New Chapter: A Fresh Start
The next day, Grandmother announced to Lord Kevin and Lord Brian that Lady Caroline and Miss Diana needed rest and would be taken to Westland to heal their hearts in the hot springs.
When the two men protested, she rebuked them:
“It’s absurd to burden a 14-year-old child with all the responsibilities of a lord. You claim to be in the royal capital for trade procurement, but that’s a task that can be entrusted to reliable aides. It’s no excuse to neglect your duties as lords.
My husband, too, returned from the Empire to help manage Westland due to its rapid economic growth. Do you intend to leave the domain’s affairs to Miss Diana even after she enters the academy next year? You’re placing too much on Lady Caroline and Miss Diana.”
“At this rate, Miss Diana will collapse before she even becomes the next lord. Can’t you see how exhausted they are?”
She brushed off their protests with sharp words and brought the two of them back to Westland.
“We’re home!” I greeted Mothre and others who came to welcomed us with a smile.
“Welcome back. Seems like you caused trouble again,” Mother said, amused.
“This time, I behaved myself. Right, Brother Gerald?”
“Mother, we have guests. Please don’t tease Hardt, or they might get the wrong idea.”
“Oh, pardon me. Tell me all about your trip later. Welcome home, Mother. Lady Caroline, it’s been a while. There’s not much here, but please relax and make yourself comfortable.”
“Lady Violetta, thank you. I took Sophia’s invitation to heart. This is my granddaughter, Diana Southcourt. She’s the same age as Gerald.”
Miss Diana offered a proper noblewoman’s greeting to my mother.
“Let’s talk later. Lady Caroline, Miss Diana—let’s go to the hot springs right away. It’ll ease your bodies. Violetta, be sure to serve some chilled treats afterward,” Grandmother said, ushering them inside.
Mother turned to us. “You all should go to the hot springs too. Then come talk to me.”
After soaking in the springs, we sat in the salon eating ice cream.
Cold sweets after a bath taste extra good.
“My goodness… this is absolutely delicious,” Lady Caroline said after a single bite.
This time’s ice cream came in cookies and cream, and mango with fruit chunks.
The rich, smooth flavor suggested it used real cream. The quality keeps improving—our head chef is amazing. I can’t help but imagine how much better it would be using milk from Varshe.
“Miss Diana, this chilled dessert is called ice cream. What do you think?”
“Yougn Master Gerald, the moist texture of the cookies combined with the cold cream is wonderful. The mango one has such a rich fruit flavor, and the size of the chunks suits the dessert perfectly. They’re both cold sweets, yet so different. They’re both very delicious.”
Thank you for the tasting review, Miss Diana. I’m sure the chef would love hearing this kind of feedback.
After that, we kept to light conversation. Eventually, Grandmother, Lady Caroline, and Miss Diana left the salon to rest in their rooms until dinner.
Then Mother turned serious. “Alright, let’s hear the full story.”
Brother Gerald explained what happened during our visit to Southcourt and why Lady Caroline and Miss Diana had come to Westland.
“So Brian really managed to anger Mother-in-law, huh? Every household is strict with their heirs, but putting all lordly duties on a 14-year-old child? No matter how capable she is, her heart won’t keep up.”
I see. Miss Diana must have tried so hard since she was little, hoping her efforts would be recognized, that she would be praised, that her parents would acknowledge her.
She’s been able to hold it together until now because Lady Caroline and Lord Bernard supported her.
But if the pressure keeps piling up, it wouldn’t be strange for her to suddenly break. Even adults fall ill when overworked. In my past life, I died young for that very reason.
That’s why Grandmother stepped in—before it was too late.
I was just thinking that I hadn’t noticed any of it, even while being around Miss Diana, when Mother said:
“Then let’s spoil her a little while she’s with us. Gerald, take her out on a date.”
Wait… did she just declare Miss Diana as Brother Gerald’s girlfriend?
“Mother, nothing is set in stone with Miss Diana, and…”
Gerald trailed off, voice growing smaller.
“If you weren’t interested, you’d have already said so. Don’t play coy. You clearly care about her. Then stop dragging your feet and be clear with her—for Miss Diana’s sake.”
So it is official now.
If that’s the case, then it's better for Southcourt’s issues to be resolved. That must be why Grandmother stepped in too.
She really can see right through people—Gerald, Miss Diana, even me. That’s the wisdom of age for you, Grandmother.
What do you think about this chapter?
