Chapter 16

When she arrived at the Heres estate, the two attendants from the time they visited during the day smiled at Corinna, welcoming her.

"Welcome home, Lady Corinna."

When they called her that, Corinna was deeply moved, making her think this home will now be her home as well. When they did that, Corinna also politely bowed to both of them.

"I hope to be of assistance from today onwards. I am Corinna Land… No, I mean, I'm Corinna. I may be inexperienced, but I look forward to working with you both."

While saying these words, Corinna noticed that her name wasn't Land anymore. From here on out, she's Corinna Heres. Corinna Heres Corinna thought of something trivial, I'll try sounding it out once more.

"Oh no, please raise your head, Lady Corinna. We're also quite overjoyed for you to come here."

"We shall leave Lord Albert in your care, Lady Corinna."

The elderly butler and maid also bowed, which made Corinna feel ashamed. In the Balleli, the attendants were also a part of the family. There was no mistaking that these two had been serving the Heres house for a long time. She could especially feel the affection the maid feels for Albert from her tone. She might have watched over him like a parent from a young age.

"It may seem that introductions are in order. I am Hans, the Heres house's head butler. You may call me whichever you please."

"I am Ariel, the head maid. Allow me the privilege of helping you, Lady Corinna. Please treat me well."

"L-Likewise, please treat me well."

The two of them seemed to be in their 50's. Corinna politely lowered her head to these people who were older than her own parents, and bowed once more. It was a bow that she was taught in etiquette school. She'd like to think that in etiquette school, her bowing wasn't rude. At the Royal Palace, she was often told, "Your manners are so good."

When she raised her head, Hans and Ariel were looking at Corinna with tender smiles and narrowed eyes.

"This here will be your room, Lady Corinna. To start with, we shall place your luggage in here. And then you can change your clothes before the evening meal."

"Understood."

She obediently handed over her luggage to the hand that Hans held out, and followed after Ariel. Corinna already thought that she had to do everything she is told to at the Heres house.

Walking after Ariel, she was guided to a single door. When they entered, what welcomed Corinna was an arranged room with a soft, woman-like color. The room was probably about four times the size of her room at the Land estate. Seeing how all of the furnishings were brand new, Corinna held back from letting out a bitter smile. She can't imagine that this room was arranged in just the short amount of time earlier today. This room must have been prepared beforehand to be able to welcome Albert's wife whenever. To Corinna who worked at the Royal Palace, she can see the other side quite well because she has good tact.

Albert is already 33 years old. An age in this country where he should already be married. His family worries about successors because he's the eldest son of the Heres house.

She could slightly feel the urgency that the Heres house felt with the problem of marriage with Albert.

"Thank you very much. For preparing such a wonderful room."

Corinna thought deep down if she could calm down with how large it was but instead directed a smile towards Hans and Ariel. Ariel was also smiling, and explained to Corinna,

"That over there shall be both your and Lord Albert's bedroom. Across from that is Lord Albert's room. Well, Lord Albert doesn't really come home much so I'm sure that from today onwards, he shall be coming home every day."

Ariel's voice rose, seemingly happy. Both of Albert's younger sisters are already married so the only people who live in the Heres estate are Duran, Frigga and also the attendants. Albert also comes home once a week but only to sleep so for the Heres estate, there aren't any younger people and might feel lonesome.

Hans and Ariel were grinning. Corinna honestly felt relieved that she was being welcomed so normally.

"We only were able to prepare a few of your clothes, Lady Corinna, but we'll be able to prepare them in a few days."

"…Thank you very much."

Corinna thought, the few clothes that have been prepared are already plenty. She wonders if they immediately ran to buy them after glancing at her figure.

Hans left the room and Ariel excitedly opened the closet.

"After the young ladies left the estate, we were greatly saddened by the fact that there weren't any more young ladies left. I couldn't rely on a wonderful thought such as, I sincerely hope that Lord Albert's wife would come. As expected, the estate feels lonesome if there are no young people around."

"I do apologize for this incident happening so suddenly."

"Oh no, everyone in the estate is extremely happy. That such a young but level-headed lady came. Everyone is praising Lord Albert, saying, As expected of Lord Albert. Come on now, what dress should we have you wear? These were prepared for you by the madam, Lady Corinna."

Corinna thought, Isn't she exaggerating too much? but Ariel looked so happy holding whichever dress, which put a smile on Corinna's face. As expected of the Heres estate. Such fine quality clothes that Corinna has never worn were instantly prepared. She wondered if these were according to Frigga's preferences. Even Frigga, who she had met today, was wearing showy but fine clothes. When she visited the Heres estate, Albert did say that, "It's okay as long as it's not too showy," but it seems like Frigga is someone who likes showy clothes.

After today's meeting, Frigga seemed to have immediately prepared many things for Corinna. She even prepared reasonable clothes for Corinna whose appearance wasn't showy. Her consideration made Corinna happy.

Corinna thought to thank her after this while she chose one of the appreciated dresses, saying, "Then that blue dress would be greatly appreciated."

Ariel helped her with her clothes as well as arranging her hair.

"You have such soft hair, Lady Corinna."

"That's true. If I don't put it up all together, it immediately comes apart."

"It's been carefully put up. It's so admirable, how great your skills are."

"I studied it at etiquette school."

"Ah, I see, etiquette school, huh. That's so nostalgic. I went to one as well."

Ariel touched Corinna's hair, standing behind her as she sat in front of the dresser. Ariel's hands were skilled, just like her teacher from etiquette school. Corinna was sure that she had arranged the hair of the women of the Heres house. She remembered the people from her home and etiquette school who helped put up her hair. Her mother put up her hair when she was younger, and to study it better at etiquette school, she would often touch her fellow classmates' hair.

In the year that she worked at the Royal Palace, she would carefully wear her hair up by herself every day so that it would last the whole day even if work was busy.

Ariel looked happy reflected in the mirror.

"The hair of the madam and young ladies are also silky so hair like yours is refreshing."

"It seems that Lord Albert resembles Lady Frigga. Is it the same for his sisters?"

"Yes. The people in the estate think deep down how it's really good that the three of them resembles the madam. Though it might be better for the Heres house for young master Albert to resemble the master. Though the master nor the madam say it, they're proud of young master Albert. That is, becoming a vice minister at that age, all the more practically securing the seat for prime minister. The both of them have long been boastful of him, thinking it doesn't matter who he resembles, but no matter how much they do, even now, it seems that they can't get close to the young master…"

"Is that so…"

I see, at the very least, Corinna knew about the family relations within the Heres house. She did remember that the two of them were strict with Albert so Albert himself also put some distance between him and his parents.

"That's why those within the estate thought it would be great if everyone could get along even more with your coming, Lady Corinna. We think that if you are able to bear children, both the master and madam would make a complete change with their behavior."

"…I shall try my best."

Corinna answered in the meantime, smiling, but her shoulders felt a little heavy with this mood of expecting children. Even Corinna herself understood how necessary successors are since she married into the Heres house but the topic of children still feels like a far away thought for now.

Probably because Ariel also felt complicated about it, she smiled, looking troubled.

"I apologize for talking about such a story on the first day. First off, please do slowly adapt yourself to the estate. You're quite young, Lady Corinna, so there's still plenty of time for that."

"Yes, thank you very much."

She wondered what this person would think if she knew that Albert only married Corinna to help him "relax." If she knew that they haven't kissed yet, not to mention held hands, what would she think? Seeing that Frigga knew about Corinna's circumstances in the Royal Palace, did both of them also know that the rumors about their rendezvous in the Royal Palace were just that? It was normal in this country to assume they were lovers spending strenuous, sweet time together because of the fact they were spending time with just the two of them in a room with no one else.

And yet, their circumstances wasn't so sweet in reality.

Wouldn't they be found out with such an air between them when they live together?

Corinna was worried, What does Lord Albert plan on doing?

As she was doing that, Ariel finished her handiwork on Corinna. When she looked into the mirror, what Corinna saw was the fine dress she was wearing, and her hair carefully and wonderfully done up. Corinna herself thinks whether she looked that bad even though she looks ordinary even with makeup on. Though the Heres house doesn't mind whether it was appropriate or not. As expected, because Corinna is a girl, she would feel somewhat showy when adorned and wearing beautiful clothes.

"You look so beautiful."

"Thank you very much."

She stopped the smile from showing on her face with just that small flattery. Corinna thanked her, and left for the evening meal.

"I apologize for being late. I shall be in your care from today onwards."

When she arrived at the dining room, Duran and Frigga were already sitting so Corinna felt ashamed, and sat down on the chair Ariel showed her to. Albert wasn't here. The only people with Corinna were just the two of them.

"Thank you for preparing for me a room although it was all so very sudden. Thank you as well for this dress that I'm wearing, Madam Frigga. I'm overjoyed at how beautiful it is."

When Corinna first gave her thanks, Frigga smiled, seemingly satisfied.

"'I shall be in your care,' these should be my words, right? Such a serene dress suits you quite well."

"Thank you very much."

She's older than Corinna's mother but the beautiful and resolute Frigga looked younger. Being praised by such a refined noble lady, Corinna thanked her, troubled.

"It's impossible for Albert to come home at this time. This is inexcusable but would you be fine with eating together with us, Ms. Corinna?"

"Of course. In fact, I would like to ask you if you're fine with eating with me instead."

"I'm really sorry, Ms. Corinna. Even though he's my own son, I myself don't think he could become a good husband."

"…That's because he's a busy man. I do quite understand his position. It's perfectly fine."

When Corinna smiled, Frigga slightly stared at her and after doing so, let out a small sigh and let out a beautiful smile.

"You've become our daughter, right? I would like you to stop calling me so reserved with Madam Frigga."

"…"

Corinna was confused for a moment. What should she call her then? She felt that it was wrong of her to call them mom and dad like with her own parents. Albert calls them mother and father but it feels wrong as well.

"How did the young ladies address both of you?"

"Those children call us dearest mother and dearest father."

"Then would it be alright for me to address you with that?"

"You may… Duran, what are you grinning at?"

After Frigga nodded at Corinna's words, satisfied, she faced Duran to her side, surprise in his eyes. The grim Duran, who hadn't spoken at all since then, cleared his throat. Corinna thought, Was he grinning? but it seems that having been long married to Frigga, she knew every change in her husband's expression.

At the beginning of the evening meal, Frigga asked her about how she met Albert. When asked that question, Corinna first realized, "How should I explain this?" It was okay when they went for introductions to the Land estate. The Land family knows about Corinna's "hands" so they honestly told them about the start of their romance but she wondered how she should explain it to the Heres family. She hasn't discussed with Albert about this at all. They did see each other today but the subject never got brought up.

Corinna was worried whether she should talk about her hands to them but, it should be after she discusses it with Albert, she decided. She felt it would be better not to say anything unnecessary. If needed, Albert might just talk to both his parents.

Corinna didn't allude to her hands and yet, she talked honestly about other things. Albert slept in the room she went to clean– it was there that they got to know each other, and that sometimes after that, they would spend their lunch together.

Frigga was surprised, "So that child was sleeping in that kind of place?" but she seemed to understand otherwise.

After that, Frigga moved the topic on to complain about Albert, making Corinna smile bitterly.

"That child is a really self-centered one, with no sense of awareness of being the eldest son. He doesn't consider no matter how much we worry about him, only focusing on work. That child has long since decided from a young age that he has no talent in martial arts but that's not true, right, dear?"

"Right."

"When he considered becoming a prime minister, we didn't think he would suit becoming a civil officer but even if he had become a military officer, its status is the same, right, dear?"

"Right."

"Although he was a young man that people expected things from, it was as a civil official, not as a military officer– No, considering the current circumstances, that child's choice was correct. Which still irritates me. That child has always been like that. He would decide everything on his own ever since he was small without listening to what we had to say, and moreover, all of his decisions would end up correct. Such an irritating child!"

Corinna looked troubled at Frigga's might, a wry smile on her face. She now fully understands what Albert said about how Frigga was "naggy." She wondered if Frigga always got angry at Albert like this. It felt slightly charming when she imagined it. Nagging is a result of love.

"Oh my, I apologize, Ms. Corinna. I've shown you something so unruly."

"Oh no, I don't mind."

Duran opened his mouth who hadn't talked at all unless he was humming in agreement when Corinna smiled.

"This time around, I want to raise your child to become a military officer if it's a boy."

When Corinna was troubled deep down, thinking, Just when you think it was unusual of him to suddenly talk, it was about children, moreover a boy…, sighed in shock.

"You're being too hasty, dear. Don't you see that you're troubling Ms. Corinna? Children are a delicate subject for women. It was painful for me as well, no matter how much everyone expected things of me. Even so, Albert was born and in the end, became a civil officer… Ms. Corinna, please don't mind what he said– Remember the Heres house first."

"Yes, I shall do my best." said Corrina smiling