Chapter 2

In the indescribably awkward atmosphere, the first person to move was the aide who had followed behind the Duke.

He wore round glasses, and his neatly combed reddish-brown hair gave him the appearance of a scholar.

He was, in every sense, an intelligent young man.

“Allow me to help you up.”

“…Sorry, Yuan. I’m always like this.”

“Not at all.”

Watching the aide straighten the Duke’s clothes without the slightest change in expression, it seemed that the Duke collapsing onto the floor was something that happened often enough to be routine.

Seeing his daughter-in-law frozen in shock, Walter apologized with an embarrassed smile.

“I’m sorry. I must have startled you.”

“N-Not at all! It’s fine.”

Though she still had no idea why her father-in-law had suddenly run toward her the moment he saw her.

As if he had read her thoughts, Walter lowered his gaze and spoke sheepishly.

“I’ve been looking forward to your arrival for so long. I was just so happy to see you…”

“…”

He’s like a puppy greeting its owner…

Even if foxes belong to the canine family, aren’t they supposed to behave more like cats?

As she stood there dumbfounded, Walter continued his introduction.

“My name is Walter Elestain, your father-in-law. I’m truly delighted that you’ve come to join our family.”

“My name is Rayleigh Vitence. I still have much to learn, but I look forward to your guidance.”

“…”

For some reason, the moment he heard her introduction, Walter looked dejected again.

Huh? I followed proper etiquette. Did I say something wrong?

The aide standing beside him politely explained.

“Although you will not officially be entered into the family register until you come of age, to the outside world you are already a member of the House of Elestain, Young Madam. From now on, you may introduce yourself as Rayleigh Elestain.”

“Ah… I understand! I’ll remember that.”

Wait… Did he become disappointed because I used my maiden name instead of Elestain?

The more she interacted with him, the more unexpected charms her father-in-law revealed.

“Thank you for kindly accepting my presumptuous advice, Young Madam.”

“Not at all. Please feel free to correct me anytime.”

“I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. I am Yuan Willows, the Duke’s chief aide.”

Yuan…?

The name sounded vaguely familiar, but Rayleigh simply returned his greeting politely.

Unlike her somewhat clumsy father-in-law, the aide radiated professionalism.

“Yuan is much more meticulous than I am,” Walter said. “I rely on him quite a lot. As you can see… I’m rather clumsy.”

Since she couldn’t exactly agree with that statement, Rayleigh smiled awkwardly.

“You must be disappointed that your father-in-law turned out to be someone like me. I’m sorry…”

“Not at all! I used to trip over things all the time when I was little.”

Granted, the man before her was a fully grown adult, while the last time she had been that clumsy was more than five years ago.

Still, she wanted to comfort the father-in-law who looked completely at a loss.

“So I’m not the only one?”

“Of course not!”

“What a relief… We already have something in common, so I’m sure we’ll become close in no time.”

Walter chuckled happily.

It was a smile completely at odds with his cold appearance—a smile with not even a trace of charisma.

“Ah! You can just call me Rayleigh.”

“…Is being called my daughter-in-law uncomfortable for you?”

He even muttered quietly,

“I’ve been looking forward to calling you that for so long…”

How many people could refuse after hearing something like that?

Honestly, being called ‘my little daughter-in-law’ at my age is a bit embarrassing!

Rayleigh smiled brightly and nodded.

“I don’t mind. Please call me whatever you’re most comfortable with, Your Grace.”

“Really…!”

Walter beamed with happiness and sat down across from Rayleigh.

(In the process, he nearly stumbled again, and Yuan had to catch him.)

Watching her father-in-law, Rayleigh reached a conclusion.

No wonder the family gets wiped out in ten years… The head of the house is this unreliable.

Come to think of it, just because someone had demon blood didn’t mean they had to be evil.

These days, stories loved turning old clichés upside down. Temples and priests were often the villains by default, while the so-called hidden masterminds and antagonists were actually the good guys.

Of course, maybe only the father is like this. The son could still be a terrible person. I shouldn’t let my guard down.

In any case, it was a relief that the Duke turned out to be much easier to deal with than she had expected.

That suited the plans she had for her future.

Running away immediately in her current child’s body would accomplish nothing.

Wouldn’t it be much wiser to stay in the Duke’s household, earn money by making use of her knowledge of the original novel, and then flee to another country when the time was right?

Rayleigh had neither the ability nor the power to save a family destined to be annihilated by the tide of history.

At most, she could only save herself.

For the sake of her conscience, before running away she intended to leave behind whatever hints she could remember—such as suspicious movements by the Temple and the Imperial Family.

Walter gently spoke again, interrupting her thoughts.

“It must feel awkward living somewhere unfamiliar. For the time being, don’t worry about studying or family duties. Just think of this place as your home and focus on getting used to it. Explore the castle and get plenty of rest.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. We’re family now, aren’t we? It’s only natural.”

Rayleigh gave him an uncertain smile.

The word family didn’t leave a particularly pleasant impression on her.

Other than the contents of the novel, her memories of her previous life were hazy.

Still, she vaguely remembered that she had been an orphan.

And in this life, although she technically had parents…

Sometimes she thought it would have been better if she didn’t.

“F-Father… Isn’t this Count… old enough to be my grandfather?”

“Yes. I hear he’s over sixty this year.”

“Then isn’t he a little too old for me to marry…?”

“How dare you talk back! You should be grateful that someone is even willing to marry someone as useless as you!”

Those were the kind of parents who had tried to sell their daughter to a man over sixty years old.

Fortunately, before Rayleigh could be handed over to that shameless old Count, marriage negotiations with the House of Elestain had begun.

If she knew her parents, they were probably already dreaming of profiting from becoming relatives of a ducal house.

And that was precisely why Rayleigh couldn’t break off the engagement.

If she returned to the House of Vitence, she would undoubtedly be sold to that elderly Count this time.

“Thank you for your warm words. Still, while I’m living at the ducal castle, is there anything I should be careful of? Or anything I ought to know?”

“Hmm… There’s nothing in particular. However, Serge and I sometimes have to leave rather suddenly. If we disappear without telling you beforehand, don’t be alarmed. Yuan will take care of you in my place.”

The moment she heard that, Rayleigh guessed it referred to the periods when the Duke and the young duke transformed into foxes.

Naturally, no matter how careless the father and son might seem, she intended to pretend she knew nothing about their identities.

So she simply nodded obediently like a well-behaved child.

“You must still be tired, my daughter-in-law. I’ve kept you here long enough. Next, you’ll be going to meet our Serge, right?”

“Yes.”

“He can be a little difficult, but please do your best to get along with him.”

Difficult? Maybe unlike his father, my husband really does have the personality you’d expect from someone with demon blood.

Whatever the case, until the day she escaped, Rayleigh intended to get along with everyone in the family.

She was confident she could handle someone who was rude or bad-tempered.

She was tired of living an unhappy life.

And she refused to die after being dragged into a catastrophe that wasn’t even her fault.

She firmly resolved that, this time, she would grasp the happy future she had never once possessed.

*

After Rayleigh left the reception room,

Walter Elestain, Duke of Elestain, headed to his office together with Yuan.

“What about the Core Ruby Mine?”

Walter asked as he took his seat behind the desk and leaned back in his chair.

The absentminded, clumsy demeanor he had shown moments ago had vanished completely.

A sharp gleam shone in his golden eyes.

Yuan respectfully bowed his head.

“There have been no significant changes since my previous report.”

“Inform me immediately if any new information comes in.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

After discussing several other matters of state,

Yuan carefully asked,

“…What are your impressions of the Young Madam after meeting her in person?”