Duke Silbert
Milena didn’t rush the child and waited patiently.
“Little madam! Please get in the carriage.”
“Alright, thank you, Jenny.”
Milena took Ashdel’s hand and climbed into the carriage. As it began to move slowly, the child hesitated before finally speaking.
“If I say I miss my mom, will you abandon me?”
The cautious question struck her heart. She hated how the child was walking on eggshells. Ashdel had grown up far too quickly. That fact alone made Milena ache inside.
“Ash, is it because your aunt and your mom don’t get along?”
“…Because Aunt hates Mom. So, you might end up hating me too.”
“I told you before, didn’t I? You and the Grand Duchess are separate people. It’s the same this time. You and Larriet are separate.”
“Mm.”
Ashdel nodded slightly, lips pouting. Was he unable to believe her words—that he and they were separate? How could anyone hate such a lovely child?
“I’ll ask again. Do you miss your mom?”
Ashdel, responding to her usual calm tone, finally opened his small mouth and spoke from the heart.
“I just… wanted to ask her something.”
“Something you wanted to ask?”
“Yeah, I want to ask why she left me back then.”
And… why she’s still with that man.
Milena opened her arms toward Ashdel. He moved to the other side and settled into her embrace.
“Then if you miss her, you should see her. And if there’s something you want to ask, ask it. I’ll help you with anything you want.”
Nestled in her arms, Ashdel murmured softly,
“Okay… thank you, Auntie. I’ll be good to you for the rest of my life.”
Pat, pat.
With the gentle rhythm of her hand and the wheels turning, Ashdel soon fell asleep in her arms.
“Jenny.”
The pleasant moment turned unexpectedly toward Jenny. The dim light from outside cast flickering shadows on her face, revealing a sudden chill in her green eyes.
“Y-Yes?”
Jenny tensed without realizing.
“Is there a well-known information broker in the capital? Ah, I suppose they call them guilds in the capital, right?”
“You mean… an information guild?”
“Mm. I have a request and need someone trustworthy.”
“Information guild… information guild…”
When people thought of information guilds in the capital, only one came to mind—Hart.
Dominating the underworld and monopolizing information, Hart was deeply embedded in both legal and illegal businesses across the empire.
And the person behind it all—unknown to anyone but his closest aides—was Lexion Silbert.
Jenny’s eyes darted about so obviously it was almost audible.
“Why? You don’t know?”
“No! There’s a very, very big information guild… Um, I’ll report it to the young master—no, I’ll tell him when he returns.”
“Alright, do that.”
Phew. Jenny let out a breath. She didn’t even realize she had accidentally called Lexion “master” instead of “young master” in her fluster.
When the carriage reached the ducal estate, Milena tried to carry the sleeping Ashdel but couldn’t manage with her strength.
Despite being smaller in build, Jenny easily lifted Ashdel. She seemed used to handling children.
“I’ve taken care of kids before.”
Seeing Milena’s curious look, Jenny offered an explanation she hadn’t asked for.
Milena smiled in understanding and walked into the now-familiar manor entrance.
“Welcome, little madam.”
“Mm, were you waiting?”
Normally, the head butler would greet the lady of the house. But Milena wasn’t in power, so she figured it might just be their custom. However, the butler had another reason.
“If you’re not too tired, the master would like to know if you’d be willing to meet with him.”
“You mean now?”
“Yes, the master said he would respect your wishes.”
Though he claimed to value her opinion, how could she refuse now that the suggestion had been made? She was, after all, just a guest here.
“Please let him know I’ll come after I change out of my outdoor clothes. Can you tell me when the Duke usually goes to bed?”
“It’s irregular.”
“Then tell him I’ll visit in an hour.”
After the butler bowed and stepped back, Jenny asked,
“Wouldn’t it be better to go right away?”
“I came from outside; I should at least brush off the dust. It’s rude to meet someone unwell like this.”
“Ah, that makes sense!”
“While I change, put Ash to bed in the room next door. Then come guide me to the Duke.”
“Yes, little madam.”
As Jenny carried Ashdel to the adjacent room, the waiting maids followed her.
At the Grand Duke’s castle, Milena had always changed by herself. Now, with the elaborate dress requiring assistance, she let out a sigh.
She wasn’t used to being helped like this—it felt awkward.
‘I guess this is what people call spoiled.’
A different environment. A different role.
Milena surrendered herself to the maids’ hands and mulled over the shift in her life.
Dressed neatly, Milena entered the central hall, where someone greeted her.
A stranger—but not entirely unfamiliar.
“Hello. My name is Archer Fluid.”
A tall man with soft brown hair and a gentle expression greeted her politely.
‘Fluid.’ That name rang a bell. Milena blinked slowly, then recalled Lexion’s sister and smiled.
“Ah, you’re Lady Claudia’s husband. I’m Milena Silbert.”
At the mention of Claudia, Archer’s gentle eyes curved with warmth.
“Jenny, I’ll take over from here. You may return.”
“Ah, yes!”
Jenny bowed to Archer and stepped back.
“Shall we go?”
Following Archer, Milena took in the off-limits fourth floor corridor.
The space had an old-fashioned, heavy atmosphere, decorated with classical paintings and one striking flower-filled frame.
Noticing her gaze, Archer explained,
“That’s the first painting young master Lexion ever asked to have.”
“Ah, I see.”
Why would Lexion’s favorite painting be here, near the master’s quarters?
She was curious but didn’t ask. Every family had its own circumstances.
Still, Archer offered an explanation, as if sensing her curiosity.
“The master is very fond of young master Lexion.”
Unlike others who fought tooth and nail for the family head’s seat, these brothers willingly yielded it to one another.
They had a good relationship. Archer smiled gently as he guided her.
At the bedroom door, Archer knocked quietly.
“Master, it’s Archer. Miss Milena is here.”
Click—
The door opened on its own at Archer’s words.
When Milena looked startled, he smiled reassuringly and gestured her in.
She swallowed nervously and stepped into the unfamiliar room, filled with a gentle herbal scent.
This was the brother of Lexion, the master of this great estate, and a key figure of central power.
Hiding her tension, Milena bowed gracefully and spoke with perfect decorum.
“Please forgive my late greetings. I’m Milena Silbert. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“I apologize for not greeting you properly due to my condition. I’m Sharpeil Silbert, Lexion’s older brother.”
“Please feel free to speak comfortably, Your Grace.”
“Then, may I call you by name?”
His calm and warm voice reminded her of Claudia’s impatient manner of speech. Finding that sibling resemblance, Milena relaxed and smiled softly.
“Yes, please call me Milena.”
“You’re now my brother’s wife and family, so I hope you’ll address me comfortably as well.”
Milena took the seat Sharpeil gestured to. Finally, she could clearly see his face.
Though his body seemed weak, his sharp blue eyes were full of life.
There was joy in his gaze—was it because he was happy to see his brother’s wife?
“I heard you went out with Lexion.”
“He had some business at the Imperial Palace.”
“Hmm, Lexion used to stay out a lot. But now that he’s married, he comes home regularly.”
It’s all thanks to you, Sharpeil said sincerely.
Milena hadn’t done anything to deserve such praise and felt a little embarrassed. She didn’t know how to respond.
“I didn’t expect Lexion to bring home a wife. I was surprised when I heard the news, but more than anything, I was happy.
I hope you know—you’re like a gift to me, Milena.”
A gift.
The embarrassing words made Milena open her mouth slightly in shock.
She wondered—did this Duke know their marriage was only for one year?
