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Chapter : 29
“A-Ah? Who is that?”
When the villagers realized that none other than Miela was riding in such a fancy carriage, they were shocked and the crowd began to murmur noisily. At that moment, Mrs. Martin, who had come to see Miela, cried out in a flustered voice.
“M-Miela? That’s really you, right? Hey! Why on earth are you in that carriage? I came to your house and called for you, but you didn’t answer at all, so I thought you were still asleep!”
It was obvious why she had come. It was the busy farming season, and help was scarce.
After thinking for a moment, Miela shouted loudly.
“I’m sorry, Aunt Helly! I don’t think I’ll be able to help at the farm anymore!”
“W-What did you say?”
“I’m leaving the village today. Thank you for everything until now! I hope everyone stays happy!”
With a bright face, Miela waved both hands and said goodbye to everyone. Mrs. Martin, and even the gathered villagers, instantly fell silent.
“……”
Of course, they weren’t fools.
Leave the village all of a sudden? And not in a luggage cart, but in that luxurious carriage? Something major had definitely happened to Miela. Probably something like a sudden rise in social status—a classic joke come true.
A sigh soon escaped someone’s lips.
“Ha! So what the kids were saying was true after all. I didn’t believe it at first!”
“What were they saying?”
“They said Miela caught the eye of some nobleman and was invited to his villa. I honestly thought it was a lie. I couldn’t imagine that naive girl doing something like that. But turns out it was all true. My goodness!”
“Well… looks like Miela’s fate really turned around.”
The village elders whispered among themselves, but didn’t dare to speak up. Memories of how they had freely ordered Miela around for years were starting to resurface.
If Miela, now a high-status lady, were to return someday and seek revenge… honestly, they wouldn’t have much to say in their defense.
“I can’t believe it. Is that really Miela?”
Meanwhile, the village children didn’t even try to hide their jealousy. Unlike the uneasy adults, they felt nothing but envy.
“I’m so jealous! I want to ride a carriage like that too! Miela, can’t you take me with you? Please?”
They must have completely forgotten how they bullied Miela before, asking shamelessly with sparkling, greedy eyes.
“What is going on? What am I seeing right now? Miela’s leaving the village? Why? Why her?!”
One child muttered in disbelief—Meria.
Seeing Miela in that beautiful dress, smiling brightly from inside that fancy carriage… it made her blood boil just to look at it.
“Why is it her and not me?! Always! Why?! WHY?!”
Eventually, Meria stomped her feet in frustration, unable to contain her anger.
Sitting across from the scene, watching the ridiculous display, the Duchess asked softly:
“What do you think, Miela? If you want, I could take care of them for you. Teach them a harsh lesson. Don’t you resent them?”
“Huh? What do you mean, Lady Regina?”
As Miela turned with a confused face, Regina calmly explained.
“Eastin told me everything. That they made you work hard without proper pay. That the other kids bullied you. They were truly awful neighbors.”
Miela glanced around and hesitated before answering.
“Well, it’s true… but I’d rather you didn’t do anything.”
“What?”
The Duchess looked surprised by her answer. Miela said hesitantly:
“Even so, there were more good memories than bad. This village is where I was born and raised. I want to remember it fondly.”
“Phew, your heart is too soft. That’ll be trouble one day.”
Regina sighed, covering her mouth with a fan.
“If I may offer some advice… If you stay that gentle in the Duke’s estate, you might lose your head before you even realize it. Got it?”
“W-What? If I lose my head, doesn’t that mean I die?!”
Miela’s eyes shook with terror. Regina had meant to give a light warning, but it seemed she had scared her too much and now felt guilty.
“Oh dear, I can’t joke around you, can I? Miela, I was only teasing. No one in the Duke’s estate would dare to harm the future duchess.”
Well… unless they were crazy or a spy sent from a hostile family. But both were unlikely.
What Regina truly worried about was something else.
“Just remember—outside the estate, especially in high society, the nobles are like packs of wolves. If you show weakness, they’ll bite. You’ll have to face them sooner or later as the young lady of the house.”
“I understand. I’ll remember that for sure, Lady Regina.”
Miela nodded firmly. At the same time, Eastin held her hand reassuringly and said:
“Don’t worry, Miela. I’ll protect you. I’ll always be by your side.”
“But Eastin… being protected by you feels a little…”
I mean… you’re just a little kid.
Miela swallowed her words. Just days ago, people still called him “sickly.”
He was healthier now, thankfully, but still looked smaller and cuter than her.
“Did you forget? I’m two years older than you. This is just the effect of the curse. I’ll start growing again soon.”
Eastin reminded her of what she’d forgotten. He hated still being treated like a kid. If not for that damn curse, this wouldn’t even be an issue. His irritation simmered.
“O-Oh, really?”
Honestly, Miela still couldn’t believe it. Even knowing his real age, she felt like she was the older one. Sensing this, Eastin narrowed his eyes.
“Hmph. That face says you don’t believe me.”
“N-No! I believe you! Of course I do!”
Miela panicked, but Eastin already looked sulky.
“Fine. Once we get to the estate, I’ll prove it. The Valroire family is famous for being tall and good-looking. Just look at the portraits of our ancestors—you’ll see.”
Ugh, he hadn’t wanted to go this far. It felt petty and pathetic. Even he didn’t understand why he was acting this way.
‘Heh, how cute.’
Watching them bicker, Regina couldn’t help but smile warmly.
* * *
About three days later, the carriage carrying Miela finally arrived at the Duke’s estate.
“Wow! This is the Valroire Duchy? It’s enormous! I’d believe it was a palace!”
Miela stuck her head out the window, looking around excitedly. Despite the long journey, her stamina—honed through farm work—kept her energetic.
“…Miela, didn’t you sleep at all?”
“Nope! I was too busy watching the scenery!”
Eastin looked more tired. Which was understandable—he had just been freed from a curse, after all.
“Greetings to Madam, Young Master, and Young Miss!”
As they stepped out of the carriage, they were greeted by what looked like dozens of servants.
“Um… who’s the ‘young miss’?”
Miela looked around nervously, then whispered to Eastin.
Eastin chuckled and whispered back:
“They’re talking about you.”
“Me?”
Miela’s eyes widened. She really did look like a squirrel sometimes.
“Yep. ‘Madam’ refers to the Duchess—my mother. ‘Young master’ is me. And since you’re my fiancée, the future duchess, they call you ‘young miss.’ Get it?”
