Chapter 2.2 

“If you need anything at any time, please pull the bell cord or ring this silver bell.”

“Thank you, Lady Barnes.”

There was no one in the townhouse who had served longer than Barnes, who had spent half her life working at the Skavisa Ducal House. Recognized for her competence and loyalty, she had once been Idris’s nanny and now served as the head maid of the townhouse. For her to personally attend to Hillienti was highly significant.

“Is the Earl of Rinshers doing well? It’s been over five years since I last saw him.”

“He’s always in good health, thanks. I’ll pass along your regards when I return.”

With a gentle demeanor, as if addressing a niece, Barnes smiled warmly, deep wrinkles forming under her eyes. Meanwhile, the maids lined up behind her exchanged silent glances.

The girl their master had brought with him was an extraordinary beauty, with soft, wavy hair in a unique shade of light grayish-brown and pale violet eyes. She stood on the border between a girl and a woman, exuding a pure, clean aura with a hint of sensuality. She seemed as though she might carry the scent of lavender.

Every time she lowered her gaze slightly and held a faint smile, dimples appeared on her peach-colored cheeks, making her look endearing. Her calm, deep voice, which was unexpected, only added to her charm.

“Does he eat at all?”

“Not at all. He hasn’t touched a thing. No one can force him, and it’s worrying.”

“Well, if I may, could I ask to use the kitchen tomorrow morning? I thought if I prepared the food he used to enjoy back in Rinshers, he might eat even just a little….”

“How could that be an unreasonable request? It’s an honor. The young master always enjoyed anything you made. Please let us know what ingredients you need, and we’ll have them ready.”

Barnes’s green eyes shone brightly as she looked at the kind-hearted girl. She expressed her gratitude endlessly to Hillienti, who cared solely for Idris’s well-being, while reminiscing about old memories.

‘Guess what Hillienti did. This time, she brought home three cats, two puppies, a family of squirrels, and even rabbits. Not long ago, she brought a fox, and the Earl begged her to stop bringing things in from outside.’

‘I wish that child were my sister. But if I brought her here, Kashian would probably try to kill me.’

With a firm belief that Hillienti might be able to turn the current tragedy into a comedy, Barnes respectfully bowed and said something entirely inappropriate for a man who had just lost his fiancée.

“It’s such a relief that you’re here. Please, take good care of our young master.”

“Of course. Please take care of me as well. But I’d like to ask that my presence here remain a secret for now.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. His Grace has already given strict instructions.”

“Oh, I see.”

Hillienti was an outsider to the Skavisa family. She had no fiancé and was a woman of marriageable age.

Her family was a venerable noble house that had served as chancellors for generations, predating even the current Tarcien royal family. After witnessing the fall of the royal family and realizing the fleeting nature of power, her ancestors had withdrawn from politics and remained in the Rinshers region, earning universal respect.

The current Earl of Rinshers, renowned for his high virtue, had raised his often-sickly daughter with great care after losing his beloved wife.

Because of this, some referred to Hillienti as a frog in a well, having lived only within the confines of the Earl’s territory.

However, as the daughter of Selina de Sien, the most beautiful woman in society, Hillienti’s beauty was undeniable. Her brief debutante appearance at fourteen, where she greeted the Queen and promptly left, had been talked about for years.

“Make sure no word about the guest leaves this house. And ensure there’s nothing lacking in her care.”

For the servants, the presence of the daughter of such a distinguished house staying at the Skavisa townhouse could mean a second chance for their master.

Thus, despite strict orders from above, the servants began whispering among themselves as soon as dawn broke. They hoped their gossip might turn falsehoods into truth.

“I hope the young lady stays here for a long time. She’s the perfect match for our master. Why hasn’t there been talk of marriage between them? They’d be so well-suited. Honestly, Lady Amelie never fit in at the Skavisa Ducal House, and there were rumors about another lover….”

“Shh! Be careful what you say! What if someone hears you?”

“What? Am I wrong? I’m not. Our Duke hasn’t done anything wrong. If that woman’s bad luck affects him, I won’t even mourn her.”

Was it goodwill? One thing was certain—it wasn’t malice.

“That’s a bit harsh. Still, someone has died.”

“Strictly speaking, the Duke is the victim. And the living must go on.”

Their master’s position and authority influenced even his subordinates. Without a spouse, one couldn’t inherit a title. Producing heirs was one of the most critical duties of nobles, so the young Duke had to marry as soon as possible.

That’s why, as soon as the funeral ended, they discarded their mourning clothes and set to work from dawn.

They placed flowers in empty vases and drew back the curtains to let in sunlight. They swept and polished the floors until they shone, preparing for what was to come.

The only one who didn’t welcome these changes was Julie, Hillienti’s personal maid.

* * *

“Doesn’t the atmosphere feel a little different from yesterday?”

“It does.”

The marble floor, polished as if inlaid with clear pebbles, sparkled excessively.

Was it because the dark clouds had cleared? The cream-colored hallway, now bathed in sunlight streaming through numerous arched windows, was the epitome of beauty. The mirrors on the walls and the decorations adorned with bright yellow autumn chrysanthemums gave off a fragrance so enchanting it felt as though the flowers might turn into butterflies and flutter away.

It was a house so stunning that it made her instinctively look around in awe.

“What a truly beautiful place.”

Everywhere she looked, there were exotic treasures and artworks she had only read about in books on art and history. Just walking through the house was enough to delight her eyes.

Whenever she passed by the servants on her way to the kitchen, they bowed deeply in greeting, which made her feel a little burdened. But since the time she’d been given here was only three days, it didn’t matter much.

It seemed like she had already failed to avoid leaving traces or memories behind. Of course, if it meant giving him even the smallest bit of warmth to hold on to, she didn’t mind at all.

“Oh my, you’re already up? Was there something uncomfortable? If the noise disturbed your sleep…”

“I had a rare, peaceful rest, so there’s no need to worry. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thanks to you, Miss Hillienti, I had the sweetest sleep in a long time. Oh, I should introduce myself. I’m Emma, the head of the kitchen.”

As soon as she stepped over the threshold of the kitchen, she was greeted warmly by the head chef, Emma, which startled her, making her eyes widen. For some reason, Barnes, who was already seated and pouring fragrant tea into flower-shaped teacups, chuckled softly.

“Emma and I have watched over the young master since his childhood. The young master often spoke of the food you made for him during his visits to the Rinshers estate.”

“Really? That’s a little embarrassing.”

At Emma’s gesture, politely pointing to a chair with her palm, and Barnes’s nostalgic tone, Hillienti naturally took a seat. A cup of chrysanthemum tea, with white petals floating on its surface, was placed in front of her.

Idris had talked about me? 

She had never known that. She had spent her entire life at the Rinshers estate and had rarely left its grounds.

The only times she could meet Idris were during his visits to Rinshers with Kashian during the academy’s vacations. From June to August, and sometimes even in December, they spent time together. But after she entered adolescence, and especially after he left for his studies abroad two years ago, those days had become a thing of the past.

“I even know what kind of cookies you first baked. They were lemon-filled cookies, weren’t they? When young master Idris asked me to make those exact cookies, I was so flustered yet so happy. He didn’t usually enjoy sweets, you see.”

“…He did?”

Her face grew warm. Those cookies… The first ones she baked had been undercooked, and the second batch was so burnt that Kashian wouldn’t even touch them.

“Yes! He said he liked how your cookies weren’t overly sweet. I tried my best, but to this day, I still can’t bake cookies that suit the young master’s taste. But this is an absolute secret.”

When Emma asked if she could share the recipe, Hillienti nodded, saying it was no problem, and began cooking.