Something Precious

The first-floor dining room was bustling with preparations for the Duke and Duchess's dinner.

Normally, they either ate in their separate rooms or dined alone in the dining room, so it was often empty.

However, with the Duke and Duchess dining together more frequently as of late, the dining room had become a hub of activity.

Tonight, as usual, the Duke and Duchess sat across from each other while delectable dishes were served one by one.

Having already finished the appetizer salad, Dalia had just begun eating the veal main course when Clayton, watching her eat, casually remarked.

"You used to struggle to finish even a plate of salad. Lately, it seems like your appetite has grown."

Although his comment seemed innocent, Dalia interpreted it differently.

She suddenly wondered if she had been eating too greedily and quietly set down her fork.

"Is that so? Maybe it's because I didn't eat much for lunch… haha."

Although she had eaten two bowls of risotto for lunch, Clayton didn't know that, so it didn't matter.

In truth, Clayton was right.

Ever since her morning sickness had subsided, her appetite had significantly increased, as though she were making up for lost time.

Snacking on fruits, bread, and cakes throughout the day had become routine, and during meals, she would often eat two servings if the food suited her taste.

She was actually holding back in front of Clayton, but apparently, he didn't see it that way.

'I think I've gained some weight recently…'

It was only natural that her appetite had increased since she now had someone to share her nutrients with.

But no one seemed to understand this.

Although Clayton hadn't said a word about her weight, Dalia's imagination ran wild, and she started to feel dejected.

When Dalia's appetite suddenly disappeared, and she returned to picking at her food as she used to, Clayton, puzzled, asked.

"Why did you stop eating? Does it not suit your taste?"

"No, it's just… I'm full."

Feeling as if there was nothing she could say, Dalia gave a vague reply.

She quickly changed the subject to steer the conversation away from this topic.

"Oh, and I've invited Lady Rose Hertz to the estate. I was thinking of having tea in the garden tomorrow afternoon… Is that alright?"

She realized she had mentioned meeting Rose but hadn't sought his permission to invite her to the estate.

Nervously gauging his reaction, she spoke cautiously. However, Clayton replied indifferently.

"Of course, it's fine. Do as you wish. You don't need my permission for something like that."

"Alright."

Feeling as though they were on equal footing, the hurt feelings from earlier melted away like snow.

As she resumed her meal, cutting her meat with a knife and putting a piece in her mouth—

Clayton spoke up as if something had just occurred to him.

"I heard Baroness Molden visited today."

"Yes, she came by briefly this afternoon."

Clayton didn't even refer to Orly as Dalia's mother.

Perhaps she should be grateful he didn't use the term "that woman."

She had been planning to ask about the Molden family, and Clayton bringing it up first made it easier for her to broach the subject.

"I heard from her that you paid off my family's debts. And that you give them a thousand Darks as a monthly allowance…"

At first, she had considered asking Clayton to stop sending the money but quickly dismissed the idea.

No matter how poor her relationship with them was, the Molden family was still her family.

If news of her family struggling with debt spread through society, it would harm Dalia's reputation as well.

That was likely the reason Clayton continued providing financial support to the Molden family.

Dalia didn't want to disregard Clayton's consideration for her.

So instead of asking him to stop supporting the Molden family, she expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you. Even though I have no affection left for them… they're still my family. I'm always grateful to you, Your Grace."

Clayton, watching Dalia fidget apologetically with her cutlery, replied quietly.

"I only did what was necessary."

"…Yes."

With that, their paused meal resumed. By the time they finished the main course and moved on to dessert—

Something suddenly caught Clayton's attention.

"What's that necklace? I don't think I've seen it before."

It was the necklace Orly had given her.

"Oh, this?"

At his question, Dalia touched the pendant hanging around her neck with her fingers.

'How should I explain this?'

She didn't remember it herself, but according to Orly, it was something the original Dalia had cherished deeply.

After a moment of thought, Dalia seemed to make up her mind and looked up.

"It's something precious to me."

Since the original Dalia had cherished it since childhood, it was likely related to her late mother.

If it were her mother's keepsake, it made sense to say it was precious to her too.

"Something precious…"

Clayton stared at the necklace for a long moment before looking away.

* * *

The next day, early afternoon.

Under a clear blue sky and warm sunlight, a carriage stopped at the estate entrance.

When a familiar carriage arrived and a woman with red hair cascading past her shoulders stepped out, Dalia stepped forward to greet her.

"Welcome! I'm so glad you're here."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Seayer. I'm Rose Hertz."

Although she had seen her in a photo before—she truly looked just like Lloyd in disguise.

The only noticeable difference was that she seemed to have a smaller frame.

To anyone unaware they were twins, it would seem as though Lloyd had simply lost some weight.

Perhaps because she had always wanted to meet her, Dalia felt as though she were reuniting with an old friend and gave Rose a warm hug.

"Thank you so much for coming. It must have taken a lot of courage to make the trip."

"Not at all. I'm truly grateful that you invited me, Your Grace."

The servants watching them found it odd that the two, who seemed as though they had met several times before, were greeting each other as if for the first time.

"Come on in. I've prepared plenty of desserts for you."

"Yes, Duchess."

"I'm so glad the weather is nice today. The garden behind the estate is truly beautiful."

"I'm really looking forward to it, Your Grace."

In truth, Rose feigned composure, but she was so nervous that she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Not only had she never visited anyone else's estate before, but her first visit just had to be to the Seayer estate.

She had never imagined that she would ever step foot in a place she thought she would avoid for the rest of her life.

'Everyone tried to talk me out of coming here, but…'

Lloyd, as well as the butler and maids, had all warned her against going to the Seayer estate.

Ever since her encounter with the Duke at the Hertz estate, she had been too terrified to eat for days. That was why they questioned whether she could even sit and have tea in his home.

Of course, Rose had agreed with them to some extent. Even now, she was struggling to suppress the trembling of her body.

But—

'I don't want to remain confined to the Hertz estate forever.'

She had heard that the Duke had not only forgiven the Hertz family for deceiving him but also promised never to demand blood from them again.

That meant she was free to act as she pleased.

When she first heard that, she thought she had misheard.

But when the invitation arrived from the Duchess of Seayer, she realized it was all true.

Rose looked at Dalia's back as she guided her.

She was just as beautiful as Lloyd had described her.

Even the intimidating Duke Seayer must have been at a loss for words in front of such beauty.

'She's practically the savior of our family.'

It was at that moment she resolved to stay by her side and be of help to her.

Breaking out of her thoughts, Rose lifted her head to see a man standing before her.

His black hair, reminiscent of the night sky, and the red eyes beneath his sharp eyebrows captured her attention.

The man, whose sharp features carried an undercurrent of softness, was the most beautiful Rose had ever seen.