Chapter 38: The Duke’s Regret part 2
‘She barely caught a glimpse of him during the Harvest Festival, so why this sudden fascination?’
Duke Klein’s house, known as the left heart of the empire, was influential, but the Crown Prince was not someone they could easily approach. Especially since he had avoided social gatherings for the past three years. Bringing him into conversation would be no small task. But since it concerned her daughter, the Duchess had no intention of giving up.
The mage, Fay, had met the Crown Prince face-to-face, while the girl who wanted to marry him was left on the outskirts. The Duchess clenched her jaw, frustrated that even the power of her household wasn’t enough to pressure the royal family.
It was an irrational irritation, but she felt it all the same.
“Enough. Tiana has gone to rest, so I’ll retire for the night as well. Your Grace, don’t overwork yourself. Come to bed early.”
“Bed? Tonight? My dear wife, are you feeling sentimental after finding our youngest daughter?”
The Duchess blushed at his teasing.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Really, what nonsense – ugh, forget it!”
Bang! With a rare show of emotion, she slammed the door behind her. The Duke chuckled heartily at the sight.
“Hah, she’s always composed, yet every now and then, she acts like this after a visit to the palace.”
“…”
Kassel, knowing better than to respond to such a topic, remained silent. The Duke, aware of his eldest son’s serious nature, smoothly changed the subject.
“Kassel, you should get closer to that mage. As I mentioned, she has quite an impressive character. I assumed someone who wields ice magic would be cold and distant, but she has a keen sense of people.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. She’s quite mature for her age.”
Duke Klein recalled his brief conversation with Fay earlier that day.
Perhaps because she was a promising young talent, the Crown Prince had shielded her, limiting their face-to-face interactions. However, the Duke, well-versed in dealing with people, had seen enough to grasp her overall character.
His wife had been deeply concerned that Tiana might have suffered mistreatment at the monastery due to her past. She had voiced her grievances to the Duke on multiple occasions. Though he did not fully believe his wife’s words, since it concerned his daughter, he decided to probe Fay without revealing his true thoughts.
[“Hmm, Lady Fay. I hear you are from the Grace Monastery.”]
[“Yes.”]
[“What do you think of Mother Superior Beryl? You may speak honestly about your experience.”]
Fay, pulling her hood tighter around her hair, responded calmly without much thought.
[“She is strict with the children at the monastery. She cares for them, but she does not excuse them from following the rules in the name of love. Nor does she treat everyone exactly the same.”]
[“Oh? Are you saying she plays favorites?”]
Fay lightly shook her head, without even a hint of a smile.
[“No, because every child has different desires, thoughts, and behaviors.”]
[“Different?”]
[“Yes. She teaches lively children the virtue of composure, fearing they may get hurt. And to those who curl up in a corner, she hands a broom and tells them to go sweep the yard.”]
[“Giving tasks opposite to their nature….”]
[“In the end, she simply approached each child differently, but she loved all of us at the monastery. Myself included.”]
[“I see.”]
Duke Klein was quietly impressed.
Whether Fay had a good or bad time at the monastery was irrelevant. Had she spoken ill of Mother Superior Beryl or mindlessly praised her as wonderful and perfect, he would have been disappointed. Instead, she had been honest, subtly covering for Beryl’s strict nature so no one would misunderstand.
More importantly, she had not made any careless remarks about someone she undoubtedly spent time with – our Tiana. She had discernment, yet she neither flattered nor cowered before a Duke.
‘She’s not overly assertive, but she is capable. She doesn’t criticize others, nor does she allow misunderstandings to take root. She has a solid character!’
A Drakan Rider.
The title alone was impressive, but the ability to tame and command a mystical species long thought extinct since ancient times was no small feat. And as a wielder of the rare water and ice magic among humans, how could he not take an interest?
Duke Klein found himself favorably inclined toward Fay, though he understood why his wife was wary of her monastery background. After all, they had gone to great lengths to find their daughter, and the young lady had endured many hardships in her early years. It was only natural to want to protect her.
Especially since Tiana had never once said she was loved at the monastery.
Still, one must not lose sight of fundamental values and conduct.
Even if life at the monastery had been harsh, one should never forget the gratitude owed to those who, at the very least, ensured they never starved and had clothes to wear, no matter how humble.
Even on the battlefield, when facing an enemy, if only widows and children remained, it was the duty of a decent person to spare some grain and cloth.
As a Duke, he found Tiana’s stiff and aloof attitude disappointing.
When she regained her noble status, even if she had grievances, would it have been so difficult to send some good fruit and meat to Mother Superior and her friends? Not even an invitation, just a small gesture of kindness?
‘Tiana, haven’t you lived all this time thanks to the charity our family has provided every year? Of course, one should not give merely to receive in return. But I believe such acts are a form of love. Do you not see it that way?’
……
(T/N: Such pure parental love and yet Dorothea doesn’t want all of this, too focused on her stupid revenge 😕)
