Chapter 20

As expected, it left a bitter taste.

The thought of how Seth’s father must have reacted when his favored firstborn died, and his disliked second son became the heir; and how Seth must have endured it. Even imagining it was painful, so Evelyn tried to empty her mind.

“Since then, His Grace seemed to have closed his heart to everything. He trusted no one, cared for no one, and lived merely because he had to. But then, like a ray of salvation, you appeared, young lady.”

…Wait, this conversation is heading in a dangerous direction.

“After meeting you, His Grace regained his former self. To see him smile so happily… It was something this old man couldn’t even dream of.”

The chamberlain’s tearful appearance was overwhelmingly burdensome.

‘Please calm down, Grandfather. That’s just animal therapy. If someone had handed him a passing puppy earlier, this could’ve been resolved long ago.’

Unable to suppress her frustration, Evelyn spoke up.

“Grandfather, timing is important for everything. Perhaps the Duke simply thought it was time to open his heart. It’s not necessarily because of me.”

“Hoho, I see. I also think it’s time I hand over Princess Catherine’s inheritance to you, Young Lady.”

‘This sly old man, how troublesome.’ 

Evelyn glared at him coldly, but the chamberlain only smiled as if to soothe her.

“Princess Catherine would agree with me. The person who can make her precious son happy—there’s no qualification more important for inheriting her legacy.”

“Haha, indeed. If it’s not me, then it must be the perfect match.”

“Hoho, it’s precisely you, Young Lady.”

As the two refused to back down, the head maid intervened.

“Then why not ask His Grace?”

“What?”

“It seems like a simple matter to ask His Grace whether you make him happy, Young Lady.”

“W-what?!”

Currently, Seth was playing the role of “the Duke who loves his fiancée so much that he’s obsessively attached.” Asking someone like that, “Are you happy because of your fiancée?” would only yield an obvious answer.

“And Young Lady, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I must say this. Princess Catherine is your elder. Isn’t it rude to reject something passed down by an elder?”

The head maid’s sharp gaze made it clear that further rejection wouldn’t be tolerated. Evelyn sniffled and quietly lowered her head. The chamberlain’s hearty laughter grated on her nerves, but she had no choice but to endure it.

***

In the end, Evelyn was practically forced to accept Princess Catherine’s inheritance. She went to report this to Seth.

Trembling, she began explaining, 

“Master, I didn’t mean to accept this…” 

Seth looked at her silently.

Just as Evelyn started to suspect he might be angry, Seth finally spoke.

“I don’t see what the problem is.”

“What? Everything is a problem!”

“I also think you’re deserving of the inheritance.”

“No, that’s not right. These are precious items left by your mother.”

‘How could you give something so valuable to a two-year contract puppy?’ 

Seth chuckled softly at Evelyn’s flustered reaction.

“Because they’re precious, I wouldn’t want to give them to anyone else but you. The chamberlain probably feels the same.”

‘So, you’d rather put your mother’s keepsakes on a dog than give them to someone else?’

Though Evelyn found this sentiment incomprehensible, she had no choice but to respect it.

“Then I’ll use them sparingly and return them when I leave.”

The head maid had already mentioned that Evelyn lacked jewelry for formal occasions. Borrowing the items for such purposes wouldn’t make the royal court suspect her of ulterior motives.

“…Leave?”

“Oh, I mean when my role as a stand-in ends. In two years, my job will be done.”

“Did I say that?”

Seth asked as if hearing this for the first time, leaving Evelyn bewildered.

“You said all issues would be resolved within two years, didn’t you?”

“Yes, you remember well.”

Seth’s eyes curved in amusement. Though Evelyn hadn’t said anything particularly wrong, his gaze made her feel self-conscious. She grumbled internally and continued.

“In any case, I’ll return everything to you then.”

“No, it’s yours now.”

“What? Why?”

“I feel like I haven’t given you anything. Consider this overdue compensation and accept it.”

‘Is Seth’s last name “pushover”?’ 

Evelyn began to seriously wonder as she replied.

“But you already provide for my living expenses, my clothes, and even my brother’s tuition.”

“Eve, if I say that, it makes me sound petty.”

‘But it’s true. Why would that make you petty?’

Seeing Evelyn’s puzzled expression, Seth’s face turned somber.

“It seems I’ve been neglectful. I didn’t expect to be outdone by my late mother.”

Muttering something incomprehensible, Seth reached out his hand.

“Give me your hand.”

Without hesitation, Evelyn extended her hand. Seth took it and, after a moment of observation, pulled out a ring from his pocket. It was a gold ring engraved with a rose design. He slipped it onto Evelyn’s left pinky finger.

“It’s not a gemstone, but I’ll give you this.”

Evelyn blinked at the ring. It had seemed slightly loose when he put it on, but it quickly adjusted to fit her finger perfectly.

“What is this?”

“It’s a signet ring. If there’s something you want, you can stamp it.”

‘A stamp? Is this some kind of seal?’

“So I stamp it on something I want to claim as mine?”

Seth chuckled softly at her words.

“That’s one way to use it.”

Removing one of his gloves, Seth extended his hand. His masculine yet elegant hand naturally drew Evelyn’s gaze.

“Want to try stamping it here?”

“Just like this?”

“Yes.”

‘But there’s no ink…’ 

After a moment of hesitation, Evelyn pressed the ring lightly against Seth’s hand. To her surprise, a red rose pattern appeared as if by magic. Seth looked at the mark on his hand with satisfaction.

‘Looking at it like that makes it seem like I’ve marked my territory.’ 

Feeling embarrassed, Evelyn quickly changed the subject.

“So, how is it supposed to be used?”

“If there’s something you want, instead of paying, you stamp this on the bill.”

‘Ah, like a credit card.’

Evelyn fiddled with the ring’s design. Remarkably, her hands remained clean; the mark only appeared when needed.

“Buy whatever you want. There’s no limit, so don’t worry about the price.”

It sounded like something a wealthy man would say to his lover while handing over a credit card. Evelyn stared at the ring, which sparkled even more under the light, and asked hesitantly.

“I’m curious… If I use this to buy something, who pays for it?”

“Well, whoever it is, they must be someone who’ll never have to worry about money.”

‘That ridiculously wealthy person must be Seth.’ 

Evelyn bit her lip lightly.

“Your Grace, can I refuse this?”

“…Why?”

“I’ve already received too much. If I take this as well, it feels wrong.”

Evelyn tried to pull off the ring. Though she wanted to return it, it wouldn’t budge. As she struggled, Seth grabbed her hand to stop her.

“Don’t refuse. This is something you should rightfully have.”

‘But what if I die because of this? I just want to live a simple, long life without greed!’

“If I accept this, people will think I’m presumptuous and greedy. Then I won’t be able to stay by your side.”

“….”

Seth looked at her with an expression she had never seen before. It wasn’t anger or disappointment. His face was calm, yet it sent chills down her spine.

“Eve, no matter who they are, if they try to take me away from you, I won’t let it happen. Never.”

His voice was soft yet terrifying.

Tilting his head slightly toward her stiffened form, Seth whispered.

“Do you understand?”

Evelyn instinctively nodded. She decided to take the ring and hide it in a corner.

***

The head maid was overjoyed when she saw the ring Evelyn had brought back.

“Now that you’ve earned the chamberlain’s acknowledgment and the signet ring, you’re practically the lady of the Elmaier family.”

It felt like she had just received the keys to the family’s treasure vault. The head maid, claiming there was more good news, brought something over. It was the coin pouch Evelyn had prepared for buying gifts.

“The chamberlain instructed me to return this to you. He said the gift expenses were handled separately, so you should keep this for future needs.”

“….”

It sounded like being told to hold onto her piggy bank for buying snacks later. Evelyn quietly accepted the pouch. It felt heavier than before, and upon opening it, she found about 20 more platinum coins inside.

‘The scale of the Duke’s household is terrifying.’

The head maid, noticing Evelyn silently standing there, asked worriedly.

“Young lady? Is something wrong?”

“No, I just feel like I’m being treated too generously.”

“As the lady of the family, this is only natural.”

The head maid spoke with pride. Evelyn gazed at her for a moment before asking.

“Madam Reed, why are you so kind to me?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m of no notable background, I have nothing, and I’m not someone who suits His Grace. Yet you’ve taken care of me without any hint of displeasure. I find it strange.”

She could have ignored it, but Evelyn wanted to ask. Perhaps it was guilt for deceiving everyone as a stand-in. If the head maid claimed it was merely out of duty or responsibility, Evelyn thought she might feel at ease.

The head maid, silent for a moment, finally spoke.

“Young lady, shall I brush your hair?”

Though the question seemed out of nowhere, Evelyn nodded quietly. It felt like whatever the head maid wanted to say would be easier to hear without facing her directly.