DHDF 11

Apparently, Evan didn’t know that Ritema had secretly come to my room last night.

At the orphanage, close children sometimes shared a bed, but even so, I knew that kind of behavior wasn’t something a young master would normally do.

‘Still, it’s probably better not to mention it.’

It wasn’t like scolding him would change anything, and besides, I felt I could handle it well enough.

‘It’s not like it’ll last long anyway.’

After Evan left, I settled down and reopened Anne of Green Gables.

By the time I reached the last page, the sun had already set.

“Did you enjoy the novel?”

Rosalyn, who had been sitting across from me reading as well, asked with a gentle smile.

“Yes, I did.”

In the past, I had only learned to read and write because I thought it might be useful for Rahez someday.

This was the first time I realized reading could actually be enjoyable.

“Actually, my youngest sibling reads that book every night before bed,” Rosalyn said. “Which part did you find most memorable?”

“When Emily found out that a fox had taken her favorite chicken… and she got so sad.”

We talked about the novel as we walked back to my room.

Once I started talking, I couldn’t seem to stop. Words just kept spilling out.

There wasn’t anything particularly dramatic about the story, yet I loved it.

‘Maybe because it’s the kind of life I dream about.’

A simple, peaceful life in a lovely house surrounded by beautiful scenery, spending quiet days with people you love.

A future I could never have.

“How about you wash up before dinner?”

“I’ll do that.”

“Would you like me to assist you again?”

“No, I can manage on my own.”

Ever since I was old enough to move by myself, I’d been bathing alone.

With a determined heart, I stepped into the innermost bathroom—and quickly realized I didn’t need to be so tense.

“Wow… it’s warm…”

The water in the tub wasn’t cold at all. It was steaming, and it even smelled wonderful.

Without hesitation, I undressed and dipped one leg into the bath. Goosebumps ran up my spine as I sank all the way in, up to my neck.

“Why did I just assume it had to be cold water?”

It had been so long since I’d felt warm water that my entire body—and even my mind—melted into relaxation.

Bathing had always been nothing more than a chore at the orphanage, something we did once every two weeks just before we started to smell too bad.

In truth, every child there hated bathing.

‘But now… if someone told me to live in this bathtub, I think I could.’

The water didn’t even cool down, as if there was some kind of magic circle heating it.

At some point, I dozed off in the warmth and woke up startled. I hurriedly washed and got out, noticing that my fingers were wrinkled like prunes.

After drying my hair completely, I felt perfectly clean and refreshed.

“Where would you like to eat, miss? In the dining room, or here in your room?”

“If it’s alright, I’d like to eat here.”

It was something I’d dreamed of for a long time.

Before long, my meal was brought up to the room—it was porridge again, of course.

While Rosalyn went to fetch the doctor, I sat alone blowing on my spoonfuls when suddenly I heard someone calling me.

I stepped out onto the terrace and found Ritema climbing up the railing with ease.

“Hi, Berzene.”

His hair fluttered softly in the breeze, and his smiling face was dazzling.

“Did you come in this way yesterday, too?”

“Yeah. So don’t lock your door from now on.”

Everything about Ritema radiated the warmth of someone who’d always been loved. It was contagious—I couldn’t help but smile back.

Even a simple greeting from him made my palms tingle, and the way he leaned forward made my heart tilt right along with his body. It felt like ripples spreading through water.

“Why didn’t you come down for dinner?”

“……”

“I was waiting for you.”

“Really?”

I blinked, taken aback.

“Yeah. I went down first and waited to see when you’d come.”

He lowered his gaze, his expression suddenly somber, and guilt pricked at my chest.

The reason I disliked eating with others was simple—no matter how close we sat, I always felt out of place. It was like there was an invisible line saying, You don’t belong with us.

But maybe… if it was Ritema, it would be okay.

“I’ll come down starting tomorrow.”

“I hope you’re not just saying that to get rid of me, Berzene.”

“Of course not.”

There was something disarming about Ritema’s warmth and innocence. I wasn’t used to someone like him, and it made me feel unsteady.

“Miss Berzene, I’ve brought the doctor—oh!”

Rosalyn, entering the room, froze when she spotted Ritema standing with me on the terrace.

“My goodness, young master! You climbed the tree again, didn’t you? I told you not to!”

“No, I didn’t! I came in through the door!”

“You have leaves stuck all over your shoulders! And how many times must I remind you that barging into a lady’s room is improper? That’s it—I’m telling Master Evan.”

“Ugh! I’m leaving. See you later, Berzene!”

Ritema clapped his hands over his ears and nimbly jumped onto the nearest tree, disappearing from sight.

Rosalyn let out a long sigh.

“I’m so sorry, Miss Berzene. Young Master Ritema can be quite curious. And since we rarely have young guests here, he’s probably just excited to have someone his age around.”

People said he acted unpredictably—or that he was overly curious.

Either way, it seemed everyone agreed he was a handful.

After finishing my porridge, I had my checkup. The doctor said I could start eating regular food again, but should still avoid anything too cold for a while.

The next day, with Rosalyn’s help, I requested an audience with the Grand Duke.

“This way, miss. Please take your time. I’ll wait outside,” Rosalyn said as she knocked.

A moment later, the heavy door opened slowly.

“Ah, our young lady is here.”

The Duke was buried behind a stack of documents, spectacles perched elegantly on his nose. He looked every bit the dignified nobleman.

He gestured for me to sit across from him on the sofa.

“I’ve heard you’ve recovered.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Arthur, do we have anything suitable for a child to drink?”

“We have some chocolate tea prepared for Master Ritema, Your Grace.”

“Then bring that for Miss Berry. Next time, we’ll stock something she personally enjoys.”

“Oh, thank you very much…”

Arthur served black tea for the Duke, and a cup of steaming “chocolate tea” for me.

I picked it up and took in the rich, sweet aroma—it smelled exactly like chocolate.

‘Ah, this must be what Margaret talked about.’

Once, Margaret had bragged about drinking a special drink like this at a café with the headmistress.

At the orphanage, even watered-down milk was considered a treat for special occasions, so we’d all been jealous.

Carefully, I took a small sip of the steaming tea.

“Whoa… It’s so sweet—but it’s delicious.”

My mouth filled with the taste of chocolate. I’d thought Margaret was selfish before, but now I understood. Anyone would want to brag about something this good.

“I’m glad it suits your taste,” the Duke said.

“Please try this as well, Miss Berzene,” Arthur added, handing me a small yellow-brown cake, soft and fluffy to the touch.

“This is called castella.”

I took a big bite. In that instant, I realized how many delicious things there were in the world.

As I enjoyed the castella and chocolate tea, I paused and said quickly,

“I—I didn’t come here just to eat, I promise.”

“I know. Consider it a bribe.”

“A bribe…?”

“Yes. If I keep giving you sweets, you’ll want to come back.”

I couldn’t help but agree. It was, indeed, a very effective strategy. I already wanted to visit again.

“Um… if it’s alright with Your Grace, I’d like to open a bank account. Under the Eden Dale name.”

A bank account! Something a child normally couldn’t do.

I’d tried once at the bank myself, only to be told I needed a guardian’s consent unless I was at least thirteen.

That’s why I’d been hoarding my saved money in a secret compartment in my closet all this time.

“I don’t see why not.”

“I’d like to go to the bank myself.”

Of course, I trusted that no one here would steal my money—but still, you never knew. It was always best to handle money carefully.