~Chapter 86~
Johann had to go to the palace for work, and Leah went up to the third floor looking a bit dazed.
She was still overwhelmed—Johann’s tears, the talk about getting engaged… It was all too much.
He reminded her of Hardt when he cried like that and apologized, and it made her soft-hearted.
“I’ve always been weak to that man’s tears…”
Come to think of it, she forgot to ask if he remembered something, since he got so emotional while talking about the engagement.
“…”
She stopped in front of her door and looked down at her left ring finger.
Johann had taken the ring to resize it and said he’d return it.
But she could still feel where the ring used to be.
“Engagement… and even a wedding, huh?”
She never thought she’d go that far with him.
And now he’s even getting her a better wedding ring?
She had agreed to all this lightly, thinking it would be more of a formality.
“I thought it was just a reunion for Rafi’s sake… but this feels more serious than I expected.”
Leah sighed softly and had just gone into her room when Isabella came by.
“Leah, now that you’re really part of the family, we should move your room.”
“Huh?”
“You can still live with and sleep beside Rafi if you want.”
Isabella sat with her on the sofa.
“You’re now the Duke of Blumhardt’s fiancée and the future duchess. It wouldn’t make sense not to have a proper room, right? So don’t feel pressured.”
She smiled warmly as she held Leah’s hands.
“Last time I refused because I was terminally ill and wanted to be near Rafi… but now I have a future, so maybe it’s okay to move rooms?”
It might even be better for Rafi if I had my own room since I’ll be living here for good.
“Okay, I’ll move.”
When Leah agreed, Isabella looked really happy and changed the topic.
“First, we need to call Madame Evelyn. You don’t seem to have any decent clothes.”
“Oh, I do have clothes, Duchess.”
Leah raised her hand a little awkwardly.
“…Leah,” Isabella said gently, placing her hands on Leah’s shoulders.
“Yes?”
“Once you’re engaged, you’ll have to attend many balls and social events.”
“Balls?”
Leah hadn’t even thought about that part.
“Yes. Johann will probably only take you to the essentials, but there’ll still be parties you must attend.”
Leah’s face stiffened with anxiety.
“Ugh, just thinking about it makes my head spin.”
“Don’t worry too much. You’ll learn everything.”
Isabella smiled reassuringly.
Not that it made Leah feel any better.
“You’ll get busy soon, so we should pick a maid to be Rafi’s nanny.”
Leah thought she’d just keep living like before with Rafi.
But so many things were changing.
“I didn’t think too deeply about getting engaged to the Duke of Blumhardt…”
“…Duchess, I don’t think I can do this well.”
She sighed softly.
“You don’t have to do it perfectly. Just the basics are enough.”
“But if I mess up, people will gossip about the Blumhardts.”
Leah’s voice was full of worry.
“If anyone does that, I won’t stay quiet.”
Isabella said it like a loving mom calming her daughter.
“Just do what you know and learn what you can. Johann will be there to help with the rest.”
“…Okay.”
Leah felt more confident thanks to her warm voice.
“Well then, I’ve got a lot to do, so I’ll get going.”
“Yes.”
“Oh! One more thing!”
Isabella came back before fully leaving.
“We’re family now, so you don’t have to call me ‘Duchess’ anymore.”
“Sorry?”
“I’ll be more casual with you, so I hope you’ll do the same with me.”
She smiled softly.
“…Okay.”
“Call her casually? Like… ‘Mom’? ‘Mother’? Ugh, I have no idea what’s best.”
After Isabella left, Leah sat down and started thinking deeply.
—
A few days later, Isabella came to Rafi’s room with Penelope.
“Helen will be Rafi’s new nanny.”
“Please take good care of us, Lady Leah and Lady Rafi.”
Helen greeted them politely.
“Thank you so much for helping, Helen.”
“Yeah! Thank you!”
Both Leah and Rafi welcomed her warmly.
“Leah, your room’s ready now too.”
Isabella called her name naturally, just like she’d said she would.
“…Already?”
Leah replied a bit stiffly, still getting used to it.
“I gave the maids a nice bonus.”
Isabella held her hand in the crook of her arm.
“They finished it just yesterday evening.”
As they walked out of Rafi’s room, Isabella continued,
“Johann wanted to see it too, but he had a government meeting early this morning.”
“Yes.”
They headed to the central staircase.
“Why the stairs…?” Leah asked, puzzled.
“Well, Penelope’s all better now, and since you’re marrying Johann, I thought the room should go to its rightful owner.”
She gently stroked Leah’s hand as they walked up.
“Don’t feel overwhelmed—4th floor rooms are usually for the Duke and Duchess anyway.”
Leah was completely stunned.
“I thought I’d get a room on the 3rd floor near Rafi’s… but the 4th floor?”
Isabella stopped in front of a door.
“Leah, you open it.”
Isabella gestured with a smile.
“Mom, hurry up and open it!”
Rafi peeked out excitedly from behind.
Leah never imagined it.
“That I’d have a room on the 4th floor of this mansion…”
Not just Rafi’s life, but hers was changing in unexpected ways.
It still didn’t feel real.
With shaking hands, she grabbed the doorknob.
What she saw wasn’t like the parlor from her first visit—it was fresher, softer, and elegantly decorated.
“…”
The room felt like it was welcoming her.
She almost teared up.
“Wow! So pretty!”
“Totally different vibe!”
Rafi and Penelope looked around in awe.
“Do you like it?”
Isabella gently held her shoulders.
“Yes, it’s amazing.”
Leah’s eyes welled up.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Isabella dabbed her tears gently with a handkerchief.
They toured the bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, and even a small study filled with books Leah would like.
Isabella had clearly paid attention to every detail.
“If there’s anything you don’t like or need, just tell me.”
“It’s already more than enough.”
“That’s good to hear. But still, don’t hesitate to say something. You’ll notice things over time.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and since you have your own room now, you’ll need a personal maid. I called her to introduce you.”
A personal maid—she really did feel like a noblewoman.
“I thought a maid you’re already close to would be best, so…”
Knock knock.
The door opened slightly, and someone stepped in.
“Hello, Lady Leah. I’ll be your personal maid starting today.”
It was Paula.
“Paula!”
Leah walked over happily.
“I’ve never been a personal maid before, so I might make mistakes, but I’ll do my best.”
“I’m looking forward to working with you.”
Leah smiled warmly.
Penelope left for her lessons, and Isabella also went to get ready for her meeting with the noblewomen.
Before leaving, she mentioned that Madame Evelyn would be visiting the salon tomorrow, and warned Leah to eat well since it would take a long time.
Leah went to Rafi’s room, packed her few belongings, and moved them upstairs.
She entered her personal study, sat at her luxurious wooden desk, and started organizing things drawer by drawer.
The only thing left was her parents’ jewelry box.
She took it to the bedroom.
“Mom, Dad… please give me strength to get through what’s ahead.”
She kissed the jewelry box and placed it in the nightstand drawer.
“Mom, can we sleep here tonight?”
Rafi hugged her from behind.
“You want to sleep here?”
“Yeah!”
“Alright, let’s do that.”
Leah playfully nibbled her nose.
“Paula, Helen, you two can rest now. I’ll take care of Rafi tonight.”
“But…”
“It’s okay. I’ll call you if I need anything.”
Reluctantly, they left, and Leah and Rafi had a light dinner together in their new room.
That night, they flopped onto the bed together.
The bedding was firm but soft, wrapping her body in comfort.
“…It’s so nice.”
She felt embarrassed that she ever thought it was “too much.”
It was so cozy she could fall asleep instantly.
As she started drifting off, she thought she heard a soft voice:
“…fast… okay? Mom…”
It was like someone was talking, maybe Rafi?
But even that faded quickly.
She just felt someone gently brushing her hair.
The touch was so warm, even in her dreams it made her feel happy.
