Chapter 8
“Just as Killian said—have the adoption approved today. If they drag their feet and House Deard catches wind of this, it’ll only become troublesome.”
Adelaide, was it?
That commoner girl who had appeared out of nowhere. It was almost as if she had been prepared by the heavens for Killian.
Bertholdt immediately bowed deeply to the emperor’s command.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will send word to the noble council again and press them to expedite the matter. I’ll make sure they hurry.”
“And you’ve properly sealed Count Eport’s lips, I trust?”
“Yes. I told him it was for His Highness’s social development. I made it clear that only the count and his wife are to know His Highness’s identity, so there should be no leaks.”
If the girl were to learn Killian’s true identity and change the way she treated him, the fragile interest he had finally taken might vanish just as quickly.
And that was the one outcome the imperial family wished to avoid most.
“Very well. You may go.”
Instead of a formal dismissal, the emperor gave a light wave of his hand.
Left alone in the room, he leaned back into his chair, his expression relaxed. For once, the weight of worry over his son, that had long pressed on him, felt lighter.
* * *
A few days later, Adelaide stood awkwardly in the open space before the estate, surrounded by members of the Eport household.
Roem took her hand, smiling gently.
“It’s okay, Adelaide. We’re just greeting a guest.”
“But… what if I make a mistake…?”
“So what if you do? You’re now a proper young lady of House Eport. You don’t have to worry about the noble council anymore.”
“Roem.”
The countess called his name in a firm tone.
Roem flinched, but still stuck out his tongue playfully, flashing Adelaide a grin. Because of him, Adelaide felt some of the tension ease from her chest.
The countess placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Your posture is slouching again, Adelaide. Stand up straight.”
“A-Ah—yes! Mother.”
Not madam. Mother.
Not young master. Brother.
For three years after her parents’ death, she had drifted from one relative’s home to another, living off their charity.
The inheritance her father had left behind had vanished without a trace, consumed by those same relatives. They called themselves family, but treated her no better than a servant. And yet, they still demanded gratitude.
She had thought that life would go on forever. Until she met the countess.
Even if the adoption failed, she had resolved to beg to stay on as a maid.
Anything would have been better than returning to those people.
Perhaps that was why, no matter how fine the dress, no matter how sweet the pastries, she could never fully relax.
It all felt like something that didn’t belong to her. Like a dream she might wake from at any moment, a mirage that would vanish without warning.
But. It wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t a mirage.
She truly had a family again.
Every time she spoke the name Eport after her own, it felt as though the very sound shimmered with light.
Is it really alright for her to be this lucky? Will she have to pay for it someday?
The happiness was so overwhelming that, each night as she lay down to sleep, a faint fear crept in alongside it.
Today was her first day receiving a guest as a member of the Eport family. Remembering the countess’s words, Adelaide straightened her back and shoulders.
In the distance, a carriage approached. Her heart pounded.
Who would step out of that carriage? What kind of person would they be?
Recalling the etiquette she had hurriedly learned, Adelaide swallowed nervously.
One step back.
Bend the knees.
Lift the hem slightly.
One hand over the chest, a slight bow—
She couldn’t replicate Roem’s elegant form perfectly, but at the very least, she didn’t want to become a laughingstock.
Holding her breath, she watched the carriage draw closer. At last, it came to a stop before her.
The door opened. Someone stepped out.
And the moment Adelaide recognized his face, her expression twisted.
The one who met her gaze, in stark contrast, slowly stretched his lips into a long smile.
As though Adelaide’s reaction was the most entertaining sight in the world.
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