Merry Christmas to all my readers! To celebrate, I’m treating you to extra chapter updates. Please enjoy this special release of four bonus chapters! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

(Lurelia’s Christmas Bonus – Update 1/4 🎉)

♡ To all readers who purchased these chapters before Christmas: I can’t express this enough – Thank you for your support. (*ˊᗜˋ*)/ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏ ᵞᵒᵘ*

“Well, you see. That mansion has been sold.”

“The mansion is sold? When?”

“As it happens, it was sold just yesterday!”

He was sweating profusely.

“Yesterday, you say. Then, can’t you cancel the contract or convince them to resell it to me? I really like that place. I’ll add a substantial penalty fee if you can persuade them to transfer it to me.”

“Uh… that would be difficult.”

“Who’s the buyer?”

“Well…”

“Are you going to tell me or not? Haven’t you heard the rumors about me?”

“It’s His Grace, Grand Duke Kalschmitz!”

When I threatened him slightly, he closed his eyes tightly and shouted.

“Ah, I see. But what exactly are these rumors about me?”

“…”

“…”

“What’s going on? Why is everyone silent?”

“No less than Kalschmitz, we’re no match for him.”

Amidst everyone’s silence, only Demian spoke up with an irrelevant comment. And it was one that completely shattered any hope.

“Demian, be quiet.”

But really, no less than Kalschmitz. Of all the people, my taste in mansions overlapped with the strongest figure in the north. If it was ‘that’ Kalschmitz, it was clear he wouldn’t sell no matter how much more money was offered.

“I guess my taste is truly impeccable. To think it matches the Grand Duke’s.”

“…”

“Why are you all silent again?”

“You told me to be quiet.”

“Say one more word, I dare you.”

Only Giaman, who must have been well aware of my notorious reputation, flinched at this exchange.

Demian seemed completely oblivious.

“Sigh, I’ve lost my authority as a master.”

“Haha. But that house was the prettiest, it’s such a shame, my lady.”

“Indeed. Houses built with marble are so rare, and now that one’s out of reach.”

The first house had white marble ground applied to its exterior walls, making it shimmer and shine depending on the light. It also had a spacious garden four times the size of the house, making it the most splendid among the houses Casto had sent.

The documents even stated it was likely the most beautiful mansion in the north.

“Can’t be helped. Then, will you show me this house?”

I showed him the second house I had chosen along with Irena.

“Ah, this one is still available.”

“But tell me, why are such nice houses still unsold? There’s nothing wrong with them, is there?”

Although Casto would have checked thoroughly before sending the information, I was skeptical and asked Giaman again for confirmation.

“There are no issues, but in fact, both the first and second mansions are astronomically priced, and the original owners stated they wouldn’t sell to anyone but nobles, so it’s difficult even to approach them.”

“Hmm, I see. There better not be a single lie in what you just said.”

“Of course not! I’ve been serving clients with honesty and trust for 20 years!”

“Good. Then I’d like to go see that house.”

“Certainly! I’ll guide you right away. Do you have your own carriage?”

“No.”

“Then you can use our agency’s carriage.”

I nodded.

“Alright, I’ll prepare it right away. Jeska! Prepare the carriage!”

“Yes, understood.”

And so, we set off to view the house I might purchase in the carriage Giaman had prepared.

The cityscape passed by outside the window. Commerce seemed to be thriving, and while not as developed as the capital, the streets were quite orderly and well-maintained.

Not long after passing through the city center and residential areas, we reached a district where mansions were built at sparse intervals.

“Wow- My lady, that’s the house, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you’re right. It’s so beautiful.”

On a gentle hill not far away, the mansion we had been looking at came into view. Built with white bricks, it shone even more brilliantly in the sunlight, though not quite as much as marble would.

The blue roof added to its luxurious atmosphere, and large windows in the attic beneath the roof gave it an open feel.

Moreover, the four-season roses that bloom even in winter were in full bloom along the fence and in the garden visible beyond, making it seem like a house dropped into another world.

“I like it even more up close.”

As we got off the carriage in front of the house, the cityscape spread out before our eyes down the hill. Right beside it, a flowing river sparkled in the sunlight, creating an even more beautiful scenery.

“There’s a mountain behind it that blocks the cold winds from the north, and with the river beside it, even though it’s a bit away from the city center, it’s connected to the water mains. I’ve rarely seen such a perfect mansion in my life.”

“But the garden seems a bit small, and it might be difficult to go up and down the hill.”

As Demian pointed out, Giaman’s eyes widened and he quickly added:

“While the garden is smaller compared to other mansions, it’s not inferior to any garden. It has four-season roses that bloom year-round, plus fig trees inside, and the backyard has a lawn of the same scale as other mansions!”

“Oh. There’s a lawn attached?”

“Yes! The use of that space is entirely up to the mansion’s owner. And among the surrounding areas, this hill has the gentlest slope and the path is well-paved for easy access. Being on a hill, it has never been damaged even when the river overflows due to heavy rain, and isn’t the view splendid? You can use ponies for going up and down!”

“That’s true.”

I was half convinced by his fluent speech.

“Then, let’s see the inside of the mansion now.”

Demian, who had been looking at me pitifully as if I was about to sign the contract right away, suggested.

“Ah, yes. Please follow me.”

As we opened the main gate and entered, we saw a rose garden that was clearly beautiful to anyone, though it had grown a bit long due to lack of maintenance.

“Right now, only the four-season roses are blooming because it’s winter, but in summer, over 10 varieties of roses will be in full bloom. And soon, when white snow piles up softly and mingles with the roses, it becomes a spectacular view. Look at the river visible beyond that fence. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Giaman skillfully guided us while explaining about the garden.

“What’s that?”

“That’s a fig tree. I heard it bears over hundreds of fruits in summer.”

“I like that.”

“Now, let’s go inside the mansion. There’s a basement, three attic rooms, and it has a total of three floors.”

“The inside has a cozier atmosphere than I expected.”

As we opened the door and entered, we first saw a staircase along with an open living room with a ceiling height that extended to the second floor.

Unlike the white exterior, the inside created a warm atmosphere with an appropriate mix of wood tones and white.

The living room had a fireplace installed and a Persian-patterned carpet laid out. It was reminiscent of Christmas.

“There’s a fireplace.”

Demian said, as if finding it interesting.

“Ah, fireplaces are essential in the north because of the cold weather. Even if magic scrolls are used to control room temperature, lighting fires is like a custom.”

“What’s this room?”

“The previous owner used this as a study. This is all there is on the first floor. It consists of a living room, dining room, study, and one bathroom. Below this is the basement, which is cool and mainly used as a food storage. Would you like to see it?”

“I don’t want to see the basement. I want to see the upper floor.”

“Yes. I’ll guide you.”

We went up to the second floor via wooden stairs that didn’t creak at all and saw a white, clean corridor with three doors.

We approached the first door.

“The innermost room is the master bedroom. This room has an attached drawing room, dressing room, and bathroom.”

As we entered, a neat bedroom first caught our eyes.

Compared to my reddish room in the Count’s mansion with gold trinkets plastered all over, this was heaven. The light wood-colored floor that gave a cozy feeling, the rose garden visible outside, and the clear river water were all to my liking.

“Wow- This is much better than my room.”

After seeing Lora’s devilish room, looking at this room felt healing.