TDVIATD 12

A year passed, and Leah turned nine.

She had grown accustomed to life in the ducal household.

Determined not to bring shame upon her late parents or the Arens name, she attended her lessons diligently each day.

Today, however, was a rare holiday, so she rode by carriage to visit the House of Crum.

Though she and Izaac now lived in different estates, they kept up a steady correspondence and visited one another whenever time allowed.

The Crum residence, as one of the Empire’s leading noble houses, was as grand as expected.

She was led into a beautiful garden, where Izaac greeted her with a smile.

“Leah.”

She blinked.

“Izaac… have you grown taller again?”

“A little.”

“You’re taller every time I see you…”

It made her oddly anxious, as though he were leaving her behind.

Though Izaac now carried himself like a true young noble raised in a marquis’s household, when they were alone together, he was unchanged—simple and unpretentious.

“You’ve grown too, Leah.”

“Not as much as you. I’m envious.”

They strolled through the expansive garden and sat upon a pair of arranged chairs, talking quietly.

“Have you gotten used to life at the ducal house?”

“Yes. More than at first. What about you?”

“I have. What I learned from your parents has been very helpful.”

Leah felt the same.

She missed the days she had spent with her parents.

Izaac lifted his gaze to the sky, narrowing his eyes as though looking far beyond it.

“It’s too far from the capital for now… but when we’re grown, let’s visit the village again.”

“Yes.”

The hollow space in her heart seemed to close, if only a little, when she was with Izaac—someone who shared her loss.

The duke and her brothers were kind, but when she was with Izaac, she could simply be herself, as she had been in the past.

That was when her heart felt most at ease.

“Oh—by the way, I’m going to the Imperial Palace soon.”

“The palace?”

“Yes. Father told me this morning that I’m to be presented to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Izaac raised his brows in surprise.

“Wait… wasn’t your mother once engaged to the Emperor?”

“Yes…”

The knowledge tightened her nerves whether she wished it or not.

“Well, that was before you were even born. I doubt His Majesty remembers such things now. There’s no need to worry. You’re composed, and you’re already quite the lady.”

Izaac touched his chin thoughtfully.

“Still, an imperial audience… It’s too early for your debut into society, isn’t it?”

Leah traced her fingers lightly along the table.

“It seems this one is unofficial. My etiquette instructor keeps warning me that I mustn’t disgrace myself when I enter society. I’m scolded often. What if I behave improperly before His Majesty?”

“My tutors scold me too,” Izaac said with a faint smile. “But you’ll be fine.”

At that moment, a high, sweet voice rang out.

“Brother Izaac!”

Running toward them was his half-sister, Melanie Crum.

“Melanie.”

With strawberry-blond hair, fair skin, brown eyes, a small nose, and softly rounded lips, she was a charming girl.

Melanie cast Leah a brief glance.

“You look like you’re having fun. May I join you, Lady Leah?”

“Of course.”

When Leah answered, Melanie sat neatly beside Izaac. She was the same age as Leah.

With mellow brown eyes, she studied Leah carefully.

“You’re cousins with Lord Oscar and Lord Camille, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Melanie muttered softly,

“I always think it’s strange. You don’t resemble them at all. They’re both so very charming…”

It was true Leah did not resemble them.

And it was equally true that Oscar and Camille were attractive.

Melanie reached for Izaac’s hand.

“Lady Leah has rather strong features. I wonder if her personality is the same? Isn’t that so, Brother Izaac?”

“Eh? Well… Leah is strong, but—”

“I knew it! Oh, Brother Izaac, the other day…”

She then monopolized his attention, speaking eagerly to him while treating Leah almost as though she were invisible.

Leah had sensed it before—Melanie did not think highly of her.

Yet she could not recall ever having done anything to warrant such treatment.

(Perhaps because she adores her half-brother…)

Maybe Leah’s long familiarity with him irritated her.

After some time, Leah made preparations to leave.

Izaac walked her to the carriage.

“I’m sorry about Melanie, Leah.”

“I don’t mind.”

It was nothing new; she was accustomed to it.

“Earlier, when I said you were strong… I was going to say you have a strong core. That you’re… cute—”

He turned his face away, mumbling.

“Hmm?”

He ruffled his own hair awkwardly.

“Forget it. We barely got to talk. Can I come to the ducal house next week?”

“Yes.”

Leah stepped into the carriage, and it carried her away from the Crum estate.