ADLQ 10

Chapter 10

Knock knock.

“Duke, Lord Roembeck and the young ladies have arrived.”

At the door of the reception room in the capital’s Pianus mansion—brighter than the one at Nurnbern estate—Karlos knocked. In front of him, Rozelline squeezed tighter the hands of Ludianna and Irene.

“Come in.”

A pleasant low voice drifted out from the reception room.

At that sound, Rozelline’s body stiffened further, and Ludianna stroked the back of her hand with her other hand, as if to reassure her.

Creak.

The door finally opened, revealing a blue sofa and antique walls decorated with various artworks. Amid all that splendor, one man rose from the sofa and approached them.

His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the window, and his blue eyes shone with wistfulness—like ripples moving in water. And those eyes fixed on just one person.

“…Rozelline.”
“…Allen.”
“……”
“……”

Meeting again in the reception room, the two could do nothing but gaze silently at each other. Their eyes held so much longing that even Ludianna, standing beside them, felt her chest ache.

“Hello, I’m Irene Nurnbern, ah, um… Irene Roembeck!”

It was their small, adorable Irene who broke the heavy tension.

Still too young to sense the mood, she simply followed Rozelline’s teaching and offered a polite greeting to Allen.

“…I am Ludianna Roembeck.”

Following her sister, Ludianna also curtsied with lifted skirts.

“Ah! Y-yes. Nice to meet you. I’m Allen Pianus. Please, have a seat.”

Allen, flustered, hurriedly guided them toward the sofa.

As Ludianna moved, she noticed Karlos nearby, his head bowed and shoulders trembling. He was desperately holding back laughter.

Pfft, what is this?

Karlos knew about Allen’s first love—his former sweetheart who had suddenly lost her parents and brother in an accident, then was practically sold into marriage with Nurnbern.

At that time, Allen had come to the East because of his father’s poor health. When he heard the news, he rushed to the West, only to learn she was already wed.

Since then, Allen lived aloof from women, always longing for her. So when he said he would finally meet his first love again, even Karlos had been curious.

He didn’t know what exactly he had expected, but certainly something dramatic.

Allen had been preparing nervously for days, looking forward to it.

And the result is… this.

Watching Allen fumble so awkwardly, Karlos barely kept from bursting out.

“Rozelline. Ahem. As for Lord Roembeck, you needn’t worry anymore.”

Conscious of Ludianna and Irene, Allen tacked on the words awkwardly.

“…Thank you, Duke.”

Silence fell once more. In the end, Ludianna couldn’t take it and spoke up.

“Thank you for your help, Duke.”
“No, I should be the one grateful for the chance to help.”

Allen truly meant it—not mere courtesy.

Because thanks to her, he could meet Rozelline again.

“When will you return to the East?”
“Hmm. Likely in about a week. But you are welcome to remain in the capital.”

In truth, he didn’t want to part from Rozelline. But a plague was spreading in the East. As that thought passed, his gaze drifted to her again. Their eyes met briefly in the air before they both looked away in haste.

Ludianna placed her hand on her mother’s arm and smiled.

“Mother, let’s go to the East together.”

For her mother’s sake, yes—but also because she had promised Allen.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Rozelline returned her daughter’s smile.

Allen stared at her, dazed, a faint blush rising on his face that made him look far younger than his thirty years.

Avoiding his gaze, Rozelline spoke.

“Then, Duke, may we rest for a while?”
“Of course. Nil! Show our guests to their rooms.”

Allen quickly looked away and called the butler.

“Yes, my lord.”

Nil, who had been standing with Karlos by the wall, stepped forward.

“I will guide you to your rooms.”
“Thank you.”

Ludianna inclined her head in gratitude.

Nil looked young, perhaps only in his twenties, for someone entrusted with managing a duke’s household in the capital.

To oversee the whole estate at his age… the East must have many talents.

Following Nil, Ludianna glanced back at Karlos. He seemed on the verge of losing control entirely, now turning his head away to hide his face.

“Thank you, Duke.”

Before leaving, Rozelline bowed to Allen, and Ludianna followed her mother’s lead.

“Yes! I hope you rest well.”

Allen, rising too hastily, replied from a half-bent posture. The three women disappeared with Nil as the door closed.

“Pfft—haha.”

At last, Karlos let out the laughter he had been holding in.

Flushed with embarrassment, Allen straightened his back stiffly and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! Why are you still here?”
“Ah, yes, yes, my lord.”

Trying to cover his awkwardness with sternness, Allen only made Karlos chuckle more as he left the room.

Out in the corridor, Karlos walked toward a window overlooking the mansion grounds. The guests’ rooms were on the third floor, at the far end.

…Hmm.

When Allen first said he would bring the Nurnbern lady and her daughters, Karlos had opposed him.

“Are you mad with first love? That sly Jonas could be sending them as a trap!”

For all his youth, Karlos was remarkably sharp, especially when it came to politics.

All his tutors praised his keen grasp of affairs, and even Allen acknowledged his talents.

So when Allen declared he would trust the words of a mere 13-year-old girl and take Rozelline in, Karlos had been furious.

A 13-year-old, claiming to cure a plague? Nonsense.

He knew he himself was still lacking in many ways at that age. All the more so a young girl—it was the perfect age to be used as a spy.

“Even so, knowing their plight, I cannot leave Rozelline and her daughters there.”
“My lord!”
“Enough. My decision is made.”
“…Understood.”

Unable to sway Allen, Karlos resolved to keep a close watch on them instead.

If anything suspicious arises, I’ll report it at once.

But the moment he met them, that resolve began to waver.

“Ugh…”

Their appearance was so shabby, one could hardly believe they were from a great noble house. And Ludianna—though his peer in age—looked much smaller than him. He couldn’t deny the truth.

They’ve been abandoned by their family.

And since Karlos himself had been cast aside by his parents, he had a weakness for children like them. Inevitably, his wariness toward Ludianna and Irene softened.

“Each of your rooms has been prepared. The maids in charge will arrive shortly.”
“Thank you.”

Guided by Nil, the three women went up to the third floor and were assigned separate rooms.

Each was decorated suitably for their age, the furniture engraved and carved with fine craftsmanship.

Especially Mother’s room—it’s filled with things she loves.

The violet silk quilt that matched her eyes, the large rug for her perpetually cold hands and feet…

Rozelline seemed to notice as well, her expression oddly conflicted.

After checking each room, Ludianna excused herself, saying she wished to rest alone, and entered her own.

“Phew…”

Her body, tense since dawn, finally relaxed as she collapsed onto the bed. It was so soft and warm, with a gentle fragrance like linens dried carefully in the sun.

“Ah, so nice.”

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d lain on a bed like this. A sense of triumph surged within her—she had changed the future.

But the road ahead is still long.

She had prevented her mother’s death, but their struggle wasn’t over. She had to secure her family’s happiness—and trample Nurnbern beneath them.

This was only the beginning.

“Still… for today, I’ll enjoy this.”

Ludianna rolled over onto her back, stretching out with a sigh.

Just then, a clear young voice called from outside.

“Lady Ludianna, I am your assigned maid, Michaela.”