As Long As You Are Happy

To tell the truth, this was not Seine’s first rodeo. 

There had been countless before who had mistaken their place. 

Some were of higher status than herself, some hailed from more honourable households and others would have been more valuable for the duchy. 

But Seine was not afraid. In fact, those people did not brother her one bit. 

Because she was certain that the Duke of Winfried would ultimately choose her. 

Because she believed that the hand he would end up holding was hers!

But now, her firm belief was quaking. 

‘Rogan had taken that woman’s side.’

They had known each other for more than a decade but they had only actually met for a few months. 

The events that had transpired at the Winfried Townhouse not too long ago came to mind. 

Seine resisted her utmost urge to grind her teeth.

“I trust you’ve understood my advice well.”

She needed to push her out quickly.

“To be honest with you, milady, I don’t like you. But I don’t want you to get hurt.”

She had to quickly make her disappear. 

“I can only hope that you can understand where I’m coming from, my lady.”

That way, she could be reassured. 

“Well then, that is all from me.”

Carrying a bright smile on her face as always, Seine moved away. However, Irina caught her before she could.

“I have something to ask.”

Seine thought she would have gotten mad but Irina did not look the slightest bit angry. 

“Does this mean that you do not like the Duke of Winfried, Lady Florence?”

Ha, Seine furrowed her brows. She twisted the corner of her lips.

“Didn’t I just tell you? Marriages are not up to the individuals but rather it is an alliance of families…”

“But you’re the one getting married.”

Irina’s eyes were fixed on Seine.

“This involves no one other than  yourself, Seine Florence.”

“… So what about it?”

“Nevermind anything else.”

Irina raised her voice a little more.

“I don’t think you particularly care for the Duke of Winfried, Lady Florence.”

“…..”

“That’s why I’m asking you. My lady, Seine Florence, do you really like Rogan Winfried?”

Seine pursed her lips.

“Well.”

“Seine.”

“That child is the next Duke of Winfried and the one who will become your husband.”

“H-He looks scary, father…”

“Uhm.”

“Do not be afraid. You shall approach him first. You are his perfect match since there isn’t that big of an age difference between the both of you. Hang around him until you become playmates.”

“Play, mates?”

“Yes. Even if he doesn’t like you, cling onto him and if he runs away, you chase him down. Got it?”

“But his eyes look so scary… Can’t I just play alone? Or with brother…”

“Seine Florence, your fear is nothing but baggage. What you should be concerned with is the fact that you will become the next duchess.”

“…..”

“Now go.”

Seine smiled.

A big, wide smile.

“I had fallen in love with Rogan at the very first sight of him!”

However, even as Seine tried her best to smile, Irina’s expression remained unchanging. 

“I see.”

Having been holding Seine’s wrist, Irina let go.

“That is a good enough answer for me, my lady.”

Giving a light nod, Irina walked past Seine and left the teahouse.

“…..”

Seine stood there motionlessly for a moment and stared at the ground. 

She then raised her head.

‘I have to chase after her.’

She had to chase after her and made sure she knew how much she adored Rogan.

And if she did not believe her, she only had to push harder!

“Hold on, Lady Leonid.”

Seine hurriedly chased after Irina who had already walked quite a distance away. 

Her figure repeatedly appearing and disappearing behind the throngs of people.

“Hold on, there’s something I have to tell you…”

Before she could raise her voice, Seine paused. 

Because Irina, who was now only a short distance away from her, looked to be frozen in fear.

What? What did she see? 

Following her line of sight, Seine found a man just standing there.

Judging by the man’s shabby clothes, it seemed as though he had sneaked in here from the slums.

Why?

Why was she frozen stiff just by seeing that man from the slums?

Ah, could it be?

“Aha.”

Seine smiled. A smile that was as pretty and bright as the one she normally carried.

***

“You are early.”

Noticing the three who had just returned from looking around downtown, Aaron approached with a smile.

“How was your first trip downtown, Lady Leonid?”

When he stepped closer to help carry Irina’s packages, Aaron’s smile fell off his face.

For Lady Irina looked too ghastly to have had fun downtown. 

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine.”

Irina casted a smile across her bloodless face. The Viscountess of Alphington added.

“She seemed to have gotten motion sickness from the carriage ride back.”

“Oh dear, I should call for Mister Veron right away. Please wait here for a moment.”

When she heard him mention the estate doctor, Mister Veron, Irina shook her head.

She did not want to bother anyone who might be resting or having their meal right now.

“No need. I should be better after taking a good nap. It’s simply a little motion sickness.”

As though convinced by Irina’s explanation, Aaron stepped down. 

“If that’s the case, I shall assume you will be skipping dinner and will bring a light meal to your room.”

“I’ll bring it to her room.”

Delphia quickly stepped forward. The fact that she had motion sickness was a lie but it was true that Irina was feeling a little dizzy so Irina walked down the hallway with Delphia. 

“I’m sorry, dame. You had to come back early because of me. You couldn’t visit your weapons store…”

“Come now, you don’t need to worry about that. We can go another time, can’t we?”

Delphia smiled as though she truly did not mind and Irina smiled weakly in response. 

She wondered for how long they walked. 

When they got nearer to her room, Irina spoke again.

“Dame Delphia, I have something to ask.”

Delphia looked at her as if prompting her to continue.

“Uhm.”

She hesitated before asking because she already knew the answer.

“I was wondering if it would be alright to let other people know that I was from the slums.”

Currently, Irina was known to have come to the capital from Maureen, situated in the far corners of the Empire.

It was so remote that not many people lived in that area but it was a popular visiting spot for the physically weak because of its beautiful views of nature. 

“Well, that would be…”

Delphia made a soft hum from the back of her throat before nodding.

“This is a little weird for me to say being an aristocrat myself but we have many terribly obstinate people here. Especially in the central society.”

Mulling over Irina’s question, Delphia frowned. 

“I think it would be best if you never got caught.”

“That would be best, right?”

Irina’s expression darkened. Considering how far she had gotten, she could not help but to ask. 

“Miss Irina, Did something happen after we left earlier? We found you out along the streets and not inside the teahouse.”

“Actually.”

Irina hesitated for a moment before continuing. 

“I saw someone from the slums.”

She had not expected to see anyone from the slums while she was downtown. He was soon chased away by a guard and disappeared but she was almost certain that the man had been staring at her.

“And he’s someone who knows who I am. A regular at the inn.”

He was a man who would run back to the inn immediately after earning a few coins to waste it on liquor, gambling and women. 

And she remembered how loud he was.

Whatever the man knew, everyone in the slums would find out only a few days after he opened his loud mouth.

“If he recognised me…”

And if Florence had seen the whole thing…

Irina found it hard to breathe again.

“Don’t worry about it too much.”

Delphia shook her head.

“I’m sure he didn’t. You have become a whole new person since we first met. You have also lightened up.”

“… Really?”

“Of course! Did you know, Miss Irina? When your demeanour gets brighter, your entire persona changes. I am sure that they didn’t recognise you. Trust my experience.”

They arrived at her room.

Kindly opening the door for Irina, Delphia winked at her.

“If you’re still worrying over it, I can help you look into it.”

“Really?”

Since it was no one other than Dame Delphia who was offering to help, Irina could trust her. 

It was only then did Irina’s expression relax.

“Thank you very much, dame.”

***

Days where nothing out of the ordinary happened then ensued. 

The duke was as busy as always and Irina was still in the midst of her classes.

Today, Irina found herself struggling to learn history with Viscountess Alphington and the textbook’s help once again.

“The answer is…”

Irina’s smooth brows furrowed.

She gathered her lips and pursed them as she agonised over the possible answers.

“Is it the Battle of Slynn?”

“Correct.”

Viscountess Alphington flashed a bright smile.

“Goodness, Lady Leonid. You’ve managed to master the contents of the entire history textbook in just a few months”

The viscountess said as she placed her hand on the purple book.

“I thought you might take a while with this book which is why I only ordered the next book in the series. I will have to talk to his grace and get you the entire collection right away.”

As though she was feeling a little excited, the viscountess’ voice sounded slightly higher than usual.

“It’s not that big of a deal, madam.”

Feeling shy from the compliment, Irina averted her gaze and fiddled with her hair.

“This book is merely a collection of common knowledge everyone is already aware of.”

“Just because it is common knowledge does not mean it is easy to learn.”

The Viscountess of Alphinton said sternly.

“To be honest with you, I thought you would have taken one to two years to learn the entire book, my lady.”

“A year?”

“Haven’t I already mentioned this? Just because it is common knowledge does not mean it is easy. Moreover, you managed to learn it while still learning how to read and write.”

Approaching Irina, the Viscountess of Alphingon placed the book on her desk.

“However, you managed to learn the book in its entirety in just a few months. And the same could be said about your writing.”

Irina looked up at the Viscountess of Alphington who was still standing over her. 

“I know you must be feeling shy from hearing all these compliments. Humility is indeed an important virtue you must possess.”

The viscountess continued with determination. 

“But do not undermine your efforts and what you have achieved through those efforts, milady.”

“But I didn’t really work that hard.”

“Milady, everyone in this estate knows when the candles in your study goes out.”

The Viscountess of Alphington smiled warmly. 

“You’ve done well, my lady. You’ve worked really hard.”

Her words sounded warm and firm.

Irina could no longer say that she did not put in any special amount of effort. 

Because she could not deny the fact that she had tried her hardest.

“Yes.”

That was why.

“T-thank you, madam.”

Irina decided to accept her compliment without protest.