Chapter 12

***

Loretta’s realization of the Duke’s kindness came much later in the original story.
Initially, the descriptions in the Duke’s household portrayed Loretta as somewhat fearful of the brusque Duke.
“Thanks to Melody for bringing me here, I’ve grown a bit fond of the Duke. Don’t you think so, Melody?”
Ah.
It seems that Melody’s presence has caused some changes between them.
The original story changing? Is that alright?
It’s a bit worrisome, but… it’s not a bad change, and it’s good to recognize the good things early on.
“Mm, I didn’t mean to say the Duke wasn’t kind. After all, the Duke is kind.”
“Right.”
“The glass decoration in the corridor suddenly disappeared. When I asked Grandma, she said it was taken away because we might get hurt. The Duke had ordered it to be removed.”
Melody fiddled with her dress for a moment and then smiled.
“That’s why I also like the Duke a bit.”
Melody deliberately imitated Loretta’s speech.
The two girls giggled and laughed for no reason.
However, they quickly hid under the covers and held their breath as they heard footsteps in the corridor.
The stern grandmother had threatened to replace their morning apples with carrots if they didn’t go to bed early.

***

“Where have you been?”
Butler Higgins was puzzled when the Duke returned so soon after leaving unexpectedly.
Usually, he wouldn’t question his whereabouts, but the Duke’s complexion seemed off, which made him a bit concerned.
“It’s nothing.”
“Is there any problem?”
“…Just a bit.”
It seemed to Higgins that he had heard the Duke make a slip of the tongue, sounding somewhat childish, but the Duke began his paperwork again without any further comment.
He sat with an odd expression on his face, his thoughts inscrutable.

***

The next afternoon.
In the presence of several servants, a box arrived for both Loretta and Melody.
Tied to the boxes with ribbons were cards bearing each girl’s name and the bold signature of the Duke of Baldwin.
The children excitedly tore open the packaging and opened the boxes.
Inside each was a large-brimmed hat, identical in color and shape, but slightly different in size.
Butler Higgins bowed before the girls, conveying the Duke’s message.
“The Duke wishes to express a little… ah, I mean, a bit of gratitude for your fondness of the family’s garden.”
Melody’s face turned slightly red at the butler’s words.
After all, ‘fondness of the garden’ really meant ‘running around like a colt in the garden’.
Unlike Melody, who was embarrassed, Loretta excitedly pressed the hat onto her head.
She twirled in place, letting the large brim flutter, and then, full of energy, grabbed Butler Higgins’s arm.
“Loretta wants to go to the garden!”
“Yes, I will come to escort you at mealtime. Please feel free to run around as much as you like.”
Higgins then looked back at Melody, his expression asking her intentions.
“I would like to first express my thanks to the Duke.”
Melody fiddled with the expensive-looking hat, hesitant to put it on.
“Miss Melody has such refined manners. However, the Duke is likely to return late tonight again.”
“…Ah.”
“But I shall convey to the Duke how thankful Miss Melody is.”
“Thank you.”
She bowed deeply to express her gratitude and then hurried after Loretta.
But she had to stop when Higgins called out again.
He pointed to the hat in Melody’s hand and then to her head, indicating she should wear it.
Taking courage, Melody gently placed the pretty hat on her head.
Thanks to the light lace at the brim’s edge, Melody felt the whole world looked lovely.
Could something like this really suit her?
The thought crossed her mind, but soon Higgins gave her a thumbs-up and a smile from afar.
It must not look too strange, right?
Emboldened, Melody started running towards the garden again.

***

“Did you see?”

“Oh dear, Miss. You are not officially the duke’s daughter until the priest in white clothes acknowledges you. Didn’t I tell you that yesterday?”

“……”

“You understand, right? Keep being good and pretty towards the duke, like you did yesterday. That way, you can go to the temple soon and have a chance to be recognized as his daughter.”

As the conversation became harsher, another maid nearby cautiously nudged Alta’s arm.

“What’s the matter? I deserve credit for Miss receiving such an expensive hat as a gift. Right, Miss?”

“Is that so?”

Loretta shook her head, seemingly unsure. In truth, she found it hard to understand the maid’s words. It seemed as if the maid wasn’t really listening to her.

Caught in a moment of confusion, the clever Loretta suddenly remembered what Melody had said the day before and started looking around.

“Where is she…?”

Without much difficulty, she spotted someone near the entrance and her eyes sparkled.

“Grandma!”

Loretta raised her hands high and began running toward the entrance. The maids, taken aback by her sudden dash, hurried after her. However, their astonishment didn’t end there. As they realized who Loretta was excitedly running towards, Alta’s face turned pale with tension.

The person was known for being tough and often feared by the servants for her harsh words and actions. She was the wife of Butler Higgins and the manager who oversaw the maids and servants. Recently, she had been less harsh, affectionately calling Melody a ‘little lamb’.

It was Mrs. Higgins.

“Grandma! Grandma!” Loretta asked loudly as soon as she reached Mrs. Higgins. “Who is responsible for me receiving the hat as a gift?”

“Today, too, it seems like apples are walking towards this old lady,” Mrs. Higgins remarked wryly.

“Apples can’t walk. And I was told that I received the hat all thanks to myself.”

“And who told you such a fanciful story, Miss?”

Loretta spun around and kindly pointed to the maid who had followed her. She stretched out both palms – a gesture that seemed to say, ‘It’s all thanks to her’ – a position that almost called for a ‘ta-da!’ reveal.

***

“Understood, Loretta?”

The night before, as Loretta was about to sleep, Melody gave her a worried piece of advice. Since Loretta was still ‘a child’, if she heard confusing or alarming things like today, she shouldn’t fret alone but should consult with a capable guardian.

“Melody is Loretta’s guardian, and Loretta is Melody’s guardian.”

“Of course, we’ll protect each other. But in this case, we need a capable adult guardian.”

“An adult?”

“Yes, like the Duke. If he’s not around, then Butler Higgins or Grandma.”

Melody, considering the original story and her experience, selected the adults she deemed most suitable. They were individuals who would never harm Loretta.

“I like Butler Higgins and Grandma.”

“Me too. If it’s hard for Loretta to speak, I’ll be there with you.”

“Melody is the best. I like you the most.”

Just the promise of Melody being there was enough for Loretta. She was brave and spirited enough to talk to Butler Higgins or Grandma by herself. Besides, they were more attentive to Loretta’s words than the maid, making conversations much more comfortable.

So, when the maid started speaking strangely again, Loretta, keeping her promise, began running to find Grandma.

“I just told Loretta that–”

The maid started, but looking at Mrs. Higgins soon timidly lowered her arms, startled by Mrs. Higgins’ stern face.