~Chapter 19~
On Ruby’s desk was a small wooden tag.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“It’s a pass to the Grand Duke’s library,” Balt replied.
Ruby picked up the pass from the table.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“I thought this would be more useful to you than any other gift. The library has a lot of information about the Lux Grand Duchy. If you want to work toward becoming the heir, you will need it.”
Ruby realized this might indeed be the most important thing she could get right now.
“So… is this also my grandfather’s order?”
“Yes. It is truly the Grand Duke’s order.”
Ruby thought, There’s no way the Grand Duke would think so carefully about what we like.
It must have been Balt who prepared the gift. Still, Ruby decided not to question it and accepted it politely.
“I guess I should thank him for this, too.”
“If you do, the Grand Duke will be pleased,” Balt said with a kind smile.
Ruby looked down again at the wooden pass in her palm. This was basically permission to freely access important information about the Lux Duchy. She decided she must find a way to repay that trust someday.
Ruby closed her hand tightly around the pass.
“There’s another gift,” Balt said.
“Another one?” Ruby was surprised.
Balt led her through a connecting door into another room.
It was a small study. Shelves were filled with books Ruby might need, and an old wooden desk gave the room a calm atmosphere.
“This will be your study, Ruby. It’s small for now, but when you grow up, we will give you a bigger one.”
“Wow…” Ruby gasped.
This room also had a separate dressing room, so among the three children, Ruby now had the biggest space. She stepped inside, running her hand over the desk. The smooth surface showed it was high quality. The wood grain was beautiful, making it clear it was expensive. The books on the shelves were at just the right level for her. Sunlight streamed through the window by the desk.
“Is this also my grandfather’s order?” she asked.
“Of course,” Balt replied.
Ruby moved, opened the window, and looked outside. She could see the front garden of the mansion. For the first time in her life, she had her own room.
Before Sasha was born, their family had been too poor to have separate rooms. Later, Calix got his own room, and Ruby had to share with Sasha. In her previous life, she had lived in a small house with her many siblings, so she had never had a room to herself.
She had never imagined she would get such a wonderful one. The breeze from the window felt fresh and freeing.
“How do you like it, my lady?” Balt asked.
“I love it,” Ruby answered with a sincere smile.
“Then I look forward to serving you well,” Balt said, bowing. Ruby bowed back.
“Me too, Balt.”
Ruby finally felt like she had her feet firmly on the ground. The Lux Grand Duchy was now her new home.
***
Later, the children gathered in the dining room for dinner.
“Unnie, come play in my room,” Sasha said, tugging on Ruby’s clothes.
“Sure, I need to see how nice it is,” Ruby smiled.
“Noona, look at my new wooden sword!” Calix proudly showed it.
“Calix, I told you not to bring it to the table.”
“You never know when enemies will appear!” he said seriously, but Ruby knew he just wanted to show it off.
“Put it away,” she said.
“Why?”
“It’s in the way when eating.”
“I can eat with my other hand.”
Ruby sighed. She gave up arguing and just let him sit quietly until the food arrived.
“I brought my bunny too!” Sasha showed Ruby her bunny-shaped bag.
“Sasha, it’s uncomfortable to keep it on while eating. Take it off.”
“No. The bunny has to eat too.”
Ruby tried to persuade her, but suddenly—
Ahem.
Everyone turned. The Grand Duke walked in with his hands behind his back.
Calix’s mouth dropped open, and Sasha glared at him without a word. Only Ruby and baby Maria welcomed him.
“Welcome, Grandfather,” Ruby said, standing with a bright smile.
“You could have started eating without me,” he said.
“How could I? We promised to eat together.”
Maria squealed happily and reached for him. The Grand Duke glanced at her, then looked back at the children at the table.
“It doesn’t seem like a friendly atmosphere for a shared meal,” he noted, quickly seeing that Calix and Sasha were not pleased to see him.
“Calix, Sasha. Grandfather will eat with us from now on, so stop glaring,” Ruby said.
“But he ignored us!” Calix protested.
“And he grabbed me here!” Sasha pointed to her neck, showing what had happened before.
“He’s the one who let us live here and gave you rooms and gifts. You should thank him,” Ruby insisted.
She put her hand on Calix’s shoulder. He didn’t dare refuse under her firm gaze.
“Thank… you,” he muttered.
“Properly,” Ruby pressed.
“Thank you!” He said loudly, then crossed his arms and sulked. Ruby uncrossed them for him.
Next, she went to Sasha.
“Sasha, say thank you.”
“But he’s a bad grandfather…”
“He gave you that bunny bag. Say thank you.”
Sasha stood and bowed slightly.
“Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll take good care of the bunny.”
The Grand Duke only cleared his throat in reply.
“Thank you, Grandfather. This is my first time having my own room,” Ruby added.
“First time?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He glanced at her, then turned away quickly.
“Well, use it well,” he said—almost as if embarrassed.
Once everyone was seated, food was served. Ruby kept talking to him to break the awkwardness.
“Grandfather, I especially love the study. Thank you for arranging it.”
“It was needed for you to prove yourself as heir,” he said.
Ruby was surprised—she had doubted Balt’s words that everything was the Grand Duke’s idea, but maybe it was true.
“I’ll make sure you never regret taking us in,” Ruby promised.
“Of course you will,” he replied.
Calix suddenly joined in.
“Grandfather, you’re strong, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then can you make it so I don’t have to take lessons?”
Ruby sighed. Even after Balt had talked to him, Calix still didn’t want to study.
“The tutors teach things all my grandchildren must know. Don’t bother them, and focus on your studies,” the Grand Duke said.
Calix slumped in disappointment.
“Calix, sit up straight,” Ruby scolded, but he ignored her.
“I thought you were the strongest here, but I guess not,” he muttered.
That seemed to annoy the Grand Duke. His eyebrow twitched.
“Do you want me to show you who’s really the strongest here?” he asked.
