<b>51.</b>


    Meanwhile, Erce, who did not know what Lianne was thinking, dug into the nket, feeling drowsy. The meal with Vicente was already out of the question, and it was still difficult to get up, so she thought of catching some more sleep.


    To avoid the oblique noon sunlight, she turned over to the other side. Erce frowned at the pain she felt again.


    Suddenly, Erce swiped through the empty spot opposite her. There was no warmth left, but for some reason, she felt there was. She felt weird again as she swept it as if to wear the sheet out. It tickled near her chest.


    <i>‘Now that I think of it…’</i>


    It’s been a long time since she felt light-hearted after doing it. In the past, when she did it, she’d usually feel anxious, sad, distressed, empty, or shed tears for no reason.


    Perhaps she was able toe this far on her own because of the rtionship that she maintained with him despite her being like that. Erce was curious. What did that mean to him?


    Erce stared at her wrist stained red. At the same time, she felt tingling at the dorsum of her neck. Even though she was alone, she was embarrassed, so Erce closed her eyes tightly and went to sleep. Drowsiness soon took over her tired body. She dozed offpletely.


    “…”


    Troubled, Lianne looked at Erce, who fell asleep again, and the dress in her hand alternatively. It seemed like she should return when Erce wakes up. Lianne smiled softly at the sight of Erce’s slightly raised small lips.


    <i>‘Sweet dreams.’</i>


    Erce could not get out of bed until two hourster. She then headed to the dining room to eat her dyed lunch. She had to clench her teeth at the muscle aches she felt as soon as she sat down. Had she known this would happen, she would’ve just eaten in her bedroom… Regrets came btedly, and it was useless.


    Erce held the utensils in her hand, trying to give strength to slumping her waist. When she put the slice of fish in her mouth, the smell of grilled herring wafted through her mouth. Still, she took a few more bites, thinking it was at least fortunate that it tasted good. When she was somewhat full, Clifton spoke in a soft voice, “I guess it suits your taste, Madam.”


    <i>Was Clifton’s voice always like that?</i> She thought and replied briefly, “The chef must have paid close attention.”


    “Yes, it seems so. Since the Madam has emptied a te for the first time in a long time.”


    Erce stopped as she brought the fish on the fork to her mouth and looked down at her te. Except for thorns, the scrumptious herring was nowhere to be seen.


    Not only that. Other foods had disappeared, too. <i>When did I eat so much?</i> With a face full of embarrassment, she slipped down her fork and knife. In response, Clifton med himself, saying he shouldn’t have said it.


    “What about Vicente?”


    Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Erce asked.


    “Young Master is in the middle of his history ss.”


    “Did he eat well?”


    “Of course. He ate well for both lunch and breakfast.”


    Erce was relieved by Clifton’s words. She was worried that he might have been skipping his meals in her absence, but she was d he didn’t.


    After finishing the meal, she agonized over what to do next. She wanted to see Vicente for a bit, but couldn’t because he was in ss.


    Erce pondered over her open schedule for a while, then finally came up with something to do.


    “Where’s the Baroness right now?”


    The Baroness was working with Wendelman.


    “What brings you here, Duchess?”


    When Erce came in, both Wendelman and the Baroness stood up and greeted politely.


    “Ah… Were you busy?”


    “…Not at all.”


    Contrary to their words, there were piles of documents on the table. Erce was worried that she might be disturbing them for no reason, so she thought for a while about whether to go back. However, she remembered that it’s best to get the unpleasant business out of the way first¹.


    She had to deal with it anyway and thought she’d miss the timing if she kept on worrying about every little thing. It would be better to talk about it now.


    “…Have a seat.”


    Erce sat on the sofa in the office and beckoned to the other side. Wendelman and the baroness sat on the sofa following her words.


    “Ehem.”


    Wendelman repeatedly coughed, perhaps feeling awkward, while the baroness smiled brightly. Erce understood Wendelman’s attitude, but scratched her back not knowing the reason behind the baron’s favor towards her.


    “So, what brought the Duchess here personally?” Wendelman asked.


    “Anything that is bothering you…”


    His attitude without a hint of annoyance was impable.


    <i>‘He was always like that.’</i>


    Looking back, the Duke’s vassals were always polite with her. Whether it was Baron Wendelman Contar, Viscount Garrion yment, Harsen’s aide, or Harsen’s knight, Sir Kayron. Even though they were formal with her, she felt uneasy.


    But why couldn’t they get close? In fact, she had an idea why… Thinking about it, she couldn’t help being sad.


    Erce took a breath. She had eyes looking at her. She decided to bring up the subject without further dy. “I want to be entrusted with the Duchess’s authority over the Bernhardt duchy.”


    It was originally hers, so it was incorrect to say ‘entrusted’.


    “That…I…” Wendelman seemed embarrassed and confused. Erce patiently waited for his answer without rushing.


    “Excuse me for a moment.”


    Just then the baroness got up from her seat, walked towards the table. She brought a bunch of documents from the top of it, and held them out to Erce. “This year’s ledgers.”


    “Wife!” Wendelman was astonished by his wife’s unexpected behavior, but the baroness did not retrieve the ledgers. In a daze, Erce was handed over the ledger.


    “When was thest time you read ledgers?”


    “I think when I was about twenty-two years old.”


    Wendelman’s shoulders seemed to flinch at her words. The baroness was tapping her chin with her index finger. She seemed to be thinking about something.


    “Do you remember how to read them, Madam? How to calcte the budget and stuff…”


    <i>Oh, I guess that’s a concern.</i>


    “Um…no.”


    Of course, she didn’t remember. Her memories of her ten years ago were long gone.


    “In that case, can I teach you?”


    “Oh, sur–”


    “But you’re busy! Where will you get the time for that?!” Wendelman couldn’t contain his shock as he yelled.<i> I swear, I didn’t mean to cut off the duchess’s words. The words just popped out unconsciously.</i>


    “Honey?”


    <i>Honey</i>? His brows wrinkled by the ominous title. He knew what she was going to say from experience.


    “Please leave.”


    And literally Wendelman went outside. Erce couldn’t believe the docile Wendelman, and couldn’t take her eyes off his back until he was out of sight.


    “Shall we have a talk?”


    “Baroness, as Baron Contar said, you seem to be busy. Are you sure about it? Or I should try on my own…”


    “No need to do that. It’s better to learn directly from someone who’s been in charge of the ledgers for a long time. Well, that is only if the duchess allows me to teach her.”


    “Of course, I’m okay with it.”


    She wasn’t just okay with it; she loved it. The calctions for the ledger were essentially the same, but it would be better to learn from someone who knows the family’s situation well.


    “Then, first of all, it’s better to see the main residence’s internal affairs. If youe here in the morning or afternoon on any day, except on the weekends, I’ll teach you. So please drop by whenever you’refortable, Madam.” The Baroness’s gaze at her was gentle.


    “I will.”


    It was awkward, but she didn’t dislike it, therefore Erce was able to respond face to face.


    Wendelman came in after the conversation between Erce and the Baroness ended. Seeing his approaching steps, he seemed to be feeling awkward. He made an empty cough and held out the ‘things’ in his arms to Erce.


    “What’s this?”


    “Sir Kayron asked me to deliver these to the Duchess. You’ll know when you see them…”


    Erce epted a yellow paper bag. When she saw the contents of it, she understood Baron Contar’s words.


    Kayron, who came to find her, and Harsen yesterday, returned with her luggage. She felt bad for having a knight to do petty errands, but he said he’d be more ufortable if he didn’t, so he kept her luggage.


    Inside, dried plums, in handkerchiefs, and bundles of colorful threads were neatly ced. The Baroness peeked to see what was in it.


    “Oh, I guess you went shopping.”


    “Yes,” Erce replied with a smile. It was not close enough to her usual shopping, nheless, it was shopping.


    “Did you have fun?”


    Erce’s eyes gently curved at her question. “It was a lot of fun.”


    This time, the cough was from the baroness, not the baron. Wendelman patted her shoulder, saying it was understandable.


    Erce looked at the two in turn.


    “Thank you, you two. I’d like to thank you again here.”


    “No need, Madam. Did you have a pleasant time..?”


    “…….”


    “…It’s alright then.”


    At Wendelman’s dubious response, Erce asked with a hopeful heart, “…Say, did Harsen say something?”


    “No, he didn’t rebuke me at all.”


    It didn’t seem like a lie, so Erce was able to rx.


    “That’s a relief. I’m thinking of repaying your consideration. Do you need anything?”


    “It’s okay. I’m fine.”


    Flustered, Wendelman shook his hands. <i>I didn’t do it for anything, and I never wanted to do it. I was just pushed by my wife.</i>


    “Well, then let me knowter when you need my help.”


    “Madam, I’m really okay. The fact that you came back safely…” Wendelman hesitated for a moment, then said, “Thank you foring back.”


    The Baroness smiled meaningfully at her husband. It was a mischievous smile.


    Meanwhile, Erce felt strange when Wendelman spoke like that. The atmosphere of the room was still gloomy, but it wasn’t cold.


    Erce pursed her lips, then released them, as she rummaged through the bag. She took out a paper bag containing dried plums and handed them one by one.


    “Would you like to try it? I bought it at the market, and it’s really good.”


    At her invitation, they put dried plums in their mouths. Fortunately, their reviews were good.


    “It’s delicious. I like dried fruits, so it suits my taste.”


    “Mhm, the juice that erupts at the end is truly like a work of art.”


    The Baroness burst intoughter at Wendelman’s words, “Oh my, it’s a work of art.”


    “Did I say something wrong?”


    “I believe you know I overreacted.”


    “Hmm…” Wendelman swallowed a grumble.


    Erce held back herughter, putting some dried plums in an empty teacup. “I’ll leave some here. Have a snack.”


    “Thank you.”


    After the Baroness’s greeting, Erce left the room.


    As Erce walked through the hallway, she felt that Baron Wendelman Contar’s attitude had changed slightly.


    <i>‘A lot of time has passed…it seems.’</i>


    <i>Really, a lot of time had passed. I never even realized it’s been this long. When I was young, there was a time when I hated them. A time when I should have treated them nicer, instead of pushing them around– that time when I thought we’d hate each other forever.</i>


    <i>We avoided each other for more than a decade, so having a conversation like that and even receiving a favor, honestly, dissipated any resentments I had.</i>


    <i>Maybe it’s because I didn’t expect much in the first ce. </i>The degree of expectations and disappointment was proportional. Still, the oue was not bad for her, so Erce decided to take it positively.


    With the bag in her arms, Erce walked through the hallway of the mansion, looking around as if she were appreciating it, but she felt the same as ever. The mansion, which was painted in a calm and solemn color, gave off a stern atmosphere as if not even a footstep should be heard. Erce again thought that she had spent a long time there.


    Bernhardt, the ce where she spent half of her life.


    Strangely, she couldn’t remember clearly how she spent it. She’d wake up when she opened her eyes, eat, attend a banquet, then spend the night. That’s how she lived her life… It was a continuous cycle of a monotonous daily life. Nevertheless,


    <i>‘Even in that life, you weren’t there.’</i>


    Staring at the boy in front of her, Erce stopped in ce. Apart from feeling d to see him, she couldn’t help the bitter taste in her mouth.


    Vicente was not far away as the rays of light poured down on him like a waterfall through a huge ss window that was high enough to reach the ceiling. The sunlight glossing over the ck hair looked brilliant. To the extent that it hid the original color of Vicente’s hair.


    “Greetings, Mother.”


    She’d been hearing his usual greeting more often these days. Brightening herplexion, Erce approached Vicente. “Is the ss over now?”


    “Yes.”


    “I see.”


    Her bright eyes peered into Vicente’s blue eyes. His dark eyes, permeated by sunlight like the fine grains of sand, looked a shade lighter. At first nce, it looked simr to the color of her eyes, but what else made Erce smile?


    “Did you eat well? Today… I’m sorry I couldn’t eat with you. I overslept,” she roughly glossed over.


    “It’s a given as you must be tired. I ate well, so don’t worry,” Vicente said in an understanding tone.


    Erce held the bag tightly in her arms. “Um, are you busy right now?”


    “No, I’m free right now.”


    “Then…”


    “…….”


    “Would you like to drink tea together in the back garden?”


    “…….”


    “Th-there will be many delicious things, too,” Erce hurriedly added when Vicente didn’t answer, waving the bag in her hands. Appeasingly, though it did not seem much like appeasement, Vincent rubbed at his eyes and, in a low tone, chuckled, “Okay.” He nodded in a sluggish manner.


    * * *


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