Side Story – Until the End of the Count’s Household
Once again, I wrote this in one go, carried by my momentum.
If you have time, I would appreciate it if you could read it.
“Well now… how foolish.”
He sighed, then tossed the report onto the desk as if discarding it.
Standing across the desk, pale-faced and trembling yet somehow managing to stay upright, were two young men from the Curtus family’s branch line. Behind them stood their parents.
The Curtus family has served the Royal Family for generations, demonstrating their abilities as palace administrators without reservation.
The symbol held by the head of such a Curtus family was the ‘White Rose’. Normally invisible, a faintly glowing white rose appeared on the back of the hand when mana flowed through it.
A sacred rose emblem, passed down only to those qualified to become head of one of the Four Great Ducal Houses.
**********
The White Rose represents an untainted will and noble ideals.
Guard your convictions with intellect, become a guiding light that illuminates the path.
These words, passed down from generations of heads, embody the rose’s meaning.
And yet, the conditions for inheriting the White Rose remain unclear. Records even mention individuals with high political ability who failed to inherit it.
Falitus inherited it in his early 20s. He recalls it was around age 23.
While assisting his father with his work, a sudden, sharp pain like an electric shock ran through the back of his hand.
As he stared, wondering what on earth was happening, a white rose began to appear. The rose that should have been on the back of his father’s hand was now on his own. This meant that the succession had been passed down to him.
When he looked at his father with an expression of disbelief, his father bowed his head respectfully.
“Fa, ther.”
“I offer my greetings to the new guardian of the White Rose, the new head of the Curtus family.”
“…………!”
“It is unknown how the White Rose was passed down. However, the fact that the rose chose you means that you have undoubtedly become the head of the family, and that is the only truth.”
Falitus would never forget the moment when his father, his guide up until then, spoke to him respectfully and politely.
“Me… as head of the house.”
“Yes. Though it may seem presumptuous, I shall assist you in any way you require.”
“Father, please look up! I… I’m still so immature and inexperienced, just a young upstart, aren’t I?”
“Yet you have certainly achieved a great deal. I, who have watched you closely, vouch for that.”
His father raised his head, looking just like his usual self.
“Falitus, later you shall deliver a personal letter to the King. Go forth as the new head of the family. And one more thing…”
“And that is?”
“You shall also attend a formal introduction to the foremost Duke’s house. The Four Families are destined to join hands and cooperate with each other.”
“The Duke of Solfege, I presume.”
“Indeed. The Duke of Solfege, a supremely prestigious family in the world of magic. The current head of the family is a woman, but she possesses a terrifying talent for magic and an extraordinary mana pool. It is said our nation’s defense would collapse without her.”
“But we have the Knight Orders, don’t we?”
“There are also magical beasts that no blade can pierce. Against such foes, only magic can prevail. After paying your respects to the foremost duke family, we shall visit the Astoria House and the Mitzegard House in turn.”
When he actually met her, he understood—with a terrifying clarity.
Her knowledge of magic and the research she applied it to were remarkable, but her sheer raw power was something else.
Beautiful, noble, never pandering to anyone, sharp as a sword, and at times a shield protecting everything.
The late Duchess, who bore the name of Solfège, was a truly extraordinary person.
Except for one thing: wanting ‘that man’ as her husband.
Ever since “that man” married into the Duke of Solfege family, he behaved as if he were the head of the household himself, without the slightest restraint, which must have caused many misunderstandings among those around him.
Nobles who knew the circumstances and had long-standing relationships with her pleaded with her endlessly, asking, “Why don’t you divorce him?”
But she never did.
For the sake of love, she said—like a young girl confessing. It was so much so that even Falitus, who had been acquainted with the former Duchess for some time, laughed derisively at her, thinking, What a foolish thing.
That is how utterly wretched the behavior of “that man” truly was.
After giving birth to a son and a daughter, time passed. As he fulfilled his duties as a father, things gradually improved.
Falitus remembered people whispering that they had a tremendous fight, and he thought it was quite foolish that he had only calmed down after being so terrified by the Duchess.
More time passed, and then tragedy struck.
When the former Duchess fell ill and passed away, “that man” seized the opportunity to stop visiting her and, above all, promptly brought his mistress and her daughter into the main estate.
The eldest son, who was a very earnest man, was quickly seduced into a physical relationship with the mistress’s daughter, losing his heart and everything else to her.
The only one left was Lunaria, who had been raised as a paragon of virtue, constantly told she resembled the late Duchess.
If asked whether the young woman, who had become the fiancée of the Crown Prince and had been educated as the head of the duke’s family, could handle the household turmoil caused by “that man”, the answer would probably be no.
Because she was truly a kindhearted girl.
However, despite the long-standing ties between the families, they were not yet close enough for him to casually intervene.
Although he felt frustrated, he continued pondering what he could do.
His wife was also one of those watching over Lunaria. One day, the two of them were racking their brains.
Lunaria rang the magic bell.
A specially constructed bell that only responds to those who inherit the Solfege. He heard that it was granted by the Royal Family, but she rarely heard it sound. After all, it’s something that’s only rung at the time of the succession.
The clear, ringing sound resonated clearly.
Despite the considerable distance from the Duchy of Solfege to the Duchy of Curtus, the tone was gorgeous, cool, and solemn, as if it were coming from the next room. He couldn’t quite describe that sound, but it resonated deeply, permeating everything.
Then came the warm wave of mana.
It carried no hint of oppression, merely a proof of existence, as if to say, “I am here”.
Lunaria had never doubted that her father would return to normal, her brother would also return to his original state. However, the ringing was the declaration of Lunaria’s severance from her ‘family’.
“Could that be…….”
“My Dear……… No way…… There’s no doubt about it! Miss Lunaria, no, Lady Lunaria has finally become a Duchess! She has resolved herself! I remember this tone! Ah… it’s the same tone as the late Duchess’…!”
Falitus smiled as he stroked the back of his wife, who had collapsed in tears, overcome with emotion. He then gave an order to the Kurtos family butler, who had unusually forgotten to knock before entering the room.
“Blessings to the new Duchess. Send our congratulations immediately.”
***********
His joy was short-lived, however, as the next issue that arose was that of his own family branch.
“I always knew you were foolish, but I never imagined you could be this utterly ‘stupid’. How did it feel? At such a glamorous setting, strutting about in such a wretched, lovesick manner just because you were accompanying the Crown Prince and smiled upon by the Saint, and then falsely accusing a young lady of a whole list of crimes when she had done nothing… My, my, though you are of a branch family, you are still relatives… Do you have any brains, I wonder? Any of you?”
The poison-laced words delivered with a cheerful smile.
Falitus’ desk, crafted from a single thick slab of wood—not extravagant but solidly built. He rested his elbows on it, glaring at the young man from the branch family who looked as though he wanted to say something, a superficial smile plastered on his face.
Many underestimate Falitus, assuming his words carry a gentle warmth and his expression a softness.
However, he is currently the eldest among the Four Great Dukes.
He carries out his duties amidst the palace’s swarm of demons and monsters. How could anyone presume him to be mild-mannered?
He is undoubtedly the last person one would wish to make an enemy of, for entirely different reasons.
Tap, tap. He rapped his fingernails against the desk, then slowly parted his lips, which usually bore only a slender, soft smile.
His narrow eyes pierced through them both, and their parents standing behind them.
“You should consider yourselves unfortunate to have raised such sons.”
The words are spoken quietly, as if lecturing them.
“To think that the fools who tried to condemn the head of the foremost Duke Family on baseless charges were born as your own sons….”
The two young men who tried to speak understood they were being mocked.
They understood, yet even if they wanted to open their mouths and argue back, they couldn’t.
That was how overwhelming the fury of the man before them, Falitus, truly was.
Their mouths felt parched, stinging dry, and cold sweat trickled down their faces.
“Do you understand? The young lady you tried to frame for a crime at the academy, Miss Lunaria, no, Duchess Solfege, was still His Highness the Crown Prince’s fiancée while she was still at the academy, right?”
“…… Of course we know that……”
The words that were finally spun.
He tried to continue, but the air in the room grew heavier.
“So, you were complicit with the Saint in framing the Duchess with an utterly foolish false accusation, fully understanding her position as the Crown Prince’s fiancée?”
For the first time, Falitus’ polite language faltered.
“Huh……?”
The young men almost screamed at the words of Falitus, who had become expressionless.
“The position of the Crown Prince’s fiancée…… you understand what that means? …… Though not royalty herself, had that engagement proceeded to marriage…… The Duchess of Solfege would have become a member of the Royal Family. While attending the academy, she should have been treated as practically quasi-royalty. Yet you publicly humiliated her. Not with words, but with your expression—so obvious it was clear to everyone.”
“Uh, ah.”
“… Now, what about your house…… Oh yes, the Count’s family, right?”
Behind the young men, the sound of their parents collapsing echoed.
“The fact that the sons of a mere Count did such a thing in front of everyone will spread terrifyingly quick. Many commoners also attend that academy. In such a place, you made a mockery of the head of the country’s foremost Duke House.… How fortunate for you that Duchess Solfege didn’t kill you right then and there.”
Their throats tightened.
The only sounds that came out of their mouths as they opened and closed were strange groans.
“Ah, ahhh…………!”
“How do you intend to take responsibility?”
“Please forgive us, Lord Falitus!!”
The young men’s mother screamed like a banshee, her forehead pounding the floor as she desperately prostrated herself.
Beside her, their father did the same.
“We will take responsibility for our sons! We will handle it ourselves! So please, please…!”
“Well… what do you propose to do with your utterly foolish sons, who, without regard for their station, have insulted the head of the foremost Duke House?”
A woman with a gentle smile entered the room, accompanied by a maid pushing a trolley laden with a tea set.
“Well, well, Cecilia. What brings you here?”
“My lord, I scarcely believe it… but might you be showing mercy?”
The woman was called Cecilia.
Cecilia Ulysses von Verdia, the daughter of the Count of Verdia, whom Falitus personally selected from a large pool of potential brides after reviewing their profiles.
Currently, she is Cecilia Ulysses von Curtus. Although concubines are permitted, Falitus has no other partner besides Cecilia. She is his one and only, irreplaceable wife.
Like Falitus, Cecilia also possesses an outwardly very gentle appearance.
However, Falitus did not choose her as his wife for ordinary reasons like love at first sight or finding her calming to talk to.
The Count of Verdia family, where Cecilia was raised, is a prestigious family that has produced many knights. Sons are raised with the expectation of a future as knights. Daughters are told, “You must not be inferior to men,” and, depending on their aptitude, they are secretly educated as a “dagger in the bosom”—a hidden blade to protect their future spouses.
Not only martial arts, but also knowledge to support their future partner, resistance to poisons for emergencies, how to deal with assassins, and even the ultimate method of ‘disposal’.
Although the two were betrothed for mutual benefit and for the sake of their families, they unexpectedly got along well, and despite having married for the sake of their families, they became a deeply affectionate couple who supported each other, and they even had children.
Cecilia holds the late Duchess of Solfege and the current Duchess of Solfege in the highest regard.
She once confided in Falitus how she respected and admired them—these women who, as females, managed their households and did not hesitate to go out to subjugate magical beasts when called upon, whose very way of life demonstrated what one should be for the sake of the people and the King they served.
That is precisely why Cecilia could never forgive these young men from the branch family.
First, their utterly disrespectful behavior toward their superiors.
Furthermore, they had belonged to a group that had the audacity to humiliate the young lady—who was also the head of the nation’s foremost Duke’s House—in front of a large crowd.
Without hiding the thorns behind her smile, Cecilia instructed the maid who had followed her to prepare tea and took her place beside Falitus.
“First, do you truly understand what you have done? Do you comprehend where the responsibility lies?”
“…………”
“Glaring at me is futile. If you have no intention of answering, shall I have your tongue cut out?”
“Huh…?”
“What?”
“If you refuse to answer my questions, then the tongue used for speaking is unnecessary, is it not? Am I mistaken?
Who let out a little “Hii”?
As if nothing had happened, Cecilia continued speaking as if carrying on an ordinary conversation.
“Starting with His Highness the Crown Prince, the Saint, and those surrounding them… naturally, you are included as well. Everything you all did, and the full details, have become extremely well-known among the people. The names, faces, and family names of all those involved are all known. Understanding the compensation owed to our house, and the immense trouble the Duchess of Solfege endured due to this false accusation, how do you intend to take responsibility?”
Her voice was so ordinary that the young men, and even her parents, were taken aback.
Her tone was gentle, as if scolding a child for mischief.
“That such individuals exist… even if they are from a branch family… how utterly shameful…”
However, despite the smile on her face, her atmosphere and expression were at absolute zero.
Terrified that even one wrong word, no, even one wrong syllable, would surely earn them no mercy, they fell silent, unable to speak.
“You should have given your answer promptly while my husband was asking so kindly. I am extremely angry now…”
All expression suddenly vanished from Cecilia.
“If you give me a half-hearted answer, I will undoubtedly destroy everything.”
They had thought they understood after the incident at the graduation party. But now, it was painfully clear that their understanding had been nothing more than an “assumption”.
To begin with, they failed to grasp the gravity of their sin—an act tainted by guilt in the context of their noble status.
They had certainly fulfilled their duties as nobles to a degree and achieved some measure of merit. But now, the weight of numerous acts of disrespect—far outweighing that merit—was closing in on them from behind.
As his vassals, they should have stopped the Crown Prince.
Not merely serve, but remind him of his role as Crown Prince and admonish him for indulging in such reckless behavior with the Saint.
It was already too late.
There was nothing left to be done.
Sooner or later, Dale would surely cease to be Crown Prince.
They were the ones who helped steer him toward that future.
After all, he had boldly declared the annulment of their engagement right there. No matter how he struggled now, everything was hopeless. Moreover, the Duchess of Solfege had accepted that annulment far too readily, abandoning both the Saint and the Crown Prince.
“Now, answer me. What are you going to do?”
Cecilia asked again, her tone as soft as ever. This was surely their last chance to respond.
“W, w, we…we didn’t even know our place…”
“Oh dear, that won’t do. Failed.”
“… Huh?”
“Answer concisely. How will you take responsibility?”
“Cecilia, you need to explain things a little more clearly or they won’t understand. Ah… it seems their parents grasp the situation perfectly. I’m relieved.”
Just as they thought apologizing would suffice, Cecilia cut them off. They looked over at their parents, wondering what to do, but their bodies stiffened as they saw how different they were from usual.
In stark contrast to the cheerful Duke and Duchess of Curtus, their parents were glaring at their sons with pale faces. They continued to glare intently, muttering something to themselves.
“Father, mother… Um, well….”
“………………………………………… Ugh.”
Their father groaned softly. They felt a flicker of irritation and wanted to tell him to speak clearly.
“Huh…?”
“Because of you two!! Our Count House will be erased from existence in this country! Don’t you understand that His Grace has deemed our family and our house to be unnecessary!!”
It was a wail of a scream.
Upon hearing his father’s tragic, furious shout—a voice he’d never heard before—one young man fell backward onto his butt. The other young man stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded.
“Whoa…?”
Like discarding a broken toy beyond repair.
Could he so easily cast aside an entire noble house and erase the Count’s family from the registry?
Their mother covered her face and collapsed, weeping.
Their father just glared at them with bloodshot eyes.
“Thank you for your understanding. It seems your sons did not fully grasp the gravity of their actions and were still attempting to offer apologies. Therefore, I had to interrupt them.”
The two young men trembled in terror, wondering if killing someone could be so effortless.
“Do you now understand the gravity of what you have done?”
They nodded repeatedly.
“Then, that is sufficient. You may leave.”
“Uh….”
“No matter how much you regret it, apologize, or wish to return to the past—it cannot be done.”
“……”
“You all fulfilled your duties as nobles. Hence why this is all the more… regrettable.”
Her kind words and expression almost led them to believe that they might be forgiven.
However, such a dreamlike outcome was impossible. Cecilia’s use of “regrettable” meant “it was a pity to simply dispose of them”. Their parents, unable to believe that things had come to this, could not stop sobbing.
Before they became attendants to the Crown Prince, before they became involved with the Saint, these sons were not like this. As parents, and as the current Count, they should have properly admonished their sons. But it was now too late.
Once deemed unnecessary, there was no reversing it. That was the nature of nobility. Parents were no different, nor were relatives.
As leaders, they could not afford to make mistakes. They are not in a position where they can just say, “Oops, sorry, my bad, hehe☆”. The higher you climb, the heavier the responsibility becomes.
It’s impossible to live a life without making any mistakes whatsoever. Therefore, those around you must correct you, even if it means hitting you.
“Ah, yes. I forgot to tell you all.”
Cecilia said cheerfully.
“You all know about my family background, don’t you?”
Still smiling, she brought up the Verdia family, causing the four to widen their eyes in surprise.
“Um, well… For males, the path of knighthood. For females, to serve their future husbands, they learn various knowledge, martial arts, and… a dagger… to become… a… ‘dagger in the bosom’……um?!
“I’m glad to hear you are aware.”
Cecilia’s narrowed eyes widened as she smiled, her irises shifting from cool blue to deep crimson.
There was no sign of mana circulating around her at all.
Yes, the ladies of the Verdia family are educated to be “confidants”.
Among them, Cecilia, due to her innate special ability, received an extremely harsh education within the family despite being the fourth daughter.
『The Magic Eye』.
Those captivated by its gaze would act exactly as commanded, regardless of their own will. It was simply that. Yet, how terrifying that ‘simply that’ could be.
Cecilia, however, was delighted with her ability.
She vowed to master her “Magic Eyes” to one day protect, serve, and support her future partner. Her own feelings were no longer a priority. Even if her family arranged a marriage, unless the suitor was utterly despicable, Cecilia resolved to devote herself entirely to be by his side as his “confidant”.
Falitus discovered the hidden phrase ‘Special Ability’ written in the matchmaking profile, which is why his meeting with Cecilia was arranged.
Falitus himself was not informed of what that special ability was, but he heard about it from Cecilia when he met her in person.
While most men would have found it unsettling, Falitus accepted it with remarkable ease.
How many suitors had Cecilia met before this match was arranged?
For Cecilia, who had seen marriage prospects vanish instantly the moment her “Magic Eyes” were revealed—as if they’d seen a monster— Falitus felt like a savior.
She never told this to Falitus. She decided not to talk about it.
She knew that even if she told him, he would just reply with a matter-of-fact, ‘Is that so?’
Hiding her feelings within her heart, she realized that she wanted nothing more than to be by his side, as his wife.
However, once she realized that he could support even the Duchess of Solfege, who had overcome so much, she found herself wishing for more.
She would do whatever it takes to protect all the irreplaceable treasures that dwell within her.
Her family, including her husband, as well as the young dukes like the Duchess of Solfege, and the future dukes.
To accomplish this, she saw no reason to hesitate in using the “Magic Eye”.
Approaching the wife, she smiled down at the figure trembling so violently that her teeth chattered, then knelt to meet her gaze.
Gently placing a hand on her shoulder, she exaggerated the movement visibly, causing her shoulder to jerk upward.
“There’s no need to be so frightened, you know…. I merely wish to ask a favor.”
“A, a favor?”
“Yes.”
Smiling, Cecilia continued.
“It’s a simple matter. Please die quickly.”
“Ah……”
“Oh, pitiful Countess, and Count. To lose your future and have to sacrifice your lives because of your own children.”
“P, pi, ti… ful.”
“Did you perhaps make a mistake in raising your children?”
“I… I did not make a mistake.”
“That’s hindsight talking…. Even though you failed.”
After saying this cheerfully, she tightened her grip on the hand resting on the Countess’ shoulder.
“The numerous insults to the foremost Duke Family, and the treatment of the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Not to mention the lack of judgment and intellectual capacity in underestimating their own crimes. Then there’s… ah, yes. Despite having fiancées, they were on the verge of committing adultery, infatuated with that so-called Saint. And one more thing.”
“……………… Ah… aaah……”
“At the academy, when Lady Lunaria is in a situation where she did nothing and could not have done anything, they boldly pointed at her and yelled, ‘You wicked woman, don’t get in the way of the Saint’s studies!’ … out of nowhere. You heard about it earlier, didn’t you? And you still claim you haven’t failed?”
“………”
The wife’s eyes grew increasingly clouded.
After confronting her with reality and stripping her of any means to argue back, Cecilia pressed her advantage.
“A child’s misdeeds are the parents’ responsibility, aren’t they? Even if they’re of age, the bond between parent and child cannot be severed. Therefore, you must properly address this incident as well, otherwise you cannot face those you have troubled…. As for your sons, perhaps you should place your hopes in their next life?”
The light faded from the wife’s eyes, as if she were a doll.
“I have sent a document detailing every single act of disrespect committed by your sons to the Count’s household. Your household staff should have received it by now. What I have mentioned is merely the tip of the iceberg. When you return home, please review its contents thoroughly.”
Then, bringing her mouth close to her ear, she delivered the final blow.
“I would have liked to have them tortured, made them regret being born, and then had them die… But then I realized—having the sons despair as their own respected mother kills them, and having a husband beg for death from the wife who murdered his treasures, with both of you perishing together, might be less taxing for us… So, please hurry home and have your family members kill and curse each other.”
Cecilia’s hand was shaking a little, probably because she had been gripping her shoulders with such force that her fingertips had turned white. She didn’t mind, though, and released her hands. She calmed her Magic Eyes and stood up.
Muttering something to herself, the wife also rose to her feet.
Her eyes had regained their light, but there was a slight cloudiness deep within them.
Glancing at the Count, she saw his shoulders shaking dramatically, but Cecilia just smiled.
Just to be sure, she approached the Count, activated her Magic Eyes again, looked straight at him and said:
“Count, please do not try to stop what your wife does. Instead, cooperate with her, won’t you…?”
His pupils contracted for a moment, then quickly returned to normal, and it was clear that the depths of his eyes were slightly cloudy, just like his wife’s.
――Success.
There is no escape from the Magic Eyes.
The only way to do so would be to obtain a tool capable of sealing the Magic Eyes. However, such items were only passed down within the Verdia family and were never shared outside of it. And right now, Falitus was wearing one.
The monocle that Falitus cherished was a gift from his wife, Cecilia.
She gave it to him thinking it would help with the fatigue from all the paperwork. It was a unique tool that could seal her Magic Eyes. She had him wear it in case her Magic Eyes went out of control if she were careless.
She also gave it to Falitus with the caveat that it should be used in case she goes out of control, so he is wearing it properly.
Although the sons bowed and curtsied properly, they hurriedly chased after their parents, who were leaving with unsteady steps.
They witnessed the activation of the Magic Eye, but Cecilia only used it on their parents.
She deliberately limited it to just them, reasoning that casting it on everyone would diminish the fun.
After waving goodbye to the four of them, she asked the maid to pour some tea. However, too much time had passed, and the tea had become bitter and astringent. She apologized and had it remade.
The maid said, “Madam, please don’t worry about it!”, but Cecilia couldn’t help apologizing, as the delay in getting the tea ready, despite her request, was largely due to her being preoccupied with this and that.
When not using her Magic Eye, or when not confronting those hostile to the family, Cecilia possessed an extremely gentle disposition. Perhaps thanks to her constant smile, she was highly regarded by the servants.
When her Magic Eye was activated, people admitted to feeling an intimidating presence that froze their spines. Still, she simply smiled and dismissed the comment with, “Then you shouldn’t push yourself”.
Cecilia privately speculated that only Falitus, and perhaps Lunaria, could accept her.
“Cecilia, I made you do something too difficult.”
” Not at all, please don’t worry about it. I simply judged that using the Magic Eye would be easier than the conventional method for eliminating them.”
“Ufufufu,” Cecilia chuckled as Falitus gently stroked her cheek.
“…… Huh?”
“Nothing. I’m just reminded once more of how immensely fortunate I am to have such a splendid woman as my wife.”
“Well…!”
Cecilia smiled, a blossoming smile radiating genuine happiness from the depths of her heart.
Not even a speck of a thought remained within her for those upon whom she had just cast her Magic Eyes—not even as much as a water flea.
All she wished for now was unchanging peace and a bright future for the young dukes.
Shortly after, a tragedy that had occurred at a certain Count House graced the front page.
According to the report, the Countess, having lost her mind, stabbed her sons to death in a frenzied attack —both of whom had repeatedly shown disrespect to the head of a Duke House while at the academy.
Although she was normally a frail woman incapable of such a thing, it was said that she acted as if possessed by something, stabbing her sons with terrifying strength. She pinned them down and stabbed their abdomens repeatedly before continuing to stab them all over.
“Hmm.”
Cecilia tossed the newspaper aside, seemingly uninterested.
The shocking news of a mother killing her sons was written so prominently that the subsequent fate of the Count House was mentioned in only a few lines, which read:
[Although the Count House had relatives, as the sons were expected to succeed, no other heirs existed. The remaining kin deemed it impossible to sustain the house and proceeded with the necessary formalities at the House of Lords.]
Satisfied with the outcome, Cecilia smiled. She then turned to her desk and began her duties as Duchess.
Thus, the Curtus household returned to its usual routine.
Sads Translates 