Chapter 23
Erica fidgeted with her fingers, then finally mustered the courage to speak up.
“I’m the one who didn’t reveal my identity.”
Vincent looked at her as if wondering what she meant all of a sudden.
With a sheepish smile on her lips, Erica continued slowly but calmly.
“So… please don’t scold everyone too harshly.”
She fiddled with her clothes. It was her favorite outfit, one her mother had prepared for her, but she now realized it was the very reason the maids had misunderstood her status.
“Since I came down wearing this, I’m sure they didn’t know who I was.”
The maids she had met in the kitchen had been kind.
Though they had mistaken her for Blanche’s maid instead of the lady herself, they hadn’t been hostile.
Erica knew well that contempt, hatred, and rejection were things often directed first at those with the least power.
If it had been the Blanche Marquisate, they wouldn’t have treated me the same way.
That’s why she felt grateful toward the Acliff ducal house maids, who hadn’t sharpened their edges toward her.
Only then did Vincent realize that Erica had spoken up to protect the servants who had brought her the washbasin.
He sighed deeply, unable to maintain a composed expression.
“You truly have a generous heart, young lady.”
Was that… a compliment?
For a moment, Erica was taken aback, but then her eyes gently curved into a smile.
It was the first compliment she had received since coming to House Acliff.
“Haaah…”
Sebastian slumped into his office chair with an irritated face.
Still a boy, albeit not too young, his face looked as weary as an adult who had stayed up working for a month straight.
And understandably so.
Upon arriving at the Acliff ducal residence the previous night, he had been summoned to a long private meeting with his father, Duke Felix Acliff.
After staying up all night in serious conversation, he hadn’t even rested properly before coming straight to his office.
He had hoped to catch a little sleep there, but his mood had been thoroughly ruined by Milord, who’d been waiting for him and said something utterly outrageous.
“What nonsense is this about consummating the marriage? Be serious.”
Milord awkwardly cleared his throat a few times, clearly embarrassed to be bringing up such a subject with a boy.
Sebastian let out heavy sighs, grumbling.
“Milord. Do you not know our ages? I’m fourteen. She’s only ten.”
Sure, he could be included in the conversation.
But did that little girl even understand what consummation meant?
A clear smirk appeared on Sebastian’s lips.
Knowing exactly what his young master was thinking, Milord still had no choice but to continue speaking.
“Of course, it’s not about actually consummating anything. You know better than anyone that it’s merely a procedure to demonstrate the marriage was conducted properly. You know this, so why are you reacting like this?”
“Ah, damn it. Bloody hell.”
Exhausted beyond measure, Sebastian became quickly irritable.
Unable to hold back any longer, he raked his fingers roughly through his hair.
Naturally, Erica Blanche’s face came to mind.
Bright red curls and eyes like a chick basking in the spring sun.
Her skin was so fair that the slightest blush would tint her cheeks — an adorably obvious reaction.
As her face came into focus, Sebastian’s expression softened slightly.
“By the way, Milord. Don’t you think she’s… kind of unusual?”
Milord paused for a moment, reflecting on Erica, whom he’d observed during their two-week journey. Choosing his words carefully, he replied,
“Rather than unusual… I’d say she’s unexpected.”
Sebastian nodded in agreement.
“She just doesn’t seem like that Marquis Blanche’s daughter.”
His expression hardened slightly as he rested his chin in his palm and tapped his fingers slowly on the desk, deep in thought about Erica Blanche.
After a few moments, he glanced sideways at Milord and asked in a casual tone,
“Are we still investigating?”
“Before we left the capital, I gave the Shadows the signal. They’ve likely begun by now. I’ll report back as soon as I receive word.”
Sebastian gave a short nod.
As the conversation seemed to be wrapping up, Milord quickly brought up another topic.
“Also, young master. There was a small incident this morning. Vincent the head butler submitted a report.”
“A small incident?”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes slightly and focused back on Milord.
“It doesn’t seem to be anything serious, but I thought you should at least be aware.”
Milord relayed Vincent’s account word for word.
Listening with a slightly incredulous expression, Sebastian let out a dry scoff.
“Well, I get the gist of what happened.”
He stood up with a sigh.
Outside the window, the sky had turned crimson with sunset.
A “wedding night,” huh? Convenient excuse. Might as well check whether she still wakes up at night.
Thinking it was time to see Erica again, Sebastian left his office.
Erica spent the afternoon with Madam Alma on the first floor, greeting the household staff.
Since there were so many workers, they had to pause in the middle and have lunch in the garden.
It was already late afternoon when she finally returned to her room, where the broken bell pull had been fixed.
“Once again, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”
“It’s really okay.”
Erica smiled at Vincent, who kept apologizing.
She had been well-fed for breakfast, lunch, and even snacks. She hadn’t held any resentment from the beginning, and even if she had, it would’ve melted away by now with the generous hospitality she’d received.
“And we were thinking of serving dinner here as well. Would that be all right?”
“Huh? I’ll be eating dinner alone too?”
She still hadn’t had a chance to greet His Grace the Duke…
As if reading her mind, Vincent immediately gave the answer she wanted.
“His Grace and the young master are still in private conversation. You may have to wait quite a while, so please eat first, young lady. It’s no trouble.”
“Well, in that case… Sure.”
Soon, dinner was served.
Frankly, it was far too much for one person to eat.
Still, Erica gave it her all and ate even more than she normally would.
The food’s so good… If I leave too much, the head chef will probably feel hurt.
In truth, the food was so delicious she was practically dancing with her fork.
She even cleaned up the sweet chocolate mousse dessert with precision.
“I’m so stuffed now…”
Only after the dishes were cleared away did Erica finally get a moment to herself.
“Whew…”
She let out a long breath, finally releasing the tension in her body.
She had met so many people today that she felt completely drained.
With Joanna’s help — who had agreed to assist her for now — she took a warm bath and was trying to review the names and faces of the staff.
That’s when a knock came — different from Vincent’s polite style. Less refined, but firmer.
“Yes, come in.”
After Erica granted permission, the door opened after a short pause.
Her eyes widened when she saw who it was, and she quickly hopped down from her chair to greet him.
“Young master!”
“Excuse the intrusion.”
Sebastian entered her room casually, dressed quite comfortably.
Before Erica could offer him a seat, he found a spot on his own and sat down, glancing around the room.
“How’s the room? Do you like it?”
“Huh? Oh, yes! I love it. It’s really wonderful.”
His red eyes were fixed on her face, as if trying to read her true feelings.
“Do you mean it?”
Erica didn’t avoid his gaze and instead looked directly at him as she nodded.
“I really do. I love the warm-colored wallpaper, and the drawer that looks like a cat’s paw is just adorable. The curtains fluttering in the wind look like they’re dancing, and the bed feels like the feathers of a swan who spent all day playing in the sun.”
Though she had only spent one night there, she already seemed deeply attached to the room, listing its charms one by one on her fingers.
She expresses herself so well.
Sebastian chuckled softly as he listened.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Thank you. For preparing all of this…”
“Well, I didn’t come here to get thanked.”
Trailing off, Sebastian watched the mood, then asked casually,
“So… did you sleep well last night?”
