Anella approached with a bright smile.
Her hair shimmered brilliantly under the morning sun, and her cheeks were as lovely as rose petals. Her eyes, which resembled the clear, transparent summer sky, sparkled every time she smiled.
With every step she took, the hem of her dress fluttered softly like waves of sunlight dancing in the breeze, seemingly making even the surrounding air feel bright and warm. Just by being there, Anella captured everyone’s attention, as dazzling and warm as the sun.
She was, quite literally, a picture-perfect Young Lady of the Duke.
Ria hesitated for a moment as Anella approached, but she nodded cautiously and offered a greeting. Anella smiled and spoke to Ria in a friendly manner.
"I'm Anella. Who are you?"
Ria hesitated for a moment before answering carefully.
"I am... Ria."
Eleanor watched the two girls quietly and spoke softly.
"Anella, Ria will be staying at the Duke's Estate for the time being. She might be your aunt's daughter. We will have to visit the Temple again soon."
At Eleanor’s words, Anella beamed and took Ria’s hand.
"My aunt's daughter? Wow, I was bored because there were no friends my age at the Duke's Estate, so this is great."
She looked at Ria for a moment before quickly turning her gaze toward her twin brothers, speaking with a playful expression.
"I’ve been so bored without my brothers around."
Daniel smiled and nodded at Anella’s bright voice, but Leonic still kept his guard up, his eyes fixed on Ria. Anella didn't seem to mind, looking at Ria with a consistently bright expression.
Ria felt a little relieved by her innocent demeanor.
Holding Anella’s hand, she felt as warm as if she were standing in a patch of sunlight.
It was a kind and intimate attitude she had never felt from Catherine or Oliver.
Eleanor smiled affectionately and praised Anella.
"Anella, thank you for always taking such good care of your brothers."
Anella bowed politely at Eleanor’s words and replied.
"It is only what I should do, Mother."
Ria sensed a subtle distance in their conversation.
However, Ria was a perceptive child. Once she had decided to live as quietly as possible, she knew very well that it was better not to ask unnecessary questions.
A short while later, they all headed to the dining room for an early lunch.
The dining room of the Duke's Estate was grand and magnificent.
A large chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and the walls sparkled with intricate carvings and golden decorations. Fresh fruits, various dishes, and elaborately decorated desserts placed on the large central table caught her eye.
Ria looked around with wide eyes at the bountiful table.
It was comparable to a dinner banquet at the Marquess's estate, but this was just lunch?
The servants moved quietly yet nimbly, continuously bringing out food.
Meat dishes on silver trays, fresh vegetables, warm soup, and toasted bread filled the table one after another.
Eleanor smiled softly as she saw Ria looking around with a surprised expression.
After a brief wait, the dining room doors opened, and Duke Ignis and Young Duke Cassius entered.
Duke Ignis walked slowly into the dining room with a dignified and neat appearance, exuding a commanding aura. His gaze was gentle yet firm, and the air around him seemed to settle calmly with every step he took. The Duke’s white hair and mysterious gray eyes blended together to emit a deep aura.
Beside him stood Young Duke Cassius. His presence was overwhelming to anyone who looked at him. Despite his massive frame, his hair was neatly groomed, and his gaze was sharp. Even with his somewhat intimidating impression, Ria could recall the warm eyes that had examined her so carefully.
As soon as Cassius entered the dining room, he spotted Ria and approached with sparkling eyes. His stride was fast and powerful, yet he also seemed to be treading carefully.
"Ria!"
As soon as he saw her, Cassius opened his arms to welcome her.
"Meat! You must eat plenty of meat; the little one is too small and thin. I must tell the kitchen to bring her two servings of steak at every meal from now on!"
Ria was startled for a moment by his loud voice, but she soon broke into a smile.
"How is that small child supposed to eat two servings of steak?"
Duke Ignis muttered quietly, looking at his son with a pathetic expression for a moment before his eyes met Ria’s. He stiffened his face and offered a greeting.
"Did you have a good look around the mansion? You must be hungry, and I failed to consider that. Let us eat."
"Yes, Duke. The Young Duchess guided me kindly. Thank you for your consideration."
Ria answered politely to avoid any criticism, but Cassius frowned upon hearing her response.
"Ria, what is this 'Duke' business? You can just call him Grandfather!"
Ria looked at Cassius, appearing flustered for a moment, then glanced cautiously at Duke Ignis. The Duke was still looking at her with an expressionless face, and Ria hesitated on how to respond.
"Ah, that is... they said you must go to the Temple to verify..."
Cassius shrugged his shoulders at Ria’s answer and shook his head.
"Whether you verify it at the Temple or not, the result is obvious. You are Leila’s daughter."
Duke Ignis opened his mouth slowly toward Cassius.
"Do not speak rashly before your bloodline is verified at the Temple."
Ria felt a sudden wave of tension.
However, Cassius smiled brightly again and said.
"Once you return from the Temple, you must call me Grandfather and Uncle, alright?"
Thinking that she still needed to secure her position for now, Ria nodded slowly.
She kept repeating to herself that even if her bloodline was recognized at the Temple, she had to act carefully to avoid being sent back to the Marquess's estate.
'I must be careful not to fall out of favor.'
Ria clenched her small fists to remind herself that she was not yet a full member of the Duke's family.
The meal proceeded naturally in a comfortable atmosphere.
Ignis and Cassius occasionally discussed imperial politics and foreign affairs that were difficult for Ria to understand, while Eleanor meticulously looked after the children.
Daniel ate with impeccable manners, and Leonic, perhaps taking after his father, mostly ate the meat-based dishes.
Anella sat next to Ria and offered her various things.
"Ria, this is delicious. Eat slowly, try a little bit of everything!"
Ria accepted the food with gratitude for Anella’s kind attitude and took a cautious bite. A small smile spread across Ria’s face at the warm meal she hadn't tasted in a long time.
However, Ria still silently vowed to herself.
'Don't stand out. Just be quiet. That is the best I can do.'
Ria focused on the warm meal and began to eat slowly, one bite at a time.
Having only eaten hard bread in her attic for the past few days, the proper meal warmed her stomach and made her heart feel a little more at ease.
As the meal was coming to an end, Anella spoke up.
"Mother. May I show Ria the playroom and the library?"
Anella asked, gently tugging on Ria’s hand and pulling her toward herself.
Eleanor watched Anella and Ria quietly with a soft smile still on her face before she spoke.
"Yes, Anella. Could you do that? Ria might feel a bit more comfortable with you, as you are her peer, rather than with me."
Seeing Anella whisper "That's great" to her, Ria also offered an awkward smile.
The playroom of the Duke's Estate was a wide and bright space.
Large trees were visible outside the big windows, and the sunlight filtering through the leaves created sparkling patterns on the wooden floor. Beyond the windows, the beautiful garden of the Duke's Estate could be seen at a glance.
Ria’s eyes widened as she looked around the space.
With walls painted in soft tones, a cozy carpet, and storybooks and game tools prepared on one side, it looked like a space for small children at first glance.
"How old are you, Ria?"
Anella asked in an innocent voice.
"I am twelve years old."
"Really? I’m twelve too! I thought I had gained a younger sister... but at twelve, this place might be a bit childish for you."
Ria blushed.
Her small stature, caused by not being able to eat properly, had always been Ria’s complex compared to her peers.
Besides, this place didn't feel childish to Ria at all. Shamefully, it was because she had never been allowed to have dolls or toys.
"Come here."
Anella took Ria’s hand and led her to one side of the playroom, which was covered in a soft carpet.
"My brothers don't come here anymore. But I like this place."
Anella sat comfortably on the warm carpet under the window in the corner, rummaging through a large toy basket and giggling softly.
A moment later, what Anella handed her was a teddy bear wearing a bowtie.
Ria hesitated before accepting it.
Anella’s gaze was still directed inside the basket.
After a while, what Anella pulled out was a doll wearing a gorgeous and delicate dress.
"Ria, are you really Aunt Leila’s daughter?"
Anella asked, tilting her head.
Ria nodded instead of answering.
Anella smiled wistfully and held out the doll in her hand.
"You know. I’m not the Young Duke’s biological daughter."
Anella whispered in a small voice, as if telling a secret, while moving the doll’s arms.
"?!"
Ria was left speechless by Anella’s sudden words.
Seeing Ria with her eyes wide open, Anella burst into laughter.
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