Chapter 1 (Part 11)

As Therese untied her cloak and approached the drawing room, Sophia discreetly approached and took her cloak and parasol.

“Baroness Ferdian?”

“…?”

Baroness Ferdian, who was close with her mother-in-law, was a born flatterer.

‘Grand Madame Richard, how is your skin so firm like you’re in your twenties? Could you share a bit of your secret?’

‘You’re the only lady in the empire who can wear a pearl necklace so elegantly.’

Her mother-in-law adored Baroness Ferdian, who fawned over her like a tongue in her mouth. For this reason, despite not being from a particularly good family, Baroness Ferdian acted as if she were a distant relative of the Richard ducal family.

At Therese’s call, Baroness Ferdian concealed her surprise and greeted her formally.

“Greetings to Duchess Richard.”

Though Therese was indeed the Duchess, Baroness Ferdian’s face looked reluctant as she greeted her. The days when Baroness Ferdian constantly mocked Therese’s appearance came to her mind.

‘Duchess, while being thin is trendy these days, isn’t it too much? The Duke might stray if you’re not careful. They say a woman should have some substance….’

When alone, Baroness Ferdian never hesitated to make such insulting remarks to Therese.

‘How much of a fool did she take me for…….’

Holding her throbbing head, Therese spoke.

“Could you please get me a cup of lemon tea? I have a headache.”

The small conversation among the group halted abruptly at her words. As if shocked, everyone’s mouths fell open. 

A brief silence followed, and her mother-in-law hurriedly spoke.

“I’m truly an unfortunate person. Having lost my husband, and now a daughter-in-law like her bringing disgrace to the family. I apologize on her behalf.”

As her mother-in-law pretended to squeeze out nonexistent tears, the surrounding noblewomen rushed to console her. 

‘This is more entertaining than most performances.’

When she was lost in that environment, it was merely a tragedy, but stepping back, everything seemed ridiculous. However, no matter how amusing the spectacle, she didn’t have the energy to enjoy it now.

“There seem to be plenty of people to serve tea here, so I’ll excuse myself.”

Therese spoke calmly.

“……?”

Maria Richard was so shocked that she couldn’t even respond. Though it had only been a month, she believed she was educating her daughter-in-law well.

‘By now, she should be tamed under me.’

She had no intention of acknowledging Therese as her daughter-in-law and considered her no more than a maid to command.

‘Where does she get off being so arrogant?’

“Come here at once! It’s against etiquette to keep the ladies waiting.”

Seeing Therese flinch at her words, Maria smiled slyly. She had never failed to train anyone, be it a person or a dog, as she wished. 

It was then.

“Mother, ladies, good afternoon.”

Duke Richard, dressed comfortably as if he had just come from sword training, suddenly appeared. All the noblewomen rose and made a fuss at his arrival.

“Oh my! Duke Richard is here today.”

“How gallant he looks. Truly a blessing to the empire.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”

Maria, who watched her precious son with pride, extended her hand.

“Duke, won’t you come and keep us company?”

Opportunities to boast about her outstanding son were rare. Since being granted the Dukedom, her son had always roamed the battlefield. She was proud of her son who dedicated himself to the empire but also slightly discontented.

‘I’ve birthed two sons, yet neither is by my side….’

But Duke Richard did not move at his mother’s call. As Maria, embarrassed by her outstretched hand, subtly picked up a fan, the Duke turned and faced Therese directly.

‘……What, what’s this?’

His shirt, fitting snugly over his broad shoulders, was oddly disheveled, and his flushed cheeks and black eyes holding her were both unfamiliar and familiar. In the past, he hadn’t spared a glance for Therese. They were under the same sky but as distant as stars that could never touch.

“Mother, I have matters to attend to with my wife.”

Even as he spoke to his mother, Duke Richard did not take his eyes off Therese. He took a step forward and extended his hand to her.

“……Duke.”

Maria called him, but Jeremy did not stop his actions. Urged by the look in his eyes, Therese took the Duke’s hand. Holding her hand lightly, the Duke headed outside. As Therese followed him up the stairs, he finally stopped.

“I apologize. You seemed a bit troubled.”

Therese quickly released his hand and pressed it tightly against her chest. Her heart, pounding furiously, showed no sign of calming down.

‘Why is this man acting this way?’

A moment ago, Duke Richard seemed like a knight on a white horse. Just like when he saved her from the carriage as a child.

‘Troubled? Did he read my expression?’

Therese sneered at the absurd assumption. 

Such a thing would never happen. Wishing for something that would never occur was foolish and tormenting.

The Duke, observing her expression, withdrew his hand and looked flustered.

“Apologies. I just came from sword training….”

He seemed to think she frowned at the smell of sweat emanating from him.

‘…That’s not it at all.’

She was restraining herself from reaching out to his sweat-drenched bangs. But Therese did not want to repeat the past.

‘He’s someone I’ll part with soon.’

So she had to cut off these feelings, even if she had to close her eyes and ears.

❖ ❖ ❖

The small pavilion in one corner of the garden was Therese’s favorite spot in the Richard family estate. Her mother-in-law found it too plain and never visited, and the Duke, needless to say, rarely returned to the capital.

“Then why now….”

Returning to several years ago, everything was twisted. The only thing unchanged was perhaps Maria Richard.

‘Even seeing her again makes me sick.’

What Maria continuously did to Therese, who knew nothing right after marriage, was a form of mental abuse. Her mother-in-law’s words tore Therese’s soul apart. Along with her husband’s indifference and coldness, it was hard for her.

Thinking of Duke Richard, her mind became chaotic. In the past few days, she had spent more time with him than in the past five years. They had rarely shopped together or walked side by side.

“Is this a new form of torment?”

If so, it might be successful. 

Because of the Duke, Therese felt as if her chest was tightly blocked.

Leaning back on a small chair, she poked her head out beyond the railing. White clouds in the high sky were round and fluffy like flocks of sheep. The wind touching her skin was comfortably warm, and a subtle floral scent wafted through the air.

“The weather is so nice.”

Muttering as she caressed her thin hand with protruding bones, Therese spoke. Having died once was sorrowful enough, but dying again seemed heartless of the heavens.

She couldn’t find an antidote at the market she visited with Roshan last time.

‘Who would use such a heinous poison as digitalis and belladonna?’

Even the owner of the shop specializing in poisons clicked his tongue.

‘It’s hard to get an antidote immediately, and it needs to be prepared by a skilled person. Take this. It will slow the spread of the poison in your body.’

Taking out a small vial from her pocket, she drank a little.

“…Ugh.”

The taste was incredibly bitter. 

Wiping her mouth, Therese pressed her hand tightly against her heart. 

Since the poisoning, her body couldn’t withstand surprises or sudden movements. As she exhaled heavily, laughter burst forth.

‘Am I afraid of death?’

That wasn’t it.

“Maybe it’s regret for a path not taken?”

When she resolved to die, she had given up hope for life, but now she earnestly wanted to try something. So she wanted to live.

“Yes. I will live.”

While leisurely watching the sky was nice, she wanted to spend the possibly limited time meaningfully.

“Sophia! Prepare for an outing.”

“Madame, you still don’t look well.”

Sophia, who was picking flowers a little distance away, looked worried. But there was no one who could change Therese’s determined mind now.

“I’m going to see the Baron.”

Seeing Therese’s resolute face, Sophia nodded.

“…Understood.”