A few days later, I encountered Zeppelin again in front of Alexander’s stable.
He looked absolutely exhausted, as if he hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep since I threw out that bait.
“I greet you, Lady Belladi.”
“Yes, Sir Vincend. It’s been a while.”
I replied lightly and climbed atop Alexander.
“Well then, shall we go for a ride?”
My sudden proposal seemed to catch him off guard—he hesitated before answering.
“…Yes.”
The stable hand brought Zeppelin a horse.
Once he mounted, I gripped the reins tightly and gave the command.
“Open the gate.”
“Yes, Lady Belladi!”
The stable hand opened the gate that blocked the entrance, and Alexander began to gallop toward the vast plains beside the stables.
Neighhhhhh!
Alexander neighed with excitement as he charged ahead. I didn’t bother restraining him, expertly guiding him across the field.
Zeppelin followed close behind.
First, I need to get away from the stables.
The wide plains beside our estate were one of our proudest features. It was rare to find a space for horseback riding within the capital city, where people crowded every corner.
With Alexander galloping powerfully, we soon reached the middle of the plains. When we were far enough that the mansion’s roof was no longer visible, I pulled gently on the reins to slow him down.
Snort.
Alexander came to a halt. I looked behind me and saw Zeppelin slowing his horse as well, drawing up beside me.
I gazed over the plains and finally spoke.
“How is it? No one is allowed here without permission from a direct family member. It’s wide open and perfect for sword practice, isn’t it?”
I saw Zeppelin tense slightly, clenching his hands.
After rubbing the dark circles under his eyes, he finally responded.
“…I’m not sure what you mean—”
“You still don’t get it?”
Cutting through his hesitation, I asked sharply, and his shoulders flinched.
I tilted my head, watching him closely.
“I thought I gave you plenty of time to think it over. Was it not enough?”
“…Lady Belladi.”
“Alright. To ease your inner turmoil, I’ll answer a question you’re probably dying to ask. Let’s start with the Watchers.”
At that, Zeppelin’s eyes widened in shock. I smiled as I studied his reaction.
“You must be wondering how I found out. Honestly, it wasn’t that hard. For a family as powerful as mine, having an intelligence network is only natural.”
Zeppelin’s focus shifted entirely to my voice.
“How did I find out the name of your organization, ‘The Watchers,’ and that you’re its leader…?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed hard.
“What if I told you I deciphered the notes you’ve been exchanging in code?”
As I spoke those words, Zeppelin sucked in a sharp breath, visibly shaken.
“Th-That…!”
He started to blurt something out but quickly shut his mouth, trying to suppress his agitation.
Watching him instinctively maintain his poker face made me chuckle.
“You’re wondering how I found the coded messages? Well, if I was able to break the code, don’t you think I could find the notes too?”
Zeppelin ran a hand over his eyes, sighing deeply.
Sigh…
The warm early summer breeze swept across the plains alongside his exhale.
Ssshhh—
Through the sound of rustling grass, Zeppelin’s lips curled slightly.
“I concede.”
He finally let his stiff mask slip just a bit, smiling at me for the first time.
“How did you break the code?”
“I found the pattern and solved it. What other way is there?”
Zeppelin burst into loud laughter, clearly impressed.
“Ha ha ha ha! As expected, I was right about you. You’re amazing, Lady Belladi!”
For the record, I didn’t actually find the notes or crack any codes.
Even if I had, there was no way I could decode something crafted by the best cryptographers.
It was all from the original novel.
But who remembered all that information?
That would be me.
So, discovering the coded notes and deciphering them—it was still basically my ability at work.
As Zeppelin marveled aloud, I asked him again.
“So, what’s your answer to my proposal?”
At my question, Zeppelin paused. Then he looked at me, slightly flushed.
“If I were to train you, the Duke of Elton would never approve.”
“That’s why I created a natural opportunity for us to spend time together.”
I slowly tilted my head, locking eyes with his deep navy gaze.
“To make you mine.”
If all I wanted was a ‘teacher,’ I wouldn’t have gone through this effort to lure Zeppelin. I could’ve just hired an elite knight in secret.
But what I coveted was his blind loyalty.
And I’d sworn I wouldn’t suppress my desires anymore.
The day I buried my mother for good… the day I remembered my past life.
By now, Zeppelin’s eyes were burning with fervor.
Having admitted his true identity, he looked like a man freed from a heavy burden.
“Then the reason you chose me…”
I decided to confess my greedy motives to him.
“That’s right. I want you—and your ‘Watchers’ too.”
“Even if I yield to you, it won’t be easy to win over the others. The Watchers’ only master is the Head of House Elton.”
“Sir Vincend.”
Zeppelin clamped his mouth shut and looked at me.
Still addressing me so formally, I spoke in a firm voice.
“Answer with a simple yes or no.”
“…Yes.”
“Do you want to teach a direct heir of House Elton?”
To that, Zeppelin quietly dismounted. Then he knelt on one knee, lowering himself completely.
“Yes, Lady Belladi…! Thank you for giving me the chance to fulfill my dream!”
Every word was filled with barely contained emotion.
“As your teacher, and as your subordinate—I will serve you loyally until the day you reign over the world!”
“That’s the attitude.”
I smiled coolly and extended my hand. Zeppelin immediately stood, gently taking my hand and pressing it to his forehead.
A gesture of submission.
“Even if the road I walk leads to hell, you will follow me faithfully.”
“I will remember that, Lady Belladi.”
In the original, he was the eldest brother’s most capable and trustworthy subordinate.
And now, I had finally claimed that man for myself.
This is just the beginning.
I was sick of being ignored and irrelevant.
No matter what it takes, I will raise my influence in this house.
Like the eldest in the novel, I would climb to a position where no one could ever look down on me again.
Smiling with satisfaction, I welcomed Zeppelin’s obedience.
That day, after lightly training Alexander, Zeppelin and I coordinated our future schedule.
When I said I wanted to improve my swordsmanship, Zeppelin immediately began drawing up a training plan.
“I could tell Lady Belladi’s potential at a glance.”
His eyes sparkled like never before as he spoke.
We decided on the plains as the training location.
Father was too busy, and Meldor hated horseback riding, so this was the perfect place to train in secret. I could also wear comfortable clothes under the pretense of training Alexander.
Zeppelin would take care of wooden swords and other gear, and just as we finished discussing things, the sun began to set and the sky grew dim.
I told him I’d contact him again soon and returned to the mansion. As I entered the front hall, the butler greeted me.
“Welcome back, Lady Belladi.”
“Thanks. Where’s Father?”
“He went to the Imperial Palace for the council meeting and hasn’t returned yet.”
“And what about Meldor?”
“Young Master just finished dinner and is resting in his room.”
After I was assigned to train Alexander, Meldor had thrown a tantrum and got scolded by Father. Since then, he hadn’t spoken a word to me.
Which works perfectly for me.
As I walked through the hallway chatting with the butler, something caught my attention.
It was the expressions of the servants working inside the mansion.
They all looked gloomy and lifeless. It wasn’t just the people—the atmosphere of the entire estate felt the same.
When my mother was alive, the mansion had been somewhat lively and bright. Now, it was nothing but somber.
Exactly like how the novel described it.
Until Neshia arrived, would this house stay like this?
That would be the worst.
Staying in a house like this would give you depression, even if you were born without it.
I recalled something Zeppelin had said earlier:
—
“Lady Belladi, if you wish to gain influence within the estate, the first thing you must do is win over the servants.”
—
He’s right.
“Is there something you need, my lady?”
The butler asked cautiously, sensing my contemplative expression.
As I climbed to the second floor, where I spent most of my time, I spoke.
“Bring the head maid to the second-floor parlor. Immediately.”
“Understood.”
“And bring the latest furniture catalog.”
“…Pardon? The catalog? Why, all of a sudden—?”
I didn’t answer.
I simply stared at him silently. Under my gaze, the butler, Rover, quickly bowed his head.
“Understood, Lady Belladi.”
He always questions my orders. I don’t like that.
Charles, the original butler, never did that.
Shaking my head, I returned to my room and changed clothes.
Then I headed to the parlor, where the head maid and the butler were already waiting neatly.
The head maid, Emilia, bowed politely when she saw me.
“You summoned us, Lady Belladi.”
“Yes. Where’s the catalog?”
I plopped down on the sofa as I asked.
“Here—I brought the latest edition from the department store.”
Emilia handed me a thick catalog, filled with photos of new-season furniture, curtains, carpets, and decorations.
Flipping through it, I asked:
“The furniture currently decorating the mansion—those are all from last year, correct?”
At my question, Emilia flinched and bowed hastily.
