Chapter 11
“Ah, Miela. This lady is…”
Istin’s mind went blank. The worst-case scenario he’d feared had come true.
While he hesitated, Regina was the first to speak. Her crimson lips curved into a charming smile.
“I’m Regina Valoir, the lady of the ducal household. People usually call me the Duchess.”
“Wh-what? Th-the Duchess? Of the Valoir family?”
Miela jumped in shock. Seeing the girl’s face pale instantly, Regina raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t even said much yet—was this child just naturally faint-hearted?
“Dear, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look so good.”
“N-no, that’s not it. It’s just… this is the first time I’ve ever met someone so noble in person.”
“Child, ‘Duchess’ is already a term of high respect in itself.”
Regina’s eyes narrowed. She had met all kinds of people, from peasants to royals, but this was her first time encountering someone so innocently ignorant.
“Oh, I see. Then… how should I address you?”
“Just call me Duchess. Or Lady Regina, if you prefer.”
Regina paused mid-sentence, suddenly realizing something was off.
‘Wait a minute. Why am I even giving this child permission on how to address me? We’re just two people who happened to meet. This is absurd!’
It was so ridiculous that she could hardly believe herself. She was supposed to maintain a perfect poker face, hiding behind a smile like a mask. But after just a few words, she found herself completely drawn in by this girl.
‘Maybe that’s how Istin got involved with her too.’
Still trying to gauge the girl’s intentions, Regina asked,
“Child, you seem to know about the Valoir family?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
Not “I’ve heard of them,” but “I know them.” A confident answer. That wasn’t what Regina expected at all.
‘I really can’t figure this girl out.’
There were always people who tried to act kind and trustworthy to gain something—ranging from servants to low-ranking nobles.
Until just now, Regina had assumed this girl was the same.
‘But now I’m not so sure.’
Those who pretend to be virtuous usually play dumb. They don’t answer so directly like that.
Regina continued to test her.
“Hmm, I’m curious. How well do you know us?”
“You’re the richest family in the Empire, and really scary—I mean, very prestigious.”
“Oh-ho.”
Not bad at all. Despite her innocent appearance, the girl gave a blunt and materialistic answer that Regina found quite pleasing.
Rather than flattery, such directness hit the mark.
Regina’s opinion of Miela went up, if only just a little.
‘So she did know about our family?’
Meanwhile, Istin, watching the exchange from the side, was confused. Did Miela approach him already knowing everything about him?
‘But no… her reactions are too genuine. No one can fake that.’
Because he’d claimed to be a mere attendant, he couldn’t step in, only listening to the conversation with a complicated look.
Then Regina looked between him and Miela and asked,
“Child, I heard you saved Titi when she collapsed. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is.”
Regina stared at the girl who nodded sincerely.
“Do you expect a reward for that? Like money, perhaps…”
“What do you mean? I already received a reward.”
“What?”
“Titi invited me here, and I got to eat a whole bunch of amazing food.”
Miela looked genuinely confused.
Regina also found the response baffling. Serving food to a guest was a basic courtesy. And yet the girl saw that as a reward? Did Istin tell her to think that way?
‘Seems I raised my son all wrong.’
She sighed and touched her forehead. Not only was this girl not just any guest—she was the benefactor who saved her child—and that was the extent of the hospitality offered?
Then Regina softened her voice.
“I see. Dear, I’m sorry, but I need to speak with Titi for a moment. Would you mind giving us some privacy?”
“Oh, sure! I’ll wait inside the dining room.”
“Thank you.”
Once the door closed again, Regina led Istin to the sitting room.
Now alone, the mother and son dropped their formal masks and showed their true selves.
“Sigh… Istin. I don’t care about anything else, but there’s one thing I absolutely have to say.”
If mistakes weren’t corrected right away, they became habits. Despite the hassle, Regina took the time to scold her son.
But Istin, uncharacteristically sincere, seemed desperate to speak first.
“Just a moment, Mother. I have something I really need to say too. It’s very important.”
“No, let me speak first.”
“…Yes, go ahead.”
Not knowing what she was about to say, Istin recalled the conversation between Regina and Miela just moments earlier.
‘She definitely suspects Miela. But I know how innocent and clueless that girl really is. She didn’t even realize the deeper meaning behind the questions just now and answered them so honestly.’
That same honesty must’ve looked suspicious to Regina.
‘No matter what she says, I’ll stand by Miela.’
He steeled his resolve.
But the sharp reprimand that followed completely blindsided him.
“Honestly—do you think treating the person who saved your life to just one meal is an acceptable form of thanks?”
“…What?”
Istin couldn’t believe his ears. He was so stunned he even forgot what he’d been planning to say.
“To think you called that a reward. I’m disappointed, Istin. I didn’t raise you to be so stingy.”
“No, wait. Mother, I think there’s been a misunderstanding…”
Istin looked flustered. But Regina had clearly already misunderstood something. Her eyes narrowed.
“Misunderstanding? Please. It’s a good thing you introduced yourself as a servant instead of the young master. Otherwise, people would think the Valoir Duchy was a cold-hearted family with no sense of gratitude.”
Whew. Istin let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, he’d been worried she might tell him to send Miela away. But instead, she scolded him for not being generous enough.
That was a huge relief.
“Yes, of course. I had no intention of letting things end with just that. I was actually planning to bring this up with you, so this works out perfectly.”
“…What?”
Only then did Regina sense something was off. Istin cut straight to the point.
“Mother, her name is Miela.”
“Oh, what a pretty name… ahem, I mean—so what did you want to say?”
Regina recalled the clear, youthful face of the girl she’d just met. The name suited her small, delicate appearance perfectly.
As that thought occurred to her, she caught herself and cleared her throat.
“Yes, it’s a lovely name… no, wait, that’s not what I meant. What I really want to say is—”
Just like his mother, Istin had started veering into praise before forcing himself back to the point.
They really were two peas in a pod—though neither of them realized it.
“I want to take Miela to the main estate. I hope you’ll allow it.”
“…Hmm?”
Regina’s eyes narrowed again.
A reaction that always came when she heard something unexpected.
“Why would you want to do that? I’d like to know your reason.”
