Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke: Volume 4 Part 1 by Ichibu Saki

Author:Ichibu Saki
Language: eng
Format: epub

Upon arrival, Claire was escorted into the salon that looked out upon the gardens. She found the room to be exactly as she remembered it. The garden-facing wall was fitted with glass, allowing one to admire the views of the estate, and the scent of roses drifted in from an open window. Because Claire harbored a one-sided acquaintanceship with the maids and a familiarity with the furnishings, the whole environment brought back wistful memories for her.

The Reines greeted her with the same smiles as they always wore. “It is my great honor to welcome you to our humble home,” said Baron Reine.

“We’ve been so eager to have you visit,” said the baroness.

“This mansion is incredible,” Dion whispered. “It’s as fancy as my place back home.”

The baron, who had evidently overheard Dion, chortled cheerfully. “We are nouveau riche, as you can no doubt tell. My father was only a life peer, but I amassed a fortune some fifteen years ago. I had not the faintest idea what to do with it, so I donated to the kingdom and the church at random. For that, they granted us the honor of our title.”

“Indeed,” added the baroness. “Why, I grew up as a mere town girl. Even now that I’ve suddenly been transported into high society, I’m afraid I don’t know my right from my left. It’s quite the troubling situation.”

Oh, this does bring me back, Claire thought. The Reines’ tale made her blink as she recalled the time when she had just arrived at the capital city, the wounds of her broken heart still fresh. They’d welcomed her as a governess for their beloved daughter and treated her with warmth even though they knew little of her background. Evidently, the Reines were no different now than they were before. This warmth is liable to make me cry, she thought.

As Claire was involuntarily stuck for words, Vik came to her rescue as if it were second nature for him. “As a member of the royal family, I thank you for all that you have done for our kingdom,” he said. “Now that I have a chance to talk with you further, I see that my good first impression of you was entirely correct.”

“Your Highness remembers us!” Baron Reine exclaimed.

“But of course,” said Vik. “I recall we met last at the spring flower jubilee.”

“Yes, you are perfectly correct,” said the baron, stumbling over his words. “And I am still working most assiduously on the land policy you so kindly complimented me on when we were first introduced.”

The baron sounded so elated that Lui, watching on from the side, smiled elegantly and responded, “The prince has been following your work with great interest.”

“Oh? Goodness, you are too kind.”

Considerately, Vik and the others carried on the conversation for Claire after she fell silent. As members of the monarchy and aristocracy, everything from their choice of topic to their conversational etiquette was impeccable. With them here, Claire thought the Reines might never notice her atypical sentimentality.

When she

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