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Chapter 12
Throughout the entire meal, Carlos maintained a smile on his face, but truth be told, he felt extremely uncomfortable inside.
What on earth is she doing…?
While trying desperately to hold back his laughter at Allen’s clumsy antics, Carlos had perked up his ears in delight upon hearing a low giggle nearby. Ah, so I’m not the only one who finds this situation hilarious!
However, the instant his eyes met Ludiana’s, she hurriedly turned her gaze away. And from that point on, whenever their eyes happened to cross, she was busy avoiding him.
Later on, she even turned her head completely just to avoid making eye contact with him altogether.
Why…?
At first, he thought it was simply because she wasn’t familiar with him yet, but as she avoided only his gaze throughout the entire course of the meal, his mood gradually began to turn sour.
Did I do something wrong?!
“Shall we go, Lady Ludiana?”
“Yes.”
Carlos spoke with a smile to Ludiana, who was powerlessly watching Roselyne’s receding figure.
Sensing the awkwardness, Ludiana turned and walked toward the stairs. That short path leading from the dining hall to her room felt endlessly long.
I can’t look him straight in the eyes!
She walked looking straight ahead. Carlos also walked behind her in total silence, following her footsteps in the quiet corridor.
After a brief yet terribly drawn-out time, they finally reached the front of her room. Ludiana squeezed her eyes shut before turning around to express her gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“…Yes.”
After a brief silence, Carlos replied in a tone laced with dissatisfaction.
Surprised by his voice, Ludiana lifted her head slightly. His sharp, handsome features were contorted in displeasure, glaring down at her with a scowl.
“Um…”
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
Before Ludiana could say anything further, Carlos cut her off, offered his farewell, and walked toward the stairs at the end of the hallway.
Ah!
She realized her mistake—but it was already too late.
“Phew…”
Stepping into her room, Ludiana let out a small sigh.
No matter how painful it was for her to face Carlos, that was purely her own personal issue and not his fault.
Besides, he’s only a thirteen-year-old boy…
At the thought that she might have hurt the heart of such a young child, a corner of her chest felt terribly uncomfortable.
“My Lady, do you happen to feel uncomfortable around Young Master Carlos?”
“Pardon…?”
Noticing something amiss, Michaela asked carefully as she looked at Ludiana, who was sinking deep into the sofa and letting out a sigh. The way Ludiana stared blankly at her in response only bolstered Michaela’s suspicion.
Misunderstanding that blank gaze, Michaela knelt before Ludiana and gently wrapped her hands around hers.
“My Lady… boys your age make you feel uncomfortable, don’t they?”
Her eyes filled with deep sorrow. The maids assigned to serve the mother and daughters had been given a rough overview of their situation—about the neglect by her biological father, and the bullying by her stepmother and half-brother. It was information taught to them as a sort of precaution to prevent any blunders in front of them.
“What are you saying…”
“Young Master Carlos is different, My Lady. He will never harm you.”
Michaela simply wanted to reassure her—yet Ludiana’s heart grew even heavier.
Ah… what should I do?
If even Michaela misunderstood like this, it was obvious Carlos had misunderstood in the exact same way.
Ludiana lowered her head and buried her face in her hands.
“It’s alright, My Lady. It’s alright.”
Michaela gently stroked her small back.
Next time I run into him, I must apologize for my behavior.
“I’m fine. Truly…”
As she offered a bitter smile, Michaela returned a comforting smile as well.
“My Lord, Lady Redney is scheduled to arrive shortly.”
Butler Neil approached Allen, who was strolling through the garden with Irene. Giving a slight nod, Allen glanced back with a smile at Roselyne, who was following cautiously behind them.
“Rosel—ah, Countess Mjombeck. I am informed that the lady who will fit the young ladies’ dresses is on her way.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Roselyne bowed her head deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
“Not at all!”
Allen likewise returned a formal bow matching her etiquette, doing his utmost to ensure she did not feel the slightest bit of discomfort. He had so many things he wanted to say, but for now, he was simply overwhelmed with emotion just by the fact that she existed right before his eyes.
He only hoped that she would at least not find him uncomfortable. That was all he desired.
“Let us head inside. Neil, deliver the news to Lady Ludiana as well.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Neil bowed respectfully and walked toward the mansion.
“Wow! Are we getting fitted for dresses?!”
For Irene, who had lived only in the annex ever since she could remember, having dresses made specifically for her was like a dream.
Hopping with joy among the yellow freesias blooming in abundance across the garden, Irene smiled brightly. Watching her, Roselyne felt joy and sorrow intertwine.
“Yes, I will have a pretty dress made that suits you perfectly.”
Allen, who was surprisingly good with children, matched her lively energy. Roselyne felt both gratitude and remorse toward him at the same time.
“Your Grace, Mother! I’m so happy right now!”
Unaware of the adults’ complex inner thoughts, Irene simply expressed her happiness wholehearted.
“Hurry, let’s go!”
Taking Allen’s hand with her left hand and Roselyne’s with her right, Irene pulled the two toward the mansion.
Allen’s face gradually flushed red—because it felt as if Roselyne and he were already a family.
“Greetings, Duke Pianus, Countess Mjombeck. I am Redney.”
Lady Redney, her long blue hair tied up neatly, entered Roselyne’s room accompanied by luggage porters. Seated inside the room were the three women and Allen.
“Lady Irene, Countess Mjombeck, Lady Ludiana—please feel free to look around.”
“No! Your Grace is helping us too, so you should look around with us!”
Allen, who was about to step aside so the three women could browse comfortably, froze on the spot as Irene firmly grasped his sleeve. Hesitating, he cast a subtle glance at Roselyne.
“If it is not inconvenient, please stay with us.”
“Yes!”
Delighted, Allen hurriedly took his seat once more.
Watching Irene happily picking out dresses, Ludiana slipped up to Allen and asked softly:
“Your Grace, where is Young Master Carlos…?”
“Ah. He is likely at the training grounds right about now.”
“I see…”
“Would you like to go visit him later?”
“No, it’s alright. Thank you.”
Ludiana shook her head and walked back over to where Irene and Lady Redney were standing. Watching her walk away, Allen quietly summoned Neil and whispered an instruction.
“The remaining dresses will be completed and delivered to you before you depart the Capital.”
From the bundles brought in by the porters, Lady Redney unpacked six outdoor dresses and six indoor dresses—samples she had prepared in advance for Irene and Ludiana.
Unable to leave them in shabby clothes any longer, Neil had taken measures beforehand.
“Since these are samples, they might not be perfect, but they will be far more comfortable than what you are currently wearing.”
Humming a tune, Lady Redney was in high spirits.
In her younger years, she had truly enjoyed dressing up young noble ladies and teaching them styling. Recently, however, most noble families merely ordered dresses without inviting her in person—leaving her always feeling a bit unfulfilled.
Transforming young girls into beauties was, after all, the greatest joy of her life.
That was why, when an order for young ladies’ dresses came from the House of Pianus, she had dropped everything and rushed right over.
While fitting Carlos’s training clothes and suits in the past had been fun, dressing up young girls was the true delight.
I’ll make everyone unable to take their eyes off them!
That had been her bold resolve—yet the moment she actually faced Ludiana and Irene, that resolve melted away like snow.
The two girls were like complete dolls in their own right, needing no artificial embellishments. Their innate beauty shone brilliantly as it was, and Ludiana in particular possessed an elegance that far surpassed her age.
Any dress will suit them flawlessly!
Humming to herself, Lady Redney guided the two sisters into the adjacent room.
At a signal from Allen, Neil also left the room—leaving only Allen and Roselyne alone together at last.
“As it may be uncomfortable for you, I shall take my leave.”
Flustered, Allen rose from the sofa. But just as he was about to depart, a soft voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Allen.”
The instant his name dropped, his hand holding the doorknob froze completely.
At Roselyne’s sudden calling of his name, his heart beat so wildly it made his head spin. It felt as though he had turned entirely to stone.
“…Thank you.”
Roselyne spoke in a whisper, yet to Allen, those words echoed as clearly as broad daylight.
