Chapter 28
The sudden visit of the former queen and Duchess Ferrante…
Just thinking about it gave him a headache. Yet, despite the discomfort, his expression remained indifferent as usual. He had lived that way for so long that hiding his emotions came naturally.
Haven looked out the window with a dry gaze before turning to the butler.
“They may be unwelcome, but guests are still guests. I trust that you and the head maid will handle their reception properly.”
“I will prepare everything with sincerity.”
The butler bowed politely and turned to leave the room. However, just before he reached the door, Haven called him back.
“About Flitta…”
“Yes, sir?”
“I’d prefer if she didn’t run into them.”
Haven’s tone was cold. To some ears, it might have sounded like he was ashamed of his daughter and wanted to hide her. But the butler immediately understood his master’s true intention.
A faint smile appeared on the loyal old butler’s face. Haven clearly knew how frightened the child was of the former queen and the duchess. It was easy to guess that his instruction came from a place of concern.
“I will keep that in mind, Your Grace.”
The butler bowed deeply again before exiting the room.
Haven glanced at him as he left, then furrowed his brows. For a moment, his usually cold expression looked slightly awkward.
Neighhh.
The sound of horses came from outside the window. A carriage entered through the main gate.
“What nonsense is this order from His Grace…”
Roze turned her head away from the elegantly dressed lady stepping out of the carriage. The nanny slammed down her embroidery on the table in irritation. At the same time, Flitta quietly closed her picture book, stood up, and clung tightly to Roze’s skirt.
It was a scene where the power dynamic had clearly reversed. The young lady was watching her servant’s mood instead of the other way around. But this was nothing new—not only for them but for Roze as well.
…Though familiarity didn’t mean it hurt any less.
Roze felt sorry for the child who had to tiptoe around the nanny, and she resented the nanny for making her that way. She was also angry at Haven for not embracing his daughter.
But more than anything, she was angry at herself—for being powerless. For being unable to do anything as a mother despite witnessing all of this. All she could do was gently wrap the small hand clutching her skirt.
“That won’t do.”
The nanny chewed her lip anxiously before standing up abruptly and turning to Flitta.
“My lady, I will step out for a moment.”
“…Okay?”
“I should at least greet the former queen and the duchess. His Grace probably forbade you from going out to prevent you from making a mistake in front of them. That means I need to be even more attentive.”
At those words, Flitta blinked, then looked downcast. Roze started to say something but stopped herself. In the meantime, the nanny continued.
“Either way, even while I’m gone, you absolutely must not leave the room, my lady. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Roze, make sure you stay with her. Don’t let her out of the room.”
“Yes, Ma—”
Before Roze could finish her reply, the nanny turned and left the room in a hurry.
She must’ve been truly anxious. Roze glanced at the door that had slammed shut and let out a bitter smile.
The nanny had been like this ever since hearing about the visit from the former queen and the duchess. Especially after the butler delivered Haven’s orders.
“Why is the young lady not even allowed to greet the guests!”
“It is His Grace’s command, Madam Miguel.”
Despite her complaints, the butler had remained firm. Eventually, the exhausted nanny gave up and threw in the towel.
“…Is the nanny angry?”
At that moment, Flitta spoke hesitantly. Roze turned her gaze to the girl. Flitta looked up at her with wide eyes.
“No.”
“But she seemed mad. She kept saying she couldn’t even go out because of me.”
Flitta pouted and lowered her head. She fidgeted with her fingers and spoke quietly.
“Is Dad… ashamed of me?”
Roze squatted in front of her. The child’s downcast face looked gloomy. Her expression, which had brightened recently thanks to spending more time with her father, was once again shadowed.
“Because I acted silly in front of Great Aunt… and I’m scared of Great-Grandmother too…”
“If His Grace heard you say that, he’d be very upset.”
Roze cut her off with a gentle smile. Flitta looked up at her.
“…Dad would be upset?”
“Of course. He might feel hurt that you don’t understand how much he cares.”
“…!”
Flitta blinked several times, her eyes wide with surprise. She parted her lips as if to speak but couldn’t quite bring herself to say the words. Roze waited patiently. Eventually, Flitta whispered softly:
“Do you really think so?”
Her voice was barely audible, but Roze could feel the hope it carried. She nodded firmly.
“Of course. His Grace loves you very much.”
“…B-But…”
“Don’t you believe me?”
“…I do.”
It was a hopeful change. Roze looked at her with a tight chest. Though the girl hesitated, she had clearly chosen to believe.
Did he know?
That his small action had made such a big difference for this child?
“…Then why did Dad do that?”
Flitta fidgeted with her fingers again and asked. Roze smiled and answered.
“He’s worried about you, my lady.”
“…Worried?”
“Yes. He wanted you to feel at ease.”
“….”
Flitta fell silent, her lips pressed tightly together. Then, fidgeting with her hands, she spoke again.
“But… I should greet them. The nanny said that’s the polite thing to do.”
“Yes, it is polite. It’s customary to greet guests who visit your home.”
Hearing that, Flitta’s face turned sorrowful as if she were about to cry. Roze gently patted her and continued.
“But to His Grace, you come first.”
“…?”
“Following etiquette is important, but you’re more important to him than all that.”
Perhaps it wasn’t the right decision. Teaching basic manners to a child was important, after all. But unlike the nanny, Roze welcomed Haven’s choice.
Some might criticize him for it—saying overprotecting a child only spoils them, or that it would make her weak.
But she was only five. And neither she nor her daughter had ever known parental love.
She had never fallen asleep to a lullaby in her mother’s arms, nor laughed on her father’s lap. Never played with dolls together, or made pretend meals in the garden. She had never ridden on her father’s shoulders, never seen the world from high above on his strong back…
Roze’s gaze on Flitta trembled with sorrow.
Even if she were a foolish mother, she couldn’t help it. If her daughter didn’t know a parent’s warmth, then a little overprotection was nothing. So what if she was a bit spoiled? A child who was already so timid would never truly become that way.
And that knowledge made her chest ache all the more.
“Shall we draw a picture?”
…So it’s okay, sweetheart.
Roze swallowed back the words she truly wanted to say. Flitta, unaware of Roze’s inner thoughts, rolled her eyes and shyly smiled, then nodded. Roze smiled back and pulled out a sketchbook and colored pencils.
The banquet for the former queen and duchess was prepared starting in the early evening. Dishes made with the chef’s finest skills filled the table, which was beautifully decorated with vibrant flowers.
Yet no one touched the food. Not Haven, seated at the head of the table, nor the former queen and Duchess Ferrante.
“I told you to bring the young lady here at once.”
Instead, the duchess’s sharp voice echoed across the table. The butler, flustered, hesitated before finally speaking.
“As I mentioned before, the young lady is not feeling well…”
“So she didn’t even come to greet us, nor is she attending dinner despite guests being present? And you expect me to believe that?”
The duchess sneered as she glared at the butler. Then she turned sharply to Haven.
“Haven, you tell me. Even a child from a humble family would not be so rude. Yet your daughter, a grand duke’s child, is behaving this way? This brings shame to your name as well. What in the world—”
“I told her not to come out, Aunt.”
Haven met his aunt’s eyes with a chilling gaze and calmly replied.
“You told her not to?”
“Yes. I did.”
At his composed answer, the duchess was briefly struck speechless before her eyes narrowed.
