TNBTW | Episode 7

Chapter 2: Designing a New Life

 

A few days had passed since then, and Edith once again found herself at the doorstep of Duke Devion’s mansion. This time, it was to move in.

Though their marriage had not yet taken place, it was inevitable that a ceremony would occur soon, so Edith had agreed to the decision.

As usual, she was somewhat intimidated by the imposing grandeur of the Duke’s mansion. But soon enough, she straightened her posture, lightly slapping her cheeks.

‘This is the first step.’

A great first step toward returning to the world she had once lived in! The foundation for making her younger sibling’s dream come true!

With that thought in mind, she felt a surge of energy. Gripping her small travel bag tightly, Edith stepped through the grand open gates.

“Welcome, Lady Edith. I am William, the steward of this estate, where you will be staying from now on. Please feel free to call me Bill.”

The first person to greet her was the elderly steward, his hair and eyebrows completely white with age.

The steward wore a kindly smile, but his expression was far from easygoing. His straight posture and neat attire, without a single crease, particularly conveyed that impression.

‘He’s like a kind yet difficult-to-approach headmaster!’

Since their first meeting didn’t allow time for proper introductions, this was the first time she had been able to meet him face-to-face.

First impressions were important, and Edith, always skilled in social situations, greeted him with a bright smile.

“Hello, Steward Bill. I’m glad to see you again. I’ll be in your care from now on.”

“Please feel free to speak more comfortably. For the future mistress of the ducal household to address this humble steward so formally is unnecessary.”

The steward’s polite advice left Edith slightly flustered. Even after living in this world for over a decade, fully adapting to the rigid class system was still a challenge.

If anything, it was easier when the other person held a higher rank. For Edith, who had spent most of her life in a subordinate position, that was something she could adjust to without much trouble.

But when the roles were reversed, as they were now, things became a bit more awkward.

‘I’ve never even had a servant before, noble or not.’

For a fallen noble without a penny to their name, having a servant was a luxury. Edith had never truly seen herself as part of the nobility.

The only so-called benefit she had ever experienced from her title was that it made it slightly easier to find work as a governess.

“I’ll try, Steward… no, Bill.”

“You’ll get used to it quickly, I’m sure. May I take your bag for you?”

“I’ll carry it! It’s fine.”

“Very well. Then, please follow me. I’ll show you to the room you’ll be staying in.”

Edith followed Bill into the mansion, passing through a grand lobby that resembled a banquet hall. After ascending a spiral staircase, they reached the second floor. Edith thought they might go further, but Bill led her down a corridor instead.

‘Second floor! This is perfect—it’s close.’

Relieved that her fears of a high floor were unfounded, Edith followed him happily. When she had worked as a tutor, she had always been assigned rooms on the upper floors, and the constant ascent and descent had been taxing.

Bill pointed to a room in the center of the left corridor, a room she would be staying in.

“…?!”

As she opened the door and stepped inside, Edith’s eyes widened in surprise. She scanned the room, her throat tightening as she quickly turned around.

“Um… Bill, is this the correct room?”

She cautiously asked, unsure if the steward might have made a mistake.

It was just too large. A bed so vast that it could fit four grown men, and furniture placed with no apparent shortage, was lavish to the point of being extravagant.

“Yes. This is the room you’ll be staying in. If you prefer another, I can change it for you anytime.”

Bill’s response left Edith staring at the room in a daze. Over the years, she had stayed in many noble homes while working as a governess, but she had never seen a room this large.

Certainly, the master bedroom for the owners might be an exception, but…

‘The master bedroom? Surely I’m not supposed to share a room with the Duke!’

A sudden thought made Edith pale.

“Um… could I ask which room the Duke uses?”

“The master’s bedroom is on the opposite side of the corridor, and his office is at the end.”

It was all for naught! Edith sighed with relief.

Of course, it wouldn’t be strange for a married couple to share a room, but there was one crucial issue—they weren’t a real couple.

“If you prefer a room closer…”

“No, that’s fine! I’m good here.”

Edith hastily declined, but the speed with which she said it made her cheeks flush. She had to say it, though.

“I understand. Shall I contact your previous residence to move the rest of your belongings?”

“This is everything I own.”

Having regained her composure, Edith awkwardly lifted her bag to show him. In this grand room, the modest luggage she had brought with her to the capital seemed woefully inadequate.

“I see. After a long journey, it’s always better to travel light. The master has mentioned he wishes to have a brief conversation with you when he returns this evening. Would that be acceptable?”

“Of course, that’s perfectly fine. I’ll be ready.”

Fortunately, the elderly steward shifted the conversation naturally, sparing Edith from the embarrassment of dwelling on her sparse belongings. Grateful for the change in topic, she quickly nodded in agreement.

“There are ropes in the room, please feel free to call for me anytime. I hope you have a pleasant time. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait, Bill!”

As the steward politely bowed and prepared to leave, Edith grabbed his sleeve.

“Yes, Miss Edith?”

“Well, um…”

She paused for a moment, unsure whether she should ask this question. It felt awkward, but after some thought, she gathered her courage.

“What kind of person is Duke of Devion?”

Her knowledge of Duke Devion was quite limited.

He was known as a great wizard, had conflicts with both the temple and the Magic Tower, had a dangerous sibling possessed by a demon, and was rumored to be a wealthy, handsome man…

That was about it. There was much she didn’t know, and though she would learn more in time, she wanted to get any important information she could beforehand.

“The master is a perfect individual who can accomplish anything on his own. He was raised as such since he was a child.”

“Ah…”

But the response she received was of little help. Edith felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly reconsidered.

‘What could he possibly say about the person he serves? Of course, he’d say he’s perfect.’

It was clear now that her question had been ill-posed. As she came to this realization, Edith decided to wrap up the conversation.

“He might also be a lonely person.”

The elderly steward quietly added one final thought, lowering his posture again and leaving with a soft click of the door.

Caught off guard by his unexpected words, Edith stood frozen, staring at the closed door for a while.

 

***

 

Knock, knock. 

After hearing that Duke Devion had returned, Edith made her way to his office about an hour later.

“Your Grace, I heard you were looking for me.”

“You may come in.”

With a brief reply, Edith carefully opened the door and stepped inside, then froze in her tracks.

‘…The Ministry of Magic?’

Her mouth dropped open at the familiar sight.

The Duke’s office was indistinguishable from the one at the Imperial Palace’s Ministry of Magic. The same furniture, the arrangement of objects, and even the overall atmosphere were identical.

For a moment, Edith wondered if the Duke had used magic to transport the palace here.

But the view outside the window confirmed that this was undoubtedly the Duke’s mansion, and no matter how great a wizard he was, moving the entire palace would be madness.

‘First of all, isn’t that illegal?’

It would certainly be forbidden for anyone to simply move the Emperor’s residence!

Edith scanned the perfectly symmetrical room with her eyes, ultimately concluding that this wasn’t magic—this was just the result of the Duke’s obsession.

“Is there any inconveniences about your stay?”

Duke Devion sat with his back to the window, also wearing the same neat outfit as the first day they met.

Sitting across from him, Edith felt a strange sense of déjà vu, almost as if they had been in this same situation before. She quickly smiled.

“No, nothing at all! The room you gave me is wonderful. I appreciate your consideration. The dinner was also amazing. The chef is truly skilled.”

This was the truth. The feast had been so filled with a variety of delicious dishes that Edith couldn’t help but think, ‘I’m so glad I agreed to marry the Duke!’

“I see.”

His response was short, but Edith didn’t mind. She had experience in various service roles and had worked as a tutor in this strange world for many years.

As long as the Duke responded appropriately in conversation, he had done his part.

“Your Grace, have you eaten yet?”

Edith asked kindly, as she always did. The Duke, who had been watching her with an impassive expression, tilted his head slightly.

“I have not. Why does that concern you?”

“Pardon?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected reply, Edith blinked in confusion.