#2

While ordinary women might not have learned it, embroidery wasn’t considered a basic skill among upper-class young ladies. When they wanted pretty embroidery on handkerchiefs or hems, they could simply hire someone to do it.

Nobles especially didn’t feel the need to spend money educating their daughters in skills that could be handled by hired help. The fact that people earned money doing such work meant it was no different from labor.

Though times had changed, some nobles still considered labor beneath them, so embroidery was treated as merely a hobby at best.

However, young ladies in high society occasionally developed unique interests. There was a time when embroidering pretty handkerchiefs became fashionable even among noble young ladies. This was around when Diez was sixteen.

Diez had better handiwork than other young ladies. Perhaps because she had occasionally done embroidery as a hobby since childhood, she could create pieces as beautiful as—or perhaps even more beautiful than—professional embroiderers.

Although Diez wasn’t born a noble, by the time she passed adolescence, her position in social circles was already firmly established. Was it because she was the daughter of an unprecedented millionaire, or was it because of her appearance?

At some point, things like the clothes Diez wore or her hobbies began to have influence among young ladies. Back then, Diez was wealthier than most noble young ladies. That might have been why she unknowingly set trends.

There was a widespread belief that Diez Schleicher would never wear anything less than the finest clothing, and that was close to the truth.

The young ladies wanted to befriend Diez while also being wary of her. It was because they didn’t want to lose to a young lady from new money who wasn’t even born a noble.

Being outshined by Diez Schleicher was considered quite humiliating among them. When Diez appeared wearing diamond accessories worth easily three million gallons, within a week, orders for similar or even more splendid diamond jewelry flooded the finest boutiques.

Social trends continued in this way. The same happened when it was accidentally revealed that Diez embroidered handkerchiefs. Young ladies who had previously preferred simple designs began to use elaborately embroidered handkerchiefs.

‘Even so, none will be more beautiful than what you create yourself, Miss.’

The maid who served Diez at that time would say in a disapproving tone.

‘I understand they can’t help but envy you, but I don’t know why they act so childishly. They clearly just want to appear better than you.’

The maid disliked the noble young ladies who were desperate to outdo Diez, but Diez herself felt no particular emotion about it.

‘Maybe they just wanted embroidered handkerchiefs too.’

‘Forgive my impertinence, but you’re too kind for your own good, Miss.’

But Diez was sincere.

What’s the point in caring about what they do?

Other noble young ladies had no influence on Diez. Her position in society and economically had been firmly established long ago, and nothing could suddenly destroy that.

Back then, Diez was completely carefree, believing the paradise surrounding her would last forever.

‘No matter how noble they are, they’ll never catch up to you, Miss, but I still wish you would show them that you’re a step above.’

‘What would I gain from competing with them?’

‘I just hate seeing them look down on you. No matter what anyone says, the most precious lady in society is our Miss Diez. Everyone thinks so, don’t they? I’ve heard rumors that famous young noblemen carefully examine the paths you’ve walked.’

‘The places I’ve walked? Why?’

‘They’re hoping to find a handkerchief you might have dropped with your embroidery on it.’

Diez laughed, saying it was a ridiculous rumor, but part of her thought that if it were true, nothing could be more flattering and amusing.

‘Why don’t you create your own unique embroidery style? Something others could never imitate.’

‘Hmm, well……’

Though she appeared to be considering it in front of her maid, Diez really did just that. She imagined some unnamed noble youth picking up her handkerchief that she might have accidentally dropped.

Like many people including her parents, Diez didn’t cling to the fantasy of eventually marrying a high-ranking nobleman. But if such a thing were to happen, she thought it would be better if it began with a dropped handkerchief.

Wouldn’t that be more fun and romantic than an arranged marriage or having a husband decided by a single proposal letter?

Perhaps because of such imagination, embroidery remained Diez’s favorite hobby afterward.

Now, years after her family’s downfall, even that had become just a faded trace of the past.

After finishing her brief meal with Jürgen and returning to her room, Diez inwardly regretted it. Why did I bring up embroidery of all things? When she heard the suggestion to leave the ducal residence and return home, she was so surprised that she blurted out whatever came to mind, which she now regretted.

It’s been so long since I last embroidered that I’m not even sure if I can still do it properly.

His words, delivered in the cold tone as always, seemed to echo in her ears.

‘You are my father’s former mistress. Isn’t it natural that I would want to remove you from my mansion as quickly as possible?’

Diez was no longer of any use to him. Jürgen had conveyed this directly instead of beating around the bush.

But such words couldn’t hurt Diez.

They were rather comforting. She had thought so, but now she was certain that Jürgen would never treat her the same way the late Duke had.

‘He’s definitely a completely different man from the Duke I knew.’

His office, maintained with a cleanliness that bordered on obsessive. The cold gaze he had directed at her since the day he officially inherited the title of Duke.

Once, his unfriendly attitude had felt frightening and unsettling, but now it was different. Diez thought she might have gained confidence to no longer fear Jürgen.

Because he’s different.

At least to him, I must appear as nothing more than a troublesome freeloader in the ducal household.

The fact that Jürgen, unlike the late Duke, wouldn’t see Diez as a woman was like a great stroke of luck.

That was why Diez didn’t hesitate to stay in his mansion.

As much as Jürgen despised her, Diez could trust him.

Duke. Duke?

Perhaps it was around the third time his secretary called him. Jürgen, lost in thought, belatedly raised his head.

“His Highness the Prince will arrive shortly.”

“……I see.”

Despite having to soon receive none other than a prince, Jürgen’s expression still showed no particular emotion. While ordinary nobles might have nervously adjusted their ties, to Jürgen, news of the prince’s visit held only one meaning.

I’m going to have a tiresome and exhausting time.

All he could do for the prince was maintain at least a businesslike expression. They had known each other far too long for any more courtesy than that.

Even without that reason, Jürgen was already sufficiently on edge. People around him kept glancing his way, racking their brains for ways to strike up a conversation with him.

By nature, he wasn’t one who enjoyed mingling with people. His father used to say about Jürgen:

‘You were always so shy, even as a child. So unlike a boy.’

It was half true and half false. While he had indeed been somewhat shy as a child, it was none other than his father who had made him averse to socializing.

Jürgen knew that he resembled his father greatly. The surrounding nobles would throw compliments at both him and the late Duke.

Your son looks just like you, Duke.

Hearing such remarks remained one of the things Jürgen most wanted to avoid. Even now, when he was trying to become a different man from his father. If such a moment were to come when he heard those words, he felt he wouldn’t be able to bear it.

While lost in these thoughts, a familiar voice addressed him.

“Duke Klaus.”

He didn’t need to look up to identify the speaker. Despite an attitude that could be perceived as not just cold but even rude, Prince Leopold smiled brightly and continued.

“We’re not the kind of acquaintances who need such formal titles, are we, Jürgen?”

“Your Highness.”

Pretending not to have heard him, Jürgen gave a formal greeting, causing Leopold to let out a light laugh.

“You never show any signs of changing, no matter when I see you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Well, I didn’t particularly mean anything by it, but let’s say so.”

Leopold, who had appeared with a few attendants, plopped down in the seat across from Jürgen. Unlike when he appeared at official functions, his bangs fell freely, and even a couple of his shirt buttons were undone.

With one arm draped over the backrest and legs crossed, the prince was clearly a man who contrasted sharply with Jürgen in every aspect. From the atmosphere he exuded, to his coloring, and even the way he tied his necktie.

With Leopold’s appearance alone, the gazes that had been pouring toward Jürgen instantly dispersed. So they have the courage to approach a duke but find royalty difficult? While Jürgen mocked them, he felt no gratitude toward Leopold for deflecting the unwanted attention.

What he wanted was to return to his quiet mansion instead of being stuck in this mentally draining social gathering.

Intending to just go through the motions before quickly leaving, he spoke first.

“What business did you have with me?”

“Do we need a special reason to meet? You and I?”