The merchant and his helper went straight to work. Firstly, they ripped off the old carpet and looked at the wooden floor. The decayed area was completely removed and the wooden boards were replaced.
All the ash and dust were removed from the chimney and fireplace was removed.
While replacing the rattling cupboard of the kitchen, they decided to also replace all the tiles on the wall.
The old opaque windows were also changed, and several old furniture were also taken out. A person from Aachen’s City Hall said would come and pick it up.
Diana waited for the final arrangements to be finished, before she changed her shoes and left the house, Sky following right behind her. It was because she was going to buy the daily necessities that were needed.
First, she bought papers, ink, pen points, and a pen holder. What she got was high-quality ink and paper, so she didn’t have to dry them out, worrying that it would spread after writing a letter.
Diana used to always buy the cheapest ones. Good ink was twice as expensive as usual, and a good pen holder was five times as much. Diana thought about it again, and again, before closing her eyes tightly and going through with it. The moment she left the general store, she regretted it.
‘As expected, this is truly too extravagant…’
While hesitating, Diana sat on the bench and drank the fruit juice she bought from one of the street vendors. Sky pulled on Diana’s skirt. Aware of what the puppy wanted to do, Diana lifted the puppy onto the chair. Sky sat next to her and laid down.
She drank the juice and watched people moving busily, enjoying the gentle breeze.
“Newspaper! 10 Sol for a newspaper! Buy some newspapers! 10 Sol—”
10 Sol for a newspaper. Diana looked at the boy who was walking and on a whim she called him.
“Excuse me….”
Diana’s voice was very small. But the boy managed to hear and approached her.
“Are you going to buy a newspaper?”
“Ah….”
She did indeed call him, but now what should she do? She called him on impulse because she recalled the memory of her mother reading a newspaper when she was young. The boy tilted his head.
“P-please give me one.”
Biting her hesitant lips, she took out 10 Sol from her pocket.
‘Am I being too extravagant today?’
Diana opened the newspaper while drinking the juice with a straw made of long leaves.
[Lady Ovalon, Received ‘Nova’s Tear’ From The Ohrid Heir!]
On the first page, lay a big picture of a girl in an extravagant fancy dress holding a young man’s hand and getting off the carriage.
[The ‘Nova’s Tear’ was sold for 480 million Sorna this year as the highest-priced product ever at the auction…]
Diana let out a gasp. ‘480 million… ’
‘What a terrifying necklace.’
Diana fiddled with the pendant that hung around her neck.
[…research results from The Sorcerers’ Tower finds an abnormality in the increase of monsters… the Guardian of the North, Grand Duke of Nohibaden …monster’s subjugation gains support from the Imperial Family….]
There were many things that were hard for her to understand.
After flipping through a few more pages, a collection of events from the western side, where Diana resided in, appeared.
[Shocking eradication of a criminal organization in the Bordeaux territory. In the middle of the night, part of the criminals’ mutilated bodies were handed over to the security forces. The arrested group….]
‘Parts of a body? Where did this happen? So, scary. I have to be careful.’
Just when she was at the peak of enjoying her newspaper, a voice called out to her.
“Oh my? Miss?”
She raised her head at the shadow that called in front of her.
“Are you really the Miss?”
“Huh?”
It was one of the two maids that Hermann introduced to her yesterday.
‘…Her name was Sophie, right?’
Sophie greeted her happily.
“I was on my way back after buying dinner. It looks like Miss decided to bring the puppy out, too!”
Sophie said, “Hello,” and greeted Sky that was laying down beside Diana. It was a friendly atmosphere.
“Have you named the puppy?”
“Yes, It’s name is now ‘Sky’.”
“… Um, I see.”
At Sophie’s reluctant reaction, Diana opened her eyes wide.
“Why? Is it a bad name?”
“Um, a little? This is such a good-looking puppy, but the name reminds me of the dog that the miller next door has…. Well, if Miss likes it, then it’s a good name.”
Sophie grinned at Diana’s shocked look.
“Well… I understand why Miss named the puppy ‘Sky’. It suits the puppy!”
“Let’s go. It’s too late to change it now.”
Diana pouted and folded the newspaper. She stood up, gathering the things that she bought today and bringing them into her arms along with Sky.
“Let’s go together.”
The two chatted and carefully walked towards their home.
“I’ve also seen the Grand Duke of Nohibaden before. He was as scary as the rumors say.”
“Rumors?”
“Ah, you don’t know, Miss? That—”
Diana suddenly stopped.
“Miss?”
Sophie looked back at Diana who fell behind.
Diana faltered and pulled at Sophie’s skirt, dragging her to hide into a corner.
‘Lord Hauzen!’
It was Atticia Bordeaux’s fiance. Roman Hauzen.
He was the second child of a wealthy Baron family, who got engaged to Atticia at a young age. Atticia, who had exchanged letters with Lord Hauzen since childhood, was looking forward to meeting him.
The reason why she knew all of this was because she was once Atticia’s friend.
Lord Hauzen stood there with a bunch of young people his age. He looked like a typical nobleman or knight because of his fancy clothes and the sword around his waist. Their energetic laughter reached all the way to where they were.
“Miss? What’s the matter?”
“Sophie, let’s go take another road.”
Looking at Diana’s pale complexion, Sohpie asked in surprise.
“Your face… Miss, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Lord Hauzen occasionally visited the Bordeaux mansion under the name of spending time with his fiance, and Diana avoided him as much as possible.
However, even with her efforts, she would always run into him. Every time they met, he scanned her with his snake-like eyes.
Even if she told the people around her she disliked his gaze, the words that always came back to her was,
[It’s because you’re pretty. What else can you do? I envy you, having the attention of a noblem—]
It was always the same words. But Diana had never once thought of it as a compliment.
“There’s a person that I dislike running into.”
Through the alley, she hurriedly headed home, completely unnoticed by Lord Hauzen. As they approached they saw Donatella talking with someone.
“Sophie? How come you’re together with the Miss?”
“I ran into her on my way here.”
“Great job. Ah, Miss. This person said that he definitely had to meet with you, so he stayed here, waiting.”
It was the person who had talked with Hermann at the bank. Why did he come to find her? Diana tilted her head.
“Hello.”
The middle-aged man greeted politely with his hat in front of his chest.
“Yes. Hello.”
The middle-aged man was full of sweating even though the temperature wasn’t that high.
“I’m sorry for coming without an appointment. I was in a hurry and was impolite.”
“How did you know about this place?”
Diana stayed on guard while she petted Sky.
“I found out when I was dealing with Miss Diana’s transfer of property. The same goes for your name. I didn’t mean to. There’s simply some things that I can’t help but find out when I work.”
“I see. But, what brings you here?”
“Um, by any chance, may I know where the person who became Miss Diana’s guardian went?”
“Hermann?”
The man, who was exhaling, coughed.
“Y-yes. W-well, s-so that’s how you call him. H-haha. I have something that I have to deliver to that person.”
“But, he had already left.”
“Yes?! T-to where?”
“For me to tell you, it’s a little….”
Just then, Sophie stepped in.
“Why are you asking such things? If it’s a matter that concerns the Miss’ guardian, I’ll pass it on to my master’s wife, Countess Norvan. Please just tell me instead.”
***
Diana stretched and yawned, rubbing away the tears caused by this action. She then hugged Sky who was under the bed, flapped her blanket and arranged her sheets. She pulled her pillow upright before going into the bathroom to wash up.
After getting out of the bath, she smelled something delicious. Diana familiarly setted the pots, tablecloths, cups, and utensils. Soon after, Donatella put the food on a plate and came out of the kitchen.
A delicious golden pancake with melted butter on top of it appeared in front of her. Beside it were scrambled eggs made fluffy with milk, a grilled sausage, and pea soup. The breakfast menu was exquisite.
“There’s also raspberry syrup here Miss.”
Sophie pushed a glass bottle in front of Diana.
The bottle containing raspberries boiled with sugar and honey smelled sweet. Diana took a big spoonful of the raspberry syrup.
“Why do you think that Mister came here yesterday?”
“I also wonder. Why was he digging up Miss’ address just because he had nothing to do? It’s completely suspicious.”
Diana let out a small laugh.
“I’ve already sent the Countess a call right away, you don’t have to worry about it. If by any chance you’re still worried, I’ll request for a strong servant to come. Sophie, why in the world are you telling such things to the Miss?”
Donatella came out of the kitchen and was immediately called out by Diana.
“Donatella, stop working and eat.”
“I’ll just take care of this real quick.”
Donnatella laid down a brass bowl before Sky. It was filled with raw meat, finely chopped and lamb’s milk. Sky licked the lamb’s milk first before chewing on the meat.
Donatella’s cooking was as good as Mrs. Martin’s. There was no such thing like the sweet and fancy dessert that Miss Atticia ate, but it was enough.
After she had eaten breakfast, Diana left home with a letter that she had written last night. The early morning streets were still full of hazy fog, and the bell from the temple bell tower had just rung.