Chapter 7

After breakfast, Sion took my hand and led me outside.

“The Leweltons are the most venerated family in this kingdom, and each building has its own long history. Among the aristocracy, they own the most land within the capital.”

I nodded, blinking in amazement at the sight. The cost of land in the capital was one gold coin per footstep, or so I’d read in the novel.

Sion’s lips curled up slightly as he saw how I clutched the golden balloon.

This is the first time I’ve seen him smile.

“Am I overcomplicating matters, my lady? Simply put, Duke Lewelton is the aristocrat who resides in the capital’s largest house.”

“This house truly lacks nothing. Statues, a fountain…”

“Yes, and all of those things have been passed down through generations.”

The Lewelton Manor had an otherworldly feel to it. There was a small forest on the property with a lake behind it and numerous outbuildings.

“What are these other houses used for?” I asked Sion.

“They once housed family members from the collateral line and employees, but no longer do. Ah, do you see the temple over there?”

“Yes, sir.” I eyed the dilapidated temple.

“That’s where the duke keeps his valuable collection. You must not enter without permission.”

I gulped in fear, knowing exactly what could be found in that building’s basement. That’s where Kallen kills people!

At that moment, I noticed a carriage quickly approaching us. “I-is that carriage heading this way?” I asked. It was bypassing the well-paved road around the manor and rumbling toward us through the garden.

“It’s a carriage from the temple,” Sion sighed regretfully.

As the white carriage came to a stop, the door swung open and out jumped a breathtakingly beautiful woman with flowing black hair.

“Oh my, look who it is! What a pleasant surprise to see you here.”

“We watched the carriage dash straight toward us, my lady.”

Marianne brushed off Sion’s words and said, “Rumors are spreading that the duke has adopted a daughter.”

“Already?” Sion replied with a frown. “I thought I’d put a stop to the newspapers running any stories about it.”

“Tongues always wag faster than a journalist’s pen. Not to mention, there’s not a lady alive who doesn’t believe Duke Lewelton to be the most handsome man in the kingdom. They watch him like hawks.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise. I probably shouldn’t be surprised. As far as I know, Kallen was quite popular in the novel, to the extent that he’d earned the reputation of a womanizer despite doing little to earn the title.

“Lady Rosé herself approached me and inquired about the situation. I nearly died laughing.”

Lady Rosé? I think I’ve heard that name before.

Marianne glanced over at me. “My goodness, these clothes…”

I cringed as I realized I was wearing her old dress.

“She will make do with your clothes until the tailor arrives, my lady,” Sion explained.

“It’s too big for her, isn’t it? Old-fashioned, too. I used to wear this dress while gardening.”

“Is that so?”

Marianne’s dress was as precious to me as an angel’s, but it didn’t seem like she would agree.

“Is Kallen home?” she asked the butler.

“His Grace is currently out on business.”

“Perfect. I’ll be borrowing this child, then.” Marianne suddenly snatched up my wrist, and I clutched my balloon tightly as I blinked up at her in surprise.

“You must first obtain His Grace’s permission, my lady.”

“Permission can be granted after the fact,” Marianne scoffed. “I knew this would happen. Our family has been joined by such an adorable little girl, but no one has taken the time to buy her necessities. We’ll be back after I procure her some new clothes.”

Sion seemed hesitant.

“If you wish, you can ask Kallen to visit the tailor shop. He probably used his trip to the rural territory as an excuse to stop by the hotel in town, anyway. Tell him to join us if he’s able. I’ll be at the shop I frequent on Third Avenue.” Marianne glanced down and asked, “How old are you again?”

“Nine years old, madam.”

“Madam? Do I appear so old in your eyes? Please call me Marianne. Besides, if you’re nine, you’re already a grown lady. It follows that you require a fellow lady to assist in your fashion selections.”

Marianne’s rapid speech made my head spin. Her cheerful personality was in stark contrast to her haughty appearance.

Sion let out a deep sigh, then said, “Very well. Please be careful.”

Marianne grinned and dragged me toward the carriage. “Hop in then!” she called.

“May I take my balloon with me?”

She eyed the golden balloon and nodded. I hugged the balloon gingerly to prevent it from popping. It was my first gift, so I had to handle it with care.

“I thought you were cute in your tattered clothes, but now you’re even prettier. I seem to have a talent for spotting diamonds in the rough,” Marianne said, smiling. “Do you remember me, darling? We met on your very first day at the manor.”

“Of course. You are His Grace’s beautiful younger sister, the one who works at the temple…” That was all I remembered about her. It was how she had been described in the book.

Marianne chuckled and waved off my compliment with her hand. “How adorable! You certainly have a knack for flattering people. But yes, I hold a minor position at the temple. I find myself a tad drained today, however. I was playing card games with the high priests all night, you see.”

Card games in the temple? They aren’t gambling, are they?

“Fortunately for you, I’m in good spirits because I won.”

Oh, so they are gambling? I chose to change the subject.

“A minor position, you said?”

Is she a priest?

“Yes, as a saint. It’s a rather trivial post, but I suppose it does have its charms.”

Right, okay. Wait, what? Did she just say she’s a saint? Surely she doesn’t mean the kind of saint I’m familiar with? Wouldn’t that make “trivial” a severe understatement?

Marianne hummed and gazed out the window, oblivious to my shock. “I can’t wait until we arrive. I wonder if they’ll have any new dresses,” she said, sliding a square box from her chest pocket. She opened it, took out a cigarette, and set it alight.

A smoking saint?! I guess there’s no law against a saint having a cigarette, but… The carriage began to speed up, heedless of my surprise.

Can just anyone become a saint? Marianne gently placed the cigarette between her lips and inhaled. She released a curl of smoke into the carriage air.

That can’t be… Marianne flinched when I coughed and quickly ground her cigarette out against the square case.

“Oh, dear! I’m very sorry. Jade’s been exposed to the smell of cigarettes since he was young, so I…”

I shook my head and smiled. “It’s all right.”

“Sorry, sweetheart. I promise not to smoke in your presence.” Marianne stroked my hair with the hand that hadn’t been holding the cigarette. “You were probably taken aback, weren’t you?”

Relief swept over me.

She’s not a bad person. My heart raced as such a charismatic woman bestowed her kindness upon me. As the carriage reached the city limits, the main thoroughfare stretched out before us. I peered out the window and observed the streets crowded with people.

Oh look, it’s the toy store! There’s even a marketplace! To me, who had so recently been a beggar, perusing the toy store was the ultimate luxury. The shopkeeper despised the vagrant children loitering outside their business.

Once, however, the owner had forgotten to turn off the lights in the display window before leaving. A blonde doll with bright blue eyes, a teddy bear, a plush puppy toy, toy soldiers, a model carriage, and a wooden sword. They’d all been there. It had been a heavenly experience to secretly observe such wonders that night, and I had stared with my nose pressed to the shop window until first light.

Wait, if Marianne accompanies me, won’t I be able to go in and actually touch the toys? Just thinking about it made me kick my feet excitedly.

“Do you like sweets?” Marianne suddenly asked.

What child would say no to such a question? She looked at my glistening eyes and laughed.

“I think I know the answer,” she said before turning to face the priest. “Let’s pay the bakery a visit first.”

We soon arrived at a bakery decorated with flowers. Marianne bought several fancy cookies and a parfait. Each treat was bursting with flavor. I tied my balloon to a chair and sat down. I ate the parfait slowly to savor it, scooping up each bite with care.

“Delicious, isn’t it?” Marianne asked. “Everyone else in our family pecks at food like birds. It frustrates me to no end. Here, have some of this as well.”

She pressed a cookie into my mouth. My cheeks flushed from the unfamiliar affection. After our snacks were finished, Marianne and I strolled through the streets hand in hand. She bought me ribbons, hats, and undergarments. We fluttered here and there so hectically that I lost track of time. Finally, we came to a stop in front of a two-story building.

“All ladies get their clothes tailored here at Seville! We’ll need to have as many dresses fitted as possible. You may be only nine years old, but as a member of the Lewelton family, there will be no end to the events and gatherings you’ll be required to attend. You’ll need a dress for every occasion! A party dress, a casual dress, an evening dress, a dress for family dinner.…” Marianne sang as she entered the tailor shop.

“Oh my! Greetings, Your Holiness!”

The moment Marianne entered, every employee dropped their work and rushed toward us, as if they were competing in a race. I flinched, expecting to be chased away. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“Welcome, welcome! We were wondering when our most esteemed guest would return.”

This was my first time realizing that Marianne was somewhat of a celebrity. Among the line of employees, the one who appeared to be the highest-ranking took a step forward.

“What type of dress are you seeking today, Your Holiness? We do have new silk imported from Obel that may be of interest.”

“I’m not the subject of today’s visit,” Marianne said. “Rather, I’d like you to tailor some clothing for this child.”

Everyone’s gaze fell on me at once. Then their eyes darted around, seemingly confused.

“And who might this young lady be?”

“Oh, she’s a new family member.”

“What sort of clothes does she require?”

“All sorts, of course. Whatever a young lady needs. House Lewelton will cover the entire expense.”

“Understood, Your Holiness. May I ask what your budget is?”

“Are you asking me, a Lewelton, for my budget?”

The shopkeeper tensed at Marianne’s question. “I apologize, Your Holiness.”

“Let’s see… I suppose we can easily allocate one hundred gold coins to the cause.” The shop went silent. “And I suggest you strive to make us spend every coin of it.”

I tried to calculate the value of one hundred gold coins in my head.

According to the novel, a maid earns twenty-five silver coins per week. That adds up to one gold coin per month. Which means one hundred gold coins in my past life would have been approximately… One hundred thousand dollars. Can that be right?

My jaw dropped in shock. I immediately felt compelled to stop her.

If I spend that much money, it can’t end well. This was my first crisis, and I stood there, shuddering at the prospect of being kicked out.