Rainbutton was stuffing a piece of bread into her mouth when our eyes met across the table. She hurriedly tried to speak.
“Mmph, ugh, uh.”
“You can finish eating before talking,” I said with a smile.
She swallowed hard, her Adam’s apple moving visibly. Then, with crumbs still on her lips, she spoke.
“Sorry. Ever since the news of Countess Buell’s divorce came out and it was revealed that I was her legal advisor, I’ve been overwhelmed with new clients.”
“That’s something to celebrate.”
“It’s all thanks to Countess Buell.”
Rainbutton looked slightly embarrassed.
“So, I guess you’ll need to move your office soon? Should we wrap things up before discussing the legal fees?”
I grinned and wrinkled my nose. She quickly composed herself and brought over the trial-related documents and articles, explaining everything in detail.
“We successfully reclaimed the joint property of the Buell estate that had been seized by the imperial palace. Of course, Devon didn’t get a single Ogrant.”
“You did an amazing job, Rainbutton.”
“The trial didn’t result in a formal ruling because Devon appealed, but we resolved it by submitting a petition to the Minister of Justice with the support of the Buell family’s legal team. And this—” she pushed two sheets of paper toward me along with a fountain pen. “This is based on your father’s will. All you need to do is sign to officially inherit all the assets and businesses.”
I took the pen, carefully read the documents, and then signed them.
As soon as I placed the final dot next to my signature, a shiver ran from my tailbone to the top of my head.
‘Ah, I’m happy.’
I was only reclaiming what was taken from me, yet overnight, I had become a multimillionaire.
When I signed the second document, Rainbutton smiled in satisfaction and took the papers.
“Congratulations, Count.”
Hearing the respectful title felt incredibly satisfying. She took one copy to submit to the court, leaving the other with me. Once it was officially filed, I would truly become Count Buell.
“Oh, right. This is about the special request regarding Miss Verita’s old house.”
Ah, that’s right. I had almost forgotten with everything going on. If she hadn’t brought it up, I wouldn’t have realized until much later.
“Was it recovered successfully?”
“Yes. It was a bit difficult since your father was still alive when Miss Verita obtained the deed.”
“How did you handle it?”
“Miss Verita managed to get the deed from your strict father by persistently begging him at the time, right? We obtained a medical report from the family doctor, introduced to us by the Buell estate’s lawyer. The report confirmed that your father was in a weakened and delirious state when he transferred the rights. This supported our claim, allowing us to recover the house. Once the court papers arrive, she’ll need to find a new place to settle.”
“What’s the worry? Verita has Viscount Dien’s estate.”
I waved my hand dismissively and moved on to discussing Rainbutton’s legal fees.
Since I had been penniless at the time, we had agreed that she would receive 1% of my inherited wealth as payment.
It might seem like only 1%, but even that was enough to buy a building in the capital’s center.
‘What used to be my yearly food budget has now turned into ten years’ worth.’
It was the first time I had seen Rainbutton open her mouth so wide—except when eating.
After storing the documents in an artifact, she stood up.
“You’ve worked hard up to this point.”
She wiped her hands on her clothes before shaking mine.
“So have you. The rest will be handled by a tax expert, so you don’t need to worry. Besides, an ending is just the beginning of something new. I’ll be visiting often.”
“Come anytime. You’re always welcome, Count.”
Rainbutton smiled warmly, then suddenly hesitated.
“Oh, you’ll need to find a new place to live.”
“Huh?”
“Or am I mistaken? Your house burned down, so you’ve been staying at the Duke of Mipedian’s estate. You mentioned moving out after the divorce.”
“Ah… that’s right.”
I had completely forgotten.
I had remembered before leaving for my trip, but after everything that happened there, it had completely slipped my mind.
I swallowed back a sigh of regret and forced a calm smile so Rainbutton wouldn’t notice my hesitation.
After leaving her office and getting into my carriage, I thought deeply before coming to a conclusion.
‘Do I really have to leave right away?’
The truth was, I didn’t want to leave.
The estate was warm and peaceful, filled with people who cared for me. The dining table was always adorned with flowers from Lilien’s garden, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. And then, there was Edmund.
Life there with the two of them was comforting.
Suddenly, I recalled the emperor’s words.
‘I’m glad you’ve found a place where you belong, Etricia.’
Even though we weren’t related by blood, he had realized how close I had become to them—before I even noticed it myself.
So now, instead of a tiger’s den…
‘I’ve started thinking of them as family.’
A chuckle escaped me, both amused and exasperated.
I covered my mouth with the back of my hand, laughing softly as I gazed at the golden glow of the sunset through the carriage window.
When I reached out my hand, the golden light warmed my palm, reminding me of Edmund’s comforting touch on my shoulder during the trip.
I closed my eyes and listened to the distant chatter of the town square until I arrived back at the estate.
The next morning, the dining room felt empty.
The six-person table, usually occupied, had only a lonely vase of camellias sitting in the center.
‘I wanted to tell them that the divorce was officially finalized.’
The newspaper in my hand had a front-page article about Etricia Buell, the newly single count who had inherited a massive fortune.
I hesitated to place it on the empty table, feeling slightly embarrassed, so I set it on the chair beside me instead.
Just then, Rail filled my water glass. Our eyes met, and he smiled.
“The master left early for estate affairs, and Miss Lilien had morning lessons due to her tutor’s schedule.”
“I see.”
I tried to hide my disappointment, but Rail’s slight smirk told me I had failed.
I pressed my lips together and scratched my cheek. A sinking feeling settled in my chest.
‘They didn’t mention anything about leaving early yesterday… It’s a bit disappointing.’
I had wanted to tell the two people who supported my divorce first.
I dropped my gaze to my plate. The hunger that had been overwhelming yesterday was gone. I barely touched my food.
A letter from the estate arrived, acknowledging my inheritance.
I sent a reply confirming my upcoming visit and, while reviewing the new men’s accessory line for the Lebron Jewelry business, I must have dozed off.
When I woke, I heard Lilien’s cheerful laughter.
Curious, I stepped outside my room. The maids seemed unusually busy today. I tilted my head and asked one of them if Lilien had returned before heading toward her room
Lilien, after getting advice from Marie, headed to a party supplies store the next morning with the maids.
The items were for decorating the banquet hall with colorful flowers—without Etricia knowing.
As Marie looked over the pile of supplies on the table, she tilted her head with a doubtful expression.
“Do you really think Countess Buell would—”
“Ahem, Marie!”
A stern voice quickly cut in.
Lilien, pretending to be serious, tapped the newspaper beside the table.
Even though she frowned, she wasn’t scary at all.
Marie held back her laughter and asked,
“Yes, my lady. Do you really think the countess would like things like this?”
“Is… is it that weird…?”
She had gathered all the popular decorative items trending in the capital lately—
cute garlands, cone hats, and colorful curtains.
But none of it would matter if Etricia didn’t like them.
Marie, seeing Lilien looking gloomy, quickly spoke.
“It’s fine, my lady. Maybe this strange garland will win her over.”
“Strange? Marie, you picked them with such excitement too. That’s mean.”
Knock knock.
At that moment, the sound of someone knocking interrupted them, and Lilien looked toward the door.
She had already told the maids not to enter because they were going to talk about something important.
“May I come in, Lilien?”
A soft and graceful voice floated through the door like a cloud.
“E-Etricia?”
Lilien’s pupils shook in panic.
Frozen while exchanging glances with Marie, Lilien grabbed a blanket nearby as the door opened.
Holding each side, she and Marie spread the blanket like a parachute and let it fall over the table.
As Lilien leaned over the table, Etricia stepped in just as the door opened fully.
“W-What brings you here, Etricia?”
Etricia looked a little surprised at the unexpected scene but soon smiled gently.
“I thought you were back, so I came by. I left early for a lesson today, so I didn’t get to see your face.”
“R-Right.”
“If you’re free, do you want to have some tea in the garden?”
“Right now? Um, right now is a bit…”
Lilien glanced at the blanket awkwardly and gave a stiff smile.
All her attention was on the paper party supplies under the table, so she didn’t even realize what she was saying.
Etricia’s eyes moved to the oddly shaped blanket, then back to Lilien, who was sweating nervously.
“Is something wrong? Want me to help?”
“No!”
At Lilien’s firm reply, Etricia stopped walking into the room.
She stared blankly at Lilien for a moment, then smiled with squinting eyes.
“I see. Alright then. Oh, by the way, are you free tomorrow?”
Etricia narrowed her eyes playfully and shrugged.
“As you know, I’ve become a fabulous rich person. I can buy you all the good, pretty, rare things. Let’s go out together tomo—”
“I’m sorry, tomorrow is a bit…”
“Oh… Do you have something going on?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Lilien rolled her brown eyes around, looking for an excuse.
Her arms, wrapped around the table, were going numb, and her back was sore—she wanted to stand up quickly.
So she blurted out the first thing that popped into her head.
