14: The Duchess in Name Only (Part 2)

Kael, who didn’t even glance at Matteo as he entered, asked what the matter was.

“The maid, Rensi, has been particularly harsh toward the Duchess…”

Meeting Kael’s sharp gaze, Matteo quickly corrected himself.

“I mean, Lady Aella. Rensi threw a glass cup at the back of Lady Aella’s head.”

“…”

“Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like she was seriously injured, but if this continues, it could tarnish the Duke’s household’s reputation.”

“Matteo.”

“Yes.”

Kael, who had been scribbling quickly with his pen, put it down and, with a cold gaze, looked at Matteo, who stood with his hands clasped and head bowed.

“Tell the head maid that from now on, any employee who damages the Duke’s property will be dismissed without mercy.”

“Understood.”

“You may leave.”

“Yes.”

Click.

After Matteo left, Kael frowned deeply and stood up abruptly, walking over to the wine cabinet.

[Ugh… It hurts so much, Kael. I… it hurts so much…]

Kael recalled Aella, who had been sobbing as she looked at him when he stopped by to check if she was doing well.

“D*mn it…!”

Ruffling his hair in frustration, Kael irritably flung the cabinet door open and grabbed the nearest bottle. He opened it with a wine opener and began drinking straight from the bottle.

“Hah… hic!”

It was his usual favorite wine, but for some reason, it tasted more bitter than usual today. To quell the irritating thirst even a little, Kael emptied the entire bottle on the spot and staggered over to the sofa, collapsing onto it.

“Don’t weaken. Remember how Father died! You damned fool!”

Shouting at himself, Kael recalled the final moments of his father, whom he had respected deeply.

His father, who had loved people too much and trusted them like a fool, had lost his life in vain, betrayed by Count Blueanz, whom he had treated like a sworn brother.

“I will never… forgive him.”

As he remembered his father’s end, Kael’s resolve for revenge grew colder and more determined.

***

Aella was soothing Kina, who was fuming as she bandaged her head.

“No matter how much I think about it, it makes my blood boil! How could they treat you worse than an object? And the head maid of all people! She owes her life to you after you saved her from a deadly illness!”

“Kina. You know she has her own circumstances.”

“Even so!”

“Natasha probably isn’t at ease either.”

Aella thought of Natasha, who used to greet her warmly whenever she visited the Duke’s residence. She had treated Aella like her own daughter.

‘If only I could go back to those times.’

Knowing it was futile, Aella let out a small laugh.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”
“I said I’m fine.”

Smiling at Kina, who sighed heavily, Aella spoke.

“Will the ground fall apart if I don’t?”

“Are you joking right now…? Ugh, well, maybe this is for the best!”

“What do you mean?”

“This room is probably the safest place for you, my lady. The Duke himself told you to stay put and not do anything. I’ll make sure you have enough to eat.”

Aella smiled warmly and thanked Kina, but she let out a short sigh, knowing that those who disliked her wouldn’t leave her alone even if she stayed quiet.

“My lady.”

Seeing Kina’s worried expression, Aella smiled gently and spoke.

“Kina, maybe you’re right. This might be the safest place for me. Oh, by the way, it’s been a while since I’ve gone to a bookstore. Would you like to come with me? I feel like I haven’t read a book in ages.”

“That sounds great!”

Seeing Kina’s excitement about the outing, Aella chuckled and began jotting down her plans for the next day.

‘As soon as Kael leaves, I’ll head out. First, I’ll stop by the orphanage… Oh, come to think of it, Viscount Melston asked me to visit. Well, since Kael doesn’t care what I do, I should spend my time helping those in need. For Kina’s sake, too.’

Aella reached out and gently held Kina’s wrist.

“My lady?”

“Could you help me starting tomorrow?”

“Of course! I’ll do anything to assist you!”

Aella laughed at Kina’s enthusiasm and touched her cheek.

“Thank you, Kina.”

“It’s nothing, my lady. Oh, I’ll go get Charlotte!”

“Please do.”

After Kina left, Aella sighed and walked over to the window.

Click.

She opened the small window and enjoyed the cool breeze, a faint smile spreading across her face.

“It feels nice.”

As she hummed softly with her eyes closed, she suddenly felt a gaze on her. Turning her head, she saw Kael standing there, looking up at her.

“…”

“…”

Their eyes met briefly before Kael turned away.

The days when just looking at him made her happy were now nothing more than an unreachable past. Aella clutched her aching chest tightly.

“It’s okay. I became Kael’s wife, just like I wanted. Even if it’s only in name… that’s enough for me.”

Wiping away the tears that had formed, Aella turned to face Kina, who had returned holding Charlotte in her arms.

“My lady, are you…?”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, never mind. I’ll go warm up some water.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Leaving her mistress, who was forcing a smile while holding Charlotte, Kina stepped outside and clutched her chest.
“Our poor lady… truly…”

Just thinking about it made Kina’s anger boil over. She was furious and resentful. Everyone in the Duke’s residence had received help from Aella at some point, even the Duke himself, who treated her like she didn’t exist. It was Aella who had saved him from becoming paralyzed after falling from a great height as a child.

“One day, they’ll regret it with tears of blood. Just wait and see!”

As Kina stomped off, a man who was even more annoying than the Duke approached hesitantly.

“What are you doing here at this hour?”

“Well, I…”

“Don’t tell me you’re here to spy on my lady even at night?”

“I’m just protecting her.”

“Protecting her? Move aside!”

Shoving him aside, Kina walked away, leaving Ian standing there, his face flushed and his eyes dazed with admiration.

“That commanding presence! Ah, when will I ever get close to her? Hah, I’ll never get close, will I?”

Feeling hopeless, Ian grew even more despondent, resenting the lord he served at this moment.

***

Early in the morning, Aella woke up to send Kael off as he left to take up his new position as the commander of the imperial guard.

Of course, he didn’t spare her a single glance, entrusting everything to Matteo and ignoring the mocking and scornful remarks of others.

“Don’t come back too late.”

“Yes.”

Kael spoke to Matteo, who stood beside Kina, while Aella, now used to such treatment, stepped into the carriage to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the Duke’s residence.

“How could they send my lady out with just one knight for protection?!”

“Kina, it’s been a while since we went out together. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Smiling warmly, Aella first visited the orphanage. Hugging the children who ran up to her, she spoke briefly with the director, who congratulated her on her marriage. Aella smiled faintly and stepped outside to check on the children.

“Sniffle, sniffle.”

“Oh dear, Jody, you’ve caught a cold. Come here.”

The child toddled over to Aella, who placed her hand on the child’s slightly warm forehead.

Flash!

“Wow! A blue light!”

“Aella is amazing!”

“No, you have to call her ‘my lady’ now!”

“Oh, right!”

Smiling at the children’s chatter, Aella healed the child’s cold.

“My lady! Asella and Lottie fell yesterday. Could you take a look at them?”

“Oh dear, that must have hurt.”

Removing their bandages, Aella placed her hand over the wounds, which had festered slightly.

Flash.

“Ah, it feels cool!”

“It feels good.”

Watching the two children smile brightly, Aella spoke.

“Be careful not to get hurt while playing from now on, alright?”

“Yes!”

“Good children.”

Promising to visit again, Aella left the orphanage and headed to Viscount Melston’s residence.

“Young lady—oh, no, I mean, Duchess, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m sorry for being so late. Things have been hectic lately.”

“Of course, please, this way.”

Led by the Viscount, Aella was taken to a room where the Viscountess lay on the bed, barely breathing.

“Dear, the Duchess of Hormons is here.”

“I’m sorry, Duchess. I’m… not feeling well.”

“It’s alright.”

The Viscount explained that his wife had been suffering from a loss of appetite for nearly a week, and the doctors couldn’t determine the cause.

Nodding, Aella examined the Viscountess and placed her hand over her chest.

“It’s indigestion. The Viscountess has a naturally weak digestive system, so it would be best to avoid spicy and salty foods in the future.”

“Oh!”

“I’ve relieved the discomfort for now, but for the next week, stick to soft soups and foods that are gentle on the stomach.”

“Thank you so much!”

Leaving the Viscount’s residence, Aella climbed into the carriage. She wanted to run far away, but at the same time, she didn’t want to leave Kael. Even if her body and heart became more miserable and worn out, she wanted to stay with him.

‘Aella, this was your choice. You can’t weaken now. If I fall ill… would I finally be able to rest by Mother’s side? If I die… would Kael be satisfied and feel relieved?’

As her thoughts overwhelmed her, Aella clenched her fists tightly.

Kina, noticing her mistress struggling to hold back tears, pretended not to see, but her heart ached even more.

***

After stopping by a bookstore and visiting her favorite dessert café from childhood, Aella’s mood soured when she saw Rensi wearing a lavish dress. It was a dress her late mother had prepared for her future adult daughter.

The sight of Rensi wearing such a precious dress, which Aella had never worn, filled her with rage.

“Take that dress off immediately.”

“Oh my! Why, my lady? It’s not like the dress will wear out just because I’m wearing it. Oops! My hand slipped.”

Rensi, not content with merely wearing the dress, deliberately poured black paint over the chest area.

Before Kina could yell at her, Aella stepped forward and slapped Rensi across the cheek.

“Don’t cross the line!”

“Hah! You’re just a duchess in name only!”

Pushing Aella away, Rensi tore off the dress and began cutting it to shreds with scissors.

“You’re just the daughter of a murderer! How dare you act so high and mighty!”

More than falling to the ground, seeing her mother’s first and last gift to her torn to pieces left Aella’s heart in tatters.

“Aaaaahhh!!!”

As Aella screamed, the employees laughed, treating her like a madwoman, while Rensi cackled. Matteo and Natasha, unable to watch, turned their heads away just as Kael returned.

“What’s going on?”

“Well…”

Aella, who had been screaming, looked at Kael, who was now staring at her and the dress in Rensi’s hands.

Kael knew full well how precious that dress was to Aella.

“Is dinner ready?”

“I’ll prepare it immediately.”

Without a word, Kael left, and the mocking laughter of the others was the last thing Aella heard before she lost consciousness.