STLECM 06

CHAPTER 06

Etisha looked closely at Cayenne’s face—so close that she nearly forgot she was in his arms. Their proximity was such that a single breath might touch him, and she could almost hear his heartbeat.

“It’s like I can see right into the Duke’s thoughts…”

Etisha calmly gazed into Cayenne’s eyes. In those dark, glossy pupils, beyond the coldness, she sensed another emotion boiling under the surface, as if being suppressed.

“It’s burning.”

It passed in a flash, but Etisha saw it clearly. A burning thirst for revenge, hidden beneath his ruthless gaze. It wasn’t directed at the coachman, nor the Heinz family.

“Who is it aimed at…?”

Etisha didn’t know the answer. But she felt she could respond to the question Cayenne had asked her earlier.

“Your Grace.”

“Yes?”

“I… I don’t know.”

Etisha hadn’t been able to do anything so far. She hadn’t even managed to leave the Heinz family, let alone imagine cutting ties or seeking revenge.

“At the Heinz estate, I never really had the chance to think about what I truly wanted.”

But things were different now.

“I’ll start figuring it out, step by step, by your side.”

“…”

“First, I’ll cut ties. Then… revenge comes after that.”

“…”

“Is that an acceptable answer?”

Cayenne released his hold around Etisha. As the distance between them grew, his gaze cooled to its usual icy demeanor.

“It’s more than enough.”

He ended the conversation without further explanation. Etisha didn’t bother to ask why he’d asked such a question in the first place.

The carriage arrived at the Wintel mansion in the capital. Cayenne disembarked first and politely escorted Etisha down.

When the Duke held Etisha’s hand, his touch—though subtle—was noticeably more cautious than before.

“Is this the villa…?”

Etisha let out a breath of wonder. The mansion, bathed in moonlight, had a grandeur that made calling it a “villa” seem almost insulting.

“My goodness. It’s bigger than the Heinz estate.”

Even in the darkness, its splendor was evident. A vast estate, a beautifully maintained garden, and a towering four-story main house, with an annex as well.

If this was just a villa, she couldn’t even begin to imagine what the real Wintel estate in the north must be like.

“It was a gift from His Majesty.”

Cayenne’s response was brief. Etisha’s eyes widened.

“From His Majesty?”

“He told me to visit the capital more often, and gave me a house.”

“Oh, I see. It’d be a waste to leave a place like this empty.”

“Seems like you’re quite fond of the place, Lady Etisha.”

“Huh? Well, of course…”

“If you like it, you can have it.”

As Cayenne opened the mansion doors and walked in, servants approached to greet him. But their eyes widened in surprise when they saw the young woman at his side.

The Duke had never brought a woman to the mansion before.

Yet, the one most shocked in that moment wasn’t the servants—it was Etisha.

“What do you mean I can have it, Your Grace? Are you saying… this whole mansion?”

“Yes. Take the mansion.”

“What do you mean?”

Etisha was truly stunned.

This enormous mansion—a gift from the Emperor—must be worth at least a million gold. Possibly even two million.

“It’s useless to me. I had no justification to dispose of it, since it was a royal gift. But if I give it to my future duchess, it becomes a meaningful gesture and perfectly reasonable.”

“Wait… You can’t just give this to me out of nowhere. You’re joking, right?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“…”

“I’m serious.”

Cayenne handed his coat to a servant and looked at Etisha. His eyes were solemn—devoid of any humor.

Etisha didn’t know how to react.

“Maybe this place really is a burden for him. If he needed a reason to get rid of it, then perhaps it’s best I just accept it gratefully.”

As she was trying to organize her thoughts, Cayenne gently guided the situation.

“You can sell it, gift it to someone else—it’s up to you.”

“Oh… I see.”

“Of course, you can hold onto it and deal with it when the time is right. We’ll need to stay here until we leave for the north anyway, so there’s no rush.”

“Yes…”

With that, Etisha made up her mind.

“Alright. I’ll accept it. It’s a bit much, but if I think of it as a wedding gift, it’s not that strange.”

Even among nobles, giving away a mansion as a gift wasn’t common, but Etisha decided to overlook that small detail.

“Because it’s Duke Wintel.”

Wintel wasn’t just any duke. He was the Grand Duke—the only one in the entire Ignivan Empire.

“Naturally, his gifts wouldn’t be like those of other nobles… It’s better to let him do things his way and stay quiet.”

But Etisha didn’t realize…

That not once in their conversation had the words “wedding gift” been mentioned.

In fact, the real wedding gift hadn’t even appeared yet. This mansion was just a casual gesture.

Unaware of this, Etisha responded earnestly to Cayenne.

“Then… I’ll accept it gratefully. I’ll think carefully about what to do with the mansion.”

“Very well. I’ll have the deed and ownership documents delivered to you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Just like that, Etisha became the mistress of the mansion. She took off her coat and handed it to a servant, then followed Cayenne into the grand central hall.

Inside, the house looked even more magnificent than it had from outside.

“I didn’t know a home could be this beautiful.”

Whether it was gold, jewels, or both, the central hall glittered with gold and silver. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling looked as though someone had plucked the moon and stars from the sky.

“To think this mansion belongs to me…”

Every painting on the walls was a masterpiece. Every sculpture, a work of art.

This place was like one giant piece of artwork itself.

“Does the Duke feel nothing looking at all this?”

Etisha glanced at Cayenne beside her. His expression hadn’t changed—calm and unreadable.

And Etisha came to a realization.

“Ah. Maybe Duke Cayenne isn’t a cruel and cold person like the rumors say. Maybe he just doesn’t express emotion much.”

People said Cayenne of the North was a heartless monster, able to decapitate a man without batting an eye. That he didn’t bleed even when stabbed.

But to Etisha, he didn’t seem that way at all.

“Even earlier, when we were in the carriage, he didn’t seem cold. Just reserved and stoic. The rumors must’ve twisted things. He’s actually really considerate.”

Etisha nodded slightly to herself.

Thinking back, Cayenne had always treated her kindly. Whether because she was to become the Duchess, or because of her terminal condition, she didn’t know—but the kindness was real.

“Duke Cayenne really is a good person…”

Etisha came to that simple conclusion.

Had the servants overheard her thoughts, they would’ve been utterly horrified.

“Your room will be shown to you by a servant. If you need anything, tell the maid assigned to the room.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Cayenne walked down the hallway. His footsteps echoed softly until he disappeared from sight.

Etisha followed the servant to a guest room on the second floor.

Though only a guest room, it was far more spacious and luxurious than the room she’d used in the Heinz estate. The balcony especially was stunning.

Etisha stood by it for a long time, gazing out at the garden. Though the night sky was dark, she couldn’t take her eyes off the glowing moon and sparkling stars.

It felt like not only the mansion, but the sky itself belonged to her.

The Next Morning

Etisha, having slept deeply for the first time in ages, woke feeling refreshed despite the unfamiliar bed.

“So refreshing.”

Today was the second day of the Founding Festival.

In the Ignivan Empire, the festival lasted three days. The first day was a small opening party. The real festivities began on the second day, when even members of the royal family would attend.

The third day was a wild celebration, with music, dancing, and heavy drinking. It marked the end of the event, commemorating the first emperor, Ignivan I, and his conquest of the continent in just three days.

“I hope today passes peacefully as well.”

Etisha pulled back the warm covers and stepped out of bed. Just as she thought of washing up, a knock came at the door, followed by a maid’s voice.

“Young Lady, are you awake? It’s Maid Marinne. I brought water for washing. May I come in?”

Her voice sounded slightly nervous and urgent.

“Yes, come in.”

At Etisha’s permission, the door opened gently. Marinne entered quickly, her face flushed as she hurried to her mistress with the washbasin.

“Young Lady, you should wash up and head to the drawing room right away.”

“The drawing room?”

“His Grace has summoned designers. The most famous dress designer, jewelry designer, and shoemaker in the capital… They’re all waiting for you.”

“What…?”

Etisha blinked slowly.

“The Duke summoned designers? And they’re waiting for me?”