Chapter 12

“Ah, that incident.”

Ethan immediately recalled the event and lit the cigarette in his mouth.

He remembered laughing at the article, thinking all sorts of things happen. From his perspective, it was a deal that left a bitter taste, but thanks to the Duchess’s drunken antics ruining the contract, he toasted her name here that night.

He probably even shouted her name as a toast.

Dugol Kingdom, which was far from being an ally of Windfog, had proposed a deal with its own munitions company boasting a market share rivaling Rein Kleint’s, and the media had made quite a fuss about it at the time.

Many exaggerated it as the cornerstone for ending centuries of hostility and establishing friendship, but in the end, Rein Kleint had to pay enormous compensation.

Come to think of it, that was when her reputation suddenly worsened.

Even after marriage, she was quite prominent in society, but gradually disappeared from social gatherings, and from a year ago, her secretive behavior spawned strange rumors.

“But was she always so ill-behaved to warrant such bad gossip?”

“She wasn’t at first, but as her relationship with her husband worsened, the rumors started. Her extravagance is legendary.”

“Extravagance?”

“Whenever the Duchess appeared in Sandiewood, she would sweep up all the jewelry and dress shops.”

The rumor that the noble Lily of the Sellus Earldom had become a wife addicted to extravagance started circulating in secret around that time.

Ethan recalled the recent image of her he’d seen.

She seemed more frugal and neat than extravagant.

There were also stories of her acting arrogant at parties and frequently engaging in arguments, damaging her own reputation without hesitation.

None of it matched the image of the woman he’d seen.

“The Earl runs a trading company, but despite appearances, the business is in terrible shape. They barely avoided bankruptcy several times by juggling investments received in the name of Duke Polshared.”

The more he heard, the more it seemed impossible for Yvonne to demand a divorce first.

“But they raised their daughter like a precious gem from childhood. Instead of sending her to the academy, they hired private tutors.”

“Ah, the old-fashioned type.”

Ethan nodded, exhaling cigarette smoke, and the manager continued excitedly.

“Even after marriage, she often visited her family, sometimes staying for a week or even a month.”

“Hah… She didn’t seem like such a spoiled lady.”

If anything, she was the opposite. No matter what she’d been through, her gaze wasn’t that of someone who only saw the world as beautiful. She seemed more like someone who’d experienced all the hardships and grown disillusioned with life.

“Where does she usually go?”

“Valley Lane.”

Valley Lane was a district on the outskirts of Aerondo, adjacent to the slums of Operen, known for its poor reputation. It was a hotbed of crime, with illegal markets, gambling dens, and brothels operating in secret.

Violent incidents were frequent, making it a dangerous area for noblewomen.

“She often goes there alone. Rumors about the Duchess meeting young men started there.”

“Valley Lane, huh.”

With a gesture that he’d heard enough, the manager quietly withdrew.

Ethan’s hazel eyes reflected a strange curiosity as he repeated the information. Valley Lane was the place where he’d found Yvonne collapsed in the rain.

* * *

For days, news of Duke Polshared and his wife’s divorce heated up Aerondo.

Though neither party made an official statement, the media speculated about the Duchess’s sudden change of heart after citing miscarriage due to her husband’s violence as grounds for divorce.

When their marriage was first announced, the entire kingdom was abuzz, so their divorce was met with equal fervor.

The press, which had closely covered their three-year marriage, stirred up society, which had been subdued by civil wars and conflicts in neighboring countries.

Especially the gossip papers, obsessed with sales, published unconfirmed stories as exclusives.

[Special Coverage.

The cause of the Ducal couple’s divorce. Rumors of discord began with the Duchess’s jealousy toward Lady Vivian Alois, a fellow military academy alumnus of Duke Polshared, and suspicions about the Duchess’s frequent visits to Valley Lane and alleged affairs with various men led to her demanding a divorce…]

[Six months ago, disgusted by the Duchess’s actions in canceling a deal worth nearly 7-trillion franc between Rein Klainte and Kingdom, the Duke reportedly demanded divorce first…]

Baseless articles circulated daily.

Recently, they even speculated that the surge in marriage proposals to her was motivated by a desire to obtain confidential information from Rein Kleint.

Even as people claimed there had been signs of disaster for the couple long ago, both remained silent.

And Yvonne continued her ordinary daily life.

The carriage stopped at the palace’s main gate post. The guards, peering at the carriage without a family crest, bowed upon seeing Yvonne’s face through the window.

“My apologies for not recognizing you, Duchess Polshared.”

“I am Yvonne Sellus.”

When she corrected her title, the guards exchanged awkward glances.

Though it had been two years since the Duchess began visiting the palace, her entrance had always been based on her status as Duchess. If rumors of her ongoing divorce were true, it would no longer be appropriate to let her in without inspection.

Looking to their superior for guidance, the guard gestured to let her pass.

“Have a pleasant day.”

After the guards stepped back and greeted the Lady, the carriage moved again.

It turned sharply toward the lakeside in the south, rather than the king’s residence at Hardingham Palace at the end of the long avenue. Passing a long bed of blooming roses, the carriage stopped before a small, white stone palace.

“Teacher!”

As soon as Yvonne stepped off the carriage, a clear voice rang out. A young girl, clutching her skirt, ran from the front door and threw herself into Yvonne’s arms.

Yvonne’s eyes softened as she looked at the young princess hugging her waist.

“Princess Leblanc, I told you that if you run like that, it makes me worried, remember?”

“You’ll hold me, won’t you, Teacher?”

Yvonne smiled gently, meeting the eyes of the seven-year-old princess.

It had been over two years since Owen, the Crown Prince, asked Yvonne to help the young princess with her art lessons once a week after seeing one of her landscape paintings. She had once declined, saying she lacked the skill to teach a royal, but now she simply enjoyed spending time with the lovely princess who adored her.

“I waited for you all day, Teacher. It was hard.”

The child, still in Yvonne’s arms, poked her face out, her braided golden hair bouncing.

The head lady-in-waiting followed and cleared her throat.

Startled, Leblanc straightened her back, bent her knees slightly, and spread her skirt wide.

“Leblanc de Windfog. Greetings, Teacher.”

At the princess’s formal greeting, Yvonne returned the bow with proper etiquette.

Though times had changed, the queen’s strict nature meant the princess’s education was conducted with rigorous formality, and the head lady-in-waiting was adamant about maintaining decorum even in close relationships.

As the head lady-in-waiting’s expression softened, Leblanc pulled Yvonne inside.

They moved to the spacious gallery where lessons were held.

Sitting at two easels facing each other, Leblanc raised her voice to the waiting maids.

“Everyone, leave now.”

Obeying the princess’s command, the maids bowed and left. Even Lady Catherine, the head lady-in-waiting, couldn’t disobey and quietly closed the door. Leblanc let out a deep sigh, looking relieved.

Yvonne couldn’t help but smile at the adorable princess.

“Why are you sighing, Princess?”

“If you hadn’t come, I would have been so tired. Lady Catherine’s nagging makes my head hurt.”

“That’s because she worries about you.”

“Tch, but she always looks so scary.”

Leblanc puffed her peach cheeks, mimicking Lady Catherine’s raised eyebrows, looking like a squirrel with an acorn.

Yvonne gently patted the princess’s head, understanding her childish complaints.

The princess, twenty years younger than Crown Prince Owen, was the daughter the king and queen had late in life. Despite the strict royal atmosphere, she grew up bright and lovable.

With her beautiful appearance and always smiling, she was nothing like Queen Louise, who was always expressionless. She was sociable and cheerful, especially fond of Yvonne, and shared all her daily stories every time they met.