Chapter 5
The duke looked at me with a thoroughly flustered expression.
“…Do you like being spoken to that way?”
“Of course! If it were me, I’d say I thought of my sister when I saw cheesecake. She really loves cheesecake.”
Honestly, I personally found that kind of opening a bit cheesy, but my sister—who had a soft, romantic heart—wouldn’t dislike it at all. I even added in her favorite dessert for good measure and smiled brightly.
The duke fell into thought.
“I see. So the elder Miss Lils likes such words… and likes cheesecake.”
“She doesn’t like sweets as much as I do, but if you say, ‘The chef of my household makes excellent cheesecake. Would you care to come try it?’ she’d be really happy.”
I mimicked his tone as best as I could, and he let out a quiet chuckle.
If anyone else had laughed like that, it might’ve looked ridiculous—but because it was him, it turned into a refined, charming smile.
“You didn’t just solve my problem—you even gave me useful information. How should I repay you?”
“Oh, no, I’m fine.”
I waved my hands quickly. I hadn’t done this for myself—it was all for my sister.
“Don’t say that. Is there anything you want?”
“I really don’t need anything. Just… please buy my sister over a hundred cheesecakes.”
If I accepted something in return for such a small favor, it would just make things awkward. I tried to indirectly say that all I wanted was for him to treat my sister well.
The duke’s expression softened.
“The younger Miss Lils is a kind sister who truly cares for her elder.”
I smiled sheepishly at the praise. The problem was that I used to only think about helping, not actually do anything…
‘But this life will be different.’
The me who only thought about things was dead.
In this life, I would act—I would protect my sister and prevent the past from repeating.
‘And of course… I’ll get revenge on that damned Pedro.’
As I burned with quiet determination, something came to mind.
“Ah! Duke, you have to be careful when sending letters to my sister.”
“Careful? Why?”
“There are people in the house with similar names, so sometimes other people take my sister’s letters by mistake.”
That shady man—Viscount Pedro—would intercept her letters, read them first, and only return them if they were harmless.
Right now, his family wasn’t at the estate, so it was less likely—but there were still plenty of his lackeys around.
I couldn’t outright say our household was a mess, so I hinted as subtly as I could.
“But if you send it to Claire, no one will mix it up. Claire is my sister’s maid, and no one else has a similar name.”
I clasped my hands earnestly.
“If someone takes your letter, my sister and I would be really sad. Please don’t let that happen.”
I widened my eyes and looked at him with a pitiful expression on purpose.
The duke thought for a moment before replying slowly.
“…Alright. I doubt anyone would dare tamper with my letters, but I’ll take precautions.”
“Thank you! Now my sister and I won’t be sad anymore!”
It had been exhausting getting here, but everything was going according to plan—it felt great.
I wanted to jump up and shout “Yay!” but held it in since I was in front of him.
The duke smiled faintly as he watched me, then stood up with my letter in hand.
“In that case, how about I write a reply now and have you deliver it yourself?”
“Yes, that sounds great!”
If he wrote it now, it would be much easier for me to pass it to my sister. I’d just have to come up with an excuse for how I got it.
He stepped out briefly and returned with a plain letter similar to mine.
“I stamped the inside with my family seal. Once she opens it, she’ll know it’s from the Raypier house.”
“I’ll make sure she gets it.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
As I tucked the letter safely into my clothes, his large hand came down on top of my head.
Press. Press.
‘Is he patting me… or trying to push my head into my body?’
It didn’t hurt, but the sensation was strange—especially since I was already shorter than average.
Still, I knew I’d grow tall in the future, so I decided to endure it this once.
“I should head home now.”
“I’ll have a carriage prepared for you.”
“No, it’s okay. I have to go back without anyone knowing.”
Riding in a ducal carriage would expose my secret outing to everyone—including my sister.
The duke hesitated, then said,
“Then I’ll call a regular carriage. It won’t be identifiable, and I’ll have it drop you off somewhere quiet.”
“…In that case, thank you.”
I bowed politely, hands folded in front of me. It wasn’t like I lacked the confidence to walk back…
The duke summoned an ordinary carriage and even helped me climb in.
“Travel safely.”
“Goodbye.”
“Until next time, little Miss Lils.”
After parting ways, I rode back and got off near our estate. The fare had already been paid.
I slipped through the small hole in the garden fence, checked that no one was around, and hurried back to my room.
After changing clothes, I waited for my sister—and as soon as she returned, I handed her the letter.
“Is this really from the duke?”
“Yeah! A servant from the duke’s house brought it earlier. I saved it so I could give it to you.”
She looked suspicious at first, but accepted the explanation and began reading.
“Oh my.”
She let out a small exclamation after finishing.
“What is it, sis? What did he say?”
“He invited us to the ducal estate.”
“Us?”
Not just her—but both of us?
I hadn’t even asked for that, so I blinked in surprise.
“Yes. Both of us. You’ll get to see him again too, Katarina.”
She smiled brightly.
“Wow! I’m so excited! When are we going?”
“The day after tomorrow. I’ll dress you up nicely.”
“Okay!”
Going with her meant I could help things along between them. This worked out perfectly.
Snuggling into her lap, I asked,
“Will you give him your answer then?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I want to think a little more.”
That was just like her—careful and thoughtful.
‘Still, it’d be better if she decides before Pedro’s family returns…’
In the past, they had forced her to marry as soon as she came of age—afraid she might reclaim the family.
And when that failed, they had manipulated her into marrying that trash, Glenn Balua.
‘Compared to that… the duke is everything they wouldn’t want.’
Powerful. Wealthy. Respected.
They would never allow her to become the lady of such a prestigious house.
‘But I shouldn’t rush her.’
Even if I wanted her to accept immediately, pushing too hard could backfire.
‘The meeting the day after tomorrow will be important.’
I buried myself deeper in her arms.
The Day of the Visit
On the day we were to visit the ducal estate, I picked out the nicest pale pink dress I had.
It was a birthday gift from my sister last year—and thankfully, I hadn’t grown out of it.
With Claire’s help, I got dressed.
“Oh my, you’re so cute, Kati!”
“You look absolutely adorable, little miss!”
I stood in front of the mirror, listening to their praise.
The dress had puffed sleeves, white frills along the hem and neckline, small black ribbons, and one large ribbon at the waist.
My eighteen-year-old mind found it excessive—but for a six-year-old body, it was perfect.
“Let me do your hair too!”
Claire tied my hair into two sections with pink ribbons.
‘Good thing I’m six.’
At sixteen, I would’ve refused this outright.
Then it was my sister’s turn.
She wore a similar pink dress, but more elegant—off-the-shoulder, with layered skirts and a ribbon tied at the back.
We matched, but hers was clearly more refined.
Once we were ready, we went downstairs, where the duke’s carriage awaited us.
“First time visiting a ducal house? Nervous?”
My sister smiled gently.
“A little. What about you?”
“Same. I’ve never visited such a great house either.”
We chatted until the carriage arrived.
The estate was enormous—perhaps second only to the imperial palace.
Red spires rose into the sky, and stained glass windows gleamed in the sunlight.
“Welcome. I am Jade, the butler.”
The young butler greeted us politely and led us inside.
We passed through lavish halls until we reached a grand room.
There, seated on a red velvet sofa—
Was the duke.
Dressed impeccably.
Black jacket with gold buttons, red cravat, medals, and perfectly styled black hair.
‘He dressed up even more than we did…’
I smiled and bowed.
“Thank you for inviting us, Duke.”
“I should be the one thanking you for coming.”
He replied absentmindedly.
Not because he didn’t care—
But because his eyes were fixed entirely on my sister.
“…You look beautiful today as well, my lady.”
