The warning wasn't without reason. Until now, almost everyone in that house had bullied Valerie. But now, things had changed. Valerie had something none of them ever expected.
Days passed, and according to Noel, Demian had already left for the border to wage war against the barbarian tribes.
"Do you wish to do anything today?" Noel asked.
"No. I just want to relax," Valerie replied.
Noel simply nodded. For several days, Valerie did absolutely nothing in the house. Normally, she would be the one handling all the chores, but now no one dared to order her around not with Noel watching her every move. And with the countless gifts sent by the Duke, everyone else was kept busy anyway.
Aside from the endless packages arriving, the Duke had also granted a gemstone mine to this impoverished count family. They should have been bowing in gratitude to Valerie for changing their lives so drastically.
"Val… couldn't you ask the Duke to give me a job?" Jester asked cautiously.
Valerie looked at him. He was quickly becoming just as unreasonable as the others.
"The Duke already gave you a gemstone mine. You can live comfortably without ever working again. Everyone knows our family's finances are finally stable," Valerie answered.
"Still, I need a job. You know no one has ever accepted me, not even as a knight." Jester's voice was full of frustration.
"Because you don't have any particular skills. You've never even worked before," Valerie reminded him.
"I know basic medical techniques," Jester insisted.
Valerie stared at him for a moment.
"Fine. I'll talk to the Duke when he returns," she said at last.
"Great! You really are the best," Jester grinned.
Valerie sighed. Now that life was becoming easy, everyone suddenly seemed to think Valerie had some miraculous fortune they could take advantage of.
But to Valerie, asking for too much was dangerous. She didn't want Demian to think she was greedy for power or wealth.
From the corner of the room, Noel observed her quietly. After spending a few days by her side, he realized this woman was nothing like the others. Her thoughts were simple, her limits clear, and she could read and write, something not all noblewomen could do.
To Noel, Valerie was… different.
And furthermore, Valerie was astonishingly bold in front of Demian.It made Noel certain that this woman had calculated everything with great care.She accepted everything as if it were some kind of blessing.Strangely, she could have refused, yet she didn't, almost as if everything was moving according to her own control.
"How can you stay so calm?" Noel finally asked.
Valerie turned to him."You finally want to know?"
Noel nodded slowly.
"What is it you want to know?" she asked in return.
"How can you remain this calm with everything that has happened to you?"
Valerie let out a soft breath.
"First, I know nothing.Second, I cannot go against the Duke or my father.And third… it's actually pleasant, because I no longer have to be oppressed by them.So, I will follow the Duke."
Noel nodded, truly understanding now.
"Did you really not know that you would end up with the Duke?"
"I had never even attended a noble's party before," Valerie replied honestly.
Noel fell silent.At this point, he felt he had understood much more about her.
"If you say anything to the Duke… the Duke will surely give you whatever you want."
"It's humiliating, and I don't want to ask for anything else. Just let it go," Valerie said, her tone firm but not harsh, as if she had already made peace with the decision.
Noel gave a small nod. He had learned that when Valerie spoke like that, there was no use insisting. Silence settled between them for a moment, comfortable yet filled with unspoken thoughts. She absent-mindedly traced the edge of the table, while Noel stood guard a few steps behind her, his posture always disciplined.
After a moment, Valerie's eyes brightened slightly.
"Oh, right. I received an invitation to a party," she announced, almost as if she had just remembered.
Noel straightened."You intend to go?"
"Of course. Esme will be waiting for me. She'd sulk for a week if I didn't show up," Valerie replied with a faint smile, imagining her friend waving frantically the way she always did.
Noel, however, didn't share the amusement."You must remember, my lady… aside from women, you are not permitted to be around any man."His voice was low, but the warning behind it was unmistakable.
Valerie laughed softly, rolling her eyes just a little."Do you think I have a death wish? If Duke Demian hears I was chatting with some random man, he'll probably drag me home by my hair."
Noel exhaled, something between a sigh and a tiny defeated laugh.In the few days he had been assigned to her, he had learned one thing: Valerie was far calmer, far braver, and far more clear-headed than anyone gave her credit for.
Valerie attended the party hosted by Baron Gasal, but she was quite taken aback when she noticed a distinguished guest.Ivanka Kosler, Duke Morvex's fiancée, sat there with such grace, exuding the air of a noblewoman who naturally drew everyone's attention.
"Why would such a high-ranking lady be here?" Valerie whispered to Esme, honestly surprised and admittedly feeling a twinge of guilt toward a woman she had never met, whose man was now… hers as well.
Given their respective statuses, there was no way Valerie could ever hope to reach the same level of refinement as this noblewoman.
"Have you forgotten? Baron Gasal is the chief steward of the Marquess's castle. It seems Lady Kosler is here as a family representative," Esme explained.
Valerie nodded slowly, beginning to understand the situation she had walked into.
"I feel a little dizzy… I'm going to the balcony," Valerie said to Esme.
Esme nodded, preoccupied with her own conversations among the other guests.
Upon opening the balcony door, Valerie froze. There, calmly seated with her attendant, was Ivanka.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," Valerie said, bowing politely.
Ivanka smiled lightly."Oh, not at all, Lady. This is a public area, after all," she replied graciously.
Valerie bowed even lower.
"It's alright. Come, enjoy yourself,"