Chapter 82
I Don’t Need to Worry Anymore
“Wow. So this is the ducal estate? It’s enormous.”
Zelda’s eyes widened as she followed Marican inside, marveling at every detail.
“To think, you lived here and then came to stay in my little house. It must have felt so cramped. You must have had such a hard time living with me, Duchess.”
“Oh? Not at all, Zelda. Before I married Ruan, I lived in a place no different from yours. Your home was warm and comfortable to me. And honestly—how much longer are you going to keep calling me ‘Duchess’?”
“But… with all these servants here, wouldn’t it be disrespectful for a commoner like me to speak to you informally?”
“Zelda, you called yourself my sister, didn’t you? Courtesy is important, yes, but what kind of sister speaks to her younger sister so stiffly?”
At her words, Zelda murmured softly, her voice trembling.
“Me… Merician…”
“Hehe. Call me Mer. Please, Zelda.”
“M-Mer. That’s fine, right?”
“Yes. That’s the Zelda I know.”
At Marican’s warm reply, Zelda broke into a smile as if suddenly remembering something.
“Peter worried so much when he heard you were coming here. He thought you’d be thrown out. But I told him—‘The Rosaline I know would never do such a thing.’”
“Of course not. To me, you’re my sister—my family. Come to the estate whenever you like. I’ll even tell the knights at the gates.”
As they walked deeper inside, Marican held Zelda’s hand tightly.
“Oh! You must be Lady Zelda? It’s such a pleasure to meet you. We heard how you helped save our lady. Thank you so very much.”
“Yes, Lady Zelda. Thank you for protecting our mistress.”
The moment Zelda stepped inside, servants and maids alike swarmed her with greetings of gratitude, leaving her dazed.
“Ha… Rosaline, I didn’t know receiving thanks could be this exhausting. They just keep bowing and thanking me—it’s embarrassing. Can’t you tell them to stop?”
“Clea, did you hear Zelda? Please let the others know they don’t need to say more.”
“Yes, madam. Then I’ll speak as the representative of all the household staff, Lady Zelda—thank you, truly.”
“N-no, that’s enough. You already thanked me plenty back in Phenomenon village.”
Seeing Zelda flustered, Clea chuckled and left to prepare tea.
***
“Wow… this room is the size of the whole house you used to live in. And this—this is a dressing room?”
Zelda gawked at the rows upon rows of gowns before Marican called her over.
“Come here, Zelda. Have some tea.”
Zelda finally tore herself away from the dresses, satisfied, and sat with her.
“Rosaline—no, Mer—I was worried before I came, but seeing you like this… I can finally relax.”
“What do you mean?”
Zelda sipped her tea, glancing around the spacious room.
“No matter how much the Duke loves you, I’ve heard plenty about how nobles treat people. Since you were only a baron’s daughter, I feared the servants here might look down on you. Even though I saw Clea and Charles before, I still wondered. But now I see—they’re all kind and warm. I don’t need to worry anymore.”
Marican’s eyes widened.
“Zelda… is that why you came all the way to the capital?”
“Well, partly. I also came for tea. Oh, right—George, the tea seller I trade with, gave me a rare black tea as a gift. It’s for you.”
“Thank you, Zelda. I’ll treasure it. How is little Ruan?”
“He’s fine. He moped after you left, but now he’s back to running all over the mountains. I left him with Peter.”
“I miss him so much… and my ducks and chickens, too.”
“Eh? Why do only the dog and not the others get names? Oh—come to think of it, your maid and housekeeper’s names are… hahahaha, no wonder. That must feel awkward.”
Marican quickly pressed a finger to her lips.
“Shh! That’s a secret.”
“Alright, alright. I won’t tell. But about that so-called sister of yours I saw earlier… her threats didn’t sound empty. What if she really tries something against you?”
Zelda’s brow furrowed. She remembered yanking Lucianne’s hair. She didn’t care if she herself was punished for insolence against nobility—but what if Lucianne harmed Mer instead?
“Don’t worry, Zelda. I’m not afraid anymore. I have Ruan, I have this household, and I have you—who wouldn’t even hesitate to grab a noblewoman’s hair for my sake.”
“That’s right! You’ve got me. Even if the Emperor himself tried to hurt you, I wouldn’t stand by and watch.”
Marican’s heart swelled at Zelda’s fierce devotion.
***
That evening, Zelda meant to return to her inn, but Marican insisted she stay the night in a guest room.
“Zelda, did you sleep well?”
The next morning, Zelda grinned as she stretched luxuriously on the soft bed.
“Like a baby! I’ve never slept on something so soft in my life. It was amazing.”
“Good. So… when will you return to Phenomenon?”
“Today, I suppose.”
“So soon? I thought you’d stay a few more days.”
“I’ve already done everything I came for—pulled that brat’s hair, saw that you’re happy. No reason to linger. Besides, I’ve left the shop too long, Ruan is waiting… and the chickens and ducks too.”
Marican’s face fell. Zelda caught her hand gently.
“Sorry, Mer. But I’ll come for your wedding, I promise. Oh… wait. Will a commoner like me even be allowed?”
“Of course! You’re my sister. I’ll send you an invitation myself.”
“Then I’ll be there.”
“Good. Let’s go out today—have lunch, do some shopping, eat something delicious.”
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Right, Ruan?”
Ruan, who was just entering, nodded with a smile.
“Certainly. I have business at the palace today, so you two enjoy yourselves. Ed?”
“Yes, master.”
“Is it ready?”
“It is.”
Edward handed Zelda a small box.
“What’s this? Not gold or jewels, is it?” Zelda joked, eyes bright with expectation.
Ruan chuckled.
“Is that what you wanted?”
“No, no… wait, a map and a seal?”
“That’s the location of one of our family’s shops in the city. Show them this seal and they’ll give you a travel artifact.”
“A travel artifact?”
“Yes. It used to take you three days to reach the capital. With this, you can go back and forth in a single day. We had a new batch made for our shops.”
Zelda gasped.
“Those are expensive! You’re giving them to me?”
“No price is too high. Take a few with you. That way you can visit anytime our lady wants to see you.”
“Mer! Your Duke is incredible! This is the best gift ever—better than gold or jewels.”
“Thank you, Ruan,” Marican said softly.
“Think nothing of it. Now enjoy your day. And take knights with you for protection.”
“Yes. Be safe.”
Ruan kissed Marican lightly on the forehead and departed.
Zelda whistled.
“Wow… a thoughtful Duke indeed. With this, I can visit in a day.”
“Then you can stay longer next time.”
“I’d like that. But this time, I’ll head back soon—Ruan and Peter need me. Next time, though, I’ll stay for days.”
“Good. Now let’s get ready.”
***
“Wow, so this is a dessert shop!”
“You’ve been to the capital so often, yet never to one?”
“I only ever came for tea. Places like this aren’t for women to enter alone. You need a man with you.”
“Haha. I see. Well, their cookies are supposed to be amazing. Let’s try them—”
“You! I said I won’t sell to you!”
The sharp voice made Marican lift her head. At the counter, the shopkeeper was quarreling with a woman.
“What’s this about? Just because I helped that girl last time, you refuse to sell to me?”
“Whatever the reason, get out! I won’t sell you anything!”
Marican’s eyes widened in recognition. That woman… isn’t she the one who helped Elena back then?
Stepping closer, she asked gently, “What’s going on here?”
The shopkeeper immediately changed his tune, bowing deeply with an obsequious smile.
“My lady Duchess! What an honor to see you again!”
“You’re the one from before, aren’t you?” Marican asked the woman.
Recognition flashed in the stranger’s eyes.
“Oh! You’re the lady who stopped the guards that day!”
Grimacing, the shopkeeper begrudgingly shoved a bag of cookies into the woman’s hands.
“Ahahaha, my mistake. I thought you were one of our troublemakers, miss. So sorry.”
“Me? Mistaken for a nuisance? That’s a first.”
The shopkeeper’s face stiffened, but he forced a smile as he turned back to Marican.
“My lady, would you care for some tea upstairs? We have fine seats on the second floor. Karl, attend them!”
A clerk hurried over.
“Please, this way, honored guests.”
As the woman started to leave with her cookies, Marican caught her hand.
“If you have time… would you join me for tea?”
The woman glanced at the shopkeeper.
“Me? I’d like that, but… will he allow it?”
“Of course, of course!” the shopkeeper said through gritted teeth. “Karl, three for upstairs!”
Suppressing a smile at his sour expression, Marican followed the clerk upstairs with Zelda and the woman.
