The Grand Duke’s Little Lady

When it gets cold enough to freeze, ice forms first in the tower here. They say that the ice shines like a star from afar.

Its wonderful.

When Ariel spoke, Allens expression softened in a moment.

He had an infinite sense of pride in this mansion and this family.

With less tension, he began to brag a little more about the wealth of the Grand Duke.

This building is the capitals grandest residence, and there are two more mansions in the estate.

Two more?

Yes, its just in case of a generation separation, and one is bigger than the capital city, the other one is a little small but very colorful. You and the Grand Duke will inherit it when you become adults.

I dont think that will happen.

When she becomes an adult, Lucian and her marriage will be over.

Ariel closed her mouth and nodded only.

Its not a large garden due to lack of land, but the estate has a large area.

Thisis a small garden?

Ariel had already seen the garden where they are right now.

The garden can be clearly seen through the window of her new room.

It definitely doesnt look small no matter how she looks at it.

But the old butler Allen continued with a look of regret.

Some gardens of the land were so wide that they sometimes hold horse racing or hunting competitions in there.

UhI dont think thats still a garden.

Ariel couldnt even imagine how big the alternate archaic estate was.

Maybe thats why she suddenly wondered.

Well, by the way, Allen.

Yes, milady.

Umm.The mansion is so spacious, how do you clean it all?

Allens expression grew unusual when he heard her naive question.

He looked as if he were holding back his laughter.

Ah, did I said something wrong?

But for Ariel, it was a really valid question.

She saw the maids sweep and wipe here and there all day long when she still lived in the Marquis.

It took a great deal of labor to keep an aristocratic mansion clean.

But she heard from Susan that there arent that many people who work for the Grand Duke.

But Ariel still hasnt seen a single dusty spot while she was walking around.

Allen cleared his throat, rebuking himself, who almost laughed upon hearing Ariels question.

Ehem, ehm. About that

The new Young Lady had the ability to release even his serious and solemn self.

He finally came to his senses and answered.

There is a wizard dedicated to the Grand Duke here. He does the large-scale housework.

Ariels eyes were as big as glass.

Theres a wizard here?!

She had never heard of anything like this from Lucian. Ariel seemed very surprised and Allen explained further calmly.

He wasnt doing housework from the beginning. He was originally the head wizard of the imperial family.

Ariels jaw dropped a little lower.

The Head Wizard of the Imperial Household?!

But he quit for some reason, stayed here as a guest, and established a small business

Ariel was completely speechless.

T-then, what for did I offer Lucian to be his magician for?

Did he thought of making me a cleaning servant?

Is that why he told me to get stronger?

Shouldnt I learn some magic now that is useful for cleaning then?

Regardless of Ariels confusing situation, Allen continued.

Hes not only cleaning, but also controlling the temperature of the mansion.

Hes controlling the temperature?

Yes

Ariel replied in a low voice, full of worries,What if I was just a petty wizard to Lucian?

So Ariel looked around the mansion with Allen all morning, but the mansion was so big that she could only look around a fraction. She wondered if they even had seen even a tenth of it.

Allen checked the watch he was wearing in his vest pocket.

Its time for your snack. Ill leave you alone.

Ah.

Ariel realized why she was hungry.

Its because its time for snacks.

Allen took Ariel to Susan himself.

Ill show you the gallery with artworks and sculptures in the East Wing tomorrow.

Yes! Allen, thank you.

Ariel greeted him brightly and Allen bowed politely.

No, Ive only done my job.

Ive learned a lot from Allen.

Ariel held Allens wrinkled hands and leaned her cheek against it.

See you tomorrow, Allen.

After Ariel followed Susans footsteps and disappeared, the old butler Allen paused at the spot.

It was unusual behavior for Allen, who worked for the Grand Duke did not sit still even for a moment.

The old butler Allen, who had stopped, looked down at his hands.

The warm warmth from the little girls soft cheeks remained in his hands.

Susan served a savory yellow cheese cookie and a cup of milk as a snack.

Ariel who tasted the flavor of the fragrant cheese cookies now has cookie crumbs on her lips.

Susan taught her to put cookies in milk.

If you soak cookies in milk and eat them, you will feel more flavor.

Ill try.

Ariel dipped the yellow cookie in milk and took a bite.

It was crispy when she ate it as it is, but it melted smoothly when she ate it soaked in milk because its wet.

Its delicious!

Susan laughed.

The chefs been putting a lot of effort into baking cookies lately. Ill bring you more in the future.

I cant believe I can eat such delicious cookies often.

She doesnt know why the chef is suddenly eager to bake cookies, but Ariel thought it was very lucky.

After finishing the snack, Susan said to Ariel.

By the way, the Grand Duke sent a doctor for the young lady today.

Is the doctor.going to talk to me?

Yes.

Ariel, instinctively afraid of the doctor, hurriedly made excuses.

Im not sick.

Shes not here because youre sick, shes here to see how much better youre going to grow. You dont have to worry.

Susan explained kindly.

Ariel is still scared, but she managed to nod her head when Susan coaxed her.

The doctor of the Grand Duke is a woman in her thirties.

The Grand Duke had both male doctors for men and female doctors for women.

He followed the law even when he had not been able to have a lady in the house for decades.

So the female doctor who had been called was a person who had been working on medical research for years without a patient.

Hello, maam. My name is Miller.

Dr. Miller greeted her.

She felt different from friendly Susan and courteous Allen.

Very professional and intelligent?

Ariel feels like she can trust Miller because she looks so confident.

Moreover, Miller, who has a suitcase, looked so cool.

Im Ariel. Nice to meet you.

Yes. Then, I will ask you some questions for a medical examination.

Miller saw Ariel as a patient, not as the lady or a child of this house.

She didnt ask Susan who was next to Ariel about her condition just because she was young, She asked her directly.

How is your appetite in the morning? How is your digestion?

Ariel, feeling respected as a person, tried to answer sincerely.

But when Miller saw Ariels body, her face which had been so calm all along visibly hardened.

This.

Miller was speechless when she saw the scars all over Ariels body.

The scars that Susan saw as very severe did not appear to be unusual in the eyes of Dr. Miller.

Dr. Miller wrote down quickly in her notebook.

[Traces of habitual assault. Presumably caused by an adult man.

Scars and bruises all over the body.

There is also a scab on the inner scalp of the hair, so it looks like he grabbed her hair and pulled it hard.]

Miller had Ariel move her arms, legs, and shoulders slowly.

fortunately, no bones or joints have been damaged.

Growing tall is close to impossible when joints got damaged when young.

Dr. Miller breathed a sigh of relief.

Ariel recalled what would have happened if she hadnt come here and got married.

Perhaps she will never be able to use her left leg properly. Just like in the past.

Miller, who had touched all Ariels scars, concluded.

Youre still young, so if you eat well and rest well, most of the marks will heal and disappearbut some places are too severe. Itll probably leave a scar when you grow up.

Susans face hardened at Millers words.

The doctor told her some precautions about diet and exercise, prescribed medicine to strengthen her body, and then went back.

After the doctor returned, Ariel looked at Susan.

Susan seemed to be feeling low for some reason.

She didnt smile sweetly, nor pat her on the head. Ariel approached Susan out of concern.

Susan, whats wrong? Did I do something wrong?

Susan, who was busy cleaning her room, sighed and turned to Ariel.

She held the little girls body tightly.

Ariel is not Susans own.

Even if the atmosphere was a little bad, she felt sorry for a child who immediately looked at the mood of an adult.

She was like a young animal who gave her heart to her because she was hungry for affection.

You did nothing wrong. Its just that Im heartbroken.

Because of me?

Susan kept thinking about what the doctor said.

That means youll still have scars when you grow up.

Ariel had it hard.

Im fine now. My fa.ther, I wont see him anymore. Im not in pain anymore. Im fine.

Susan gently swept Ariels back.

Its not like that, young lady.

Susan, who took Ariel off, pointed to the girls chest.

Sometimes body wounds leave scars here, too. And the scar inside it is much, much harder to erase.

Susan

So young lady. You dont have to say youre okay when youre not. It should be the most precious word in the world. Do you understand?

She thought Lucian was going to make her a cleaning wizard skssksksk why is she soo pure. I just wanna spoil her and make her happy oh my gosh, she even melt Allens heart. That last part was