DBOFS 18

Chapter 18

“No.”

From the very beginning, Harris rejected the idea outright.

The reason was simple: I had just woken up, hadn’t fully recovered (apparently, I’d been asleep for four whole days!), and therefore couldn’t be expected to meet with the former Duke.

But—

“Sir Harris, His Grace simply wishes to confirm who your Guide is.”

The messenger was persistent.

Even though Harris had stormed into the Godwin Duchy’s main estate carrying me in his arms without notice, the former Duke had allowed me—an unknown entity of uncertain status—entry to the estate for Harris’s sake.

The former Duke had even tolerated the commotion I caused within the estate. The messenger kept stressing that.

“Well, let’s just meet him once.”

I was the first to raise the white flag.

“It’s not like he’s going to eat me or anything.”

“…”

Harris’s expression remained grim. He didn’t even deny the idea of me being eaten.

“He’s not someone to be taken lightly.”

His voice was cold, tinged with wariness.

‘Well, yeah. The former Duke is the father of Norman Godwin, the current Duke.’

A man even Norman Godwin couldn’t take down after ascending to his title.

Even with the Emperor’s favor and the power of the capital in his grasp, Norman had only managed to split authority with the old man.

The former Duke of Godwin wasn’t just a man with the name. He was the one who truly ruled the Godwin territory and the Godwin household.

‘And if I want to get that “Haesu Stone,” he’s the first person I’ll need to win over.’

I swallowed nervously. I didn’t expect to face him this soon.

‘I’m nervous.’

I groaned as I stretched out in the bathtub.

“Phew…”

Harris had left earlier, throwing me out of bed with a sharp “You plan to face him looking like that?” and chased me off to bathe, assigning maids to assist me.

“…Is the water temperature comfortable, my lady?”

“Huh?”

“Do you like the fragrance oil we used?”

“Ah, yeah, it’s all good.”

To calm my nerves, I flashed the maids a bright smile.

‘It’s fascinating, really.’

Even though I’d spent half my life locked up in a basement and treated like dirt by servants, I was surprisingly good at giving noble-like orders.

‘Maybe this is what being a noble is.’

Status passed down by blood in a class-based society—perhaps it sticks no matter what the circumstances.

Anyway, that didn’t matter now. I could finally wash this body that had felt gross since the start of my possession!

‘As expected of the founding family of the empire—this bathroom is no joke.’

I rested my chin on the marble edge of the tub. The warmth of the water made me feel drowsy.

In contrast, the maids were frantic, probably because they had to get me ready quickly and present me to the former Duke. Before I knew it, they had finished everything.

“All done, my lady.”

Lost in thought, I found myself staring into the mirror.

“Wow…”

And I truly marveled. No, really—this face deserved admiration.

Jade looked like a fairy out of a flower garden—lovely and petite.

Her skin was creamy white with a natural blush tinting her cheeks. Her large eyes sparkled blue or lavender depending on the light.

‘This blue dress suits her perfectly.’

Her plump, rosy lips looked as if they were smiling even when relaxed, and her small, upturned nose was adorably elegant.

Her slender face extended into a long, swan-like neck and a delicate, graceful frame.

The crowning glory was her hair.

Soft, wavy strands in a delicate pink hue like apricot blossoms cascaded around her.

‘…This kind of color takes at least three bleach sessions, plus pink and coral dye—and it would fade after two washes!’

I was impressed on many levels. Bleaching usually ruins curl, yet her waves were this pretty?

‘And even the texture is good.’

Her hair flowed silkily through my fingers. The luxurious smoothness made me think of my past life—

When I had shaved all my hair before starting chemotherapy.

Later on, I stopped wearing wigs altogether. I didn’t even look in mirrors. I didn’t want to see what I had become.

‘I don’t even remember what I originally looked like anymore.’

As that hazy silhouette overlapped with Jade’s reflection in the mirror—

‘…No wonder Adrian was such a sister-obsessed freak. We really do look a bit alike.’

But I didn’t have time to admire my reflection any longer.

“Let’s go now.”

The maids guided me quickly toward the former Duke’s office.

‘For Harris to be reinstated as heir, the former Duke’s approval is essential.’

That was because the Godwin house was currently split in two.

The original heir wasn’t the current Duke—it was his older sister, Lady Irene.

But Norman Godwin stole the title through the Emperor’s favor, and Irene was forced into marriage with another noble house by imperial decree.

‘Basically a coup, like a scheming emperor.’

Such illegitimate seizing of power provoked fierce backlash from the old Godwin faction—that is, the former Duke and the household retainers.

Thus, the house of Godwin had been divided.

On one side was the current Duke, Norman, backed by the capital and the Emperor.

On the other was the former Duke, who still controlled the actual Godwin territory and held the loyalty of the traditional vassals.

‘And Harris is closer to the former Duke right now.’

An enemy’s enemy is a friend—since the former Duke detests the current Duke, he could be an asset to Harris.

And the person who holds the decision-making power for the heir position is none other than the former Duke himself.

In short, for my master plan (making Harris the Duke to use the Emperor’s Haesu Stone), the former Duke’s support was absolutely critical.

‘And, well, he is Harris’s grandfather.’

Of course, my big-picture plan made it necessary to win the old man over, but beyond that—he’s still family.

Even if Harris’s relationship with his father was beyond repair, I hoped he could restore bonds with his other blood relatives.

‘I hope it works out.’

I took a deep breath in front of the office.

Well, Harris would handle it. Before we left, I had told him over and over, right? No matter what, Harris was still a competent villain character…

But then—

“Let them in.”

A voice came from inside, calm but chillingly low.

Creeeak—two knights opened the heavy doors. At the far end stood a man.

A body far too robust to be considered elderly. An impressive beard.

But his face was like a stone statue—strict and severe, exuding an air that made it hard to meet his gaze.

This was the aura of a true Godwin.

I bowed quietly as the maids had instructed.

But—

“If it’s about what was previously discussed, I cannot permit it.”

The former Duke of Godwin didn’t even acknowledge my greeting.

More precisely, he didn’t even look at me, his attention solely on the papers before him.

‘Wha—what’s with this utter disregard?’

Glancing around, I noticed a single comfortable chair in front of the desk. It seemed like only one person was allowed to sit there in this office.

“My Guide is greeting you.”

Of course, it was Harris who spoke. Despite his cold tone, the former Duke remained indifferent.

“So what?”

“…”

Wow, being rude must be hereditary in the Godwin family. Ha ha.

Harris glared at the former Duke, who still hadn’t responded or allowed me to rise, then finally spoke.

“Stand up, Jade.”

“…!”

The people in the room gasped in unison.

Acting without the former Duke’s permission—it was shocking.

“Yes, sir!”

But I didn’t hesitate and stood up as Harris instructed.

“How dare she!”

“To move without His Grace’s command!”

Maybe Harris, being a Godwin, could get away with it. But for me to ignore the Duke’s silence? Everyone was clearly outraged.

But technically, the only one I was bound to obey was Harris.

‘He is my employer, after all.’

Yes. I had officially become Harris’s Guide…

‘I don’t care. I gave my warning.’

I had clearly stated I wasn’t signing up to be a bonded Guide. If Harris overlooked that, that’s on him. Not my fault.

“You—sit with me.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ignoring the dagger-like glares from all sides, I trotted behind Harris.

The former Duke still wouldn’t spare either of us a glance.

‘Ugh… this is a disaster.’

The tension in the air felt like a fight could break out any second. The atmosphere was sharp, almost painful.

“Your Grace. A merchant has arrived with the item.”

Unbothered by the stiff air, the smiling assistant addressed the former Duke.

“Item?”

“Yes. A gift to commemorate the founding festival—”

“Bring it in.”

Excuse me, Grandpa? You’re calling in a merchant while your long-lost grandson Harris is sitting right here?

My jaw dropped.

‘He seriously called me in just to verify who I was?’

Now that that’s done, are we just being dismissed?

I stopped Harris from rising by pressing down on his shoulder and whispered,

“Harris, no! Who said we’re done? Sit tight!”

“…Do you even know what a master-servant hierarchy is?”

“Doesn’t matter. Keep your butt in that chair!”

Deal with a jerk by being a bigger jerk! Harris sighed deeply, and while we were bickering, the merchant entered.

“It is an indescribable honor to meet Your Grace on behalf of the Rossdu Trading Company.”

Wait—Rossdu?

“I am Duroth, the company’s head.”

Duroth, almost crawling in deference, presented a box to the former Duke.

“Please take a look.”

His confident tone said there was no need for explanation.

“…This is—!”

The assistant, who opened the box, lost his smile.

It was a stunning, radiant necklace. Platinum chains glinted with sapphires, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and opals…

But above all, at the center, sat a magnificent black pearl.

Flawless and luminous, the black pearl gave off an almost divine glow.

“This is the Empress Ayeyas’s necklace, Tear of the Black Mermaid.”

What?

My eyes widened. I couldn’t even close my gaping mouth in shock.

‘That… That necklace shouldn’t even be here…’

Stop obsessing over fake tranquilizers, Mr. Villain.