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No matter how many days passed, Judith still couldn't get used to the feeling of expertly embroidered silk and warm cloth on her skin. While past Judith had always muttered such wishes to herself in order to escape the reality of chipped nails scraping a washing board, she never imagined that she'd actually wear any such things.
Why was Judith's wardrobe suddenly filled to bursting with new dresses and accessories, you may wonder? Well, according to Lady Sophia...
"To allow you to continue to walk around in such low quality clothing would be a stain on the Winterwald name. Even though you are not Luca's mother, you are his only maternal relative remaining. This practically makes you a Winterwald yourself. I won't have you walking around like some lesser noble."
After nearly three weeks of back and forth correspondence from the Winterwald Manor, to the Bleuen Townhouse, and all of Jonas's typical haunts for finding "company", the results of the in-depth investigation on Luca's parentage was presented to the Duke and Duchess.
Luca Maibaum, the son of Lalisa Maibaum of Emden Town, was indeed the illegitimate son of Count Vilo, Jonas Winterwald.
After the news was confirmed, Jonas himself had written a letter to the Winterwald Manor. Within said letter, Jonas Winterwald had expressed a certain flippancy at the arrival of a child he'd sired. The noble, due to the sheer number of women he'd taken to bed, had no recollection of his tryst with one Lalisa Maibaum over six year ago. The surprising part, however, was what he wrote next. Instead of denying the legitimacy of the child who shared his likeness, Jonas Winterwald instead decided to welcome Luca into the family.
"I'll find the time to officially name him my heir. I've mentioned before that I refuse to be married, so this child's arrival is actually perfect. I've already told Rudienger to take some time off to head to the Manor to meet with the child in my stead. Train him to your liking, Lord Winterwald, just leave me out of it."
With those few strokes of a pen, Luca was officially a part of the line of succession.
So, Luca's name was added to the Winterwald family registry, further legitimizing his status as a child of the Winterwald Family. With his sudden rise to second in line (right after his father), the nature of Luca's lessons at the manor changed. No longer was he learning the duties of just any noble family such as reading, writing, and history. Luca was now attending regular lessons with Duke Wintewald himself in order to learn about the manor and the managing of the estate.
Luca took all of these changes in stride. His genius shown through even more as he shadowed his grandfather from one end of the manor to the other. The way Luca practically threw himself at these lessons almost worried Judith. There was a certain kind of desperation in his the six (nearly seven) year old actions. Like he was determined to learn all he could about ruling the duchy and be positively perfect while doing so. Not to mention how unreasonably resistant he was to just relaxing now that his lessons had changed.
So, although she often felt as if she were stepping out of line in doing so, Judith had to intervene before her stubborn nephew worked himself into the ground before he even reached the double digits! Judith resolved to spend a portion of every day with her boy, making sure he had didn't give up his childhood for some far-off goal. Sword lessons? He's much too young. Card games? The less said about Judith's losing streak, the better. But there never went a day where the two remaining members of the Maibuam family didn't see one another.
Which is why Judith was brusquely making her way down the hallway now.
Luca wasn't the only one with a busy schedule, now. Lady Sophia made sure of that not long after Jonas's letter arrived.
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"I'm sorry, Lady Sophia. I don't... I'm just a bit confused."
Lady Sophia, having invited Judith to have afternoon tea in her favorite sitting room, took a sip from her glass before repeating her prior statement.
"It has been brought to my attention that you were never properly trained in the courtly life, Judith. Those books and scrolls you read will only get you so far. Thus, I have decided to take that responsibility and train you myself."
So, it really was that obvious. Judith thought, looking down at her rapidly cooling tea in embarrassment. While she wasn't exactly trying to keep her research a secret, Judith couldn't help but feel like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Judith had hoped to keep her complete lack of knowledge under wraps until she could pass for something more than a peasant in fancy clothing.
Not to say that Judith was ashamed of her upbringing. Unlike many, she and her sister were fortunate enough to know how to read, write, and do basic maths. But even those skills paled to what true nobles were taught. Even merchant children can count! Judith may not mind what gosip her ignorance and stupidity may say about her, but what about Luca?! What would others say if they realized his aunt, the woman who'd practically raised him, couldn't do more than a mere merchant. Her boy was a genius, dang it! Judith refused to be a stain on his standing.
So Judith had been seeking to remedy her failings ever since the Winterwalds had taken them in. But it was slow going. Every answered question only led to another, and another, and another. A never-ending stream of ways to mess up. What had started as a way to alleviate her boredom while Luca went to his classes quickly devolved into Judith desperately scrambling to teach herself just enough to not be an embarrassment.
And Judith, in some weird contractionary way, was a bit too prideful to have been caught in such a state. Like someone had walked in on her painting a masterpiece. Only she'd just started, and the reference sketch was a ugly mess of lines and squiggles that couldn't even pass for chicken scratch.
Before anymore blood could rush to her poor brain in shame, Lady Sophia continued.
"Yes, Luca approached me not too long ago with a potential problem about the way his beloved aunt's presence at the Manor may be taken by others in the future."
"I'm- worried, about Aunt Judith, grandmother. She and mother did their best to raise me, and it's thanks to their efforts that I knew as much as I did before I began my lessons, but... Aunt Judith herself never had a full education, either. Not like the lessons I'm getting right now. She can read and write, which was an enviable skill back in Emden but here, even the servants can do that."
"I'm just worried that she won't know enough about this new life once I get older. I'm worried someone may take advantage of her ignorance."
Oh, Luca... Judith's nephew really was the sweetest little boy, being so worried about his hapless aunt despite practically drowning in his own lessons. What she'd done to deserve such a thoughtful child, she'll never know.
"In light of all of this, I've made my decision regarding your official status within the Winterwald household. Based on how you acted when you first arrived at the Manor, I know you're concerned of how your standing colors Luca's. While I would like to say these concerns are unfounded, we both know that is not the case. Aunt to an heir of Winterwald you may be, your status needs to be more solid than that if you want to ensure both your and Luca's safety. So, from now until Luca's presentation to the royal family, you, Judith Maibaum, Daughter of Count Maibaum, shall be my lady in waiting."
A what?
Likely seeing her confusion, Lady Sophia elaborated. "You will assist me in my duties as duchess, and in exchange, I shall teach you how to live as a noble. You will dress, walk, speak, and think as a member of the gentry is expected. And once you're well taught, I shall act as your chaperone during your presentation to the court. Your family was never truly stripped of their title, so you can present your case to the King in order to regain the properties and title that your father lost."
"But... why? I'm not Lalisa. "
"I'm relieved Princess Vanessa's bloodline could be carried on. And it is thanks to your family that it is so." The older woman smiles softly, "You may not have birthed him, but Luca is your child all the same. His adoration of you speaks volumes, Judith. Your dedication to his wellbeing reminds me much of myself in my youth. I want to see how far you'll go, given the right tools. That is all."
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Much like Luca and his grandfather, Judith accompanied Lady Sophia everywhere, trailing behind her like a duckling. Judith scarcely had free time these days. While less extensive than her husband, Lady Sophia's duties as duchess were nothing to scoff at.
Preparing the manor for upcoming events. Overseeing the progress of various charities and other investments of the duchy. Preparing speeches. Writing reports to be reviewed by the royal family (separate from Duke Winterwald, as King Patrick Romgath apparently valued a woman's perspective on the state of the duchy).
A whole separate set of lessons were solely dedicated to overseeing Luca's upbringing. Even though her nephew was already six years old, leaving many of the early life duties of raising a young duke moot, there were still things that could not be left up to a tutor to teach.
"Luca may be your first, but once you've been presented to the gentry, the marriage proposals will be a constant until you're wed. And children are a forgone conclusion with marriage. All of this will be useful for when you give birth to your own, Judith." Lady Sophia had said at one point. Judith could have swore the older woman was hiding a smile behind her teacup at Judith's growing blush at that comment.
All this, along with her self-imposed task of getting Luca to touch grass, left Judith a bit scattered.
Not to say she was ungrateful, as her observations and lessons were a particular kind of fulfilling, but the learning curve was steep. And Judith's time management skills were much to be desired.
And of all days for her to get caught up in storybook during her rare free moments, it just had to be today.
The day Luca's uncle, Ruediger Winterwald, was arriving at the manor.
First impressions were a big deal. Family he may be, Judith wanted to be sure Luca was ready to meet his uncle. And this meeting, moreso than any before it, really seemed to weigh in her young nephew. Anytime it was brought up, he'd get this odd look on his face. A mix of apprehension, want, sadness, and anger meshing together in a way Judith couldn't understand. So, she'd promised the boy a round of chess before it all, to calm his nerves. And then she went and started reading! She should know by now of the time distorting powers of a good book! What kind of example is she setting for Luca, strolling in late to a meeting SHE'D arranged?
That's why Judith Maibuam, aged 22 with perfectly working eyes, didn't see the towering figure before she'd ran straight into it.
Today just isn't my day, is it? She thought, her hand rising to cradle her throbbing nose as she sat dejected on the ground. Why is there a wall in the middle of the hallway?!
"Are you alright, Miss?"
Peaking from behind her hand, the first thing Judith saw was black leather glove, the quality of the garment obvious even to her untrained eye. Whoever she'd run into was kneeling next to her, hand outstretched to help her stand.
The second thing she noticed...
Whoa...! His voice is so hot...!
Shaking herself from the embarrassing train of thought, Judith's observations continued.
The polite way he speaks, and those fancy clothes... A visiting noble?
Even though she hadn't heard anything about Lady Sophia receiving any other visitors, Judith wasn't privy to the Duke's schedule.
I hope I didn't just offend someone important. That would be just my luck.
The deep handsome voice spoke again. "I'm sorry if I was in your way. I was-"
Oh my god, why am I still sitting on the floor?!
Standing abruptly, her face flush and eye avoiding contact in shame, Judith all but shouts her reply. "No, it's fine!" Wiping the imaginary dust from her dress, Judith's hand made its way to fiddling with a loose strand of her hair. "It was my fault, after all."
The figure, of whom Judith knew neither name nor face, began to rise from his kneeled position. "That was a pretty hard fall, though. Are you sure-"
"No, it's alright." Judith barreled through the conversation once again, her brain-to-mouth filter in utter shambles. "Please don't worry about it. Apologies for interrupting you." Turning around and all but sprinting away from the situation. "I must be going!"
Judith was out of breath and leaning heavily on the wall outside Luca's room before her mind caught up with her.
Oh my god, that was horrible. Stupid brain! Why'd you have to stop functioning as soon as you heard a nice voice. Ugh, I just know this is going to get back to Lady Sophia, too. Note to self: If you're embarrassed, just stop talking. And don't run away like a smitten young maiden! That's definitely something Lady Sophia would dub as "unbecoming".
"Aunt Judith? What are you doing?"
Juidth's head snapped over to find her nephew watching her from his doorway, eyebrow arched in confusion at her flushed face and heavy breathing.
"Oh, Luca! It's- It's nothing. I just wore myself out a bit in my dash to get over here in time, is all."
And in a move that reminded Judith so much of Lalisa, Luca's head tilted slightly, his disbelieving stare growing more pronounced.
Desperate to move on before the six-year-old could verbally eviscerate her in that blunt manner of his, Judith began ushering Luca inside the room. "Now, come. We have a little under an hour before your uncle arrives. We should be able to get at least one game of chess in before that!"
And her nephew, bless him, allowed it to happy with little more than a sigh, the conversation noted but not addressed.
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In the end, they made it through three games before the hour was finished. Luca, for as sweet as he was, showed no mercy in games of strategy. Judith would be more upset at her losses if she wasn't the exact same when it came to outdoor sports.
(It must be a Maibaum thing. Lalisa was a brutal haggler in the Emden marketplace, finding great joy in every coin saved.)
Their next game was brought to an abrupt end when they heard a knock at the door. With a curtsy, little Laura entered the room with Samantha right behind her, subtly observing the young maid while the girl took the lead in their duties today.
"Lady Sophia has requested your and young master Luca's presence in the west wing's reception room, my lady." Laura said, a smile on her face as she glanced back at Samantha for approval.
Rising from her chair, Judith righted her skirts, before turning to Luca, his face pinched in disappointment at the interruption of their game. "Come along, Luca. It's time for you to meet your uncle."
Hoping from his still-too-tall chair, Luca made his way to Judith's side as they walked to the door.
"Do we have to?" He asked, his voice belying his nerves.
Reaching down and grasping his hand tightly, Judith gave her nephew a smile. "How about this. If you can be on your best behavior until I finish my cup of tea, you can pretend to get sleepy, and we can leave early." At her joking suggestion, Judith felt a knot in her chest loosen at the giggle that seemed to startle from Luca.
Stood in front of the reception room door, awaiting permission to enter, the two remaining members of the Maibaum family took comfort in the weight of the other's hand clasped in their own.
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Judith felt a blush rise to her face for the second time that day. No one said... that this man... Would be so good-looking!!!
"So, we meet again." Came the familiar voice from the now named mysterious nobleman. "Allow me to introduce myself." He continued without pause, "My name is Ruediger Winterwald."
He stepped forward until he stood right in front of Judith, his hand, still wrapped in fine leather, outstretched for her to grasp in greeting. "I am also Viscount Jaxen, and serve as Colonel in the Romgath Royal Army."
Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Judith grasped the hand. His first impression of her may not be the best, but she would salvage whatever she could.
Wearing her best smile, Judith replied.
"My name is Judith Maibaum. It's a pleasure to meet you, Colonel."