Rubica got up early in the morning, got ready for the battle, and headed to the reception room.

Today she had fewer relatives to meet compared to yesterday. Words had got out during the night that she wasn’t a naïve idiot at all. Instead, more people came to persuade her to buy strange rocks and trees to decorate the garden. They were not pretty at all, and Rubica didn’t even talk to them for long. She worked with Ann to drive them away.

“Your Grace, in my opinion, you should hear more advice from me about the culture of the upper class before you are presented to the capital’s society.”

Mrs. Shaynie, who taught manners in the Claymore Family and its retainers, was among those Rubica had driven off using her ‘I’m not buying’ technique yesterday. However, she wasn’t tired and came to convince Rubica again. For now, Rubica listened to the woman, who had a bent back and blonde hair that had almost entirely lost its color, with a smile. But she really didn’t want to meet her every day to learn about manners.

“Mrs. Shaynie, the capital’s society will not be available for a long time. I plan to focus on the household’s businesses for now.”

Shaynie pretended to not hear Rubica’s polite refusal and continued to speak.

“How you spoke to His Grace at the wedding feast was wrong as well. In most noble families…”

“Mrs. Shaynie, His Grace has ordered no one should care about how Her Grace speaks to him as it is a matter of their relationship. He also said whoever dares to advise Her Grace about the matter will be punished severely.”

Ann couldn’t stand it anymore and warned Shaynie, but the woman just glanced at Ann and continued, “Even if His Grace has said so, a wise woman must…”

Rubica couldn’t take it anymore and put a hand on her forehead. Ann immediately realized what she meant by that and spoke politely to Mrs. Shaynie.

“Mrs. Shaynie, Her Grace is very tired after working hard for two days. It is now time to meet the doctor.”

Of course, they hadn’t made any doctor’s appointment. However, it looked like Shaynie wouldn’t go away without that kind of good reason. She was an old lady who had worked as the family’s teacher for many years. She could spread rumors if Rubica drove her away as she had done with the other relatives.

“I apologize for taking your precious time. Then, we will discuss this again tomorrow.”

Mrs. Shaynie stood up and bowed politely. Rubica said goodbye by following the manners, but she couldn’t help sighing as soon as the door was closed. Ann looked rather sorry for her.

“She isn’t that bad… she is just, a little weird.”

Rubica didn’t try to deny that and nodded. She didn’t know why Mrs. Shaynie was trying to teach her, but it couldn’t be out of good intentions.

“And she will come again tomorrow.”

“Should I cancel your afternoon schedule if you are tired?”

“No, no, there’s no need to.”

She was going to meet designers from the neighborhood this afternoon. It was one of the reasons she had endured the morning’s boring meetings. So, she shook her head.

“I will be fine if I take a little rest after having a cup of coffee.”

“Okay.”

Ann immediately brought warm coffee and some refreshments. Rubica then had some sugar-sprinkled madeleine with coffee.

‘Oh, it smells so good.’

The coffee was beyond comparison with that strange drink Edgar had given her the night before, and it made her feel much better. Drinking bitter coffee after eating the sweet madeleine felt just right. Before she knew it, half of the madeleines on the dish were gone, and she had finished a cup of coffee. But because of the stress Mrs. Shaynie had given her, she didn’t want to stop there. She raised the pot to have more coffee.

“Madam, wouldn’t a cup of coffee be enough?”

“Can’t I have more?”

“It’s not good for your health.”

Rubica wanted to convince Ann and get another cup of coffee, but she was surprised at seeing her look at her as if she were a patient and put down the pot.

‘What is this about?’

Ann had also stopped her from having more champagne at the wedding feast. It looked like she was the type of person who cared too much about health. Rubica was about to say she was still young and could handle a couple of cups of coffee, but then someone knocked on the door.

“But Mrs. Shaynie was today’s last visitor.”

“I will see who it is.”

Ann opened the door and Carl came in. He hesitated for a moment when seeing Rubica, but then he delivered the duke’s message.

“Your Grace, your husband said it would be good to take a walk in the garden for your health.”

“What?”

Was everyone in this household obsessed with health? Rubica was confused, but Ann brightened up at hearing that.

“Oh, that is an excellent idea! Taking a walk is good for a preg…”

…nant woman. Ann managed to not say that.

“Preg?”

Rubica asked back. Ann, however, answered with an expression that said Rubica knew what she was talking about.

“It will make you feel better. Your Grace, you should take a walk.”

Ann brought a hat, gloves, and a parasol. Therefore, Rubica had no choice but to go outside.

***

Rubica didn’t hate taking strolls. She rather understood its importance. You cannot get fresh air if you stay inside. Also, it was almost the only activity noble ladies could do.

However, she didn’t like the fact that she was taking a stroll because of someone’s recommendation that was practically an order. She went across the garden so fast that the maids were surprised to see her. Then, she abruptly stopped and looked back. She could see someone hastily moving away behind the curtains upstairs.

‘That’s the office.’

Now, Rubica wasn’t the one who should take a walk. It was Edgar who stayed in his office and slept and ate there. Plus, according to what she had felt under his nightgown, he…

‘… has no need to exercise.’

His chest was solid. She had never seen him naked, but it was clear that his chest was made of muscles. She felt it with her cheek.

She couldn’t help but get embarrassed when thinking of his chest and kicked a pebble on the road. Why was she remembering that?

“Your Grace, the road is uncomfortable, isn’t it? The gardeners are doing maintenance, so they couldn’t clear the road.”

“Maintenance?”

“Yes, one of the mana quartz statues lost its lights so they are preparing for rearrangements. I was going to tell you tomorrow as it was nothing urgent.”

Ann seemed to be talking about the angel sculpture Rubica had seen last night. Rubica felt pity for that statue that had lost its beauty in time. If it had been left buried underground, it wouldn’t have lost its light. However, was beauty buried underground without anyone appreciating it really meaningful?

Asking such questions to herself made her feel pain in the heart and feel like everything in the world and life was meaningless.

Beauty gives joy to people, but it also gives bitterness and sadness sometimes.

***

Being rich is pleasant. There is happiness that can’t be bought with money, but there is happiness that can be bought with money as well. Rubica couldn’t hide her smile at seeing the beautiful fabrics in front of her.

“Mr. Wilkins, the most famous designer in the neighborhood.”

Mr. Wilkins bowed in his splendid suit. He had used more than enough wax on his blond hair, and his almond-shaped green eyes made him look somewhat like a young boy. He elegantly said, “It is my honor to be summoned by such a beautiful lady.”

“Thank you.”

“No, I truly mean it. Your thick brown hair especially highlights your beauty. How about this fabric? It will make your hair stand out even more.”

Rubica could see why he was such a successful designer. He knew how to make his clients feel good, even though what he said was clearly a lie. He smiled showing off his teeth that shined like porcelain. That smile, which made women’s hearts flutter, had to be part of his well-made plan.

‘He will probably look like a squid next to Edgar.’

The maids thought so too as they had seen their excessively beautiful master for a long time. Mr. Wilkins was puzzled when no one smiled back to him. However, he soon started to show Rubica various fabrics and sample dresses like a professional. As a successful designer, he had more varied fabrics than his rivals and his dresses were in the capital’s latest styles.

“I think silver buttons will be good on this dress.”

“Your Grace, you can’t really mean it. Silver buttons are not good enough for a noble duchess like you. How about diamond buttons?”

However, Rubica thought silver buttons were perfect for that sample dress, and her face turned dark. Wilkins soon gestured to his apprentice to have him bring a different dress.

“Or how about this one? Its made of fabric imported from the faraway Sharman Kingdom. As it was made by goblins, it is very thin and has a beautiful glow.”

“It is pretty.”

“Yes, I plan to embroider it and put rubies on it.”

“But this fabric is so thin, I think it would be better left untouched…”