I want to clarify that it wasn’t only my fault that I caused Pinter to faint by kicking him between his legs.

Pinter has been harassing me tenaciously since the day my mother died a year ago. He could come to the restaurant where I work and propose publicly, make false rumors that we’re dating, or touch my shoulder and leg while pretending it was by accident…

I refused him dozens of times and was angry hundreds of times. But it never worked.

In other words, he would mock me by saying ‘you are a commoner and I am a lord’s son’.

Nobleman, of course. It’s not like I haven’t thought of marrying a noble and living comfortably. But Pinter is 32 years old! 12 years older than me! His personality is persistent and irritating, and he’s even losing his hair!

Seriously, whenever I would shout ‘there’s no tree that can pass over ten times’ (t/n note: it’s a korean proverb that means no matter how hard you try, you cannot succeed) with a cheesy smile on my blunt face, I instead want to ax his head about ten times.

It was just one of those ordinary days.

“Hilde, what are you wearing today? The clothes are so big where I can’t even see your body.”

A late afternoon when the sun has not yet set. Pinter said that as soon as he came into the restaurant and sat down. He already had a drink somewhere else, so his face was red.

“Sit here for a second. Talk to me.”

“I’m busy.”

“You don’t even have guests.”

I learned that it was best to just ignore as much as I could, so I turned around and proceeded to put away the glass of beer. Then, Pinter snatched my wrist and pulled me. He grabbed them so hard that I thought my wrist would break.

“Ouch!”

“Hey, come on. Did you know that I was coming?”

Pinter swung my arm back and forth. Maybe it’s because of the drinks he had, for his pretentiousness was getting worse. If only you weren’t the lord’s son, or else I would take your head off with this beer mug!

… But because I couldn’t say that, I gently warned him instead.

“Let me go. If you keep doing this, I won’t stay still.”

“What are you going to do if you won’t stay still? Huh? What will you do?”

“It hurts! Let me go!”

“What can you do even though you can’t up your mind? You’re very cute right now! Thank you for coming here…!”

“Argh!”

Pinter was drunk and twisted my arm.

It hurts.

It really hurts. It was so painful to the point I had to strike him.

“It hurts, you madman!”

I hit between Pinter’s leg with my knee. My reasoning told me not to do this, for even if I were a human being living today who hit the lord’s son’s crotch, it would be a big deal. When I came back to my senses, my knee had already done its work, and customers were looking at me with disgusted faces.

“Ugh! I’m going to die…!”

Pinter rolled on the floor while shaking.

Oh my gosh! That was very fast, accurate, and powerful! My knee! You did a great job!

… Oh, no, not this!

I’m done against the lord’s son. Even though he is from the third generation, I am a commoner, which means that my life is dead one way or another. The thought blackened my vision.

“You… you, what? Why are you looking at people like that?”

Pinter also noticed that my expression has changed. As I strode toward him, he faltered backward until his back had hit the table.

My late mother would always say.

‘Hilde, never let yourself be tempered.’

That’s it.

“You’ll be X-ed anyways.”

I lifted my right foot.

“Oh, stop! Stop! Stop it!”

Sensing my sinister tone, Pinter shook his head strongly while shouting. I stepped between his legs without mercy.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

His scream roared through the store. The other guests hugged their legs by reflex upon the scene. It didn’t take long for Pinter to faint.

*

My lord. It was never intentional. My legs were stiff, so I slightly raised and then lowered them and they just happened to hit an important part of your son. Really.

That is why your son should wear steel panties. He needs to protect his important areas well. In the end, it was your son who was wrong. Do you understand? It can’t be my fault that your son laid down. Ack, on his back.

“… This is a big deal. All I can think of is a hearing to confirm the death penalty…!”

I was caught red-handed and dragged into the lord’s castle. While sitting in the cold dungeon and waiting for the trial, I recalled my final argument, which was the worst one since I couldn’t think of anything. Every time I thought of Pinter’s face, I showed my true intentions.

“What would be less painful? Biting off your tongue or cutting your throat?”

Before I could answer, the door to the dungeon, which was closed tightly, opened first.

“Hilde Ruth. Come out.”

Two armed knights spoke to me with a grim look. My blood seems to cool down just by looking at the big swords that were on their waist. My body trembled so much to the point where both of them had to hold me. I wanted to be calm for I knew this would happen anyways, but my body won’t follow.

‘… At least don’t cry.”

I don’t want to contribute any satisfaction to that beggar-like Pinter.

*

The place where I was dragged to was a very spacious hall where the lord and his son can be seen at the front. Pinter’s pose was still staggering.

‘Why did you come out when you’re supposed to be in bed? Did you really want to see my head fall like that?’

And one more.

There was a man who I’m seeing for the first time standing next to those two.

‘…Who’s that?’

He was handsome enough to make you forget who you are. He’s tall, has broad shoulders, white skin, black hair and eyes with a calm and intelligent expression. It was a look that I have never seen in 20 years of my life in this village.

He’s not just handsome, but he was a man full of elegance and grace. Even if he were dressed in a matte cloth, people can still tell right away that he’s from noble blood.

‘Wow, my eyes are good even before I die.’

Maybe this is the last gift from god.

After looking at this handsome man and then seeing the child-like Pinter, I feel like I can die with no regrets.

I have also heard that I looked classy thanks to the blonde hair and unique purple eyes I inherited from my mother, but it is clear that those words I heard were just polite greetings.

Come think of it, my late mother also said.

‘Hilde, men can just have a face.’

I felt wronged for no reason. If I had resembled my dad, I might’ve become the beauty of the century. Hah.

“Hilde Ruth!”

I was staring at the man’s face until the lord’s thunderous voice could be heard.

‘That old man is interrupting a crucial moment.’

“You know what you did wrong!”

The old scoundrel shouted.

‘Wrong?’

What did I do wrong?

Oh right, I had a bad incident with that little jerk. I forgot for a moment.

“Lord, save me!”

I said while I sat on the floor. I think I should try my best to find a way to live. It was disgusting to see Pinter giving me an empty smile.

“I didn’t mean it! It was an accident! Just like how you said it was a coincidence… that your son hates me because he’s also stubborn!”

“What, what?!”

“It’s my fault that I turned down your son, who kept nagging me! You don’t want a daughter-in-law like me?”

“What?! How dare you be my daughter-in-law?!”

“I mean, I hate it too!”

When I saw the lord tremble in anger, I jumped up and shouted.

“I wouldn’t have stolen your son if that were the case! You can’t look handsome with bad hair! If you don’t have manners, you don’t have personality! Hey, if you have a mouth, talk to me! Why the hell does he try to grapple with me!”

…Oh?

I was going to beg for forgiveness and ask for help, but why am I raising my voice and pointing my finger at Pinter?

‘…I’m such a hothead!’

I was surprised myself when I saw their faces. I crumpled my index finger, which was pointing, but it was too late. At my loud voice, a terrible silence fell in the hall. It couldn’t be because the lord wasn’t angry, for I was quite embarrassed that it came out like this.

What broke the silence was the very handsome man which I have no way of knowing why he was here.

“…Pfft.”

The man, who had been expressionless the entire time, bowed down and laughed as if he couldn’t stand it any longer. I glared at him with my eyes for the laugh did not fit the situation.

What are you laughing at?

I’m in a situation where my throat might get cut off, is that funny?

“Listening to the defense, I don’t think the lady did anything wrong.”

The handsome man then said.

I thought I heard it wrong. Is he really taking my side? I’ve never met him before, so why?

What do you mean ‘lady’? Why is he calling me in such a way?

“V, viscount Strauss…!”

At that time, the lord spoke with difficulty while looking at the man.

‘Viscount Strauss?’

He looked young, but he already has a title as expected from a handsome and capable man. The world is wide.

“Isn’t it just your son being refused by his flirting? I’d like to ask why he kept accusing the woman he doesn’t even like.”

“Oh no, but it’s still unjustifiable to use violence…”

“I got hit first! That idiot… No, he broke my wrist! Look at this bruise!”

While listening to their conversation, I quickly stepped in. When I revealed my bruised wrist, the lord’s and Pinter’s expression soured.

“That’s just self-defense.”

“Self-defense. It’s not like…!”

“No, actually, I need to point out that your son has injured the lady’s body, but…”

The handsome man slowly glanced at Pinter and murmured. His voice is still soft, but there was a cool feeling to it unlike before. The lord and Pinter also sensed the energy, and their expressions quickly darkened while looking at the man.

“…I’m sure you’re very sorry, so why don’t you let it slide?”

“Sir Strauss! I can’t believe it! You even said that after looking at my son’s status!”

“You can say that to cover up from time to time. Of course, you should know that Duke Arpegio never forgives his enemies.”

“Huh, but there is no clear evidence that the woman the Duke is looking for is…”

“No, I’m sure she is. So you’d better not say any more rude words from your mouth.”

The man threatened the lord as he and his son groaned with a look of defeat.

‘…No, what? What the hell is going on?’

I feel like they’re talking about me. But this is one of the atmospheres where they know, you know, and everyone else knows except for me.

‘Someone tell me too!’

My inner cry almost seems like it reached him for the man finally looked at me. He slowly approached me and knelt down on one knee while not caring about getting his clothes dirtied.

‘Woah, sir.’

I almost screamed. He looked more handsome up close, with skin that doesn’t show pores. Also, why are his eyelashes so long?

“You don’t have to worry about anything now, Princess.”

His voice was as sweet as cotton candy, huh?

‘Wait a minute.’

What did the man just say?

“I’ll say my greetings officially. My name is Rogen Strauss. It is an honor to meet a princess like this.”

In particular, one word kept hovering in my head. A word that doesn’t suit me at all.

‘Princess?’

Who?

…Me???

The magnificent mansion was a long way past the main gate along with the brick road that was lined with shrubs. The sound of the horses’ hooves was cheerful unlike earlier when it was on the unpaved roads. In the garden, lilacs bloomed.

‘Here’s the dukedom…!’

Everything was colorful and beautiful, so it would even be a waste to blink. I wish I had inherited magic from my mother. I wanted to live here no matter what.

“We’ve arrived.”

As the wagon stopped, Rogen spoke while checking outside of the small window. Soon, the driver opened the carriage door and placed a shallow staircase at the carriage. Rogen got out of the carriage first and then held his right hand towards me, who was still sitting inside.

“Watch your step.”

Hm…

All right. I need to get it together. I can’t just keep looking around amazingly.

I took Rogen’s hand and stepped carefully down the stairs and got out of the wagon. In fact, these escorts were only necessary for girls with long dresses. I didn’t need one because my dress was short enough to reveal my ankle, but it didn’t feel bad.

When I got out of the carriage, the butler who was standing at the front entrance of the mansion approached us with two maids.

“Welcome. We’ve been waiting.”

The butler bowed his head to Rogen and then to me. The maids followed. It felt strange when other people bowed to me, so I felt embarrassed. Do nobles always feel this way?

“Has His Excellency arrived yet?”

“Yes, he’s in the study. He told me to take you to a small drawing-room when you arrive.”

‘If there’s a small drawing-room, then there’s a big one too.’

It would’ve been nice if he had called me to a large drawing room since it would be his first time seeing his granddaughter. My maternal grandfather seems to have a surprisingly petulant temper, even though he is a duke.

Rogen must’ve felt the same way I did, for his expression got a little dark.

In other words, he’s drawing the line as if saying ‘you’re not at the stage to receive that kind of treatment yet’.

Well, I’m not the only one discouraged by this.

“You can’t give a large drawing-room, but can you give me a bathroom? I haven’t been able to wash up all this time, so I would like to at least do that first.”

I raised my shoulder high as if I were asking for a right. The butler, maid, and even Rogen looked at me with their eyes widened. Did I speak too confidently for the first time? Should I have been a little more modest?

“…Or, is the bathroom too much? Well, I guess I’m fine.”

I added with a grin. Then their eyes even widened more.

‘Well, this is surprising.’

A commoner girl is talking about being considerate of the duke’s difficult position.

“Bathroom… Yes, of course, I can show it to you.”

The butler belatedly said after finally coming to his senses. As expected, he’s no different since the first thing you see is him regaining his posture.

“I’ll show you to the bathroom first so you can wash up and change.”

After saying so, I turned towards the mansion as the butler guided me. The maids headed towards the carriage’s compartment to carry the luggage in. I was walking along with the butler until Rogen grabbed me by my arm.

“What?”

I frowned and asked, wondering if he was going to nag again. He then whispered to me in a small voice.

“If you find any servants rude or unreasonable, please let me know.”

“…Are you worried about me?”

I asked back in a dazed voice. I was genuinely surprised. I thought you would get in trouble for saying rude things.

“I told you. The people in this mansion won’t do you any favors.”

“I know that. By the way, do you think I’ll just hold myself back if something does happen?”

I asked while nodding my head. Rogen frowned and thought for a moment. Maybe he’s thinking about the time I kicked Pinter between his legs.

“…Don’t hit the servants in any case.”

Rogen’s expression grew darker to see if his expectations were right. I can see what this guy thinks of me, and this is why first impressions are the most important.

“You think I’m some kind of thug?”

What? Look at this guy. He looked back at me with a question on his face. I hit him on his side with my elbow pretending it was a mistake. I didn’t poke that hard, but Rogen frowned slightly. Leaving him behind, I hurried along with the butler.

*

The bathroom was perfect for quick preparation. In the center, there was a bathtub made of white pottery. It was big enough to go in and stretch your legs. There were white towels and several glass bottles on the shelf next to it, and when I looked carefully, it was a high-quality fragrance with different flower scents.

“No wonder all the nobles smelled good…”

Come think of it, I think it’s about two months’ salary for a bottle of refined milk.

“Don’t tell me, you don’t always use this every time you take a bath, do you?”

I carefully placed the glass bottle I picked up back on the shelf. After that, I dipped my hands in the bathtub and checked the temperature of the water. It was just right.

“I don’t think it’s going to bother me.”

Rogen scared me so much to where I was ready for cold water, but I can’t believe it’s warm. On one side of the room, there’s a partition taller than my height. Considering how there’s a basket on the other side, it must be a space for changing clothes.

I then took off my outfit and hung them over the partition. I couldn’t put them in the basket because I didn’t have any clothes to change into right now. Then, I soaked myself into the warm bathtub. It felt like my whole body was melting.

“Ah… this felt good…”

I then washed my face with the palm of my hand. There was a faint scent of flowers in the water too. I don’t know if it’s just my feeling, but I think my skin is getting smoother.

“What even is this soap? It’s bubbling as well!”

There were even petals embedded inside. It’s pretty and useless, so I know it’s a noble thing.

Cool, this is the life of a nobleman.

“Ah…!”

It’s the best!

I’ll become a noble no matter what!

“Excuse me.”

“Woah!”

I was being too enthusiastic and almost screamed without realizing there would be people around. I dipped myself in the bathtub and looked where I could hear the voice with only my head sticking out.

A woman in a suit was seen standing behind the partition.

“There’s something I can do for you.”

What can you do to help an adult take a bath alone?

“No, it’s okay.”

I answered. I didn’t want to ask someone I’ve never seen before to help me.

“Yes, I see. I’ll wait in the next room, so call me if you need anything.”

“Yes, thank you…”

When I replied, the woman’s body completely disappeared on the other side of the partition. Wait. There’s a door there? Where the hell did she come from?

“I’m… going to be quick and then get out of here…”

I’m so nervous because I don’t know when and who else will come in. I hurriedly washed up, left the bathtub, and wiped the water off my body and hair. But, when I walked over to the partition to change my clothes,

“…What? Where are my clothes?”

The clothes that I had hung over the partition disappeared! That thief!

Of course, it’s not a real thief, for they wouldn’t have taken my clothes and left a silk dress here that was even more expensive.

“Don’t tell me I need to change into this…?”

I think the maid who left a while ago left this here.

There was no other alternative, so I took the silk dress that was hung gently and changed into it. Fortunately, it wasn’t too difficult or complicated to put on. The problem was something else.

“…It’s big.”

Whose clothes are these?

It’s big. It’s way too big.

The shoulder part rolled down and the skirt dragged on the floor. Moreover, it was designed to have a tight front, so if you don’t have the chest part, the entire dress will fall down.

I can never wear this! I’d rather wear a sack!

“Excuse me… uh maid?”

I called the maid who had visited me earlier. There’s no way for me to know where she came from. I’m at loss.

“Um, maid! Hello? Help!”

It’s not very good for me to be shouting in the air, but it worked.

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh my gosh!”

The wall suddenly opened and a polite maid appeared. I was wondering where the hell she came in from, and there was a small door in the wall. Why did they make the door look like a hidden picture?

However, that’s not the point.

“I can’t wear this because it’s too big. Where are the clothes that I wore earlier?”

“Oh my. I already sent them to the laundry room.”

“Huh?! Well, then my bag…”

“I sent all the clothes you brought to the laundry room.”

“What, how come you didn’t say anything…”

I’m in trouble. I don’t have anything to change to.

“And what about other clothes? I’m sure there should be something smaller?”

The maid spoke with one hand on her cheek and an embarrassed look on her face.

“The only clothes you can wear now are maid clothes. Should I bring that?”

…Wait.

‘It feels like you’re trying to screw me over.’

Not all the women living in the Duke’s place are huge, so how can there not be anything that can suit me?

“Did His Excellency order you not to lend me clothes?”

“No, it’s not that. All the dresses in the mansion are now either in the laundry room or the repair room.”

“Huh? How is that even possible?”

“It’s social season, so most dresses went to the townhouses, and it’s time to fix them. All the women’s clothes went to the laundry room this morning.”

Oh, right.

“But I didn’t expect it to be this big… What should I do? I can get you a new dress tomorrow, so now you should wear a maid’s dress.”

It makes no sense. I feel like someone needs to hit me.

‘Even the maids are fed heavily in aristocracy.’

I took a deep breath. I knew I wouldn’t be able to butter up this shitty situation.

“What shall we do?”

The maid urged me with an abominable look. I feel like she was waiting for a disappointing answer like ‘I can’t do this’ to fall out from my mouth. I thought for a moment and looked at the maid and asked.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“What? Well, I’m… Dorothy.”

When I asked for her name, she stuttered back while looking a little embarrassed. Maybe she thinks I will tell on her. But, she didn’t really do anything wrong in this situation. It’s not like she didn’t give me any clothes at all, but she did it in the best time for everything is being washed or repaired.

“All right Dorothy. I’ll have to wear something else, so please listen to me and bring it.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going to dress up like a maid as you wish.

It’ll take four full days to arrive at the duchy from my village. However, Rogen didn’t want to stop at any city as if he was determined to get there in the shortest time. Since it was a day-and-night trip, he had to sleep in the wagon.

Of course, I didn’t sleep. When the top of the chair unfolds, it becomes an extra bed. Because of that, it was quite reasonable to put a blanket and cushion on it. As expected, it’s a luxurious carriage, but even if you run it on the unpaved road at the highest speed, the ride is still terrible like any other carriage. There’s no way I can fall asleep.

Above all, the biggest reason why I couldn’t fall asleep was Rogen. It’s a question of how to sleep with a stranger in a small space. It would be better to sleep together, but that is definitely not happening.

I’m not sleeping at all!

When I was asked why I didn’t sleep, I responded with the same answer.

‘You don’t have to worry about me. It won’t matter if I don’t sleep for a few days.’

I’m not worried about you!

You’re worried about me!

I don’t know if I’ll snore, grind my teeth, or talk while I sleep, but if a man whom I barely know stares at me with his eyes open, it’s impossible to fall asleep!

“Zzzz…”

I couldn’t believe in myself. I tried to avoid it, but I didn’t have the skill to stop my heavy eyelids from drooping. It was the first time I fell asleep faintly on the long trip.

After that, I did the entire combination of snoring, mumbling, and kicking the blanket. If you want to ask how a sleeping person knows that… I didn’t know either.

“Zzzz…zzzz… woah!”

I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t woken up from my snoring. It was the second night after the departure. When I woke up, the carriage was still moving through the night. As for Rogen, during the noisy and hectic period, he was reading by the oil lamp. His aloofness made me feel so embarrassed.

“Um, did you hear me snoring?”

I knew, but I still asked because I felt embarrassed and thought that I should still say something. Rogen looked at me for a long time and then replied as he dropped his gaze back to his book.

“It was fine.”

What does that even, that’s not the answer? Now it bothers me even more! Just tell me I snored and I was loud!

I lowered my head while clasping my face. I didn’t have the courage to face Rogen. When I met him on the first day, I thought all he would see is the mess I showed in front of Pinter and his dad, but now that’s not all. Damn in. I’m so embarrassed to where I feel like I can’t live any more.

Moreover, I’m showing all kinds of embarrassment, and I’m so angry that Rogen has never shown even one weakness in front of me. He’s constantly elegant, neat, well-mannered, and handsome to the point people wonder how that’s possible. How does his hair still flicker without getting greasy?

‘It’s unfair.’

There’s nothing to complain about because of the inequity of genetic traits. Well, I’m glad he’s not at least going around while talking about me.

…I hope not.

It would be weird if he looks like that and is a big-mouth.

‘I’m not going to sleep until I get there. I’ll never sleep.’

I stared over the carriage window with my eyes wide open. However, the sound of the horses’ hooves, which can be heard constantly while watching the night scene made me fall asleep again. I had no choice since it’s not like there’s anything to hide any more.

*

I’ve been out of my mind ever since the carriage entered the capital where the duchy is. The pavement was clean, people were dressed in colourful clothes, a busy market, and rows of high-end shops…

It’s not that I didn’t know the village I lived in was rural, but it was when I saw this place with my own eyes and compared them, I realized that where I used to live was very rural.

That was why everyone said ‘go to the city, you’ll succeed!’

‘…Ah! This is not the time to think.’

I quickly straightened up and sat down as if trying to shake off my petty thinking. From now on, I’m the only granddaughter of Duke Arpegio, and I can’t afford to spend my life on employee salaries.

“You don’t have to be nervous already. It’ll take a while until we arrive.”

As I suddenly straightened my back, Rogen said that. I think answered with the most mellow voice I could muster.

“A self-proclaimed aristocrat must maintain grace wherever she is.”

“If you want to maintain elegance, you’d better get your messy hair straightened first.”

“Ugh.”

He really doesn’t let it slide once.

I’ve been sleeping in the carriage for a few days and my clothes are all wrinkled and my hair… But even if the most elegant lady were to be stuck in a carriage for this long, wouldn’t she look like this too?

‘Except, of course, Rogen Strauss.’

He still looked dignified while I was crumbled up in a mess. It’s unfair.

“My mom said that elegance comes from the inside, not the outside.”

I brushed my hair with my fingers while saying so as an excuse. But it was difficult as the tangled hair won’t come out since it was curly. When Rogen saw that, he smirked and moved to sit next to me. As a tall man in the narrow carriage, the view was full of him in an instant.

Ugh, I wish he wouldn’t have moved all of a sudden. If a handsome face approaches you without notice, it’ll strain your heart. And what is that sweet scent coming from him? Did he put on perfume while I was sleeping?

‘…Wait a minute.’

Do I smell? I haven’t taken a shower in two days.

“Look over there. I’ll brush it for you.”

Rogen said while pulling out a hairbrush off the shelf under his seat. Luxurious carriages are sure different no matter what.

“Well, my hair is messy.”

“I know.”

“But it’s embarrassing…”

“Well, it’s fine.”

Rogen answered casually and started brushing my hair.

By the way, the hairbrush touch was somehow pleasing. Come to think of it, it’s also the first time someone has combed my hair since my mother died. Whenever Rogen’s cold fingertips touched the tip of my ear, I got goosebumps on the back of my neck with a strange feeling of unfamiliarity.

“Is this the skill where you’ve only brushed once or twice?”

I talked to him out of embarrassment, but unlike me, Rogen replied in a calm tone.

“I did brush it a lot.”

“Hyuk, what kind of?! Ouch!”

“Look ahead. It’s all messed up.”

I tried to look back in surprise but Rogen lightly pressed the back of my head.

“I once had a dog with a long-hair breed in my family.”

“Dog? You’re comparing me to a dog?!”

“I just answered your question.”

‘Oh, I don’t know if I should be offended or relieved.’

In the meantime, he stopped combing. After he had brushed it, I felt pretty good because my hair slipped down without getting caught with my fingers. Even if I comb hard in the mornings, my hair quickly gets messy when I work in the restaurant. Since it’s also curly, it gets poofter too.

However, I couldn’t comb my hair frequently while working, so I had to tie it tightly. It’s been a long time since my hair has been this wavy. I talked to Rogen as he sat back in his place.

“You’re perfect.”

“I’m flattered.”

“What are you lacking? Is there anything you can’t do?”

“There is not.”

“Wow, I hate you.”

You’ll see. One day, I’ll find out his weakness. That’s fair, isn’t it?

“By the way, will I be able to see my mother’s brothers at the duke’s residence?”

I heard from Rogen that she had an older and younger brother. I don’t think they’ll welcome me, but I don’t want to make a bad first impression. Furthermore, I was wondering how to say hello for the first time, but Rogen blew that away.

“It’s social season, so everyone’s down at the town houses.”

“So the rest of the family don’t know that I’m coming?”

“Yes. Not yet.”

“Then I’ll only see the duke today.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“It’s a pity… or not…”

I said while slurring the words at the end.

I only had my mom and dad in my family, but now they’re all dead. In fact, I have more family left, and I was only a little excited to think that I might meet them today. However, Rogen flatly denied my regret with an expression of indifference.

“There’s nothing to be disappointed about. It would be better to not meet them because they won’t be very nice to Hilde.”

“Can you not make that decision? Maybe everyone will fall in love with my cuteness.”

“Yes… What… It’s good to have hope…”

Rogen replied with a dead look.

Why is he so negative?

‘I don’t even know if I’m on my own side or not.’

‘Let’s not be discouraged.’

At least the duke will welcome me. Of course, there will be a premise that I need to inherit my mother’s magic well.

I looked out at the window again. The scenery of the bright big city that I have never seen before even in my dreams quickly passed by. It felt strange as if I was coming out of a reality alone and heading towards a completely different world where I could never have imagined.

My heart is pounding again.