After it was decided that Miss Veronica would join us, the next day arrived.

Miss Veronica boarded the Berzel duchy’s carriage with me.

At first, Miss suggested that I ride in the Maynard County’s carriage, but Alex refused.

He argued that since we were going to the Berzel duchy, the mode of transportation should also be from the Berzel duchy.

In the end, Miss Veronica also ended up boarding the Berzel duchy’s carriage.

I didn’t really care which carriage I rode in.

What mattered wasn’t which carriage I rode, but who I rode with.

Until yesterday, when I first boarded the carriage alone with Alex, I still felt awkward and embarrassed, just killing time.

It was so dull and boring.

However, after Miss Veronica joined us in the carriage, even that boredom disappeared.

As we talked about things that happened when we were young, time flew by.

I was so grateful to Miss Veronica for that alone. How could I not love her who made even such trivial matters happy?

After a few more days of travel like that, we were able to arrive at Sergal.

Like Alex had said before, there was no camping.

After entering Sergal, we reached the Berzel duchy after driving for quite a while.

The gates of the duchy opened and the carriage entered.

Even in the carriage, we had to pass through a wide and splendid garden.

Finally, the carriage came to a stop in front of the grand mansion.

“May I open the door?”

A servant outside asked.

“Yes.”

Alex answered the servant. Then he looked at us.

“Let’s get out now. You must have had a hard time coming here.”

“Not at all.”

It was Miss Veronica who answered Alex’s words.

Alex got out of the carriage first, then took Miss Veronica’s hand as she got out second.

Only after confirming that Miss had safely disembarked did I prepare to get out. Alex extended his hand to me again.

I took Alex’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.

At the same time, I could see what the Berzel duchy’s mansion looked like.

“Wow… It’s incredibly magnificent.”

Although I had glimpsed it while riding in the carriage, it didn’t feel as real as it did now, right in front of my eyes.

The Berzel duchy was as large and splendid as the imperial palace.

“It’s even bigger than what you see here, so it’s better not to be surprised.”

Alex boasted unnecessarily.

But I couldn’t refute it.

It was a mansion of such enormous scale that it overwhelmed me just looking at it.

And it’s even bigger than what you see from the front?

I was newly impressed that this was indeed befitting the residence of the empire’s foremost power holder.

I felt both deeply moved and dazed at the thought of staying in such a splendid place.

“There’s a lot I want to introduce you to, but for now, it’s better to go in and rest today. You must be tired from riding in the carriage.”

Alex finished speaking and gestured to Avina. Avina bowed her head and approached me and Miss Veronica.

“I will escort you two inside.”

“Alright.”

Miss Veronica briefly answered Avina.

Then she turned her head again and opened her mouth towards Alex.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure.”

I also greeted Alex alongside Miss Veronica, who was gracefully bowing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Alex!”

“Yes. Rest well, Claire.”

Only after we finished greeting Alex did Avina guide us into the mansion.

As we entered the mansion, the first-floor lobby came into view.

A splendid angel statue greeted us first.

The angel statue was so splendid and beautiful that just looking at it felt overwhelming.

There was a wide staircase in front.

Avina familiarly guided us up the stairs.

After climbing two floors and reaching the third floor, we turned left and went straight, and soon Avina stopped.

“These two rooms are for your use. This one is for Miss Veronica to use, and this room is for Miss Claire to use.”

Miss Veronica’s room and my room were right next to each other.

I could visit her immediately if needed.

“Please rest inside, and I’ll soon prepare for you to wash up.”

“Thank you, Avina.”

After a brief greeting, Miss turned to look at me.

“Then I’ll see you later. I’ll come find you.”

“Yes, Miss.”

As I answered with a bright smile, Miss Veronica also responded with a smile.

We entered our rooms almost simultaneously.

Although we had stayed at inns and hotels several times on our way to Sergal, none of them were as splendid and beautiful as the room in the Berzel duchy.

I looked around the room, bursting with admiration.

Even the wallpaper with gold leaf decorations was captivating.

That’s when it happened.

Knock knock, there was a sound of someone knocking on the door.

“Miss Claire, it’s Avina. May I come in?”

“Yes. Come in.”

After I gave permission, Avina carefully entered.

“I’ve prepared the bath water. Please come this way.”

I left the bedroom, guided by Avina.

The bathroom was not too far away.

I went inside, took off my clothes, and entered the bathroom.

Perhaps because it was filled with warm water, the hot and humid air hit me.

Inside, there was a sweet lily scent.

It seemed they had already dissolved some fragrance in the bath water.

It was a scent that naturally calmed the mind.

As I immersed myself in the bathtub, the maids who were waiting in advance reached out to me.

“Ah, wait a moment!”

I hurriedly stopped their hands.

That’s right.

It was common for noble young ladies to have maids assist them with bathing.

And while I was here, I would receive such treatment.

But it was too unfamiliar and awkward for me, so I couldn’t bring myself to entrust my body to them.

Becoming the one receiving care instead of always providing care, everything felt awkward and strange.

“What’s wrong, Miss?”

One maid who looked older asked me, puzzled.

“Oh, I’ll do it myself today.”

“Pardon?”

It was the maid who was surprised by my words.

“I’m not used to this yet. Is it okay if I just do it myself today?”

I suggested carefully. They were acting according to instructions and procedures, so my words must have been surprising.

But I couldn’t just let them wash me as they pleased either.

At least until I get a bit more used to this life…

“Please.”

“…Alright, then we’ll help with simple things from the side, so please let us know anytime if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Having only seen Miss Veronica bathing luxuriously, now that I was the subject, I was also conscious of people’s eyes.

Still, I tried to act as if nothing was wrong and started washing.

Because I was washing while being conscious of the gazes, I couldn’t help but be passive and timid.

After washing everything, I headed to the powder room wearing a bathrobe.

The maids were waiting and dried my hair.

“We’ve prepared clothes. Which one would you like to wear?”

Meanwhile, clothes were prepared behind me.

Several negligee dresses were ready.

I carefully examined the clothes.

“I’ll go with this one.”

The dress I chose had less lace attached.

Since there was nothing to do at night except sleep anyway, I didn’t feel the need to wear fancy clothes.

I chose what looked like the most comfortable outfit.

And I realized that my choice wasn’t wrong after putting it on.

The soft silk negligee swayed gently with every movement.

I had only touched such clothes when serving Miss Veronica every day, but it was the first time I had worn such clothes myself, so I turned my body this way and that while looking in the mirror.

“It suits you well.”

Avina said with a smile, perhaps misunderstanding why I was looking in the mirror.

Feeling awkward, I stopped looking in the mirror.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Not at all.”

After a brief conversation, I returned to the bedroom. Next to the living room prepared in the room, a splendid bedroom revealed itself.

The bed was very luxurious and magnificent.

I sat on the bed for a moment and blankly looked around.

The room where I would stay from now on was the most splendid and beautiful place in my life.

Knock knock.

At that moment, there was a sound of someone knocking on the door.

When I raised my head and looked beyond the door, soon another person’s voice was heard.

“Miss Veronica Maynard has arrived.”

Belatedly, I remembered that Miss Veronica was supposed to come find me.

“Please tell her to come in.”

I quickly answered and got up from my seat to welcome Miss. And I came out to the living room.

Soon the door opened and Miss Veronica entered.

Unlike me who came here unprepared, Miss Veronica was wearing her usual nightwear.

“Oh my…”

Miss Veronica, who had just entered, let out a small exclamation.

“What’s wrong?”

Feeling confused, I asked Miss Veronica, and she broke into a smile.

“It really suits you well! You’re beautiful, Claire.”

Miss kept exclaiming in admiration as she looked at me.

I, who had wondered if something was wrong, couldn’t help but blush at Miss Veronica’s compliment.

“Does it really suit me well? This is my first time wearing such clothes, so I’m not sure.”

When I answered in a gloomy voice, Miss Veronica laughed softly.

“It’s true. So you don’t have to feel so intimidated.”

“Yes…”

Although I answered that I understood, it seemed it would take some time to adapt.

Everything in the Berzel duchy was unfamiliar and fascinating.

It seemed that it would take some time for me to adapt to every little thing.