Chapter 3

Hey, did you know? The Ambrose family uses tables made entirely of gold.

Suddenly, I remembered the gossip of the older maids I used to work with at the baron’s estate.

I shook my head helplessly.

You were wrong, sisters.

The real Ambrose family doesn’t just use golden tables.

The entire room is made of gold.

The ceiling, the walls, even the legs of the sofa I was sitting on gleamed brightly.

Sitting with my back perfectly straight, I swallowed a sigh.

How much would a sofa like this cost?

I had no idea, but it had to be ridiculously expensive.

…I’m uncomfortable.

The sofa was undoubtedly as soft as a cloud, but my nervousness made it feel like I was sitting on a bed of nails.

I was even worried about my siblings’ dirty shoes touching it while they slept with their heads resting on my lap.

For a moment, I wondered if I should take their shoes off.

Then I suddenly felt stubborn.

So what? It’s not like this is someone else’s house.

Besides, we had been abandoned here without a single explanation.

It had already been three hours since we were brought into this golden reception room.

My siblings had spent ages running around with wide eyes at the unbelievable surroundings, gotten tired, fallen asleep, and remained asleep ever since.

“Hmph…”

I wasn’t expecting a grand welcome, but I certainly hadn’t expected to be treated like an unwanted guest.

In quiet rebellion, I leaned heavily against the back of the sofa.

Then I slowly looked around the room.

The space was so large it was hard to take it all in at once.

Silky curtains, carpets embroidered with golden thread, and even a chandelier that looked like a work of art.

Money really was amazing.

Everything was huge, luxurious, and…

Warm.

It was completely different from our old house, where cold drafts blew through every crack.

Good.

At least I didn’t need to worry about my siblings catching a cold.

Only then did the tension leave my shoulders.

I sat there drowsily nodding off for quite some time.

The hour hand on the grandfather clock completed another full rotation before a knock finally sounded.

“The Duke will see you now.”

Finally!

I stared intensely at the slowly opening door.

Let’s see this expensive face everyone makes such a fuss about—

I see now, Mom.

If this man’s son looked anything like him, I understand why he became your unforgettable first love.

I almost clapped without realizing it.

With his straight posture, imposing presence, and the overbearing aura of someone who had never spent a day worrying about other people’s opinions, the elderly man strode in calmly.

And it was obvious that in his youth he must have been devastatingly handsome.

“You’ve waited a long time.”

“Yes.”

“…We had to verify the authenticity of the ring.”

Ah.

Well, from the Duke’s perspective, the bloodline of his only son, whose fate was unknown, had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

And considering the status of his family, he naturally had to verify everything several times.

I lowered my eyes and nodded.

“I understand. This was sudden. You must have been quite shocked too, Duke.”

“Well, naturally…”

“Still, you could have at least informed us that it would take so long.”

Huh?

For a brief moment, I thought I heard a strange choking sound.

I blinked and looked up, but both the Duke and the butler behind him wore expressionless faces.

Did I imagine it?

As I tilted my head, the Duke sat down across from me.

So this was…

My grandfather?

For a while, we silently studied each other.

Funny enough, he seemed to be thinking exactly what I was.

So this is my granddaughter?

“So, your name is Labine?”

“Lavine.”

“…Lavine.”

“Just call me Bebe.”

“Lavinne, then.”

He certainly had pride.

Even though he kept getting it wrong, he looked completely confident.

I carefully examined Duke Ambrose’s face.

Overall, I resembled Mom.

Except for one thing.

“Your eyes resemble your father’s.”

If we’re being technical, I think these eyes originally came from you.

Bright crimson eyes.

Mom and my siblings all had golden eyes.

Meeting someone who shared the same eyes as me felt strangely fascinating.

It’s strange. I’ve never met him before, yet he doesn’t feel unfamiliar… and that’s what makes him feel unfamiliar.

It was a difficult feeling to put into words.

As I fidgeted awkwardly with my fingers, the Duke asked:

“Judging by your name, was your mother from Ritz?”

“Yes.”

“Then…”

The prejudice was obvious in both his voice and expression.

I knew exactly what he was thinking.

While stroking my siblings’ heads, I calmly interrupted him.

“She was a dancer. Not a prostitute.”

“……”

“Not that I owe you an explanation. I’m only saying it because I want to. Believe it or don’t.”

Ritz was a country that had vanished from history twenty years ago.

And women from a fallen nation rarely had many ways to survive.

Especially beautiful women whose only talent was singing and dancing.

It wasn’t surprising people made assumptions.

Countless pimps and men seeking mistresses had approached my mother.

But my mother valued love more than life itself.

Or perhaps more accurately, more than beauty.

Smiling brightly, I added:

“Though you’ll have to acknowledge it eventually. My siblings and I were born from love and raised with love.”

By the most loving woman in the world.

I straightened my shoulders proudly, without a trace of shame.

The Duke stared at me.

What was that look?

Was it because he was a merchant?

It felt like he was evaluating my worth.

“Well. I can’t say I understand how noble the love of a street prostitute is.”

Flinch.

My hands clenched in midair.

They were still soft hands.

Hands that had never known true hardship yet.

Even though we weren’t wealthy, Mom had never allowed me to help with household chores when I was young.

With her fragile body, she had desperately worked to feed, clothe, and raise three children.

She loved us that much.

I lowered my head like a child trying not to cry.

“…Then why don’t you measure it yourself?”

“Hm?”

“There’s no need to look far. Your wonderful son was exactly the kind of man who matched a street prostitute.”

“W-What?”

“No, wait. A prostitute raised three children by herself and did a fine job. Maybe he was actually worse.”

The Duke’s mouth dropped open.

Apparently, hearing his precious bloodline compared unfavorably to a prostitute was quite shocking.

So what?

He insulted my mother first.

I glared fiercely at him and snapped:

“The great Ambrose family isn’t all that impressive!”

“You little brat…!”

The old man’s furious roar echoed through the room.

That was my first day at the Ambrose Estate.

* * *

The historic first meeting between grandfather and granddaughter ended when the children woke up and burst into loud tears.

After summoning the head maid to take the three children away, the butler firmly shut the reception room door.

Then he looked at his trembling master and said:

“You may laugh freely now, Master.”

“Ahem! Ahem…! Why would I laugh?!”

As if.

The butler narrowed his eyes before smiling warmly.

It had been a long time since Gustav had looked this pleased.

Not since his only son had gone missing.

Gustav repeatedly cleared his throat before reaching into his coat.

A rusty ring emerged from his rough hand.

“Tch. I wondered why he took it with him when he left for war. Never thought he’d given it to a woman.”

Then again, perhaps that was exactly like him.

Instead of leaving his secret lover a beautiful piece of jewelry, he had given her this.

Something that looked worthless.

Something more valuable than any jewel.

The symbol of the Ambrose heir.

A badge carrying tremendous weight.

Clicking his tongue, Gustav stared at the ring.

The genuine ring of his son.

Verified countless times with magical inspection tools.

In truth, he had recognized it at first glance.

How could he not?

He had searched for it for so long.

Lowering his wrinkled crimson eyes, Gustav muttered:

“…That fool Ansley was stubborn as a brick wall. He was born to be nothing but a knight.”

“Yes. Young Master always struggled with dealing with people.”

“And yet he secretly left behind someone who takes after neither him nor me.”

“Indeed. She’s quite bold and clever.”

“Hmph. Just a little brat whose blood hasn’t even dried yet…”

“Yes, yes. Which means you like her very much.”

“Who said I like her?!”

Finn shook his head behind Gustav’s back.

Their master was never honest when it came to personal matters.

His romance with the late duchess had been anything but smooth because of it.

It made Finn wonder what Young Master Ansley had been like.

Gustav seemed to have similar thoughts.

With a strange expression, he said:

“Honestly, that boy… He never showed interest in women. I used to wonder whether he’d ever act like a proper man. Turns out I worried for nothing. And now he pulls something like this?”

The corners of his eyes tightened as though he was trying not to smile.

Then he gripped Ansley’s ring so tightly it almost hurt.

Ten years had passed since his only son disappeared on the battlefield.

The situation was far from hopeful.

The only thing sustaining him was that no remains had ever been found.

“You foolish child… A foolish child until the very end.”

One hope had vanished.

And another had arrived.

The old butler dared to gently pat his master’s shoulder.

His master stood there, unable to fully laugh or fully cry.