~Chapter 9~
It had already been ten days since Leah and Raphaella arrived at the duke’s mansion.
During that time, Leah taught her daughter the basics of the Empire’s education system.
She started with the Empire’s alphabet and children’s fairy tales based on imperial myths.
At mealtimes, they were served rich dishes made with high-quality ingredients.
“What if we get too used to this luxurious lifestyle?”
Leah had always cooked for herself, made fires, and cleaned while living in the cottage.
But now, at the Blumhardt Duke’s estate, she was being treated like a noblewoman—something unthinkable for a commoner.
“I’m probably just being treated nicely because I came with Raphaella.”
“Still… even if I do get used to this, does it really matter?”
Even if she went back to her old life in the cottage, she wouldn’t be able to do things like before.
When she returned a year and a half later…
“By then, I’ll probably be a patient just waiting to die.”
She’d barely make it to bed and then pass away within a few days.
Experiencing luxury before dying didn’t seem like such a bad idea.
“Fine.
I might as well enjoy this while I can.”
Leah smiled, kissed Raphaella’s forehead as she was waking up, and got out of bed.
“Rafi, is it okay if Mommy steps out for a bit?”
“…Where are you going?”
“I’m going to see your dad.
I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay,” Raphaella said, rubbing her eyes and nodding.
Leah left the room and headed toward the duke’s chambers.
The reason she was going to see him early in the morning was simple—he hadn’t done a single thing in their agreement for the past ten days.
She had been too busy to notice at first—teaching Raphaella and helping her adjust to the mansion.
But by the tenth day, it was clear: he hadn’t visited Raphaella or eaten with them even once.
“Today, I’ll make sure they at least have breakfast together.”
—
Johann was getting dressed in his dressing room with the help of his assistant.
He was planning to have a quick breakfast and head to the palace to report to the emperor.
He had to explain the sudden registration of his daughter and the deployment of the Blumhardt knights to the Black Mountains.
Originally, Johann himself should have been the commanding general for the northern monster subjugation.
But with Penelope being terminally ill and the risk of leaving the estate without a clear heir, the emperor allowed the knight commander to go in his place.
Technically, it was an act of mercy—but in reality, it was just common practice when there was only one heir left.
Just as johann finished getting ready—
Knock knock knock.
“…It’s Raphaella’s mother.”
He hadn’t expected her to show up.
When he nodded, his aide Samuel opened the door.
“Good morning, Your Grace.”
Leah greeted him awkwardly.
“…What brings you here so early in the morning?”
He asked in a cold, low voice.
“I know it’s rude to visit so early…”
“So you do know.”
He replied coldly.
“But you haven’t followed a single part of our contract in ten days, so I had no choice.”
She didn’t look even a little sorry.
“I’ve been busy.
And today I need to leave early.”
He still showed no sign of guilt.
“Then how about having a quick breakfast with Rafi before you go?”
“…”
‘Persistent woman.’
Johann frowned.
“Is that okay?”
She clearly didn’t care that he was annoyed.
‘She’s not backing down at all.’
“…Fine.
But we’ll eat in the dining room.”
“Great! I’ll go bring Rafi.”
She left with a victorious smile—one that johann found very annoying.
Leah brought Raphaella to the dining room.
Since johann had to leave soon, a simple breakfast was already set out:Freshly baked bread, warm omelets, seasonal fruits, fragrant tea for adults, and orange juice for Raphaella.
A few days ago, Leah had taught Raphaella basic noble etiquette.
When Leah signaled, Raphaella awkwardly lifted her dress and gave a small curtsey to johann.
“…Sit down.”
He didn’t criticize her form.
“Phew, I guess she didn’t mess up.”
As they ate, Leah kept asking Yohan to talk to Raphaella:“Your Grace, ask Rafi if she likes the omelet.”
“Your Grace, ask Rafi what she dreamed about.”
She knew she was being annoying and maybe a little shameless,But she couldn’t help it.
Even if he doesn’t remember, he used to ask her things like this every single day.
“You expect me to believe I did stuff like that with her every day?”
“I’m just telling you what I saw.”
“…Hah.
”johann sighed, maybe out of self-disgust.
“That man is gone.
I’m not doing crazy stuff like that.”
He looked like he’d rather die than act like a kind and loving father.
“…I guess that’s a bit too much to ask from a high noble.
Still, you need to practice.
You promised.”
But Leah didn’t give up.
She just took a step back for now.
“His pride must really be hurting.”
“…Your Grace, then can you do something else with Raphaella today?”
—
That “something else” was letting Raphaella send johann off as he left for the palace.
To Leah, it was just as important as breakfast together.
“…I’ll be back, Raphaella.
Listen to your mom, okay?”
Johann hesitated, then awkwardly patted Raphaella’s head.
Raphaella felt just as weird and uncomfortable as he did.
“Okaay.”
She nodded slightly.
“Rafi, you should say ‘Come back safely.’”
“…Come back safely.”
Raphaella repeated after her mom, then quickly hid her face in Leah’s skirt.
She didn’t recognize this new version of her dad.
Johann’s aide smiled faintly, finding the moment a little cute.
Johann stared at his shy daughter for a moment before getting into the carriage.
“Whew.
Even saying goodbye is hard.”
Leah turned away from the retreating carriage and looked at the mansion staff nearby.
Most of them seemed uncomfortable around her.
After showing basic manners to Raphaella, they all hurried back inside.
“A couple healing potions won’t be enough to win their favor.”
Leah wondered how she could make them like her—or at least stop disliking her.
“Maybe I can help the maids sometimes and share some potions…”
Back at the cottage, she had lots of ingredients stored away.
“But here, I have nothing.”
Except for some potion-making tools.
“What good are tools without ingredients?”
Just then, a sharp voice cut through her thoughts.
“…You’ve got some nerve!”
At the main entrance stood carolina, dressed up glamorously even this early, with her son by her side.
“You should be groveling in gratitude that your commoner kid was officially registered! Instead, you’re making a fuss and bothering my nephew early in the morning!”
“…”
“Aren’t you ashamed?”
Leah tightly held Raphaella’s hand and tried to stay calm, listing potion ingredients in her mind.
“I’m talking to you! Say something!”
“…”
“Because I don’t want to.”
Leah grumbled internally.
As long as Carolina didn’t target Raphaella, she didn’t want to argue.
“This child must be as shameless as her mother.
She doesn’t even greet adults properly!”
Carolina was now picking on Raphaella.
“Rafi, can you greet your great-aunt like you did with your dad earlier?”
If Carolina wanted a bow, they might as well give it to her and move on.
“Okay.”
Raphaella reached for her dress to curtsey—“Forget it! What does a commoner brat know about noble manners? She’ll just embarrass herself.”
Carolina waved her hand dismissively.
“Mom, who are they?”
Her son, Marco, asked, looking mischievous.
He looked just as mean as the rumors said.
“Oh, Marco.
They’re nobody you need to worry about.”
“And you talk about manners?”
It was one thing to insult her, but Leah couldn’t let Carolina treat Raphaella like this in front of her son.
“Lady Carolina, Raphaella isn’t a ‘thing.’
She’s the Blumhardt family’s young lady.”
“…What?”
“She’s one of the most important people in this house.
Please don’t speak of her like that.”
“…How dare you lecture me!”
Carolina, enraged, raised her hand again.
“Not this time.”
Leah braced herself.
But just then—“…Lady Carolina, pardon me for interrupting.”
The butler appeared between them.
“What?! Robert, how dare you—”
Carolina turned her fury on the butler.
It looked like she might slap him this time.
“…But the duchess is asking for Miss Leah.”
