Chapter 2.3

If Wendy had said he was capable or mature, it would have been more believable.

But the reason Wendy gave was hard to accept. No matter how much she was wearing rose-colored glasses, the grandson she knew had not even a speck of kindness.

“Have you tried?”

“I’ve tried in my own way. But Lucas doesn’t see me as a woman.”

Ah, yes.

When the Dowager Duchess asked, Lucas had firmly stated that Wendy was just a child and a sister.

“Because we’ve known each other since childhood, I’m certainly closer to him than other women, but because of that, we can’t be anything more. Isn’t that an incredible irony?”

Was that what irony meant?

The Dowager Duchess pondered the meaning of the word for a moment.

“Why don’t you just confess?”

“If I get rejected, it’s really over.”

“Oh dear. That’s the real irony.”

That’s not what irony means.

Even as she spoke, the Dowager Duchess found it amusing and ended up chuckling.

Well, the amusing thing wasn’t just that; the situation was the same. How would Wendy react if she knew the person she was confiding in was her unrequited love’s grandmother? On the other hand, as the grandmother of her unrequited love, she pondered what advice to give Wendy.

“My dear. The world is wide, and there are many men. No matter how wonderful and successful the Duke of Devon seems to you, you shouldn’t hastily conclude that he’s the right match for you.”

Though her grandson was someone she could boast about anywhere, being capable, successful, and having many things… if asked whether he could make a woman happy, well…

Especially for someone like Wendy, who grew up loved, being by Lucas’s side could lead to loneliness. He wasn’t someone who would generously give the infinite love Wendy desired.

“Meet various people. That way, you’ll develop an eye for men and be able to choose someone who suits you well.”

“That’s what everyone said.”

Wendy nodded gloomily.

“Besides, the Dowager Duchess is very strict. Marriage means not only marrying the Duke of Devon but also accepting his family as family. Wouldn’t it be difficult to face the Dowager Duchess?”

“Oh, I’ve heard that a lot too. So they say I wouldn’t meet the Dowager Duchess’s standards.”

“…”

Though not exactly gossip, it was unpleasant to hear.

The Dowager Duchess pursed her lips, but Wendy didn’t notice.

“But she’s Lucas’s grandmother. I’m sure she’s a good person.”

“Is that so?”

“My brother said so. He said she’s very stubborn and her words are harsh, but that’s not her true intention. That’s why he likes the Dowager Duchess.”

“Hm, hm.”

She thought he was a smooth and cheeky fellow, but to think he said such admirable things.

The Dowager Duchess let out a small sigh mixed with embarrassment and satisfaction.

“I want to meet her soon, but there hasn’t been a suitable opportunity. What if she thinks I’m rude for not greeting her yet?”

“Well, if she knows why you haven’t been able to greet her, she won’t think that.”

“I hope so. Even if she doesn’t like me, I want to be close to the Dowager Duchess.”

“You want to be close?”

“Yes. She lives alone in the southeastern territory. So she must come to the capital because she misses her grandson, but it doesn’t seem like Lucas spends much time with her. Wouldn’t she be lonely?”

The Dowager Duchess was at a loss for words.

Half of what Wendy said was true, and half was false.

Being alone and Lucas not spending time with her—those two things aside, everything else was nonsense.

Come to the capital because she misses her grandson? Lonely? Surely not. She’d never thought that way before and didn’t want to.

“I don’t have a grandmother. So I want to get along well.”

Wendy’s smile was bright and clear. Just seeing it made one feel cheerful.

‘Is this what it would feel like to have a granddaughter?’

Her natural smile appeared just by looking at her, something she would have commented on in her usual self, but now she found it simply adorable.

But she couldn’t imagine a child like Wendy in the Devon Ducal Household. Even if there were a granddaughter, she wouldn’t be as lovable as Wendy…

‘Unfortunately, if she were born and raised in the Devon Ducal Household, she wouldn’t be much different from Lucas.’

A vision of Lucas with long hair suddenly came to mind, making the Dowager Duchess frown and press her temples. It felt like she’d seen something she shouldn’t have, and she was frustrated by her lack of imagination.

At that moment, she saw the maid coming from afar to call her.

“I’m sorry, but I must go now.”

Now that it would be embarrassing for both Wendy and the Dowager Duchess if her identity were revealed, the Dowager Duchess hurriedly said goodbye to Wendy.

“Oh, let me escort you.”

“No, it’s fine. The maid is coming.”

“Is that so? Then…”

Wendy handed over the cane she was holding. She watched as the Dowager Duchess accepted it and straightened her clothes.

“Thank you, Wendy. Thanks to you, I wasn’t bored and had a good time.”

“Me too. I hope we meet again.”

“Yes, if fate allows.”

The Dowager Duchess smiled lightly and walked away. Wendy watched her back with a quiet gaze.

At first, she thought the sharp eyes would be intimidating, but after chatting for a while, she felt at ease. Moreover, when awkward gossip was overheard, the Dowager Duchess spoke harsh words on Wendy’s behalf and took her side.

“Is this what a grandmother feels like?”

When Wendy was born, both sets of grandparents had already passed away. So she didn’t know, but perhaps it was like this.

Though she seemed scary on the outside, she actually felt kind and always seemed to be on her side.

“Wendy!”

Oops.

As soon as she heard the Countess calling from afar, Wendy shrank her shoulders. She had completely forgotten about the mass.

“Oh no, what should I do?”

Wendy awkwardly turned her body towards the Countess, hesitantly.

Sure enough, the Countess seemed very angry, pursing her lips and approaching quickly.

***

“Welcome back, Grandmother.”

As soon as she entered the Duke’s residence, the Dowager Duchess met Lucas at the entrance. He was about to go out, wearing a coat and giving instructions to the butler while putting on gloves.

“Where are you going?”

“I have an appointment.”

“Is it official or personal?”

“Both.”

“So, you’re meeting Jayden from the unit.”

Obviously. It’s pitiful that the only person he can meet at the beginning of the year is Jayden.

But Lucas had his reasons. This year, a reorganization was scheduled, so he was extremely busy. Even now, he was wearing a uniform, and though the Dowager Duchess’s gaze was disdainful, adding a word would only lengthen the conversation.

The Dowager Duchess always urged him to focus on the Duke’s affairs after his discharge.

“I’m off.”

“Yes, take care.”

“Oh, Grandmother.”

Lucas called the Dowager Duchess, who was passing by him.

“Is that scarf yours, Grandmother?”

“Scarf? Since when did you care about such things… Oh.”

Touching her neck, the Dowager Duchess realized and smiled gently. She had returned with the scarf Wendy had wrapped around her.

“I met Wendy Rosewood at the cathedral today. The child wrapped it around me because it was cold. But how did you know this scarf wasn’t mine?”

“I gave it to Wendy as a birthday present.”

“Oh, a birthday present? From you?”

The Dowager Duchess thought, since it was a gift from someone Wendy adored unrequitedly, it must be precious to her. Even if Wendy wanted it back, she wouldn’t know exactly who she was, so there would be no way to contact her.

Wendy might be fretting about it right now.

“Lucas. About what you said before.”

“Yes.”

“When you said Wendy was just like a little sister, do you still think so?”

“Yes.”

Such a direct answer without any embellishment or extra words. It seemed Lucas had no room for change.

And this is the guy Wendy says is kind and considerate?

Wendy must have seen him quite wrong.

“Understood. Go on.”

“Grandmother.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to Wendy.”

Lucas cast a doubtful glance, but the Dowager Duchess waved her hand dismissively and turned away. Soon, the sound of the front door opening and closing was heard behind her.

‘After giving the gift… Why would Lucas…’

No. It probably didn’t mean anything special. 

Lucas never forgets to send birthday presents, even to the Dowager Duchess. At most, it was a bare minimum—if one were being blunt, merely a gesture of obligation.

‘Still, she must have liked it a lot as a gift. Poor thing.’

Even if he might not pour out passionate affection, Lucas would fulfill the role of a faithful husband. He might not take care of her meticulously, but he would protect her warmly enough not to feel neglected and fulfill his responsibilities and duties.

In reality, how many couples among the nobility, where arranged marriages are common, live for love? Even when the heart that once fluttered calms down, and the traits that seemed charming turn into flaws and become grounds for arguments, they still believe they love each other like a habit.

‘Even if I say this, will Wendy understand?’

Can she persuade Wendy to let her grandson, who mercilessly declares her a little sister, to give up without being hurt? That might be the most sincere advice the Dowager Duchess could offer.

***

Meanwhile, Wendy was being scolded by the Countess in the carriage returning to the Earl Rosewood’s residence. She was so upset because her daughter left in the middle of the mass and didn’t return until it ended. Because of that, she couldn’t properly greet the Dowager Duchess.

“I’m sorry.”

Wendy quietly clasped her hands on her lap and glanced at the Countess. But this time, the Countess’s anger didn’t seem to subside easily.

“What on earth were you doing?”

“I helped an elderly lady. The road was slippery, and she seemed to have trouble walking.”

“…You did well. If someone needs help, you should gladly assist them.”

Though she glared at Wendy, the Countess’s expression softened considerably.

“But Wendy. What about the scarf?”

“Pardon? The scarf?”

Wendy finally touched her empty neck. Then, in a panic, she quickly searched her memory.

“Oh, what should I do? I wrapped it around the elderly lady because she looked cold.”

“Oh dear, didn’t you say that was the scarf Lucas gave you as a birthday present?”

Wendy nodded weakly, quickly losing her spirit.

There was no way to find the old one, and she had given away the recent one. It was from Lucas, and instead of cherishing it, she lost it in less than a week.

The scarf she kept for six years was left at a restaurant, and the newly gifted scarf was already out of her hands. The snowman hairpin she hadn’t used in a while was cracked because it was old.

Perhaps she and Lucas weren’t meant to be.

Feeling gloomy, Wendy turned her head to the carriage window. She wished spring would come quickly. Spring, which would warm her cold heart.