Chapter 1 (Part 6)

After finishing her work, Therese hurried back to the Richard residence, deep in thought.

“Madame, the hem of your dress is all wet. I’m afraid what the Grand Madame will think.”

Since it was still early for a walk, dew clung to the grass. Maria Richard suffered from chronic neuralgia and usually woke up late in the morning. So there was no need to worry about her mother-in-law.

‘Even if she finds out I’ve been out, it doesn’t matter.’

Therese stopped walking and held Sophia’s hand tightly.

“Sophia. You know…”

She called her but couldn’t organize her thoughts on what to say.

‘I died, and when I opened my eyes, I was back five years ago.’

She couldn’t possibly say that.

But if things continued like this, Sophia might worry herself sick. After a brief hesitation, Therese put on a bright expression.

“I’ve decided to be happy.”

“…Ah.”

Sophia nodded repeatedly, her mouth agape.

Originally, Therese was adept at causing unexpected things.

But Sophia had never seen such a serious expression on her face before.

Therese’s happiness.

That was something Sophia also dearly wished for.

What more was there to wonder about?

“Of course. Of course.”

As Sophia’s eyes reddened and her lips trembled, Therese reached out and hugged her tightly.

Sophia’s embrace was as warm and ample as it had been when she was a child.

“Oh dear, what if someone sees you acting so childishly?”

But despite her grumbling words, Sophia continuously patted Therese’s back. The fully risen sun brightly illuminated the two of them.

Sophia’s warmth and the sunlight tapped on Therese’s heart.

‘…Ah.’

Yes. I had people around me who could share their warmth.

It was a fact she hadn’t realized before dying because she was groaning in pain.

Therese had to swallow back the tears that were welling up.

When she finally changed out of her damp dress and went down to the dining room, her mother-in-law was wearing a meaningful smile.

In the past, such a smile would have been more than enough to make Therese feel intimidated.

Her husband, who had gone to the battlefield, was out of contact, and there was no place for her to hide in this large, splendid castle. Therese was exposed defenselessly to Dowager Duchess Richard’s verbal abuse.

“How did such a thing ever enter our Richard ducal family?”

Her mother-in-law touched her forehead then abruptly turned her head.

‘I’d be more grateful if you ignored me.’

Facing someone you didn’t want to see was awkward for both her and her mother-in-law.

Ggrrr.

Therese felt hungry as she sat at the table, having been busy since morning.

Previously, she had lost her appetite completely, managing to eat only a cup of tea and a biscuit or two.

‘It’s strange to feel hungry.’

She smiled slightly at the unfamiliar sensation just as she was about to eat her salad.

“Has your headache improved?”

“Thanks to your concern, it’s much better. Thank you for your concern, Your Grace.”

Again, it was Duke Richard who had initiated the conversation.

The appetite she felt for the first time in a long while vanished in an instant.

Therese rolled a few beans with her fork as she organized what she had agonized over all night.

The simplest and most straightforward method might be best to deal a blow to someone who believed divorce would tarnish the family’s dignity.

‘If I tarnish the family’s dignity first…’

Those who found divorce abhorrent would deal with Therese as if cutting out a rotten part of an apple.

Excessive luxury, gambling addiction, alcoholism, infidelity…

Though she had never tried any of these, she was intent on doing whatever it took.

‘There’s no going back.’

Before her death, she had been too busy trying to fit into the Richard family, which she would never truly belong to.

‘If a dress doesn’t fit, instead of struggling to wear it, you should just buy a new one.’

Why hadn’t she thought of such a simple solution back then?

After finishing her meal, Therese headed to the library.

Feeling a bit more relaxed, she was in the mood to read.

Her original hobby was to eat delicious snacks and read books comfortably seated.

“There were so many things I forgot.”

She took out her favorite book and settled comfortably by the window.

“This place is better than my home, at least.”

Baron Demori had no interest in reading, and the books he collected were mainly valuable first editions. So in her childhood, to access more books, Therese had to use the public library in the capital.

“…Hmm.”

How much time had passed?

As someone entered, she was about to close her book when a long shadow was cast over her.

“…I’ve been looking for you.”

“…?”

The voice belonged to Duke Richard.

Jeremy Richard, having spent his life on battlefields, had sharper senses than most. The wife he had reunited with in the ducal mansion after a month seemed somehow strange.

‘Even today.’

He had received a report that the Duchess had gone out at dawn with only a maid. He had even witnessed her return through the window.

‘What exactly is this feeling?’

He hadn’t failed to investigate Therese Demori before their marriage. Even if it was the Emperor’s command, he couldn’t marry someone who would harm his family.

‘There didn’t seem to be any particular issues…….’

Collecting his thoughts, he addressed Therese.

“May I sit for a moment?”

“But this is…”

The seat was designed for one, making it very cramped to sit together. Before she could give her permission, the Duke sat next to Therese.

“May I ask where you went so early in the morning?”

“Ah….”

Therese hesitated to answer the unexpected question.

She hadn’t thought that the Duke would take an interest in her whereabouts.

As she didn’t immediately respond, Duke Richard narrowed his eyes.

In the worst case, Therese could be a spy.

Sending a beautiful woman from a rival family to gather all sorts of information or undermine from within was a common tactic. He had countless enemies within the empire, so he couldn’t disregard this possibility.

‘But why her?’

At that thought, a headache struck him, and the Duke grimaced severely.

On the other hand, Therese, sitting close enough to share breaths with the Duke, was only confused.

‘Why is the Duke doing this?’

He had initiated conversation that morning, and upon closer observation, he seemed to take an unusual interest in her. It was utterly incomprehensible.

She took a deep breath and spoke.

“Actually, I went to order a dress.”

“From the crack of dawn?”

“Yes. I heard that designer is going abroad soon, so I was a bit anxious.”

At Therese’s words, the Duke glanced at her.

She was holding a book, dressed in the same plain gray dress as the evening before. She looked far from someone who had been out shopping since dawn. Although he was taken aback, he feigned an expressionless face and asked.

“Do you like shopping?”

Therese gave an answer that would surprise the Duke.

“Actually, shopping is my favorite thing.”

Looking down at her fluttering eyelashes, Jeremy’s eyes slightly curved upwards.

“I have been inconsiderate. I’m often on the battlefield, so I haven’t taken proper care of you.”

“….”

Expecting him to show disgust, the Duke instead gave a strange reply. Duke Richard, despite owning wealth comparable to the Emperor or her father, was known for his frugality.

She had heard he detested extravagance, so why was he reacting this way?

“So, did you only order a dress?”

“…Pardon?”

As Therese responded, the Duke stood up and called a servant standing by the door.

“I’ll be going out with the Duchess in the afternoon, so make preparations.”