Chapter 15
Oh, now that was a dangerous comment.
Not that it hurt me in the slightest.
“……”
I fiddled with the wrinkle on the carpet and let her words pass through one ear and out the other.
Seeing that I didn’t react even after she crossed the line, the head maid seemed to decide she might as well go all in.
“You’re fake. A replacement. If you thought the Duke cherished you, that’s just your delusion and wishful thinking.”
“……”
“The stupid ones think the Duke and young masters care about you, but that’s far from the truth. That’s why you ended up with a mere countess as your tutor.”
Now that was an interesting statement.
I set down my teacup and glanced up, only to meet the head maid’s displeased gaze looking down on me. Finally catching my attention, she seemed thrilled to get a reaction and pressed on, triumphant.
“Do you even know that noble daughters usually receive etiquette training at the imperial palace?”
I didn’t.
“Hah. Of course you wouldn’t, you little beggar. You see, this is proof no one really thinks you’re a true daughter of the Duke. Didn’t you know?”
“……”
“So don’t go strutting around like you’re actually the duke’s daughter.”
“Yes, auntie.”
Her face flushed red at my reply, and she trembled with rage.
“A-Auntie?! You insolent brat…! I’m the head maid of House Delphinium! Do you even know how much trust I’ve earned here?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve only been adopted for two days, so I’m not interested in things like that. Also—whether I used to be a beggar or not, right now, I am the daughter of House Delphinium.”
I gracefully stepped down from the sofa and walked over to the head maid.
“What if someone were to witness this insubordination of yours? Even if nothing else happens, I’m pretty sure that ‘trust’ you’ve worked so hard to build would shatter in an instant.”
At my words, the head maid flinched, then clenched her fists and began trembling.
As she looked on the verge of exploding, I began backing toward the door.
If it comes to it, I’ll run.
“Are you seriously planning to hit a seven-year-old? Words leave no marks, but violence does.”
My hand on the doorknob, I gave her a sweet, taunting smile and tilted my head.
“You… You little…!”
The head maid shouted in a fit of rage, but I ignored her and swiftly bolted from the room.
…I didn’t get far before my legs gave out and I collapsed to the floor.
Truthfully, half of what I said was just impulsive provocation.
The head maid wasn’t afraid that the Duke’s family cherished me—she feared the consequences of her own insubordination toward the Duke’s daughter.
Regardless of whether I was cherished or not, insulting the Duke’s daughter was equivalent to insulting the Duke’s entire household.
Guess she didn’t think that far ahead.
If someone were to see me now, they might say, What kind of duke’s daughter can’t even fire a maid? Others might be outraged that a mere servant dared speak that way to a noble child.
But the truth is—I’m just a seven-year-old kid, adopted two days ago.
A former beggar, current noble daughter, versus a long-standing, trusted head maid. Put the two side by side, and the answer is obvious.
Even if I told someone, I doubt anything would be resolved. I didn’t want to waste my energy on it.
Survival came first.
As I let out a sigh and lowered my head, I noticed my hands trembling.
I really thought I was going to get hit…
This body was still just a small child. Small hands, small frame—everything about me was tiny. I hadn’t expected her to actually get violent. I mean—hitting a child?
Had she actually laid a hand on me, I would’ve run straight to the Duke and reported her for breaching the adoption contract.
The head maid was probably just waiting for my position in the mansion to solidify before slowly tightening the noose.
I don’t know if that position will ever solidify, but…
Between the incident at Shureia’s boutique two days ago and now Countess Heiness’s visit—these weren’t minor misunderstandings. They were blatant displays of hostility.
Day three since my transmigration, and I was already walking down the “regretful family” route.
* * *
It was a lazy afternoon. In the quiet study, the only sounds were the scratching of a pen, the rustling of papers, and the soft rhythm of breathing.
Then, a knock broke the stillness.
Knock knock.
The pen paused, and the Duke of Delphinium turned his gaze from the document to the door.
“This is Theodore. May I come in?”
He set the paperwork aside and gave permission to enter.
The heavy door opened to reveal Theodore. As usual, he looked composed—but today, something about him seemed uneasy and rushed.
The Duke frowned slightly, heading toward the sofa as he spoke casually.
“You seem impatient.”
“Do I?”
Realizing his expression had betrayed him, Theodore quickly composed himself. The Duke called to a maid standing outside.
He instructed her to bring tea, then turned to his son.
“So, what brings you here in such a hurry?”
“Must I have a reason to visit my father’s study?”
“Not necessarily. But today, it feels like you do.”
The Duke studied his eldest son. Theodore was only twelve, but he had a maturity beyond his years.
It made the Duke feel both proud and oddly guilty. He suspected it was his own fault that the boy had grown up too fast. Still, he found Theodore’s attempts to act like an adult in front of him rather endearing.
If Theodore knew what the Duke was thinking, he would’ve been furious. The Duke quickly covered his creeping smile with a hand.
Unaware of his father’s amusement, Theodore fidgeted with the arm of the sofa, silently choosing his words.
The hesitation stretched into silence. Eyes fixed on the table, he finally parted his lips to speak—only to be interrupted by another knock.
Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
“I’ve brought the tea, sir.”
“Come in.”
The maid entered and efficiently set the teacups down, steam curling from the freshly brewed tea.
She poured for both the Duke and Theodore, then left swiftly at the Duke’s signal.
The Duke took a sip, then gestured to his son.
“Let’s talk over tea.”
“Yes.”
As Theodore reached for his cup, the Duke warned him.
“It’s hot. Be careful.”
“Yes.”
“So. What was it you wanted to say?”
At the Duke’s question, Theodore hesitated. After a moment’s thought, he finally spoke.
“I heard you assigned an etiquette tutor to that girl.”
“I did.”
“Why would you—!”
His voice rose.
“What’s the problem, Theodore?”
The Duke’s gaze darkened as he looked calmly at his son. If Theodore had resentment toward Rasetia and was voicing displeasure because of that, the Duke was prepared to rebuke him.
Sensing the change in his father’s demeanor, Theodore flinched. He shut his eyes tightly, then opened them and spoke with resolve.
“Even if she’s adopted, she’s still a daughter of House Delphinium. And you’re the one who brought her here.”
The Duke wasn’t sure how to react to this unexpected declaration.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I heard that Countess Heiness is the one teaching her etiquette. Is that true?”
“It is.”
The Duke sipped his tea, watching Theodore closely. His son looked agitated, clearly upset by his father’s nonchalance.
“There must’ve been other options besides Countess Heiness. If people hear about this, that girl…”
The Duke cut him off.
“Are you saying I brought her here on a whim and then neglected her?”
“Ugh…”
Theodore looked away, realizing his father had hit the mark.
Despite the scolding, the Duke felt relieved. It meant Theodore was getting along with Rasetia better than he had expected.
“Then why did you personally take her to the dress shop? You could’ve just picked something from the catalog here.”
“……”
Theodore remained silent, staring at his teacup. The Duke watched him for a moment, then said gently,
“I had the same reason you did.”
Theodore’s eyes moved from the teacup to the Duke. He looked surprised.
“You mean… for her sake?”
“Yes. Rasetia is only seven. She’s been here for just three days. Do you really think a child like that could immediately adjust to palace life? She needs someone to gently guide her first.”
“But once people find out, they’ll surely gossip behind her back.”
“They might if she were an adult. But she’s still just a child. And after she learns the basics, I intend to send her to the palace.”
At his father’s calm explanation, Theodore finally nodded in understanding.
“You know Countess Heiness well. She likes children—that’s why I chose her.”
“…Didn’t she recently lose a child? That’s unfortunate. But considering her warm and gentle nature, I’m sure she’ll treat the girl kindly.”
The misunderstanding seemed resolved, and Theodore’s expression softened.
“She’s quite guarded. I hope she’ll slowly come to feel at home here.”
Theodore thought of his new sister—so bold and brash, yet surrounded by an invisible wall.
“Time will take care of it. She’ll need time to adapt… and accept us.”
