Chapter: 11
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Micaela—who looked to be in her late teens—entered. With her tanned skin and cute freckles, she clasped her hands politely and spoke.
“Good afternoon, my lady. I will help you change into an indoor dress.”
“Thank you. My luggage is over there.”
Ludiana pointed to the small bag placed beside the door.
Micaela glanced at it, her eyes widening for just a moment before she quickly composed her expression.
“My lady, if it’s all right with you… may I dress you in a different gown?”
She lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“A different dress?”
At Ludiana’s question, Micaela stepped into the room and opened the wardrobe.
Inside hung several dresses suitable for a teenage girl.
“The lord ordered these prepared in advance, so the head maid and we chose them beforehand!”
“Ah…”
In truth, Micaela was extremely excited right now.
The Pianus family has great welfare, and the lord is wonderful, but…
All the people she served were men. She had always envied maids from other households who got to dress young ladies.
On top of that, Allen and Kalos rarely stayed in the capital, so work at the ducal residence was painfully monotonous.
Some people might envy that kind of life—but—
I’ve been waiting for this moment!!
Micaela had become a maid dreaming of the day she could dress up a young lady, only to unknowingly join the Pianus household and never once fulfill that dream.
But today—today was the day!
“…Okay.”
Seeing the anticipation on Micaela’s face, Ludiana couldn’t bring herself to refuse and nodded.
“Thank you!”
Micaela bowed deeply, humming to herself as she selected one of the indoor dresses and brought it over.
It was lilac-colored, perfectly matching Ludiana’s eyes.
“Hm…”
After changing, Ludiana fell silent in front of the mirror.
Micaela’s taste was good, and the lilac color suited Ludiana’s pale skin well.
The problem was that Ludiana was far too small for her age.
The skirt pooled on the floor, and the neckline slipped, the dress barely clinging to one shoulder.
“This won’t work, will it?”
Ludiana smiled awkwardly at Micaela’s despairing reflection in the mirror.
“I suppose not…”
“It’s okay. But I should still change.”
“…Yes.”
With a dejected expression, Micaela trudged over to Ludiana’s luggage.
Opening the small bag, she made another firm resolution.
As expected! I need to request Madam’s help!
With burning determination, Micaela pulled out the most presentable dress from the bag.
“My lady, the meal is ready.”
Not long after Ludiana changed into her indoor dress with Micaela’s help, it was time to eat.
Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything since morning.
Back in Nurenbern, meals had been something they had to manage themselves. But today had been so hectic from dawn that the three of them hadn’t even had breakfast.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Leaving her room, Ludiana waited for Roselyn and Irene next door.
After a moment, both doors opened at the same time.
Irene emerged with a gloomy expression, still wearing the same dress she’d worn in Nurenbern.
She, too, was small for her age, having spent most of her time confined to the annex during her growing years.
But compared to her—
Roselyn looked like a pure flower in bloom.
Her pale pink, flowing indoor dress appeared simple at first glance, but intricate embroidery gave it an elegant, classical air.
Aside from being slightly large, it suited her perfectly.
“Wow…”
Irene’s gloomy face instantly lit up, her mouth falling open as she stared at Roselyn.
“Ludi… what is this supposed to be?”
Seeing Ludiana and Irene, Roselyn’s expression stiffened.
Don’t tell me… only I changed?
She had forgotten over the years, after giving birth to her daughters, but Roselyn—like any other woman—loved beautiful things.
She had grown excited seeing a new dress for the first time in ages and, unable to resist the maid’s insistence, had happily changed.
Now, seeing her daughters still in shabby dresses, she felt flustered.
At that moment, Micaela, standing behind Ludiana, hurriedly bowed and spoke.
“I’m sorry. The dresses were too large for the young ladies…”
“Oh my, then I should change back as well.”
I can’t wear something like this when my children are dressed like that.
Roselyn turned and reached for the door handle.
“We’re fine, Mother.”
“Yeah! We’re really fine! They said they’ll tailor dresses for us later!”
But Ludiana and Irene truly liked how their mother looked. What child dislikes seeing their mother beautiful?
“Still…”
“I’m hungry, Mom. Let’s go already!!”
Irene forcibly grabbed Roselyn’s hand and dragged her forward, while Ludiana gently pushed her from behind.
Seeing them, the maids behind them smiled warmly.
Allen and Kalos were close, too—but—
“The true highlight of being a maid is definitely young ladies!”
At that time, Allen and Kalos were already in the dining room.
“So the young ladies haven’t been able to change dresses yet.”
The head maid hurriedly reported the situation to Allen.
“Neil, summon the most famous designer in the capital immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I knew they were small for their age, but…”
Allen’s expression darkened rapidly.
Watching him, Kalos felt his heart grow heavier.
He had resolved to remain cautious in place of Allen, who was clearly losing his rational judgment—but still…
Just how little had they eaten for dresses not to fit at all?
“Lady Head of House Roembek and the young ladies have arrived.”
As Allen and Kalos wrestled with their thoughts, the announcement rang out.
“Escort them in at once.”
The moment they heard it, the gloom vanished from both of their faces.
“……”
But when the dining room doors opened—no one entered.
“Mom?”
Irene’s voice was clearly heard from outside.
“Roselyn?”
Unable to bear it any longer, Allen stood up—and at the same time, Roselyn entered the room.
“…!”
Allen felt every strand of his hair stand on end.
Forgetting all sense of propriety, he couldn’t take his eyes off Roselyn. Noticing his gaze, Roselyn’s face grew steadily warmer.
“Ahem. Children, let’s sit down.”
Forcing herself to look away, Roselyn guided Irene and Ludiana to the table.
Even then, Allen’s gaze and body remained fixed on her—until Kalos tugged at his sleeve and whispered.
“Your Grace… please sit.”
Only then did Allen snap back to his senses. He hurriedly sat down and kept drinking cold water.
Seeing that, a tiny laugh escaped Ludiana’s lips.
She thought no one heard it—but Kalos, seated across from her, did.
Their eyes met.
Startled, Ludiana quickly looked away.
Ah…
She had meant to act naturally—but for some reason, whenever she looked at Kalos, she remembered the gaze he’d given her on the day she died.
Because he was sitting directly across from her—simply because they were the same age—she couldn’t relax, barely tasting her food.
And with Kalos’s gaze following her the entire meal, she ate only half-heartedly.
Phew…
Before she realized it, the meal was over, and everyone was standing.
“Then, Miss Irene, shall we visit the garden I mentioned?”
“Okay!”
Allen and Irene decided to take a walk in the garden, and Roselyn joined them, worried about Irene.
“Then, Ludi, you seem unwell—go rest in your room.”
“Kalos, please take care of Miss Roembek.”
“Yes.”
Ludiana had been distracted throughout the meal. Thinking she was simply tired, Roselyn planned to send her back to rest.
“Mother! I’m really fine!”
Please don’t leave me alone with Kalos.
“Ludi, there’s nothing left to worry about.”
Misunderstanding her feelings, Roselyn stroked her cheek with a sympathetic smile.
“That’s not it—!”
“Please take good care of Ludiana.”
Roselyn gently pushed Ludiana toward Kalos, smiling at him.
“Of course.”
Unlike his smile, Kalos’s eyes sank into a cold, unreadable gaze.
