TNBTW | Episode 12

“All of a sudden? What’s going on! You said not long ago that you weren’t seeing anyone! Edith, you!”

Feigning disappointment, Daisy pouted dramatically, only to narrow her eyes shortly after.

“So, who is it? Who’s the lucky man that managed to capture the heart of the great Edith Irene Brussels?”

She stabbed a slice of apple, her dessert, with her fork as she spoke. The juicy apple, evidently sweet, gleamed in the light. Just as Daisy brought the piece to her mouth, Edith replied.

“Well, it’s… His Grace, Duke Devion.”

“What? Who?”

“Duke Devion.”

“…That Duke Devion?”

“Yes, that Duke Devion.”

Thud. The sweet apple slice fell from Daisy’s fork and landed on the table.

“Wh-whaaat?!”

Daisy shot to her feet, her exclamation nearly a scream. It was clear how shocked she was by the sheer volume of her voice.

“Daisy, you’ll wake Lude! Please, sit down. Let’s talk about this calmly, okay?”

Edith quickly placed a finger to her lips, lowering her voice in an attempt to calm her friend. It wasn’t until Daisy remembered her young son that she reluctantly sat back down.

“My goodness, how did that even happen? When? How? No, wait—why? How on earth?”

“It’s a long story. There were… circumstances. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you honestly before.”

“Oh, heavens. What on earth have I just heard?”

Daisy gulped down a glass of water, her expression frazzled and disoriented.

Her reaction was understandable. Anyone would be taken aback if a close friend, someone they were laughing and chatting with just moments ago, suddenly announced they were becoming a duchess.

Still looking dazed, Daisy absently picked up the fallen apple slice and nibbled on it. Slowly, as if regaining her composure, she finally offered her congratulations.

“Sorry! I was so shocked I forgot to congratulate you. Congratulations, Edith. You’re going to be a duchess… This is the first time I’ll have a duchess as a friend. …We’re still friends, right?”

“What kind of question is that, Daisy? Of course, we are.”

“But Edith, are you sure you’ve thought this through?”

Daisy’s tone turned cautious as she leaned forward, her voice dropping slightly.

“Of course, His Grace is incredible. He’s the kind of man any woman would dream of, but….”

Her hesitation lingered as she bit her lip lightly. After a brief sigh, Daisy seemed to muster her courage and spoke again.

“I’m your friend, so I have to be honest—I’m worried. The social world is brutal. Just look at Lady Letitia….”

Daisy trailed off, her voice subdued. Having moved to the capital earlier than Edith, Daisy had at least some experience with the harsh realities of high society.

“And then there’s his… younger sibling, the one confined—no, under protection—at the temple. The Countess of Vicenne said she met them once and was utterly shocked.”

There was no need to ask why the countess had been shocked. Whatever she had witnessed, it was unlikely to have been pleasant.

“Oh, I don’t know. You must have made this decision knowing all that. I just… I just don’t want you to get hurt. You’re too kind and soft-hearted, and that makes me worry even more.”

“Kind? Me? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous? Remember when we worked together at the Count Moschel’s estate? Everyone had a hard time with that unruly youngest son, but you took charge and made things easier for everyone. You even helped the maids who were struggling because of him, even though you were having a tough time yourself.”

“That was just… I just wanted things to go smoothly. Anyone would’ve done the same.”

Edith fidgeted, her fingers brushing against her neck as she spoke, her modesty evident.

The youngest son of the Moschel family had been frail and, consequently, emotionally fragile. His constant irritability had made him difficult to handle.

But Edith had grown up in an orphanage, where she often cared for sickly, fussy children. She had become adept at dealing with such situations, and handling the boy was no exception.

“See? That’s exactly why you’re so kind, you silly girl.”

Daisy clicked her tongue with mock disapproval, making Edith smile bashfully. She appreciated her friend’s kind words.

“Anyway, I just want you to be happy. If someone as kind as you becomes a duchess, maybe the world will be a better place.”

“I’m not as great as you think I am, Daisy.”

“A duchess isn’t great? Come on! By the way, you should brace yourself. You’ve no idea how many young ladies are head over heels for your beloved duke.”

It’s not even love, Daisy!

Edith wanted to correct her friend’s misunderstanding, but before she could, a faint whimper interrupted their conversation.

“Unngghh…”

A small whining sound was heard from somewhere.

“I guess Lude is awake.”

Daisy was the first to react. Despite the soft sound, she didn’t hesitate to get up and said, “Come on, Edith. Let me introduce you to my son,” and led Edith to a room.

“My sweet boy, are you awake? Did you sleep well?”

Daisy cooed softly as she carefully lifted the baby from his crib.

“Here he is—my son, Lude. Isn’t he adorable?”

The moment Daisy introduced the baby, a golden screen appeared before Edith’s eyes.

 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

[❤️ Golden Child Treasure Chest ❤️]

NEW!

Name: Lude Luden
Age: 1 year old

Likes: Mommy, Daddy
Dislikes: Darkness

Personality: Gentle, like his father.

Family and Relationships:

– Daisy Moore Luden (Mother): Former governess (currently on leave).

– Jace Luden (Father): Philosophy teacher (employed by the Vicenne Count’s household).

Family Dynamics:

– Strong bond between parents.

– A harmonious household overall.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

 

Edith skimmed through the information with ease, having grown accustomed to the mysterious screens.

“He looks so much like Jace….”

“Really? Most people say he looks just like me at first glance.”

Startled, Edith realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud. She quickly turned her attention to the baby. Lude, reassured by his mother’s presence, gazed up at Edith with serene eyes.

Upon closer inspection, the baby truly resembled Daisy—his curly brown hair and plump lips were unmistakable.

“Uh, what I mean is… he seems so gentle.”

“So you’re saying I’m not gentle?”

Flustered by Daisy’s teasing retort, Edith stammered to explain, but Daisy burst into laughter.

“Relax, I’m just kidding. You’re right, though. He really does take after Jace.”

Daisy’s playful gesture—sticking out her tongue—melted into a gaze of unfiltered adoration as her eyes lingered on her son. It was a moment so tender it seemed to crystallize the essence of love itself.

“You wouldn’t believe how sweet he is. Mrs. Luden says he’s like Jace when he was little. Though, as for me, well… my mother had her fair share of struggles raising me.”

“The little prince is already proving to be a blessing,” Edith remarked with a soft smile.

Watching Lude start to doze off in Daisy’s arms, Edith felt a deep sense of relief. Truly, was there anything better for a family than a healthy, happy child?

She silently offered a prayer to the heavens, wishing for Daisy’s family to remain blessed with enduring happiness.

Returning home later, Edith headed straight for the bath. As warm water filled the tub, she sighed in contentment.

‘So warm….’

It feels amazing. Edith quietly admired the luxuries of her current life as it was a far cry from the wooden orphanage, where even warm water was a rare treat.

As she soaked, her thoughts drifted back to the day’s events.

‘What a long day it’s been.’

For the first time, she had worn a dress fitted by someone else and sat in a private box overlooking the opera stage. The entire experience felt like a dream.

 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Name: Vivianne Valesia
Age: 11 years old
Stress: 130/100 [!!Danger!!]

[Appropriate action is required for this child.]

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

 

Her relaxed recollection halted abruptly. A memory of the grand duchess surfaced—the young girl whose composed exterior had concealed an overwhelming anxiety.

‘The Young Lady Valesia….’

Edith leaned back in the tub, her gaze distant. A golden screen flickered into view.

 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

[❤️ Golden Children Treasure Chest ❤️]

❤️ Gabriel Mosswell
❤️ Danny Linguini
❤️ Rebecca Brosia
❤️ Luna Hedon

.

.

.

🩶 Vivianne Valesia

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

 

At the bottom of the list, Lady Valesia’s name appeared, accompanied by an unfilled heart icon.

‘It signifies instability.’

Edith sighed deeply.