LUCIA

HAPPILY EVER AFTER(8)

Jerome's wife, Olga, used to be a newly hired maid in the ducal residence. And she was a woman whom Lucia had a connection with in her dream. When Lucia ran the workshop, Olga was a very sincere and sociable worker she had.

Jerome had been receiving employment applications constantly because of the maids who kept quitting and when Lucia made a short visit to his office, she found a familiar face on one of the applications. So Lucia recommended Olga. And about a year after Olga was hired, Jerome and Olga came together to see her and told her they would be getting married.

Lucia had absolutely no idea that the two of them were even dating, so she was surprised to hear that Olga was pregnant and when she saw Jerome standing with his head bowed, she had burst into laughter.

The empty outbuilding was completely clean and revamped into a home for the two of them to live in. And nowadays, Olga was ridiculously busy with raising her two children, so she rarely came to the main house.

"Jerome, it will be very hard on Olga to take care of two children when one of them is even sick. Stop here today and go home."

"Yes, Milady."

Lucia left the receiving room to see her daughter's guest off.

* * *

"I shall be returning as of now. I appreciate your kindness in accommodating me again today."

Prince Ethan, who gave his goodbyes in a mature manner.

"Today was fun. See you tomorrow."

And the mischievous Jude, whose cheekiness was just like his brother, Chris.

"Thank you for your kind consideration, Duchess."

Seeing the proud and prim young princess Selena, Lucia smiled pleasantly. They were all lovely children.

"Lady Eve, let's play together again tomorrow."

"Oh my, Lady Selena. I wanted to say that first."

"Like I thought, we definitely have something connecting us."

"It's because we're cultured ladies."

Even though they were imitating noblewomen, the two girl's unique childish voices were unnatural, making it obvious that their conversation was imitating something they had heard somewhere.

Lucia desperately tried to hold back her laughter so she wouldn't hurt the two girls' feelings. Lately, the two girls were very fascinated by acting as noblewomen, so they would have odd conversations with a weird tone.

The way Ethan looked at his sister made it clear he found her acting ridiculous and his snort was quite loud. Selena glared fiercely at Ethan. Then she hmphed and whispered loudly in Evangeline's ear.

"Lady Eve. A cultured lady should be most careful of idiots like this one."

"What? Hey! Selena!"

"Look at that. How uncultured."

Ethan fumed but held back when Evangeline's gaze fell on him. If they were at the palace, he would have grabbed his naughty sister's hair. Ever since Selena began to speak well, Ethan was slowly realizing that he could never out-speak his sister.

As she watched Ethan sulk with an offended expression, Evangeline smiled sweetly.

"Lady Selena, Sir. Ethan is not an idiot. He is the elder brother of the cultured Lady Selena, is he not? Lady Selena's elder brother can't be someone like that."

Ethan's expression was awkward as his ears flushed red.

Selena knew that her elder brother was the type to torment her once they got back to the palace because he was angry, so she was in favor of making him feel better and replied primly.

"Hnn, well, that's true."

"Hooh. What of me? How am I?"

Jude butted in. Seeing Jude's eyes filled with expectation, Evangeline thought for a moment then she said:

"Jude is a good person. You're nice."

"Hehe. Then, will you marry me later, Eve?"

Lucia's eyes opened wide and she watched the children's conversation with rabid interest. Evangeline tilted her head and fell into thought. Lucia, the other children, and even the surround servants, held their breaths as they waited for the girl's answer.

"The two young masters have returned."

When a maid came in and reported this, Evangeline screamed 'Elder brother!' and ran out, her face gleaming with happiness. Selena, who had been acting like a noble lady, tossed that aside and ran after her at full speed.