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chapter 12
The Duke let out a faint chuckle.
“Alright. Tell the head butler that you’re going to the bank, and he’ll give you the key. Take it with you. Anything else you need to say?”
“Lord Ritema came to see me.”
“That boy moves fast.”
“He asked about me, but I didn’t know what to say.”
The Duke seemed to think for a moment in silence before finally speaking.
“I’ll handle it.”
It seemed he still hadn’t decided on my fiancé. That was understandable—it wasn’t a simple decision to make.
‘I’d also like to talk about the poison supply arrangement…’
But he looked busy, so I decided to bring it up later.
“That’s all I needed. Oh—and thank you for giving me such a wonderful room. I slept so warmly. I’ve never been in such a soft bed before.”
It was so soft I almost suspected it was filled with clouds.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The Duke said he had to get back to work, so I quickly finished my now lukewarm chocolate tea.
“I’m heading to the bank, Rosaline. His Grace said I should see the head butler.”
“The head butler should be in his office. I’ll take you there.”
When we found him, the head butler handed me a small key engraved with the Edenedale family crest. He said just showing it would serve as proof of my identity.
“And please take this as well.”
“Oh.”
It was my bundle of money. I had left it in the carriage yesterday and completely forgotten about it.
“Please check if the amount is correct.”
It was 337 gold and 92 silver. Since I’d spent 1 gold and 8 silver at the restaurant, the total was accurate.
“It’s all here. Thank you.”
After lunch, I decided to go to the bank.
When I entered the dining room with Rosaline, Ritema was already seated. His face brightened immediately when he saw me.
A footman pulled out a chair for me to sit.
“Isn’t anyone else coming?”
“Mother comes down often, but she’s out right now on business. Father and my older brother eat here sometimes when they have time. My younger brother… well, he’s been eating alone for a long time.”
So, it seemed I’d be seeing Ritema often from now on—but that didn’t make me feel much easier.
‘What if the Duchess doesn’t like me…?’
Even if I was only here temporarily, just being near him might annoy her.
The food came, and I followed Ritema’s lead, eating the mushroom soup—but I couldn’t taste a thing.
“What kind of person is the Duchess?”
“My mother? She’s beautiful and strong. Strict, yes, but she always shows affection.”
“What would she think of me, do you think?”
“Well… that, I can’t say for sure.”
I suppose it was a silly question.
Ritema rested his chin on his hand and studied me quietly, then smiled brightly.
“I like you, though.”
“Ah, um… thank you.”
I hadn’t expected him to say that, so it caught me off guard.
When I stammered, Ritema chuckled.
“I mean it. So don’t worry, Berzene. You’re a guest, so of course she’ll treat you well. But even if she doesn’t act friendly, I’ll make sure she does.”
That was much more reassuring than vague words about hoping she’d like me.
Only then could I finally focus on my meal.
When I was about to leave the mansion, Rosaline stopped me, saying I needed to change into “outing clothes.”
To me, indoor clothes and outing clothes looked exactly the same, but I silently obeyed.
As we passed through a lovely wisteria grove—something I hadn’t seen my first day because I’d gone straight to sleep—the city soon came into view.
Inside the bank, with Rosaline’s help, I handed over a few freshly written documents and my pouch of money at the desk.
“Yes, everything is confirmed.”
My hands suddenly felt much lighter.
The clerk handed me a badge shaped like an owl—the bank’s emblem.
“It’s an artifact. From now on, you only need this badge when conducting business. If you lose it, come here immediately to report it. There’s a reissue fee of two gold, so please be careful.”
I didn’t get back into the carriage right away—I wanted to use the 3 gold coins I’d set aside.
“I’d like to get a gift for His Grace.”
I felt a little guilty, thinking I might have caused him more work.
After wandering the streets with Rosaline for a while, I finally bought a potted sapling—the Luckyte tree, said to bring good fortune.
I held the pot tightly in my arms, not daring to set it down.
The carriage was stable, but I still feared it might topple over.
One of the leaves brushed lightly against my nose.
‘Maybe it really does bring luck.’
The scent gave me courage, as if I could accomplish anything.
‘…I hope the Duke likes it too.’
Among all the Luckyte trees in the shop, I’d chosen the most expensive one—the one that seemed strongest.
Even the florist had promised it would bear the best fruit.
“Oh my, it’s raining. I’d better close the window,” said Rosaline.
As she said, the seat cushions were slightly damp. I quickly spoke up.
“Then, could you please leave it just a little open? About the width of a finger… I feel stuffy if it’s completely closed.”
I didn’t know whether the servants here had any resistance to poison or not, so I had to be careful.
Eventually, it would become difficult for me to even share a room with others.
“Is that so? Alright.”
If she had refused, I was ready to walk home in the rain—but Rosaline opened the window without hesitation.
Not just a finger’s width, but two.
Through that small gap came the scent of wet earth carried by the wind.
Still clutching the pot tightly, I gazed vacantly at the swaying wisteria branches.
Then—
“Oh? Isn’t that Young Master Aethe?”
A man stood under a tree. Rosaline had called him Aethe.
Even though I’d only read about him in text, I knew exactly who he was.
The Duke of Edenedale’s heir, admired and envied by all—a brilliant successor, elegant and refined wherever he appeared.
“Jack! Turn to the right—it’s the young master!”
Rosaline knocked on the wall separating the driver, and the carriage changed direction immediately.
“It looks like the young master will be riding with us. Is that alright, Miss Berzene?”
I wondered why she was even asking—he was already coming over.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Then we should change seats.”
Apparently, there was some sort of protocol. I moved to the seat opposite, and Rosaline sat beside me.
When the carriage stopped, Rosaline opened the door right away.
“Young Master! Please ride with us.”
“Thank you. Pardon the intrusion.”
From my corner seat, I held my breath as Aethe stepped inside the carriage.
‘He looks just like the Duke.’
His hair was a deep, pure black, and his eyes were the pale gray-blue of the dawn sea.
He must be around fifteen, yet he carried himself with a noble grace.
Without realizing, I stared at him—and our eyes met.
“I heard from the butler that you came last night with my father.”
His gaze examined my features one by one—sharp, unreserved, observant.
And I realized instantly.
‘He’s wondering if I’m an illegitimate child.’
For a moment, I was speechless—but it wasn’t an unreasonable suspicion. I did look suspicious.
After a brief, cautious study, Aethe seemed to decide otherwise. His expression softened into a faint smile.
“I’m Aethe Edenedale, the eldest son.”
“I’m Berzene.”
“You’ve been to the shopping district, I see.”
He glanced at the pot in my arms.
“It’s nothing special… I just wanted to give it to His Grace.”
“I’m sure he’ll be pleased.”
The conversation ended there, as if that was the full extent of his interest in me.
Which was fine by me. Even a few words had made my heart feel painfully tight…
My arms ached from clutching the pot so hard.
“Well then, I hope you settle in comfortably.”
When we arrived back at the Duke’s residence, Aethe was the first to get out. He gave a polite nod and disappeared inside.
Originally, I’d planned to give the Luckyte tree to the Duke in person—but I changed my mind.
“Could you please give this to His Grace? It’s a Luckyte tree.”
Even that short encounter with Aethe had drained all my energy, and besides, the Duke’s office was quite far.
Exhausted, I fell asleep the moment I returned to my room.
When I woke up for dinner and went back down to the dining room…
‘Didn’t Ritema say the others hardly ever come down?’
