~Chapter 30~
A few days later, everything had been settled.
Carolina Sprecher was kicked out of the Blamhardt Duchy for embezzling the duchy’s property and threatening the young lady.
Her son, Marco, left the mansion with her, clinging to her hand and trembling in fear.
Unlike when they used to strut around the duchy with arrogance, they were now wearing shabby clothes.
The servants sneered as they watched the two climb into a worn-out, creaky carriage heading for the monastery.
From now on, they would spend the rest of their lives in the coldest region of the Blumhardt territory, living in that monastery.
They wouldn’t be allowed to step outside and would have to serve the goddess Hecate forever.
Robert Burns, who had helped Carolina embezzle the duchy’s funds and falsify the books, was imprisoned in the duchy’s underground dungeon.
He would remain in that hellish prison for life.
That’s how serious it was to betray a great noble house like Blumhardt.
As soon as his family, the Burns, heard about it, they disowned him and sent a formal apology to the Duke and Duchess.
Robert’s cousin, Alfred Burns, became the new butler of the duchy.
The head maid, Daria, and a gardener and maid who had falsely testified on her behalf, were all kicked out without a single letter of recommendation or any money.
They would never find decent jobs in the capital again.
The Duchess sent a heartfelt apology letter to the former head maid who had always been loyal to the duchy and still lived in the territory.
The former head maid would probably prepare to return as soon as she received the letter.
Things would be chaotic at the duchy until the new butler and head maid arrived, but everyone felt relieved and lighter at heart.
That included Leah and Raphaella.
They no longer had to be on edge, worried about running into Carolina or Marco whenever they walked around the mansion.
One morning after a peaceful breakfast, several maids entered Raphaella’s room and started moving around busily.
“Paula, aren’t you supposed to be cleaning?”
“Yes, Miss Leah.”
Paula smiled as she directed the other maids.
“The Duchess told us to redecorate Miss Raphaella’s room for the spring.”
“The Duchess did?”
Leah was surprised the Duchess would think of Raphaella’s room, especially when she must’ve been so busy lately.
“She said that from now on, she won’t leave her granddaughter’s care to others anymore.”
Knock knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the open door.
“Oh, good, you’re both here.”
“Wow, visiting this early?”
Leah asked, curious about Samuel’s sudden appearance.
“His Grace would like to invite you both to the glass conservatory.”
Samuel led them to the conservatory, connected to the far end of the main building’s first floor.
It was two stories tall and so large and wide you couldn’t take it all in at once.
“Wow, Mom, look at that!”
Raphaella looked around in awe as soon as they entered.
‘It’s only early spring, but it already smells like fresh grass and flowers in here.’
Leah was just as amazed as her daughter.
She had been inside once before when Carolina had called her, but she hadn’t had a chance to properly look around back then.
“There you are.”
Johann, dressed casually, walked over to them near the entrance.
“Raphaella, have you ever been here before?”
She shook her head.
“I thought we could explore the conservatory and eat some delicious desserts here today. What do you think?”
“I’d love that!”
With a big smile, Raphaella agreed.
Johann began walking slowly from the entrance, explaining the different plants as they passed.
Inside the conservatory, there were all kinds of flowers and trees blooming regardless of the season.
Even rare plants that only grew in the far
south – not found anywhere else in the Empire – filled the space, making Leah and Raphaella’s eyes go wide.
‘Wow, I’ve never seen a tree shaped like a vase before.’
They slowed down as they took their time looking around every corner.
Sometimes, they even forgot Johann was with them and chatted to each other, but he waited patiently until they had seen everything.
When the tour was mostly over, Johann led them to the center of the conservatory.
Under a lush poplar tree stood a white table and three chairs.
The table was filled with all kinds of beautifully arranged desserts.
“Oh my gosh!”
“Wow!”
Even Leah, who had stayed quiet while looking around, gasped at the sight of the stunning desserts.
The snacks Raphaella usually got at the duchy were fancy enough, but these looked like works of art.
They almost seemed to sparkle.
“The chef went all out this time.”
“Can we really eat these?”
“They’re for you, so of course.”
Johann pulled out chairs for Leah and Raphaella like a gentleman.
“…But is today some kind of special occasion?”
“Usually we only prepare desserts like this for big events.”
A maid poured hot tea that matched the desserts for Johann and Leah, and fresh milk for Raphaella.
“This is my way of apologizing to you and Raphaella.”
“But you already apologized that day…”
“Just saying sorry didn’t feel like enough. I messed up.”
He looked at Raphaella, who was staring at the desserts with shining eyes.
His gaze was filled with warmth and guilt.
Seeing that, Leah’s eyes welled up with tears.
If Johann kept caring for Raphaella like this, she felt she could die in peace.
Her throat tightened, so she simply nodded.
“Raphaella, these are a gift from me to you. Eat as much as you like.”
“Thank you!”
Instead of digging in right away, Raphaella turned to Johann.
“…What’s wrong?”
“What’s that one called?”
She pointed to a long-shaped dessert.
“That’s an éclair with vanilla cream on top.”
Now knowing the name, she carefully cut a piece and took a bite.
“Mmm! Mmm!”
“Is it good?”
“Yeah! Mom, you have to try this!”
Leah took a bite of the éclair Raphaella had eaten.
The crispy pastry and soft vanilla cream blended perfectly in her mouth.
She smiled instantly.
It was the kind of taste that made you happy just by eating it.
After that, Raphaella kept asking Johann the names of the desserts one by one.
And he patiently told her every time.
“Are kids usually this curious?”
“Of course. Everything’s still new and exciting at that age.”
Leah didn’t know the names of many of the desserts in the mansion, so she often felt embarrassed when Raphaella asked.
But she felt grateful that Johann was answering all her questions.
“Raphaella, aren’t you full?”
“Nope!”
Raphaella happily ate without showing a trace of the sadness she had gone through just days ago.
Leah was relieved.
‘Ever since she realized her dad is on her side, she seems more relaxed around him.’
That incident had actually helped bring them closer.
A small silver lining.
That night, after dealing with Carolina, Johann had gone to see Raphaella again.
Surprisingly, he even apologized to Leah.
“I formally apologize for not managing the duchy properly and letting you and Raphaella suffer.”
He said it in a very smug, legs-crossed kind of way, but still.
He then tried to be a proper parent and apologized again to Raphaella.
“Raphaella, I’m sorry again. From now on, I won’t let anyone treat you badly. You don’t need to worry anymore.”
“…Then can Mom and I keep living here?”
“Of course. This is your home.”
Raphaella rubbed her sleepy eyes and smiled at Johann .
Johann seemed to freeze for a moment at that smile, but Leah couldn’t be sure.
“Mom, I think Dad’s on our side now. Our side…”
Raphaella mumbled sleepily as she dozed off in Leah’s arms.
From that day on, she began to trust Johann a little more—for choosing her and her mom over Carolina and Marco.
Leah and Raphaella had the most enjoyable and relaxing time they’d had since coming to the Blumhardt duchy.
Raphaella even swayed with excitement like she used to when they lived in the cabin.
Then, Samuel suddenly rushed into the conservatory.
“Your Grace, there’s a nobles’ meeting at the imperial palace this afternoon.”
It had been unexpected.
“Ugh, probably because of those mutant monsters again.”
Johann seemed to know the reason and didn’t ask further.
He stood up.
“I have to rush to the palace, so you two stay and enjoy the rest.”
He left with his aide, and Leah looked at the untouched desserts still on the table.
There were so many that even after eating a lot, they barely made a dent.
‘Didn’t know desserts could make you this full.’
Raphaella didn’t eat anymore either and just stared at them.
“Rafi, if you’re full, you don’t have to eat more.”
“Mom!”
“Yeah?”
“I want to eat the rest with Auntie Peppy.”
Raphaella pointed to the untouched desserts.
