‘If Miss even moves out.’

That would be one less burden. Even the youngest master, who seemed most hopeless, would eventually establish his own household someday. Then she would quietly, silently grow old like dust in the attic, serving only her mother-in-law.

Leaning her body along the edge of the bathtub, Radilt looked at the ceiling where light slowly circled.

Think of it as the last of the hot summer, a rough typhoon announcing autumn. Once this brief fierceness passed, her life would become a frozen winter and sleep forever.

“Madam, we’ll apply oil now. Do you have any scents you particularly like or hate?”

“Ah, no. It’s fine……”

The peaceful time was brief before Lady Fond’s staff came rushing in again. The hands supporting her, telling her to come out carefully, were extremely burdensome for Radilt. But that was just the beginning.

“I can do it myself—”

“Please relax, madam.”

After wiping the moisture from her body, she was made to lie face down on a warmed bed, and a gentle massage began. Meanwhile, dresses that fit Radilt’s body were lined up on one side. Customers of such high-end shops typically had custom-made clothes, but for urgent cases, several ready-made dresses were also prepared.

“Your original hair color must have been darker and brighter. If you receive regular care, it will quickly regain its luster.”

“Your skin is also quite damaged. You must always use a parasol.”

“Don’t underestimate the spring sun.”

Radilt repeated only “yes, yes, yes……” in a half-dazed state. The staff, noticing the customer’s awkwardness, kept their words to a minimum and offered only necessary questions and advice, but even that was unfamiliar and overwhelming for Radilt.

“Please sit comfortably here and have some tea.”

Originally, she should have tried on each dress, but seeing Radilt looking too exhausted, Lady Fond’s staff seated her on a soft sofa. Then they calmly waited for the customer to catch her breath.

“……Thank you.”

Radilt took a sip of tea and said, slightly releasing the tension in her body. The staff bowed their heads apologetically.

“We seem to have rushed too much with little time left until dinner. Please look at the dresses comfortably and make your choice.”

Dinner. At that word, a shadow fell over Radilt’s face. She wanted nothing more than to return home immediately, but that wasn’t possible. It would seem strange if a man and woman who left the party venue together parted without even a short date.

“I, um….. It’s been so long since I’ve done this sort of thing.”

Looking at the dresses the staff displayed, Radilt opened her mouth.

“They all look so pretty…… Please choose something appropriate for me. I’m asking you.”

Pure white, lovely pink, bright yellow, fresh green—among all those dresses, even the most modest one was far more luxurious than the most expensive dress Radilt had ever worn. A sticky burden slowly rose to her chest until—

“What kind of accessories would you prefer?”

The moment a jewelry box was presented, she felt completely submerged to the top of her head. Radilt quickly shook her head.

“I, I don’t like them because they’re uncomfortable. They’re also heavy……”

Radilt’s hand unconsciously fiddled with her empty ring finger. The small ruby-set wedding ring had been her only piece of jewelry. Even that had been sold due to financial hardship the year after she lost her husband.

“Then how about this diamond necklace? The stones are small and light, made thin and delicately.”

“……Without jewels, please. Si-silver would be fine.”

“You like silver craftsmanship. Choose from these, and we’ll show you matching dresses.”

With her throat feeling parched, she chose the most minimal accessories possible. In response, the dress became more elaborate to compensate, but that seemed better. After everything was decided and Radilt felt somewhat relieved, she quietly asked the staff member who was refilling her half-empty teacup.

“……Do you know anything about Sir Duston? Actually, I just met him for the first time at today’s party.”

“Oh my, really?”

The staff member opened her eyes wide and smiled.

“He must have fallen for you at first sight.”

Radilt couldn’t answer and only smiled back.

“We don’t know much either, but we have heard a few things.”

“Like most nobles who inherit high titles at a young age, Sir Duston’s father also passed away early.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes. It happened when the current Sir Duston was fourteen years old.”

“Fourteen……”

It happened when he was younger than she had expected. Radilt slightly furrowed her brow, unable to quickly imagine the boyhood of that rude man. He seemed like someone who had never been weak or small in his entire life.

“It was a ship accident.”

The staff member lowered her voice and continued in a sympathetic tone.

“They say the previous Sir Duston wanted to pioneer a new trade route. Not only did he invest aggressively, but he also boarded the ship himself. That ship ended up sinking.”

“Afterward, the Countess, weakened by the shock, followed him not long after, leaving the current Sir Duston all alone.”

A fourteen-year-old boy who lost both parents in an instant.

Though Radilt had grown thoroughly sick of Pendlore in an extremely short time, she now felt a slight sympathy. Had that man also been scared? Had he been afraid? Had he shed tears of sorrow?

“……But surely there were relatives to help him?”

“Of course there were, but in such cases, things usually continue unfortunately.”

“Unfortunately?”

“Yes, madam. To inherit a title, one must be at least sixteen, usually twenty years old. So Sir Duston was also temporarily placed under his uncle’s care.”

“They rarely return it willingly. Making excuses like the burden is too heavy for someone still immature, they delay until five years pass, at which point the title’s proxy also gains legal succession qualifications.”

Then through family discussions, they would choose a more suitable person to formally inherit the title.

“Few young nobles can defeat a proxy who has built a support base by handling all family affairs for over five years.”

“Ah, then……”

“But Sir Duston reclaimed his title at eighteen.”

Before the five years were complete, after just four years. Among a pack of wolves eyeing meat to devour.

“I don’t know the details, but apparently many things happened. And at twenty, he personally created the trade route his father had wanted to pioneer.”

“Thanks to that, he firmly established his position as the head of the family.”

“……I see.”

Radilt nodded slightly. If a young boy left alone had suffered all sorts of hardships at the hands of surrounding adults, then she could understand his dry and rough personality. Perhaps despite his brusque actions, he might not be such a bad person after all.

“Please come this way, madam.”

A blue dress matching the silver ornaments unfolded before Radilt’s eyes.

The fabric with natural, subtle luster became deeper in color toward the top, reminiscent of the edge of the brightening dawn sky. Delicate silver embroidery filled the sleeves, waist, and hem, while at the back, flowing frills wrapped around the spine and cascaded down below the waist like neatly folded wings.

Though it was an incredibly beautiful dress….

“Um…… isn’t the neckline a bit too low?”

Radilt said, feeling embarrassed. The design emphasized not only the shoulders but also slightly revealed and highlighted the upper chest. For someone who had worn only high-necked clothes since marriage, her reflection in the mirror felt extremely shameful.

“It might be a bit early, but it’s going to get warmer soon, madam.”

“Yes. Most importantly, it suits you so well. But if you’re uncomfortable, like this.”

A thin shawl mixed with silver thread was draped over Radilt’s shoulders. When secured with a brooch at the front of her chest, it elegantly covered the exposed skin. Though slightly transparent, it looked acceptable.

“How is it, Mrs. Brill?”

Radilt blinked and looked at the mirror again. The appearance she hadn’t properly examined earlier due to shock now filled her vision.

Her hair was simply tied up in a round bun. Despite carefully brushing it, stray hairs would stick out during busy mornings, and by afternoon, it would become completely disheveled. Without the energy to trim it occasionally, her dull blonde hair had plainly displayed her tired and shabby life like a flag at the top of a watchtower. Now it gleamed with luster.

How could the braided style be so beautiful? Words of admiration for the skill naturally flowed out. Under the crown-like hair, her skin also looked smooth, unlike usual. The light makeup removed signs of fatigue, and her cheeks and lips looked pleasantly more vibrant.

“……How can I look so different?”

“That’s our reward.”

Radilt let out an admiring sigh. What followed was a strange and profound sense of distance. How many gold coins had gone into this luxurious dress, not to mention the washing, makeup, and grooming? Radilt didn’t even dare to calculate, but even that would be just a fraction compared to the donation Pendlore had made.

‘……People can be changed so easily.’

The old, tired widow had disappeared in an instant. The woman in the mirror looked like a noble lady just entering a ballroom. A delicate lady who had never experienced hardship.

It felt both empty and somewhat frightening.

“Is there something bothering you?”