The smell of aroma was the only thing that helped Yulianna calm down as she watched Duke Rohane quietly sip his coffee. Was it five minutes already since she arrived inside his office? She had lost count of time.
All she could think about was how the duke would react to her new appearance. But he remained focused on his cup of coffee, not even glancing in her direction. That only made her anxiety grow.
Nothing had changed. His icy expression still commanded authority, making her chest tighten just by sitting in the same room with him.
One thing she noticed—his taste had changed. He was drinking coffee instead of tea.
"This brewed aromatic coffee was famous in the northern region," he said, finally breaking the silence. "It has a bitter taste, but mixed with a peculiar flavor that lightens the bitterness. Good for overtime work."
Yulianna blinked. Did he mean something… or was he simply making conversation?
"Is t-that so, Father? It seems you've taken a liking to it," she said hesitantly.
Her back ached from sitting stiffly. She wanted to stretch, but stayed composed, forcing a smile she immediately regretted. She even forgot to breathe when he finally glanced at her—but then, he said nothing.
Duke Rohane just tore his gaze away and returned to his coffee. The silence felt heavier this time, almost oppressive.
No reaction? Yulianna's mind raced. He's not freaking out either. Was it because I look… more beautiful? Different than before?
"I bought some, just in case I needed it for my work," he continued calmly, looking at her as if nothing had changed. "You should try taking a sip. It helps calm the nerves."
"R-Right… let me take a sip then." Yulianna stumbled over her words but managed to steady herself.
Her hands trembled as she held the cup, torn between relief and suspicion. Relief that he hadn't commented on her appearance. Suspicion at how detached he acted.
"Your birthday is around the week," he said after a pause. "How would you like it celebrated?"
Her grip on the cup eased slightly. Finally, a normal conversation, maybe.
"It's up to you, Father. I've done it plenty of times already and… lost ideas on how I want it celebrated," she said gracefully. "Perhaps Your Grace already has an idea?"
Duke Rohane nodded, seemingly pleased. He placed his cup down and leaned back. "You saw right through me. I do have plans for your birthday. But I wanted your opinion first."
He's acting strange… Did his trip to the northern region change something?
Yulianna tried not to react. She had not expected him to treat her this way—like he was finally… acting like a father.
"And for your dress," he added, "I've settled Vien's schedule. He'll take care of you, so you don't need to do the hard work."
Vien. Hearing the designer's name jolted Yulianna. Her attention snapped to her father's calm face.
"Well… regarding that, Father," she began, trailing off. "I'd like to ask something about him."
"What is it?"
"Just… in case you didn't know, I lost some memories since the river incident. Did I have a close relationship with him?"
Duke Rohane's gaze hardened briefly, then softened. He sipped his coffee and exhaled. "I'm not entirely sure. All I know is he's been your designer since your 16th birthday…"
There was a hint of regret in his voice at the end, but Yulianna wasn't sure of the reason. Her attention, however, was fixed on his answer. It gave her a clue, but she couldn't piece the puzzle together yet. She needed to know more if she wanted answers.
"I see," she murmured, exhaling slowly.
"Why? Is there a problem with him being your designer? We can always find another—"
"No, not at all, Father," she interrupted, panicking slightly. "Getting his tight schedule must not be easy. I don't want to waste your efforts."
"Very well, that's settled then."
Almost three years… Vein must know something about Yulianna. Otherwise, why would I have sought him the moment I woke up?
Duke Rohane remained silent as he watched Yulianna fall into deep thought. He took this chance to examine his own daughter's unrecognizable appearance. If she hadn't inherited her mother's facial features, he might not have recognized her when she stepped into his office.
It had only been a week since she woke up from that accident. Yet there had been quite a few changes that puzzled and worried him. Since when had his daughter turned into a feisty lady?
When he first heard she punched a baron at the emperor's banquet, he thought he'd misheard. Then she signed up for the hunting competition and became the chosen bearer.
Getting Yulianna into trouble was the last thing he wanted to hear. Yet she had managed to flip the situation not only in her favor but also for him. Having her recognized as an ideal figure in the empire suddenly raised his confidence that things might improve for her future as a duke's daughter.
Clearing his throat, he took her attention. "This is already your 19th birthday. I planned it to be a big event, not just a celebration, but to broaden our connections. There will be plenty of invitations after your birthday. I advise you to consider them carefully."
Hah! I knew he was up to something again.
Despite wanting to crack a sarcastic laugh, Yulianna forced a smile instead. She lifted the cup and brought it to her mouth, letting the bitterness slide down her throat.
"I'll keep that in mind, Father," she answered.
"And stop wasting time with Vera," he added seriously. "Ignore her, as you always have, and focus on yourself."
Her brow twitched, but she kept the smile. "I didn't know any tricks you mentioned, Father. I merely joined her dinner last night, but if that's what you meant… then I understand."
"I don't care for the reason," Duke Rohane said. "There are more important matters. The river incident may have bought you time, but Lord Micael's visit for your birthday still proceeds as planned. Take it seriously."
"Lord Micael?"
Yulianna froze. She had never heard of him before—the real Yulianna might have—making her heart suddenly beat faster at the sound of his name.
"So, you forgot about the Grand Duke's son too?" Duke Rohane asked, noticing her reaction.
Goddamn it! What had this woman been through?
"Believe me, Father. I haven't a memory of him," she said, forcing a laugh through her panic.
"That was a year ago," Duke Rohane continued. "The Grand Duke informed us of his son's interest in you. He sent a letter requesting a formal meeting between our households. It was sudden, so I hadn't confirmed yet, but Lord Micael promised to visit for your 19th birthday."
Could this day get any worse? First the icy duke, now a Grand Duke's son?
Yulianna felt the weight of the world pressing down. She wanted to protest but felt stuck, her mind unable to process. Just when she thought she was getting the hang of this life, she was doomed again.
"I haven't responded to Lord Micael's proposal yet, so don't be distressed," Duke Rohane said, seeing her helplessness. "You can decide your own will. I'm not entirely against it, but I suspect the Grand Duke has an agenda."
A glimmer of hope flickered. Somehow, this might turn out… manageable.
He cleared his throat again. "If you could punch a baron's face, perhaps you can handle Lord Micael's decision. Your recent behavior shows you can manage on your own now."
And just like that, Yulianna felt a spark of hope—the best advice she'd received from him so far.