26. Letter from the Viscountess Donovan
May 26, 2024
“Ah…”
When Riena opened her eyes again, the sky outside the window had begun to lighten.
‘Why did I forget?’
The memory was so vivid—she couldn’t understand how she had forgotten it all this time.
After a moment of hesitation, Riena pulled on a robe over her nightgown and walked out into the living room. She opened the door that connected to Cassel’s room, revealing another door.
Should she knock or not?
Clenching her right hand into a fist, Riena hesitated.
Was it really necessary to see him at this early hour? Would it be a nuisance?
But she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him that seeing his face had brought back childhood memories.
Still… was it really okay? They weren’t close—could she really use such a private passage to visit him?
After much internal debate, Riena knocked. But there was no response from inside.
She knocked again, but still, silence.
Just in case, she tried the doorknob—and it turned.
“…!”
Startled, Riena stepped back without even opening the door.
‘I didn’t expect it to be unlocked.’
She had assumed, of course, that Cassel would have locked it. She had only tried it to confirm that.
Holding her breath, she carefully assessed the situation inside.
Whether he hadn’t sensed her presence or the room was empty, there was no movement from within.
Quietly, Riena backed away and returned to her room. She considered locking the door but decided against it.
She returned to the bedroom and tugged on the bell pull.
Though her actions had been impulsive and foolish, now that she was fully awake, she was relieved that no one had witnessed it.
With the embarrassment gone, only the warm feelings from last night’s dream remained. She felt refreshed, perhaps from a good night’s sleep.
It seemed like she could finally have a cheerful day again.
Amy seemed to sense this as well. Carrying a basin of wash water into the room, she beamed.
“I was worried you might not sleep well in a new bed, but you seem to have slept soundly.”
“Yeah, I did. I haven’t slept that well since Father passed… It’s been a while since I felt this refreshed.”
“I’m sorry to hear about Count Dyke.”
“It’s okay. It’s already been two months.”
Riena washed her face lightly and dried her cheeks with a soft towel as she murmured,
“And I’ve been having unsettling dreams lately, but last night’s was a good one.”
“What kind of dream was it?”
“A childhood memory. I dreamt of an old friend.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad your time here is off to a good start. But aren’t you hungry? You barely ate anything yesterday, so everyone was really worried.”
“Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit hungry.”
As Amy inspected the dresses in the wardrobe, she continued speaking.
“I debated for a long time yesterday—whether to wake you up for dinner or just let you sleep. But my mother said you needed rest to recover from travel fatigue, so I let you sleep.”
Sensing a tinge of guilt in Amy’s voice, Riena quickly reassured her.
“It’s okay. Honestly, I preferred it that way.”
She didn’t mention waking up in the middle of the night.
“By the way, did you send the letter I asked about yesterday?”
Amy’s eyes widened as she remembered, quickly pulling a letter from her apron pocket.
“We got a reply from Viscountess Donovan last evening. As for the letter to the Berna family, Lord Berna hasn’t returned to the capital yet. They said they’ll deliver it once he’s back.”
“Thanks.”
While Amy chose a dress, Riena opened the letter.
It began with, “To my dear niece Riena.” The letter wasn’t long.
I heard the news about your father, Count Dyke.
You must have been shocked by the sudden accident.
I wanted to reach out, worried about you being alone, but I didn’t want to cause trouble with the Countess, so I held back.
Please forgive your useless aunt for waiting until you contacted me first.
But the Duke of Winkler’s estate—how surprising.
I knew your father was acquainted with the Winkler family, but I didn’t expect you to have ties as well.
I don’t know what happened, but it sounds like a lot has occurred.
Let’s talk in person soon. I’m quite busy this week with prior engagements, but I’ll keep next weekend open. Come by for tea.
—Leticia Donovan
Riena was relieved that Viscountess Donovan hadn’t taken offense at her sudden letter.
She let out a sigh of relief and tucked the letter into her desk drawer.
Soon, Amy returned to help her get dressed.
The previous duchess’s gown still had sleeves that were a bit long, but the quality of the fabric made it comfortable to wear.
With Amy, Riena headed happily to the dining room.
She looked forward to telling Cassel about her dream last night, and her steps felt light.
But Cassel wasn’t there. Only one place setting had been arranged at the long table, suggesting he wasn’t simply running late.
Riena sat down in the chair pulled out for her by a servant and asked carefully,
“Is the Duke not coming?”
“The master has gone out.”
“This early? Without eating?”
“The Duke usually skips breakfast,” Amy answered this time.
“I see. If I’d known, I would’ve just eaten in my room. I’ve troubled the dining staff unnecessarily.”
“We’re happy to serve, my lady.”
“Yes, it’s our pleasure to attend to you.”
Though the staff replied automatically, Riena still felt uneasy. Amy, sensing this, asked,
“Shall we bring your breakfast to your room from now on?”
“Yes, I think that would be better. Just something light like bread and yogurt is enough.”
“I’ll inform the kitchen.”
Riena glanced at the long, empty table and began eating her omelet.
For a while, the only sounds in the dining hall were her eating—the clink of cutlery on plates, the soft sip of juice.
Though surrounded by attentive servants and maids, Riena felt as if she were alone.
‘I’ve never eaten like this before.’
At Count Dyke’s estate, she had never eaten alone.
Until he remarried, the Count had always tried to eat with her. If he couldn’t make it, her nanny would dine with her.
Even after his remarriage, Riena always had someone to eat with.
And after her half-brother Aaron was born, meals had become even more lively.
Even if Riena had been uncomfortable with the noisy meals.
Even after the Count’s death, it was the same.
While meals during the mourning period had been more subdued, they were never this silent.
The chef’s meal was delicious, but Riena found she had no appetite.
When she wiped her mouth with a napkin, barely finishing half her plate, Amy approached and asked gently,
“Will you not eat more?”
“No, I’ve had enough.”
“If it didn’t suit your taste, I can ask them to prepare something else.”
“No, it was delicious. Please thank the chef for the wonderful meal.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After breakfast, Riena toured the mansion with Amy’s guidance.
She first met the staff she hadn’t seen the day before due to her travel fatigue.
The most memorable meeting was with the head maid—Amy’s mother and Cassel’s former nanny.
“My lady, it’s an honor to finally greet you properly. I’m Sandra Carrot, head maid of the Winkler estate. As you may know, your personal maid Amy is my daughter.”
Riena had imagined her with bright red hair, but Sandra had ordinary brown hair.
Perhaps reading her thoughts, Amy shyly explained,
“I got my hair from my father. Very fitting for the Carrot family, right? But I have my mother’s eyes.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
Riena smiled and formally greeted Sandra.
“It’s nice to meet you. I don’t know much about the Winklers or the capital, so I hope I can ask you lots of questions.”
“Of course! Ask me anything, and I’ll tell you what I know—including stories of the Duke. I know many things about his childhood that you probably haven’t heard.”
“Thank you. That sounds fascinating.”
After the introductions, they began the full mansion tour.
Amy led the way, starting from the grand hall on the first floor.
They saw the dining room, kitchen, parlor, library, Cassel’s office—there was so much that even after lunch, the tour continued.
“This is the portrait room.”
As with the other rooms, Amy began to explain and move on to the next one.
But Riena stopped her by gently grabbing her hand.
“Can I take a closer look inside?”
Amy looked a bit puzzled but quickly nodded.
“Of course. You wanted to see the Duke’s portrait, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Riena felt a bit embarrassed, her face warming.
‘I want to see a side of him I don’t know. I’m curious about how Cass looked when he was little.’
With a soft smile, Amy led her into the room.
But she did see him when he was little?