“You don’t have to keep telling me.”

Still smiling, the Duke of Winfried continued.

“Because I already know.”

“…You knew?”

The duke nodded.

“So this is a reward, Miss Irina. A reward meant solely for you.”

A reward.

Irina knew what the word meant, but she had never imagined that it would be used to describe her.

It was a reward meant for her.

For her and no one else.

“A reward….”

Irina blinked, her voice trailing off. Winfried nodded.

“It should look quite impressive once everything has been arranged. If there are any books you want, tell Ern. I’ll instruct him to obtain every book he can.”

“W-Won’t that be expensive?”

“Expensive?”

Winfried chuckled.

The House of Winfried had never needed to worry about money.

They owned the entire eastern region, known as the Empire’s breadbasket. The region also boasted jewel mines and an abundance of rare medicinal herbs and flowers.

Moreover, generations of Winfried dukes had built vast, prosperous business empires.

Although the recent war had dealt the family a considerable blow, the House of Winfried would hardly collapse over the cost of a few books.

They were also expecting substantial indemnities from the enemy nation and the Imperial Family. The businesses disrupted by the war would resume full operations.

In truth, Logan had sold the townhouse in the capital not because of financial difficulties, but because having an escape route would have weakened his resolve.

“They all cost a mere pittance. Besides, when you’ve been fulfilling your role so diligently, buying a few books is hardly excessive.”

“I’ve been fulfilling my role?”

But she had not done anything.

“A student’s duty is to learn.”

“To learn….”

Irina slowly repeated the duke’s words.

“You are a student. Wouldn’t that mean you have fulfilled your duty admirably?”

Was that so?

‘I see. I had been doing my part all along.’

Irina nodded without realizing it.

At the inn in the slums, she had been forced to work herself to the bone and constantly prove her usefulness because she had been one of its workers.

But here at the Winfried estate, she was a student.

A student whose duty was to learn.

The moment she heard those words, the weight pressing upon her heart seemed to lift.

The anxiety that had clamored inside her only moments ago finally fell silent, replaced by a profound sense of relief.

Irina smiled softly.

***

The library, which would usually have taken several days to complete, was finished in no time.

Within two days, a red carpet had been laid, and the white wooden bookshelves had been filled to the brim with books.

Two large sofas faced each other in the center of the room and a comfortable armchair with a round table stood beside the window.

There was also a spacious, custom-made desk for Irina’s height.

The library had recently become Irina’s favorite place to spend time.

“I like the garden, but I like it here too.”

She loved reading in the garden, surrounded by the scents of trees and grass. But she also enjoyed the library, where she could relax in a comfortable chair with a good book.

The novel the duke had chosen for her was particularly captivating.

It told the story of a woman who travelled back in time after being murdered, and who then punished her killer and the other wicked people around her.

One of the villains she punished inevitably reminded Irina of Ben and the innkeeper.

And so, Irina continued turning the pages, silently cheering the protagonist on.

“This is so interesting.”

By the time she had reached the halfway point in the book, Irina sighed and reluctantly closed it.

Ideally, she would have finished it today.

Unfortunately, the homework set by the Viscountess Helpriton was waiting for her on the table.

‘I should finish it quickly.’

Determined to finish her homework as quickly as possible, Irina clenched her fists.

She was going to do so so that she could resume reading.

She had stopped just as the protagonist was about to take action again, leaving her eager to find out what happened next.

She picked up her quill and started working on the Viscountess’s assignment. After some time—

“Hmm?”

There was a commotion outside.

Irina looked away from her homework and turned towards the window.

An unfamiliar carriage was parked outside.

‘Has Viscountess Helpriton returned?’

The Viscountess had said that today’s errands would take a while. Had she finished everything she needed to do in the busy district?

Irina moved closer to the window and tilted her head.

Instead of the blue bird symbolizing the House of Winfried, she saw a stag painted on the carriage.

She now knew that someone from another noble family must be inside.

“A stranger….”

Murmuring softly, Irina moved closer to the window.

A man emerged from the manor, appeared to say something, then opened the carriage door.

A young woman around Irina’s age stepped out.

With her long black hair flowing down her back, she appeared as beautiful and elegant as Viscountess Helpriton at first glance.

Eren spoke to her.

Even from a distance, Irina could tell that he was unsure how to handle the situation.

‘Who could she be?’

As Irina continued to watch, the Duke of Winfried emerged from the manor.

The young woman’s expression immediately brightened.

Although she had seemed indifferent when talking to Ern, her face lit up the moment she saw the duke.

From where she stood, Irina could not see the duke’s expression.

She found herself wondering what he looked like.

The two of them remained outside and exchanged a few words.

Delighted to see him, the young woman touched his arm affectionately.

Then she linked her arm through his, and they entered the manor together.

“…….”

After watching the entire scene, Irina silently bit her lip.

She remained by the window for a moment before closing the curtains and picking up her quill once more.

For some reason, however, she could no longer concentrate.

Time slipped by while she accomplished almost nothing.

She considered returning to her novel instead, but even the story that had seemed so captivating moments ago could no longer hold her attention.

“Haah.”

Irina released a deep sigh and closed the book.

Perhaps she was simply tired after spending the entire day reading and completing her assignments.

Should she take a short break and have some tea?

Irina rose and headed toward the kitchen.

‘I wonder if Mr. Bayden is there.’

Bayden, the head chef, was very fond of Irina.

Whenever she visited the kitchen, he filled her arms with snacks and sometimes set aside special delicacies just for her.

The enormous potato, roasted to golden perfection, had also been a gift from Mr. Bayden.

If he was there, she would drink tea and chat with him and the others.

Perhaps a cup of warm tea, a few cookies, and Mr. Bayden’s hearty voice would help her concentrate again.

Her spirits lifting at the thought, Irina quickened her steps.

But when she reached the first floor, where the kitchen was located, she was immediately greeted by a commotion.

“For now, tell Mr. Bayden to send whatever dessert he can prepare most quickly, along with tea, to the second-floor drawing room…. My lady.”

Ern, who had stopped a passing servant to issue instructions, noticed Irina standing on the stairs.

“Mr. Ern. The estate seems unusually busy today.”

When she feigned ignorance and asked, Eren answered her.

“We have a guest.”

“A guest?”

“Lady Sainer Florence, the daughter of Count Florence, has come to visit. She is a distant relative of His Grace.”

So they were relatives.

That was why they had appeared so close.

Irina nodded.

“Where are you headed, my lady?”

“I was going to have a cup of tea in the kitchen.”

“My apologies.”

Eren released a brief sigh.

“I’m afraid I will need to monopolize Mr. Bayden for the time being.”

Irina nodded readily.

It could not be helped.

“Um….”

Looking strangely anxious, Eren hurriedly added,

“Would it be all right if we served your lunch in your room today?”

“My meal in my room?”

“Yes, please. I’m afraid we will need to reserve the dining room for our guests.”

Eren appeared deeply troubled, as though the guests were already giving him a headache.

Irina could not add another burden to his troubles.

She obediently nodded.

“Yes, I’ll eat in my room.”

“Thank you for understanding. You should be able to have dinner in the dining room as usual.”

“It sounds like the guest will be leaving before dinner.”

“One would assume so.”

Eren smiled awkwardly.

“After all, she is a guest who arrived as suddenly as a storm.”

Irina finally understood why Eren had seemed so flustered by the carriage earlier.

The palm-sized etiquette book recommended by Viscountess Helpriton for her to read in her spare time stated that one must always arrange an appointment before visiting someone’s estate.

However, it seemed that the duke’s cousin had arrived without doing so.

“I will be busy today, so if you need anything, please ask Ms. Berry.”

Berry was the maid who often looked after Irina.

Once again, Irina nodded readily.

It was a simple enough request.

“Then I’ll return to my room.”

“Yes. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“It isn’t your fault, Mr. Ern.”

It was the fault of the guest who had swept into the estate like a storm, not the butler’s.

Shaking her head, Irina climbed the stairs to return to her room.

“Where is the butler?”

And came face-to-face with the guest.

Sainer, who had abruptly emerged from the second-floor drawing room, stared at Irina standing before her.

“Hmm?”

Irina gazed back at Sainer.

As she had noticed even from a distance, the young woman was as beautiful as a doll.

Before Irina could open her mouth to greet her, Florence spoke first.

“And who might you be?”

Her tone was courteous, yet somehow impolite.

“I wasn’t told there would be another guest besides me. Judging by your attire, you don’t appear to be a maid….”

Sainer’s gaze slowly travelled up from Irina’s feet.

It seemed as if he was assessing the cost of her dress and who had made it.

However, in contrast to her expensive attire, Irina’s posture was imperfect, and she froze when she encountered a noblewoman.

Sainer’s gaze finally settled on Irina’s face.

“Ah, could it be…?”

As though she had reached a conclusion, Sainer’s lips curved into a smile.

“Have you come here in search of a patron?”