Chapter 3
At the entrance of the mansion, the Baron and his wife were already waiting.
I made eye contact with the Baroness.
“Come here, dear.”
I stood beside her and looked at the approaching carriage.
The emblem engraved on it was one I had never seen before.
Which family did it belong to?
Well, I didn’t know all the vassal families serving the White Ducal House anyway.
When the carriage stopped, a younger man than I had expected stepped out.
The Baron was the first to approach him.
“You must be tired from the long journey. Welcome, Count Holt.”
“Not at all. Have you been well, Baron?”
Judging by how friendly they looked, the two seemed quite close.
That meant they shared a personal relationship.
The Baron introduced me and his wife to him.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Count Holt,”
the Baroness greeted first, and I naturally curtsied.
“Roblien Delani, sir.”
The Count turned his gaze toward me. His expression was one of curiosity as he asked the Baron,
“This child is the one…?”
As soon as our eyes met, the Count started to avert his gaze, but then he froze—staring intently at me again.
“Her… her eye color is… Ah, never mind.”
He was undoubtedly the one meant to send me to my maternal grandfather.
The timing matched perfectly.
Yet, the Count seemed both curious about me and unwilling to show it.
If he failed to recognize who I was, my entire plan for revenge could fall apart.
I had to return to my true family, the White Ducal House—
as the guardian of the sacred relic, and the rightful heir of House White.
I couldn’t give up now. I had to find a way—no matter what it took.
When I tried to approach the Count, the Baron gave me a cold look.
The Baroness was always kind to me, but to the Baron, I was a nuisance—
especially when an important guest had arrived.
He subtly signaled the maid, who reached out to take my hand.
But I quickly grabbed the Baroness’s hand instead.
When I did, she looked toward her husband, who shook his head.
Even she hesitated under his gaze.
Then she gently spoke to me in a soothing tone.
“Roblien, dear, we have a very important guest today. Why don’t you go back to your room for now?”
I looked up at her with deliberately sad eyes.
Her resolve seemed to waver—until the maid interrupted clumsily.
“Yes, young lady, you should return to your room for now.
Ah, right! The cookies Madam ordered for you just arrived—they’re absolutely delicious.”
The maid exchanged a knowing glance with the Baroness.
It was clear that they meant I didn’t belong here.
If I kept pushing, I would only look suspicious.
It was better to retreat for now.
“Cookies? Oh, that sounds wonderful.”
I smiled like a happy child and took the maid’s hand.
The Baroness looked relieved.
When we returned to my room, the maid began setting the snacks on the table.
Meanwhile, I started thinking of my next move.
I had underestimated this.
It was only natural he wouldn’t recognize me right away.
If I wasted this rare opportunity, I’d only lose more time.
“Young lady?”
The maid called, her voice tinged with concern.
“Yes?”
“Is something wrong?”
“Oh, nothing. But that guest earlier—he was Count Chase Holt, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I took a cookie the maid offered me and placed it in my mouth.
It was sweeter and more delicious than I expected.
“It’s so good!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim.
The maid smiled, looking happier than I was.
She seemed genuinely pleased just to see me enjoy the treat.
I picked up another cookie and offered it to her.
“It tastes even better when you share.”
“Thank you, young lady. You’re so kind.
No wonder—it’s a new release from a famous bakery.
They say it’s limited edition and very hard to get.”
“Really? That rare?”
“Yes! The orders were backed up, and it took us three months to get these.
We were lucky Madam managed to buy them for you.”
“So they’re precious indeed. How many do we have left?”
The maid thought I simply wanted more.
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty. Madam bought two full boxes—all for you.”
I clasped my hands and smiled brightly, like an innocent child.
“That’s wonderful. But I can’t be the only one to enjoy something so rare.
Let’s serve them to our guest with some tea—he’ll love them!”
The maid suddenly pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes.
“Oh, my sweet young lady… such a kind heart you have.
Please wait here just a moment.”
She hurried out of the room.
I picked up another cookie and popped it into my mouth.
Ah, so sweet.
The sugary taste filled my mouth and made me smile.
The maid returned with tea that paired well with the cookies.
When I entered the drawing room, all eyes turned toward me.
The Baroness spoke first.
“Roblien, what brings you here?”
I smiled shyly.
“The cookies you gave me were so delicious,
I wanted Count Holt to try them too. They’re really wonderful.”
The maids placed the cookies and tea on the table.
I quietly sat beside the Baroness.
“I heard they’re very rare, so I wanted to share them.”
Count Holt picked up a cookie and took a bite.
“Just as Miss Delani said—it’s delightfully sweet.”
He reached for another one.
The Baron and Baroness also tasted them.
Except for the Baron, who didn’t care much for sweets, everyone looked pleased.
I was relieved.
Now would be the right time to offer the tea.
“Count, if you drink the tea with it, it tastes even better.”
He took a sip.
“Darjeeling, I see. You’re right—the flavor pairs perfectly. Thank you.”
I smiled modestly.
“I’m so glad you like it.
You reminded me of my mother when I saw you, Count.”
He gave me a sympathetic look.
“Oh, so you remember your birth mother?”
Of course, I’d never actually met her.
I’d only seen her portrait at the White Ducal House.
“Yes. I could never forget her.
My eyes may not be the same beautiful green as hers,
but my silver hair—just like hers—reminds me of her every day. She was so beautiful.”
The Count’s face stiffened.
“Different eye color, you say?”
“Yes.”
He looked surprised, and everyone’s attention shifted to him.
After clearing his throat, he spoke again.
“Now that you mention it, Miss Delani’s eyes are quite unusual.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a color before.”
His attention had wandered to my eyes—
not my silver hair that marked my lineage from the White House.
The Baroness smiled warmly.
“We also find her eyes beautiful.”
“Yes, indeed,” the Baron added stiffly, likely prompted by his wife’s glance.
But Count Holt fell silent again, deep in thought.
Finally, he spoke carefully.
“Yes… beautiful indeed. They remind me of someone.”
Did he finally realize it?
Suddenly, Count Holt stood up.
“I’m sorry, but I must take my leave. Something urgent just came up.”
His abruptness shocked the Baron and Baroness.
He must have realized exactly who I was.
Count Holt, please—
go back to the White Ducal House and tell them I’m here.
I watched his departing carriage, my heart racing with anticipation.
A noise woke me.
When I opened my eyes, it was still dark—barely dawn.
The door burst open, and the maid entered.
“You’re awake already.”
“What’s going on?”
“A guest has arrived unexpectedly.”
At this hour?
It had to be my grandfather—there was no other explanation.
Excitement surged within me.
“Quick, help me get ready! I have to greet our guest!”
I hurriedly dressed and made my way to the drawing room.
The Baroness stood waiting outside.
“You’re up already? Well… I suppose you’d want to see the guest.”
“I heard someone arrived.”
“Yes, a guest has indeed come.”
Her tone carried sadness.
She must have realized that if my grandfather had come,
she’d no longer be able to keep me as her daughter.
I felt a pang of guilt.
Whatever her husband was like, she had truly treated me like family.
The Baroness personally opened the door for me.
“Go on in.”
Without hesitation, I stepped inside—
—and froze.
What… is this?
I blinked, wondering if I was still half-asleep.
Just to be sure, I rubbed my eyes.
The room was filled with knights in uniform.
When they saw me, they all stepped back in unison.
That golden lion crest… it couldn’t be—
As I walked forward, I saw a man seated at the head of the room.
The moment I recognized him, my body went rigid.
Grand Duke Calix opened his arms toward me.
“My dear granddaughter, come to me.”
“…What?”
