“…Are they really on such bad terms?”
Even if they didn’t get along, they were still family…
Half of her was hoping it was a joke.
But Rona firmly shattered that expectation.
“Yes, they really are on bad terms.”
“Is it okay to tell me something like that? That’s kind of…”
Strictly speaking, it bordered on gossip.
They had reached the middle of the corridor by now, and as she grabbed the doorknob, Rona smiled sweetly.
“The young duke instructed me to share anything Miss Rosalyn might need to know while staying here.”
“…!”
“He hopes you’ll adjust smoothly to life in the ducal house.”
At that moment, Rosalyn realized something.
Rona wasn’t an ordinary maid.
‘She’s someone acting under the young duke’s orders.’
Which meant what she just said wasn’t on her own authority.
Realizing this made Rosalyn suddenly find Rona a little intimidating.
“Now, shall we have a look at your room, Miss Rosalyn?”
Rona opened the door with bright enthusiasm.
Rosalyn, lost in thought, slowly widened her eyes as she looked inside.
“Wow…”
The room before her eyes was like something out of a palace.
So beautiful that it left her speechless.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s so pretty… It’s like a princess’s room from a fairy tale.”
“Oh my, how adorable. What a sweet, innocent thing to say.”
Watching Rosalyn’s sparkling eyes as she admired the room, Rona melted into a smile.
“Miss Rosalyn.”
“Yes?”
Rosalyn turned around after thoroughly inspecting the room.
Rona beamed and then once more bowed with polite elegance.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you. I will do my utmost to serve you from now on, Miss Rosalyn.”
And with that, Rosalyn realized—
Her life in the House of Arcas had truly begun.
***
Is this what it’s like to live as a noble lady?
Rosalyn glanced at her reflection in the mirror.
There stood the same girl who had looked so ragged just yesterday…
‘I really do look like a rich girl now.’
She smelled lovely, her once rough hair now gleamed with health, and her skin was smooth and fair.
With her hair half-up, tied with a red ribbon, and a sky-blue dress down to her knees, she looked the part of a young noble lady.
“Wow, you’re so beautiful, Miss Rosalyn! It suits you perfectly!”
“…It feels so awkward.”
Rosalyn stood in front of the mirror, shyly fidgeting with her toes.
Rona clapped her hands with a bright smile.
“Not at all! This dress was clearly made just for you, Miss Rosalyn.”
“…Really?”
“Absolutely!”
Rona nodded enthusiastically.
“Today I’ll be showing you around the duchy.”
“Okay.”
“The layout isn’t too complicated. Though it’s large, so you might get lost…”
…Isn’t that what makes it complicated?
Rosalyn gave Rona a bewildered look.
“But don’t worry! I’ll find you right away even if you do get lost!”
“…Okay.”
“Shall we go, then?”
Rona smiled brightly.
Rosalyn tilted her head.
For some reason, it felt like Rona was eager to get outside.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Rosalyn nodded solemnly and lightly grabbed the hem of Rona’s skirt. At that moment, Rona froze and stared at Rosalyn.
“Honestly…”
“…?”
“Miss Rosalyn, I don’t think you understand just how biteably cute you are.”
Rona said it with the utmost seriousness.
Rosalyn flinched.
Since yesterday, Rona had been saying strange things she couldn’t quite understand.
Things like wanting to bite her, her heart hurting, or wanting to destroy everything.
Each time, Rosalyn would recoil and cautiously step away from her.
“I mentioned this briefly yesterday, but the House of Arcas has three castles.”
As they walked down the hallway, Rona began her explanation.
Sunlight streamed warmly through the window.
“The castle we’re in now is the main one. It’s where you’ll primarily stay.”
“Okay.”
“To the left of the main castle is the Letium Library, named after the goddess of wisdom, Letiane. Scholars research there, and soon you’ll be studying there too.”
“…Wow, it’s huge.”
“Yes, it’s the second largest after the Imperial Library.”
Rona answered with pride.
Second to the Imperial Library? Rosalyn looked again in awe at the Letium Castle.
Even from outside, she could see scholars bustling about.
“And to the right is the Central Castle, where the elders work. It’s where they hold meetings and make important decisions for the family.”
Rona added meaningfully,
“They’re also those who’ve been granted the ‘Arcas’ name.”
“What does that mean—to be granted the name?”
Rosalyn tilted her head.
Did that mean even those from side branches could use the family name?
Suddenly, Rona stopped walking.
“In the Arcas family, those who manifest authority are granted the name. It gives them the right to be part of the main household. And… they compete with one another. Regardless of position. Of course, the final decision is up to the duke.”
“…!”
“That’s how the Arcas family has survived for centuries.”
Rona finished her explanation and started walking again.
Before they knew it, they’d reached the main castle’s lobby.
Rosalyn could feel the glances being cast their way from all directions.
Everyone was curious about Rosalyn, whom Deon had personally brought home.
But Rosalyn was too deep in thought to notice.
Rona’s words echoed in her mind.
‘Did she mean someone other than Deon could become the duke?’
That meant…
‘Could it be that the reason the young duke adopted me is related to that?’
Rosalyn’s eyes sparkled.
It felt like she was finally beginning to grasp a clue that once seemed impossibly far.
***
‘So cute…!’
The staff of the House of Arcas couldn’t help but follow her with their eyes.
At the end of their gaze was a child.
Lush golden hair tied in a half-up style down her back.
Big, round, bunny-like blue eyes.
Chubby cheeks.
A sky-blue dress adorned with lace ribbons, and matching dainty shoes.
She held Rona’s hand and looked all around as if it were her first time in the world—a newborn creature full of curiosity.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had a child in the family… I feel like my heart is being cleansed.”
“Rona wasn’t exaggerating. She really is so adorable… I can’t believe she’s the young duke’s daughter.”
The fact that she was Deon Arcas’s daughter was the most shocking.
They had expected someone cold and aloof.
Most of the Arcas children were like that—chilly, distant, dangerous.
But Rosalyn was far from any of that.
With wide, curious eyes darting around, she looked more like a bunny full of wonder than a noble heiress.
It felt like the space around her sparkled.
“So that’s why Rona came back to the estate—because the young duke entrusted the lady to her.”
“…If someone tried to kidnap her, it’d be a disaster. Someone as skilled as Rona needs to be by her side.”
Nods.
Everyone agreed and nodded.
“Hmm?”
Just then, Rosalyn tilted her head and quickly turned to look their way.
The staff instantly pretended to be busy.
“What’s the matter, Miss Rosalyn?”
“Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing… I think I just imagined it.”
“Is that so? Then shall we continue on to the garden?”
“Yes.”
Rosalyn took Rona’s hand and disappeared behind the castle.
“…She sneakily took the lady away.”
“Sigh. What a shame. I wanted to admire her a little longer.”
One staff member, pretending to sweep the floor, pouted.
Then someone murmured, “Huh?”
“Now that I think about it, isn’t the young duke supposed to be in the garden around now?”
