Even though the meal had started, Lia couldn’t tear her eyes away from Mrs. Ihar.
Feeling Lia’s intense gaze on her, Mrs. Ihar smiled pleasantly and said, “Did I say something to offend you, Miss Canillia?”
Startled by being addressed, Lia shook her head fiercely. “No, of course not.”
“I hope the food is to your liking. The food in the north tends to be a bit spicier,” Mrs. Ihar said.
“It’s excellent, thank you,” Lia replied, feeling embarrassed. She lowered her head and focused on cutting the meat in front of her. When she took a shy glance up, she met Claude’s eyes.
He let out a chuckle, making Lia blush.
“We have a guest coming in tomorrow. Some count’s daughter from who knows where. She insisted on paying a visit, so I had no choice but to accept. Why don’t you greet the guest, Claude?” Mrs. Ihar said.
“Rosina was right. She told me they’d be guests as many to annoy me,” Claude replied.
“That’s why you need to get married soon. I have enough on my hands. I don’t need any more unwanted guests to take another year off my old life,” Mrs. Ihar said.
“You should have gotten used to tea parties by now,” Claude said.
“They’re useless, time-wasting things. It’s just an excuse for people to show off their new dresses, jewelry, and servants. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why they go through the trouble,” Mrs. Ihar said with a scowl.
It was strange, Lia thought, how Mrs. Ihar’s words could be both elegant and blunt at the same time. Lia felt like she was learning new things, and her heart was pounding with excitement at the realization that the things she had seen and learned so far might not be everything.
“I have to go to the convent tomorrow. There are too many orphaned children from the war. One set of helping hands will give them a moment to breathe,” Mrs. Ihar said.
As Lia was admiring Mrs. Ihar, Owen stepped into the dining room and whispered something inaudible to Claude.
“Excuse me,” Claude said with a serious expression before getting up from the table. He made eye contact with Lia as he left, and she shrugged in response, acting nonchalant.
“Let’s continue our meal,” Mrs. Ihar said after Claude left. Lia’s gaze returned to the dirt on Mrs. Ihar’s sleeves.
“Mrs. Ihar,” Lia said, gathering her courage.
“Yes?”
“Is it possible that I might be of service to you?”
Mrs. Ihar smiled. “Well, I’m only doing the right thing for my people, but I don’t think you have a reason to do so. You don’t have to do what I do just because you’re here. It was the first time my son ever told me he loved someone, which made me curious. You’ve earned enough points, so don’t worry about it.”
Lia blushed at the mention of the word “love.” She shook her head and said, “It’s nothing of the sort, Mrs. Ihar. I want to prove my usefulness. Like you, I feel like dressing up like dolls and talking about nothing in particular is a waste of precious time.” Lia worried that her answer might have been too rude.
Mrs. Ihar, looking at Lia thoughtfully, called for a servant. He brought a cane with both hands and held it out to Lia.
“I heard you’re temporarily having difficulty walking due to an accident. I prepared this in a hurry, so I don’t know if you’ll like it,” Jasmine said.
Lia accepted the cane and caressed the handle with a dazed expression. She recognized the pattern engraved and knew it was something priceless.
“An item engraved with Clematis belongs to the duchess. Or should I say, the grand duchess?” Lia said in awe.
“Mrs. Ihar…”
“You won’t be able to keep up with those legs, as I do not go down to the village just for show. You might cry in frustration that you can’t keep up. Do you still wish to go?” Jasmine asked.
Lia raised her head and nodded with all her might. Something unexplainable had materialized in her chest.
“Okay, then. What a curious little lady,” Jasmine said with a smile.
***
Claude sighed as he looked at the box that had arrived from the imperial family. It was sent by Rosina’s servant and contained letters that Canillia had sent to her mother over the past three years.
“Give it back to the owner, Claude,” Rosina said.
Claude knew that returning the letters would only serve to anger Canillia, and the consequences would be terrible. He also knew that Canillia would be disappointed to learn that her letters had been intercepted by Rosina.
“What should we do?” Owen asked, surprised by the number of letters in the box.
Claude opened the bottom drawer of his desk and placed the letters inside. “It’s not time yet. Contact Ian Sergio. Let’s have Canillia’s mother brought to Del Casa at the right moment,” he said.
Owen nodded, understanding Claude’s determination. “But if she’s already completed the immigration process, it will be difficult. Obtaining citizenship of the Empire requires the approval of His Majesty the Emperor,” he said.
“Which is why I said, at ‘the right moment,’ Owen. We can’t send her off to Geore. Do you understand?” Claude replied.
As he spoke, Claude looked around the room that had once belonged to Maximilian. It was clear that his father’s presence was still strong there.
A shadow passed over Claude’s eyes as he realized that he had inherited another debt upon his return to Del Casa.
“Damn,” he muttered.