She recalled the moment when the duke lowered his head deeply like he was about to kiss her.

‘He knew someone was watching. He even anticipated this kind of rumor.’

The duke’s persistence made her head spin.

“So it wasn’t just a baseless rumor. I can tell from your face.”

The perceptive Charlotte jumped to conclusions seeing Ellin’s bewildered expression.

“I did meet the duke, but the rest of the rumor isn’t true at all. We just talked.”

“Hmm. You and Duke Linderto talking?”

Charlotte folded her arms leisurely and raised her lips.

“Right. That must be it.”

Her eyes narrowed mischievously, looking at Ellin with an “I told you so” expression.

“There’s no way such rumors would spread about him and me. They’ll be forgotten in a few days anyway.”

Charlotte tilted her head at Ellin’s dismissive words.

“I wonder. Will they really? I heard someone saw you entering the duke’s residence today?”

“That’s……”

Trying to explain her visit, she found it difficult to decide what to say and where to begin.

Seeing Ellin’s complicated expression, Charlotte finally dropped her playful smile and gently took Ellin’s hand.

“Something is definitely going on. But it’s nothing to worry about, right?”

Instead of answering, Ellin just nodded once.

Honestly, a massive storm was raging inside her heart, but she didn’t show it, as always.

* * *

Her stepmother couldn’t possibly be unaware of the rumor that all the nobles in the capital had heard.

Rosana was waiting for Ellin at the entrance, seemingly ready to interrogate her as soon as she arrived home.

“Is it true? That rumor spreading around the capital.”

Her stepmother followed Ellin closely up the stairs.

Her expression and voice were very different from how she usually treated Ellin.

Instead of mocking or scolding, she seemed to be trying to soothe and match Ellin’s mood.

“So that’s why you told the viscount you wouldn’t marry him? If something like this was happening, you should have discussed it with us earlier, Ellin.”

Thinking about how her stepmother’s eyes must have widened and ears perked up upon hearing the rumor about the duke made her feel nauseated.

She could also see her father pacing anxiously at the bottom of the stairs.

Though he didn’t come up to ask directly, his expression showed even more curiosity than her stepmother’s.

Ellin closed her door and firmly locked the latch to prevent anyone from entering.

“Ellin! Dear! Let’s talk!”

Her stepmother’s impatient cry could be heard from outside.

Opening the windows wide on both sides, the cool evening breeze entered the room.

She sat on the edge of the bed to clear her head, and quietly reflected on today’s events.

‘I thought I just needed to reject the duke’s offer. But now a strange rumor has spread.’

Society gossip was inherently fast, and with Duke Linderto as the main character, the rumor seemed to have spread like wildfire.

‘The fact that I was the duke’s partner in the scandal must have been even more shocking.’

Many people probably wouldn’t believe the rumor itself.

She pressed her forehead as if she had a headache.

Now that her father and stepmother knew too, she could only sigh at how to resolve this situation.

“If you marry me for just one year, I’ll help your brother receive the best treatment at the Royal Hospital.”

Even in her confused state, the duke’s words came back clearly.

‘The Royal Hospital.’

In a situation where they might be kicked out of the current hospital, he was offering to have Eddie treated at a hospital with the best medical staff.

Honestly, it was a tempting offer that was hard to refuse.

Although she was upset that the duke had investigated Edward thoroughly and used that offer as bait……

‘Am I in a position to worry about my pride? Ellin, honestly, what do you want to do?’

She asked herself as if someone else were asking.

“After a year, we’ll divorce cleanly, and I’ll pay you the maximum alimony.”

She didn’t know why he needed a marriage partner for just one year, but in a way, it could be an escape route for her.

‘One year. Just one year of playing the role of a puppet duchess, and I’ll be completely free from this wretched house. If Eddie could enter the Royal Hospital too…… if only that were possible.’

Thinking about it calmly, she wondered why it seemed so difficult.

“Ha.”

She let out a hollow laugh at how easily she was persuaded.

She should actually bow and thank the duke for making such an offer.

It was like he had lowered a rope of salvation into this hell.

‘But marrying Duke Linderto……’

She was afraid of her solitary imaginations and dreams becoming reality.

Even if it was a fake marriage, was it okay for her to marry such a man?

How many times had she imagined Duke Linderto asking her to dance at a party, exchanging glances, and coming to her house with a bouquet the next day?

In her imagination, she had already shared countless vows and kisses with him at the wedding altar.

‘It’s not such a big deal. I already feel like I’ve married him more than twelve times.’

Since it was a fake marriage anyway, what difference would one more make if she thought of it as just another fantasy?

Of course, it would be a business-like marriage with no affection from him.

So it would be the same as marrying alone.

Ellin rose from her seat and pulled out a metal box stored under her bed.

She found the scarf she had cherished and gently clutched it in her hand.

Her eyes, having made a decision, looked resolute.

‘Right. What do I have to consider now? I’ll just try being a duchess once, whatever.’

Not having to marry that old viscount and doing it for the sick Eddie were reasons enough.

She didn’t care if divorcing the duke would become a stain that would prevent her from marrying again.

Since her stepmother introduced the viscount, she had already given up hope of marrying a proper man anyway.

She would have no regrets about this choice.

* * *

Warm sunlight streamed through the massive arched windows.

The crown-shaped chandelier caught the light and sparkled in various colors.

Below it, a formal luncheon set with red and gold combinations looked abundant.

Dominic sat impeccably while cutting his food, discreetly observing the King’s condition.

Clang!

The King dropped his fork, and this time his plate crashed miserably to the floor.

The servants swiftly cleaned the soiled floor and placed a new plate.

Seeing the King’s hand trembling severely while holding his wine glass, it seemed that glass would soon shatter on the floor too.

“Your Majesty. Let me feed you. Come on, open your mouth a little wider.”

The Queen sitting beside him moved like his hands and feet with a gentle attitude.

The Queen was young enough to be called his daughter.

“That’s right. Well done.”

She smiled while wiping sauce from the King’s mouth with a napkin.

Everyone seated at the table glanced at the King and queen without saying a word.

The King’s health was deteriorating daily, and the queen’s devoted care was touching.

Everyone at the table knew why the queen lavished such attention on the King.

Suddenly feeling choked up, Dominic raised his glass to wet his lips when his eyes met with the crown prince’s sitting across from him.

He gave Dominic a meaningful look.

That gaze felt like silent pressure, so Dominic avoided eye contact and emptied his glass in one gulp.

“You know well that the old man’s life hangs by a thread, Dominic.”

The Queen’s attentive care for the King clearly showed how hard she worked to promote her family’s interests.

Originally, the development rights to the Hayen Mine, which he had been working on for a long time, should have been transferred to him long ago.

‘If not for the queen and that Rahel fellow.’

If the queen’s younger brother hadn’t interfered.

After finishing the chaotic royal luncheon, Dominic walked quickly through the ornate marble corridor.

“Your Grace.”

A dignified yet somewhat vile voice came from behind the corridor.

Dominic turned to see Count Rahel.

He nodded with a slight smile on his expressionless face.

“Count Rahel. Have you come to see Her Majesty?”

“Yes. My sister has been worried because His Majesty’s condition has worsened lately.”

‘He’s come to check when the King might die.’

He almost let out his inner thoughts with a light sneer.

“I see. Well, go ahead.”

Turning away from Rahel, even the remaining smile on Dominic’s face completely disappeared.

‘No matter how much you suck up to your sister, the mine will be mine anyway.’

Despite thinking this, he felt twisted inside.

Getting a fake marriage just for that mine.

He felt more materialistic than that Rahel guy.

‘It’s too late to regret now.’

Dominic shook his head firmly to steady his wavering heart and walked upright down the corridor again.

* * *

The next day, Dominic attended the Royal Museum expansion party and received countless suspicious glances.

Though no one dared to ask the duke directly, people gossiped about the rumor whenever two or more gathered.

“I never expected you to surprise me like this.”

Crown Prince Jonathan approached Dominic with an intrigued face.

Dominic’s expression showed complete indifference to people’s whispers.

“Why don’t I remember the name at all? A baron’s daughter, Baron Nilson?”

“Because it’s not a family worth remembering?”

“Is that so? Still, if she attended parties frequently, I should at least remember her face. How strange.”

While Jonathan tilted his head, Dominic leisurely brought his wine glass to his lips.

“This rumor spreading now, did you create it?”

Dominic neither confirmed nor denied the Crown Prince’s words.

Jonathan smiled wryly, seeming to have received his answer from the expression alone.

“I don’t know whether to be happy for the low-ranking baron’s daughter who achieved upward mobility overnight, or to feel sorry for a loveless marriage.”

Dominic stared directly at Jonathan in response.

“You’re not trying to deny exactly where all this started from, are you?”

Hearing that chilly tone, Jonathan cleared his throat awkwardly and replied,

“I know well enough, so you don’t need to keep reminding me. Friend.”

The Crown Prince, about to clink glasses, hesitated.

“Finally, here it comes. I’ll excuse myself.”

When Dominic turned his head, Silvia was walking toward them.

She looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, and her steps were unsteady.

“Silvia.”

Dominic lightly kissed the back of her hand as usual.