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Chapter 10
Knock, knock.
“Your Grace, the Countess of Mjombeck and the young ladies have arrived.”
In front of the reception room door at the Pianus Estate in the Capital—a room far brighter and more vibrant than the Nurnbern mansion—Carlos knocked. Before it, Roselyne held the hands of Ludiana and Irene even tighter.
“Come in.”
A low, gentle voice drifted out from inside the reception room.
As Roselyne’s body stiffened further at that sound, Ludiana softly caressed the back of her mother’s hand with her other hand, as if to reassure her.
Creak.
Finally, the door opened, revealing a room adorned with blue sofas and classical walls decorated with all kinds of artwork. Amidst that splendor, a man rose from the sofa and stepped toward them.
His silver hair shimmered beneath the sunlight streaming through the window, and his storm-gray eyes—rippling like gentle waves—were filled with a poignant yearning. And that gaze was fixed entirely upon a single person.
“…Roselyne.”
“…Allen.”
“……”
“……”
Reunited once more in the reception room, the two merely looked at each other in silence. The yearning contained within their eyes was so deep that it made even Ludiana, standing beside them, feel an aching in her chest.
“Hello, I am Irene Nurnbern, ah, um… Irene Mjombeck!”
The one who broke the heavily settled silence was none other than little, adorable Irene.
Still far too young to read the atmosphere, Irene simply greeted Allen politely, just as Roselyne had taught her.
“…I am Ludiana Mjombeck.”
Following her younger sister, Ludiana also lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and offered a polite greeting.
“Ah! Yes, yes. Pleased to meet you. I am Allen Pianus. Come, please sit comfortably.”
Flustered, Allen hurriedly guided them toward the sofas.
As she moved to her seat, Ludiana happened to catch sight of Carlos nearby. He was bowing his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. He was struggling desperately to suppress a burst of laughter.
Pfft, look at him.
Carlos had heard plenty about Allen’s first love—about his former lover who had lost her parents and younger brother in a sudden accident, only to be practically sold off in marriage to Nurnbern.
At the time, Allen had been staying in the East due to his father’s failing health. Upon hearing the news, he had rushed to the West, but she was already another man’s wife.
Since then, Allen had given his heart to no other woman, living only with longing for her. So when he heard he would finally face his first love again, Carlos had also been secretly curious.
He couldn’t say what he had expected, but it certainly shouldn’t have been such an awkward reunion.
For days, Allen had been restlessly pacing, preparing with anticipation.
And for the result to be… this.
Looking at Allen flustered and fumbling, Carlos came close to bursting into laughter he couldn’t hold back.
“Roselyne. Ahem, ahem. Countess Mjombeck, you have no need to worry about anything anymore.”
Becoming conscious of Ludiana and Irene’s gazes, Allen added awkwardly.
“…Thank you, Your Grace.”
Once more, an awkward silence hung in the air. In the end, Ludiana could not bear it and spoke up first.
“Thank you for helping us, Your Grace.”
“Not at all. On the contrary, I am the one grateful for the opportunity to help.”
Allen’s words were not a mere formal greeting, but sincere.
Because thanks to her, he was able to see Roselyne again.
“When do you plan to return to the East?”
“Well, probably in about a week. But please feel free to stay longer in the Capital.”
In truth, he did not want to part with Roselyne. But a plague was circulating in the East. As that thought crossed his mind, his gaze shifted back to her. The eyes of the two meeting in mid-air were hurriedly averted.
Ludiana placed her hand on her mother’s arm and smiled.
“Mother, let us go to the East together.”
It was for her mother’s sake, but it was also because of the promise she had made to Allen.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Roselyne returned a smile to her daughter as well.
Allen watched the scene absentmindedly, a faint flush rising on his face that made him look fresh and youthful, unbelievable for a man in his thirties.
Avoiding his gaze, Roselyne spoke.
“Then, Your Grace, may we rest for a moment?”
“Of course. Neil! Guide the guests to their rooms.”
Allen hurriedly averted his eyes and called for the butler.
“Yes, My Lord.”
Neil, who had been standing near the wall alongside Carlos, stepped forward.
“I shall guide you to your rooms.”
“Thank you.”
Ludiana gave a light nod in gratitude.
Neil was a young man appearing to be only in his mid-twenties, seemingly a bit young to oversee the Duke’s estate in the Capital.
To manage an entire mansion at this age… It seemed the East was rich in talent.
Following behind Neil, Ludiana cast a glance back at Carlos. He looked on the verge of losing his composure entirely, now turning his head away to hide his face.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Before leaving, Roselyne bowed her head to Allen, and Ludiana followed her mother’s lead.
“Yes! Please rest comfortably.”
Allen stood up so abruptly that he answered in an awkwardly stooped posture. The three women vanished with Neil, and the door closed.
“Pfft— Hahaha!”
Finally, Carlos burst into the laughter he had been holding back.
His face flushed red with embarrassment, Allen awkwardly straightened his back and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, ahem! Why are you still standing here instead of leaving?”
“Ah, yes, yes, My Lord.”
Though Allen tried to hide his awkwardness with sternness, it only fanned the flames of Carlos’s giggles. Unable to stop laughing, Carlos left the room.
Stepping out into the hallway, Carlos walked toward the window overlooking the estate’s garden. The guests’ rooms were located at the far end of the third floor.
Hmm.
When Allen had first declared he would bring Nurnbern’s lady and her daughters, Carlos had fiercely opposed it.
“Have you lost your mind, blinded by your first love? That cunning Jonas might have sent them as a trap!”
Despite his young age, Carlos was remarkably sharp, particularly when it came to political intuition.
All the tutors who had taught him praised his exceptional grasp of current affairs, and even Allen acknowledged his talent.
That was why, when Allen declared he would take in Roselyne based solely on the words of a thirteen-year-old girl, Carlos had fumed with frustration.
A thirteen-year-old solving a plague? Utter nonsense.
He knew full well from his own experience that at that age, one still lacked many things. Let alone a young girl—it was the perfect age to be used as a spy.
“Even so, knowing their misery, I cannot leave Roselyne and the children there.”
“My Lord!”
“Enough. My decision will not change.”
“…Understood.”
Unable to break Allen’s stubbornness, Carlos had instead resolved to keep a strict eye on them.
If I catch even the slightest suspicious circumstance, I’ll report it immediately.
Yet the moment he faced them in person, that resolve began to waver.
Ugh…
Their attire was so shabby it was utterly unbelievable for members of a great noble family. And Ludiana—despite being the same age as him, she looked far more diminutive. It was an undeniable fact.
They had been abandoned by their family.
Having experienced being abandoned by parents himself, Carlos could not help but soften toward children in such a plight. Naturally, the vigilance he held toward Ludiana and Irene gradually eased.
“Your respective rooms are prepared. Your dedicated maids will arrive shortly.”
“Thank you.”
Guided by Neil to the third floor, the three women were assigned separate rooms.
The furniture inside each room, decorated appropriately for their respective ages, was carved with delicate craftsmanship.
Especially Mother’s room… it’s filled with things she likes.
A violet silk duvet matching her mother’s eyes, and even a large carpet for her mother, who suffered from cold hands and feet…
Roselyne seemed to have noticed it as well, her expression looking subtly complex.
After checking their rooms, Ludiana asked for understanding, saying she wished to rest alone, and stepped into her room.
“Phew…”
Her body, tense since early morning, collapsed onto the bed, finally unwinding completely. Accompanied by the scent of crisp, sun-dried linen, the bed was so soft and warm.
“Ah, this feels so good.”
She couldn’t even remember the last time she had laid on a bed like this. A surge of triumph at having changed the future welled up in her chest.
But there’s still a long way to go.
Though she had prevented her mother’s death, their fight was far from over. She had to completely reclaim her family’s happiness—and trample Nurnbern beneath their feet.
This was only the beginning.
“Still… today at least, I should enjoy this moment.”
Lying on the bed, Ludiana let out a sigh as she stretched out long.
Just then, a clear, young girl’s voice sounded from outside the door.
“Lady Ludiana, I am your personal maid, Michaela.”
