‘Everyone is the protagonist of their own life. But still…’

Anyway, Louise doesn’t know about these sentences. I’m the only one reading them!

So I passed the time reading various novels that Louise brought me, and also reading another novel where Louise was active, though she herself didn’t know about it.

I continued to have Louise deliver suspicious letters.

When Louise was away, I used that time to check the letters from the servants that Sylvester brought, one by one.

I only checked the envelopes of those written by others. For those sent by Louise Garnet or from unknown senders, I opened each one and checked the contents.

I carefully examined each one and selected a few from among them.

Some letters had contents written as cryptically as a code, while others had information written out in detail.

Reading about my personal circumstances, Rashid’s recent situation, and the goings-on in the Duke’s residence, I was amazed at Louise’s powers of observation. For some, I even wondered how she knew such things. I suspected she might have secretly entered someone else’s room.

When I wasn’t doing such things, I spent my time lazing about on the bed. A life where nothing was expected of me was peaceful. How nice it would be if this life could continue.

But I was the Duchess, and a Duchess had her duties to fulfill.

* * *

It was already the end of spring. Summer was fast approaching. The sun rose higher each day, and yellow-feathered summer birds sang in the garden.

Invitations addressed to the Duchess of Penvernon began to arrive at the mansion one by one. Although I refrained from social activities for a while, it seemed I wasn’t completely forgotten. I felt the real weight of the Duchess’s reputation.

Previously, Louise would have sorted through the invitations and handed them to me, but I decided not to rely on her anymore.

“Louise, bring me all the letters that have come for me.”

“It might be inconvenient for you to look at all of them. I’ll select only the necessary ones for you.”

“I’ll look at them first, it’s been a while.”

I declined Louise’s offer with a gentle smile, then called for Harriet.

Jingle jingle, the sound of the key bundle at her waist rang out with every move she made. The keys to the mansion’s shelves and storerooms were a symbol of Harriet’s power.

“Mrs. Ronan.”

“You called, my lady.”

She greeted me politely. Harriet’s attitude was always impeccable.

Perhaps inwardly she looked down on the timid and unremarkable Duchess. But she never showed it. It was the proper behavior expected of the head maid of the Penvernon ducal household.

Harriet was capable and loyal to the Penvernon ducal family. That’s why Rashid trusted her and kept her by his side for many years.

If so, I could trust her too. She wouldn’t want to see me, the Duchess of Penvernon, to fail, at least.

“Sit down.”

I invited Harriet to take a seat. I could see Louise standing beside me with a sullen face.

“Louise, I have something to discuss with Mrs. Ronan.”

“Yes.”

“Please leave us for a moment.”

She would have known what I was asking even if I had just said I had something to talk about, but she only moved after being explicitly told to leave. I could imagine her perking up her ears outside the door, wondering what Harriet and I would talk about.

“Um, Mrs. Ronan. The thing is… I’m not sure which invitations I should accept, so I thought it would be good to discuss it together. I think you would know well since you’ve heard a lot.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll do my best.”

“After all, it’s been a while since I’ve engaged in social activities, so I’d like to attend appropriate events properly.”

To be honest, I’m extremely worried about having to engage in social activities. There were so many things to be concerned about.

Alisa’s memories and ingrained habits would keep me in line with this world, but the fact that I had to do things I hadn’t personally experienced was incredibly burdensome.

If possible, I’d like to postpone it… I wonder if that would be acceptable in this situation.

“In that case, my lady, I think it would be most important for you to attend the Chrysante ducal family’s banquet.”

“Is that so. It’s a ducal family’s banquet, so I suppose that makes sense.”

After pondering for a moment, I slowly continued.

“…Honestly, I’m also concerned that it might be early for social activities.”

I subtly revealed my true feelings.

“As it’s an important event, I believe it would be best if you attend with His Grace.”

“Rashi… ahem, will His Grace be attending as well?”

“Even if you don’t attend, my lady, His Grace will go.”

“I see.”

Then shouldn’t I not go? It seems like it would be enough if only Rashid went. Perhaps that’s what they want as well.

I let out a short sigh and opened my mouth again.

“To be honest, I’m a bit worried about several things.”

I’m not sure how Harriet will take this.

Not just me, but Alisa wasn’t very enthusiastic about social activities either. Among the assertive noble ladies, the fragile wildflower, Alisa, was often overwhelmed.

Even fulfilling the minimum duties required as a Duchess was more than Alisa could handle.

“But you must attend such official events to show that you are well, my lady.”

“I must show? Why?”

The strong sense of recommendation in Harriet’s words sounded a bit strange, so I asked for the reason. Harriet hesitated for a moment, watching my reaction.

“I apologize. It’s just that I’ve heard many people are greatly concerned about the unfortunate accident you experienced, my lady.”

“I see. Then wouldn’t it be better to rest a bit more and show myself after I’m completely healthy? I’m worried that if I appear unwell, it might only increase people’s concerns.”

As someone considering divorce from Rashid, I wasn’t keen on appearing in a place where many eyes would be on me as the Duchess of Penvernon. I wanted to divorce quietly and quickly without leaving much of an impression on people’s memories.

While enjoying dinners with Rashid, I had been constantly thinking about the appropriate timing to bring up the topic of divorce.

When and how to say it was a very important issue. If I spoke carelessly, I might not achieve my goal.

“Well…”

Harriet seemed to want to send me out into society quickly. It was unexpected. Even if she wanted to hide Alisa from society, I thought I could understand that sentiment.

“If you have something to say, please speak frankly, Mrs. Ronan.”

“If I may be so bold, my lady. There are rumors that you…”

Harriet paused for a moment. She looked uncomfortable despite having opened the conversation herself.

“There are rumors circulating that you attempted to take your own life.”

“What?”

My eyes widened instantly. It was an absurd piece of news.

“What on earth are you talking about…? Can you explain in more detail?”

Harriet continued, looking perplexed.

“I’ve heard that there are widespread rumors in society that you attempted to drown yourself in the river, despairing over not being loved by His Grace the Duke.”

“What?!”

I stood up abruptly.

Alisa trying to commit suicide because she wasn’t loved by Rashid?

What nonsense is this?!

This was something never mentioned in the original story.

Faced with this terrible news, I frantically searched through Alisa’s memories. I thoroughly examined if there was even the slightest such reason for Alisa falling into the water, but of course, there wasn’t. Her fall into the river was nothing more than an unfortunate accident caused by slipping.

Of course. I felt relieved. It’s absurd to think she would decide to die for such a reason. I don’t understand why such a ridiculous false rumor has spread.

In the story set up by the author, Alisa just needed to die. There wasn’t even a need to establish detailed settings… Her only purpose for existing was to leave a scar on Rashid.

The fact that rumors about something not in the original story were spreading meant that this world was filling in the blanks of the story on its own, fitting in its own causality bit by bit.

It’s incredibly absurd, but if you consider it from different angles, it’s not a completely incomprehensible rumor.

‘Interesting. It’s as if it’s alive, despite being a world inside a novel.’

I thought it was just a superficial world existing solely for the novel’s plot, but I guess this place is still a neighborhood where people live. I fell into a newfound contemplation.