TADQ 10

Chapter 10

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace, Lady Roselyn Roembek and her daughters have arrived.”

Kalos knocked on the reception room door of the Pianus estate, whose atmosphere was noticeably brighter than the Nurenbern mansion.
Standing before the door, Roselyn tightened her grip on the hands of Ludiana and Irene.

“Come in.”

A low, pleasant voice answered from inside.

At that sound, Roselyn’s body stiffened even more. Sensing this, Ludiana gently lifted her free hand and brushed the back of her mother’s hand, as if to reassure her.

Bang.

The door finally opened, revealing blue sofas and antique walls adorned with various works of art. Amid all that splendor, one man rose from the sofa and approached them.

Silver hair glinting in the sunlight streaming through the window, and deep blue eyes filled with quiet emotion—eyes that seemed to ripple like water.
Those eyes fixed on one person alone.

“…Roselyn.”

“…Allen.”

“……”

“……”

The two stood facing each other in silence, unable to speak. The longing in their gazes was so intense that even Ludiana’s chest ached from witnessing it.

“Hello! I’m Irene Nurenbern—ah, um… Irene Roembek!”

The one who broke the tension was their small, adorable Irene.

Still too young to read the atmosphere, she simply followed Roselyn’s teachings and greeted Allen politely.

“…I am Ludiana Roembek.”

Following suit, Ludiana lifted her skirt and bowed as well.

“Ah—yes. Th-that’s right. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Allen Pianus. Please, have a seat.”

Flustered, Allen guided them toward the sofa.

As Ludiana stepped forward, she noticed Kalos bowing his head, his shoulders trembling as he struggled to hold back laughter.

Pfft—what is he doing?

Kalos knew about Allen’s first love.

A woman who had lost her parents and older brother in a sudden accident, then been married off—almost sold—to Nurenbern.

Back then, Allen had been in the East tending to the ailing former duke. When he heard the news, he rushed west—only to learn she had already married.

Since then, Allen had lived behind an emotional wall, longing for her and keeping women at a distance. When Kalos heard that Allen would finally meet his first love again, even he had felt some anticipation.

He wasn’t sure what he had expected—but something dramatic, at least.

Allen had spent days preparing for this meeting…

And this is the result?

Seeing Allen flounder helplessly, Kalos barely managed to suppress his laughter.

“Roselyn—ah, ahem. Lady Head of House Roembek, you needn’t worry going forward.”

Allen awkwardly added the correction, mindful of Ludiana and Irene.

“…Thank you, Your Grace.”

Silence fell once more.

Unable to endure it any longer, Ludiana finally spoke.

“Thank you for helping us, Your Grace.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you—for giving me the chance to help.”

Allen meant it sincerely.

Because thanks to her, he had been able to see Roselyn again.

“When do you plan to return to the East?”

“Hmm. In about a week, I believe. But you’re welcome to remain in the capital.”

Truthfully, Allen didn’t want to part from Roselyn—but the epidemic spreading through the East was no small matter.

As he thought this, his gaze drifted to Roselyn’s. Their eyes met briefly, then both hurriedly looked away.

Ludiana placed her hand on Roselyn’s arm and smiled.

“Mother. Let’s go to the East together.”

For her mother’s sake—and because she had promised Allen.

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

Roselyn smiled back at her.

Allen stared blankly at her, a shy flush rising to his face—hard to believe he was already in his thirties.

Avoiding his gaze, Roselyn spoke.

“Then, Your Grace, may we rest for a while?”

“Of course. Neil! Please guide our guests.”

Allen quickly averted his eyes and called for the butler.

“Yes, my lord.”

Neil, who had been standing near the wall with Kalos, approached.

“I’ll show you to your rooms.”

“Thank you.”

Ludiana bowed lightly in gratitude.

Neil looked young—perhaps in his early twenties—to be the chief butler of a ducal estate.

Managing the capital duke’s residence at such a young age… The East really is full of talent.

As she rose to follow him, Ludiana glanced at Kalos.

He seemed even more desperate to hold back laughter now, his head turned away.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Before leaving, Roselyn greeted Allen once more, and Ludiana bowed after her.

“Yes! Please get plenty of rest!”

Allen replied in such a rush that he ended up half-bent forward. Soon, the door closed behind Neil and the three women.

“Kkh—kekeke.”

The moment they were gone, Kalos burst into laughter.

Allen, his face burning red, straightened his stiff back and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Why are you still standing here?”

“Oh—yes, yes, Your Grace.”

Trying to look stern out of embarrassment, Allen only made Kalos giggle harder as he left the room.

Once outside, Kalos headed toward a window overlooking the corridor. The guests’ rooms were on the third floor, deep within the estate.

“…Hmm.”

When Allen first said he would bring the Nurenbern lady and her daughters here, Kalos had opposed it.

“Have you lost your mind over your first love? Jonas is a scheming bastard—this could be a trap!”

Kalos was exceptionally sharp for his age, especially when it came to reading political undercurrents.

Every tutor who had taught him noble studies praised his insight, and Allen acknowledged his talent as well.

That was why, when Allen decided to trust the words of a thirteen-year-old girl and bring Roselyn without hesitation, Kalos had strongly objected.

She’s only thirteen. A solution to an epidemic? Absurd.

Even he himself was still inexperienced in many ways. And a young girl? The perfect age to be used as a spy while lowering one’s guard.

“Even so, now that I know their situation, I can’t leave Roselyn and her daughters there.”

“Your Grace!”

“That’s enough. I’ve already decided.”

“…Understood.”

Unable to stop Allen, Kalos resolved to keep watch over them.

If I sense anything suspicious, I’ll report it immediately.

But that resolve melted the moment he saw them.

“…Tch.”

They looked far too shabby to be the wife and daughters of a great noble house.

And Ludiana—his age, yet far smaller than him.

He couldn’t deny it.

Children abandoned by their family.

Kalos had always been weak toward children abandoned by their parents—just like himself.

Naturally, his wariness toward Ludiana and Irene softened.

“All three rooms have been prepared. The assigned maids will arrive shortly.”

“Thank you.”

Led to the third floor by Neil, the three women were each assigned their own rooms.

Each room was carefully furnished to suit its occupant’s age, with finely crafted furniture engraved and carved by skilled artisans.

Mother’s room especially… it’s filled with everything she likes.

Violet silk bedding matching her eyes, and a large rug for Roselyn—whose hands and feet were always cold.

Roselyn seemed to notice as well, her expression turning complex.

After checking each room, Ludiana excused herself, saying she wanted to rest, and went into her own room alone.

“Haa…”

The tension she’d held since dawn drained from her body as she collapsed onto the bed.

It was soft, warm, and carried the pleasant scent of linens dried carefully in the sun.

“Ah… this is nice.”

Had she ever lain in a bed like this before?

The realization that she had truly changed the future filled her chest with exhilaration.

There’s still a long way to go.

She had stopped her mother’s death for now—but that didn’t mean she could relax.

She still had to secure her family’s happiness… and trample Nurenbern beneath her feet.

This was only the beginning.

“Still… for today, let’s enjoy it.”

Ludiana rolled over and lay flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling.

Just then, a clear, gentle voice sounded from outside.

“Lady Ludiana, I am Micaela, your assigned maid.”