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Chapter 37
“In that case, what if I made you a proposal?”
The Count asked Lucy to stay by the elderly lady’s side, acting as if she were the daughter she had lost.
With nowhere else to go, Lucy decided to remain here while also seeking a way to reunite with Anna and Dino.
And so, Lucy was now living here under the name Valencia Rayford.
The Rayford family had long operated a large trading company, and the Count had one son—around Lucy’s age.
When Count Rayford first introduced Lucy to his son, the young man had greeted her with a mischievous grin.
“So this is going to be my aunt from now on? Well… that sounds fun!”
His name was Hayris Rayford. With his easygoing smile and affable looks, Hayris readily went along with his father’s decision, cheerfully calling Lucy “aunt” without hesitation.
While living in the Rayford household, Lucy saw what an ideal family looked like.
The mansion was always filled with laughter. Even the small number of servants treated one another like family.
And Madam Meriel, the very one who had brought Lucy here, gradually began to recover her peace of mind.
“Since Miss Lucy arrived, the Madam’s health—both body and spirit—has improved so much! You know how terribly she suffered after Lady Valencia’s death…”
Just a few days ago, the head maid had conveyed her gratitude, saying Madam Meriel had found remarkable stability thanks to Lucy.
But Lucy herself felt even more thankful for their warmth and kindness.
“They call it caring for the old lady, but really all I do is chat with her, drink tea together, and take strolls in the garden.”
She was given a generous wage and a comfortable place to live. To her, it all felt far too much.
Even so, Lucy could not easily trust others and tried to keep her distance, watching the household cautiously.
But she could not help the gentle warmth that kept welling up inside her chest.
And the more that warmth grew, the more sincerely she cared for the elderly lady.
As time passed, Lucy gradually formed deeper bonds with the people of the mansion.
“Valencia! Have you gone out to the garden yet? Just yesterday the roses looked like they were about to bloom—and today they finally have!”
Hayris returned, carrying an armful of pink roses, his face glowing with boyish delight.
“Hayri, how could you speak so casually to your aunt? You’ll get in trouble!”
“Grandmother! That’s only because Aunt Valencia looks far too young, isn’t that right, Aunt?”
Winking playfully at Lucy, Hayris laughed brightly.
“Mother, Hayris’s roses are so fresh. Wouldn’t they look lovely in your room?”
“Why not your room instead? Yours is so bare and gloomy. A young lady’s room shouldn’t look that dreary.”
Madam Meriel gently took Lucy’s hand and patted it affectionately.
“Valencia, I told you to call him Hayri, not Hayris. If you keep calling me formally, I’ll start calling you ‘aunt’ in the same stiff way!”
Hayris puffed his cheeks in mock sulking, which made Lucy burst into laughter.
“Oh dear, Hayri! Of course you should call her aunt. What am I going to do with you?”
Meriel sighed fondly at her grandson’s antics.
Watching their warm exchange, Lucy found herself smiling without realizing it.
Since her arrival, Lucy had rarely left Madam Meriel’s side. One day, Hayris suggested they go out.
“Lucy, aren’t you feeling cooped up? Even if you’re caring for Grandmother, you don’t need to stay by her side every hour of the day.”
“But I don’t really have a reason to go out.”
At her reply, Hayris sighed and held out his hand.
“If anyone saw you, they’d think we were keeping you locked up. Come on, let’s go! I’ll show you around the town.”
It was just after lunchtime, early afternoon. Lucy hesitated, worried about leaving Madam Meriel alone.
“Don’t worry about Grandmother. I already asked her, and she gave permission. And you don’t need to prepare anything. Let’s go!”
He tugged her along by the hand.
“Hayri!”
At that moment, Madam Meriel called out urgently.
“If you’re going, at least wear a coat! Valencia, the weather is chilly. Take this shawl with you.”
She wrapped a thick shawl around Lucy’s shoulders.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I was too eager to get going and forgot to think of my aunt. A hat! How about a hat too?”
Hayris chimed in, and Meriel agreed at once.
“Yes, that’s a fine idea. I’ll lend you mine.”
A maid brought a hat, and in no time Lucy was dressed for the outing.
Meriel hugged her warmly.
“Valencia, you look so lovely! But it’s cold out, so be back before sunset.”
Lucy squeezed her hand and nodded.
“Anyone watching would think Aunt Valencia was leaving for a long journey. Come on, let’s go!” Hayris laughed.
Winter was drawing near. The wind had turned sharp and cold, but Lucy’s heart felt warmer than ever.
“By the way, Lucy… is your hair dyed?”
The sudden question in the carriage startled her. She turned wide eyes toward him.
“It’s much lighter than when we first met. Ah—if that was rude of me, I’m sorry.”
Seeing his sheepish expression, Lucy shook her head.
“No special reason. I just dyed it for a change of mood… though I suppose I should re-dye it soon.”
She had been safe enough staying inside the mansion, but she thought it wiser to buy more dye just in case.
“What was your natural hair color? Brown? No, a little lighter, right?”
Then Hayris clapped his hands.
“How did you know?”
Lucy blinked in surprise, and he laughed.
“You’ve been dyeing it yourself, haven’t you? From above, I could see new roots at your crown where the color didn’t take fully.”
“So that’s what tall Hayri noticed!”
Embarrassed, Lucy raised a hand to her head, fidgeting.
“I think your natural color would be prettier. Aunt Valencia’s hair was a bright golden blonde, after all. If Grandmother saw your true color, it would bring her even greater peace of mind…”
Lucy only said she’d think about it.
“Still, I’d better buy dye beforehand, just in case.”
While she was lost in thought, the carriage arrived at the town square.
Lucy pulled her hat down firmly and drew a deep breath—the nightmare of the day she had come here with Dino and been attacked still haunted her.
As she stepped down with Hayris’s help, children darted past, startling her so much she nearly stumbled.
Hayris quickly steadied her.
“Lucy! Are you all right?”
“Ah—sorry. The children just surprised me, that’s all.”
He sighed again.
“Why are you apologizing? Do you realize you’re always saying ‘sorry,’ ‘excuse me,’ or ‘I’m fine’? Every time?”
“Ah, sor—… I mean, I’ll be more careful.”
Lucy gave an awkward smile at her own slip.
“See? This is exactly it! Ugh, it’s frustrating—no, it’s sad. Why are you always so timid? From now on, every time you say that, I’ll have to give you a punishment!”
He thumped his chest playfully, grinning.
“Punishment?”
“That’s right! A punishment. Hm… what would be good…” He tilted his head in mock thought, chuckling.
“Anyway, aren’t you hungry? It’s been a while since lunch.”
Taking her hand, he draped it over his arm.
“From now on, I’ll take responsibility for escorting you, my lady. Oh—but if this makes you uncomfortable, just say so! You need practice refusing, too.”
Lucy thought he was treating her as too fragile.
“He doesn’t know—I’ve even stood before a prince and thrown sharp words at him!”
She wondered what face he’d make if he ever heard the story of her escape. The thought made her laugh softly without realizing it.
Hayris blinked in puzzlement at her sudden smile, but she only tightened her hold on his arm and laughed brightly.
“My dear nephew, let’s go find something delicious to eat!”
At her words, Hayris beamed and led her forward.
But soon after…
