Chapter 67

Isn't that obvious? I blinked.

Demian was currently adopted into the Schuetz family. He was too young to inherit the Clyder family.

So, if I married Demian, it was only natural that I would become a Schuetz.

'In a sense, we'll be like sister and brother.'

We were still kids, and it felt a bit awkward to call ourselves a married couple.

Well, anyway, my last name would officially become Schuetz.

"Yes, I won't forget!"

I answered firmly, and the duke's face showed satisfaction.

"Demian, from now on, we're really family."

I whispered to Demian, who blushed and nodded.

Seeing his clear and innocent face, a sense of responsibility welled up inside me.

'Don't worry, Demian.'

This big sister will pave a smooth path for you!

* * *

Even though Lord Amantha accepted my adoption, there were still formal procedures to follow.

The most important was getting the temple's approval.

'But after what happened, there's no way the temple would approve…'

However, surprisingly, the temple granted the adoption permit very easily.

I couldn't believe it, and the duke just smiled as if to say, "See?"

That's how I smoothly became an adopted daughter of the Amantha family and came to the manor.

It wasn't a complete move, just a simple visit to greet everyone.

"It's just a formal procedure. Don't be too nervous."

For some reason, the duke kept saying this as he sat me on his lap.

I had to repeat, "It's just a formal procedure, so I won't be nervous," several times.

"Please take care of me, Lady Ely."

After a brief conversation, Jerit bowed to me.

"I'll take care of you, big brother."

"Oh, big brother…"

Jerit clutched his heart, moved by my response.

"Don't get too excited, Jerit."

"Ah, I'm sorry, my lord."

Lord Amantha, standing beside him, gently reprimanded him. Jerit rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.

"Even if it feels like family, you should still address her formally."

The duke kept glancing at me.

'Why is he looking at me like that?'

I glanced at him once and then asked Jerit again.

"Where is the lady of the manor?"

Jerit looked uncomfortable and said,

"Ah… Mother isn't feeling well today. She's resting in her room."

"Is she very ill?"

"Not really…"

Jerit forced a smile.

"She's very disappointed that she can't meet you. Please understand."

"I see…"

I felt a bit down. I hoped the lady of the manor would get better soon.

"Well, now it's really just the marriage left."

Jerit quickly changed the subject, as if sensing my mood.

Marriage.

If the marriage goes through, Demian and I will officially be a married couple.

But a marriage between nobles requires the approval of both the temple and the emperor.

'There's no way the emperor will approve easily.'

I was pondering how to overcome this obstacle when the duke said,

"You don't need to worry."

"Pardon?"

"It's not just anyone, but Duke Schuetz, after all."

The duke spoke calmly.

"Even the emperor can't easily go against the duke's wishes. There might be some noise, though."

Noise with the emperor?

I found it hard to believe, but it didn't sound like a joke to reassure me.

'Well, it is Schuetz.'

No matter how powerful the emperor is, he can't just impose restrictions on Duke Schuetz.

I nodded, feeling reassured.

As I was about to head to the carriage to return to the ducal castle, Jerit said,

"Ah, are you leaving now? I'll see you to the carriage."

"Thank you. But the carriage will be quite dirty."

The northern region, known as the polluted land, had mysterious black liquid pooling in various spots.

So, every time we went out, the carriage would get messy. It was no different today.

Jerit smiled gently.

"I'm sure it's already been cleaned."

"Already? But it's hard to clean properly."

I widened my eyes.

The servants always struggled to clean it, no matter how hard they tried.

"It's hard to clean with ordinary cloth."

Jerit nodded in understanding.

"But it cleans well with this bark."

He pointed to a pile of black material.

"It's cloth made from the bark of the Rygel tree. It's very soft and has excellent absorbency, so it can clean anything quickly."

Ivanna had mentioned the Rygel tree in passing.

The Rygel tree was a symbol of the eastern region.

Apart from its unusually white inner bark, it had no other distinctive features.

It grew in the cool eastern region, but it was here in the north because of Duke Clyder.

Duke Clyder had given the Rygel tree to Duke Schuetz, saying, "You're not ordinary, so this suits you."

Duke Schuetz had chuckled at the silly joke but ordered the tree to be planted.

Despite the extremely cold weather, the Rygel tree thrived without wilting.

'This is the last gift from his close friend, so Duke Schuetz must have cherished it.'

The duke had given the sapling to Lord Amantha, showing his trust.

'If this bark can clean stains…'

"Can I touch it?"

"Of course."

I quickly touched the bark.

The surface was incredibly soft, and there were no stains left from the cleaning.

'So, it absorbed everything already.'

It had such a fast absorption rate.

'This is too good to be used just as a rag, isn't it?'

A good idea popped into my head.

I said with bright eyes and a loud voice,

"Wow, this bark is amazing!"

"Right? I was also very surprised when I first touched it. I tried it out just in case, and it cleaned so well that I've been using it."

As Jerit spoke, he suddenly looked uneasy and whispered,

"…It's a secret from the duke, okay?"

The Rygel tree was a gift from the duke.

If it was known that he was using it for such a purpose, it might not be good.

"Yes, I understand!"

I nodded and added,

"But I want some bark too!"

"We have plenty, but what do you need it for?"

"To take a lot and help Roine, Ivanna, Mei, and Asel!"

"You have such a kind heart. Alright."

Jerit's face was filled with satisfaction at my enthusiastic response.

"Thank you, big brother!"

"…!"

Jerit, who was about to instruct a servant to bring the bark, hesitated at my words.

He called the servant back and gave some instructions, and the servant returned looking a bit flustered.

When he came back, he asked,

"…This much?"

A mountain of bark was piled in front of me.

"Take as much as you want. I'm sorry I can't give you more. If you need more, you can come back anytime. Ah, should I bring it to you?"

Jerit was eager to give me more.

"Stop it, Jerit."

Lord Amantha, unable to watch, grabbed his son's collar.

"I apologize for my foolish son."

"No, I'm the one who should be grateful. Please convey my regards to the lady of the manor."

Before getting into the carriage, I glanced back at the duke.

'Even if he's my adoptive father on paper, he's much older…'

After hesitating and thinking, I smiled and said,

"See you next time, grandfather."

At that moment, the duke's mustache twitched.

I quickly closed the carriage door and gave the order to depart before he could clutch his chest like Jerit.

The next day.

"…What is all this?"

"It's from Lord Amantha."

I couldn't close my mouth at the mountain of bark in front of me.

As I was admiring the bark, feeling satisfied, there was a knock on the door.

"Lady Ely, may I come in?"

"Come in."

I pushed the bark aside and stood up.

Roine and three maids entered the room. It seemed the duke had released them as I had requested.

"Lady Ely…"

They all fixed their gazes on the floor, as if they couldn't face me.

Their faces looked very troubled, as if they had been through a lot.

I took a deep breath several times. Revealing who I truly was to the people who had shown me affection was more terrifying than a confession.

I slowly opened my mouth.

"You all know I'm the daughter of a thief."

"E, Lady Ely."

They were surprised by my sudden confession and widened their eyes.

"That's why I didn't say anything at first. I was afraid you might turn away if you knew who I was."

"…"

"But now, my thoughts have changed. I like it here, and I like everyone. So…"

I want to stay here.

The last sentence stuck in my throat.

I couldn't say it boldly. Accepting me would be like declaring war on the royal family.

"I… I mean…"

My vision blurred.

My hands, which had been clutching my dress, trembled. My gaze, which had been falling, finally landed on the floor.

"Lady Ely."

A warm hand rested on mine.

It was Roine. As always, she looked at me with soft eyes.

"We may not be as strong as the duke, but we are also part of the ducal castle. We have the duty to protect you."

"You mean…"

"We knew."

I could only move my lips in a daze.

They knew everything. Then, could it be that…

"On the first day you came to the ducal castle, the duke told us. Our job was to hide it so that it wouldn't burden you."

Roine said affectionately, but her eyes looked very sad.

"We will always protect Lady Ely."

"Until the day you can treat us like family."

"We should change our words. We'll work harder until the day you find us annoying."

It was what Roine had said when we first met.

It seemed her words hadn't changed.

"Then, from now on…"

"Yes, we will serve you."

The three maids nodded at Roine's words. Their eyes were red.

It felt like I had people who would accept me just as I am.

My throat felt hot. I held back the rising emotion and smiled widely.

* * *

The next morning.

A brooch I had never seen before was tucked in the pockets of Roine and the maids' aprons.

The changing room was locked, so I didn't know who had sent it.

However, they never missed a day to pin the brooch on their clothes.

They knew better than anyone that this item was hidden under a little girl's bed.