Chapter 4.2

In addition to the Earl of Melfir and his wife, two other couples had been invited to the gathering. Yet, for some reason, the conversation revolved almost entirely around Solnia and Luette.  

“I was truly surprised, you know. That Luette hadn’t married because of one woman! Now that it’s all in the past, I can say this, but back then, people even speculated that there might be something wrong with his preferences. You can’t imagine how worried we were.”  

The attendees included Viscount Timberland and his wife, the Earl and Countess of Jermiah, and the Earl’s younger brother and his wife.  

The Jermiahs, who seemed to have a close relationship with Luette, didn’t hesitate to begin their sentences with, “As someone who knows Luette…” and proceeded to make rude remarks. The couple, however, brushed them off with calm smiles.  

It wasn’t worth getting upset over outdated gossip, especially when it was so obvious they were fishing for information.  

“He may look like this, but he’s a good person.”  

Solnia smiled warmly at Luette as she spoke. Whatever “looking like this” meant, Luette met her gaze and smiled back.  

“Oh my, to think they’re still so affectionate.”  

“Indeed, it’s enviable.”  

Fortunately, the pointless chatter didn’t last long. The husbands, who had been silently enduring the praise of other men, soon grew bored and stood up.  

“Shall we get started with the hunt?”  

“Indeed. We should hurry before the game flees from all this chatter.”  

As they rose, Viscount Timberland lightly patted Luette on the shoulder.  

“Luette, let’s go. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your skills.”  

“Ah, my apologies, but I’ll be staying here.”  

Luette responded with a charming smile.  

He had no intention of hunting. Viscount Timberland, known for his competitive nature, wouldn’t stop until he had caught the most game. And Luette had no intention of deliberately losing to him either.  

Moreover, the other two men, already mounted, were seasoned hunters. They were the kind of noblemen who traveled far and wide for seasonal hunts, obsessed with shooting.  

“You’re staying behind? Why?”  

“My wife isn’t feeling…”  

Luette, about to use Solnia’s health as an excuse, suddenly noticed how exceptionally lively she looked today.  

Solnia, looking more than healthy, smiled brightly at him.  

“I’m fine. Go ahead.”  

She even placed her hand gently on his chest.  

“I’d like to see how skilled you are as well.”  

And then, as if to push him away, she lightly nudged him.  

“Our future Duke seems to lack confidence in his hunting skills.”  

That bold remark from one of the men lit a spark. Luette stared at him for a moment before rising from his seat.  

“Well, I suppose I have no choice. My wife seems to be looking forward to it.”  

As he said this, he leaned down as if to kiss Solnia’s forehead. The mere act of him bending his large frame drew gasps of admiration from the women.  

“Thanks to you, I’ll enjoy myself.”  

What he really meant was, “You’ll pay for this.”  

“Take your time and enjoy yourself.”  

And what she meant was, “Do whatever you want.”  

*

As the men left for the hunt, the women wasted no time diving into hushed conversations.  

From tales of a haughty Countess having an affair with a servant to the scandal of a maid from a famously upright family getting pregnant—causing chaos in a household with four sons as they tried to find the father—the gossip flowed freely.  

Solnia nodded or smiled at the right moments, pretending to participate. She had no interest in other people’s affairs, and this was a gathering where even a minor slip of the tongue could spiral into a scandal.  

“I heard the second son ended up killing him.”  

“Surely not, in this day and age.”  

The whispered stories had reached the topic of a fierce succession battle in a small noble family when something caught Solnia’s attention.  

“Speaking of which, we trust Lu.”  

The remark made Solnia look up.  

“Who else could lead the Trovill Ducal Household?”  

Viscountess Timberland lowered her voice as if discussing something important. The lively tea-time atmosphere shifted in an instant.  

“Honestly, after William’s death, many of us thought the title would pass to another branch of the family. And to this day, some still think so. As you know, his life…”  

“Wasn’t exactly fitting for a successor, you mean?”  

Solnia added with a smile, and Viscountess Timberland nodded.  

A life fit for a successor—it was clear even from Alec. Sometimes, through the stained windows, she would see Alec, always dressed differently and heading somewhere. Occasionally, he would appear tired, his shoulders slumped or his hair disheveled.  

In contrast, the idea of someone like Luette, who had spent his post-graduation years wandering abroad and stirring up bizarre rumors wherever he went, becoming the family’s successor was enough to infuriate the members of the collateral branches.  

When Solnia spoke understandingly, Viscountess Timberland seemed encouraged and began speaking faster.  

“But I think differently. They say the position shapes the person, don’t they? Look at Luette now. If not him, who else could lead the Trovill Ducal Household?”  

“……”  

“Madam, we supported Luette then, and we support him now.”

The Viscountess of Timberland, true to her reputation for her adeptness in socializing and eloquence, also had excellent acting skills. To an outsider, she would have seemed like someone who genuinely cherished and was even proud of her niece. Her face, which seemed to plead, “I am on your side,” even exuded sincerity.

“Oh, I heard that the Heston Dowager Madame’s party was so grand last time.”

The Viscountess of Timberland spoke in a slightly excited tone, as if trying to liven up the atmosphere. The ladies eagerly began talking about the Heston Dowager Madame’s seventieth birthday party, as though they had been waiting for this moment.

They discussed how splendid and grand it was, and how the old, beautiful mansion was filled with dazzling people. Surprisingly, they knew even more details about the event than Solnia, who had actually attended it.

“It’s truly a shame that I couldn’t witness the scene with my own eyes.”

The Viscountess of Timberland said this, flashing a smile at Solnia.

Seeing that smile, Solnia realized something.

‘Ah, this person. Perhaps, just maybe.’

From what she had observed, the Viscount and Viscountess of Timberland were quite eager for the kind of honor that money couldn’t buy. In that sense, they seemed to want to get closer to the Heston Dowager Madame, but for some reason, they were always subtly rejected.

As evidence, the Viscount and Viscountess of Timberland had not been invited to the Dowager Madame’s previous birthday party, where nearly every notable noble of the kingdom had been invited.

And why was that?

Because they weren’t the “real deal.”

To the grandmother, who put her life into tradition, legitimacy, nobility, and sanctity, those who had bought their titles with money must have seemed less than street vermin. Even if they were distant relatives of a ducal household.

“I’m so curious about what kinds of stories are exchanged at the weekly dinner gatherings…”

The Viscountess of Timberland trailed off, and Solnia smiled.

‘So there was another motive.’

While the Viscount of Timberland’s intentions were unclear, the Viscountess’s immediate goal was to strengthen her position in the social world.

To be precise, it was to become part of the Dowager Madame’s network.

Her earlier effusive praise of Luette as the rightful heir was merely a preliminary step.

‘So, in other words, they care more about solidifying their own position than about the heir of the ducal household.’

In a way, the Viscountess was wise. What would be the point of coveting the ducal title, which would either go to Luette or Haziel?

“I’d love to tell you, but I’ve never attended the dinners hosted by my grandmother either.”

Solnia said.

Every Thursday, her grandmother hosted a small dinner gathering at the Oberon Mansion. What secretive discussions took place there, Solnia had no way of knowing. She had never attended.

“Oh my, really? The Countess of Melfir hasn’t been invited?”

“Yes. She hasn’t invited me yet.”

“Perhaps it’s because you haven’t been in the capital for long?”

The sparkling eyes seemed to express their unwavering belief that, should Solnia ever be invited to the dinner, she would extend a hand to them as well.

And Solnia nodded as if to reassure them.

“I’ll definitely try to arrange something.”

“Oh my, thank you so much.”

It was at that moment she thought that this talkative Viscountess might someday become a useful card to play.

Bang—!

Just then, the sound of a gunshot echoed from deeper within the forest.

“Judging by how infrequent the shots are, it seems today’s hunt isn’t going well.”

“Still, with the Earl of Melfir here today, there might be some results, don’t you think?”

“His hunting skills are certainly impressive. Isn’t that right, Countess of Melfir?”

“Yes?”

Lost in thought, Solnia missed her cue to respond and wore a blank expression.

The occasional gunshot brought back certain memories. Memories she didn’t want to recall, yet couldn’t completely forget.

“Oh my, it seems the Countess of Melfir is hearing this for the first time.”

“Didn’t you say the two of you have been friends since childhood?”

She was doomed. That was the only thought in her mind. With just one follow-up question, the ladies pounced as if they had found their prey.

“Ah, now that you mention it…”

Just as she was about to fabricate some excuse, a large hand rested on her shoulder.

Startled, she instinctively glanced at her shoulder, only to hear a voice close to her ear.

“My wife dislikes it when I shoot.”

Perhaps it was because she had only been listening to the ladies’ chatter until now. Or maybe it was because he was so close.

“I once made a grave mistake in the past.”

“…”

She wanted to retort, “Do you even know what you’re talking about?” but his heavy voice left her flustered. His face was so close that their breaths could almost touch.

“Were you having a pleasant time, my dear?”

At his question, Solnia barely managed to smile and replied.

“Of course. The ladies have been very entertaining.”

Only then did Luette rise, looking satisfied. It was only after he moved away that Solnia could finally exhale the breath she had been holding.