Episode 10
“Long time no see, Erpin.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Did you enjoy your trip?”
“Very much. It was refreshing to see the sea again after so long.”
The Duke and Duchess, who had been away on a long journey, had returned to the estate.
Seeing them for the first time since I possessed Erpin, they looked even brighter than in her memories.
As expected of the male lead’s parents, the two of them were still strikingly good-looking despite their age.
“Erpin, when you have time, you should visit Marshid Island with Eden. There’s lots of delicious food, the people are kind, and the night view is truly beautiful.”
“Just hearing about it makes me happy. If I ever get the chance, I’d really love to go.”
Just like their warm personalities suggested, Eden’s parents were flawless even in character.
When Erpin became an orphan, they ignored outside gossip and brought her into their estate, raising her like their own niece.
In the original story, they were also the ones who grieved the most when they heard of Erpin’s death.
As the three of us chatted cheerfully, a bright voice joined in.
“Sorry I’m late, Mother. Father.”
Eden appeared in the dining room, freshly returned from the training grounds early in the morning.
With his arrival, the atmosphere grew even livelier.
Pulling out the chair beside me, Eden sat down naturally and slipped right into the conversation.
“Let’s really make time to go together next time, Erpin. It’s been a while for me too, and you’ve never been to the south.”
“If you come with me, I’d appreciate it.”
The Duchess, watching us with a pleased expression, smiled gently.
“You two always get along so well. It feels like you’re still children.”
I smiled awkwardly and glanced at Eden.
He smiled back easily, lips curving just like his mother’s.
It should be about time for that topic to come up.
Right on cue, the Duke of Haven—who had been listening quietly—spoke in a low voice.
“Erpin.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Haha. You’ve always been so polite since you were little.”
The Duke smiled warmly, then in an instant erased the expression.
His face became cold and sharp—like a completely different person.
“I heard from the butler. You sent a letter to the Quineardel estate?”
“Yes. It just says I plan to visit soon.”
It had only happened last night—yet somehow the Duke, who arrived at the estate just two hours ago, already knew.
Once again, I felt the weight of his position and power.
“You’re going to the Quineardel estate? Why? Why would you go there?”
Eden slammed the utensil in his hand onto the table.
Anything involving Erpin and the Quineardel estate—meaning Joseph—always made him angry.
Because he pitied his friend, who had lost her family young and been driven out of her home.
“You scared me. It’s nothing serious, Eden. I suddenly remembered letters I used to exchange with my father when I was young. My uncle said he kept them safe and that I could come get them anytime. I completely forgot until now. I really am scatterbrained, aren’t I?”
I forced my smile so hard my face nearly twitched, trying to calm him down—but Eden didn’t seem convinced at all.
Thankfully, the Duke stepped in.
“Yes, I remember now. You were only six at the time. With those tiny hands, you’d write letters just after learning your letters, smearing ink everywhere because you insisted on drawing pictures beside them.”
“That’s right. She always wrote letters for her busy father. Eden even drew pictures with her. I remember it clearly.”
The Duchess supported his words, smiling as she reminisced.
Nostalgia softened their expressions.
“You could send someone to retrieve them, but visiting your old home after so long wouldn’t be bad either. Go ahead and visit, Erpin.”
As expected, persuading the Duke and Duchess was far easier than convincing Eden.
Thanks to that, my plan moved forward smoothly.
Suppressing my excitement, I smiled slightly.
“Thank you.”
Eden still looked upset, his jaw tight—but I didn’t have the luxury of soothing him right now.
Stepping down from the carriage, a familiar sight greeted me.
A stately old mansion.
A wide garden carefully decorated with charm.
A large, clear fountain where birds came to drink.
A small pond perfect for walking and sorting out one’s thoughts.
The Quineardel Count’s estate—where Erpin was born and spent her childhood.
“It’s been so long.”
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with fresh air.
Surrounded by mountains and water, the county was cleaner and clearer than anywhere else in the kingdom.
Stretching, I looked toward the mansion entrance.
“…I should’ve asked to be dropped off closer.”
The distant gate already felt overwhelming. After such a long carriage ride, my stamina was nearly gone. Was I going to collapse before I even got there?
But the carriage was already gone, so I had no choice.
I stepped forward carefully, one step at a time.
“I need to hurry a bit.”
We had left at dawn, but the sun was already high.
Even though it was a neighboring region, leaving the duchy had taken longer than expected.
Still, the reason I came to the Quineardel estate was to investigate Joseph’s corruption before asking Cain for help.
For example, Joseph’s illegal gambling operation, which had been revealed in a minor episode of the original story.
I didn’t want blood on my hands, but I couldn’t exactly go to Cain and say, “Take down my uncle!” either.
Joseph was the type who only looked out for himself, with plenty of dirt hidden away.
If I searched the estate, I was bound to find at least one clue.
Just as my resolve burned stronger—
“Lady Erpin? Is that really Lady Erpin?!”
A familiar man’s voice rang out.
What? Where?
I looked around, but no one was there.
Then
Rustle.
Something moved in the tree behind me, followed by the voice again.
“My goodness! It really is our Lady Erpin!”
Thud!
Something heavy dropped to the ground.
It was the estate’s gardener—someone who had watched Erpin grow up. He must’ve been trimming branches in the tree.
“My lady, what brings you here so suddenly?”
“I’ve been well. I just wanted to see the estate again. The garden Mother loved is still beautiful.”
“Still beautiful? It was far more beautiful when you were here. If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve decorated every tree with ribbons!”
Honestly—even the real Erpin probably would’ve hated that.
But I just smiled politely.
“I’ll let you know in advance next time. I only stopped by today to pick something up.”
“I’m just glad you seem well. Please find me before you leave—I want to show you the garden I tended while thinking of you.”
“I will. Thank you.”
As I headed toward the entrance, servants appeared one after another as if on cue.
By the time I greeted them all, I had reached the door without even noticing my exhaustion.
The moment I stepped inside, Joseph was waiting in the center hall.
“Erpin. It’s been a long time. You’ve changed a lot.”
His face, as he greeted his niece, was twisted with displeasure.
“You’re right. It’s been over two years, hasn’t it? You’ve aged quite a bit, Uncle. You’ll need to live long if you want to keep that position.”
“Watch your tongue. Living with the ducal family—do you think that makes you one of them now?”
“I don’t know? Wasn’t I always like this?”
She hadn’t been.
Erpin had always been polite, even to him.
But just because she endured him didn’t mean I had to.
“Have you gone senile with age?”
I wanted to act like Erpin—but he was just too disgusting.
Joseph let out a hollow laugh, then shook his head and spoke in a chillingly gentle voice.
“I had something to discuss with you anyway. You came at just the right time.”
I followed him to the sitting room without resistance.
After seating me, he leisurely sipped his tea before finally speaking.
“You’re twenty-three now, aren’t you?”
He deliberately set his teacup down with a sharp clink and stared at me with narrowed eyes.
“It’s time you started thinking about marriage. How long do you plan to freeload at some boy’s house under the excuse of friendship? Shouldn’t you grow up by now?”
I waited silently until he finished.
At his signal, a servant unfolded several sheets of paper.
They showed portraits of men, along with their personal details.
“What is this?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Your future husbands. Pick the one you like most. I carefully selected men suitable for you.”
A nouveau riche.
A gambler.
The owner of a pleasure house.
One glance was enough to know how awful they were.
As I clenched my teeth to suppress my rising anger, Joseph added
“For a woman, a rich man is best. You just wear expensive dresses, shine in jewelry, and please him in bed while living off his money.”
What the hell is this crazy old man even saying?
