IHIMML Chapter 60

 

“And a letter has arrived.”

The head maid pulled a letter from her bosom.

The letter was folded in a unique shape. It was so complicated that anyone who tried to tear it open without knowing how to unfold it would end up ripping it.

The Imperial Consort never taught even the head maid, who had been with her for decades, how to do it.

A smile spread across the Imperial Consort’s face upon discovering the letter. As she started to unfold it, the outer layers peeled off layer by layer, revealing the contents. Before completely unfolding the letter, she turned her head to look at the head maid.

The head maid was bowing her head obediently, just as she had when she entered.

“You’ve worked hard. You can go back now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After the head maid left,

the Imperial Consort, having read the entire letter, burst into a satisfied laugh. In the quiet of the Imperial Consort’s palace, only her laughter echoed.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

A few days later, Philome heard from Kaien that Emon had been found passed out in a tavern by the royal knights.

“In a tavern?”

“Yeah. It seems he’s been drinking heavily.”

“What happened?”

“Do you think Emon has given up his inheritance or not?”

After pondering Kaien’s question for a moment, Philome replied.

“I don’t think he has.”

“Correct.”

“Of course. I knew it. He was always bragging about being better than his brother every day.”

Emon certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

He likely had no interest in the finances of the Kevan Marquisate and hadn’t even properly looked at the documents. With his brother arrested for drug use and distribution, losing his position as heir, Emon must have thought it was a perfect chance and jumped at it.

“He’ll probably be surprised when he inherits it.”

“He’ll probably cry, asking if he can take it back?”

“…No way.”

“The duke has a tendency to unconsciously overestimate people.”

It was clear that Kaien had a certain standard for people, and that standard was himself.

But even that standard was high.

“Well… considering what Emon Kevan has done so far, it really seems plausible.”

Kaien nodded while rubbing his chin.

After all, Kaien had dealt with Nadia and had experienced Emon before. Having faced the worst once, he could trust Philome’s words.

“Anyway, you have to do well.”

“…Do I really have to say that?”

“Yes.”

At Philome’s firm words, Kaien pouted with a sulky expression.

“You absolutely have to do everything.”

“Philome, sometimes short and concise words can be more sincere than long ones.”

“But wouldn’t the opposite be true? That long and complicated is more sincere?”

“…You are the only one I can’t win against in a battle of words. It’s no wonder I like you.”

“That’s quite an honor, Duke.”

Philome smiled serenely, pretending to be unfazed.

Just then, the curtain in front of them was pulled back, revealing Liazell.

Liazell was wearing a dress that flowed just below her knees, rather than a long gown that reached her ankles.

A green ribbon was tied around her waist, and her shoulders had a puffy, voluminous shape.

Overall, the dress was white with green accents, making it both practical for movement and lively in appearance.

In a word, it suited Liazell perfectly.

Her hair was also styled to match her outfit, loosely tied in a half-updo.

“How do I look?”

Liazell shyly smiled, holding the hem of her dress and spinning around.

“Wow, Liazell! You look so beautiful!”

Philome exclaimed, poking Kaien in the waist with her elbow.

“What do you think, Duke?”

“…Liazell, it really suits you well. I’ve never seen anyone wear this dress better than you. It’s as if the dress was made for you.”

After saying everything Philome had told him, Kaien turned his head away.

She had completely turned her body, facing away from him. Her shoulders were hunched and trembling slightly.

Liazell glanced at Kaien, then cautiously approached Philome and whispered softly.

“Philome, my uncle is acting strange… Why is he like this?”

“Pfft!”

Philome, trying to stifle her laughter, eventually burst into a big laugh.

In response, Kaien covered his flushed face with one hand.

And, biting his teeth tightly, he said, “I told you not to laugh.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing.”

Philome managed to reply with a face full of laughter.

Although she had given him some advice on what to say, seeing him actually do it made her unable to hold back her laughter. His stiff demeanor and awkward way of speaking were even more mismatched than she had anticipated.

With a smile still on her face, Philome turned back to Liazell.

“Uncle wants to compliment Liazell but finds it difficult, so he asked me to help. To summarize what he said, he thinks you look really great and beautiful.”

“Do you think so too, Philome?”

“Yeah.”

Philome nodded and tidied up Liazell’s loose hair.

“You look so good! Like an angel!”

“Hehe.”

Liazell beamed with a wide smile.

“Isn’t it fun to be out like this?”

“Yes! I hope we can do this again next time!”

Usually, whenever they want to buy something, the salesperson would come to the Wintbell Duchy.

The same went for buying Liazell’s things. Liazell had grown so much that they had to call the madam of the beaute salon regularly to adjust her clothes.

But Philome thought it would be nice to give Liazell a different experience for once.

Having such experiences together would bring her closer to Kaien. Philome hoped that the two would become more familiar with each other before Kaien headed north, so she brought them both to the Beauté salon for some shopping.

And when she suggested that Kaien react differently to get closer, this situation arose.

“Do you like this dress? Should we get it?”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

The thrill of wearing new clothes right after buying them was part of the joy of shopping.

“This one is the most comfortable and nice to move around in.”

“Aren’t your legs cold?”

“The stockings are thick, so I’m not cold at all.”

“Then that’s a relief. Let’s put on an outer coat.”

“Yes!”

Liazell answered softly and went back inside to put on her outer coat.

In the meantime, Kaien stood up and scanned the clothes that the salon staff had brought for Liazell.

“Send everything to the Duke’s residence.”

The madame smiled brightly and bowed her head.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Kaien looked back at Philome.

“Philome, do you need anything?”

“I have more than enough.”

“If you say that, I’ll buy everything in this store.”

“……”

In her previous life, she had thought it would be nice if a wealthy person threw her a black card and told her to spend as much as possible.

Now that she was in that position…

‘This is good.’

It was even better than she expected.

Philome pointed to something.

“Then I’ll take this.”

“You’ve been eyeing that since earlier, haven’t you?”

As Kaien said, it was something Philome had indeed been interested in.

It was a set item made similarly to the dress Liazell was wearing. Kaien alternated his gaze between the dress and Philome before gesturing.

The staff then came closer, holding the dress.

“Go change and come out. I think you two will look even better together.”

Philome was gently led by the staff into the changing room.

Kaien tapped his foot while waiting for the two.

Even though he was just waiting without doing anything, Kaien didn’t feel like time was being wasted.

His days were always tightly scheduled without any gaps. It had been this way for a very long time, so he had never felt overwhelmed.

However, since meeting Philome and bringing Liazell to the Duke’s residence, he realized that spending time without a big purpose wasn’t so bad.

In the past, he would have used this time to review documents.

But now, Kaien has learned to enjoy his leisure time.

“Huh? Where’s Philome?”

Liazell, having put on her coat, looked around when she didn’t see Philome.

“Over there.”

Kaien pointed to the changing room with his chin.

Liazell sat down next to Kaien.

Then, fiddling with her hands, she said, “Thank you for the clothes, Uncle.”

“Sure.”

“And I know you really meant it when you said I looked pretty. I was just flustered.”

“…Right.”

“But, Uncle,” Liazell asked shyly, “Do you like Philome?”