Episode 36. Chapter 5. Flower Farm (6)
“If Your Grace allows, I will bring Helia here right away to beg for forgiveness from the Grand Duchess.”
Normally, Helia should have been brought with her, but today only Andria was permitted to attend. Her words were sincere—she truly meant to bring her daughter to apologize.
Helia might look young, but she was already a grown woman. Acting childishly just because of her appearance was not something Andria could overlook.
At the moment, Helia had been forced into training and punishment so harsh that she could barely walk. She had tried to act mature in front of her mother, but Andria had realized—too late—that her daughter was still very immature.
“I see,” Yuriel replied softly, lifting her teacup to wet her lips.
The parlor fell quiet for a moment. Andria began to feel uneasy. Even though she was a strong warrior who had slain many monsters, at this moment, she was just a parent, nervous and anxious.
“I could feel your sincerity in the letter you sent,” Yuriel said, setting down the cup with a gentle smile.
There was no blame or reproach in her expression, only kindness.
“A parent who apologizes so earnestly… how could I ignore such feelings?”
Yuriel had read Andria’s letter alone. It was indeed a letter of apology, but it also overflowed with the love and concern of a mother for her daughter—something Yuriel herself had never received in her life.
Reading it, Yuriel had even felt a little envious of Helia.
“I must have misunderstood about the West. I will need to talk things through with Lady Helia directly.”
She wasn’t sure if Helia truly regretted her actions, but since Andria had bowed so deeply and apologized, Yuriel wanted to accept her sincerity. Surely a daughter raised by such a straightforward parent would someday offer a true apology herself.
“I believe you. I accept your apology—please lift your head, Countess.”
“…Your Highness.”
Andria slowly raised her head, stunned. Before coming here, she had been ready to pay any price to earn the Grand Duchess’s forgiveness. If Yuriel spoke ill of her to Akron of Veiharz, the Torhisa family would bear the full consequences.
As head of her house, Andria had the duty to protect her people. But instead of anger, the Grand Duchess had wrapped her daughter’s mistake in gentleness—and even said she trusted her.
“I am deeply grateful,” Andria said, her heart heavy with both gratitude and guilt.
Everyone carried wounds, she thought. In the West, those wounds often took unique forms—and her own daughter was no different. Perhaps that was why she hadn’t been stricter with her.
Andria also began to understand why that “monster-like man,” Akron of Veiharz, had chosen this woman as his wife.
“In the West, people are more diverse than in the central empire. You may even find more surprises in the future.”
She knew why Yuriel had called her here. Anyone else would have summoned her to demand an apology for Helia’s offense. But Yuriel’s letter had only asked for advice about the West.
Andria should have realized sooner what kind of person Yuriel was. Perhaps she had grown dull.
“But Your Highness will endure well. You have the eyes to see beyond the surface.”
Her words were heartfelt. Yuriel needed no further advice—she would surely adapt to the West. Anyone who spoke with her would want to stand on her side.
And Andria made her decision: she would be Yuriel’s ally.
“Thank you, Countess.”
Yuriel smiled warmly at Andria’s sincerity.
Before they knew it, their conversation turned casual and personal, blooming like flowers.
“I hope next time I may visit with my daughter,” Andria said.
“I would like that. Please travel safely,” Yuriel replied.
Only after several hours did Andria return to her own manor.
Yuriel lingered a little in the parlor alone before leaving.
“How was it?”
Butler Sheldon, who had seen Andria out, stood beside her.
“She was as kind as I heard. She helped me a lot, too.”
“That’s a relief,” Sheldon said, patting his chest in relief. Even if Countess Andria Torhisa was a good person, she was still the first noble Yuriel had met in the West, so he couldn’t help but worry.
“It was nice to talk so freely. I think I’ll be able to get along with other nobles soon,” Yuriel added.
She praised Andria sincerely. During their hours of conversation, she had seen how upright the Countess truly was. Not only had Andria shown no rudeness, but she had also explained many useful things about life in the West.
Soon, Yuriel even planned to invite nobles connected to Andria to the castle. Their personalities might differ, but since Andria recommended them, there should be no major problems.
“I hope you’ll make good friends, Your Highness,” Sheldon said warmly.
No noble would dare be openly disrespectful to the Grand Duchess, but as her steward, he hoped people of worth would gather around her.
Talking like this, the two walked through the castle halls.
Because they had met Andria in a different reception room today, Yuriel was walking down a corridor she had never taken before. The structure resembled the main building, but she didn’t know the purpose of each room.
“Hm?”
As they approached the stairs to the main hall, Yuriel suddenly stopped.
Her eyes had caught a black door tucked away in a corner of the corridor. It was half-open. If it had been closed, she might not have even noticed it—it blended into the wall so well.
But because it was ajar, her curiosity was piqued.
“That door is open,” she said.
“Oh dear, I heard this section was being cleaned today. A maid must have forgotten to close it,” Sheldon said, clicking his tongue as he moved to shut it.
Yuriel, curious, followed him and stood near the door.
“What kind of room is this?”
Peeking through the crack, she grew even more intrigued. Another long hallway stretched beyond the black door, dark and mysterious.
Seeing her interest, Sheldon looked troubled. But he couldn’t hide it from her. She had the right to know everything about Veiharz Castle.
Finally, after hesitating, he explained.
“It is the Portrait Hall of the Veiharz family.”
In truth, the portrait hall should have been in the main building, but by order of the current Grand Duke, it had been hidden away here.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen any portraits in the castle,” Yuriel murmured.
Usually, noble estates displayed large portraits prominently, often of the lord and his family. But here, she had only seen landscapes and still lifes, never people.
So they were all gathered in one place…
It was surprising, but also fascinating.
In the central empire, family portraits were a measure of harmony. The more portraits, the stronger the impression of unity.
Would there be one of Akron as a child?
She tried to imagine it. Akron of Veiharz, even as a boy, must have been striking. If he were such a handsome man now, his childhood must have been angelic.
Child Akron. Boy Akron. Grown Akron.
The thought only deepened her curiosity. As Sheldon moved to close the door, Yuriel quickly held it.
“May I go inside?” she asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.
If she only looked for a moment, surely it would be fine.
Sheldon hesitated.
“Is it forbidden?” Yuriel asked again, then stopped herself. She was mistress of this place, yes—but perhaps some places were not meant to be touched, and maybe this was one of them.
“I shouldn’t have troubled you. I’m sorry,” she said quickly.
“No, not at all. I will guide you,” Sheldon replied at once, flustered.
The mistress of Veiharz shouldn’t feel guilty for asking. Whatever lay inside, she had every right to see it.
So instead of closing it, Sheldon opened the door wide and lit the lamps.
A bright, spotless hallway stretched before them, freshly cleaned. At the far end, lined neatly along the walls, were portraits.
“Let us go,” Sheldon said, leading the way.
