Chapter 12
Throughout the meal, Carlos wore a smile, but in truth he was deeply uncomfortable.
‘Why on earth…?’
Trying to suppress his laughter at Allen’s behavior, Carlos perked up when he heard a faint chuckle nearby. Ah, someone else finds this funny too!
But when his eyes met Ludiana’s, she quickly looked away. And from then on, whenever their gazes happened to meet, she hurried to avoid his eyes.
Eventually, she even turned her head deliberately so she wouldn’t face him.
‘Why…?’
At first he thought maybe it was just because she wasn’t familiar with him yet, but as the meal went on and she kept avoiding only his eyes, his mood began to sour.
‘What did I do wrong?!’
“Let’s go, Miss Ludiana.”
“Yes.”
Carlos, smiling, spoke to Ludiana, who was watching Rosalyn’s figure disappear helplessly into the distance.
Feeling awkward, Ludiana turned and headed toward the stairs. The short walk from the dining room to her room felt endlessly long.
‘I can’t look at him!’
She kept her eyes fixed ahead. Carlos, too, walked quietly behind her without a word.
That short yet painfully long time passed, and at last they arrived at her room. Ludiana squeezed her eyes shut, turned to face him, and offered her thanks.
“Thank you.”
“…Yes.”
After a brief silence, Carlos answered with a tone of dissatisfaction.
Startled by his voice, Ludiana lifted her head slightly. His sharp, handsome features were twisted into an expression of discontent as he stared at her with narrowed eyes.
“Um…”
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
Before Ludiana could say anything more, Carlos cut her off, gave his farewell, and walked toward the staircase at the end of the hall.
‘Oh no!’
She realized her mistake—but it was already too late.
“Sigh…”
Ludiana let out a small sigh as she entered her room.
No matter how difficult it was for her to face Carlos, that was her own personal problem, not his.
‘Besides, he’s only thirteen…’
The thought that she might have hurt the feelings of someone so young made her deeply uneasy.
“Young Lady, do you perhaps feel uncomfortable around Master Carlos?”
“Huh…?”
Sensing something amiss, Michaela carefully asked the question as she watched Ludiana sink into the sofa with a sigh. Ludiana’s blank stare in response confirmed her suspicion.
Misunderstanding that look, Michaela knelt down in front of her and gently clasped her hands.
“Young Lady… are you uncomfortable around boys your age?”
Her eyes were filled with sorrow. The maids assigned exclusively to serve the three mother-and-daughter had been told the family’s circumstances in brief—neglect by her biological father, torment from her stepmother and half-sibling. It was explained as a kind of precautionary training, to avoid mistakes in their presence.
“What are you…”
“Master Carlos is different, Young Lady. He would never hurt you.”
Michaela had only wanted to reassure her—but Ludiana’s heart grew heavier.
‘Ah… what should I do?’
If even Michaela had misunderstood, then surely Carlos had as well.
Ludiana lowered her head and covered her face with her hands.
“It’s alright, Young Lady. It’s alright.”
Michaela gently stroked her small back.
‘Next time I see him, I’ll apologize for my behavior.’
“I’m alright. Really…”
She gave a bitter smile, and Michaela returned it with a comforting one.
“Master, Madam Redny will be arriving shortly.”
While strolling with Irene, Allen was approached by the butler, Nil. Nodding slightly, Allen glanced at Rosalyn, who was following cautiously behind them, and smiled.
“Rozel—ah, Lady Roembec. The madam who will be fitting the young ladies’ dresses is on her way.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Rosalyn bowed at a full ninety degrees.
“Not at all!”
Allen matched her formality, doing his utmost not to make her feel uneasy. He had so much he wanted to say, but for now, he was simply content that she was here before him.
At the very least, he hoped she wouldn’t find him uncomfortable. That was all he wished for.
“Let’s head back inside. Nil, inform Miss Ludiana as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nil bowed politely and went toward the mansion.
“Wow! We’re getting dresses?!”
Ever since her memory lapse, Irene had lived in the annex, and the idea of having dresses made for her felt like a dream.
Leaping with joy among the bright yellow freesias in the garden, Irene smiled radiantly. Watching her, Rosalyn felt joy mingled with sorrow.
“Yes, we’ll make dresses that suit you perfectly.”
Allen, surprisingly good with children, kept pace with her energy and excitement. Rosalyn felt both grateful and guilty toward him.
“Your Grace, Mother! I’m so happy right now!”
But Irene, oblivious to adult worries, simply expressed her happiness as it was.
“Come on, let’s go!”
She grabbed Allen’s hand with her left and Rosalyn’s with her right, tugging them both toward the mansion.
Allen’s face flushed red—it almost felt as if Rosalyn and he were already a family.
“Greetings, Duke Pianus, Lady Roembec. I am Madam Redny.”
With her long blue hair neatly tied up, Madam Redny entered Rosalyn’s room with her porters in tow. Inside sat the three ladies and Allen.
“Miss Irene, Lady Roembec, Miss Ludiana—please feel free to take your time.”
“No! Your Grace is helping us too, so you should watch with us!”
Allen, who had been about to step aside so they could browse comfortably, froze when Irene clung to his sleeve. Hesitating, he stole a glance at Rosalyn.
“If it’s not inconvenient, please stay.”
“Yes!”
Delighted, Allen sat back down.
Ludiana, while watching Irene happily choose dresses, leaned closer and asked him quietly:
“Your Grace, where is Master Carlos…?”
“Ah. He’s probably at the training yard right now.”
“I see…”
“Would you like to visit him later?”
“No, that’s alright. Thank you.”
Ludiana shook her head and walked over to join Irene and Madam Redny. Watching her, Allen discreetly summoned Nil and gave him instructions.
“The rest of the dresses will be made and delivered before you depart the capital.”
From the bundles the porters carried, Redny produced six outing dresses and six indoor dresses—samples prepared for Irene and Ludiana.
They couldn’t be expected to wear shabby clothes forever, so Nil had arranged for these samples in advance.
“Since they’re samples, they might not be perfect, but they’ll certainly be more comfortable than what you have now.”
Humming to herself, Redny felt cheerful.
In earlier days, she had relished dressing up young noble ladies and teaching them how to style themselves. But recently, most families simply commissioned dresses without involving her in person—a loss she regretted.
Transforming and beautifying young girls had always been her greatest joy.
So when the Pianus family requested dresses for young ladies, she had dropped everything and rushed here.
She had enjoyed making Carlos’s training clothes and formal wear before, but outfitting girls was her true delight.
‘I’ll make sure everyone’s eyes are drawn to them!’
That had been her bold resolve—but the moment she saw Ludiana and Irene, that determination melted away.
They were already like finished dolls, needing no embellishment at all. Their natural beauty shone as they were, and Ludiana in particular carried a grace far beyond her years.
‘Any dress will suit them perfectly!’
Humming, Redny led the sisters into the adjoining room.
At Allen’s signal, Nil too left the chamber—leaving Allen and Rosalyn alone together.
“Since this must be uncomfortable for you, I’ll step out.”
Flustered, Allen rose from the sofa. But just as he was about to leave, a soft voice stopped him.
“Allen.”
At the sound of his name, his body froze mid-motion, hand still on the door.
The sudden way Rosalyn called to him left him dizzy, his heart pounding madly. He felt as if he’d turned to stone.
“…Thank you.”
Rosalyn spoke very quietly, but Allen heard her as clear as day.
