Rivenia hadn’t expected Heinrich to ponder her words so deeply.
She considered herself a perceptive woman, always forming predictions out of habit. But Heinrich was a boy who constantly slipped outside the boundaries of her foresight.
Still, what did this conversation have to do with the matter of things repeatedly going missing?
While lost in thought, Rivenia suddenly realized something.
“You were only pretending to lose things often, weren’t you?”
Heinrich gave a shy smile and nodded.
“Yes. It was just a little trick, but since I’m young, everyone was quick to be fooled.”
Heinrich had concluded that there was someone within the household—or even the palace—passing along information. Someone disloyal enough to sell out even the private affairs of a married couple.
Most likely a servant.
So Heinrich deliberately “lost” items, and then showed no concern when they went missing.
At first, the servants must have been careful. But at some point, they began pilfering here and there.
No loyal servant would ever stoop to such acts. In other words, Heinrich had set a trap to unmask the disloyal ones.
The two of them hadn’t exchanged these details aloud.
Even so, Rivenia felt as though they had already shared countless words.
A small laugh escaped her lips.
It was, as Heinrich had said, just a trick—but it wasn’t the kind of plan one would expect from an eight-year-old child.
“Well done.”
“Truly?”
It had been just a brief compliment, yet Heinrich’s face lit up as if she’d given him the highest praise. His pale cheeks flushed with warmth and vitality, as if life itself had bloomed upon them.
Rivenia found herself wanting to pinch those still-plump, boyish cheeks and nodded gently.
“Have you already identified which servants were stealing?”
“Yes. I trusted the butler and my nurse, so I asked for their help.”
“You didn’t confront them yourself. That too is admirable. But…” She hesitated. “There is one shortcoming.”
“What is it?”
“The one who carried tales may not have betrayed Baldwin for money. Which means the thief isn’t necessarily the same person who’s been spreading words.”
“Ah…”
“So as things stand, you cannot be sure you’ve accomplished your original goal—to uncover the informants.”
For a moment, Rivenia wondered if she was being too harsh with a child. She softened her tone.
“Still, anyone who dares steal from their master deserves to be exposed. In the end, you’ve done Baldwin a great service. It was a wise decision.”
Yet Rivenia reproached herself.
Was she truly incapable of being gentle?
What would a kind adult have done in this moment? Ruffled the child’s hair? Pulled him into a hug? Lavished him with excessive praise? Offered him a sweet treat?
None of those gestures came naturally to her.
And perhaps it was because she herself had never known a truly kind adult.
Heinrich rose carefully from his seat.
She worried her blunt words might have discouraged him—but his posture remained straight, his spirit unbowed.
Taking her hand gently, he smiled with quiet grace.
“As expected, my lady, you are wise. Please teach me much.”
The unexpected sincerity of it made Rivenia catch her breath.
“When Your Lordship grows older, you’ll surely make judgments far better than mine.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course.”
Heinrich’s smile brightened, utterly free of offense.
“If I succeed in rooting out traitors, then no one will ever look down on me—or on Baldwin.”
Then, with a cautiousness quite unlike when he spoke of schemes, he made a timid request.
“When that day comes… would you teach me how to dance?”
“Your Lordship, I’ve never even had my debutante ball. I have little experience. Surely there are better teachers than I…”
“That is exactly why I ask you. I may never be able to attend your debutante. But even if unofficially—I would like your first dance to be with me.”
Rivenia glanced down at his small hand in hers. His palm was so tiny it didn’t even cover her own, more the hand of a younger brother than that of a husband.
And yet, the affection and goodwill Heinrich offered her felt larger than anything she had ever been given in her life.
So much so that she wanted to lean on those little shoulders—while also offering her own for him to lean on.
For the first time, Rivenia found herself wanting to form a good relationship with someone.
Even if, twelve years later, they were to sign divorce papers, perhaps they could remain friends still.
And so, with a rare, sincere smile, she answered:
“Of course. Though I suspect it will be I who learns from Your Lordship.”
In that moment, Rivenia thought:
This boy will keep his promises. This boy may one day show me what happiness truly means.
And for that reason, she too had a duty—to bring happiness to him.
At Baron Hess’s household, a small townhouse had been prepared for Nadia’s debutante.
It stood on the outskirts of the capital, a modest three-story building with only one room at the top floor—closer to an attic than a proper level.
From the outside, one might hesitate to call it a townhouse at all. But inside, it was splendid.
Naturally, that was thanks to Conrad, who had poured effort into construction and furnishings.
There was even a butler and three maids assigned to it.
Nadia accepted their greetings with a troubled expression.
“This is excessive. I don’t need a butler, and two maids would have been plenty.”
But Conrad shook his head.
“I have already compromised a great deal.”
It was clear he couldn’t stand the thought of Nadia suffering at the Hess estate.
In the end, it was Nadia who relented. Knowing how deeply Conrad cherished her, she realized accepting this much would ease his heart.
Vivian, of course, was delighted.
“My lady! Can’t we just live here? The study is so much prettier, and I peeked into the dress room earlier—it sparkles everywhere!”
“Dress room? Conrad, did you stock it with dresses too?”
“Only a little.”
“A little? It was overflowing! Of course I shut the door right away—you should be the first to see it!”
Conrad shot Vivian a sharp look, but she remained undaunted. She clearly knew Nadia would shield her.
Suppressing a smile, Nadia tapped Conrad’s shoulder.
“I’ll accept it. Don’t scold Vivian too much. And Vivian, don’t make such a fuss.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Sending Vivian was my mistake,” Conrad muttered, jaw tight.
“I feared there was no one in Hess who could properly protect you, so I sent her. I should have chosen someone more composed.”
“Really, Conrad—it’s fine. I enjoy her company. And besides, Vivian is clever.”
“That’s right!” Vivian chimed in proudly.
“Since you’re clever, Vivian, did you find the information I asked for?”
“Of course!”
Beaming, she scampered off to fetch some documents from her luggage.
Conrad pinched his forehead as though struck with a headache.
“My lady, as you said, she is indeed sharp. If I discipline her, she won’t act so frivolously anymore. Even now, it’s not too late—”
“Conrad.”
Nadia’s soft call and gentle shake of her head silenced him.
“I’m no longer the dignified, stately duchess. No one will fault me for treating a bright maid as a friend.”
“…If that is your wish.”
Conrad made no further objection. When Vivian returned, he didn’t glare at her, which was proof he’d accepted Nadia’s decision.
Vivian, cautious at first, quickly darted to Nadia’s side and pressed close.
“My lady, here you are! I found all this about Yuria Crimson!”
Nadia accepted the neatly organized papers. As expected, Vivian’s work was excellent.
Even before she could read, Vivian eagerly summarized.
“Count Crimson says his daughter is the most graceful, gentle bride candidate. But actually? She’s trouble! There were rumors about her and a young stablehand, and she’s very friendly with all sorts of men. She loves gambling and spends lavishly too.”
“Troublesome indeed.”
“Yes! But—she’s not stupid. Lately she’s been showing up at small private parties, charming and well-mannered. The ladies love her. So in the capital, her reputation is good. And she’s very pretty.”
Vivian set down a portrait atop the papers.
Even the painted black hair looked striking, as though ink had been poured over silk.
Her round cheeks were fresh as apples, and her large eyes gleamed with confidence and wit.
“She really is a pretty girl,” Nadia remarked with a small smile.
“If she loves gambling… I suppose she must enjoy horse racing too?”
“She loves it best! And tomorrow the biggest race in the capital will be held. Shall we attend? There’s a high chance Yuria Crimson will be there!”
“Of course. If I’m meeting the lady who’ll be my new friend, I should dress beautifully.”
Vivian’s face lit up with joy at her words.
It seemed tomorrow, Nadia would have to resign herself to being Vivian’s doll from morning until noon.
