IPBPBD 57🔐

chapter 57

Emilyna had, until now, only ever been in situations where people treated her with respect.

As a result, she was extremely awkward when it came to addressing those of lower status.

Even though she understood it in her head, when the situation actually arose, it was difficult for her to open her mouth.

She had been so accustomed to speaking politely that addressing someone familiarly just didn’t feel natural.

On top of that, her butler was much older than she was, which made speaking casually even harder.

Emilyna worried deeply, thinking that, for all else, this was something she simply could not fix easily.

There’s a saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” but the moral conscience of a person from a hierarchical society like hers would not allow her to disregard age and seniority simply because of social rank.

Being from a land that prized courtesy and etiquette, this was hard for her to accept.

However, since this was something she had to adjust to, Emilyna eventually forced herself to speak.

“…So, I’m counting on you, Marie.”

“Understood, my lady.”

Marie responded promptly, straightening her posture as she looked at Rona and Dina.

“Rona, Dina, go ahead and prepare things so that my lady can take her bath immediately.”

“Yes, Sister Marie. We’ll prepare everything without any mistakes.”

The two young maids were so accustomed to following Marie’s instructions that they answered simultaneously, as if it were only natural.

While the two young maids went ahead to the bath to prepare, Emilyna began to get ready for her bath with Marie’s assistance.

Emilyna’s feelings while being attended to during her bath were simple:

‘This feels so awkward.’

And unfamiliar.

Having never been waited on in her life, being attended by servants felt both strange and awkward.

However, the maids’ skillful movements left her feeling relaxed, and she surrendered to a sense of comfort.

Perhaps the maids’ cheerful chatter influenced her mood.

They were excited about having a new mistress and expressed their joy openly, and Emilyna, seeing their sincerity, allowed herself to accept it gracefully.

She didn’t feel the need to dampen the warm atmosphere with negative words.

Of course, she was only staying temporarily… but there was no reason to spoil the mood with complaints.

Thus, Emilyna was able to finish her bath in a friendly, cheerful atmosphere.

The two young maids, who had seemed shy when first introduced, appeared to have relaxed and spoke to her without hesitation.

The real challenge came next.

“Leave that to us. You must be tired.”

This was what happened when Emilyna came out of the bathroom to get the clothes she had brought herself.

She had no intention of immediately going to her bedroom, but since it was late, she planned to wear the clothes she had prepared as a makeshift nightgown.

Then, Rona and Dina looked her straight in the eyes and said exactly that.

Of course, Emilyna allowed their behavior without any suspicion, unaware that this would become an issue.

“No way. Where are the clothes I brought?”

“But my lady, this is a nightgown that has become popular among ladies lately. It feels great to wear, is light, and won’t get in the way. You’ll have a comfortable night.”

A comfortable night? She would surely have an uncomfortable one.

Emilyna couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of the thin silk nightgown they had brought.

The way it fit her body was unnervingly precise.

‘Of course, it must feel comfortable.’

It was made to fit like this, so naturally, it would feel pleasant.

But she didn’t want to wear it in front of Kirzen.

With a sigh, Emilyna addressed the twin maids.

“Rona, Dina, I understand your intentions, but I really can’t wear that nightgown. Just bring me my own clothes.”

Even though she tried to phrase it gently, the two young maids looked dejected and lowered their heads.

At that moment, Marie, who had been observing, carefully interjected.

“My lady, even if the design isn’t perfect, Rona and Dina really brought this with you in mind, wishing you a comfortable night. And…”

Marie paused briefly, watching Emilyna’s reaction.

It was as if she was gauging whether she could continue speaking.

Finally resolute, Marie continued in a careful tone.

“I’m sorry to mention this, but because of your position, many people pay attention to even the smallest details of your attire. If word of anything spreads, I worry about what the subordinates might gossip.”

Marie looked at Emilyna again for her reaction.

Emilyna felt both embarrassed and uncomfortable, but she could not speak up.

Her clothes were indeed not adequate for a Duchess, and she could not bring herself to comment on it.

‘Still…’

It was too embarrassing.

Marie, seemingly aware of Emilyna’s feelings, added in a firmer tone.

“My lady, the Duke’s house has eyes and ears everywhere. They are always alert, waiting to take advantage. I hope you can take the situation into consideration.”

Someone had likely been planted as a spy in the mansion.

Perhaps part of a faction keeping an eye on Kirzen, maybe even more than one.

Only then did Emilyna understand Marie’s words.

Inside the mansion, there were people who relayed information, so it was best to avoid giving them any reason to gossip.

Since Kirzen had only recently inherited the Duke’s title, there would be many watching and testing him, both inside and outside the household.

Moreover, with a new mistress in the house, everyone would naturally be paying attention to her.

Emilyna rubbed her forehead as her thoughts grew complicated.

It felt as though the headache she had fought off earlier had returned.

‘So, the answer was already clear.’

She realized it was best to be cautious, even in small matters, since someone might be watching her every move.

From her very first day in the Duke’s house, Emilyna had been overwhelmed with endless awkward situations.

She truly wanted to give up and run away.

But that would not have been proper; Emilyna decided to face reality.

After all, this was a path she had knowingly chosen.

She had anticipated political struggles; avoiding them wouldn’t solve anything.

As she sighed at her thoughts, Marie continued cautiously.

“And today is an important day. Though the ceremony hasn’t taken place yet… the master will surely be pleased with your beauty, my lady.”

Emilyna looked at Marie skeptically. It was doubtful whether that would be true.

She didn’t care whether they felt awkward, as long as they didn’t embarrass themselves further.

It seemed the servants were more excited than anyone else. Emilyna, realizing this, couldn’t hide her complicated feelings as she accepted the nightgown.

Unable to resist the maids’ insistence, Emilyna put on the nightgown and had no choice but to enter the bedroom.

She had hoped to remain alone as long as possible, but faced with the prospect of awkwardly hiding and eventually encountering Kirzen, she thought it better to confront the situation immediately.

Fortunately, Kirzen had not yet returned when she entered the bedroom.

Emilyna wrapped herself in the blanket she had requested from Marie and perched on the sofa, slightly more at ease.

“Ah…”

She wiped her eyes as a surge of mixed emotions rose.

The thought of Kirzen seeing her like this made her mortified.

She tried to calm herself, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him properly.

‘At this point, this is beyond just preparing myself.’

It was almost unimaginable.

Considering their relationship, the possibility of anything happening was low, but one could never predict human behavior.

She had no idea what might occur if she ended up in such an embarrassing situation, and her head spun with anxiety.

Even if Kirzen didn’t hope for a certain kind of relationship, she couldn’t help but worry.

Emilyna waited stiffly for Kirzen, but he made no move to appear.

Time dragged, and she grew more exhausted.

‘I can’t fall asleep… I have to wait…’

Her fatigue from prolonged tension finally overcame her, and she dozed off.

When Kirzen finally came to the bedroom, it was nearly dawn.

He hadn’t originally intended to visit, but persistent urging from Rokbel had convinced him.

Emilyna’s discomfort during dinner had weighed on him.

She hadn’t openly shown it, but her expressions had made it clear that she was uneasy.

Her awkward looks behind polite words made it impossible for him to approach her.

So he had stayed in his office under the guise of work. Rokbel, sensing the delay, finally confronted him.

“This isn’t something you can avoid forever. The longer you wait, the more awkward it becomes for the lady. Don’t you want her to stop suffering from rumors?”

True enough. Even he had said it: one should be cautious when under observation.

But when the time came, Kirzen hesitated.

He didn’t want to see Emilyna uncomfortable, so he waited.

He wanted to give her time to adjust to the new environment and become comfortable around him.

He also didn’t want to force the situation and create distance.

Yet, as Rokbel argued, avoiding her entirely could cause misunderstandings.

It could be seen as disregarding the new mistress of the Duke’s house.

Emilyna was already sensitive to rumors, and he didn’t want to add to them.

‘It’s better to endure a little discomfort.’

Kirzen steadied himself and lightly knocked on the bedroom door.

“My lady, may I enter for a moment?”

There was no answer. He knocked again, but the room remained silent.

Perhaps she had fallen asleep after a long day.

Kirzen felt strange as he grasped the doorknob. Normally, he would have entered without hesitation, but now he hesitated.

The only change was that she was on the other side of the door.

Even that alone brought complex emotions he could hardly describe.

‘Ah, useless thoughts.’

He shook his head to clear them, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

Though moonlight streamed through the window, the room was fairly dark.

But to Kirzen, it was a familiar darkness.

Stepping carefully, he noticed light, even breathing.

It wasn’t coming from the bed.

Looking slightly to the side, he saw Emilyna asleep on the sofa, in an uncomfortable position.

‘Why so uncomfortable…’

Why was she sleeping there?

‘Could it be… waiting for me?’

She had mentioned earlier that she would wait if he went to work.

Kirzen had thought that was only out of politeness.

She had looked slightly regretful after saying it, so he had never imagined she would actually wait for him.

By giving her space, he had inadvertently created an awkward sleeping arrangement.

Kirzen felt a twinge of guilt.

It was already late, and she must have waited a long time. He approached her cautiously.

He knelt and carefully looked at her face.

She had no intention of sleeping here, so he planned to simply look at her before leaving.

“You haven’t changed, sister.”

Kirzen muttered softly, his voice tinged with childlike familiarity.

“…I’ve changed a lot.”

Kirzen remembered a conversation from dinner.

“I have something I’d like your opinion on.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Even if the circumstances are sudden, we are now married. I’d like to hold a proper wedding. When would be best?”

Though the legal procedure had come first, he wanted to give her a proper wedding.

“Ah… a wedding.”

But Emilyna seemed reluctant, giving him a wary look.