Secret Wardrobe of the Duchess

Chapter 7

Angela dropped her head down.
Then, Rubica saw the gold ribbon she had tied for her this morning. As Angela liked to run around, the ribbon fixed lightly with the pin would have gotten loose. But today, the ribbon was still hanging onto her hair quite well.

‘She really likes it. She is even restraining herself from running…’

Suddenly, Rubica thought about how lovely Angela was. She was rude, but it wasn’t her fault. Rubica lightly patted on her bed, on the empty spot right next to herself. Angela smiled and sat down next to her. She was a cute girl, anyway.

Rubica changed the subject as kindly as possible.

“It is Duke Claymore.”

“I know, mama was angry about it, saying I couldn’t even dream of marrying such a man. But she said I would be able to get introduced to a marquis after you become a duchess.”

Mrs. Berner had told this to Angela?
Rubica tried to stop her glance from getting cold and looked at Angela as warmly as possible.

“But why has such great man asked your hand in marriage? You don’t even have dowry!”

“Yes, Angela. I wish I knew why. He is even using his private money,” Rubica answered remotely.

Angela’s lips quivered, and she was about to cry at any moment, then the child asked Rubica, “Are you going to marry him? Are you going to get married and leave this mansion?”

Rubica was not going to marry at all, but she was planning to leave in secret. Rubica decided to speak vaguely to Angela instead of being honest.

“I will probably leave.”
Then, the blue eyes started to shake. Angela quickly looked down to hide her tears. Rubica looked at her trembling shoulders with surprise. She couldn’t understand why Angela was acting in such a way.

“These, these are yours.”
Angela calmed down and took out something wrapped in a handkerchief from her pocket. When Rubica unfolded it, she found pretty ruby earrings, ring, and necklaces. Those were her mother’s accessories that she had given to Angela a long time ago.

“… these are…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence. Her mother’s accessories which she hadn’t seen in the past decade. Rubica could recall her mother wearing them as if it had been only yesterday.

“I was keeping them to give them to you when you get married.”

Rubica recalled the days where Angela would cry as if there was no end until she gave them to her. Therefore, she looked at Angela confusedly.

“Mama is always taking your things and selling them.”

Rubica couldn’t hold it anymore and hugged Angela tightly. Indescribable emotions swelled up.

“Angela, you are a really good girl.”

Because of her parents, who loved her like a doll but didn’t teach her properly, she was a little rude and impatient, but at least her heart was warmer than anyone else’s in the mansion.

“Of, of course.” Angela didn’t know what to do at Rubica’s compliment, so she pouted, “I was going to keep that ring for you this morning so that mother wouldn’t take it away.”
Then, she hesitated and handed a small silver brooch to Rubica.

“Congratulations, Rubica.”

Rubica wondered if she should tell her that she wasn’t going to marry the duke. However, she decided there was no need to make the child handle such worries.