Bustling with people, its roads paved smooth and orderly rows of brick buildings stretching into the distance, the imperial capital was both sanitary and beautiful.
“Before you meet His Grace, we must prepare you.”
The gentleman entered an inn, summoned maids, and had Leah made ready.
She was bathed and cleansed, then dressed in a fine gown adorned with delicate frills. Her hair was carefully brushed and arranged.
Until now she had remained beside Izaac, but for the moment they were separated.
During the journey, she had come to feel that the man was not untrustworthy, and Izaac had agreed to let her stay at the inn.
When Leah was brought to the ducal estate, she drew in a sharp breath at its splendor.
An elegant mansion stood amid vast and exquisitely landscaped gardens.
The interior was as lavish as the exterior, and numerous servants moved about within.
“What is this…! She is the very image of my sister…!”
The duke she met for the first time was a tall, refined gentleman.
His features were strikingly handsome, and he appeared younger than the age she had been told.
His voice trembled with emotion.
“You remind me of my sister when she was a child…”
Tears welled in his eyes as he embraced Leah.
(What—?)
“My sister did not survive… but I am fortunate that I can at least take you in. Your name?”
He released her and gazed at her intently.
“Leah,” she answered hesitantly.
The duke nodded with a smile.
“A fine name. From today onward, you shall live in this house.”
She had already been told as much, so Leah bowed her head politely.
“Please take care of me, Your Grace.”
“How distant you sound!”
(Eh?)
The duke’s expression clouded with dismay.
“You are to become my daughter. Please, call me Father.”
“Your… daughter?”
“Yes.”
He gently stroked her hair.
“Regrettably, I have only sons of my own. My wife passed away long ago, and I can no longer hope for another child. If you would become my daughter, nothing would bring me greater joy.”
So being taken into this house meant becoming his adopted daughter.
It had been her father’s wish.
Leah had no choice but to accept.
“I understand. …Father.”
Her mother had been the duke’s younger sister.
That made him Leah’s uncle.
There was something in his features and manner that faintly resembled her mother, and she felt a reluctant sense of familiarity.
“…And yet, if that accursed man had not stolen my sister away, she would not have died so young, and I might have met you much sooner…”
(The accursed man… does he mean Father?)
The thought struck her, and pain tightened in her chest.
“Ah—he was your father, was he not? Forgive me.”
Noticing the shadow that crossed her face, the duke hurried to apologize.
“But he took my beloved sister and vanished without warning…! I sent men throughout the Empire to search for years, yet they could not be found. It was a bitter time for me.”
“…I am sorry. Father.”
Leah’s parents had loved each other since childhood.
When her mother had faced a marriage she did not desire, her father had taken her and fled.
It had not been his will alone—her mother had chosen it too.
They had loved each other and lived happily.
Though the duke’s words saddened her, Leah swallowed her feelings and offered her apology.
Somewhere within, she understood that this was what it meant to become a daughter of this house.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
The duke shifted his gaze to the man who had brought her here.
“And the boy mentioned in the letter?”
“It remains only for confirmation by the House of Crum.”
The boy—he must mean Izaac.
But confirmation by the House of Crum?
“Very well. Inform me as soon as it is settled.”
“At once, Your Grace.”
“And send Oscar and Camille here.”
“Immediately.”
The man withdrew, and shortly thereafter two boys entered the room.
They appeared around Leah’s age—both strikingly beautiful.
The moment they stepped inside, they froze.
“Eh—!?”
“No way…!”
“I told you, did I not? This is Leah, who will become part of our family.”
“…She is the girl who will be my little sister…?”
“She’s adorable…!”
Though clearly stunned, they approached her, staring unabashedly, and stopped right before her.
Leah stiffened with nervousness and embarrassment.
The duke gave a faint, wry smile.
“Leah, these are my sons. The one on the right is Oscar. He is nine—one year older than you. He will be your elder brother.”
Placing a hand on the taller boy’s shoulder, the duke introduced him.
The boy gazed at Leah as though captivated and extended his hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Leah…! I look forward to being your brother.”
