“Soon enough, he’ll make an official announcement.”
“……”
“Just like he told me.”
Deon recalled the day he was summoned by the Duke.
—
“Deon, I value your abilities. But… you go too far compared to the other heirs. No matter how much you pretend to be a good man, you can’t fool my eyes.”
Even after hearing those words, Deon’s expression didn’t change.
Perhaps that indifference gave Kaimon Arcas the certainty he needed, because his tone turned firm.
“You don’t understand the importance of family… Once I step down, no one will be able to stop you. That will be the ruin of House Arcas.”
From Deon’s perspective, the words made no sense.
‘Ridiculous.’
Deon was, by all accounts, a perfect “Arcas.”
He had earned the title of Young Duke by none other than Kaimon Arcas’s recognition.
And now, suddenly, the Duke was worried about his temperament and refusing to pass down the title?
“Isn’t it funny, Berta?”
Deon’s lips curled in amusement.
“People say they want to pass down even the cheapest pen lying around to their own blood… But our Duke is truly exceptional.”
“……”
“He wants to personally take away everything the rightful heir holds in his hands.”
Berta couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
Deon’s voice turned cold.
“So what if he doesn’t like me now?”
It almost felt like the heavens were helping him—because the child who appeared met every condition perfectly.
And more than that…
Those eyes, trembling in fear yet flickering with faint hope.
Deon knew that look well.
The look of a child yearning for affection.
If he gave her just enough of what she wanted, she would play her role faithfully.
Even without Deon having to ask.
***
The next day.
Emma’s elated voice boomed from the director’s office.
“Heavens… Y-You’re really giving me all this in cash?!”
Rosalyn, waiting outside the parlor, jumped in surprise.
“Yes. Please confirm the amount.”
“H-How much is this?! There’s no need to check! This is the House of Arcas, after all!”
Through the crack in the door, Emma could be seen hugging a box stuffed with stacks of cash.
Seeing this, Rosalyn lowered her head gloomily.
After today, she would have nowhere to return to.
A child without a guardian had no one to protect them.
She might have to live on the streets.
‘The Arcas Duchy is all I have left now.’
That truth weighed heavily on Rosalyn’s heart.
She didn’t know much about numbers, but judging by Emma’s reaction, the money Berta brought must be a truly massive sum.
If she were returned again… would they have to give the money back?
‘I heard nobles can be terribly cold.’
Just then—
“Rosalyn! The one adopting you is very pleased with you! What are you doing? Hurry and thank Sir Berta!”
“Ah…”
Sensing her presence, Emma called Rosalyn inside.
Rosalyn looked awkwardly at Berta.
He sipped his tea and smiled as he greeted her.
“…Thank you.”
She bowed her head and spoke in a small voice, making Emma’s eyebrows shoot up.
But Berta was quicker.
“No need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you.”
He pulled out documents and an elegant pen from his coat.
Then, in a very businesslike voice, he said,
“Well then, shall we move on to the main matter?”
Emma quickly returned to the sofa and looked seriously through the documents Berta handed her…
“P-Parental Adoption Application?!”
Her eyes trembled violently.
Rosalyn watched Emma, confused.
The joyful expression had drained from her face, and her trembling body looked unnatural.
“As you can see, my master wishes to take the child in a rather special way.”
Berta adjusted his glasses.
“With the status to bear the rights and duties of House Arcas. Unlike a typical adoption.”
Of course, it wasn’t impossible.
There were cases where someone who truly loved a child would adopt them as a full legal heir.
But outside of temporary adoptions during scandals involving noble children, it was unheard of for a prestigious house to adopt a child of unknown birth as their own.
This would also erase all prior adoption records of Rosalyn and express a firm intent to make her solely their child.
Emma suddenly recalled that day three years ago.
“Is anyone there?! Someone, please come out!”
A man in armor had come to the orphanage carrying Rosalyn in his arms.
He left after handing over expensive jewelry and asking them to take good care of the child.
‘Could Rosalyn have some secret about her birth?’
Thinking back, it was suspicious. Especially now, with the Young Duke of Arcas insisting on a full adoption.
‘…Still, I should pretend not to know anything. Nobles don’t like nosy commoners. I could lose my head.’
Emma quickly sipped her tea to calm herself.
All she had to do was process the paperwork and take the money.
“I understand. Let’s proceed as you wish.”
Berta’s eyes gleamed, pleasantly surprised.
‘She’s not just blinded by money.’
“You are indeed wise.”
Berta smiled brightly and handed her the papers titled “Parental Adoption Application.”
Emma swallowed dryly and shut her eyes tight.
With trembling hands, she pressed her seal onto the document.
As Berta took the paperwork, his voice was filled with satisfaction.
“Now, Director, you have just one job left. Wipe Rosalyn’s past clean.”
“Yes, understood.”
Emma replied immediately.
Meanwhile, Rosalyn, who had been quietly sitting on the sofa listening to the adults speak, was startled.
“Lady Rosalyn.”
The moment the seal was stamped, Berta’s address changed completely. The new title made Rosalyn flinch.
She had never imagined being addressed so formally by someone from a noble family.
As Rosalyn blinked and squirmed in confusion, Berta smiled softly.
She’d been so quiet he hadn’t noticed it before, but now…
‘Her thoughts show clearly on her face.’
Children of noble houses were trained to hide their expressions. But Rosalyn’s emotions played openly across her face, which Berta found strangely refreshing.
He smiled in amusement and rose from his seat.
“Well then, we’ll be counting on your swift handling. Lady Rosalyn will now accompany me to House Arcas.”
“S-So soon?”
“Yes. The Young Duke is very eager to see Lady Rosalyn.”
***
Rosalyn promptly boarded the carriage headed for House Arcas.
The horses galloped swiftly, entering a wealthy district of Setium’s capital before soon coming to a stop.
‘We’re already here?’
Startled, Rosalyn clutched the worn bunny doll she’d brought from the orphanage and looked out the window.
Her entire body tensed with anxiety.
“We’ve arrived, Lady Rosalyn. This is House Arcas.”
“This is…”
The place she would now call home.
Rosalyn gazed up at the enormous estate.
Inside the grand mansion, a lavish garden sprawled out.
A knight guarding the gate recognized Berta and ran over.
He gave Rosalyn a curious look for a moment.
“Welcome, Sir Berta.”
“Inform the Young Duke we’ve arrived.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knight quickly ran toward the mansion.
Rosalyn swallowed hard.
The Arcas manor’s parlor was stunning.
The garden visible through the tall windows looked like a painting.
‘I have to do well.’
With a nervous expression, Rosalyn stepped in.
“Hello, Young Duke of Arcas. I am Rosalyn!”
Her slightly high-pitched voice echoed loudly through the parlor.
Soon after, a voice tinged with amusement replied.
“No need to be so nervous.”
Deon was seated on a luxurious sofa near the window.
Wearing splendid clothes and gloves on his hands.
Rosalyn remembered clearly—he had also worn gloves the first time they met.
According to rumor, Deon Arcas suffered from mysophobia.
