Chapter 16
With dilated pupils, Walter suddenly grabbed Hermia’s arm.
“Wait. Hold on.”
“Yes?”
“What are you doing right now?”
“Oh. Just turn the other way for a moment, please.”
Having already half-given up on the marriage, she forgot to maintain her composure.
Hermia pulled out the book and handed it to Walter, offering an embarrassed smile.
“I had nowhere to hide it… I used this to pay for the carriage fare when I came here.”
His face turned pale as he awkwardly accepted the book. A hint of anger flickered in his voice.
“Are you saying you paid with this?”
“Huh? Yes.”
“So you mean…”
As Walter’s green eyes turned toward the hem of her dress, Hermia realized what he was implying and jumped back.
“What?! What are you saying? I used the first volume to pay!”
Seeing Walter’s equally shocked expression, he quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry. That was an inappropriate comment.”
“It was tied to my thigh, so I had no choice. I’m really not that kind of person!”
“Of course, I believe you.”
“…….”
Does he really believe me? As Hermia looked at him suspiciously, she took a moment to reflect.
‘I did act in a way that could be misinterpreted. What noble young lady would just lift her skirt anywhere?’
To be fair, the coachman had never looked at her strangely from the beginning.
She had been subjected to lewd gazes since childhood, so she was quite perceptive in that regard.
Even if the coachman had bad intentions, he didn’t seem like someone who would do something reckless right in front of the Duke’s residence.
And if the worst had occurred, she wasn’t planning to just stand there helplessly.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she awkwardly scratched her upper lip.
‘Why did I do that in front of the Duke earlier… Hmm. What was I thinking?’
As she rolled her eyes absentmindedly, her gaze suddenly turned toward the window.
Hermia stopped her thoughts and became absorbed in looking outside. The scenery was so astonishing that she even forgot about the book she had handed Walter.
“Wow. It’s vast.”
She muttered in admiration as the carriage smoothly rolled over well-paved roads after passing through the castle gates.
Rockford Castle boasted an immense scale that could not even be compared to the Count’s residence, which was just a short walk from its entrance.
‘To think we’ll need to ride a carriage even after entering… this is no joke.’
Feeling a mix of curiosity and envy, her mouth fell open slightly.
The interior of the castle felt like a small village had been transported there. The streets were lit by lamp posts here and there, with large and small stone buildings scattered throughout.
“This place used to be a feudal lord’s castle; therefore, there were houses for retainers living inside as well as facilities for self-sufficiency like farms and stables.”
Walter began explaining as Hermia gazed outside with curious eyes.
“Then when serfdom was abolished and the age of free men arrived, the lord’s domain lost its dictatorial nature and independence and became an ordinary private property.”
‘Is this… a history lesson?’
Feeling a surge of unease, Hermia glanced at Walter. He continued speaking in an even tone without any signs of agitation.
“The Rockford family has gone through such changes over time. Unlike before, the Duke’s residence is now a military base where my unit is stationed.”
“Ah.”
So in summary, they used to live like royalty within these walls but now it has simply become a gathering place for soldiers.
Hermia recalled her vague memories and remembered that “lord” was an old title that must have been around for hundreds of years.
“……”
As someone whose great-grandfather was the founder of their family line, she resolved not to utter a word in front of Walter.
The carriage passed through sentry posts and various facilities before entering another uphill path. At some point, an incredibly wide space appeared before them, revealing the massive spire that had impressed her from afar earlier.
“That is where I stay—the main building.”
“……?”
Walter pointed not at the tower but at a five-story mansion located on the opposite side.
Only then did Hermia notice the horizontally long building and slowly turn her head.
Of course, even though the five-story mansion adorned with hundreds of windows and dozens of terraces was impressive in its own right—its size was enormous enough to resemble twenty Count couples’ mansions combined…
“Isn’t that castle your home?”
Hermia tilted her head after having been focused on the tower all this time; Walter smiled slightly at her confusion.
“That place hasn’t been a residence for over three hundred years. In modern times, it’s more suited for bombardment than habitation.”
“Ah…”
She recalled a story from childhood when a girl from her neighborhood proudly showed off a fairy tale book featuring a castle just like that one.
At that time when she couldn’t read yet and only looked at pictures, she vaguely remembered that girl saying it was where princesses lived.
‘What a shame. A castle where princesses live. I wanted to see it too.’
“The lord’s castle is now an iconic structure here. It no longer serves as a residence but functions as a watchtower instead.”
As she caught sight of the iron gate on the tower peeking through with lingering regret, Hermia turned her head away obediently.
The carriage passed by the watchtower and entered into an expansive garden again. She began absorbing yet another new landscape with wide eyes.
The white streetlights standing at regular intervals along the wide road exuded a sense of luxury and elegance. Flanking the central path where carriages passed, the neatly arranged landscaping trees and statues were all so impressive that they left her in awe.
She felt as if she were stepping into a fantastical dream, seemingly oblivious to any disappointment.
‘If my home is this beautiful, there’s really no need to seek distant vacation spots in summer. The backyard must be stunning too, right? I wonder if there’s a swing or a hammock hanging from the trees?’
Just strolling through the garden would undoubtedly take more than a day. Her excitement was clearly reflected on her bright face.
At the same time, similar feelings welled up in Walter’s face. However, his attention was not on the garden he saw every day, but rather on the sparkling eyes of the woman beside him.
“If you like the garden…”
“How much would a place like this cost…?”
Both spoke their thoughts simultaneously, leading to an awkward silence hanging in the air as if they had made a pact. Just then, the carriage stopped, and the door opened from the outside.
Walter hurriedly got out and reached out his hand as if he intended to lift Hermia again. Just as he was about to grasp her nervous hand, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
“Walter, who’s here?”
Hermia instinctively withdrew her arm and stiffened her face.
Standing where he turned was a girl dressed in a light yellow dress.
It was natural for Mel to be here since she had been taken by the duke, yet Hermia felt somewhat dazed even though she had known this.
Perhaps it was because Mel’s elegant appearance resembled that of any noble lady that felt unfamiliar. Or maybe it was because it suited her too well.
With her neatly styled wavy chestnut hair and yellow hairpin, Mel looked stunning in her fresh dress, making anyone passing by turn their heads at least once.
“Ah, Miss?”
Mel was also staring at her with a surprised expression.
‘I knew you were here, but you didn’t expect me to be here, did you?’ Hermia thought with an inexplicable mix of emotions and tasted bitterness in her mouth. Walter, who stood between the two women, glanced at Mel once before reaching out again.
“Miss Hermia.”
“I can walk on my own.”
It felt like cold water had been thrown on her; she regained her senses. It was ridiculous to have acted like a tourist despite not being here for leisure.
Outside the palace-like mansion stood guards, and servants had lined up in an orderly fashion to greet them.
Instead of leaning against Walter, Hermia placed her hand on his arm and walked as if she were entirely comfortable. Then she nodded lightly toward a middle-aged gentleman standing straight ahead while passing by Mel.
“I am Hermia Vansen. Please forgive my rudeness for arriving without prior notice.”
“Welcome. I am Aiden Turner, the head butler of this residence. Please feel free to call me Aiden.”
Upon greeting the distinguished-looking butler with gray hair at his temples, Walter directed Aiden after observing quietly.
“Bring Wilson to the reception room right away. And prepare dinner…”
Suddenly trailing off mid-sentence, he turned back and asked,
“Have you had dinner already?”
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m just coming from an exhibition hall. There…”
She realized she hadn’t eaten anything specifically; all she had consumed was a bit of drink. She quickly added,
“I ate something there.”
“…”
“W-Walter! I’m hungry. Let’s go eat quickly! Okay?”
Mel rushed over and grabbed Walter’s other arm while whining.
Seeing her cling to him without regard for anyone else made Hermia feel somewhat suffocated.
“Please don’t mind me; take your time eating. I’ll wait in the reception room.”
“Y-yeah. She said she already ate. Aiden, please, hurry and show our guest in!”
Even as she waved her hands excitedly, Aiden silently gazed at Walter, seemingly waiting for his master’s command.
Walter appeared to think for a moment before speaking up.
“Even if you’ve eaten, it would be an honor if you could join us at the table. Today is a gathering where all my subordinates are invited; it would be troublesome for me if any guests were absent.”
“Uh? Is today? Was that today?”
Mel blinked in confusion. Aiden lowered his head without any change in expression.
“I’ll attend to that right away. First, let’s take care of Miss Hermia’s treatment.”
At his gesture, maids dressed in uniforms marched out like soldiers. They then began to escort Hermia, who stood there blankly, through the columns into an open corridor.
“Uh, um…?”
Hermia started walking with her arms held by the maids who lifted her slightly due to their considerable size; it felt as if her feet barely touched the ground several times.
Without any chance to resist, she was almost forcibly brought inside as she gazed around in bewilderment.
‘What is going on?’
Inside the elegantly furnished reception room, she stared blankly as tea and delicious-looking butter cookies were placed on the table.
“The military doctor will arrive shortly. If you need anything else, please feel free to let us know,” said a maid holding a tray politely with a smile. Hermia nodded dazedly and popped a cookie into her mouth.
After devouring two cookies almost in one go, the door opened and a woman dressed in military uniform entered carrying a medical bag.