Sabrina pulled away from me and looked me straight in the eyes. Her slightly upturned eyes and the distinct brown spot beneath them seemed more charming as she smiled.
“We might really be able to return to our home.”
I nodded vigorously, as if to reassure myself, at her words.
“And I will certainly repay my debt to you.”
“What debt between family?”
“It’s true, even in a family, you owe a debt if you only receive. So don’t keep increasing what I need to repay. From now on, don’t make any sacrifices for us.”
“There’s no such thing.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You must have made sacrifices this time too. I’m not that foolish not to notice.”
I laughed, almost like a sigh. True to her words, I had made sacrifices this time. Maybe I would even become the future lady of the Dermaier Empire, the Grand Ducal family. But can this really be called a sacrifice?
Afterwards, Sabrina and I spent the whole day together, chattering away. As the sun set, we checked on our chickens. I chuckled at their luxurious new home, far more lavish than the chicken coop in Lesothia.
Our family gathered for dinner in the first-floor dining room for the first time in a while. It was a rare evening with Lady Penelope joining us. With more servants than we had in Lesothia, there was no need for us to prepare food.
The table was set splendidly with warm soup, fresh salad, freshly baked bread, and high-quality meat.
As the atmosphere warmed up, Jonathan cautiously asked.
“Sister, you’re going to stay the night and… leave?”
“What?”
What’s with this question, resembling one asked to a newly married sister leaving her family home?
“Of course… I’m going to live here from now on.”
Probably.
Jonathan clenched his fists slightly, gesturing his excitement. His cuteness made the whole family laugh for a moment. He was transitioning from a boy to a young man. It was a sudden realization, but Earl Penel was a fine man. Jonathan, resembling him, was quite handsome.
However, our hopes and speculations were soon brutally shattered. A carriage sent by Ricardo to take me arrived in front of the house.
The next day, the weather was clear, mirroring my mood.
After returning to my room yesterday, I requested a meeting with Ricardo to express my gratitude. However, I received a reply that he was still busy.
I had planned to meet my family at dinner, so I decided to spend the day taking a walk. Chatting with the maids, who had recently become close friends, and touring the grand ducal residence was a delightful experience.
It seemed unlikely that I would be able to explore the entire massive residence before I left.
“Does the annex where I’m staying have a name?”
This question arose after my visit to Bluehill yesterday. The duchess had simply referred to Ricardo’s place as an annex.
One of the maids, the eldest among the three, answered my question.
“The grand ducal residence is divided into four themes.”
“Four?”
“Yes, spring, summer, autumn, winter. The four seasons.”
“Oh, so the Bluehill I visited yesterday is summer…?”
As I muttered to myself, the woman nodded and continued.
“Each building is named after flowers representing each season. But there’s no annex called Bluehill. Bluehill itself has the characteristics of a village.”
The maid, named Samantha, continued her kind explanation. Her grandmother, mother, and now she had been serving in this residence for three generations.
There was a sense of pride on Samantha’s face as she talked about the grand ducal residence. The atmosphere among the maids here was slightly different from those in ordinary noble households.
“This place’s theme is spring.”
“Spring…”
As I said the word “spring” and looked around, my gaze was captivated by flower petals fluttering in the wind.
The names of the places where the duke and duchess stayed were Magnolia and Hyacinth, respectively, both named after spring flowers.
Hyacinth, with different meanings for each color… Regardless of its meaning, I thought it didn’t quite suit Ricardo.
I followed a particularly slowly falling petal with my eyes.
At the end of my gaze, I saw him.
Full-bloomed red roses due in a fortnight, spring flowers mixing yellow and red, and white marble sculptures surrounding Ricardo created a picture-perfect scene.
Behind the well-tended ornamental trees, there was a pavilion with a dome roof reminiscent of a temple, and Ricardo was leisurely leaning there, reading a book.
In the distance, a fountain splashed water, scattering light-filled droplets all around.
“Spring…”
I whispered, though my words couldn’t possibly reach him. Yet, Ricardo slowly lifted his head. Our eyes met, and my heart raced, a feeling that should no longer be surprising.
The scene, evoking a sense of awe and intimidation in everyone, was just like Ricardo himself.
I hesitated to approach, catching my breath. Stepping into his world, even such a simple act, seemed daunting.
‘It’s so different, the places where you and I are.’
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
