The relationship between Noein and Clara as fiancés was about to take a step forward.
“…They’re here. Prepare to welcome them.”
“Yes, understood.”
In the heart of the city of Noeina, the largest road led directly to Noein’s mansion. Seeing the carriage being led by the escorting knights approach, Noein spoke, and Yuri, his steward, responded.
The white carriage, meant to transport nobility, belonged to Viscount Keinitz’s household. Clara was likely riding inside. Today was the day of her visit to the Earlkvist estate.
As the carriage approached at a leisurely pace, Yuri instructed the other attendants and servants of the estate to line up.
They were welcoming the future Lady Earlkvist, who would hold the second-highest position in the domain. Yuri and the others were determined to show her as much sincerity as possible.
Before long, the carriage entered the grounds, the knights from the Viscount’s guard stepped aside, and the carriage alone continued forward, halting sideways in front of the mansion.
The door of the carriage opened, and Clara descended, accompanied by a servant from the Viscount’s household. Noein stepped forward while Yuri and the others bowed respectfully.
“Lady Clara, welcome to the Earlkvist estate. I am pleased to welcome you to my domain.”
“T-Thank you for the warm reception… Lord Noein.”
Noein smiled warmly, trying to put her at ease. Clara, however, looked visibly anxious, to the point that it stirred pity.
Having grown up sheltered, surrounded by unfamiliar people in a foreign land, it was understandable that she was feeling uneasy. Noein couldn’t help but worry if she would enjoy this visit.
Suppressing a sigh, Noein escorted Clara inside the mansion.
First, they would have lunch together to allow her a break after the long carriage ride. The meal featured a potato dish prepared by the talented cook, Rosetta.
He hoped the delicious food would help her relax a bit, and with that thought, Noein led Clara into the mansion.
…
After a pleasant lunch (the potato dish was also well received by Clara), Noein took her on a tour of the city of Noeina.
They visited the residential and commercial areas lined with buildings, the expansive farmland, and untouched plains that would soon be developed and cultivated.
There were also the smithy by the southwestern river, public facilities like bathhouses, and the experimental gardens within the estate.
While the rural domain might not have any sights of particular interest, Clara listened attentively to Noein’s explanations, exploring the various places where she would eventually live.
“Lady Clara, you must be tired from seeing so much. Shall we return to the mansion?”
“Yes… I enjoyed it very much. To think you could build such a lively estate in just two and a half years—Lord Noein, you are indeed a wonderfully talented person.”
While her initial tension seemed to have eased, Clara’s words of praise still carried her characteristic lack of self-confidence.
“The development of this domain is thanks to the efforts of its people. I alone could never… I still have a lot to learn. That’s why it’s truly reassuring to have a wise lady like you by my side as my wife.”
“Oh, I’m not…”
Clara replied with a self-deprecating look, but Noein knew from their past conversations, particularly on history, that she was an intelligent woman.
From her enthusiasm in those discussions, Noein thought Clara had a strong knowledge base and could contribute beyond merely filling the role of “lord’s wife” if she found her confidence.
After returning to the mansion, they took tea in the garden until it was time for Clara to depart for Retvik.
But soon after they picked up their teacups, Pence arrived.
“Lord Noein, I apologize for interrupting in front of your guest. I have an urgent matter that requires your attention. May I have a moment?”
“I see… very well, if it’s only a moment.”
Using a more formal tone than usual, Pence addressed him carefully in front of their guest, and Noein responded in kind.
“Lady Clara, I apologize, but I must excuse myself briefly. I’ll return as soon as possible, so please let Mathilda know if you need anything.”
“Oh, p-please don’t mind me… I understand that a lord’s duties must keep you busy.”
Despite her words, Clara still looked uneasy as the one person she knew in this unfamiliar place stepped away.
Apologizing again, Noein left with Pence. Once out of Clara’s sight, he let out a breath.
“Hah…”
“Lord Noein, was this really the right thing to do?”
“Yes, thank you for your help and for even adopting that formal tone.”
Noein laughed, and Pence gave a faint smile in return.
“It doesn’t bother me. But are you sure it’s fine to leave Lady Clara alone with Mathilda?”
“If I try to console her myself, Clara might just feel worse. Besides, a conversation with another woman like Mathilda might actually help her open up.”
Though Clara had clearly noticed Mathilda at Noein’s side, she hadn’t yet exchanged words directly with her, as Mathilda was just a servant.
So, by asking Pence to call him away under a pretense, Noein was trying to create a moment for Clara and Mathilda to talk. A change in approach might just be what was needed.
“Does Mathilda know about this?”
“No, Mathilda isn’t the most comfortable in conversation, and telling her would probably only make her more nervous. I haven’t said anything to her.”
“…Mathilda sure has her work cut out for her. You don’t pull any punches, do you?”
“Ha ha, it’s really nothing so grand… I just hoped it might lead to some little spark of change.”
……………………
With Noein away from the scene, only Clara, the guest, the servant from the viscount’s household accompanying her, and Mathilda, who had been assigned to attend to Clara, were left in the estate’s garden.
Clara looked visibly uneasy, but all Mathilda could do was stand by. As a slave, it might be deemed inappropriate for her to initiate a conversation with Clara, a noble lady.
After a brief moment, Clara took a deep breath and seemed to resolve herself, as though she had made a decision.
“It’s a bit chilly… Could you fetch my coat from the carriage?” Clara asked, directing her request to the servant who had accompanied her.
“But, my lady, if I leave, you’ll be left alone—”
“It’s fine,” Clara reassured him. “After all, we’re on the estate of my fiancé, Lord Noein. Besides, that beastwoman over there also serves as Lord Noein’s guard. With her here, there’s no risk of danger.”
Despite his hesitation, the servant finally left to fetch the coat, leaving only Clara and Mathilda in the garden.
“…Mathilda, could I speak with you for a moment? Would you mind sitting with me?”
“If someone as lowly as myself would suffice, I’d be happy to accompany you,” Mathilda replied to Clara, who had clearly intended to be alone with her by sending the servant to the carriage.
“Thank you… This is our first real conversation, isn’t it? I’ve wanted to speak with you for some time,” Clara began, a hint of relief on her face.
“I must be a burden to both you and Lord Noein, aren’t I?”
“Please, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Mathilda replied quickly, keeping her expression neutral. “Lord Noein is delighted with your engagement, and as his retainer, I also find it a joyous occasion.”
At Clara’s sudden self-deprecation, Mathilda felt a flicker of unease, though she remained composed.
“Thank you for your kindness,” Clara replied softly. “But you don’t need to pretend. I can see just from watching Lord Noein how much trust he places in you. It’s clear how deeply you both trust and… love each other.”
Clara’s face appeared truly sorrowful.
“Lord Noein is a wonderful man. Although he was chosen by my father as my future husband, I feel the same way about him… But please don’t worry, Mathilda. Even after I marry Lord Noein, I will only fulfill the role of a nobleman’s wife. I won’t intrude upon what you two have.”
To Mathilda, Clara’s words sounded filled with a tragic determination, a resolve to merely exist as a “wife,” no more than an ornament in the background.
“Lady Clara, there’s no need to speak of yourself in such a way. You are to become the lady of House Earlkvist,” Mathilda responded gently.
“But seeing you and Lord Noein together, I just don’t see myself fitting in. Nor do I want to. My place is to stay quietly in the background, without interfering.”
Clara’s self-deprecating remarks were the most bitter yet, causing Mathilda’s composed expression to momentarily falter.
“Forgive me for being so negative… I am, after all, just the daughter of the Keinitz family. Nothing more. I’ve spent my life quietly at home, a plain girl with nothing to offer but my family name. That thought leaves me feeling so empty…”
Mathilda understood Clara’s despair as she spoke with a pained expression.
Clara saw value only in her status as “Lady Clara of the Keinitz family,” believing herself personally worthless. Though the Keinitz viscount likely chose Noein for her happiness, the political nature of the engagement only exacerbated Clara’s insecurities, leaving her feeling even more unworthy.
Though Clara was an educated and intelligent noblewoman, Noein’s remarkable talents likely made her feel inadequate. And the fact that Noein already had Mathilda as a romantic partner only deepened her inferiority complex.
Mathilda understood the pain of feeling valueless and without a place. She, too, had been discarded as a slave in the Kivileft family, with a heart that had once been shattered.
But Mathilda had been able to overcome that pain, thanks to Noein, who had lifted her heart from despair.
Clara would need to overcome her own struggles. What could Mathilda do to help Noein lift Clara up from her pain?
“…Lady Clara, though I am in no position to ask this of you, may I make a request?” Mathilda asked after a moment’s thought.
