Chapter 6
Yuan was a minor supporting character who appeared only briefly in the latter half of the original story as an agent of the underground organization.
He was introduced as a cold-hearted intelligence operative with a vicious scar across his face, and it was hinted that he had once belonged to a clan of beastfolk.
The reason he had remained in Rayleigh’s memory, however, was because of his death scene.
Unable even to close his eyes as he died, he lamented,
“I wanted… to avenge you…”
His thoughts lingered on his younger sister, who had already passed away.
Now that she thought about it…
The original novel had mentioned that, despite his intimidating appearance, Yuan’s hobby—and greatest talent—was making handcrafted ornaments. It had originally been his younger sister’s hobby, and after her death, he had continued it as though carrying on her final wish.
I never imagined they were the same person…!
The Yuan from the novel had been such a fierce-looking agent that it was difficult to connect him with the refined, intelligent, and handsome young man standing before her now.
“They’re so intricate and beautiful. I honestly thought they were something you’d bought from a shop.”
“I’m flattered.”
Perhaps embarrassed that the conversation had turned into praise for his late sister, Yuan carefully put away the keychain before bowing to Rayleigh once more.
“This is something very precious to me. Thank you for finding it. If there ever comes a time when you need my help, no matter what it is, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Oh, it was nothing, really! Though… I suppose I’ll probably end up relying on you whenever there’s something about the manor that I don’t understand.”
Rayleigh answered jokingly.
A faint smile appeared on Yuan’s face.
“It would be my pleasure to assist you, Young Madam.”
She still couldn’t reconcile that gentle smile with the ruthless intelligence agent from the original story.
After parting ways with him and returning to her quarters, an uncomfortable heaviness settled in her chest.
Yuan’s younger sister… is destined to die.
If she remembered the original story correctly…
Yuan had originally worked for a beastfolk household.
When his younger sister was kidnapped, he abandoned everything and threw himself into the criminal underworld.
Desperate to earn enough money to pay the ransom and rescue her, he accepted every filthy job imaginable.
But the cruel truth was…
His sister had already been dead long before.
Afterward, driven solely by revenge, Yuan became a cruel and complicated figure who sometimes cooperated with the protagonists and sometimes betrayed them in pursuit of vengeance.
The problem is… I don’t know whether she’ll be kidnapped tomorrow… or years from now.
In a situation like that, she couldn’t exactly tell him,
“Please be extra careful to keep your younger sister safe.”
I’ll just have to keep an eye out for anything I can do.
After all, watching the kind young man who smiled so gently whenever he spoke about his sister eventually lose his only family and transform into the merciless agent from the novel…
That was simply too heartbreaking.
It was time for dinner.
After resting in her quarters, Rayleigh followed a servant’s guidance to the banquet hall.
Perhaps because she would once again be meeting her husband Serge—whom she hadn’t truly spoken with earlier—as well as her father-in-law Walter, she found herself growing nervous.
But when she entered the dining hall…
To her surprise, only Walter was seated at the table.
“Good evening, Duke.”
“Yes. Good evening to you too, my daughter-in-law.”
Walter greeted her with one cheerful smile after another.
Simply having the opportunity to share a meal with Rayleigh seemed to make him genuinely happy.
“Will Lord Serge be joining us a little later?”
“Ah… that boy isn’t feeling very well. I’m afraid you’ll have to dine with only me tonight.”
“Oh… I see.”
“He did ask me to tell you that he’ll definitely join you for breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Rayleigh was fairly certain Serge wasn’t actually sick.
He had probably transformed into a fox again and couldn’t bring himself to appear before her.
Naturally, determined to remain the oblivious wife everyone expected her to be, she smiled without showing the slightest suspicion.
“I hope Lord Serge recovers soon.”
“I’ll make sure to pass that along.”
Walter replied, his eyebrows drooping with uncertainty.
“…You’re not disappointed, are you?”
“Disappointed?”
“Well… since you’ll be having dinner with only me instead of Serge… I was worried I’d clumsily gotten in the way.”
It was something Rayleigh had never even considered.
If anything, given Serge’s catastrophically poor communication skills, dining alone with him would have been far more awkward.
“Not at all! I’d really like to get along with you too, Duke.”
“But…”
Walter hesitated, lowering his eyes.
“…You’re calling me ‘Duke’ because you’re uncomfortable around me, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“O-Of course, I understand! It’s only natural that everything still feels unfamiliar and awkward. We’re family now, but until yesterday we were complete strangers… You can call me whatever makes you feel comfortable.”
“…”
At this point, he was practically announcing with his entire body that he wanted her to stop calling him “Duke.”
Rayleigh smiled helplessly to herself.
“If it wouldn’t be disrespectful… may I call you Father instead?”
“…!”
Walter’s entire face brightened.
“O-Of course! I’d love that!”
“Then… Father, I look forward to your guidance from now on.”
A broad, delighted grin spread across the handsome man’s refined face.
The more I see him… the more adorable my father-in-law becomes…
Although her husband Serge was absent, dinner passed pleasantly.
Unlike his painfully timid son, Walter—while somewhat absent-minded—was perfectly capable of carrying on a normal conversation.
He casually chatted with Rayleigh while telling her little stories about the ducal estate.
“In the northern wing, there’s a gallery where we’ve collected various works of art. If you’re interested, feel free to visit anytime.”
“Yes, Father!”
“Tell me… are you interested in jewelry?”
“Hmm… I’m not really sure. I’ve never had much chance to wear any.”
To be precise, her parents had been so obsessed with selling Rayleigh off that they had never once bothered to buy her luxuries like jewelry.
Besides, speaking poorly of her birth family would only embarrass herself, so she simply glossed over it.
“I see. Then perhaps you could start taking an interest in it. The social season will begin before long, and we’ll be staying in the capital. I thought it might be nice to visit a few jewelers while we’re there.”
Ah… that’s right. The social season…
The Elestain family was a reclusive northern ducal house that intentionally kept its distance from the political center.
But the social season was the one exception.
During that period, political meetings and noble assemblies were held in the imperial capital.
As rulers of their territory, they couldn’t simply ignore such gatherings.
Still, Rayleigh didn’t want to burden her father-in-law by asking him to buy things for her while he was there on official business.
“Thank you. Just the thought alone makes me happy.”
“D-Did I push too hard again?”
Walter’s expression immediately turned gloomy.
“No! I’m really happy. I just didn’t want to become a burden to you…”
“You don’t need to worry about something like that. A little thing like this could never burden me.”
His endless kindness made Rayleigh shrink inward, while her conscience stabbed painfully at her heart.
I’m such a terrible daughter-in-law… All I can think about is running away…
Trying to hide those guilty feelings, she changed the subject.
“So, Father… you’ll be leaving for the capital soon?”
“You’ll be coming with me, my daughter-in-law. And if there’s anything you like—not just jewelry—please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“…Thank you.”
He genuinely seemed determined to give her anything she wanted.
There was really no reason to bring his young daughter-in-law along on a business trip to the capital, yet he insisted.
“Will you be attending the nobles’ conference as well, Father?”
“Mmm. Actually, the Imperial Family is auctioning off a Core Ruby mine this time. It would be wonderful if we could acquire it without paying an outrageous price, though whether that’ll happen is another matter.”
Core Rubies were precious minerals that served as the core component in countless magical artifacts throughout the world.
Naturally, every noble house coveted a Core Ruby mine.
The House of Elestain was no exception.
“I see. I hope everything goes well!”
“With you cheering me on, I’m sure it will. Though… talking about business during dinner is rather dull, isn’t it? Let’s discuss something more enjoyable instead.”
Rayleigh smiled at her considerate father-in-law.
Yet guilt continued to prick at her heart.
She might be a selfish daughter-in-law who planned to run away…
But until the day she left…
She wanted to cherish the kindness of this family.
Outside the Viscount Bitence estate, heavy rain poured relentlessly from the sky.
Clicking his tongue as he looked out the window, Viscount Bitence turned toward his wife.
“That girl Rayleigh is getting along without causing any trouble at the ducal estate, isn’t she? I just hope she hasn’t done anything that would earn Duke Elestain’s displeasure.”
Although he called it concern…
There wasn’t the slightest trace of parental affection in his voice.
“So far, there hasn’t been any news,” his wife replied. “We sent her nanny, Margaret, along with her. She’ll keep the girl firmly under control in our place.”
“She’d better. That useless child is finally in a position where she can actually be of some use.”
Lighting his cigar, the viscount’s eyes gleamed with sinister intent.
“After all… this is the perfect opportunity to extract as much information as possible about the House of Elestain.”
