Chapter 47
After I Die, the Little Groom
Nadia repeatedly parted her lips and then pressed them shut again.
Meanwhile, Yuria wiped her tears with the back of her hand, patiently waiting for Nadia.
“…I’m sorry, Yuria.”
Yuria expressed gratitude, yet Nadia was the one apologizing. Though it was strange, the two understood each other’s feelings perfectly.
Yuria let out a watery laugh.
“Why is it… that these things keep happening between us, Nadia?”
Even though they had become friends because they liked each other, situations kept arising that caused friction.
Yuria reached out her hand. It seemed as if she fully expected Nadia to take it.
As if acknowledging the wait, Nadia grasped her hand, and Yuria squeezed it with all her strength.
“My father isn’t a good man. He thinks the whole world revolves around him, loses his temper when things don’t go his way, disregards people whenever he feels like it… and now he even went so far as to plan to kidnap and sell someone. I think he deserves divine punishment.”
Nadia stood frozen, like a statue, unable to nod or shake her head at Yuria’s words.
“I haven’t loved my father in a long time. And yet… tears come when I think he’s dead. Isn’t that strange?”
It wasn’t strange. Yuria was kind-hearted and would willingly shed tears even for a villain.
Sniffling softly through her nose, Yuria gently released Nadia’s hand.
“I’ll be busy for a while. I never dreamed I’d become a count myself.”
“Yes.”
“Everyone else has left, but they say the funeral still has a long way to go. There are so many procedures… and people keep asking for favors and making complicated requests—it’s enough to give anyone a headache.”
“…I see.”
“So…”
Yuria hesitated, struggling to voice her next words.
But Nadia understood.
Yuria did not resent her. Yet, she could hardly ignore her father’s death completely.
“I’ll wait until you have some time, Yuria.”
“When that time comes, don’t forget you promised to help me.”
That’s right. She had agreed to provide rest and care for the elderly and sick.
That was far more fitting for Yuria than attending her unloved father’s funeral.
Nadia nodded one last time.
Archis, who had been watching from a short distance, approached Yuria.
Yuria gradually distanced herself, accepting his escort.
Fortunately, Vivian remained by Nadia’s side.
“Miss, are you alright?”
“Of course. You’re just worried about Yuria.”
Nadia sighed. Perhaps the tension before meeting Yuria had caught up with her, as fatigue suddenly washed over her.
“I won’t be able to contact Yuria for a while, so check in on her occasionally. Continuing the work Count Crimson did will certainly be difficult.”
“Yes, Miss.”
It was as they climbed into the carriage to leave the funeral grounds that a familiar voice called out loudly:
“Nadia!”
Puzzled, Nadia leaned out of the carriage.
Archis, having hurried all the way here, was breathing rather heavily.
“Archis, what is it? And Yuria?”
“Yuri sent this. She asked me to give it to you.”
Archis extended a worn, old book he had been clutching tightly. The leather cover was so tattered that the writing on it was illegible.
“What is this?”
“They found it in Count Crimson’s study. Even Yuri doesn’t know what it is. Why she wanted you to have it… I can’t say.”
Nadia carefully opened the book. It was written in an ancient language that had long since fallen out of use.
Perhaps Yuria had guessed Nadia’s purpose. That might be why she handed over this mysterious book without explanation.
“…Please thank Yuria for me.”
“Yes. Then, farewell…”
With that parting, Nadia briefly said goodbye to Archis as well.
When the carriage doors closed, Vivian checked once more:
“Miss, will we head to the Hess estate now?”
That had been the original plan.
However, Nadia now had a new lead and needed to investigate it.
“No. I’ll have to rely on Duke Baldwin once more.”
Unfortunately, the Hess estate had no resources capable of translating the ancient language.
Nadia recalled the extensive library of Duke Baldwin’s estate. As Ribenya, she had spent many hours there, having discovered several books in the ancient language and grown curious.
‘I never had the time to study it, so I postponed it indefinitely.’
She imagined curling up between the towering bookshelves—it would soothe her lonely heart.
Thinking of it brought a sense of relief, and Nadia exhaled deeply for the first time in a long while.
Nadia felt something was going seriously wrong.
Since she had temporarily become an ally of Heinrich, she thought she could ask him for help.
But perhaps drained from Count Crimson’s funeral, she had completely forgotten that she was pretending to be in a relationship with Heinrich.
Entering the duke’s estate with the mindset of a subordinate, she found the staff treating her with utmost courtesy, eager to serve her in every way possible.
While waiting for Heinrich in the parlor, the maids silently moved about, pouring tea and carefully observing the desserts Nadia touched.
By the time the lavish treatment made her dizzy, there was finally the sound of someone approaching outside the door.
Expecting Heinrich, Nadia stood with a joyful expression.
“Your Grace, you’ve come…”
But it was not Heinrich—standing there was Duchess Baldwin.
Seeing her mother-in-law from her past life, Nadia froze.
Duchess Baldwin, apparently also startled by Nadia’s radiant smile, did not immediately enter the parlor.
Fortunately, Nadia regained her composure first.
Grasping her skirts, she slowly bowed.
“It is an honor to meet you, Duchess Baldwin. I am Nadia of the Hess Baronial family.”
The duchess cleared her throat and acknowledged her greeting.
“Don’t be so nervous. We are acquainted; there’s no need to be so tense.”
“Thank you, Duchess.”
Duchess Baldwin gracefully took a seat on the parlor sofa.
“Please, young lady, sit as well.”
“Thank you, Duchess.”
Though her mind went blank, decades of practiced etiquette allowed her body to move automatically.
Nadia was sincerely relieved. She had never experienced such an overwhelming situation.
Meeting her mother-in-law from her past life again, as her son’s fake girlfriend, was utterly shocking.
“…I was surprised to hear that the young lady would meet my son, but seeing it now, it seems true.”
Duchess Baldwin appeared unaware of the full truth.
Whether Heinrich had deliberately kept it from her or simply had not explained, Nadia could not speak recklessly.
The duchess let out a private sigh upon seeing Nadia’s nervousness.
“Don’t be so tense. I am not here to pour cold water on you and my son.”
Her tone was so elegant that it was difficult to discern whether it was a joke or a reprimand.
Fortunately, Nadia had known the duchess long enough to read her intentions partially.
It seemed the duchess, also flustered by the current situation, made a light joke to ease tension.
Yet, silence continued between them.
The only loud sound in the parlor was Nadia pouring fresh tea for the duchess.
Even so, the duchess observed Nadia’s movements closely.
“I heard she is the Hess baron’s adopted daughter… and yet her etiquette is impeccable.”
Curious, the duchess asked delicately:
“Is it difficult for you to court my son?”
What did she mean by that…? And why had she even appeared in the parlor?
After some thought, Nadia concluded:
The duchess was concerned about her son’s romance.
After refusing to remarry out of loyalty to his late wife, her son had finally started a relationship. Any parent would naturally worry if the young lady involved was from the baronial family.
Nadia carefully chose her words to ease the duchess’s worries.
“No difficulties. I do not presume to ask much. I only consider it a brief honor.”
She gave her all to maintain the loyalty owed to her mother-in-law from her past life, silently saying: Do not worry—this woman before you is only a fleeting presence in your son’s life.
For a brief instant, the duchess’s teacup tilted slightly.
“I meant it in that way…”
Before she could finish her words, heavy, urgent footsteps sounded from outside the parlor. The person Nadia had been waiting for finally entered.
“My lady, what brings you here this time…?”
Nadia desperately gestured toward Heinrich. He looked confused, then realized someone else was in the room with her.
“…Mother?”
Heinrich’s voice sounded unusually flustered, as if a child caught keeping a secret from their parents.
Nadia thought once more:
Something was very seriously wrong.
