Chapter 71
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah.”
Though he was trying to sound indifferent, it was clear Joshua’s thoughts were preoccupied.
Wanting to ease his nerves even a little, Eugenia spoke in a lighthearted tone.
“Then I guess you’ll be able to settle down properly soon.”
“How do you know that? They might refuse to take us in.”
“Come on, Lady Norma’s on your side. Naturally, her son the Duke will respect that too.”
“…You think so?”
Joshua’s sharp mood seemed to soften just a little.
‘Still… I should give them a word of advice.’
No one understood better than Eugenia that Joshua and Selmia’s future now rested entirely in the Duke’s hands.
“Joshua. Selmia.”
The children turned to her at once.
“Of course, there will be people who love you no matter what…”
“…”
“But I think it’s important you make a good impression on the Duke of Hereis. He’s the one who’ll be looking after you from now on.”
“I know.”
“Okay, sis! I’ll do my best.”
“Good.”
Eugenia smiled at the children’s cheerful replies.
Hoping her unease wouldn’t show on her face, she smiled brightly.
The Hereis estate was growing busier by the day with the news of the Duke’s return.
Even the laundry maids in the washroom had their hands full, re-washing all of the Duke’s clothes and bedding.
Eugenia sighed internally as she fetched water.
‘Why does he have so many gloves?’
It reminded her of someone.
She laughed softly, forgetting her fatigue as she recalled Enrique, who always wore black gloves.
While scrubbing with soap, she asked her coworkers, “What kind of person is the Duke?”
“A great one.”
The maids nodded eagerly, jumping at the chance to talk.
“He became the youngest knight ever at a very early age.”
“His promotions were lightning-fast, and His Majesty the Emperor even created a special unit just for him.”
“He’s probably the youngest commander in the empire’s history! He’s rewriting the records of Aesa!”
“And he’s super handsome too!”
“Hmm, sounds impressive.”
Eugenia nodded, unimpressed.
Just then, Jenny came running from the main building and shouted, “Hey! The master’s back!”
“What?! So soon?”
Everyone dropped their laundry and quickly stood to fix their appearances.
Only Eugenia remained seated, blankly watching her coworkers.
Jenny tugged on Eugenia’s arm, pulling her up.
“He’s been away for months. All the staff have to go greet him. Come on!”
Oh, if it’s like that, I guess I should go too.
Eugenia quickly pulled her hands out of the water and wiped them on her apron.
The other maids were already far ahead.
Just as she was hurrying to catch up, a boy suddenly burst out of the bushes.
“Ah! You scared me!”
Eugenia clutched her chest as if to protect her heart, eyes wide.
“Hey, you.”
A young boy blocked her path.
She recognized him as one of the collateral relatives visiting for the coming-of-age ceremony. She’d seen him a few times before, as he was staying in one of the guest rooms she was responsible for.
‘He was the son of Baron Molin, wasn’t he?’
Looking to be around Joshua’s age, the boy had called out to Eugenia, then clamped his mouth shut and said nothing.
Eugenia crouched down to meet his eye level, and his face immediately turned red.
“Yes? Did you call me, young master?”
After a few awkward coughs, the boy glanced around, then shoved something at her from behind his back.
The sudden movement made her stagger slightly.
“Wash this in secret. Don’t let anyone know.”
He muttered, his face flushed.
“Huh? This sheet? If you just leave it in the room, I can come get it—oh.”
Eugenia trailed off mid-sentence as she habitually spread out the sheet to check it.
A large yellow stain covered the center.
‘He must’ve been embarrassed and brought it himself.’
He had clearly waited for the other maids to leave before sneaking out.
Eugenia quickly bundled the sheet back up and said in a casual tone, “All right. I’ll wash it well and hang it out to dry later.”
But the boy flared up angrily.
“If you do it later, people will know I—I mean, someone—did it! Wash it now!”
“But young master, I have to go greet the Duke right now…”
His tantrum worsened. He stomped his feet and shouted.
“Just dunk it in water and wash it now! So no one finds out! Right now!”
“Ah…”
Eugenia’s expression darkened.
‘No point reasoning with him, huh?’
She eventually gave up.
“Understood. I’ll do it right away.”
“I’ll come check in thirty minutes, so do it now. Got it?”
“Yes.”
As he turned to leave, the boy stopped and came back, his face even redder.
He muttered a threat-like warning.
“And you! If you tell anyone that I—that I did it… you’re dead! Understand?”
“Yes, young master. Don’t worry.”
The boy hesitated a moment longer, then ran off in a flash.
“Whew. I was wondering what he looked like. Oh well. Not like today’s the only day.”
Eugenia gave up on greeting the Duke at the entrance and plopped down by the laundry area.
“I’m newly hired anyway… And with so many servants, no one’ll notice one person missing.”
She muttered as she poured water over the sheet.
Even Sion had skipped out before, and nothing happened then.
Soon, the only sound at the laundry station was the sloshing of soaked sheets.
Two horses passed through the iron gates of the Hereis estate and arrived at the mansion entrance.
Enrique was the first to dismount his black horse.
A footman rushed over and took the reins from him.
The lined-up servants greeted in unison, their posture and tone formal.
“Welcome home, Master.”
Enrique frowned.
With clear displeasure, he muttered, “Are we going to keep wasting time with these inefficient greetings? Don’t you all have work?”
Chief butler Cedric stepped forward.
“What could be more important than greeting the master upon his return?”
He bowed deeply to Enrique and offered his welcome.
“Welcome home, sir. You must have had a hard journey.”
“Hardly.”
Enrique responded curtly and immediately asked, “Any problems while I was gone?”
“Hereis is always peaceful.”
“Good. And the children from the branch families?”
“All have arrived.”
“I see.”
As Enrique stepped inside, Albury quickly followed behind him.
“Boss… I mean, sir.”
Scratching his head sheepishly, Albury asked, “How many days of leave do I get?”
“Go home now. Be back by tomorrow.”
Albury looked devastated.
“Are you serious? After running me ragged with that forced march, I only get one day? Sir? Hello? Are you listening?”
Enrique ignored him and continued toward the main building.
He waved off the servants, signaling them to disperse, then called Cedric closer.
“Cedric. ‘He’?”
“He’s doing well.”
Enrique gave a brief nod, then issued a quiet order.
“Tell him to come to my room later.”
“Yes, Master.”
As Cedric finished his report, he leaned in to speak even more quietly.
“Sir, there’s one more matter to report.”
“What is it?”
Enrique stopped walking and looked at the butler.
Cedric didn’t hesitate and got straight to the point, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Madam Norma said she wishes to see you immediately.”
Enrique’s brow twitched.
“Mother did?”
“Yes.”
He pressed his lips tightly together, as if contemplating something, then gave a firm nod.
“All right. I’ll go now.”
He turned away from the direction of his room and changed course.
“Welcome home, Enrique. You must’ve had a tiring trip.”
Grand Madam Jacqueline Hereis greeted him with a warm smile and open arms.
Enrique stood stiffly as she gave him a familiar kiss on each cheek.
“No injuries or illness, I hope?”
When Jacqueline stepped back to examine his face, Enrique quickly took a step back and bowed.
Like he was greeting a noble lady from another household, he took her fingertips and kissed the back of her hand.
“It’s been a while. I’m well. And you, Mother?”
Though polite, his manner was distant, and Jacqueline’s face flickered with a hint of disappointment.
“Goodness, you’re always so stiff.”
Still, she patted his hand and led him to the sofa.
“I’ve prepared tea for you. Try some.”
“Yes.”
Enrique lifted the teacup to his lips, then paused.
‘Mint.’
Eugenia came to mind.
The woman who worried over his insomnia and tried so hard to help.
His grip on the teacup tightened slightly, and the surface of the tea rippled.
“This isn’t the tea I usually drink.”
“You noticed? Hehe. A new maid recommended it recently.”
“It smells nice.”
“I’ll have some sent to your room.”
“Thank you.”
Enrique sipped the tea, set the cup down on the saucer, and asked,
“Cedric said you wanted to see me.”
“Oh, right. I nearly forgot—I have something I want to discuss.”
Enrique gave her his full attention.
Jacqueline hesitated for a moment, choosing her words, then suddenly asked,
“Do you remember Mia?”
“I met her once as a child. She’s your goddaughter, isn’t she?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Nodding, Jacqueline continued.
“Mia’s children—so they’d be my great-niece and nephew—have crossed the border and arrived here recently.”
Enrique’s brows furrowed slightly.
The border to the Principality of Aesa is closed. How could they have crossed?
That doesn’t make sense.
‘Could she have been tricked by con artists?’
That was his first thought.
He asked carefully, choosing his words.
“You’re saying the children crossed the border alone?”
Jacqueline shook her head.
“No, someone risked their life to bring them here.”
