IWCVF 03

Chapter 3

* * *

I thought I was used to luxury from visiting the imperial palace often, but this place was beyond imagination.

I remembered parts of it from the dream, but seeing it in reality was something else entirely.

Just how much money did they have to build a mansion like this?

Raiden led me around, explaining different parts of the estate. As we walked, the servants bowed their heads toward us.

In the middle of this slightly overwhelming atmosphere, while I was looking around—

“Miss!”

The butler, Luten, approached us.

“After dinner, we plan to select your personal maid. Will you have time?”

They were already choosing a personal maid. Things moved fast.

“I understand.”

“Please speak casually.”

“Okay.”

After that, I followed Raiden downstairs.

A wide garden came into view. I raised my hand to block the sunlight pouring down.

In the garden stood a huge tree.

Under it, there was a table and chairs set for tea. In my dream, Raiden often drank tea there.

Sometimes… with Olize.

Will I drink tea there too…?

The tree was massive, far bigger than any other. Its branches spread wide and beautifully.

“How about we have tea together under that tree next time?”

Raiden said quietly, as if holding back his emotions.

“Yes. Anytime.”

This wasn’t a bad first meeting, right?

He lowered his head deeply, then spoke with a flushed face.

“You’re not refusing my invitation for tea.”

“…Raiden?”

“You’re not angry about what my father and I did.”

“I said I want us to get along, so I shouldn’t be, right?”

Raiden smiled.

“I was prepared for you to be angry, but…”

“So you don’t like it?”

He seemed momentarily speechless at my question, then asked back,

“Don’t you already know the answer to that?”

He shrugged and checked his watch.

“I’ll go attend my class for now. I’ll see you later… my beautiful Celia.”

Suddenly, he kissed the back of my hand and walked away.

He still doesn’t fully believe me.

This won’t be easy.

But at least things weren’t as bad as before.

First, I had to make him truly believe that I didn’t resent him.

* * *

After touring the mansion, I started my bath.

Luten sent a maid to assist me.

The water temperature was perfect, and the bath oils smelled wonderful.

She was even more skilled than the maids from the ducal house.

I liked her so much that I wanted to choose her as my personal maid.

“What’s your name?”

After finishing my bath, I asked.

The maid bowed her head.

“My name is Elise Jien, miss.”

She had freckles on her cheeks and looked younger than twenty. Brown hair, brown eyes—very common features.

“When did you start working as a maid?”

“Since I was 15. I’ve worked since I was young, so I have a lot of experience.”

“How old are you now?”

“I’m 20.”

So she really had worked since she was very young.

In the Susian Empire, people were legally allowed to work from the age of 15, to prevent children from being forced into labor too early.

Still, starting right at 15 meant her family likely wasn’t well off.

‘Jien… that’s a viscount family name.’

Since she was a noble, she could work as a maid. Commoners usually worked as servants instead.

“Shall I help you get ready?”

I had to have dinner soon with Raiden’s father, Artern.

I felt nervous.

First, I should look nice.

“Let me see your skills.”

“I’ll do my best, though I don’t know if it will satisfy you. You’re so beautiful already—I really wanted to style you.”

Elise brought a magical dryer and dried my hair, then used another tool to create soft curls.

My hair looked beautiful.

I examined her makeup.

She used soft, natural tones.

‘She’s quite good.’

I didn’t usually wear makeup. Other noble ladies did after coming of age, but my skin was already fair, so I usually only applied lipstick.

I only wore full makeup on special occasions.

And this was one.

“Shall I do your makeup too?”

“Yes. It’s an important occasion.”

She applied powder to my face. Since my skin was already pale, it didn’t show much.

So she carefully worked on my eye makeup.

After everything was done, I smiled at my reflection.

Even the blush was perfect.

As I stood up to leave the room, there was a knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Celia.”

Raiden.

I quickly checked my clothes again and opened the door.

He was standing there in formal attire.

“You’re wearing a suit?”

I thought he would dress casually since it was just a meal at home.

“It’s our first dinner together, so I got a little excited. And… you look beautiful.”

He admired me and kissed the back of my hand again.

Almost like he was obsessed with doing that.

“Won’t you feel uncomfortable having dinner with us?”

“Of course not.”

“That’s a relief. Celia is family now. I have someone other than my father.”

His voice was full of excitement.

It felt like he had been waiting for this moment.

His only family was his father. I had heard his mother had passed away.

So this dinner—with Raiden, Viscount Pellis, and me—was like a family meal.

I felt nervous, but I forced myself to calm down.

It’ll be fine… probably.

“What kind of person is Viscount Pellis?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Is there anything I should be careful about?”

In the dream, I had never grown close to them because of my behavior. Even when I later tried, it was too late.

So Artern still felt unfamiliar.

But I wanted to make a good impression.

When dealing with someone, avoiding topics they’re sensitive about helps leave a better impression.

Raiden understood and nodded.

“He’s not sensitive. He likes honesty.”

“I’m not very honest though.”

“Even so, he’ll like you.”

…Why does he keep praising me like this?

“I didn’t expect to have dinner with you like this…”

He smiled softly.

He still didn’t fully trust me, but he seemed happy about the situation.

“Thank you for telling me. And I wasn’t lying when I said I want us to get along.”

“I know.”

With that, he guided me downstairs.

* * *

The dining hall was on the first floor.

It was even larger than the one in the Roel ducal mansion.

A grand chandelier hung above a large table. Magical lights shone from golden stands, and the patterns were dazzling.

Even the plates looked expensive.

It was an incredibly luxurious setting.

‘I’m hungry.’

I had been too busy to eat properly today.

I greeted the man sitting there.

Artern Pellis, Raiden’s father.

“Welcome, Lady Roel.”

Artern greeted me kindly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Then I added,

“Please call me Celia. And you’re older than me, so you can speak comfortably.”

“Should I speak casually?”

“Of course.”

This conversation was going smoothly.

I sat down and looked at him.

“Weren’t you surprised by this sudden engagement?”

“I was a little surprised, but I understand.”

At my answer, Artern’s eyes wavered.

He looked at Raiden, and Raiden looked back at me.

“It was a reasonable deal.”

Even though the engagement was forced, I wasn’t angry.

If it hadn’t happened, I might have been sold to loan sharks anyway.

In the dream, I had locked myself in my room, refusing everything.

Back then, Artern had canceled dinner.

“Call me Artern.”

“Yes, Artern.”

Since we weren’t married yet, calling him father felt uncomfortable.

He was quite perceptive.

“It may not compare to what you had at the ducal house, but I hope you enjoy the meal.”

Soon, the maids brought in soup.

He picked up his spoon first, and I followed.

After clearing the plates, the next dish was served.

A salad with vegetables and meat.

‘Meat.’

I liked meat.

Especially with vegetables.

“I heard you like meat in your salads.”

“How did you…?”

“I read it in the newspaper.”

Ah… that interview.

That was embarrassing.

“Enjoy your meal.”

I bowed my head slightly and continued eating.

Raiden also seemed to like it and ate without complaint.

There were fruits mixed in the salad.

In the capital, fruits were expensive.

They were usually grown in the south, so by the time they reached here, their price increased several times.

In the past, my family used to eat fruit often.

But after we fell into decline, that changed.

‘It’s delicious.’

I served myself more.

“Raiden likes fruit.”

At Artern’s words, I smiled.

“I’ll remember that.”

“He also eats dried fruit when drinking tea.”

Artern tilted his head.

“Celia likes salad… what else do you like?”

Even Raiden looked at me curiously.

His eyes sparkled.

It felt a bit overwhelming, but I answered calmly.

“I like cookies with chocolate chips. I sometimes eat them with tea.”

“That’s important. I’ll remember it too.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

The way he repeated my words felt strangely refreshing.