haven’t been standing outside the whole time, have you? Eating while standing would be uncomfortable for you.”

“We take turns in shifts, but it’s basic for a dedicated butler to wait nearby so they can respond whenever the person they serve calls.”

This meant she stayed near Radilt almost all day. Radilt swallowed the pudding she had put in her mouth in surprise.

“Isn’t that too…… difficult?”

“Not at all. Being able to share every movement with the master means being trusted that much, so it’s rather an honor. Also, if I am recognized for serving you excellently, I might be able to move beyond my position as assistant. So for me, you’re a welcome opportunity Lady Brill. There’s no need for you to worry.”

“But……”

Seeing Radilt’s eyes filled with concern and apology, Rosie hesitated a little before approaching her. Then she lowered her voice and whispered secretively.

“Above all, Lord Duston is someone who ensures proper compensation for the efforts of his employees.”

“That’s only natural, isn’t it?”

“What’s natural is often not natural in reality.”

Radilt nodded slightly at Rosie’s words, acknowledging she had nothing to say. The basic principle of people receiving proper compensation for their labor was, in reality, not easy to achieve. Radilt herself often received half the pay for her work simply because she was a woman.

“Lord Duston is fair above all else. He possesses an excellent virtue as someone in a position of authority.”

The butler smiled, saying that anyone who worked diligently could receive their due reward, which was why most servants in House Duston were loyal.

“Unlike other oppressive nobles, he doesn’t trample on those beneath him or easily break and ignore previous promises. He’s someone who maintains certain boundaries regardless of who he’s dealing with.”

“……Yes. He has certainly kept his promises well.”

Radilt recalled Pendlore’s rigid face as she took another spoonful of pudding. It might be because this was House Duston and these were the count’s people, but the man’s reputation seemed better than she had expected.

“Still…… Lord Duston is a bit indifferent.”

At this complaint commonly uttered by women in love, Rosie shrugged her shoulders. As it appeared on the surface, the two indeed seemed like a loving couple. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have voiced such complaints while maintaining a cold atmosphere.

“He is occasionally said to be calculating and heartless due to his clear distinction between public and private matters and his temperament that isn’t swayed by emotions. From a servant’s perspective, he’s much easier to serve than a master who acts according to his moods, but your position at his side must naturally be different.”

“Hmm, I don’t expect much. I just wish he would treat me a little more kindly.”

Radilt spoke while recalling her first meeting with Pendlore. He could only be described as forceful that day. What if he had been more kind and gentle, seeking her understanding and persuading her?

What if they had begun calmly and respectfully, instead of with his impatience, as if he were seizing prey that might escape at any moment?

“Still, the master is paying a lot of attention to you, Lady Brill.”

“Yes. He has been very considerate, even now.”

Radilt set down the half-finished pudding bowl. Suddenly, her appetite vanished. The pudding, which had been melting softly, now felt gritty like sand. While hearing that he was fair to everyone without discrimination, she wondered why he had treated her that way.

Ruminating on the dry confession in the dark carriage, Radilt asked the butler to leave her alone. After Rosie left the bedroom, Radilt sat alone and curled up her body.

‘……It would be better if I believed it was because I’m a worthless, poor widow.’

Even a fair person wouldn’t be that way to everyone. Everyone harbors at least a fragment of prejudice, and it could be directed at a shabby widow.

“……Ugh.”

Perhaps due to stress, the pain in her lower abdomen, which had improved considerably, suddenly became sharp again. Radilt took a long breath to calm her wavering heart.

What did it matter anyway? In two months, they wouldn’t even cross paths.

‘Don’t worry about it. As long as I can continue going to the workshop, that’s enough.’

Wanting anything more from this situation would just be greed.

Radilt shook off her thoughts and opened the book she had stopped reading yesterday. It was an expensive plant guide that had only one hundred copies made, with actual specimens of various plants attached to each page.

With each turn of the page by her long, slender fingertips, her tangled emotions unraveled one by one. Eventually, her green eyes, buried among unfamiliar plants, forgot everything outside the pages and held a calm light.

* * *

“How is Lady Brill?”

Assistant butler Rosie, who had been summoned to Pendlore’s study, answered respectfully.

“Her complexion has returned considerably compared to last night. She slept comfortably and also finished her breakfast cleanly, except for leaving half of the dessert.”

“What was the dessert?”

“Plum pudding. The kitchen has already been informed.”

Plum pudding would never appear on Radilt’s table again. At least not unless she requested it first.

Rosie reported on other situations and carefully added one last comment.

“Lady Brill mentioned that she wishes you would treat her a little more kindly.”

“……Kindly.”

Pendlore nodded faintly. He had clearly gone too far this time. He could have listened calmly, but the moment he saw Radilt curled up and pale, his anger rose like fire. His failure to control his momentary emotions was undoubtedly his fault.

“Tell the lady I would like to have lunch with her.”

“Understood.”

After Rosie left the study, Pendlore, now alone, set down his pen and fell into thought.

If one makes a mistake, it’s only natural to provide appropriate compensation. However.

‘That woman…… is difficult.’

She wasn’t the type to be pleased with jewelry or such things. Despite pondering, nothing suitable came to mind. A low sigh unconsciously escaped and softly dispersed over the desk.

* * *

Radilt changed into a light, comfortable dress with the help of a maid. Thanks to resting comfortably all morning, her physical condition had improved considerably. She barely felt any pain. She would be able to work normally starting tomorrow.

‘Still, I wanted to rest alone until the afternoon.’

To think she had to have lunch with Lord Duston. She hoped he wouldn’t scold a sick person again, but considering yesterday’s events, it was hard to tell.

As she finished getting ready, the sound of rain could be heard through the window. Seeing such a downpour at the end of spring, this summer would likely be exceptionally hot. Suffocating, stifling air, brick paths heating up, and shimmering heat haze…

Radilt followed assistant butler Rosie’s guidance. After walking along the long corridor of the annex and exiting through the back door, a long roof extended over the path, shielding from sun and rain. At the end of that path where raindrops slid past.

‘……A greenhouse?’

Though she knew it existed, the greenhouse that Radilt had never set foot in was waiting for her.

An eternal spring, small and round, meticulously crafted with expensive high-quality glass. Pendlore stood before this piece of spring that had been detached from the flow of seasons and bloomed in human hands.

“Welcome, Lady Brill. Are you feeling better?”

“Thanks to you. I appreciate your consideration, Lord Duston.”