Chapter 2 (Part 3)

Therese, aboard the carriage, was on the verge of exploding. Meeting the Duke during an unplanned visit to Oxford Street had made her heart race. And now, Roshan had put her in an awkward position.

“Roshan, have you lost your mind?”

“Master, what did I do wrong?”

“Calling me Young Master could make His Grace suspicious!”

Usually sharp-minded, she couldn’t understand why Roshan was acting so recklessly. He smiled slyly at her reprimand.

“But you look like a boy right now, Master, so there’s no need to worry.”

Was that a compliment or an insult?

‘Indeed, if he had realized it was his wife, he wouldn’t have been so nonchalant.’

If she met the Duke dressed as a woman, she wouldn’t be able to remain composed.

“How did you know I was here, anyway?”

Today, Therese had tried to leave no trace. She used several carriages and traveled on foot, making it difficult to track her.

Roshan responded to her question with a boastful tone.

“Master, we are an information guild, after all. It’s not difficult.”

“Then, as an information guild, where did all your sense go?”

If he had seen her with Duke Richard while disguised, he should have avoided her. Watching Roshan blink cluelessly, she let out a long sigh.

“……Ha.”

“If there’s anything I’m lacking, please let me know. I was just afraid of you being in danger, Master.”

“You were nowhere to be seen when needed, and now this?”

If Roshan had been there when she faced the thugs, she wouldn’t have needed the Duke’s help. She wouldn’t have walked the academy grounds with him or shared snacks.

“Everything is my fault.”

Roshan sat on the carriage floor, resting his forehead on her knee.

“Did you commit a crime worthy of death? Get up.”

“I never intended to cause trouble.”

His broad shoulders trembled, and soon Therese’s knee vibrated as if he were holding back tears.

“What’s with you? It’s okay.”

Seeing Roshan react so intensely, Therese was quite taken aback. He was usually so composed that he wouldn’t blink if someone died before him. Even if monsters attacked the carriage, he would handle it calmly. But his lack of tact and emotional display was unlike him.

‘Roshan’s been acting strange lately.’

But now it was more important to calm him down than to question his behavior. It wasn’t something to drag out.

The water was already spilled.

Looking back, it wasn’t a serious issue. Whether she dressed as a man or a clown, she didn’t need the Duke’s permission.

“It’s all my fault.”

This was merely an incident she caused while trying to surprise her father. As she lightly patted his shoulder, Roshan sighed deeply.

“I cannot help but admire your mercy, Master.”

When he raised his head, his red eyes were moist. If the ladies of Manus saw him, they might have squealed at his melancholy face. But to Therese, he looked like a whining big dog. 

Though Roshan was undoubtedly attractive, she had never seen him as a romantic interest.

“Really, Roshan. You didn’t hit your head, did you?”

Could he be suffering from a terminal illness? 

There were only a few people she cherished.

Her father, Sophia, and Roshan were about it, so his behavior scared her. 

Seeing her sharp blue eyes, Roshan quickly sat across from her, composed himself, and spoke calmly.

“Master, I have something to report.”

As if nothing happened, he handed her some documents. This prevented her from questioning his odd behavior further. The documents contained what she was curious about.

“As I expected.”

Compared to the monsters she read about in newspaper articles years ago, their grades and numbers had significantly decreased. 

Therese had been curious about why the Duke could return to the capital so quickly this time. Normally, he would leave the ducal residence right after the wedding and return much later.

“Is there a problem?”

There could be a problem.

Because of this, the future she knew was all messed up.

Therese, resting her forehead on one hand, shook her head lightly.

“Roshan, place one of our informants there. And let me know whenever monsters appear on the border.”

The empire was one of the world’s strongest nations. It had fertile land, abundant underground resources, and ports suitable for trade, leading to commercial development. 

If not for the occasional monster appearances, there would be no worries. Every year, more people were sacrificed to monsters, and preparing for them required significant expenses. The military had to expand annually, and maintaining it required vast funds.

Understanding the flow of money was fundamental to running a trading company, so monsters were closely related to Therese’s work.

“As you command, Master.”

❖ ❖ ❖

Returning to the Richard ducal residence, Therese’s heart felt heavy. Her face, leaning against the carriage window, was filled with worry.

“Nothing seems to be going as planned…….”

Her plans for divorce were tangled from the start.

‘I thought indulging in luxury would make the Duke want to get rid of me.’

Instead, he acted as if he would buy the entire Manus Bazaar, completely foiling that plan. Moreover, today’s unexpected meeting with him gave her a headache.

“I need to come up with another method quickly.”

She glanced at her reflection in the window, dressed in a gown.

“Was it really that convincing?”

Her slender face and round blue eyes met the darkening dusk.

“Welcome back.”

Upon arriving at the ducal residence, Sophia anxiously followed Therese.

“What’s the matter, Sophia?”

“The Grand Madame was furious that you went out without an escort.”

Therese wrapped her arm around Sophia’s shoulder and winked.

“If that’s all, it’s fine.”

The more she did things that damaged her dignity, the closer she would get to divorce.

“Has His Grace returned?”

“He stopped by the knight order and said he wouldn’t be joining for dinner.”

“That’s a relief.”

The thought of facing him at the dinner table made her feel sick. She wasn’t confident she could handle it calmly, and her mind was a mess.

“But, you see….”

It seemed Sophia had something she found hard to say.

“Did Mother-in-law say something again?”

“Let’s change your dress first.”

After changing her clothes and coming down to the dining room, her mother-in-law and someone else were already there.

“You’re late.”

“I’m sorry. I got delayed while I was out.”

After a light response, Therese sat in her place and finally saw the other person’s face.

“……Ah.”

It was a familiar face.

Katrina Volez, the queen of the social scene, known for her striking red hair and golden eyes. The only daughter of an Earl, she was famous for receiving many suitors from a young age.

‘And a fervent admirer of Duke Richard.’

As soon as the Duke left for the battlefield after their marriage, her mother-in-law had invited Katrina to the ducal residence.

‘You must be lonely without the Duke. It would be nice to have her as a companion.’

But no one took the Grand Madame’s words at face value. Katrina was treated as the true mistress of the Richard ducal residence.

‘If I had died and disappeared, that might have happened.’

Even though she was criticized by her mother-in-law for not being able to bear an heir, she always smiled kindly at Katrina.

“Duchess, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Katrina from the Volez family.”

With impeccable manners, the other party greeted her.

“Pleasure to meet you, Lady Volez.”

After a brief greeting, she sat down and took a sip of tea. Having eaten so many sweets with the Duke earlier, she wasn’t hungry at all.

‘In the end, I ate it all by myself.’

She grumbled, but the image of Duke Richard’s broad shoulders in his navy uniform kept lingering in her mind. His relaxed smile, different from usual, was truly pleasant to see.

‘Why am I feeling like this?’

After much contemplation, Therese decided to just accept her current feelings.

‘I won’t suppress any of my emotions.’

The fact that Duke Richard was handsome was an unchanging truth. However, that didn’t change anything. 

If she were absent, laughter would surely bloom at this table too. 

If Lady Volez sat here, the Duke wouldn’t have any reason to call his wife a vulgar merchant’s daughter.

Her mother-in-law would finally see the noble daughter-in-law she had always wished for, and everyone would have a happy ending.

“Duchess, you’re quite slender. Are you on a diet?”

Katrina spoke with a nasal tone. 

She was the complete opposite of Therese in every way. With glossy skin, flowing hair, a full bust, and a slim waist, she was always the center of attention.

“No, I’m just a bit tired today.”

At a glance, Therese’s face didn’t look well. She was very pale, with dark circles under her eyes, as if she might collapse at any moment.

“By the way, Grand Madame, when is His Grace coming?”

Katrina, who quickly lost interest in Therese, looked around.

“He’ll be here soon. I sent word that the lovely Katrina has arrived.”

Her mother-in-law held Katrina’s hand and acted affectionately.

“We used to see each other often when we were young, but it’s been hard to see oppa these days.”

Using the casual term “oppa,” Katrina looked at Therese with an embarrassed expression.

“I’m sorry. Having grown up with His Grace since childhood, I made this mistake.”

“It’s fine.”

Nothing entered Therese’s ears at that moment. She didn’t want to hear it, and there was no need to.