~Chapter 30~
“What, did the butler tell you?”
Evangeline replied with a pout, then proudly held up three fingers.
“I’m planning to prepare three types of teapot sets.”
“That’s up to you, but… why three?”
“I thought it’d be nice to serve different sets based on a guest’s age or personality.”
She shrugged casually.
“Older people come to the townhouse too, right?”
She had a point.
Even though Dietrich was a young head of the family, most of the Claudius retainers were older.
Evangeline pointed at the samples she’d already received.
“So I checked out a few, and I decided to go with two: one from Wells Trading and one from Reed Trading.”
One was a fancy design suited for older nobles.
The other followed the latest trend—something younger nobles would enjoy.
“There’s a retainers’ meeting coming up, right? I asked them to deliver these quickly so we can use them then.”
After saying that, Evangeline sneakily glanced at Larit.
“I mean, I also kinda want to replace the old one…”
“There’s no reason to replace something that still works, right?”
As soon as their eyes met, Larit smiled softly.
“No need to waste things unnecessarily. Don’t you agree?”
There was a certain quiet force behind her calm words.
Evangeline shut her mouth without another word.
“Well… yeah.”
Then she explained to her brother with a half-hearted shrug.
“So including the old one, we’ll have three types total.”
Dietrich’s eyes glimmered.
‘Eva… actually listened to someone?’
Evangeline had always lived as the Empire’s highest-ranking lady.
She generally listened to her brother, but once she got stubborn, she was nearly impossible to stop.
And now she was quietly nodding after a few gentle words?
“I’m impressed, Eva.”
Dietrich said, genuinely touched.
“Heh, this is nothing.”
Evangeline puffed up her chest proudly.
Then Dietrich asked again.
“Just now, you said you want to vary your service depending on the guest’s age and personality.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Was that your idea?”
Evangeline stiffened slightly.
“Well… obviously…”
Then she pouted.
“…It was Lady Ansi’s idea.”
“I thought so.”
Dietrich chuckled.
Still, for his previously immature sister to be like this—it was a huge improvement.
Then, casually:
“So, is there anything I can help with? Want me to increase the budget?”
It was a kind offer, meant with good intent.
With a bigger budget, they could do more.
But—
“I’m sorry, but that won’t do.”
Unexpectedly, Larit shook her head.
“Lady Ansi?”
Dietrich looked confused.
Larit calmly met his gaze.
“I know you care deeply for Her Highness, and I appreciate the offer. But I don’t think it’s wise to increase or reduce a budget based on feelings.”
“It’s easy to get used to more money, but much harder to cut back later.”
“If there’s a good reason to add to the budget, I’m in favor. But simply increasing the available funds won’t help maintain financial stability for House Claudius.”
Dietrich looked at her, eyes sharp.
“…I know House Claudius is very wealthy, of course.”
Larit awkwardly added, shrinking back a little.
Still, she stood firm on what she believed was right.
“But just because we can spend doesn’t mean we should.”
Dietrich, who had been about to say something, stopped himself.
Because she wasn’t wrong—not at all.
Yes, House Claudius was one of the richest families in the Empire.
Some even said they were wealthier than the royal family—and Dietrich knew that was partly true.
But still…
‘Damn. She got me.’
That kind of wealth didn’t mean you should spend recklessly.
Especially not as the family head.
“Pardon me if I’m being rude…”
After a pause, Dietrich smiled wryly and asked:
“I assumed you’d keep Eva from going too far. Was I wrong?”
“I’ll do my best to support Her Highness.”
Larit smiled softly too.
“But technically, I’m still an outsider. So I try not to interfere too much in House Claudius’ finances.”
“See? Lady Ansi is too strict!”
Evangeline whined, clearly within earshot.
Yet even as she complained, her blue eyes looked at Larit with deep trust.
‘So that’s why.’
At that moment, Dietrich finally understood.
Why his picky sister followed Larit so willingly.
‘She has strong values. She knows right from wrong. She says what needs to be said.’
That alone made her a valuable person.
Then Larit checked the time and stood up.
“Ah, I think I should get going.”
“What? Already? Stay longer!”
Evangeline puffed out her cheeks and clung to her.
“We’ve been looking at teapot samples all day! I want to play cards or chess with you!”
“I’ll visit again next time.”
“Promise? Come back soon—we have that retainers’ meeting coming up!”
“Of course. But in return…”
Larit smiled sweetly.
“…You’ll have to finish the homework I gave you before I come back.”
Evangeline froze.
She slowly loosened her grip.
“Ugh… fine.”
She made a face like she hated it, but still nodded.
‘This is fascinating.’
Dietrich looked back and forth between them.
He now understood why Eva trusted Larit.
But still… emotionally, it felt surreal.
‘It’s like watching someone tame a natural disaster.’
After all, Evangeline’s stubbornness was practically a force of nature.
Later, Evangeline stood up with Larit.
“I’ll walk you to the front gate.”
“It’s really okay…”
“What kind of friend lets someone walk out alone?”
She grumbled while sticking to Larit’s side.
But then suddenly—
“Wait!”
Evangeline’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned back to Larit.
