TOOCM | Chapter 017

Episode 17

Once Celine left, a moment for light conversation arose. Reina spoke warmly.

“You must be sisters, sharing the same surname.”

“Yes, that’s right, my lady! Please, speak casually!”

“Should I? So, how many siblings are there in House Daily?”

“I’m the third child, and Rose is the second. Our eldest sister is already married and lives outside the estate, and… oh! I have two younger sisters below me!”

As Lily cheerfully explained her family history without being prompted, Rose, who had kept her lips tightly shut, spoke curtly.

“Lily, there’s no need to share all that. She’s someone who might not stay long.”

“Sis, what do you mean by ‘might not stay long’?”

When Lily tilted her head innocently, Rose glanced at Reina and held her tongue.

But unable to suppress her itching tongue, she muttered under her breath as if to herself.

“Some lofty noblewoman—how long will she even last in the North?”

Her voice was loud enough for Reina to hear.

“Hey, Sis!”

Flustered, Lily called softly to Rose, glancing nervously at Reina.

She looked embarrassed by her sister’s behavior, which seemed to openly criticize their mistress.

But Reina didn’t get riled up by Rose’s words.

Having endured far worse insults in the past, this was almost endearing by comparison.

Looking calmly at Rose, she continued.

“I’m no longer a princess. I’m a person of Crencia now. So, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t put up such a wall.”

Rose’s face flushed bright red at the pointed remark.

Such blunt, direct speech was rare among nobles who preferred to talk in circles.

Of course, Reina hadn’t meant to embarrass Rose.

It was a sincere, heartfelt expression.

She simply wanted to get along with the families serving Crencia.

But to Rose, it felt like a statement meant to humiliate her.

“I want to get along with you both. Besides, you know the North better than I do. I’d love for you to teach me a lot.”

“Of course! If you need, I’ll introduce you to the North anytime. Honestly, there are so many places I’d love to show you!”

Lily quickly jumped in, lightening the heavy atmosphere.

While she chattered about famous spots in the North, Rose, arms crossed, observed Reina.

Her pale blonde hair wasn’t dull but shimmered with a glossy shine.

Her snow-white skin made her red lips stand out, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, like stars embedded in them.

‘She’s prettier than I expected.’

Rose bit her lower lip, casting a jealous glance.

When she first heard about the Duke of Crencia’s marriage, Rose had been deeply shocked.

Deep down, she had believed without a doubt that she would be his wife.

Historically, the Duchesses of Crencia had always come from one of the loyal families, after all.

She had been by Kaiden’s side since childhood.

She had thought she’d been training to be his bride all this time.

Yet, out of nowhere, some unheard-of princess had swooped in and taken her place.

Having locked herself in her room, crying rivers over it, and then being assigned as a personal maid—her pride couldn’t help but be wounded.

Naturally, her words came out sharp, but seeing her opponent seemingly unbothered only fueled her frustration.

Rose clicked her tongue, eyeing Reina, who looked too frail to even grip a sword hilt.

‘A weak woman like her doesn’t suit Crencia at all.’

To become a duchess, Rose had learned to shoot from a young age.

Had she not been summoned as a personal maid, she would’ve joined the subjugation team, her skills were that impressive.

In contrast, Reina’s body seemed utterly unsuited for martial arts.

Rose couldn’t believe Kaiden had chosen such a hindrance as his wife.

Convinced there must be some other reason, Rose tried to suppress the creeping anxiety.

As soon as they left Reina’s room, Lily quietly scolded her.

“Sis, what’s wrong with you?”

“What did I do?”

When Rose feigned ignorance with a curt tone, Lily let out a deep sigh.

“If you’re going to act like this, why didn’t you just say you couldn’t be her maid? Daisy was dying to take the role.”

“I wanted to see for myself. To check if she’s fit to be the Duchess of Crencia.”

“Why is that for you to judge? That’s for the Duke to decide.”

“Kaiden’s pretty clueless about these things.”

Rose snorted, then added.

“I’d bet anything—she’ll be crying and begging to leave before a month is up.”

***

After finishing all the introductions and resting briefly, it was already evening.

Leaving Kaiden behind, who was swamped with work from his visit to the palace, Reina ate dinner alone and quietly headed to the library.

She wanted to find a book to read before bed.

While browsing the shelves, she spotted an unfamiliar head in a secluded corner.

Approaching, she saw a young girl asleep, clutching a book as big as herself.

She must have fallen asleep while reading.

Reina gazed down at the child with black hair braided into pigtails and easily guessed her identity.

Someone who could freely enter the Crencia castle’s library likely lived here.

And there was only one child residing in Crencia castle.

This had to be Dahlia Crencia, the daughter of Kaiden’s younger brother, Aiden.

Just then, the girl shivered as if cold.

Careful not to wake her, Reina draped her shawl over the child.

As she turned to call for someone, she felt a tug at her skirt.

Looking back, the girl, now awake, was clutching Reina’s skirt.

“Mom?”

Mistaking Reina for her mother in her sleepy daze, the child gripped tightly.

Her teary eyes glistened as she spoke.

“Mom, don’t go.”

“…”

“Dahlia won’t be naughty anymore. Sniff. I won’t bother you, so please don’t leave.”

Startled by the sudden tears, Reina glanced around in a panic.

Misinterpreting her movement as an attempt to leave, the girl jumped up and buried herself in Reina’s skirt.

“Sniff. Waaah…”

Seeing the child quietly sob while trying to hold back her tears, Reina couldn’t bring herself to walk away.

Deciding to comfort her first, Reina lifted the girl into her arms and patted her back.

“Okay, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Hic. Pwomise?”

Dahlia, still whimpering, burrowed deeper into Reina’s embrace.

Reina ended up carrying the girl on her back, circling the library, when she suddenly came face-to-face with someone entering.

“Dahlia?”

A man with a softer appearance but resembling Kaiden looked at his daughter with a startled expression.

Reina, standing awkwardly, introduced herself to the wary man.

“Hello, I’m Reina Crencia.”

“Oh.”

Realizing who she was, the man bowed in greeting.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Aiden Crencia. The Duke is my older brother. I didn’t expect to meet like this…”

To his awkward introduction, Reina responded calmly.

“Nice to meet you too. Are you here to pick up the child?”

“Yes. But why is Dahlia in Your Highness’s arms…?”

“She seems to have mistaken me for her mother in her sleep.”

“…I see.”

At that moment, Aiden’s expression grew somber.

He then spoke with a melancholic face.

“Actually, her mother passed away a few months ago, so she clings to any blonde woman she sees.”