SBFCV 07

Chapter 7

‘It feels like the warmth is still there.’

She had thought that having someone stroke her head was just a simple action.

She never imagined it would feel like this.

‘Is this why the Grand Duke’s hounds kept begging to be petted?’

Aria touched her own head while staring intently at Dana’s hand.

Noticing the meaning behind that gaze, Dana asked,

“Shall I stroke you a little more?”

Aria held up her [I’m not a baby] card.

But because she kept glancing at Dana’s hand, Dana couldn’t help but laugh.

“But why were you looking out the window, my lady?”

The flowers were pretty.

The sudden response made Dana look puzzled.

Aria pointed toward the window with the quill in her hand. White flowers, drenched in the spring rain, were trembling pitifully.

I can see the flowers well from here. I like it.

Looking out the window was part of her daily life. She had practically lived locked away.

To others, it might have looked like she was just staring blankly at the sky.

“You like flowers too, just like Madam? That’s wonderful. The Grand Duke’s estate has many rare plants.”

Rare plants…

Had she been confined too long? Aria looked up at Dana with sparkling eyes.

“Oh no—don’t look at me with those pleading eyes…”

Aria had only looked at her, but Dana reacted as if she had taken a direct hit.

“It hasn’t stopped raining completely yet, but… would you like me to show you the garden?”

Aria quickly nodded.

“I saw you brought several adorable dresses from home.”

Dana ordered the maids to bring over the luggage—the ones that had been loaded on the Cortez family carriage.

“Which ones do you usually wear, my lady?”

All the dresses Aria had brought were brand new.

What she normally wore were moldy rags—but surely Dana wasn’t asking about those.

After hesitating a moment, she decided to be honest.

I’ve actually never worn any of these. Father bought them all before I came here.

Dana’s expression hardened instantly.

“…On second thought, these are trash.”

Huh? Didn’t you say they were cute?

“The sense of style—what happened to it? The fabric, the design, everything is low quality. This kind of rag would never be tolerated in the Valentine household.”

Was it that bad?

In one sentence, Count Cortez became a tasteless fool who bought rags.

Dana turned to the maids.

“Call the waiting seamstresses. We need to take the lady’s measurements.”

We’re supposed to go out. She wants to take measurements now?

She wondered whether she would even be able to leave today, but—

“In one hour, bring dresses tailored to the lady’s measurements, silk hats, and lace umbrellas in all varieties.”

—It was, surprisingly, possible.

Everything happened so quickly that Aria stood there dazed.

The maids held up the dresses they had brought, discussing seriously.

“How about this dress? It comes with a cloak, so even if it gets wet, it’ll be fine. Shoes should be enamel boots…”

All the new dresses used the same fabric as those presented to the imperial family. The decorations and silhouette were on a whole different level.

Seeing them in person… I get it now.

The dresses given by the count would indeed offend the Valentine head maid’s aesthetic sense.

How strange. I have a tiny umbrella now.

Aria was completely absorbed by the sky-blue umbrella with fluttery lace.

When I looked outside on rainy days, people always carried umbrellas…

She liked the sound of raindrops tapping on umbrellas—tok, tok, tok.

The thought of hearing rain from up close made her heart flutter.

Dana watched her and said, “Ah,” before taking something from her pocket.

“The mask you’re wearing looked uncomfortable, so I made this for you.”

It looked like an eye mask with holes cut out like a face mask.

But because it was made of pink fabric with fluffy fur, it resembled a sleep mask more than a proper mask.

The part touching her skin was soft silk, and the inside felt cushioned with cotton.

It has bunny ears.

But why?

Aria stared silently at Dana in protest. Dana just smiled brightly.

“It’s your little bunny friend. With this, nights won’t be scary.”

“And it keeps nightmares away,” she added.

I said I’m not a baby…

“Oh dear, that’s right. You’re all grown up. I made a mistake.”

Aria felt unsettled.

No one had ever treated her like this—looking at her as if everything she did was lovely, coaxing her gently.

It tickles…

She had never received this kind of care before. It made her want to run away.

She didn’t understand why someone would go through so much trouble to make her such a thoughtful mask.

She couldn’t resist even if someone demanded she remove her mask.

So she understood it even less.

The Grand Duke did the same. He didn’t even check my face.

He didn’t try to force it off. He didn’t doubt her.

Impossible.

Maybe this is a test. Treating someone kindly is the fastest way to see their true nature.

Then she needed to stay alert. No letting her guard down. No wavering. She had to prove her usefulness.

Alright. Act natural.

Aria calmly turned her back and put on the new bunny mask.

But Dana poked her cheek with a fingertip and teased,

“Hehe, to think you were hiding such lovely rosy cheeks.”

So much for lasting ten whole seconds.

Aria covered her cheeks and stepped back.

“Oh, I thought sugar powder might come off on my fingers.”

Dana said something absurd, then handed Aria a mug.

It was the cocoa she hadn’t been able to drink yesterday.

“It’s cold today. Warm yourself up with some hot cocoa.”

Feeling pressured by the hopeful look in Dana’s eyes, Aria took a sip.

She stared into the mug in surprise.

The cocoa tasted like melted chocolate—just like its smell.

But unlike before, it didn’t make her nauseous. She normally felt sick from even a piece of chocolate.

Now, the sweetness that coated her tongue, the smooth swallow, and the filling warmth were pleasant.

I’m not gagging.

Her heart pounded strangely.

The “melon-flavored marshmallow” floating on top melted instantly—soft and chewy at the same time.

Dana watched Aria with obvious delight.

“Does it suit your taste?”

She had thought she had no appetite at all—everything she ate made her throw up.

So…I like sweet things.

It embarrassed her a little, but she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and admitted it.

It’s good. The melon too.

“My lady… seriously, aren’t you too cute?”

C-cute?

Me?

At that moment, Dana blushed, raising her hand as if she couldn’t hold back.

She’s going to pat me again, isn’t she?

Aria stiffened like a startled rabbit, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

But then—

“S-sir, Head Maid! There’s a problem!”

A servant burst through the door, pale-faced.

Aria ended up walking the garden alone.

“M-My lady—Madam’s condition has suddenly worsened…!”

The Grand Duchess’ illness had abruptly taken a critical turn.

Dana and all the servants rushed toward the main palace.

Every single one of them.

“You can stay alone for a bit, right? Just look at the flowers and come straight back!”

Dana, pale with worry, begged Aria.

Aria nodded and pushed her to go quickly.

The sky had already turned dark, and the rain poured heavily.

Listening to the rain drumming on the umbrella, she looked toward the main palace.

A sudden fear crept in.

What if today is the turning point…?

The Grand Duchess cannot die. Maybe it’s just my guess, but…

Aria believed preventing her death was the first step in stopping the Valentine Incident.

Dana said Lloyd has been taking care of his mother.

He must have loved her more than anyone—and suffered every day, unable to accept her death.

Like I had.

Without realizing, she grasped the necklace around her neck and studied the main palace carefully.

The top floor.

The only room with its lights on. Servants moving frantically in the hallway.

That must be the Grand Duchess’ chamber.

I’ve identified the location.

But she couldn’t approach now.

Even if the Grand Duke accepted her, she was still an outsider.

And the security was strict.

Rustle—

She flinched and turned around.

Grass had definitely shifted—

“What are you doing here?”

A low voice. A chilling killing intent ran along her spine—too late to react.

“I asked what a rat like you is doing here.”

She swallowed hard. The back of her neck felt cold.

When she slowly lowered her gaze, a sword was pressed to her neck.

She lifted her head.

A boy stood before her, expression frozen cold.

Standing in the pouring rain.

“As expected… people take advantage of chaos to make their move. You’d better explain your intentions.”

His shirt was buttoned all the way up—strict, disciplined. His movements elegant.

His long black hair hung, soaked in rain. His obsidian eyes gleamed with sharp, honed killing intent.

Bathed in moonlight, the boy looked deadly and brilliant.

Lloyd Cardenas Valentine…

He was the kind of beautiful youth fit for a classical painting. No—he had a rough, raw quality too.

Not a demon, but someone who brought to mind royal blood—nobility, aristocracy.

So he can make eyes like this too.

No trace of madness or decay. No languid voice tinged with boredom. Not the ash-colored eyes filled with emptiness.

This was the gaze of someone alive—burning endlessly with life.

So he wasn’t insane from the beginning.

This wasn’t what she came here for. She had sought someone who wouldn’t be too affected even if addicted to her song.

But strangely…

I think I’m happy.

The sword he held wasn’t dripping blood.

It gleamed white—so pure it looked holy under the moonlight.

Her throat tightened with emotion. Her heart pounded painfully with the rain.

The boy leaned close to her ear and growled,

“Speak. Unless you’d like to see your head rolling in the mud.”