Chapter 6
“That’s right. They are portraits of the former Duke and Duchess.”
“Ah!”
‘I thought they looked familiar. The Duke looks exactly like his father!’
“They look so happy together.”
“Their affection was the talk of high society. They were so close, they went everywhere together. I can still see it clearly. His Grace cherished the Duchess so dearly. Enough to make every noble lady envious.”
“Oh, is that so! Perhaps that’s why the Duchess’s smile is so beautiful—she must have been loved.”
“I think so too. Our Duke may resemble the former Duke a great deal, but he has his mother’s smile. And he has such a warm heart….”
‘Who does? The Duke? Does he even smile? I feel like I was just bludgeoned with a block of ice!’
A silent scream echoed in Adelaide’s mind.
“Is the former Duke still on the estate?”
Sophia’s expression stiffened slightly, her eyes wavering with hesitation.
‘Did I make a mistake?’
Adelaide, who had asked so cheerfully without knowing anything, immediately regretted it.
“Since you’ve spent most of your time in Solaris, my lady, you may not have known. They both passed away fifteen years ago.”
“Oh, I truly didn’t know.”
“Not at all. You must be tired, and I’ve been talking your ear off. This way, please. I will show you to the room where you will be staying.”
Sophia led the way.
“Here we are.”
The door to the room was wide open.
“Your room is not quite ready yet, so you will have to stay in a guest room for a few days. I do apologize.”
Sophia bowed deeply.
“Things happen. It’s alright.”
After showing her the room, Sophia brought over a jewelry box that was sitting on the vanity.
“His Grace said this is an engagement gift.”
“But the engagement ceremony hasn’t happened yet.”
“Now that you are at the residence, you are as good as engaged.”
Sophia opened the jewelry box for her to see.
“So many?”
As Adelaide stared in surprise, Sophia simply smiled.
“His Grace said it was in place of the ruby brooch, though I’m not sure what he meant by that.”
“Ah!”
‘Payment for the test? This makes taking tests worthwhile!’
Adelaide examined the jewels neatly arranged in the box. The first row held a ruby necklace, ruby earrings, and a ruby ring.
*All I did was spot one fake ruby, and the reward is a high-end set. If this is the kind of test it is, I wouldn’t mind taking a few more.*
The rubies were all natural, with a unique cut. In the second row lay a hairpin decorated with opals.
“It will go beautifully with your hair color, my lady.”
“Thank you, Sophia.”
“…Himself?”
“This is an emerald bracelet His Grace had specially commissioned.”
She lifted the emerald bracelet.
*How strange.*
The green hue was vivid as it reflected the light.
“It’s too uniform. The light reflection is also consistent.”
She carefully placed the bracelet on the back of her hand. The jewel, which should have been cold, quickly warmed to her body temperature.
‘The reaction is too fast, too.’
Sophia, who had been watching Adelaide’s actions closely, tilted her head.
“Is something the matter?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Did His Grace happen to say this was also a test?”
“What? A test?”
Sophia’s eyes widened.
“No. What about a test?”
Sophia seemed to have no idea. Adelaide just blinked, hesitated, and then averted her gaze.
“Oh, is this a raw gemstone?”
“Yes, His Grace said you could have it processed into any piece of jewelry you desire.”
“Wow, it’s top quality.”
Adelaide’s eyes sparkled. But her heart was in turmoil. Even receiving gifts didn’t feel pleasant.
‘Still, another test so quickly…?’
Adelaide took the emerald bracelet and went out into the garden. The internal grain could only be seen clearly in a well-lit, sunny spot. Just as she was concentrating, changing the angle with her fingertips, a large shadow fell over her, blocking the sun.
“What are you doing?”
She turned her head at the Duke’s low, cold voice.
“There are some things you can only see in the sunlight.”
To get a better look at the inclusions, Adelaide stretched out her arm, holding the jewel up to the light. After changing the angle several times, her arm began to ache. As she casually shook her arm, the Duke approached without a word and supported Adelaide’s arm.
“Can you see it well?”
The Duke’s voice came from right beside her ear. Adelaide’s eyes widened at the unexpected contact. But the Duke, seemingly unconcerned, moved along with her wrist.
“You need to tilt it a little more.”
The moment Adelaide lifted her hand slightly, the light cut sharply through the inside of the jewel, revealing the inclusions. As she let out a gasp of admiration, the Duke leaned in a little closer. Their shoulders brushed, and his breath touched the nape of Adelaide’s neck.
“This should be enough to tell.”
‘Close, too close!’
Adelaide nodded repeatedly.
“I-I can see it. I can see it clearly now.”
Only then did the Duke release Adelaide’s hand and step back. His expression was unchanged. Feeling her cheeks flush, Adelaide lowered her head, pretending to look at the jewel.
“Where is the young countess currently?”
“She is resting in the guest room.”
“…The guest room?”
Duke Karsiten’s eyes sharpened.
“Well, her ladyship’s room isn’t ready yet, so……”
“My apologies, Your Grace.”
Sophia bowed her head low.
Sophia trailed off cautiously.
“And yet, I received no report?”
“I’m sorry. Emilia insisted she would inform you herself, so I assumed you already knew.”
“I’m disappointed.”
“Was the jewelry box delivered?”
“What is it?”
“Yes. My lady was pleased. It’s just…”
“When she saw the emerald bracelet, she asked if it was a test.”
“A test?”
“Yes, that is what she said.”
The Duke’s eyebrow rose fractionally.
‘So that’s why she was holding the bracelet up to the sunlight earlier?’
“Who was in charge of the jewelry box?”
“Emilia. Since she was assigned as the young lady’s personal maid, she has been in charge of everything from the room preparations to the jewelry.”
“I see. You may leave.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The Duke’s gaze darkened.
“Ah, I’m so tired.”
At that moment, Adelaide, having returned to the guest room, collapsed onto the sofa with a thud.
The tension left her all at once as soon as she entered the room.
‘A test on the very first day. That’s too much.’
*Knock, knock.*
“Yes!”
Servants entered carrying her luggage.
*Clang, thud!*
All sorts of noises could be heard as they bumped into things and set down the luggage. Once they left, a line of maids entered.
“My lady, may we organize your luggage?”
“Yes, please do.”
Adelaide gestured weakly. With practiced hands, the maids took out dresses, jewelry boxes, and personal items. A moment later, she heard quiet snickering. When Adelaide turned her head slightly, she saw two maids catching each other’s eyes and smiling.
‘I’ll have to deal with them at some point. But for now, I need to rest.’
Adelaide leaned back against the sofa nonchalantly. A moment later, Emilia entered at a leisurely pace and spoke.
“My lady, dinner will be a banquet with His Grace.”
“A banquet?”
‘A banquet on the first day!’
“I will prepare a dress. Which jewels would you like to wear?”
“I’ll wear the ones His Grace gave me as a gift.”
“Very well.”
Emilia slowly scanned the dresses the maids had laid out, then lifted one slightly with her fingertips. A barely audible whisper was, in fact, very easy to hear.
“There’s not a single decent thing here.”
Adelaide’s head whipped around. She bit her lip and took a deep breath.
‘Not yet. Be patient.’
Duke Karsiten alone was overwhelming, but she’d never dreamed the maids would act like this too. However, now was not the time. She hadn’t yet figured out how the ducal residence operated.
Just in time for dinner, the butler, Sebastian, came to her room personally.
“…My lady, the banquet is ready. Shall we?”
Sebastian politely escorted Adelaide. As befitting a ducal family, a magnificent dining table was prepared. The Duke seated Adelaide before taking his own seat.
‘What’s this? He didn’t even greet me, and now he’s suddenly being polite.’
Adelaide began her meal elegantly, following the etiquette ingrained in her.
“Oh, and thank you for the gift.”
Adelaide spoke to the Duke first. He merely gave a slight nod. Watching his reaction, Adelaide deliberately placed her arm on the table. The green light of the bracelet shimmered softly in the candlelight, but the Duke didn’t give it a single glance. In the end, it was Adelaide who spoke first again.
“The emerald bracelet.”
The Duke lifted his glass, his gaze shifting to the bracelet.
“The test, I mean. The bracelet is a fake.”
A flicker of something crossed the Duke’s eyes.
“….Are you certain?”
“Of course.”
When she answered with a voice full of conviction, the Duke simply stared at Adelaide.
“Huh? Was I wrong? That can’t be…”
Flustered, Adelaide tilted her head.
“No, you are correct. You’ve gotten it right again.”
At his indifferent tone, Adelaide smiled brightly.
“I knew it! Of course!”
The Duke paused for a moment before adding.
“Ahem! I apologize for not having your room prepared on time.”
Adelaide’s eyes widened. She never expected an apology to come from the Duke’s lips.
“It’s alright. The guest room is more than enough.”
A small smile touched Adelaide’s lips. It was a genuine one, as if she truly meant it. When their eyes met, the Duke’s gaze wavered for a moment. In that instant, his heart hammered strangely in his chest. A crack formed in his icy gaze.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
Adelaide, who had been marveling at each dish with sparkling eyes, sensed his stare and looked up. Her eyes met the Duke’s.
‘Was I eating too greedily?’
Adelaide’s fork, which had been moving with such enthusiasm, froze mid-air. She flushed, suddenly embarrassed at how completely engrossed she’d been in the novel dishes and unfamiliar flavors. But the Duke simply continued to watch her, perfectly still.
“Please, continue.”
The Duke gestured to the butler standing nearby. A moment later, the butler returned with more of the very dishes Adelaide had polished off. A faint blush colored Adelaide’s cheeks.
‘He was watching that closely.’
