Chapter 31
After barely managing to calm her racing heart, Ailesia asked in a composed, casual tone, as if nothing were amiss.
“How old are you?”
“I turned eighteen this year. And if it wouldn’t trouble you, please lower your speech, Lady Milenov.”
“I don’t really mind… Is that more comfortable for you?”
“I cannot dare receive honorifics from someone whom the young lady herself serves as a teacher.”
“Ah, if that’s the reason, then sure. We’ll probably be relying on each other quite often from now on, so I look forward to it.”
“You honor me.”
Her voice and demeanor were both so graceful. Ailesia looked at her with eyes filled half with admiration, half with tenderness.
…So it was this girl who stayed by Elly’s side until the very end. The finest and most loyal retainer. She was already part of the grand ducal household.
Hildegard Porthen.
The final maid of the Letis Grand Ducal House—the one who discovered Eleonora’s will in the epilogue and collapsed in anguished screams.
She’d never imagined that “Hilda” was a nickname for that Hildegard. After all, it was a common enough name among commoners.
In the original story, Hildegard didn’t truly appear until Eleonora turned sixteen, and she was always referred to formally as “Lady Porthen.” There was barely any description of her appearance, so it was only natural that Ailesia hadn’t recognized her at first glance.
She lost one eye to black magic and walked with a limp… I’m glad she’s unharmed for now.
The image of her quietly tidying an abandoned office, swallowing her tears in solitude, had been especially vivid.
She was so thoughtful and fiercely loyal that she was the only woman Termion ever opened up to—almost like a friend.
…If one were to be picky, maybe they’d been right on the edge of something more? She remembered the comment sections exploding every time the two appeared together.
“After this year, I plan to appoint her as the young lady’s apprentice maid. The young lady is very fond of Hilda as well.”
“Is that so?”
Madam Herman went on to briefly explain Hilda’s family background.
The Baron Porthen family had served the Letis Grand Ducal House for generations and were in charge of tea leaf cultivation. While Madam Herman was searching for candidates for lady’s maid, Hilda had volunteered herself.
No wonder. Even the first time she brought tea, she felt anything but ordinary.
Her posture alone radiated refinement—far beyond that of a typical maid. She must have been rigorously educated from a young age.
“Elly, do you like Sister Hilda?”
“Yes! She’s my favorite among all the maid sisters!”
“I have three younger siblings, so I’m fairly good with childcare.”
Hilda added that last part with a faint blush, as if embarrassed.
…That probably has nothing to do with it.
It was more likely that Eleonora simply liked pretty people. Come to think of it—was Ailesia herself guilty of the same thing?
Before she could dwell on it, Eleonora climbed up onto the sofa and whispered into her ear in a tiny voice.
“But Teacher is my favorite. Because you like Elly so much.”
…What a dangerous little child. If she thought that would make Ailesia happy—she was absolutely right.
Ailesia couldn’t help herself. She leaned in and planted a loud kiss on Eleonora’s forehead.
* * *
Must be nearly morning.
After tossing a few more logs onto the campfire, Termion looked up at the sky, which was slowly beginning to brighten.
He checked his pocket watch—just past 5:30 a.m.
If they were to break camp and prepare breakfast, everyone would need to wake around six.
The sun will be fully up within the hour.
Standing up, Termion quietly made a round of the area, then checked inside the carriage. The cold, stagnant air told him clearly that no one had been inside all night.
“Haah…”
An unexpected loneliness settled over him, and he let out a deep sigh.
Of course, Ailesia would return with Eleonora. He had no doubt about that.
Still, the absence of the two people who’d been with them just last night felt larger than expected—enough to leave an empty ache somewhere in his chest.
…It’s because Elly isn’t here. It has nothing to do with that woman.
He’d only known Ailesia for barely two weeks. There was no reason to be especially conscious of her.
It was probably just because someone with such a strong presence—someone who always clung close to his niece and drew attention simply by standing still—was suddenly gone.
From their very first meeting, Ailesia had always drawn eyes.
Whether it was her own actions or the wolves that followed her everywhere, she was impossible to overlook. Thinking of her now was probably just a lingering effect of that atmosphere.
[Good morning, Termion.]
A clear voice echoed directly inside his head the moment he closed the carriage door. Termion snapped his head up without realizing it.
[Elly is still asleep.]
Wrapped snugly in blankets, fast asleep in Ailesia’s arms, was Eleonora. Seeing his niece’s face, a faint smile tugged at Termion’s lips.
“I see.”
He replied quietly, then gestured for her to step outside—suggesting they talk briefly.
[Just a moment. Open the door for me.]
As Termion opened the carriage door and stepped aside, Ailesia slipped out soundlessly and headed straight for the nearby tent. She intended to check on Eleonora’s sleeping spot beside Whitey.
“Sleeping outside must’ve been tough. Nothing unusual happened during the night, right?”
When she emerged from the tent and asked, Termion nodded.
“Thanks to you, we rested well. The knights were saying it was the most comfortable camp they’ve ever had.”
“Then that’s a relief. For now.”
“For now?”
There was a strange nuance to her words. Since she didn’t seem to be hiding anything, Ailesia continued as she walked toward the campfire.
“I was worried there might be a nighttime attack.”
“I didn’t expect you to be considering that far ahead.”
Termion replied, his expression stiffening slightly.
Whoever was behind Baron Beiton wouldn’t just sit still in a situation like this. Termion had already discussed matters thoroughly with Kubera and made full preparations.
“Wait—so that’s why you took Elly…?”
“It’s hard to fight properly when Elly’s around. And it’s not great for a child’s emotional well-being, either.”
“A reasonable judgment. However, if this situation repeats, someone in the mansion will grow suspicious.”
Sharp as ever. With just a few exchanges, Termion pinpointed the weakness exactly.
“The head maid is cooperating. And a maid named Hilda as well.”
“Those two are trustworthy. What about the other servants?”
“They’ll notice. Honestly, that’s partly intentional.”
At those words, Termion’s brows furrowed deeply. It almost sounded like she was using Eleonora as bait—and that didn’t sit well with him.
“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not that. First and foremost, it’s about Elly sleeping comfortably. The mansion is safer than camping out here, isn’t it?”
“Ailesia, but—”
“Do you trust me, Termion?”
Ailesia met his gaze head-on. Her eyes, clear and deep like a still lake, didn’t waver in the slightest.
After staring at her silently for a moment, Termion stepped forward.
“I do. But trust and risk level are separate matters.”
“That’s enough, then. She’s your only niece—of course you’re worried.”
“…Usually, that’s when people say there’s no need to worry.”
“I told you before. Worrying about Elly is entirely your right. I have no standing to say otherwise.”
“You really are… ha.”
She wasn’t wrong—but for some reason, her words felt colder than they should have.
The way she treasured Eleonora so deeply, yet stubbornly kept her distance, irritated him more than he cared to admit.
“Just keep focusing on Elly, like you are now. I’ll do my best too.”
“And what about how I feel, watching all of this from the side?”
“Huh?”
“You put Elly above everything, never acknowledge your own hardships, and always say it’s fine. Am I just supposed to accept that and move on?”
“Oh—no, that’s not—um, I’m sorry.”
When Ailesia reflexively apologized, Termion finally forced down his irritation and spoke again.
“…Enough. Everyone will wake in thirty minutes. Be aware of it.”
He turned sharply and headed for the tent, his reply cold and clipped. Ailesia could only blink and stare at his retreating back.
“Did I… mess something up?”
She tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
I only stated the facts. What exactly was the problem?
Was saying she wouldn’t interfere between uncle and niece really something to get that angry about? If anything, his reaction felt unusually prickly today.
He’s difficult, that Grand Duke.
Maybe it was because he was still a teenager—his reactions were impossible to predict. Considering his age, it wasn’t exactly strange.
That’s just how adolescence works. You suffer through it—whether it’s your own, or someone else’s.
…Though honestly, with a face that handsome, maybe it didn’t matter all that much anyway.
