In the western annex, there was a small greenhouse built for the dowager, who loved tending to plants.
On especially fine days, the dowager would set up a table in the greenhouse for tea, but today, she wasn't alone.
The table in the center of the greenhouse was adorned with fragrant tea and an assortment of sweet pastries.
As always, the annex was peaceful and uneventful, but for some reason, the dowager's expression was unusually displeased today.
Because of this, Dalia, wary of the dowager's mood, silently watched the maid pour her tea.
With a stern expression, Margaret took a sip of her tea and quietly spoke.
"I heard you were with Lloyd Hertz just now."
"Pardon? Oh, yes."
She had thought the dowager might be upset because she hadn't come to see her immediately. However, hearing Lloyd's name unexpectedly, Dalia studied the dowager's face to discern her intentions.
"The Hertz family has long been entangled with the Seir duke's family in vicious scandals. This time was no exception…"
Margaret, who had been staring at the table, raised her head.
A momentary displeasure flickered in the dowager's seasoned eyes.
"The women of the Hertz family are very cunning."
As expected, the dowager's lips parted from the teacup only to continue her sharp critique of the Hertz family.
"They always act weak on the surface, only to strike when their opponent lets their guard down. So be cautious. Nothing good comes from associating with that family."
Margaret's brows furrowed as if recalling events from the past.
Only then did Dalia realize what the dowager was trying to say and thought to herself.
'It seems like something happened with the Hertz family in the past.'
She was well aware that rumors about the Hertz and Seir families had circulated for a long time.
Though she didn't know the exact details, it seemed the dowager had clashed with someone from the Hertz family in the past. But more importantly…
'I've felt this for a while now…'
How much did the dowager know about the Seir family's secrets?
Since she seemed aware of the curse that the mother dies when giving birth to a child of the Seir family, it was clear she wasn't completely in the dark about it.
However, based on what she was saying now, it seemed she wasn't well-versed in the detailed relationship between the Hertz and Seir families.
'Well, even Clayton tried to deceive me until the end.'
Thus, it made sense why the dowager might not know the full details about the Seir family.
Margaret had been the third wife of the previous duke, and by then, there was already a robust heir in Clayton, so there had been no need for her to produce an heir herself.
Having pieced together the situation, Dalia calmly responded.
"I understand what concerns you, Mother. But today, the duke clarified all misunderstandings regarding Lady Hertz."
Margaret looked surprised by Dalia's words and asked again.
"Are you saying Clayton explained his relationship with the Hertz family to you?"
At this, Dalia smiled gently.
"Yes, so you needn't worry too much."
"…He's better than his father in that regard."
The dowager seemed genuinely concerned about Dalia, and her expression softened considerably. Then, as if recalling something important, she set her teacup down.
"More importantly, I heard there was an incident at the royal palace. Are you alright?"
"Yes, as you can see, I'm perfectly fine."
"That's a relief. I was starting to think I might have bothered someone who wasn't feeling well."
Realizing belatedly that Dalia had fainted, a look of guilt appeared on the dowager's face.
It seemed she had called Dalia here as soon as she heard she was with Lloyd.
"It's alright. In fact, I should have come to see you first. Thank you again for helping me attend the birthday banquet."
The dowager's smile deepened at Dalia's heartfelt expression of gratitude.
"Rather, I should thank you for saying that. So, how was the royal palace?"
Margaret's tone turned gentle, as if her earlier displeasure had never existed.
She looked at Dalia with expectant eyes, curious about what had happened at the royal palace.
"Thanks to your thoughtful support, I had a great time. Her Majesty the Empress was wonderful as well. And also…"
As Dalia recalled the events at the royal palace, she hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
"I also danced with His Highness, the Crown Prince."
At those words, the dowager, who was about to pick up a piece of fruit, paused.
Before he was the Crown Prince, Alexion was the dowager's nephew.
So, Dalia had intentionally brought up her interaction with him, hoping to learn more about the Crown Prince.
"With His Highness, the Crown Prince? That's unexpected. He's not the type to easily ask others to dance."
"He seemed like a kind person."
However, the dowager tilted her head at Dalia's words and continued.
"If that's how you felt, then you're quite perceptive. Alexion isn't exactly the kindest of personalities."
It was a rather harsh assessment for her own nephew.
As Dalia tried to probe further about the Crown Prince, the dowager seemed reluctant to speak and changed the subject.
"But you haven't been drinking your tea. It's a rare tea imported from the Eastern Continent."
"Ah…"
She had deliberately avoided drinking it, worried that the caffeine might not be good for the baby. However, it seemed the dowager had noticed and was bothered by it.
Still, she couldn't say outright that she couldn't drink the tea because she was pregnant, so she made an excuse to deflect the question.
"I've already had a lot earlier today. I'll try it another time."
Then she turned to the maid standing nearby.
"Could you bring me a cup of warm water instead?"
"Yes, young madam."
As the maid filled a new teacup with hot water, Dalia gazed at it briefly before lifting her head, as if she had just remembered something to ask.
"Oh, by the way, I heard the Seir family owns a villa in the east. Do you know anything about it?"
"In the east?"
"Yes. The duke said we should take a break at the villa in the east once preparations are complete. But I don't know exactly where it's located…"
Margaret pondered Dalia's question but shook her head.
"I'm not sure. I've been to the summer villa in the north, but I didn't know we had one in the east."
Margaret's response was dry.
Dalia had already been curious about the villa Clayton mentioned, and meeting the dowager seemed like the perfect opportunity to ask.
Feeling disappointed that she gained nothing, Dalia patted her chest a couple of times as the food she ate earlier seemed to get stuck again.
The dowager didn't miss this and asked.
"Is your stomach bothering you?"
"It seems like something I ate earlier didn't sit well. But I'm feeling better bit by bit."
"Then don't overexert yourself here. Go back to your room and rest. Yesterday must have been exhausting as well."
Dalia, who secretly wanted to rest in her room, nodded readily, glad for the suggestion.
"Thank you for your consideration. Then I'll take my leave for today and visit again before we leave for the villa. Take care…"
After Dalia left, the dowager stared blankly at the empty seat where Dalia had been sitting. A maid, finding this strange, asked.
"Is something wrong?"
"..."
The dowager hesitated for a moment before asking the maid. Then she tilted her head and murmured.
"Didn't you say last time that Dalia left most of her soup uneaten?"
"Yes. She barely took a spoonful. It seemed like it didn't suit her taste."
"Is that so?"
Margaret's fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Why do you ask?"
The maid, curious about the dowager's peculiar demeanor, asked again. But Margaret shook her head, as if unwilling to explain.
"It's nothing."
Since nothing was certain.
* * *
Returning from the annex, Dalia immediately collapsed onto her bed as soon as she entered her room.
"I'm so exhausted."
So much had happened today. All she had intended was to take a simple stroll.
She had been caught by Clayton while with Lloyd, endured a meal with the three of them together…
And then she was summoned by the dowager and had to cater to her mood. It had been a day that would exhaust even ten bodies.
On top of that, her room was in such disarray that she couldn't even rest there peacefully.
Dalia stared at the ceiling, reflecting on everything that had happened before coming here.
She had found staying in Clayton's room uncomfortable and requested another room, but since it wasn't ready, she ended up back in Clayton's room once again.
'Tonight, I'll have to share a bed with Clayton again…'
The thought alone was awkward.
'Pretending to be asleep when Clayton comes in might be the best option.'
He wasn't heartless enough to disturb someone who was sleeping, after all.
As she mulled over how to handle Clayton, Dalia's eyelids grew heavier.
'I shouldn't fall asleep already…'
The sun hadn't even set yet.
If she fell asleep now, it would be hard to sleep again at night, so she struggled to stay awake, but it was no use.
Perhaps it was because so much had happened that day. Unable to fight her increasingly heavy eyelids, Dalia eventually drifted off into a deep sleep.