Chapter 12
The New Aide (2)
“Has Rosier’s strawberry crumble been prepared?”
Rosier was the name of a famous dessert shop in the capital.
Among their treats, the strawberry crumble was so notorious that one had to line up early in the morning just to buy a single slice.
Noticing the Duchess Dowager’s lively tone, the head maid smiled.
“Of course, madam. We’ll serve it with a drink made from freshly picked strawberries.”
“Hildegard had better like it.”
“I’ve discreetly asked around the Crow Marquisate, and it seems she isn’t picky about food. Beautiful, clever, and with a pleasant personality, too. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone like her became His Grace’s bride?”
The Duchess Dowager frowned at the maid’s flattering words.
“Tsk. Such a loose tongue.”
“My apologies.”
“If it were up to me, I’d hold the wedding tomorrow, but… at least we must have an engagement ceremony, don’t you think? Make sure no strange rumors spread in the meantime. There are always jealous people everywhere.”
Today was the day Hildegard Crow had agreed to attend the tea gathering.
The tragic death of her mother—Elena’s own dear friend—still left a deep scar, but the chance to see the daughter was a great comfort to the Duchess Dowager.
Moreover, the Crow Marquis had recently expressed interest in forming an alliance by marriage with the Side Ducal House.
A smile softened Elena Side’s usually cool face.
“She’s a very pretty girl, just like Sienna.”
“Indeed, madam. Oh, are you heading out now? The weather’s a bit chilly.”
The head maid draped a shawl over Elena’s shoulders, continuing with a hint of concern.
“I hear society has been abuzz lately because of Miss Hildegard. Other maids say their young ladies are all desperate to befriend her. Until recently, people gossiped about her years in an orphanage before she was discovered, but now everyone is eager to imitate her style of dress.”
“High society is always like that—empty-headed ostriches too busy showing off their feathers.”
Elena snorted and left the room.
Although today’s tea was technically hosted by her daughter, Mariana, for girls of her own age, Elena planned to personally oversee the preparations since it was Hildegard’s first visit to the ducal estate.
First impressions are always the most important.
The fact that the Crow family supported the Emperor was somewhat troubling, but Hildegard was the only daughter of her dearest friend. If only she and Joseph would marry…
Elena’s gaze grew pensive.
If we both had children, wouldn’t it be wonderful if they became friends like we were?
Remember what that astrologer said? You’ll have a daughter and I’ll have a son. If that happens, shall we become in-laws?
Back then it had seemed like a far-off joke, but time had passed, Sienna had died, and their children had reached marrying age.
Don’t worry, Sienna. I’ll keep our promise.
Joseph might appear indifferent, but Elena wasn’t overly concerned.
If her usually reserved son suddenly turned eager and rushed into marriage, she would have found that more suspicious.
“Where’s Joseph?”
“His Grace left early for the imperial palace.”
“The palace? For what reason? He knows Hildegard is visiting today, doesn’t he?”
The maid offered an awkward smile.
Since Hildegard’s visit had been decided, the Duchess Dowager had personally overseen every detail of the preparations and reported each item to the Duke himself.
But he treated these updates like an unwelcome distraction—more nuisance than news.
“I did inform him, but…”
Elena raised a hand to stop the explanation.
“Never mind. He’s my son; of course I know him. I’ll be lucky if he isn’t thrown out for being difficult. He’s so much like his late father.”
She muttered this with a wry glance at the clear sky.
She turned a corner at a brisk pace—
—and nearly collided with someone coming the other way. Elena scowled. Who would walk so carelessly in the main residence of the ducal family?
“What’s this?”
Her sharp gaze fell on the person in front of her.
“My apologies, madam. Are you all right?”
“Well, this is nothing.”
Recognizing Joseph’s aide, Elliot, Elena’s fierce demeanor softened.
“Sir Elliot. What brings you here so early?”
“I was showing the newly appointed aide around the estate.”
Elena’s eyes shifted to the new aide standing behind him.
A slender woman of modest height, made even more delicate by a plain black dress.
With black eyes and hair—uncommon in the Empire—the girl’s all-black appearance gave her a somber, almost ominous air. Elena frowned.
“A woman? The Duke has never hired a female aide. She must have some special talent. Which family is she from? I don’t recognize her—surely not a prominent house.”
Unless it was for menial tasks, those who worked in the ducal household generally held at least minor noble titles.
And an aide serving directly beside the Duke was another matter entirely.
Under Elena’s cold scrutiny, a bead of sweat trickled down Anze’s back.
“Of course,” Elliot said with an easy smile, subtly stepping sideways to place himself between Elena and the young woman, as though shielding her. Was he… protecting her?
Just as Elena’s suspicion deepened, Elliot spoke again.
“She is the eldest daughter of Baron Beaufort of Belph.”
I am?
Anze blinked in confusion at this unfamiliar title.
“Baron Beaufort…?”
The name was equally unfamiliar to Elena.
“Does such a family exist? Ah! My apologies if that’s rude. Many new noble families have appeared since the war—perhaps one of those?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Elliot replied smoothly.
“But even so, a woman as an aide?”
Elena craned her neck to get another look at Anze, but Elliot quickly shifted again to block her view.
“She is extremely capable,” he said. “Fluent in both Imperial and Kingdom tongues and quite skilled with accounting.”
“Is that so?”
Among noble young ladies, merely learning to read and write was considered sufficient.
Elena had insisted her own daughter, Mariana, receive an education equal to Joseph’s, though society mocked the Duchess Dowager’s “peculiar zeal.”
She had never regretted that decision.
The world was changing. Commoners could become nobles overnight if they had money; how long could nobles expect to live idly without effort?
Man or woman, one needed at least basic knowledge and refinement—this was Elena’s conviction.
And by that measure, Hildegard—who had graduated from the Academy with top marks—was an excellent prospective daughter-in-law, even aside from the promise to her late friend.
“Well then, we have duties to attend to before His Grace returns,” Elliot said with a polite bow, preparing to move on.
“Wait!”
The Duchess Dowager snapped her fan shut with a sharp clap and stepped around Elliot to stand directly before Anze.
Her piercing gaze seemed to strip the young woman to the core, making Anze dart a desperate look at Elliot.
Do something!
…
But this time even Elliot merely averted his eyes.
“Young lady?”
“Please call me Anze,” she said quietly.
“Then, Miss Anze, forgive an old woman’s meddling, but don’t misunderstand my concern.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the Duchess Dowager lifted her chin.
“You’ve met Joseph, haven’t you?”
“Yes, madam. During the interview.”
“And what did you think of him?”
Startled by the sudden question, Anze blinked in surprise.
