Let’s Just Make a Child, Your Grace - Chapter 9 Part 5

Penny’s eyes grew hot. She remembered a promise Arne had made to her long ago. That as long as Penny remained Arne’s dedicated maid, she would protect her, staking her reputation as the mad villainess of the empire.

Arne had kept that promise, more than enough.

‘Lady Arne, I’ll be sure to serve you well. I’ll always be by your side.’

Releasing her tightly gripped skirt, Penny took Arne’s hand and stood up. Though her sprained ankle still ached, Penny put on a brave smile.

“I’ll check if there are any decent dresses, just in case.”

Penny rolled up her sleeves in front of the wardrobe with determined steps. Though it was clear at a glance that there were no intact dresses, Arne didn’t stop her.

She appreciated Penny’s desire to do something. Watching this, Agatha approached and bowed deeply.

“I stood by when Lady Bianca tormented you before. I’m sorry. Though you may not fully trust me, I will work to earn your faith. Just as I delivered the letter today.”

“Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“To be honest, because I want to live.”

Having observed Arne all this time, Agatha was certain. Though Arne might still be less skilled than the Duchess in power struggles within the ducal residence or social activities, she would far surpass the Duchess as time passed.

Hadn’t she just seen through her intentions and even used gold coins to win over the other maids? And perhaps she was a little envious of how Arne genuinely cared for Penny.

“…We’ll see.”

As Arne’s answer fell, Agatha bowed politely. As if to prove herself, Agatha began cleaning the filth in the room without hesitation.

It was the most diligent Arne had ever seen Agatha in her life.

* * *

Waking up early in the morning, Arne fiddled with Cedric’s letter. The letter she had opened when alone was quite decent for something sent at such a late hour.

[Meet me after the banquet. Just tear the scroll.]

Arne examined the letter front and back, but those two sentences were all there was. This was very much like him. Though the handwriting seemed a bit rushed.

‘Why would he send something with so little content at this hour?’

He was truly a puzzling man. Arne stopped pondering and put the letter and scroll in her handbag. She didn’t forget to include the pouch of gold coins.

It was the price she had received when selling the Duchess’s real pearl necklace while getting magical tools from Rein.

She didn’t expect to get the full price, but it sold for more than expected, enough that she even gave Rein a tip about developing new magical tools.

‘I don’t know who bought it, but I really love them for paying this much.’

Though it was a stranger, seeing the pile of gold coins made her feel affectionate. Now she wouldn’t have to feel shabby over the price of a cookie.

As a smile slowly spread across Arne’s lips while looking at the gold coins, there was a knock at the door.

Penny entered. Despite being told it was fine, Penny had dark circles under her eyes as if she had washed clothes all night. Her voice was thick with emotion, seemingly upset that what she held in her chapped hands was still the black dress.

“I’m sorry, Lady Arne. I tried all night, but I couldn’t get rid of the smell. The only dress left is the black one you told me to throw away before. I had put it in the charity box to be sent to the Freya Orphanage on the Duchess’s orders.”

The dejected Penny asked urgently.

“Should I go to a tailor or boutique now?”

“I need to see the Duke too, so I don’t think we’ll have time if we want to make it to the banquet on time.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright. The sky won’t fall just because I wear a black dress for one day.”

Arne patted Penny’s shoulder lightly. The dress would be terrible, but Arne wasn’t one to lose heart and give up on the banquet just because of a dress.

Penny still looked upset, but Arne was truly fine. As she was letting Penny’s hands dress her, Agatha’s familiar voice was heard.

“Lady Arne, it’s Agatha.”

“Come in.”

But Agatha didn’t enter and instead stepped aside to wait. Then, someone else’s footsteps were heard. The face that appeared at the door was someone Arne hadn’t expected at all.

‘Duke Ronia?’

The Duke had never personally visited Arne’s room before. He would usually summon Arne to his office, or Arne would always seek out the Duke first.

‘I thought it would be the same this time, but why come all the way here.’

“Arne.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been thinking all night about the engagement……”

Arne’s pupils slowly dilated at the Duke’s following words. She truly never thought such a day would come in her life.

“Let’s do as you say, Arne.”

At last, Arne’s lips slowly curved up smoothly. Lately, things keep happening that she can’t believe even as she sees them with her own eyes. As if it were a dream or a lie.

“Then does this mean I no longer have to be engaged to Kale? And we’ll reveal Bianca’s misdeeds too?”

“Yes. We’ll do that, so give me the antidote.”

Arne’s heart pounded. A shiver ran through her entire body, but she calmly looked at the Duke. He was a calculating man who would use any means necessary to get what he wanted. She couldn’t let her guard down until the end.

“Your Grace, please write a letter to the Wayne family right now, in front of me. Penny will deliver that letter.”

“Alright.”

The Duke complied more easily than expected. He actually wrote the letter and handed it to Penny. As what Arne had longed for was achieved so easily, she stared intently at the Duke.

“The antidote?”

“Since we’re pressed for time before the banquet, I’ll give it to you after we return from the banquet. I’ve left it in a safe place, so I need to retrieve it. I’ll give it to you today, so don’t worry.”

“Very well. I’ll wait.”

“Yes.”

The Duke turned and left cleanly. Seeing this, Penny smiled brightly, seeming pleased.

“Lady Arne, I’m so glad! I’ll go right away!”

Penny immediately put on her coat and went out. As Arne watched Penny’s retreating figure, she tapped her index finger on the desk.

“Agatha, were there any suspicious movements from the Duchess?”

“I’m not sure, as she didn’t give me any chance. Perhaps because she heard about me bringing you the letter and quill. Things seem to have worked out well, why do you ask?”

“Because it worked out too well. It’s going so smoothly that it’s rather strange.”

Arne’s fingers tapped faster on the desk.

“What about the other maids? Is there any maid who might know something suspicious about the Duchess or the Duke, even if it’s trivial?”

Agatha fell into thought for a moment. Last night’s events had certainly caused a rift among the maids.

“Fiorette is the maid who arranges the Duchess’s bed. She’s bad at lying and has a sick mother, so the Duchess keeps her without suspicion, but recently her mother’s condition has become very critical.”

Arne’s eyes sparkled. As expected, Agatha was well-versed in the affairs of the ducal residence and knew what to do.

“I’ll go for a walk. But there’s not a single decent hat. Any hat will do since it’s inside the ducal residence. This is for the hat and your trouble. If the walk goes well, my trust in you will grow.”

Arne handed Agatha two gold coins. Seeing the gold coins, Agatha got goosebumps.

It meant to lure and bring Fiorette while avoiding the Duchess’s eyes.

‘Is this really something a young lady who hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony can do? It’s like a seasoned noblewoman…’

Agatha accepted the gold coins and bowed deeply. She realized her eyes had been right.

* * *

Arne sat on a swing in the garden, enjoying the breeze. Perhaps because she was wearing a black dress, the sunlight felt even hotter.

After some time, a brown-haired maid with many freckles approached Arne hesitantly and held out a hat.

“Greetings, Lady Arne. I’m Fiorette. I heard you needed a hat, so I came to deliver it.”

“Thank you.”

Arne leisurely took the hat and put it on her face. Although Fiorette had delivered the hat, she still stood there nervously, not leaving.

“Um, yesterday you said you were interested in various things…”

“That’s right.”

Arne’s lips slowly drew an elegant line. The young maid, whose face had turned red just from standing in front of Arne, bit her lip and clenched her hands tightly.

“You said you were also interested in the Duchess… Last night, after I tidied up the Duke and Duchess’s bed, they had a big fight.”

Arne slowly nodded. Just as it was starting to get frustrating, Fiorette seemed to make up her mind and opened her mouth.

“The Duchess…”

As Arne listened to Fiorette’s words, an indecipherable smile spread across her lips. Arne just laughed like mad. Fiorette blinked nervously, unsure if she had done the right thing.