Chapter 34
Even though they said it wasn’t a serious injury, by nightfall, the Duke had developed a fever and began groaning in pain.
Thanks to staying up late nursing him with cool towels on his forehead, Frisia finally succeeded in calling over her sister Rose and Lily.
“If possible, I want to really surprise Rose.”
Whether it rained or snowed, her sister always worried about her. Frisia figured a sharp shock might be the best way to help.
With the help of Madam Benoît and even their aunt Rashita, Frisia’s surprise party plan appeared to be a grand success.
“Frisia?”
“Rose! I missed you so much!”
The room was filled with balloons, a large table with a strawberry shortcake, and Frisia, wearing a pale pink dress that Rose had given her a couple of years ago, burst a party popper to greet her sister.
“What is all this…?”
“Told you to wait a little bit!”
Lily, who had been in on the surprise, helped up the fainted maids and returned to the room.
Rashita stepped forward to explain everything on behalf of Madam Benoît, who was laughing so hard she was nearly unconscious.
“Frisia said she wanted to show her sister how well she’s doing.”
“Oh my goodness… Is everyone alright?”
“We’re fine, my lady!”
The maids who had dramatically collapsed earlier now admitted it was all acting, rubbing their supposed sore spots with sheepish grins.
Seeing the warm and cheerful atmosphere of the Duke’s household, Rose’s tension finally melted away, and she sank to the floor.
“Are you alright?”
“Come here. I need to see you with my own eyes.”
Frisia’s skin was radiant and flawless—no sign of injury anywhere.
Her expression, her breathing, everything about her looked calm and content. Frisia smiled bashfully and hugged her sister tightly.
“I’m really doing well. So you don’t have to suffer worrying about me anymore.”
Her smile was bright as she said that he was treating her well—and yet, Rose felt a stab deep in her chest.
Why couldn’t she feel fully happy, even though her sister seemed fine? Was she being selfish?
“Do you… really like him?”
If Frisia had said that was a lie, Rose would have grabbed her and run out of this house in an instant.
But with slightly moist eyes, Frisia blushed and shyly replied,
“Well… it’s not like I dislike him.”
If she had rashly said she loved him, Rose wouldn’t have believed it. But this—this was sincere. She was sure of it. After all, no one knew Frisia better than Rose herself.
“I…”
Why couldn’t she just be happy that her sister had grown strong enough to walk on her own without needing her hand?
In Frisia’s little world, Rose had always been the knight in shining armor. Was it selfish of her to want that fairytale to never end?
“Why are you crying, sis?”
Frisia was truly happy. Rose should be celebrating.
But when she spotted the faint kiss mark on Frisia’s neck, a fresh wave of anger surged within her.
“Why on earth did you say something like that?!”
It wasn’t until after everything had settled down and the tea table was set that Frisia found out about Madam Benoît’s antics.
“It was funny! You should’ve seen Count Devlan’s face—red one moment, blue the next! I couldn’t stop laughing.”
“Please, have some restraint.”
Leaving the laughing Madam Benoît to Rashita, Frisia turned to soothe her still-silent sister.
“Are you really mad? I’m sorry. I just…”
“Do you remember? That night when you got lost in the forest?”
“You carried me on your back. You were so cool.”
“And I’m not cool now?”
“You’re the coolest. You’re the best, sis.”
Even if Frisia had been fooled by a villain, if she was happy—then so be it.
But if Rose ever saw even a single tear fall from her sister’s eye…
Then she would not hesitate to mount her white horse and come rescue her.
“Hey, what’s with the two of you? I worked so hard to fool Rose for this surprise!”
Lily stuck out her tongue and proudly hugged Frisia tightly, as if she refused to be outdone by Rose.
What a naughty youngest sibling.
Even now, Lily clung to Frisia’s waist, showing no signs of letting go.
“You dared to deceive me?”
“Enough, both of you. Come eat.”
“Sis, feed me.”
“Geez, you’re still such a baby.”
Watching the three sisters bicker so affectionately, Madam Benoît looked on warmly.
“No wonder our Duke gets jealous.”
It had been a long time since the three sisters reunited, and their conversation never stopped.
Madam Benoît was so happy just watching them that she generously served more tea and sweets, wanting nothing and no one to interrupt this moment.
For once, in the cold, distant Cromford estate, the air was filled with laughter and smiles that were rarely heard.
* * *
“It’s rather lively, isn’t it?”
On his second day at the estate, the boy found the sound of laughter inside the mansion unfamiliar.
“The madam’s sisters came to visit. Madam Benoît threw a big party. We’ll join them later.”
The boy’s senior in the guard kindly explained everything to the clueless newcomer.
“So, you used to hunt to survive?”
“I’ve caught everything with my bare hands—except maybe bears and tigers.”
The first time he caught a wolf barehanded, he got no praise—only complaints that he’d damaged the pelt. Since then, all the dangerous work became his responsibility.
“Your stance is still a bit clumsy, but your strength is enough. With some correction, you’ll soon be able to serve as the lady’s escort.”
“Can I really do it?”
“Sir Armea recommended you. If he verified your identity, the Duke will entrust you with the job.”
Only he was unaware that he had been selected through thorough surveillance and investigations since birth.
Standing before the young boy, the guard kindly explained his new duties.
“Since the madam arrived, the master has changed a lot. She’s someone very precious now. If anyone threatens her, it’ll be your job to take care of them.”
There are places and events where maids cannot go—especially in noble social clubs, where only aristocrats are allowed inside.
Though they had been preparing for some time, the incident with the princess’s drunkenness triggered immediate action.
“From now on, you’ll publicly be seen as a ward of the Duke’s household. Like the madam’s son.”
“M-me?”
“Yes. You’ll follow the madam everywhere and protect her—and the baby she will eventually have. That’s your role.”
Inside the mansion, it seemed the news had already been shared—everyone treated him kindly.
To protect such a precious lady from the closest position—that was his role now.
“Is that really all I need to do? As long as I get three meals a day, I’ll do anything.”
He was so pure and unaware that it was impossible for him to even think impure thoughts. That, too, was part of the Duke’s plan—but it wouldn’t harm him.
Upon hearing the boy’s unusual name, Head Maid Ada gently patted his head and offered advice.
“It’s a precious name from your parents, but for now, it’s better to keep it hidden.”
To stay at the lady’s side, he needed a fitting identity.
Hiding his real name, the boy accepted the new ID the Duke had prepared.
Luca Bailey.
On paper, he was now the son of Count Bailey, visiting Cromford to be educated in manners and etiquette.
Holding the old guard’s hand, he made his first ID. It bore the seal of the Cromford Dukedom, with the Duke listed as his guardian.
“The Duke personally approved your name. When you meet him, make sure to thank him properly.”
“Leave it to me!”
He wondered what kind of people the Duke and Duchess were—surely, they were great and admirable.
His only task was to protect the madam. Everyone in the household had told him how much she was cherished.
“They say even the Duke changed after meeting her.”
Once a cold and ruthless man, now he apparently smiled from time to time.
The elderly gardener gripped the boy’s hands tightly and said, “Please, take good care of our madam.”
That evening, he got to eat sweets with real sugar.
For the first time in his life, a whole, untouched, beautiful cake was placed before him—he used to lick crumbs off discarded trash.
“It was so delicious.”
Holding Ada’s hand, he went to the bath and learned how to properly wash. He received new clothes made from fine fabric and had his chestnut hair neatly combed.
He lay down on clean sheets that smelled like sunlight and pinched the back of his hand again and again.
Mother… please don’t let her hate me.
Thinking of the Duchess’s smiling face in a painting, the boy curled up alone and fell asleep.
