Chapter 51
All we did was go back and forth through the shopping district once, so how did the rumors spread so wildly?
└ [But the rumors aren’t exactly wrong]
└ [Duke stopped walking = fact / Took the puppy = also fact]
Yeah. Technically, they’re not lies, but the nuance got all twisted—that’s the real issue.
“The Duke didn’t freeze because of what I said—he was just waiting. And the puppy, well, they were originally being cared for by Miss Ruberi…”
I was only stating facts, yet it felt like I was making excuses.
“He even postponed his appointment with the bank manager.”
“That’s because I couldn’t exactly meet someone with dog fur all over my clothes.”
This time, it was the Duke himself who answered, probably because it involved his schedule.
Even though he’s usually composed, he was holding four puppies at once.
He’d meant to brush the fur off after returning to the carriage, but the cream-colored hairs were stubbornly clinging to his black clothes!
He thought buying a random outfit at the shopping district might be misunderstood as a statement of dissatisfaction, so he ended up returning to the mansion to change clothes before heading back out.
“Well, it’s fine. I only had Rose accompany you to help improve the Duke’s image anyway.”
Kin gave a small nod, acknowledging that there was nothing else he could’ve done. Though his brows were still slightly furrowed.
“But I’m not sure whether I should say the result is effective… or excessive. The reaction in the shopping district is rather peculiar. People are saying, ‘He’s so human,’ or, ‘I never knew he was that kind of person.’”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“…Some are even saying, ‘That girl is the real power in the Duke’s household.’”
“Now that’s just weird…”
└ [Rose finally takes over the Duke’s house]
└ [Thought she was only conquering the knights, but Rose had bigger plans]
When I walked around with Ruberi, it wasn’t like this.
Was seeing the Duke carrying puppies with me really that shocking?
Maybe it was because it contrasted so starkly with the cold, ruthless war hero everyone imagined.
Kin, looking like he couldn’t decide either, lightly shook his head as if this was beyond his control.
“Well, better exaggerated rumors than reality being worse. But I wonder if you are okay with all this, Miss Rose.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You’re in the spotlight too. Someone might try to approach you with other intentions…”
If we’re talking about someone approaching with ulterior motives… I think that person’s already beside me.
Though I couldn’t say anything without proof yet.
“Miss Rose, even if someone offers you sweets, never go with them, okay?”
“I won’t.”
“I mean it. Even if it’s someone you know, don’t follow them blindly—inform the Duke’s staff first.”
Kin said it playfully, but he probably meant it.
No matter how clever I may seem for a five-year-old, he still thought of me as a normal child.
‘But I’m already taking care of myself.’
Receiving such a typical warning for a child, I left his office and returned to my own space.
Just then, Hinde, who had been brewing tea in the maids’ dorm dining hall, spotted me and called out.
“Rose. Want some sweets?”
“Yes!”
└ [Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t follow for sweets lolololol]
└ [Breaks the rule immediately]
This isn’t me following—I’m approaching! Big difference!
I squeezed myself in among the maids who were on break.
“Were you playing with the puppies again today?”
“No. Sir Kin called me today.”
“Really? Must’ve had something to say?”
“Yup. People are talking a lot about the Duke.”
Sage, who was sitting across from me, joined the conversation.
“Seriously. You hear weird stuff in the market these days. They’re saying you took down a wild beast and protected the Duke? Hahaha, ridiculous!”
“What are they talking about now?”
Sage’s cheerful laughter caught the attention of the other maids nearby.
She had a voice that carried well, so she was often the source of rumors spreading in the dorm.
“I just brought the puppies, but people twisted the story.”
“Still, it doesn’t seem like a lie that the Duke plays well with you.”
The maids continued their chat, recalling recent glimpses of Duke Valent.
“We didn’t know since he’s always rushing around, but maybe he’s actually kind?”
“I once saw the Duke with Sir Demian. Didn’t realize it at the time, but maybe he was playing with him?”
“The Duke and Sir Demian?”
I couldn’t picture the Duke playing with Demian, so I asked. The maid who mentioned it seemed to dig through a blurry memory.
“Sir Demian brought this huge sword—still in its sheath. And later I saw the Duke playing tag? Or something like that with it.”
He probably confiscated it because it was dangerous, not played…
Somehow, because of all the rumors, the maids’ memories were getting distorted too.
The conversation quickly shifted to household affairs.
“Come to think of it, the head maid just said the Duke’s going to be away from the mansion for a few days, so we don’t need to prepare his meals.”
“For several days?”
That was something I knew.
“He’s visiting the academy with Sir Demian! I’m going too.”
“Why you?”
Hinde asked with a curious smile.
“Sir Demian invited me.”
“Hmmm, I see…”
She looked pleased that I was getting closer to the Valent family—useful for a spy—but personally displeased.
‘It’s all over your face.’
I’d observed Head Maid Tara of House Torto long enough to read those subtle expressions.
Anyway, the academy visit would be the first time Count Torto and Duke Valent would meet again since the title ceremony.
‘If Hinde is the spy, then of course that information will reach Count Torto.’
Which means it’s time to prepare again.
No, not for an assassination attempt!
└ [Pre-emptive strike before things spiral lol]
└ [Too slow—Rose beat me to the comment]
└ [Still no assassination attempt?? why not]
Last time, I was avoiding the Count.
This time, I wanted to see how he reacts when he sees me.
I gathered the materials I had secretly stashed and went to find someone who could help.
“Nella, can I ask you for a favor?”
A few days later, Academy Visit Day.
As he came out to board the carriage, Duke Valent narrowed his eyes at me.
“…You changed your hair again.”
It was now the same reddish hue as when we first met.
The Duke wasn’t surprised—he’d seen it before—but Kin, who had come to see us off, reacted differently.
“How did you do that? Your hair changed overnight.”
“I used flower dye.”
“Why flower dye?”
Well… to see whether my blonde hair was considered important intelligence.
Count Torto had once come to Zelton Orphanage looking for a blonde girl.
He hadn’t found me because I ran away, but considering the possibility I was an illegitimate child, he wouldn’t have just let it go.
He likely knew that the blonde girl ended up at Duke Valent’s mansion.
‘That’s all the official information Count Torto would have.’
But if he recognizes me as that blonde girl even with my red hair…
Then it means he got unofficial intel—like hearing from a spy that a blonde girl was accompanying the Duke.
Of course, I couldn’t explain all that, so I said:
“Just because. I thought it was pretty.”
Kin could only nod at that vague reply.
“Children’s minds are a mystery.”
He looked like he wanted to open my head up and peek inside again, so I quickly hopped into the carriage.
‘Thanks to Nella’s help, the dye came out really natural this time.’
She’d asked me three times if I was sure this was a real trend among kids…
I’d even checked Hinde’s reaction that morning.
The other maids were simply curious, but Hinde looked more flustered—probably because it clashed with the info she had.
It was a subtle change, but I noticed because I’d observed her for years!
‘Good. Time to peel away her layers, one by one.’
With my secret mission that no one else knew about, our carriage set off for the Academy.
Duke Valent’s territory lay east of the capital, and the academy city was southwest.
Still, since both were in the imperial center, the trip wasn’t too long.
When our carriage stopped in front of the academy, Hestina had already arrived from farther away.
“Lady Hestina!”
“What’s with the new look?”
“It’s flower dye.”
“How? Wait, I’ll ask later. Have you been well?”
“Yes!”
Had it really only been just over a month? So much had happened—it felt longer.
I was so happy that I ran up quickly, but Duke Valent followed at his usual, composed pace.
“Have you been well, Duke?”
“Of course.”
└ [Wait… so they’re not dating?]
└ [Love this couple but why are they so chill about it lol]
Maybe they were used to being apart. The Duke was frequently away from home, after all.
“And you, Lady Hestina? Have you been busy?”
“Hoho. Funny you ask.”
She straightened up proudly, like she’d been waiting for this.
“I have an announcement for everyone. You can now call me Baroness Evnill.”
“A baroness?”
“While visiting my family, I took the title from my grandfather.”
