DHDF 18

chapter 18

“This is the last matter now.”

Ah, it wasn’t over yet. I straightened my back again.

“If I remember correctly, the ‘Dalbta Poison’ was in tears, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You must have struggled a bit forcing out the tears.”

The Duke had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. I could tell he was imagining my strenuous effort.

“…But there’s no problem now.”

It wasn’t that I was trying to prove I wasn’t incompetent—it was the truth. I had gained some technique, and I was confident I could cry without relying on onions.

“That’s a relief.”

It seemed the Duke didn’t particularly believe me.

“I was planning to study the poison anyway, if Miss Berry is okay with it.”

Study it? That was a notion I hadn’t considered.

It was certainly interesting, but honestly, I didn’t expect much from the results. What could one discover from a poison that was just based on constitution?

“I don’t mind at all. That’s fine.”

However, that was just my own thought, so I didn’t feel the need to say it aloud. I owed the Duke, so if I could help, I was more than willing to cooperate.

The first sample was easily decided with tears.

We encountered a difficulty when determining the administration interval.

The Duke didn’t want to overwork me, and I wanted to contribute as quickly as possible.

Still, we found a compromise by each taking a step back.

“Then let’s have Arthur deliver it once every ten days.”

The negotiations continued.

The Duke was willing to pay for my tears.

Originally, it was supposed to be a delivery in exchange for his protection.

I hurriedly declined, saying it wasn’t necessary, but my refusal didn’t really stick.

“Then think of it as pocket money.”

I finally agreed, having the amount reduced to a tolerable sum.

‘Of course, it’s still excessive to call it pocket money.’

Three days later, Arthur arrived with a lawyer and a contract.

There were many clauses, but fortunately, everything was explained kindly.

The Duke would not harm me, but he was meticulous, and that wasn’t a bad thing. I asked about any points I didn’t understand immediately.

After listening to everything, there didn’t seem to be anything unfavorable for me.

“If there’s anything else you want, Miss Verjene, feel free to tell me.”

“No. This is enough.”

“Then please sign in the signature section.”

I hesitated as the pen was handed to me, but Arthur said it was fine to write my name neatly.

Verjene Erdion.

I stared at my name written in ink for a moment, then copied the letters next to it.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t very neat.

Other than sending a letter to the Duke, I hadn’t really written anything, so it was natural my handwriting was unpolished.

Handing the pen back, I resolved to practice my writing and create a stylish personal signature.

“You just collect it here like this.”

Arthur handed me a small glass vial, finer than the one I had used before.

“You don’t need to fill it completely; two-thirds is enough. So, around this level.”

Arthur indicated the level with his finger.

“Yes, understood.”

“Then I’ll come back in ten days. If you need any help, you can ask Rosalind anytime.”

After Arthur left, I changed my clothes. It was almost time for my etiquette lesson.

I wondered if the Duke might assign Arthur as my instructor. But seeing him leave without a word, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

‘Perhaps Arthur, like His Highness, is busy, so it would be difficult.’

If I were to have a teacher, I hoped it would be someone familiar.

There wasn’t a particular reason—just that it would feel less awkward.

I thought of a few candidates, but it was likely someone I didn’t know.

“Does Rosalind know who my etiquette teacher will be?” I asked as I left the dressing room.

“I heard it will be the eldest young master.”

I froze immediately after hearing that.

“…The eldest young master?”

“Aete. You met him the other day and rode the carriage together.”

I clenched my mouth tightly and swallowed my scream.

How could it possibly be that I would be paired with the person I was most uncomfortable with?

Of course, the Duke was still a difficult person.

But the feelings I sensed from him were distinctly different.

‘The Duke is kind to me, treats me well, and… finds me cute.’

Embarrassing, but objectively true.

And Aete? He was certainly not hostile, but that was all.

‘I have no idea what he’s thinking.’

He wasn’t someone I could lightly deem acceptable as long as he didn’t harm me.

I had to endure the lesson with such a person, constantly aware and fearful throughout the etiquette class.

‘Even if it were just the two of us.’

Unable to suppress my frustration, I ruffled my hair, and Rosalind laughed.

“Oh, so you’re disappointed it’s Aete, huh?”

“No, not that. I just didn’t expect it…”

“Hmm, really? I think I know why.”

“Why?”

Rosalind counted the reasons on her fingers:

First, if one must learn quickly, it’s common to get help from an elder relative.
Second, in special situations, someone from a trusted family is substituted.
Finally, third, Aete was suitable because he was close in age, exemplary, and had a definite position within the family.

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but be convinced.

“Don’t worry too much. Aete is kind and generous.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. As long as you don’t repeat mistakes, it should be fine.”

I entrusted my hair to Rosalind again and resolved to focus solely on learning etiquette.

With that solemn determination, I left the bedroom, but the farther I moved from the room, the heavier my body felt.

I hurried my steps to keep up with Rosalind.

‘I feel like I’m breaking out in a cold sweat… that can’t just be my imagination, right?’

My lips kept drying. I rubbed my cold hands until I arrived at the parlor where we were to meet.

“This is it. Should I wait in the hallway until the lesson ends?”

Honestly, I wanted to ask her to go in together.

I glanced at Rosalind for a moment but couldn’t bring myself to ask—it felt like I was being spoiled.

“No, it’s fine…”

“All right, then I’ll return on time.”

Finally, Rosalind left, and I was alone in the quiet hallway.

I took several deep breaths and grabbed the doorknobs on both sides, but I froze.

I couldn’t push or pull the door.

The sunlight behind me felt so warm that I just wanted to run away.

‘Why am I like this…?’

I felt strange even to myself.

‘At the orphanage, I managed just fine. Why wouldn’t I be able to do it here?’

Unable to move my feet, the door slowly opened.

I hadn’t opened it.

“Why aren’t you coming in?”

I finally realized my true condition.

I wasn’t just uncomfortable.

I was afraid of Aete Edenfield.

‘Someone who could twist my neck without a second thought.’

He wasn’t someone who acted on whim or pleasure.

He would calculate, measure my worth, and deal with me accordingly.

The thought of becoming a mere plaything in an instant was terrifying and humiliating.

My body shook uncontrollably, and I crossed my arms tightly around myself.

‘Then how am I supposed to deal with him?’

I’d never faced someone like this, so I was even more confused.

Frozen in panic, unable to speak, Aete slowly leaned forward.

“Are you cold? You don’t look well.”

“….”

“Do you need any help?”

He asked if I wanted the attending physician called.

The eyes observing my expression felt more artificial than human, so cold and unfeeling.

I hurriedly composed myself and spoke.

“No… I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

I slowly stepped inside, careful not to raise suspicion.

No, if I truly felt unwell, should I have retreated?

Breathing felt difficult, as if gravity had shifted.

“Are you really okay?”

As the door closed behind me, my vision blurred.

It finally hit me that the person who had been a threat was Aete.

And just like that, I fainted.