“Wow, I’ve never seen a carriage like this before.”

Vivian couldn’t believe she was sitting in Lexion’s luxurious and comfortable carriage.

Despite working long hours at the Portrion mansion, she, being more accustomed to luxurious things than commoners, found Lexion’s splendor to be on a different level.

When she felt the texture of the secretly velvet-wrapped chair, Vivian felt like she might understand why Edith asked her such a question last night.

“Vivian, you mentioned you have quite a few married friends, right?”

“Yes. I still meet them and have meals together a few times a year.”

“By any chance… do you have friends who married someone of higher status? How’s the relationship with their husband’s family?”

‘Even though Madam is adaptable with a strong heart, Lexion is a high aristocrat.’

Vivian, despite knowing Edith had fallen, was aware that she, as the daughter of a viscount in the Lowell family, possessed a gentle and just temperament that a noble should have.

However, even considering that point, she knew it was not enough to stand alongside Lexion.

‘Not only Viscount Lowell, but most nobles in the Agnes Empire are far from being on par with Lexion.’

The description of Lexion as a family with authority comparable to the royal family often appeared in local newspapers in Portrion every month.

Edith’s concern about conflicts with her in-laws was not unreasonable.

“Well, to be honest, the relationship isn’t that great. It’s not easy dealing with the elders who act as if their son is the most exceptional existence in the world.”

“Is that so?”

“But Madam escaped from Portrion, and, most importantly, there’s Baxter to mediate conflicts. Usually, if the husband is firm, conflicts end up being trivial.”

Vivian had seen Baxter, the right-hand man of the Lexion Duke, several times. He even became anxious and gave a bribe under the name of a gift to Caius when Baxter showed signs of relaxation.

‘If Baxter is a direct bloodline of Lexion, the members of the Duke’s family will quickly come to terms with Madam, even if they look down on her.’

Vivian determined to fulfill her role as a maid to carefully consider Edith so that she wouldn’t fall into despair.

Soon, the carriage came to a stop.

The carriage came to a stop. Vivian, with a certain determination, got off the carriage. Then, an unbelievable scene unfolded before her.

“After a long journey, you must be tired. I’ve prepared warm lemon tea, so how about warming up your body first?”

Ranked 2nd in the imperial succession, rigorously managing even blood and tears, Duke Lexion was personally welcoming guests on this cold winter day.

It wasn’t a long journey from the Portrion mansion in the capital to here, and the weather today was unusually mild.

‘It seems a bit different from the rumors…’

Vivian shifted her bewildered gaze to the side. Then, she noticed Hestia, the second daughter, sitting next to the Duke.

‘Even though Lady Gray mentioned that the one at the top of Portrion is the head of a family that leads an unparalleled faction, Hestia seems very proud.’

However, Hestia was smiling brightly, asking Baxter about his well-being and personally putting a shawl around Edith, seeming like she had prepared it for her.

“It’s cold outside. Shall we go in?”

As the mistress among mistresses, it seemed like she was subtly checking Edith’s reaction.

Apart from that, the calculated steps of the skilled employees and their attitude of not caring about the property tax suggested to Vivian that there was one conclusion.

‘Even if you don’t worry about in-laws, they don’t seem to be begging for survival.’

While Caius and Vivian were exploring the castle with the lady, Baxter and Edith were treated to the finest honey-infused lemon tea and refreshing madeleines in the reception room typically used for greeting the highest-ranking guests.

Looking at the meticulously maintained teaspoons and the elaborate carvings engraved on them, Edith thought to herself.

‘I’ve only thought of Baxter as the child of Baelter and Lady Leah so far.’

Without much effort, being treated as if she were the most precious in the world, she keenly felt the reality that her child, without knowing, was part of Lexion’s direct bloodline.

The man in front of her, offering desserts on the three-tiered tray one by one, was also a realization of Lexion’s lineage.

“While the young master may be called the Lesser Duke of Lexion for a while, he will soon become the next Duke of Lexion.”

She now seemed to understand the true meaning of the words Vane said with an emotional voice, asking her to find out. It was about her child growing inside her, carrying the blood of the second-highest family in the empire.

Thinking about the responsibilities and obligations that would naturally follow, Baxter whispered softly to her.

“I’ll become a rich man, me.”

“…….,”