Chapter 23
Of course, I couldn’t help but feel hurt. Why couldn’t he say such kind words to me just as freely?
Still, perhaps because my emotions had become too overwhelming, the Duke’s attitude changed slightly.
“Pudding, huh. I didn’t think she particularly liked it.”
“You really don’t know anything yet.”
Finally, Matthew’s moment to gain the upper hand had come. Emboldened, he glared at the Duke and spilled all the information he had.
“She likes toast with lots of honey. Her favorite tea is Earl Grey. She also likes chocolate, but she never eats more than three pieces a day.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because when she was little, Freesia had rather chubby cheeks.”
No matter how much he tried to build something with her now, the time that had already passed could never be regained.
With vivid memories of their childhood, Matthew proudly drove the point home.
“So hearing that she ‘likes’ something doesn’t really mean much now, does it!”
Even as Matthew stood up and stormed off, the Duke sat in silence, resting his chin on his hand, watching him go. Normally, he would never let such rudeness slide — something was off today.
Only long after Matthew left did Jade cautiously speak up, gauging his master’s thoughts.
“Master, why did you just let him go like that?”
“Putting it on par with honeyed toast…”
“Pardon?”
“The honey from Barona is famously sweet.”
Jade, ever the loyal butler, quickly grasped his master’s meaning, even in this cryptic statement.
Thanks to Matthew’s flustered ranting, the Duke had gleaned plenty of information about Freesia — all without having to ask her directly.
“Make sure it’s clear that I was the one who prepared it.”
“Understood.”
Even though she’d said she liked it, the Duke still had doubts.
He recalled how she had hugged her book like a precious treasure, not even sparing him a glance.
“What could possibly be so good about that?”
Her transformation whenever she touched a book was still strange to him.
With a faint smile, he willingly began his investigation into Freesia’s true feelings.
“You’ve truly become a fine lady now. Here — this is a gift from me.”
Holding the graduation necklace offered by Madame Benoit, Freesia fell into despair.
If she had known this would happen, she would’ve deliberately failed and fallen out of favor.
In her desperation to see Lily again, she had raced through the assignments — and in doing so, passed Madame Benoit’s final test with flying colors.
“That’s how studying works. The more you repeat it, the more it becomes yours.”
Madame Benoit beamed with pride at her outstanding student, while Freesia forced a smile.
“R-Right…”
She had become so exhausted from the overwhelming workload that she fell asleep on her day off, missing her chance to summon Lily.
Now, all she had was this diamond necklace — a graduation gift from Madame Benoit.
“This is technically Cromford property, right?”
“Of course. And everything in Cromford belongs to its mistress — you, Freesia.”
Though Madame Benoit spoke with a bright smile, it only reminded Freesia that nothing was truly hers. If she were to be kicked out one day, she’d be better off snatching up Alster’s complete collection than clinging to a diamond necklace.
“Lady Lily will be arriving soon. Cheer up, Madam.”
“Thank you, everyone.”
She had been a little worried about being treated coldly, but thankfully, Cromford’s staff were all kind.
Having waited anxiously through lunch, Lily finally arrived at the mansion.
“Sister!!”
“Lily!!”
At last, she was reunited with the sister she had missed so dearly.
Looking even more radiant today, Lily wore the new dress Freesia had sent her — dazzling and lovely as always.
“Please, come inside. We’ve prepared some refreshments.”
As they entered the room guided by the head maid, the sweet scent of honey wafted to their noses.
On the table were thick slices of toast slathered in rich Barona honey, topped with fluffy fresh cream.
“This is…”
“A gift from the Master.”
Freesia felt a twinge of irritation — did he think this alone would earn her forgiveness? But she had to admit: the toast wasn’t at fault.
“Wow, it looks delicious!”
“Come here. I’ll cut it for you.”
“Feed me! Aaaah—”
Lily, full of charm and innocence, was a huge comfort to Freesia’s battered heart.
She wiped the cream off Lily’s lips, brushed her hair, and smiled. From Freesia’s doting older-sister perspective, Lily — who used to need so much care — now seemed all grown up.
“You’re not crying every day just because I’m not there, right?”
“Of course not. Rose and I split up your chores. I’m still clumsy at it, but I’m trying.”
“You’ve really grown up.”
“Well, of course! I’m your sister, after all.”
To others, Lily might come off a bit bratty — but to Freesia, she was just endlessly adorable.
Feeling delighted by her cheerful presence, Freesia took her around the bedroom.
“I got the complete works of Alster — hardbound, with all the bonus extras.”
“Really? I want to see it too!”
“The newest book just came out yesterday. Only volume one is out, but it was amazing.”
While they might disagree over other authors, the three sisters all agreed: they were diehard fans of Author Alster.
Freesia had fallen asleep hugging the book just last night, and had placed it carefully back on the shelf that morning — but now, as she tried to show it to Lily, it had mysteriously vanished.
“That’s strange. It was definitely here.”
“With no new releases for so long, people thought Alster had gone into hiding. Did a new one really come out?”
“I swear! I read all of volume one just yesterday.”
She asked the maids who handled cleaning, but no one knew where the book had gone.
It was such a popular title that once the first print sold out, it was hard to get another copy.
Even after Lily left, Freesia couldn’t stop worrying about it.
“We’ve started searching the laundry and bedding areas in case it was collected by mistake. If it truly is lost, I’ll contact the publisher and request a new copy.”
But it was a first edition of her favorite author’s work. Even if a new copy came, it wouldn’t be the same as the one she had read.
She’d never taken her eyes off it — how could it have just disappeared?
Even at dinner with the Duke that evening, her expression was gloomy. She barely touched the pudding she usually loved.
Finally, the Duke set down his spoon and asked:
“I thought you’d be happy to see your sister. Why the long face?”
“My book disappeared.”
“The one you were hugging last night?”
Freesia nodded reluctantly.
They had searched under the bed, under the mattress, the laundry room — everywhere. No luck.
The three maids who cleaned the ducal bedroom all claimed it wasn’t there when they arrived.
Which meant only one suspect remained.
Her gaze shifted to the Duke.
“If it’s that book, I took it.”
“Why did you take my book?!”
Even as she glared at him with genuine anger, the Duke calmly pushed a pudding toward her.
“I heard you liked pudding.”
“I do. And the honey toast you sent earlier today was delicious too.”
“I’m glad.”
The Duke nodded, and Jade stepped forward, returning the new Alster book — complete with the bookmark exactly where she had left it.
Even as she confirmed the bookmark was still in place, Freesia hugged the book tightly and glared at the Duke.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
“Before you get angry, maybe you should open it.”
His overly confident expression made her suspicious, but she opened the first page anyway — and nearly passed out.
“Th-this is…!”
The elegant handwriting shimmered on the page, flowing across the paper like light — a signature so beautiful it was blinding.
She didn’t even have words. It was unmistakably Author Alster’s handwriting.
And it wasn’t printed — it had clearly been signed by hand.
“I heard you liked her, so I made arrangements. Maybe I overstepped.”
“No way. Absolutely not.”
Hands trembling, Freesia reread the inscription:
[To the dear Lady Cromford, Miss Freesia — with gratitude and love.]
“Gratitude and love…”
Signed personally — from the author she admired most in the world.
Even though she knew it was probably a standard message, tears began welling in her eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m happy.”
Who would’ve thought the oppressive power of Cromford would bring her such joy?
Author Alster had always avoided the public eye, and no one knew their identity — but apparently, the Duke of Cromford had the means to meet them if he wanted.
“They said hearing you were a fan made them happy. They’d like to send you manuscripts in advance and hear your feedback before publication.”
“R-really?”
She was so shocked, she stuttered.
Getting to read her favorite author’s manuscript before anyone else?
“You can refuse, if you’d prefer.”
“No, no! I’d never refuse such an offer.”
Freesia stared at the page with her name on it, holding back the laughter bubbling inside her.
