Episode 29
Emperor Leopold never returned the Howard family seal that had been recovered after Maximilian and Agnes died. Even when Flint politely asked for it, the Emperor would keep delaying, saying, “I’ll give it to you later.”
But the seal wasn’t just any stamp. It was a precious heirloom given personally by the former emperor, and it had belonged to Flint’s parents. Flint’s subordinates cared even more about getting it back than he did.
— “The late Duke said that no matter what, we must recover that seal. Just before her death, the Duchess also asked my father to promise that we’d bring it back to Bianteca.”
Flint held up a new seal and spoke calmly.
— “Honestly, I don’t see what’s so special about the old one, aside from being a keepsake.”
The new seal was made of gold and crafted by a famous artisan who was once saved by the Black Sword Corps. The artisan had even made another version with a different design, saying it would be useful in the future.
— “It’s important because it’s a keepsake!”
— “I know,” Flint replied.
He continued slowly, “His Majesty said he would give it to me once I get married and truly become the next Duke of Howard. Don’t rush. When the time is right, it will be mine.”
Adele let out a frustrated laugh.
— “He said give? That seal already belonged to the former Duke! It should’ve been returned when the Crown Prince came back!”
— “Adele, don’t you see? The Emperor wants to confirm my loyalty this way.”
Flint spoke in a quiet, almost scolding tone.
— “Don’t be greedy. Think carefully about what it means that the Emperor plans to posthumously honor my grandfather.”
Adele scoffed.
— “It’s easy to say nice things. Do you know how long the Emperor has been saying that? Even when he took the throne, he said he’d honor Prince Alphonse—your grandfather—when the time was right. He said the exact same thing to you when you returned.”
Flint stayed silent. Adele frowned. Her political instincts couldn’t keep up with her sword skills. She was a warrior, not a strategist.
— “Then follow the Emperor’s wishes and build a household. I heard you’ve recently met a noble lady?”
At that, Flint’s hand paused as he flipped through documents. Adele repeated what Veronica Highrun had casually mentioned.
— “They say she’s the best bride in Bianteca. A perfect match for you.”
Flint let out a sigh through his teeth. Adele didn’t bother adding, “Honestly, you might not be good enough for her.”
— “If she doesn’t interest you, then pick any lady from the north. Get engaged, take the seal, and break it off later.”
Flint kept staring at the papers. Then, in his usual low voice, he quietly said:
— “It can’t be her.”
Adele blinked in surprise.
Isabella was getting ready for her social debut. She was receiving special training in etiquette, and tutors were constantly coming and going at the Rosana estate. The Duchess of Rosana, who had been out collecting rare items, had finally returned home.
— “Oh ho! Look at this! Isn’t it magnificent?”
She made her whole family sit and admire her collection. Even the steward and head maid had to listen to her talk about seashells for a while.
— “Where’s Pamela? Lia, do you know where she is?”
Eliano smiled awkwardly. She already knew, but admired how the Duchess acted as if she didn’t.
— “Actually, I wanted to ask for your opinion. Pamela did something wrong and got punished, and now she’s unwell… I was wondering if sending her away might be too harsh for an old nanny who’s served us for so long.”
She watched the Duchess’s face as she spoke. Her tone shifted just enough to sound natural.
— “It feels cruel to turn away someone who’s been here so long.”
Eliano felt like her chest was burning, but she held back, thinking, “Patience brings luck.”
— “My dear, you’re right to think that. Damian and Isabella kept insisting we throw her out… I’ve been so torn. My own children can be so cold sometimes.”
The Duchess looked genuinely hurt. Eliano replied sweetly.
— “Damian must’ve been really angry about almost losing his favorite pen.”
— “Still, does that justify treating a nanny that way? You can always buy another pen. And Isabella… when will she finally grow up?”
In truth, Pamela hadn’t even raised Damian. He had a different nanny. Pamela may have helped out occasionally.
— “But if that gold pen had been stolen and turned up in a crime investigation…”
Eliano shivered and shook her head, as if she didn’t want to think about it. The mention of the gold pen made the Duchess frown.
— “Still, we got it back in the end, didn’t we?”
— “You’re right, Mother. But I still can’t take Pamela back.”
— “Why not?! Without your nanny, you’ll be the one struggling most! You’re so kind and gentle—if you don’t take her back, who will look after poor Pamela?”
Why on earth should I be the one to care for that witch? Eliano held her expression.
— “But Mother… Pamela scares me…”
Eliano let her voice trail off and teared up. It wasn’t what she wanted to do, but it was the best option.
— “She threatened to reveal my secrets… I don’t even know what secret she meant, which makes it even scarier…”
Tears fell from Eliano’s green eyes, her expression so pitiful that even a maid holding a teacup looked sorry.
— “And she hit me… My knees still hurt… I can’t forget that day. I’m so scared, Mother. What if she hits me again when we’re alone? What if she blames me for not saving her…?”
Eliano was trembling and burying her face in her hands. A maid clicked her tongue—Pamela had indeed seemed capable of such cruelty, especially when she had even grabbed Damian by the collar.
— “Oh, dear Ria… I didn’t realize. Does your knee still hurt?”
Eliano nodded, face still hidden, and her tears soaked her skirt.
— “But what should we do with Pamela? We can’t just throw her out… We should at least give her a place somewhere in the estate…”
Eliano bit her lip behind her hands. She swallowed a curse and replied with a tearful voice.
— “Then you take her in, Mother.”
She dropped her hands and looked up, her cheeks flushed red, speaking clearly.
— “If she’s with you, Damian can’t complain. Pamela threatened him too… He’s probably furious. He might even try to kill her. He could demand I hand her over, and then… then I’d have no choice. You know how it is…”
After that, Eliano just kept crying. She sobbed and sniffled. The Duchess tried to talk to her and calm her down, but Eliano seemed to block everything out.
— “Please take Pamela back, Mother. You’re really going to abandon your poor nanny?”
That’s all Eliano kept repeating. Like a parrot, she wouldn’t listen to reason. Eventually, the Duchess gave up.
— “Fine, just go back to your room!”
As soon as Eliano stepped outside, she stopped crying and let out a big sigh. The handkerchief the Duchess gave her was now wrinkled in her fist.
“At least I got Pamela out of the way.”
Even though she’d won, it felt disgusting—just like when she used to flirt with her husband in her past life just to get pregnant.
Tears might help for now, but they didn’t solve the real problem. She had learned that the hard way.
Still, what else could she do? Her looks and her tears were all she had. Somehow, she had to escape from Rosana… and from her father.
— “Miss, why can’t you get rid of the nanny? The Duchess is being unfair.”
Jane’s voice brought her back to the present.
— “Are your knees really still sore? Oh no… I’ll give you a massage.”
Back in her room, Lavender and Jane did their best to cheer Eliano up with massages. But Eliano snapped.
— “You think my mother listens to me? She even shut down Damian. Besides, Pamela was one of her family’s maids before marriage.”
That explained everything. Lavender and Jane suddenly looked like they understood. One of the maids from her mother’s old home had been maimed and silenced while the Duchess was away. No wonder she felt responsible.
They realized too late—they should’ve exposed Pamela’s true nature while the Duchess was still there. If she’d seen the evil side of Pamela during a crisis, she would’ve turned away for sure.
Isabella had rushed things and forced the situation too early, but Eliano couldn’t blame her. Isabella had even argued with the Duchess several times, begging her to throw Pamela out. She had really tried her best.
Eliano told Jane and Lavender to stop the massage. She told everyone to leave and pulled the blanket over her head. The maids quietly slipped out.
But then Jane came back, peeking around.
— “Miss, the head maid said you called for her… Should I tell her to come later?”
Eliano pulled the blanket down and sat up.
— “No. Tell her to come in now.”
Jane bowed politely and left. Soon, Miller entered. She must’ve been waiting nearby the whole time.
— “If you saw me in the hall, why didn’t you call me in?”
— “You looked tired, so I thought I’d come back later.”
Eliano offered her a seat. After a short pause, she finally spoke, almost whispering:
— “So, did you find out what I asked? Keep your voice low.”
