Chapter 30

A few days later, everything was settled.  

Carolina Sprecher was expelled from the Blumhart Ducal Residence for embezzling its assets and threatening the young lady. Her son, Marco, left the residence, clutching Carolina’s hand, trembling in fear.  

Unlike when they had strutted around the residence, they now wore shabby, unmarked clothes. The servants mocked them as they climbed into the creaking, old monastery carriage.  

From now on, the mother and son would live in a monastery located in the coldest region of the Blumhart estate. For the rest of their lives, they would not take a single step outside the monastery, dedicating themselves to the service of Hecate.  

Robert Burns, who had assisted Carolina in embezzling the Ducal Residence’s assets and forging ledgers, was imprisoned in the underground dungeon of the Blumhart estate. He would spend the rest of his life in that hellish place. Betraying the noble Blumhart family carried a weighty punishment.  

Upon hearing the news, the Burns family immediately disowned Robert and apologized to the Duke of Blumhart and the Duchess Dowager. Alfred Burns, Robert’s cousin, was appointed as the new butler of the Ducal Residence.  

The head maid, Daria, who had tormented the maids under Carolina’s protection, along with the gardener and maid who gave false testimony about Rafaella, was expelled from the residence without a single recommendation letter or penny. They would no longer be able to find proper jobs in the Capital.  

The Duchess Dowager sent a heartfelt apology letter to the former head maid who was still residing in the Blumhart estate. Loyal to the Duke’s family, the former head maid would likely prepare to return as soon as she received the letter.  

Until the new butler and head maid arrived, the Ducal Residence would be in chaos, but everyone’s hearts felt lighter. This was true for Lia and Rafaella as well.  

Whenever they wandered around the residence, they were always on edge, fearing they might encounter Carolina or Marco. But now, they no longer had to worry about that.  

After a peaceful breakfast, several maids visited Rafaella’s room and began bustling about.  

“Paula, aren’t you supposed to be cleaning?”  

“Yes, Miss Lia.” 

Paula replied with a smile as she directed the other maids.  

“The Duchess Dowager instructed us to redecorate Lady Rafaella’s room to make it fresh for spring.”  

“The Duchess Dowager did?”  

Despite being busy with recent events, the Duchess Dowager still managed to pay attention to Rafaella’s room.  

“There will be a lot of dust, so it might be better for you two to take a walk in the garden.” 

Paula said, pointing to a maid who was removing the heavy winter curtains.  

“The Duchess Dowager must be busy taking care of Lady Penelope….” 

Lia had heard that Penelope hadn’t been feeling well since that day. The thought of the Duchess Dowager worrying about Rafaella as well weighed on her mind.  

“Even so, she said she wouldn’t entrust her granddaughter’s matters to others anymore.”  

Knock, knock, knock.  

Just then, someone knocked on the open door.  

“Oh, you’re here. That’s a relief.”

Said Samuel, as he entered.  

“Oh my, what brings you here so early in the morning?” 

Lia asked, puzzled by Samuel’s sudden appearance.  

“His Grace has invited you both to the glass greenhouse.”  

Samuel led them to the glass greenhouse connected to the far end of the first floor of the main building.  

The glass greenhouse, built to the height of the mansion’s second floor, was so vast and expansive that it couldn’t be taken in at a glance.  

“Wow, Mom, look at that!”  

As soon as Rafaella arrived at the greenhouse, she looked around, exclaiming in amazement.  

‘It’s still early spring, but the place is already filled with the fragrant smells of grass and flowers.’  

Lia, too, was inwardly surprised as she explored the greenhouse with her daughter. She had briefly visited the greenhouse once before at Carolina’s summons, but she hadn’t had the chance to properly look around, being too preoccupied with Carolina’s antics.  

“You’re here.” 

Johann said, approaching them from near the entrance of the greenhouse, dressed lightly.  

“Rafaella, have you been to the greenhouse before?” 

He asked, lowering himself to her level.  

The child shook her head.  

“Well, today, we’re going to tour the greenhouse and have some delicious desserts here. How does that sound?”  

“Great!” 

Rafaella beamed with a wide smile.  

Johann began walking slowly from the entrance, explaining the plants in the greenhouse.  

The greenhouse was filled with all kinds of flowers and plants, blooming regardless of the season. Lia and Rafaella’s eyes widened at the rare flowers and trees, which didn’t grow in the Empire but only in the southern regions.  

‘Oh my, such peculiar trees exist.’  

Lia marveled quietly at a tree with a smooth surface resembling a large gourd.  

They slowed their pace as they explored every corner of the greenhouse in detail. Sometimes, they forgot Johann was there, whispering to each other, but he patiently waited for them to finish their tour.  

After a while, Johann guided them to the center of the greenhouse.  

In the middle of the greenhouse, under a lush poplar tree, stood a white table and three chairs. The table was adorned with an assortment of desserts, arranged so beautifully they looked almost too good to eat.  

“Oh my goodness!”  

“Wow!”  

Even Lia, who had only let out small exclamations while touring the greenhouse, couldn’t hide her astonishment at the sight of the luxurious desserts.  

The snacks she had received for Rafaella at the Blumhart Ducal Residence were already lavish, but these desserts were on another level, resembling exquisite works of art.  

It was almost as if they were dazzlingly radiant.  

“The chef went all out this time.” 

Johann said.  

“Are these desserts really for us?” 

Lia asked hesitantly.  

“They were prepared for you two, so of course.”  

Johann gracefully pulled out chairs for Lia and Rafaella.  

“…But what’s the occasion today?”  

“Usually, such desserts are only prepared for special family events.” 

Johann replied as a maid poured warm tea for Lia and Johann and freshly squeezed milk for Rafaella.  

“This is my way of apologizing to you and Rafaella.”  

“An apology… for that day?”  

“I feel my mistake was too great to merely end it with words.”  

He glanced at Rafaella, who was gazing at the desserts with sparkling eyes. His gaze held a mixture of warmth and guilt.  

Lia felt tears well up as she watched him.  

If Johann continued to care for Rafaella like this, she felt she could face her death without worry.  

Unable to speak due to the lump in her throat, Lia nodded slightly.  

“Rafaella, this is my gift to you, so feel free to eat as much as you like.”  

“Yes, thank you!”  

Instead of immediately reaching for the desserts, Rafaella turned her head toward Johann.  

“…Why?”  

“What’s the name of that one?” 

She asked, pointing to a long dessert.  

“That’s an éclair topped with vanilla cream.”  

Learning the name, Rafaella carefully cut a piece of the éclair with her fork and brought it to her mouth.  

“Mmm, mmm!”  

“Is it good?”  

“Yes! Mom, you should try it too!”  

Lia took a bite of the éclair Rafaella had eaten. The crispy pastry and soft vanilla cream harmonized perfectly in her mouth.  

A smile spread across Lia’s lips.  

It was a taste that naturally brought a smile to her face.  

From then on, Rafaella kept asking Johann the names of the desserts as she ate. He diligently explained each one to her.  

“Are children usually this curious?”  

“Of course, it’s the age when the world feels fascinating.”  

Lia, unfamiliar with most of the food served in the mansion, often felt flustered when Rafaella asked questions. She found it slightly embarrassing to ask someone else, but Johann’s willingness to satisfy the child’s curiosity made her feel quietly pleased.  

“Rafaella, aren’t you full yet?” 

Johann asked his daughter, a small smile gracing his lips.  

“No!”  

Rafaella, smiling brightly as she ate the desserts, showed no trace of the sadness she had experienced just days ago. Lia felt somewhat relieved.  

‘Ever since she realized her father is on her side, Raffy seems to be treating him more comfortably.’  

That day’s events seemed to have brought the two closer. It was a small blessing amidst the misfortune.  

On the day of the incident, Johann had returned to Rafaella’s room late in the evening after wrapping up the matter with Carolina. To Lia’s surprise, Johann had also apologized to her.  

“I formally apologize for failing to properly oversee the Ducal Residence, which led to you and Rafaella being harmed.”  

Though the apology was delivered in a rather arrogant posture, with his legs crossed, it was still an apology.  

He also made an effort to act like a proper parent as he apologized to Rafaella once more.  

“Rafaella, I’m sorry again. From now on, no one will treat you poorly, so don’t worry.”  

“…Does that mean Mom and I can keep living here?”  

“Of course, this is your home.”  

Rafaella rubbed her sleepy eyes and smiled bashfully at Johann.  

For a moment, he seemed to freeze at her smile, but Lia, watching his retreating figure, couldn’t say for sure.  

“Mom, I think Dad is on our side. Our side….”  

After he left, Rafaella murmured in her sleep as Lia gently patted her back.  

That day, Rafaella began to trust Johann a little, realizing that he had chosen her and her mother over Carolina and Marco.  

Lia and Rafaella spent the most enjoyable and relaxing time they had ever had at the Blumhart Ducal Residence in the glass greenhouse.  

Rafaella even swayed her body with excitement, much like she used to when they lived in the cabin.  

At that moment, Samuel approached Johann urgently from the entrance of the greenhouse.  

“Your Grace, a noble meeting has been scheduled at the Imperial Palace this afternoon.”  

It was an unexpected development.  

“D*mn, that mutant is causing trouble again.”  

As if he already knew the reason for the meeting, Johann didn’t ask further questions and stood up.  

“I think I’ll have to head to the Imperial Palace immediately, so you two stay and enjoy the desserts a little longer.”  

Johann left with his aide, and Lia looked at the untouched desserts still on the table.  

There were so many desserts that no matter how much they ate, it felt endless.  

‘Who knew you could feel this full from desserts?’  

Even Rafaella, seemingly full, stopped eating and just stared at the desserts.  

“Raffy, if you’re full, you don’t have to eat anymore.”  

“Mom!”  

“Yes?”  

“I want to share these with Auntie Peppy.”  

Rafaella pointed to the desserts she hadn’t touched yet.