Chapter 19
It was a glass bottle, just about the size of Erica’s palm.
The contents inside sloshed, clearly a liquid. Erica knew exactly what it was.
Her mouth went dry, and her breath became shallow.
‘One bottle, two bottles, three bottles…’
Erica carefully pulled out the opaque, deep brown glass bottles.
These had been personally procured by Marquis Jonathan Blanche. The medicine was so potent that just a single drop diluted in water would maintain a dyed effect for a long time.
Jonathan Blanche had confidently stated that this amount would be more than enough to last until right before her coming-of-age ceremony.
Erica bit her lower lip.
She calmed her ragged breathing and repeatedly steadied her wavering mind.
There was no one left to help her now.
‘I have to manage on my own from now on.’
Until the period mentioned by Marquis Blanche, she absolutely couldn’t allow anyone to discover that she was a “fake.”
“Cough.”
Another uncomfortable sensation rose in her throat, and Erica let out a small cough.
She touched her neck lightly and carefully put the dye bottle down.
Her palms were soaked in sweat, and she was afraid the bottle might slip from her hands.
Just then, Milord’s voice called from outside the carriage.
“Young Lady. Pardon the interruption. The pit is ready. Do you need more time?”
“Ah! No, I’ll be out right away.”
Erica quickly gathered herself and tucked the dye bottles back into the bag.
Then she pulled out one of Bonpiju’s clean outer garments and a necklace she often wore.
She opened the door and gave Milord a slight nod, pointing at the bag.
“I’ll take the maid’s bag to the Grand Duke’s residence first. I can’t just leave it here, so I’ll have it sent to the capital later when I send word.”
“That sounds good. I’ll place the bag in the carriage.”
“Thank you.”
Erica then picked a few wildflowers from the roadside.
There was only one grave. The coachman’s body had been completely devoured by monsters, leaving nothing behind.
Soon, Bonpiju’s corpse, wrapped in a blanket, was buried.
Erica gently placed the outer garment, the necklace, and the nameless wildflowers she had brought on top of the grave.
Though Bonpiju had never treated her kindly, she still prayed for her rest.
Even if the woman had been cold toward her, Erica didn’t want to be harsh in her final moments.
Meanwhile, Sebastian was patrolling the area where the barrier had vanished.
Where the boundary had disappeared and monsters were gone, small amber-colored crystals were scattered on the ground. He picked them up as if it were routine.
“Tsk.”
A sound of disapproval slipped through Sebastian’s lips.
Clink. Clink.
He rolled two amber crystals in his palm before abruptly holding them up high.
When he raised them toward the sun hanging overhead, the crystals shone with complete clarity, as if no impurities existed within them.
Sebastian’s brows furrowed.
“So this is the key, huh.”
He muttered quietly, clicking his tongue at the end.
A curse against Marquis Blanche nearly escaped his throat, but he swallowed it down consciously—Erica was nearby.
His chest felt heavy, as though something weighed down inside.
With a deep sigh, as if trying to ease that burden, Sebastian lowered the arm holding the crystal.
After safely tucking the crystals into his coat, he turned back—just in time to see Bonpiju’s burial had already been completed.
After that, there were no more incidents with the boundary.
Even so, the knights of the Acliff Duchy escorted Erica’s carriage with increased vigilance.
Erica had become noticeably quieter.
The knights couldn’t hide their concern when she refused their snacks, and even Milord quietly nudged Sebastian about it.
“She still seems upset today.”
“Leave her be. She has her own worries.”
Sebastian responded indifferently, showing little interest.
Since even their lord didn’t look to be in a good mood, Milord decided not to press further.
Today, Sebastian was riding at the rear of the party.
His red eyes followed the carriage where Erica sat.
‘Erica Blanche.’
There were so many things he wanted to ask her.
Especially about that day—the “boundary.”
But for now, he held back.
Even if he hadn’t seen it himself, someone had died right nearby.
Considering the trauma the young Erica must have experienced, he decided to give her some time.
‘We’ll be at the Grand Duke’s residence soon. There will be time then.’
He figured he could ask all the questions and get all the answers once they arrived.
About two weeks after leaving the capital…
After a journey that felt short and long at the same time, they arrived at the Acliff Grand Duke’s estate.
As soon as Erica saw the sheer scale of it, her jaw dropped in awe.
‘It’s… huge!’
This was really a ducal estate?
Not the imperial palace?
Endless waterways, a graceful three-tiered fountain, beautifully pruned ornamental trees, and vibrant flowerbeds—everything was breathtaking.
Even the Blanche Marquis’ estate was considered the height of luxury, but it couldn’t hold a candle to this.
They arrived close to midnight, under the cover of darkness.
And yet, the entrance was brightly lit as if it were midday, and numerous staff members in neat uniforms lined both sides, bowing deeply.
“Welcome, Young Duke.”
Wow, so many people…
Standing behind Sebastian, Erica couldn’t help but gape.
At the end of the line of servants stood the head butler.
“Young Duke, welcome back. It must’ve been a tiring journey.”
“Vincent. Isn’t this a bit much?”
“Not everyone is gathered yet. And how could we consider it excessive when the young lady of the house is returning?”
“…Fine.”
Sebastian shook his head slightly, giving in.
The butler turned with a soft smile and looked toward Erica.
“This young lady is…?”
Erica, who had been standing a step behind Sebastian, lifted the corners of her lips when their eyes met.
With cheeks flushed, she nervously introduced herself.
“I—I’m Erica.”
Clasping her hands tightly above her navel, Erica looked up at the butler with visible tension.
At most, he looked to be in his late 30s.
He had a very upright posture.
Despite the late hour, his perfectly groomed appearance and neatly tied hair gave off a strict impression. The faint lines on his face made him look stern.
Erica tried to smile.
She wasn’t sure if it looked natural or not, and her stiff facial muscles made her worry she looked ridiculous.
While she nervously swallowed dryly, the butler nodded in a precise and respectful manner.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Vincent Deo.”
Only then did Erica’s expression relax slightly.
Vincent’s voice wasn’t warm, but it was polite.
That alone made Erica feel a little more at ease.
She had feared that, as the supposed daughter of Marquis Blanche, they might show open dislike for her from the start.
Sebastian hadn’t shown any hostility during the trip, but…
‘It’s usually the servants who are more vocal and quick to act on such things…’
That’s why, ever since the Grand Duke’s estate came into view, she had been breaking into cold sweats and feeling stomach cramps.
She had swallowed so much saliva before the door even opened.
She even practiced smiling in hopes of leaving a good first impression.
All things considered, she thought this wasn’t a bad start.
“Show her around briefly. I need to see my father first.”
Leaving only that short command, Sebastian walked off without looking back.
“Yes, Young Duke.”
Vincent gave Sebastian a respectful bow, then immediately turned to Erica.
Worried that his demeanor might suddenly change, Erica was relieved to see he remained polite.
“Your room has already been prepared.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“Our attendants will carry your luggage.”
“My bag… it’s still in the carriage.”
Erica answered in a daze, glancing back.
Vincent gave a sharp nod to the attendants.
Several male servants in gloves moved swiftly out the front door, as if they’d been waiting for the cue.
‘So many of them?’
Erica stared with wide, startled eyes.
“A maid will escort you to your room.”
“Ah… okay.”
Vincent was someone who left no room for error.
He came from a lineage that had served the Acliff family for generations, and his service had earned him the title of baron.
He took great pride in his position, and rarely—if ever—lost his composure.
This reliability was the foundation of the Acliff family’s trust in him.
“Right this way, miss.”
Erica was quietly led up the stairs by a maid who bowed politely before her.
She glanced back midway, but no one was looking her way.
The Grand Duke’s attendants all remained still, eyes respectfully lowered.
Just then, the male servants returned from outside—and for the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed Vincent Deo’s eyes
