DHDF 13

In the dining room sat Litema and Laote. The tension hit me the moment I stepped inside.

Not long after, Aete entered, and when the Duke himself joined us, I finally realized what was going on.

He called everyone here on purpose.

My stomach churned so badly I wanted nothing more than to bolt out of the room. But it was far too late for that.

“Miss Berry.”

I was blankly watching as the dishes were being placed on the table when the Grand Duke spoke to me.

“The tree you sent—I’ve decided to keep it in my office. Arthur especially seems to like it. Of course, I do as well.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that…”

For a moment, I wondered if they were just being polite, but I decided to believe they were sincere. It was easier on me that way.

After a short prayer before the meal, I followed the others in picking up my cutlery.

Everything felt strange and awkward. I kept clenching my fists and glancing around.

Still… I’m glad I came down.

The food was delicious, and they kept asking if it suited my taste, offering me other dishes to try. Their warmth and attentiveness made my heart feel like it was melting.

The gentle clinking of utensils and the faint sound of pouring water filled the quiet room.

“Father,” Litema spoke up after a long silence during the meal.

“How long will Miss Berzene be staying here?”

All three of the Duke’s sons turned their gaze toward me. The meaning behind the question was obvious.

They want to know who I am.

My lips went dry. I was afraid they would see me as an unwelcome intruder.

The discomfort, the awkwardness—those were things I could just avoid. After all, once I came of age, the engagement would be broken.

But that means even those who can stand to be around me will eventually see me as a burden.

When I was younger—young enough to fully understand the “curse”—I could already picture my future clearly: unable to fit in anywhere, dying alone.

When I managed to contact the Grand Duke, I’d felt a flicker of hope. I hadn’t expected him to take me in as a daughter-in-law instead of a daughter, though.

Now that I think about it, even if I’d come as a daughter, there’s no guarantee he would have liked me.

My heart pounded violently. Why did they have to talk about this in front of me?

“That’s still under consideration,” the Grand Duke said calmly. “I can’t say yet.”

“Father…”

Litema pouted, and the Duke chuckled lightly.

“She’s my daughter-in-law, after all. I’ll need to keep her close for a while.”

Silence fell over the dining room. Even when I chewed, the food had lost all flavor.

“So, you mean…”

Aete, frozen like the rest of us, finally managed to speak.

“…you mean the guest is going to be one of the young masters’ fiancée?”

“That’s right.”

I lowered my head. I couldn’t bear to see anyone’s reaction.

“Then whose fiancée will she be?”

That time, it was Litema who asked.

“Good question,” the Duke said.

Is this when I finally learn who my fiancé is? I thought—until he turned to me.

“Berzene, which one do you like?”

I froze.

“Pardon? Me?”

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I realized it doesn’t matter which of them I choose.”

“….”

“So I might as well respect your opinion.”

Wait—did that mean he wanted me to choose? My head went hot all at once.

If someone could’ve just hit me on the back of the neck and knocked me out, I’d have been grateful.

Everyone was waiting for my answer.

“Well… it would be an honor to be with any of the young masters.”

To be honest, I felt most comfortable around Litema. Naturally—he was the one who’d always been kind and attentive.

But I can’t just pick Litema in front of everyone.

That wouldn’t be proper. Besides, the fact that the Duke was even considering pairing me with Laote or Aete was shocking enough.

“…All three are wonderful.”

“They take after me, so of course they’re handsome.”

He smiled, looking very pleased, and I realized I’d somehow earned points without meaning to.

After that, the Duke went quiet for a while, as if thinking. Then, once the meal was over, he spoke again—on the same topic.

“Then let’s do this. Miss Berry, I’ll give you all three.”

“…What?”

“Spend time with them all, and when you’ve made up your mind, come tell me.”

The Duke’s bombshell of a statement left my mind in chaos—for the rest of the night, until dawn.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a night with this many thoughts swirling in my head.

What on earth is he thinking?

Wasn’t the engagement supposed to be just for appearances? What was the point of going this far?

To everyone else, I was just a lowly orphan. This treatment was far too extravagant.

“You don’t look well, Miss Berzene. Did you have a bad dream?”

Rozalyn entered with a basin of water and a towel.

“No, nothing like that…”

After a moment of hesitation, I decided to ask her opinion. Unlike the young masters, she was an adult and worked directly under the Duke—she might understand his intentions better than I did.

But was it really okay to tell her?

“Did you hear about what happened at dinner last night?”

“No, but it’s fine. You can tell me. I’m quite an important person in this household, you know. There’s a reason I was assigned to you personally.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I even know how you came to live here.”

That was reassuring.

I briefly explained what had happened the night before—how he’d told me to choose, and then went as far as saying I could have all three.

“That must have been quite the shock.”

“It was.”

“But don’t overthink it. His Grace probably likes you enough that he wants you to have options. You don’t know the young masters well yet, after all.”

“…That’s true.”

“Exactly.”

Listening to her, I had to admit—it did make some sense. Even if it still didn’t feel real.

“Still, isn’t it strange? The brothers sharing the same fiancée?”

“As long as His Grace decides it, no one will find it strange.”

That almost sounded like everyone else will pretend it’s normal because they have no choice.

“So, has your worry been resolved?”

“Uh, yes. I think so.”

“Good. Now, shall we wash up? You can change clothes after. Would you like to have breakfast in your room?”

“Yes, please.”

Right now, I didn’t want to face anyone. Not even Litema.

My heart felt heavy. Litema had probably thought of me as a friend—someone he could talk to easily. Hearing that I was his fiancée must have been a shock.

But it can’t be helped.

Better to endure awkward meals here than to be shackled to Rahes.

“At two this afternoon, your personal designer will be arriving,” Rozalyn said.

“Designer? Why?”

“To make your clothes, of course.”

I already had plenty of clothes, though.

“They’ve been well maintained, but they’re old and don’t fit quite right. And none of them reflect your personal taste.”

“I see…”

Taste. To be honest, I didn’t really have one. Or rather, I’d never had the luxury of thinking about such things.

When you wear whatever’s donated to the orphanage, you don’t get to be picky.

Still, the thought of having clothes made just for me made me a little excited.

“Pleasure to meet you, my lady. I’m Chloe, head designer of the Edendale household.”

A lavish hat, bright red lipstick, eyes curved like a fox’s—Madame Chloe radiated a dangerous sort of elegance.

“It’s been ages since I’ve made dresses for a young lady. How exciting! Let’s start with your measurements, shall we?”

Her assistant came forward with a measuring tape, carefully noting down every number—from leg length to hip, waist, and wrist circumference.

“I heard you’re the same age as Master Litema. Is that right?”

“Uh, yes. I’m twelve.”

“Then yes, that’s right. You’re awfully thin, though. You’ll need to eat well if you want to grow tall.”

It was true—orphans were always smaller than village children. I was no exception.

Maybe that’s why she wanted to confirm my age; I didn’t look twelve.

“His Grace has ordered twenty-five sets of outdoor wear, fourteen indoor outfits, five nightgowns, and two formal dresses.”

“T-twenty-five? That many?”

“Oh, dear, that’s not many at all. That’s just a modest start.”

She said I’d be getting a new set of clothes every two months from now on.