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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Subtle Considerations
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"The garden, my bedroom, the drawing room, the greenhouse..."
Evanjeline listed them off on her fingers, then shuddered with distaste.
"I must have drafted a dozen mock budgets."
He shouldn't have hindered Evanjeline's potential from the start.
Before arbitrarily deciding she might struggle, he should have asked her what she wanted.
Dietrich gave a wry smile.
As the two were talking.
"Greetings, Your Grace the Duke."
"Ah, Sir Warren, you're here as well."
The other vassals began to file into the conference room.
None of them could hide their surprise at the sight of the freshly arranged conference room.
But what impressed the vassals the most...
"Oh, I heard the Duchess renovated the conference room. It seems she replaced the chairs?"
...was, unexpectedly, the new chairs.
"The old chairs were comfortable enough, but these have straight backs. My own back aches less."
"Hah, I could sit here all day."
"I never imagined the Duchess would be so considerate of us old folks. I'm simply grateful."
The vassals each wore a satisfied expression as they bantered.
But the thoughtful little touches didn't end there.
"Oh?"
The eyes of the vassals widened as they looked over the documents already laid out on the table.
"Was the text printed larger on purpose?"
The font on the documents was larger than usual.
"My eyes have been getting dim as it is. I won't need my spectacles for this."
"To think the Duchess considered even this."
Given their age, the vassals couldn't hide their pleased expressions.
"Somehow, it feels as if the Duchess has grown up overnight."
...Had his sister ever received such praise before?
Dietrich couldn't hide his sense of wonder.
'How strange.'
The vassals had known Evanjeline since she was a child and doted on her like a granddaughter.
Even so, they couldn't shake their deep-rooted preconception of her.
'The immature Duchess.'
That was it.
But in this moment, for the first time, Evanjeline was being described as 'mature'.
And the reason she had earned such an assessment was, of course...
'Thanks to Lady Ansi.'
Wasn't it like watching magic unfold?
Dietrich gently suppressed the corners of his mouth, which threatened to break into a wide grin.
* * *
Throughout the vassals' meeting, the delicate considerations continued.
"Let's take a short break before we resume."
For instance, when Dietrich and the vassals took a brief recess.
"Refreshments and tea have been prepared."
A maid waiting outside bowed as if on cue.
The refreshments prepared in the break room were small enough to be eaten in a single bite.
It was clear care had been taken so they could be eaten comfortably while reviewing documents.
Amidst this, the newly purchased teapot set became a minor topic of conversation.
"Don't tell me the Duchess bought this tea set as well?"
It was because one of the vassals had an interest in tea sets.
The vassal cast a curious glance at Dietrich and asked a question.
"Is this tea set from the Wells Company, by any chance?"
"So I've heard. Why do you ask?"
"The Wells Company's goods are all of high quality, but their designs don't typically appeal to the younger generation."
The vassal, who had been examining the teacup from all angles, soon broke into a gentle smile.
"You could say they have the feel of high-end items preferred by the older nobility."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Of course, I'm well aware that the Duchess has very refined tastes, but this tea set seems..."
The vassal gave a light shrug.
"It seems to have been chosen with our tastes in mind, rather than her own."
Dietrich understood what the vassal was saying.
Of course, Evanjeline had a keen aesthetic sense, enough to be a trendsetter in high society.
However, there was an inevitable difference between the aesthetics of a young person and those of the aged vassals.
Therefore, the designs Evanjeline usually preferred were, to the vassals...
"Mm, it's a bit esoteric..."
"The Duchess's tastes are rather... unconventional."
"Isn't this a bit too flamboyant?"
"I can't seem to understand the preferences of the youth."
She tended to receive reviews along those lines.
But this time, hadn't she earned praise from all the vassals?
"Hah, you can call me a sentimental old fool, but... it feels like my own granddaughter has grown up."
One of the vassals remarked sheepishly.
Listening with satisfaction to the praise being showered on his sister, Dietrich casually opened his mouth.
"It seems I've learned something new this time."
"Pardon?"
"It seems there's nothing more important than making good friends."
Having said that, Dietrich clamped his mouth shut.
But on the lips of the ever-indifferent Dietrich, a faint smile had appeared.
The vassals, bewildered, exchanged glances.
'Did something good happen to him?'
'Do you know anything?'
'Not a chance.'
But no matter how much the vassals whispered among themselves, they found no answer.
Dietrich's enigmatic smile only deepened.
* * *
The vassals' meeting, which had begun around noon, finally concluded as the sun began to set.
"Please convey our thanks to the Duchess for today."
"Haha, it's truly heartening to see the Duchess acting so maturely."
Somehow, the vassals seemed more deeply impressed by Evanjeline's change than by the meeting itself.
And Dietrich agreed with them.
'Eva put a lot of thought into things today.'
Even though she had Lalitt's help, the very fact that she was trying this hard was admirable.
Dietrich posed a question to the butler who had just arrived to attend to him.
"Where is Eva?"
Evanjeline had worked hard today, so he intended to offer some praise.
"She has gone out."
An unexpected answer returned.
"Out?"
It seemed she was never around when he looked for her.
But did she really have time to go out while also assisting with the vassals' meeting?
Dietrich furrowed his brow slightly.
But the butler wasn't finished.
"Ah, and Lady Ansi is here."
"...Lady Ansi?"
Dietrich paused and turned back to the butler.
"Yes, the Duchess called for her personally. She said something came up that required her to leave during the meeting, so she asked Lady Ansi to oversee things in her stead."
"I see."
The furrow in Dietrich's brow refused to smooth out.
And for good reason. He thought Evanjeline had finally taken an interest in the vassals' meeting...
'Did she really leave everything to Lady Ansi and just take off?'
He couldn't help but sigh at his sister's immaturity.
Dietrich asked again, his voice laced with a sigh.
"So, where is Lady Ansi now?"
"She is in the library. She said she wanted to look up some materials."
"I understand."
Nodding, Dietrich began to walk, acting on impulse.
His destination was the library.
'Why am I going out of my way to see Lady Ansi?'
Even as he thought this, Dietrich didn't stop walking.
'Because she's my sister's close friend.'
'Because she's the kind person guiding my once-unruly sister in a better direction.'
'Because Evanjeline repeatedly asked me to take good care of Lady Ansi...'
Countless reasons to see Lalitt flashed through his mind.
And Dietrich willingly allowed himself to be persuaded by them.
