Chapter 26
It was late into the night, but Tericia couldn’t sleep. Her mind was tangled in thought.
Everything’s changed… and strangely so.
In her previous life, both her mother and the Duke had died, and Rashid had taken over the dukedom. However, because of Count Clu’s interference, Rashid wasn’t able to receive the Imperial Family’s formal recognition right away, even though he had inherited the title.
It wasn’t until two years later, when he turned twenty-one, that the emperor officially acknowledged him as the Duke.
During those years, Rashid had gone off to war, and Tericia had stepped forward to protect the duchy from being taken over by Count Clu. She had managed the estate herself.
At first, the vassals were uncooperative. But over time, they began to recognize her efforts and gradually offered their support.
But now… the Duke is still alive.
Yet her mother had still died in a carriage accident—just like before.
And that war, the one nineteen-year-old Rashid had fought so fiercely in, hadn’t happened this time. He didn’t have to go through such suffering. That was no small change.
Mother…
Maybe it was because she had finally stopped living under her mother’s control, but this time, they had clashed more often than before.
Still… I didn’t want it to end like this.
Was there something she could’ve done? Something that might’ve saved her?
She couldn’t change what had already happened, yet she kept going over it again and again in her mind.
“My lady, it’s Sarah.”
There was a soft knock at the door and a gentle voice.
“Come in.”
At Tericia’s reply, Sarah entered the room holding an incense burner.
“You looked tired, so I thought I’d bring some calming incense.”
“My lady, why are you still sitting up? You should be in bed!”
Mandy followed right behind, and when she saw Tericia sitting on the sofa, she sounded almost alarmed—like staying up late was a major crisis.
“You’re overreacting, Mandy. Sitting up a bit won’t make me any sicker.”
Tericia looked at her with mild exasperation. Sarah, who was quietly sorting through the incense, let out a small laugh.
“She’s just worried because there’s someone who gets very upset when you overdo it.”
“…Ah.”
Tericia immediately knew who she meant. With a soft sigh, she shook her head and stood, walking over to the bed.
“Rashid really is the most dramatic one of all.”
“Well, the young Duke has every reason to worry.”
“……”
Even if she had ten mouths, she had nothing to say to that. Since she’d regained consciousness, Rashid had been almost obsessive about her well-being. The moment she so much as moved, he seemed to know and would rush in to make her lie down again.
She spent more time lying down than sitting. She complained, but Rashid wouldn’t budge.
And after attending the funeral, his watchfulness had only gotten worse.
“Just don’t let him get too worked up. I’d like a little peace.”
Her words made both maids smile.
Ever since Mandy’s secret alliance with Rashid had been discovered, she didn’t even try to hide it anymore. Anytime Tericia so much as attempted to lift a hand, Mandy would give her a look that said “Should I tell the young Duke?”, stopping her in her tracks.
It was Mandy’s own way of showing concern.
“I won’t overdo it…”
Tericia murmured as she lay back and closed her eyes.
“My body’s not what it used to be.”
She couldn’t point to anything specific that hurt, but she tired so easily. Maybe she was just still recovering—but something didn’t feel right.
She wanted to see the physician again, but she hesitated. Rashid would worry if she said anything, and she didn’t want that.
I don’t want to worry him… but what should I do?
Tericia shifted under the blanket. The soft scent of the incense Sarah had lit filled the air.
“This smells different, Sarah.”
“Yes, my family sent it recently from home. They said it helps with fatigue, so I thought I’d try it. Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s nice.”
It was soothing—her body felt lighter, her thoughts calmer.
“Something like this might help with insomnia or nerves…”
A sudden thought flashed through Tericia’s mind. She abruptly sat up.
The incense!
Now that she thought about it, she remembered requesting certain flowers for incense blends—but with everything that had happened since, she’d completely forgotten about it.
“Sarah, what flowers were used in the incense just now?”
“Pardon? Oh, um…”
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Sarah paused to think.
“I didn’t make this blend myself, so I’m not entirely sure… but I think there was lavender, chamomile, things like that.”
“No, it wasn’t just that. I smelled something else—something different.”
“Hmm…”
Sarah thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up as she remembered.
“Oh! It had Sedamen flowers in it.”
“Sedamen?”
Sedamen was a flower that only grew in Latran—specifically, in the wild regions of Mount Membrox. It was notoriously difficult to cultivate, known for its delicate nature.
“Can you grow Sedamen?”
“My grandmother has a real talent for plants. That’s why our family always made our own incense blends. We don’t have a lot, but I’m sure there’s some Sedamen at home.”
“Sarah!”
Tericia jumped out of bed and grabbed her hand. Sarah looked startled by the sudden gesture.
“I need your help.”
“M-my help?”
Sarah blinked, confused, as Tericia beamed at her—her whole face lit up, like she had just found a hidden treasure.
As soon as morning came, Tericia called Harris to her office.
“My lady, I do hope you’re not overexerting yourself,” he said as soon as he saw her.
“I’m not pushing myself, don’t worry. Besides, I’ve got watchful eyes on me.”
At her words, Harris’s eyes shifted to her side. There stood Sarah, dressed in a deep gray gown.
“What happened to the flower seeds and seedlings I ordered a while back?”
“They arrived on time, but with everything going on, we stored them in the greenhouse for now. If you need them, I’ll have them brought over right away.”
“Perfect.”
Tericia cleared some papers to the side.
“And the Alpen estate my mother left me?”
“All inheritance matters have been finalized. It now belongs to you completely.”
“I see…”
“……”
“It must be difficult managing both the affairs of the ducal house and my personal estate, isn’t it, Harris?”
Harris wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but he showed no reaction. After working for House Hespelt for 25 years, he had learned to keep his expressions carefully controlled.
“That’s why I’m thinking… it might be time for me to appoint my own aide.”
At that, Harris’s gaze shifted toward Sarah. Tericia smiled knowingly—he had understood immediately.
“I’d like to assign Sarah to that position. Could we make that change?”
“I’ll see to it right away.”
He accepted without question. After giving him a few more instructions, Tericia dismissed him from the office.
Once they were alone, Tericia let out a long breath and leaned back in her chair.
“…Are you sure you want me for this?”
Sarah’s voice was quiet, uncertain. It was rare to hear her sound unsure—so different from the usual composed young woman.
“Hmm? Are you nervous?”
“…Yes. I’ve only ever worked as a maid.”
At her words, Tericia gave a bright smile.
“Didn’t you say your father was a landed baronet?”
“Yes.”
“And he ran a business, too.”
“…Yes.”
Sarah took a moment before responding.
In noble society, it wasn’t uncommon for people to consider business or professions outside traditional noble roles as shameful. Earning money through “common” means was something many aristocrats looked down on.
Tericia had always found that ridiculous.
If you don’t work, how are you supposed to survive?
Money didn’t fall from the sky. Regardless of social status, economic activity was necessary. And the truth was, many noble families who dismissed such things often ended up squandering their wealth and falling into ruin.
In fact, the most influential noble houses typically ran businesses and merchant networks behind the scenes to maintain their power.
House Hespelt was no different. Their influence and fortune were sustained through multiple ventures. That was why Rashid was busy—and the Duke before him, too.
“You’re the eldest daughter, right? I’m guessing the baronet made sure to train you as his successor?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t keep relying on Adler and the butler forever. I need someone who can act as my hands and feet.”
“……”
“I can’t manage a large staff. So someone who’s already trained and can take care of me at the same time… is ideal. And that’s you.”
“My lady…”
Sarah’s expression turned complicated at Tericia’s words.
Mandy had a warm and affectionate personality. She enjoyed dressing her up and taking care of her. But Sarah was different.
She had never been dissatisfied working as Tericia’s maid. Still, she had quietly dreamed of doing something more—something different.
Back in the countryside, where she’d grown up, her father had trained her as a successor without worrying about social appearances. She had wanted to help him with his work.
It had always seemed like a far-off dream—something unlikely to happen.
“Mandy looks after me personally. You’ll look after me professionally. It’ll make my life much easier.”
“……”
“There may be some overlap for a while, but I don’t plan to just live in comfort. There will be plenty for you to help with.”
Hearing that, Sarah bowed her head formally.
“I will serve you with all sincerity.”
“What, were you just doing it halfway until now?”
“My lady…”
Sarah looked flustered at the teasing remark, and Tericia burst out laughing.
“There’s going to be more work coming. Now that I have my own estate, I plan to start a business there.”
“A… business?”
“Yes. One that I’ll need your help with.”
A gentle smile curved across Tericia’s lips.
Sedamen flowers…
The Sedamen flower, known for its usefulness from petal to root, had only one drawback—it was incredibly difficult to grow.
If she could cultivate it successfully, she might be able to dominate the fragrance industry. And maybe… just maybe… she could finally create what she’d always dreamed of.
Though there’s something I need to take care of first.
She reached for a stack of documents. At that moment—
“Sister.”
The door opened without warning or invitation. Rashid walked in.
“Rashid.”
Tericia gave him a slightly awkward smile as she saw the determined look on his face. She had expected him to show up at some point, since she had come down to the office early in the morning—but not this soon.
Rashid didn’t bother to check who else was in the room. He headed straight toward her.
“I thought I told you to rest.”
“I did rest. I went to bed early last night.”
“What about breakfast?”
“…Ah.”
Only then did she realize—she’d come straight to the office after waking up and hadn’t eaten anything.
Rashid’s sharp eyes turned toward Sarah.
“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Sarah quickly bowed in apology.
“Don’t scold my assistant,” Tericia said.
“If you want to protect your people, you need to take care of yourself first.”
“……”
Rashid let out a long sigh. Then, without warning, he stepped toward her.
“Rashid!”
A startled shriek burst from Tericia as Rashid suddenly scooped her up in his arms.
“It’s nearly lunchtime. Join me for a meal, won’t you?”
Completely unfazed, he turned and walked out, still carrying her.
