Chapter 6 – Chester (Part 6)

Jared opened his eyes. The late afternoon’s yellowish light cast patterns on the carpet. This study was designed with care to prevent precious books from fading. Light didn’t directly touch the desk used by the great literary figure.

Sitting in front of that desk, Jared stared into space. Emptying his mind was a form of rest he had learned. Since he couldn’t sleep properly but always had to stay alert, it was an emergency measure he had devised.

The luncheon with the board of the Industrial Promotion Association had dragged on for over two hours before finally ending. Dealing with industrialists was as tiring as dealing with politicians. They constantly expressed their desire to do business with the companies owned by the Duke, much like politicians subtly begged him to select their region for factory sites. Even though they knew he wouldn’t do that and that it wasn’t something he could decide on his own.

Jared blinked a couple of times before adjusting his sitting posture. He opened a file from the stack of documents on his desk and unscrewed the cap of his fountain pen. March is just around the corner, which means the deadlines for the end-of-month reports are approaching. Even while staying in Maxville, this would be a busy time, and adding the schedule of visits left him with no time to rest.

“Was the visit from Sir Brixon today?”

“Yes. You will meet him in the tearoom at 3:30.”

“What time is the dinner?”

“8:00.”

That means he won’t be back before 10 PM. Jared suppressed a sigh as he kept his eyes on the documents.

Tonight’s dinner is at the city hall. Yesterday, he hosted a dinner for city council members here, and three days ago, he dined with writers at the Artist Village. Most of his evenings were spent in such engagements. It was the same in Maxville, and even more so when visiting other estates. A noble’s duties are almost entirely socializing and hosting guests, so the owner of a house that constantly receives guests, like Maxville, rarely has a comfortable meal.

Originally, he had planned to visit the Artist Village with Evelyn yesterday. Her delayed arrival disrupted his plans, but he didn’t change the scheduled itinerary. The people there would have made their own preparations to welcome him. Jared knew that a Duke’s visit was a significant event for people. Unless it was truly unavoidable, he rarely changed his schedule.

It’s the fifth day since he arrived here, and he has been handling a lot of engagements. He visited the city hall and city council, giving speeches. He visited schools to encourage teachers and accepted invitations from local dignitaries. He even met with representatives from children’s groups and charities and took photos with them. These were typically the duties of the Duchess, but with her absence, the Duke had to do it all. He might never come back here again, so he had to show the utmost dedication during his stay. It was something Jared had to do, just as his brother, father, and ancestors had done.

“You look tired.”

“I’m trying not to, but thanks for letting me know I failed.”

“How about taking a nap?”

“No, it’s fine. Anyway,”

He swallowed the rest of his words, knowing he wouldn’t be able to sleep. He raised his fountain pen and signed at the bottom of the document.

Jared El Windberg.

In truth, the real reason his five days had become so packed was that he had left the last three days open. Cramming nine days’ worth of schedule into five was an overreach, but he did it. He wanted to spend those three days entirely at this mansion, without having to worry about other matters, just taking walks and having tea.

With a guest.

“……I can rest starting tomorrow.”

Tonight’s dinner with the mayor was the last item on the agenda. Once that was over, he could relax until he left Chester. He set aside thoughts about what would happen when he returned to Issen. He didn’t want to think about such complicated matters now. He was very tired and desperately needed rest.

“Dean.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“How long are you going to stand there?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m uncomfortable.”

As he replied, he closed the file he had just signed and placed it to his left. Then he picked up the topmost of the five remaining reports on his right and opened it. Once he moved all the documents from the right to the left, his work would be done. If he hurried, he could finish before leaving for the city hall.

“Wait in the drawing room. Let me know when Sir Brixon arrives.”

Jared spoke absentmindedly as he opened the first page of the thick document. He pressed his hesitant attendant once more to finally send him out. If he didn’t do this, that inexperienced attendant would stand by his side all day. Dean Willis was certainly competent, but the main reason Jared trusted him was because of his foolish loyalty. A person like a faithful dog who never leaves his master’s side. Someone who wouldn’t leave him no matter what. Jared needed someone he could trust like that.

Left alone in the study, he concentrated on reading the documents. It was a report from the steel company. As it was the largest of the businesses under his name, he examined it even more thoroughly. The documents that had gone through several stages of review were unlikely to have any issues. It was just his nature not to take even procedural matters lightly.

After spending quite some time, he finally signed it.

Jared El Windberg.

Having completed the second task, he put down the fountain pen. The pen made a light sound as it hit the desk.

This old desk originally belonged to his brother. There were several offices in the Maxville ducal residence, but it was placed in the one Herald used most frequently. Jared remembered the day he first discussed the business plan with his brother, who was sitting at this desk.

‘An artist village, huh.’

Back then, Jared had explained it to him with an expectant face.

‘To make it a city of literature. Chester doesn’t have underground resources or isn’t suitable for industrial complexes, is it? If this project takes root, it could attract publishers and printing houses. The fact that it’s not far from Issen is also advantageous. Writers and publishers can easily travel back and forth.’

Herald had been acting on behalf of their father three years before inheriting the title. Philip Glenn had been bedridden for a long time before his death, so Herald, the heir, had to effectively perform the Duke’s duties. This was why Jared could present his business plan to his brother.

‘The plan sounds plausible, but it seems too self-serving.’

Herald, after skimming through the documents, looked up and smiled. Jared remembered how his brother’s platinum hair shimmered in the sunlight. Among the three brothers, Herald was the only one without black hair. As a child, Jared had envied his brother’s golden locks. Most children are like that, aren’t they? They long for noticeable uniqueness but don’t yet understand the price that comes with it.

‘A leader of a group shouldn’t be swayed by personal interests.’

‘I’m not someone who’s going to lead a great group.’

‘Is there a greater blessing than being born the third son of a noble?’

‘Be careful, brother. If someone else hears, they’ll think you’re mocking your poor brother.’

‘You’ll find out soon enough. You’ll have to share my burden.’

‘I doubt managing a small barony will make me empathize with the Duke’s hardships.’

‘That’s true. I should retract my statement. You probably won’t ever know.’

Jared could recall it as if it were yesterday. His brother’s gentle smile and voice.

‘That too is a blessing.’

After losing both of his brothers and his fiancée, he had considered canceling the Artist Village project. But in the end, he couldn’t. It felt like the last thread connecting him to Evelyn, so he couldn’t bring himself to let it go. He wanted to hold onto even the thinnest possibility, any excuse not to forget.

Does that mean Jared Glenn never gave up on his departed fiancée? Did he insist that it had to be her and no one else, even if it killed him? That wasn’t the case. Jared wasn’t such a hopeless dreamer.

The year after he became Duke, he considered marrying his younger brother Marcus’s fiancée. As a nobleman’s daughter, she could fulfill the role of Duchess adequately. At the time, he was so despondent and resigned that he thought he might just go through with it. But he couldn’t make the decision in the end. He didn’t want to marry for convenience, have heirs with his wife, and keep a woman he truly cared for outside the mansion. That was the life his father and brother, and countless other nobles lived. A life he desperately wanted to avoid.

Jared wanted to marry a woman he loved. He wanted to make that woman his wife, no matter what it took. Was that such a terrible desire?

For the past three years and four months, he had consistently thought about Evelyn Dale. He didn’t want to, but there was no way around it. He didn’t know how to forcibly forget someone unforgettable, nor could he stop the face that kept appearing in his mind. It drove him crazy that the woman who popped up so often in his thoughts had left no trace, no matter how hard he searched.

Every time the Chester settlement report came up, he was always tense. He checked the list of resident writers one by one. He even dreamed of finding her name on that list and jumping up to go to Chester. Cruelly, on such nights, he would fall into a deep sleep. Able to dream long and vividly. Enough to stare blankly into space for a while upon waking.

“Sigh…”

Jared finally couldn’t suppress a sigh.

He closed his dry eyes. He rubbed his eyelids with his fingertips and stood up. When his vision was blurry and out of focus, he was told to look at something far away. Recalling the physician’s advice, he walked to the window and stood there. He looked out at the garden beyond the glass where the curtains were drawn back.

February in the south was already deep spring. Yellow roses bloomed abundantly under the golden sunlight. Jared looked down at the lush garden. And then, just barely visible, he narrowed his brows.

There was a woman in the garden. Next to her was a man. They seemed completely unaware of the possibility that the owner of the residence might be watching.

Evelyn was walking among the yellow rose bushes. Jared fixed his gaze on her face. He watched as that face listened to the man beside her, turned towards him, met his eyes, and smiled. An intimate look. A face without a hint of caution.

Once, it was something she only showed to him. Something only he could have.

It was a face Jared knew all too well.

Without a doubt, it was the face of a woman in love.