I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 7

The Duke and Duchess of Ludwig, dressed in comfortable clothes, were making tea in the parlor.

A teacup was placed on the side of the table opposite them, as if they were making room for me.

“Greetings to the Duke and Duchess. Did you have a restful night?”

“I slept well, thanks to you. You must have been tired last night, and to be here greeting us this morning makes me wonder if you are too nervous.”

“I rested well, too, thanks to the consideration of everyone in the mansion. Thank you.”

Duke Ludwig’s expression was a bit stiff, but the Duchess accepted my greeting with a rather generous expression.

I naturally sat down across from them and grabbed a cup of hot tea to drink.

As we made light conversation, they didn’t ask me why I hadn’t brought Killian with me or how my relationship with him was.

‘Well, looking at the fact that they only prepared one cup of tea……’

It had already been reported that he had not slept in the bridal chamber last night.

They would have no reason to bring it up against him.

Instead, the Duke asked a question that seemed to be a subtle attack on me. “I know that the Count has raised you to be so precious and fine…… but I wonder if you know anything about being a hostess in a noble house, though of course you can start learning now.”

This is where reading the original story really comes into play. If I’d been asked this question without thinking, I would have been stumped.

“I can manage cash flow and organize documents. Of course, if the Duke has separate teaching for that, please teach me and I will get up to speed as quickly as possible.”

“Well…… it appears that the Count has certainly taught you that.”

His tone was sarcastic, as if he thought I’d come to steal the family’s financial records and internal documents.

“If you don’t believe me, please teach me something else. I will do my best to learn.”

“Ahem.”

The Duke of Ludwig coughed unnecessarily, not expecting Edith to say that outright, and the Duchess glanced at him while patting him on the side.

Perhaps the Duchess would be more understanding than the Duke.

The Duchess smiled and answered on her husband’s behalf, “I’m glad to hear you’ve been learning about accounting and organizing documents, then why don’t you help me with my work starting in two weeks? It shouldn’t be too difficult. If you want to take a break, you can start next month.”

“Why wait until two weeks from now? I don’t have anything to do anyway, so if you can just give me the job today, I will do my best.”

Then, as an afterthought, I added, “Oh, and I’m sure you will need some time to reorganize things as well…… so feel free to call me whenever you need me, madam.”

She’ll probably have to leave out the documents she doesn’t want me to see.

But the Duke and Duchess are veteran nobles who don’t show their hearts in front of me.

“I’m not the kind of mother-in-law who puts my daughter-in-law to work as soon as she arrives. Besides, you’ll need time to get the things you need to stay here.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Speaking of which, if you need anything, let me know.”

“Well, then…… would it be possible to get someone from a boutique if you don’t mind?”

Their eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then they smiled awkwardly and nodded. They probably thought I was about to order expensive dresses with the Ludwig family’s fortune as soon as I got married.

‘Yes, it’s good that you have such low expectations, so you’ll think more highly of me later.’

I didn’t say what I was going to call a dressmaker for, because I had a somewhat devious idea.

“And I think I need to familiarize myself with the layout of the mansion first, it’s quite large, could you assign someone to show me around?”

“That can be done by Killian……”

“Killian is busy.”

I don’t need his guidance as I am determined not to run into him as much as possible in the future. It’s not like he would have offered to do it in the first place, though.

The Duke and Duchess must have realized they were talking nonsense, because they immediately summoned the butler.

“This is Philip, the butler. He knows the mansion best, so let him show you around.”

At the Duchess’ introduction, Philip bowed politely with a faint smile. “My name is Philip Clement. Please call me Philip. It is an honor to serve the newest member of the Ludwig family.”

“It’s a pleasure, Philip. I’m afraid I’m taking up too much of your time, though, being the butler of the Ludwig family, you must be very busy. I’d rather just be guided by a maid……”

“This was originally Killian’s responsibility. I can’t just assign a maid to take Killian’s place.”

I wonder if the Duchess is feeling sorry for me, which would be nice.

“In that case, I will gratefully accept your favor.”

I bowed to the Duke and Duchess and quickly followed Philip out the door.

It would be much more fun to look around the mansion than to sit in my room with nothing to do.

And the choice was brilliant.

“This is the Sistine Hall, which houses art from Duke Ludwig’s collection. We rotate the displays once a month.”

Masterpieces hang on every wall of the spacious room, with statues in between.

‘I can’t believe you have an art museum at home with different displays every month, that’s amazing…….’

In my previous life, even if there was an exhibition I was interested in at the city museum, I couldn’t go because I didn’t have time or couldn’t afford the ticket price, but here I can see such high-quality artworks for free!

When I thought about it, my heart skipped a beat, even though not all of these paintings and sculptures were mine.

“Is it okay to come and look at them at any time, or do I have to ask someone’s permission?”

“If you’re a member of the Ludwig family, you’re welcome to come in anytime.”

I suppose that would include Lizé, but who am I to judge?

At least I have one place to go when I’m bored. Although there are many other interesting places.

“This is the jewelry showroom. The Duke’s jewelry is displayed here, and the Ludwig family members use it for important parties. Unlike Sistine Hall, you must have permission from the Duke or Duchess to enter.”

There’s a room where the jewelry sparkles,

“This is where the weapons and armor are kept. It’s where the Duke and the young masters usually come, and the weapons stored here are all made by renowned craftsmen.”

There’s also a room filled with extraordinary blades,

“This is the Great Library, the heart of the duchy.”

There’s also an enormous library.

‘It’s going to take me forever to go through all of this.’

With so many things to do, I got excited and full of happiness.

I tried to control my expression, but the corners of my mouth kept turning up, so I guess I just smiled as I followed the butler.

“The mansion is large, so you can’t see everything in one day. I’ll show you this part of the house today, and I’ll show you more the day after tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Philip. You have such a nice voice and way with words, I lost track of time.”

“You’re too kind.”

My compliment to Philip was genuine, not an attempt to flatter him.

He was obviously wary of me, but he didn’t show it, and he treated me respectfully.

He didn’t seem like a talkative person, but he was able to pick out the most important points of each room, making me feel like I was being tutored by an expert.

After a pleasant morning with Philip, I decided to follow him back to my room.

Philip even showed me a new route, but he didn’t stop there. “This is the Great Hall. It’s a great place to see the beauty of the courtyard, and the Duke himself enjoys strolling and talking here.”

“Wow…… no wonder, it’s so beautiful.”

The Ludwig Mansion is a feast for the eyes wherever it looks, be it the people, the mansion, or anything else.

‘I’ve always regretted that I never traveled abroad in my previous life, but I never thought I’d be rewarded like this after my death.’

Visiting European ancient castles would not have been as exciting as this. It’s so much more fun to see a real, inhabited castle than to see an old castle that’s just a remnant of history.

‘So pretty.’

Vaulted shadows colored the floor and walls, and ivy, just beginning to turn green, climbed the pillars.

Over the railing, I could see the well-maintained courtyard. Lizé, Cliff, and Killian having tea on the opposite balcony……

“Oh, well, the young masters often have tea at this time of day, but today they happen to be with Miss Lizé.”

Philip, whose gaze had fallen upon them at the same time as mine, was quite flustered, in contrast to his hitherto calm demeanor.

‘The groom, having left his bride, is having tea with another woman. It’s understandable why Philip was flustered.’

Moreover, I am reputed to be a wicked woman, and Philip will think that I must be in some sort of rage.

There’s a scene in the original story where Edith witnesses this, and she glares menacingly at Killian and Lizé until they turn to look at her.

Naturally, she only received a disdainful glance from Killian.

But I was happy enough just by confirming the Duke’s wealth and high taste.

“Mm-hmm, I see. By the way, the courtyard will be even more spectacular in the spring.”

“Yes- yes, that’s right.”

“I’m sure I’ll be out here quite a bit in the future, so shall we continue?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Let’s go.”

I smiled brightly and followed Philip.

His eyes looked at me with pity for some reason, but I must be mistaken. It must be Killian, not me, that the butler was feeling sorry for.