RTGD 27

Chapter 27

The current situation with the Duke of Godwin’s household could be summed up in one word—ambiguous.

In terms of status and position, Peter Godwin becoming the next Duke was the natural course of things.

The problem, however, was that although Peter held the title of “Little Duke,” the current Duke of Godwin still hadn’t officially declared whether he would pass the title on to Peter or Patrick.

“Peter Godwin cares a lot about his reputation. He finds Patrick distasteful, but he can’t make a direct move against him. That’s why he’ll love this.”

Just letting him hear about Patrick and Lorazne’s secret affair—recorded in this brooch—would be enough. The Duke of Godwin would take care of removing Patrick himself.

That way, Peter could maintain his reputation as a kind and benevolent man while effortlessly getting Patrick out of the picture.

“So try using this to make a deal. The Little Duke probably isn’t as loyal to the imperial family as the Duke himself. You might be able to strike a few deals.”

“If it works, we could cut down on unnecessary deployments. Not a bad idea.”

As always when lost in thought, Killian absentmindedly touched his lower lip. His gaze was fixed on the note written by Letricia.

The memo neatly listed fabric stores, pharmacies, and spice distribution shops, all marked around the northern border.

“And how did you come to know about all this?”

“I found out when I visited the Duke’s mansion a few times to see Patrick. These were the documents the Little Duke was reviewing.”

“You remembered all that from just glancing at it a few times? Huh.”

A slow smile crept up on Killian’s hidden lips. The more he learned about her, the more interesting she became.

He couldn’t help but wonder—why hadn’t he noticed any of this in their past life?

‘At least it seems like I’ve been helpful this time, right?’

Seeing Killian look satisfied, Letricia nervously intertwined her fingers.

Even though things were improving, she still felt uneasy receiving so much from Killian. But knowing she’d been helpful—even a little—finally felt like she had earned what she’d received.

Unbeknownst to her, she looked genuinely happy as she spoke.

Killian didn’t miss that glow—she looked livelier than he’d ever seen her.

‘Is she interested in business?’

That, too, was unexpected.

In a lighter tone, Killian made a suggestion to the now-cheerful Letricia.

“Well then, Letricia, how about you personally handle the negotiations with the Little Duke?”

“Wh-what? Me?”

Letricia’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

“That’s impossible. I’ve never made a deal with anyone before—heck, I’ve barely even participated in high society. Negotiations? That’s ridiculous.”

“Why are you so quick to doubt yourself?”

Killian tilted his head, visibly displeased with her response.

“If you’ve never done it, then you try it. Whether it works or not—decide afterward, don’t you think?”

He gently tapped her furrowed brow with his long index finger.

“You tend to underestimate yourself too much. Let’s not forget—it was you, Letricia, who thought of this potential deal with the Little Duke.”

“Ugh—wait, Killian, if you press like that, my makeup…”

“Besides, I’m not exactly an expert in negotiation either. Northerners are more accustomed to wielding swords than words. Do you think I’m naturally good at this?”

“…No.”

“Hah, at least you’re honest.”

Killian let out a sigh—he was exasperated by how hesitant she had been, but appreciated her honesty.

“Anyway, that’s why I’m saying you shouldn’t feel pressured. I won’t force you if you truly don’t want to. But if that’s not the case, why not give it a try? Who knows? You might even enjoy it.”

“Um…”

Letricia, still holding Killian’s finger as it rested on her brow, blinked.

Truthfully, she had always found the business documents handled by Count Estar and Isis quite fascinating.

But as the unwelcomed adopted daughter, she was never going to be trusted with the family business—so she dismissed her interest as fleeting curiosity.

Now that an opportunity had landed in her lap, that buried desire began to surface.

“…I’m not confident I’ll do well. I might end up causing you trouble, Killian.”

“That’s fine. If it works, great. If not, well—we’ll just do what we always do. Draw our swords.”

Killian gently caressed the part of Letricia’s face where his finger had pressed.

“So do whatever you want. Like I said before—no one here is going to criticize you for what you do.”

“Then… maybe I’ll just assist you. That much I think I can handle.”

“If that’s your wish.”

Killian smiled quietly and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, let’s continue this conversation later. Since I’ve received payment, it’s time for your lesson.”

He pocketed the memo and brooch, stood from his desk, and approached Letricia.

He placed his hand on her small hand resting on the desk, guiding it over the book.

She could feel the uneven texture against her soft skin.

“This part is the initial consonant, and this part is the final consonant. Today we’ll start with the first line.”

“I won’t be able to read books until I memorize this entire chart, right?”

“Is there a specific book you want to read?”

“Hmm…”

Killian’s question suddenly reminded Letricia of his navy-blue notebook.

She didn’t know why that came to mind at that moment.

“Imperial script has so many spellings—it’ll take a long time to read fluently. But in a month or two, you should be able to manage simple fairy tales.”

“…Killian, I’m an adult.”

“Ah yes, that’s right.”

“What do you mean ‘that’s right’?”

Killian’s expressionless face always made it hard to tell whether he was serious or joking.

But the way his throat bobbed hinted that he’d teased her on purpose.

“Stop teasing me…!”

“Haha, alright. But you should be looking at your book, not at my face, Letricia.”

“Ugh.”

Letricia buried her face in the book at Killian’s gentle, coaxing voice.

It always went like this. Every time they talked, she somehow ended up being swept along by him.

She hadn’t even touched snowflakes today, and yet—where his hand had touched her felt like the tingle of frostbite slowly thawing.

“Focus. Remember the sensation at your fingertips.”

“…I am focusing.”

Determined not to let her thoughts drift from her fingertips to the back of her hand, Letricia tightened her focus.

That day’s lesson passed in a blur, but the first word Letricia learned was Ashertha—a word that meant new beginning.

✦✦✦

“Ah! It’s already this late?!”

Ding—dong.

At the chime of the hour, Letricia jumped from her seat.

On the desk, sized perfectly for her sitting height, was a braille slate.

It had already been three days since Killian started teaching her braille.

In that time, she’d grown more accustomed to life in the North.

As she organized the scattered braille sheets and prepared to leave the study, she glanced at the clock tower outside the window.

“…Was that clock tower always like that?”

She could have sworn it wasn’t showing this time when she’d first seen it. Wasn’t it supposed to be broken and stopped?

“Maybe I just imagined it…”

She stared at the slightly moved minute hand, then shook her head.

“Probably just saw it wrong. Anyway, I’m late.”

Gathering her materials in her arms, Letricia hurried down the corridor with quick, small steps.

By now, Killian would have returned from sword training and finished his bath.

Until his arm healed, it was Letricia’s job to dry his hair—so she was headed to his room.

Just before she turned in to drop off her things, she furrowed her brows.

“…Again? This has been going on for days.”

She frowned at the items left outside her room.

A basket decorated with ribbons filled with things like northern flowers, freshly baked scones, and a hand-knitted scarf.

It was already the fourth day she’d found such gifts at her door.

“Who keeps leaving these?”

She’d asked Killian if it was him, but it wasn’t…

Letricia sighed and picked up the basket after scanning the empty hallway.

For the first couple days, she’d worried they might be dangerous, but everything had turned out to be nothing but modest, thoughtful gifts.

“Could it be Lord Davis?”

If not Killian, then the only person here who’d been consistently kind to her was Mark Davis…

“I’ll have to ask him.”

Still puzzled, Letricia pushed the basket into her room and walked to Killian’s room next door. She knocked.

“Killian? It’s me. I came to dry your hair.”

“It’s open. Come in.”

As she entered, she found Killian and Mark inside, mid-conversation.

“While I was away at the Kashar front, border security weakened. Rearrange the troops and weapons distribution.”

“Yes, I’ll handle it quickly.”

“Alright. Then you may go.”

Killian, busy catching up on work that had piled up while he was away, waved Mark off.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he picked up a towel and approached Letricia.

Thud. He sank into a soft chair and looked up at her from below.

“You were late. I thought you wouldn’t come today.”