“Chevelyn? When did you wake up, hmm?”
[ Blanket, Cherry brought it. ]
Through the dim light, Hilane saw Chevelyn dragging a blanket far too big for his small body.
“You brought a blanket to cover your brother? How sweet of you.”
[ Cover brother. ]
Hilane took the blanket from Chevelyn and carefully draped it over Luan.
As Luan curled up, Hilane gently patted his back.
‘It’s so….’
…warm.
Having a new family was filling the emptiness that had once hollowed out the child’s heart.
***
Aachen lifted Luan’s house arrest immediately.
The first thing Luan did was visit Aachen’s study to apologize.
“……Father.”
“Luan.”
“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
Aachen gently ruffled Luan’s hair.
‘I’m glad their relationship is improving.’
Watching the scene through a slightly open door, Hilane couldn’t help but smile.
As planned, Luan submitted a leave of absence to Kimish Academy and spent his time doing things he had missed out on.
He took long afternoon naps and read books in the library until the sun set.
“Chevelyn! Let’s make a snowman!”
[ Okay! ]
Other times, he played outside with Chevelyn.
As Luan and Chevelyn grew closer, Chevelyn adapted well to Hestur Castle.
At the same time, Hilane officially began managing the castle as its mistress.
The first step was taking over the financial records Gaern had been overseeing.
Hilane meticulously reviewed Gaern’s reports.
“If we adjust this, we could cut expenses and allocate more benefits to the citizens.”
“Yes, I’ll see to it immediately.”
Gaern was thrilled at her keen insight into the finances.
“Oh, Your Grace. There is a reading salon scheduled for the end of the month.”
“So it’s happening this month.”
“If Your Grace chooses a book for the theme, I will inform the attendees.”
As Gaern listed the guests, he hesitated slightly before mentioning one name.
“Countess Rosanna Riol has confirmed her attendance.”
Hilane noticed his wariness.
“Is there anything I should be particularly mindful of? Any important figures I should know?”
“There is a tradition where the ladies bring their children to the reading salon.”
Hilane was surprised by this unfamiliar custom.
“Children… at a reading salon?”
Back in Peztaine, such gatherings were exclusive to adults.
“In reality, it serves as an opportunity for the children to form connections before their debut into society.”
Gaern’s explanation made Hilane furrow her brows.
‘A socializing event, huh? Wait… Countess Riol….’
The countess had lost her husband shortly after their marriage.
There hadn’t been enough time for her to have a child, yet she was hosting the reading salon.
“Countess Riol doesn’t have children, does she?”
Gaern confirmed her suspicion.
“Crown Prince Henri of Daphne is studying at Kimish Academy and currently staying at the Riol estate under the pretense of studying abroad.”
“She’s hosting the event just to present her nephew?”
Hilane couldn’t understand Rosanna’s actions.
‘At the banquet, she told me she was looking forward to seeing what I’d do with the reading salon.’
Even as she was forced to leave that day, Rosanna had kept her head high, mocking Hilane.
Someone like that wouldn’t simply sit back at this event.
“How is the relationship between Crown Prince Henri and Luan?”
“Um… well… they’re not exactly close.”
Gaern struggled to find the right words, but Hilane could tell immediately.
‘So, they don’t get along.’
Her head ached already, but she refused to be caught off guard.
Most importantly, she didn’t want the children to get hurt.
“What are Luan and Chevelyn doing right now?”
“They’re in the library.”
Hilane left her office and made her way there.
Inside, the two children sat closely together, reading a book.
‘How adorable.’
Seeing them like that made her smile warmly.
[ Mom! ]
“Your Grace?”
Chevelyn spotted her and ran over, while Luan closed his book and looked up.
“So, you were reading together.”
As Hilane glanced at the books stacked around them, her eyes widened.
‘This is… the New Testament?’
Even priests found this scripture difficult to study.
“Luan, do you know the Psalms?”
She wondered if he had just picked a book at random or if he was genuinely interested.
“A little. I enjoy memorizing them….”
Luan scratched his head in embarrassment.
Hilane decided to test him.
“…Luan, can you recite Psalm 23?”
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Despite the sudden question, Luan recited it perfectly.
“…That’s right. Do you know the entire New Testament by heart?”
“Hmm, yes. I just read it, and it stuck….”
Luan shyly scratched the back of his head.
Considering his age, it was an incredible feat.
[ Brother, amazing! ]
“I’ll teach you too, Chevelyn.”
[ Okay! ]
Luan patiently read the scripture to Chevelyn, who listened in fascination.
“Keep having fun. I’ll see you later.”
Hilane ruffled their hair one by one before leaving the library.
‘The reading salon’s theme will be the New Testament.’
She immediately informed Gaern, who had been waiting outside.
“Gaern, announce that this reading salon will be centered around the New Testament.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
A Quiet Goodbye
Several weeks had passed since Hilane began sharing the couple’s bedroom with Aachen.
‘Today is already the day of the reading salon, which means it’s been nearly a month since I arrived at Hestur Castle.’
Although she had been awake for a while, Hilane kept her eyes closed, organizing her thoughts.
Preparing for the reading salon had been mentally exhausting.
In contrast, Aachen, who had woken up early, was moving quietly around the room, getting ready to leave.
She vaguely remembered hearing him mention the night before that he would be traveling to the territory today.
‘He’ll probably be gone for three days. It’s cold—he’s going to have a hard time.’
Since she wouldn’t see him for a while, she wanted to send him off properly, but she couldn’t bring herself to get up.
‘I should get up…’
Just as she was hesitating, she suddenly felt a light touch on her forehead.
Aachen’s lips had briefly brushed against her skin before pulling away.
‘Did he just… kiss me?’
Shocked by the unexpected action, Hilane couldn’t open her eyes and had no choice but to continue pretending to be asleep.
Then, she heard the soft sound of stifled laughter.
“…I’ll be back, Hii.”
With a sweet voice, Aachen left behind those parting words as the door closed.
Hilane bolted upright and pressed her fingers against her forehead, pressing down on the spot where she could still feel his touch.
‘……Strange man.’
She felt a pang of regret for not having bid him farewell.
***
The reading salon was set up in the inner part of the garden.
“Baroness His.”
“It is an honor to meet Your Grace, the Grand Duchess. Johan, greet Her Grace.”
Hilane, who had arrived early with Luan and Chevelyn, welcomed the first guest.
“I-I am Johan His… M-May the blessing of Freya be… with you….”
Johan, a shy boy who took after his mother, spoke timidly.
Hilane smiled warmly and accepted his greeting.
“Thank you for coming today, Johan.”
Johan quickly hid behind Baroness His.
“I apologize, Your Grace. My son is quite shy….”
Seeing the baroness looking troubled, Hilane shook her head reassuringly.
“It’s alright. That’s perfectly natural. Luan, Chevelyn, why don’t you show Johan around the garden?”
“Yes.”
At Hilane’s request, Luan gently took Johan’s hand, guiding him despite his shyness.
“Chevelyn, let’s go.”
Even as he led Johan, Luan made sure to include Chevelyn.
Not long after, Johan’s laughter could be heard, moving the baroness to tears.
Soon, Viscount Eldin’s wife and her daughter, who had helped Hilane at the banquet, arrived.
“Your Grace! It’s an honor to meet you! My name is Shurina!”
“Nice to meet you, Shurina.”
True to her age, the young lady was full of energy.
“Shushu, go play with the others.”
“Yes, Mother!”
Viscountess Eldin sent her daughter off to join the other children.
“Your Grace, thank you for inviting us. Oh, I also baked some pumpkin pie. Please try it.”
The viscountess handed Hilane a box filled with neatly packed pumpkin pie.
“You didn’t have to bring anything; it must have been a hassle.”
Hilane accepted the box, slightly raising her eyebrows in apology.
“Think of it as a small token of appreciation. It’s nothing much.”
Just then—
Creak—
Behind Viscountess Eldin, a splendid carriage came to a halt.
The Riol family crest was engraved on its side.
“Oh my.”
“T-That carriage….”
Viscountess Eldin and Baroness His gasped in astonishment at its sheer size.
Soon, Rosanna stepped out, accompanied by her nephew, Crown Prince Henri of Daphne.
As Rosanna locked eyes with Hilane, she curved her lips into a bright smile.
Once again, she had arrived dressed extravagantly.
Looking around as she walked forward, Rosanna was the first to speak.
“…Your Grace, the Grand Duchess. Since this is your first reading salon, you must have had many things you didn’t know. You should have asked for help.”
***
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