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I suddenly snapped my eyes open.  

‘Come to think of it, the Duke hasn’t said anything to me yet, has he?’  

Typically, an escort asks the lady first, and then she agrees. If multiple men request, the lady chooses one among them.  

But as for me…  

‘No one has asked me!’  

The realization hit me like a thunderclap.

* * *

With my debutante day fast approaching, my partner still hadn’t been confirmed. Just in case something went wrong, I had the final fitting for the dress I would wear on the day itself. Even after the dress was tailored, my body would still change slightly each day, so the maids usually made final adjustments the day before.

I spun around in front of the full-length mirror, wearing the perfectly fitting dress. I raised my arms, twisted my body this way and that, but there was no discomfort.

“You look absolutely stunning, my lady.”  

“You truly are the star of this year’s debutante.”  

“Not just this year! You’ll be one of the most notable ladies in the history of debutantes!”

The three flower-named girls crowded around the mirror, showering me with praise.

“With makeup, a neat hairstyle, and some accessories, you’ll be absolutely radiant.”  

“But we can’t seem to find a necklace that’s just right. The jewelry box isn’t well-stocked, so the options are limited…”

Rose’s candid remark earned her a sharp jab in the side from Lily. Typically, accessories were passed down from the elder women of the family. Usually, that meant the mother, but since I didn’t have one…

“Has Lady Veronica said anything?” Daisy asked Lily.

Veronica was Noah’s biological mother, brought to the Elpinard estate to care for Noah after Gallio was exiled to Jaren. As the highest-ranking woman in the household, Duke Elpinard had entrusted her with the estate’s management. In truth, Veronica should have been the one preparing for my debutante as the lady of the house. However, the Duke had personally taken charge, reserving the boutique and purchasing the dress, leaving Veronica without a role.

Lily subtly shook her head at Daisy while watching my reaction.

“Lady Veronica is just very busy with the household affairs. She’s managing this large estate all on her own, after all.”  

“Still, it’s the young lady’s debutante. It’s surprising she hasn’t shown more interest…” Rose grumbled, clearly disappointed. Lily gave a strained smile and pulled out a necklace from the jewelry box, holding it up to my neck.

“I think this one isn’t too bad, my lady.” 

It was her way of saying it wasn’t particularly good either. Even with my less discerning eye, I could tell it wasn’t impressive.

As I awkwardly tried on various accessories, I sensed someone outside the door.

“Reshia.”

It was the Duke’s voice.

The three girls immediately rushed to the entrance with eyes that seemed to say, ‘Finally!’ and opened the door for him. The Duke signaled for them to step back, then approached me.

The three flower-named girls quickly exited the Sapphire Room, closing the door firmly behind them. With the sound of the door closing, it was just the Duke and me left alone.

“This is the dress you bought me!” I exclaimed cheerfully, spinning around in place. It was only proper to show joy when receiving a gift! The Duke’s lips twitched with what I recognized as satisfaction.

‘At first, I thought that twitch was a sign of anger,’ I reminisced. As a child, I’d clung to the Duke and experimented with various behaviors until I realized it was a misunderstanding. A twitching lip meant he was in a good mood.

“Not bad,” he said.

I had learned to diligently interpret the Duke’s often contradictory words.

‘Hmm, that means it’s very good.’

“The maids aren’t entirely useless.”

‘Hmm, that’s a high compliment for the maids.’

“Tomorrow, enter the debutante with me.”

‘Hmm, that means he’ll be my escort for the debutante….’

As I worked hard to decipher the Duke’s intentions, I suddenly widened my eyes in surprise. He’d spoken so naturally that it made my days of worrying—‘What if I end up entering alone without a partner?’—seem pointless.

“Yes…” I replied, dazed. The Duke raised one eyebrow.

This wasn’t a sign of annoyance, but rather concern that I might be upset…!

‘Well, look at me, I’ve become a translator for the Duke of Elpinard after seven years,’ I thought proudly, giving myself a mental pat on the back. I let out a small giggle, one that I usually reserved for presenting myself as a refined noble lady in public, but in front of the Duke, I felt free to laugh openly.

‘The Duke really likes it when I do this!’ And as proof, the corners of his mouth twitched again!

“Ahem,” the Duke cleared his throat, perhaps embarrassed that I’d noticed his expression, and handed me a wooden box.

“What is it?”

“It’s a necklace. I thought it would go well with your debutante attire.”

When I hesitated to take it, the Duke opened the box himself and pulled out the necklace. It was adorned with a string of jewels, looking incredibly expensive at first glance. Despite its opulence, it wasn’t overly flashy or gaudy. Even with my limited knowledge, I could tell that this necklace wasn’t just expensive—it was of high artistic value as well.

Seeing me frozen in awe at such a magnificent gift, the Duke chuckled softly and personally fastened the necklace around my neck. His keen eye had not failed him; it matched the debutante dress perfectly.

“It suits you,” he said, and there was no need to interpret this—it was a clear compliment.

The Duke observed my reflection in the full-length mirror, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.

“That necklace… belonged to the late Duchess.”

“!”

I turned to the Duke in shock.

As our eyes met, he gently patted my head.  

“She once said that if she had a daughter, she would pass this down to her. She never did have a daughter, but now that she does, I’m sure she’s very happy in heaven.”  

I fumbled with the necklace, flustered.  

“Your Grace, I don’t think I’m worthy of this.”  

This was something that should rightfully go to someone of true blood, like a daughter or daughter-in-law.  

But the Duke shook his head firmly, seeing my anxious reaction.  

“I knew her wishes better than anyone. She would want you to have it. You’re the daughter she sent to me from heaven.”  

The Duke smiled warmly, a rare expression on his usually stern face. It wasn’t directed at me, but at the distant memory of the Duchess.  

“Do you know what her favorite flower was?”  

“What was it?”  

“Strangely enough, it was the four-leaf clover. She used to make a crown out of clover and place it on my head.”  

“!”  

The four-leaf clover!

I recalled the day I had gifted the Duke a bunch of four-leaf clovers. What had he thought when he saw the clover garden I had carefully cultivated for a quest?  

“A priest from the temple once told me that those who lived virtuously would enjoy eternal life in heaven after death. I believe that.”  

The Duke looked up at the sky.  

“I’m certain you’re the daughter she sent me from heaven. From the moment I first saw you in Kydsha, I’ve believed that.”  

“……”  

His gaze returned to me. Unable to speak, I simply stared at him, and he smiled faintly.  

“Once you’ve had your debutante, you’ll be an adult, and I probably won’t get another chance to say something so sentimental… So I thought I’d indulge in a little nonsense.”  

“It wasn’t nonsense at all…”  

“Wasn’t it?”  

The Duke chuckled as he looked at me.  

“Congratulations on becoming an adult. You’ll receive many more congratulations tomorrow.”  

With those words, he patted my shoulder and turned to walk toward the door.  

A sudden instinct surged through me, telling me I couldn’t let the Duke leave like this.