“…A… novelist.”

“Ah.”

As if she knew already, Melissa glowed.

“You said your uncle was a very famous novelist, right?”

“Yes, Jeremy Dish.”

Melissa, who applauded the familiar name, jumped around.

“Mystery. Thriller. Writer!  I’ve heard of his name a lot! He’s so isolated that he doesn’t show his face to the public. What does he look like?? Does he resemble you my lady?”

Since they are blood related, he must be very handsome if he looked like my lady.

Unlike Melissa, who was full of expectations, Rowena’s face was darkened.

“Well… I don’t know, we may never be able to meet again.”

Her uncle was the one who raised her when she lost her parents early due to an accident.

―Please come back whenever you are in trouble. Rowena.

―I will do that. Thank you, Uncle.

The last time she saw him was three years ago, just before going to the capital to become a novelist with an excited heart.

Had she not met the Duke by chance on the coming train….

No, had she never trusted her friend who urged her to come to the capital, only just to backstab her…

It was a useless train of thought. Nothing could change now.

Melissa, who was looking at Rowena’s sinking facial expression, quietly shut her mouth. Someone knocked on the door when she was almost done with her lady’s hair.

“Miss Philone. I have something to tell you. May I come in?”

The hard, cold voice belonged to Mrs. Gertrude, who managed the townhouse. The former Duchess of Devonshire’s old maid of honor, who had never hidden her dislike for Rowena, ever since they had first met each other.

Nervous, Rowena straightened her back.

“……Come on in.”

Looking at the door which opened; Rowena was determined to be firm on the inside.

Because the news she brings is usually bad.

Mrs. Gertrude.

Managing three townhouses, she was a target that everyone was afraid of. It was because her personality itself was very meticulous and strict, and there was no way to get along well with her.

Not only the maids and servants, but also the smallest thing, could not come in without her permission and, likewise, could not go out.

So Rowena was always nervous when she stood in front of Mrs. Gertrude.

To her, Rowena was nothing more than a doll for the owner to manage.

Mrs. Gertrude, on the other hand, was a substantially powerful opponent, powerful enough to take care of the owner’s bed.

―He likes experienced and mature women. So, you have to be seductive, so that it doesn’t feel like it’s your first time.

After joining the Duke’s estate, the first thing she was greeted by, was a teacher experienced in “Courtesan matters.” This teacher was brought in secretly by Mrs. Gertrude.

―This should be enough. You have a talent. As much as you have learned, you will be rewarded. Miss Philone.

When Rowena faced her, the shame and humiliation of that time were the first emotions that appeared in her mind. So, it was hard to make any type of eye contact, and they rarely had any straightforward conversations like this.

“The reason I visited this morning is… … .”

Rowena’s heart beat quickly with Mrs. Gertrude’s distinctive tone, as it drew out toward the end with a long pause. She tried not to show that she was afraid of the woman in front of her.

“… Why?”

The mug she grabbed with great effort was hot. Mrs. Gertrude, who glanced at Rowena’s hands as they trembled while holding the black tea, took the lead.

“We need to move Miss Philone’s residence to Rockford.”

“Rockford?”

It was an unexpected story. Rowena, with her eyes wide open, asked carefully.

“It’s still the social season…isn’t it?”

“The schedule has been moved up.”

It was the warm month of early July. Even if the governmental work was over, it was usually not until August each year that they returned to the country house.

‘What has happened to him?’

Rowena, who usually had a hard time facing Gertrude, courageously opened her mouth again.

“Is the Duke leaving too ?”

“No.”

Her heart fluttered at the cold answer. But she didn’t have the courage to ask more questions.

“I’ll tell the maid to pack your luggage tomorrow, so get ready. We’ll be leaving for Rockford by lunch the day after tomorrow.”

Gertrude, who finished talking with a blank face, got up from her seat.

“Ah. And.”

She stopped at the doorknob. Then held something out to Rowena.

“I received a letter for you. I heard it’s from a publishing company.”

Rowena’s darkened face brightened at once.

“Thank you.”

Gertrude, looking at her laughter with a subtle glance, soon turned around and left the room.