The Past Life of the Arrogant Archduke - Chapter 32

The butler quietly stood nearby so as not to interrupt Yulia’s work, and assisted her by organizing the completed documents.

Nanny Sophie, who didn’t have permission to view important documents, sat some distance away brewing tea and preparing snacks.

Both had smiles on their faces.

Their pleasant time came to an end with the arrival of Raymond. He had come in search of his wife because she hadn’t returned even as night fell.

Seeing off the grand ducal couple with formality, the butler turned back and exclaimed in a low voice,

“The Madam is a genius!”

Nanny Sophie, who had stayed behind to clear the teacups, smiled gently. The butler spoke again.

“Was Her Highness always this clever since she was young?”

Unable to hold it in this time, Sophie burst into laughter. The butler, who was usually always composed and smiled only with polite restraint, was now being so over-the-top—it was impossible not to laugh.

“When Her Highness was little…”

Sophie recalled the past.

The Baron and Baroness had died at the same time in a tragic accident during a royal hunting event, and the other servants had stolen anything of value from the estate and fled.

Then, suddenly, people claiming to be creditors appeared, putting even the manor itself at risk.

“It’s okay, Nanny. Come on, surely no one starves to death, right?”

That was what ten-year-old Yulia had said the moment she came to her senses after fainting from the shock.

And that same little girl, who worried the nanny might run away too, managed to grow up without major trouble thanks to the Empress’s support.

“Even if I can’t marry into the nobility, having the backing of the Empress means I’ll get good terms if I marry a commoner, right? If I can’t find anyone I like, maybe I can work as a nanny like you, or become a tutor.”

Little Yulia had—how should one put it—been like a little adult.

Sophie had always known she was bright, but seeing her flip through those thick documents earlier with ease made her realize this wasn’t ordinary intelligence.

If only they had spent less on daily expenses and invested more in her education, perhaps Yulia could have become a renowned scholar. That thought made Sophie’s heart ache.

Still, thinking of how Yulia had looked so happy in Raymond’s arms earlier, Sophie felt at ease.

Though she’d never said it out loud, nor ever planned to, Yulia was like a daughter to her.

Sophie could never forget those tiny fingers trembling as little Yulia, while speaking so confidently, had feared even her nanny might abandon her.

Sophie only ever wished for Yulia to live a life of happiness without lack or hardship, never again trembling helplessly from fear.

That’s why, even though Yulia didn’t like it, Sophie had insisted she attend those balls.

Before, she had been lucky to receive the Empress’s support, but after turning twenty, she would be thrown into the world with no one to protect her. Reality was colder than one could ever expect.

Sophie knew all too well how vulnerable a small estate housing a fallen young lady and an old nanny could be.

Yulia never knew, but an old merchant had once come to propose marriage. His wife had just died, and he offered to make Yulia his new one.

“There may be an age gap, but wouldn’t the Empress be pleased to see her sponsored girl marrying a successful merchant? Everything’s ready, she just has to show up. Don’t you think it’s better to marry while still under her patronage? Hohoho.”

That’s what the old merchant had said, showing up while Yulia was away at the Grand Duke’s coming-of-age ceremony. His wrinkled, fungus-speckled face as he spoke was revolting.

Until then, he had just been testing the waters to see if Yulia might catch a nobleman’s eye. But with less than two weeks left in her sponsorship, he’d come forward boldly.

When a marriage proposal arrived from the Grand Duke the very next day, Sophie thought a miracle had happened.

‘That man must be shriveling in fear now.’

Sophie could have dropped a hint to the Grand Duke and had the man chased out of the North, but she didn’t feel the need to share such a story that might one day become a weakness for Yulia.

After all, as the Baroness Sophie Walnut and closest aide to the Grand Duchess, she could make his life miserable without ever saying a word.

“Her Highness was truly brilliant as a child. She also loved reading books.”

Nanny Sophie let out a gentle laugh.

The butler nodded deeply, as if to say, “Of course she was.”