Chapter 33 – I just hope they realize late that I ran away.

The next day, I sent a message to the imperial palace as soon as the morning came. Since Prince Raphael was a guest of the royal family, I sought permission from Empress Celia to visit. Although there was no real need to wait for a reply—it was essentially just a formal procedure—when Ian and I arrived at the palace, the emperor’s chamberlain personally came out to greet us.

Ian frowned, suspecting Cade had ulterior motives, but he didn’t say much when the chamberlain offered to escort me by carriage.

The chamberlain showed us the emperor’s decree that I could ride in the palace’s carriages anytime until I fully recovered from my illness, and he personally guided us to the emperor’s drawing room.

In the drawing room, besides the emperor and empress, there were also Raphael, Eloise, several dignitaries from Laran, and a few ministers from Cade’s faction. It seemed everyone who could be called upon had been gathered.

This was practically a tea party. Although I was displeased with Cade for expanding the event without consulting me, I had no choice but to smile and greet everyone since it was already in motion.

What could I do? Cade must have found it difficult as an emperor too. He wouldn’t have wanted any disputes, especially since he had sought Laran’s assistance. He wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity to smooth things over. Considering I was partly the cause, I wanted to cooperate while pretending to be oblivious.

However, I was worried because Ian seemed uncomfortable. I pretended to need an escort and grabbed his arm. He looked down at me, and I whispered quietly.

“You’re going to apologize, right?”

“…”

“Please.”

Ian sighed but didn’t resist when it came time to apologize. Prince Raphael, as if he had been waiting, smiled and accepted Ian’s straightforward apology without any excuses.

Raphael even handed Ian a gift as a gesture of goodwill, making me feel embarrassed for coming empty-handed. Nonetheless, the reconCeliation appeared successful, at least on the surface, thanks to the emperor’s mediation, and everyone seemed satisfied except Ian. As we left the palace and sat in the carriage, I asked,

“What’s the gift? Open it, Ian.”

“Why?”

“So we can prepare a reciprocating gift of equal value.”

“Do we have to reciprocate?”

“Ian…”

Ian seemed a bit annoyed, but as I glared at him, he reluctantly opened the box.

“Tea leaves, I think.”

“Can I see?”

“No. There might be poison.”

Ian closed the lid of the box.

“What a ridiculous thing to say! Tea can vary greatly in price; we need to know what kind it is.”

“I’ve never seen this type before. Anyway, you can’t have it until it’s confirmed safe. I’ll handle the reciprocation.”

“…Can I trust you, Ian?”

“I’ll have Phillip do it.”

Phew, that’s a relief. Then I can trust it. I looked out the carriage window, completely reassured.

“In any case, since you’ve apologized and the emperor mediated it as a political conflict, strange rumors should subside… but there’s still one more issue to resolve.”

Ian looked puzzled. I sighed, frustrated.

“The rumor that you’re keeping me imprisoned.”

Honestly, I thought Ian would be surprised by such a bizarre story. However, he wasn’t even slightly taken aback and seemed already aware of it. His calm reaction startled me. Am I really being imprisoned?

“Don’t be so surprised. It’s because of my father.”

“Your father?”

“My father was famous for imprisoning my mother in the Keppel estate.”

It was a well-known story?

“I… I didn’t know.”

“Everyone who knows knows. But it’s been long forgotten since he’s been dead for a while.”

Why is he talking about his father as if he were a stranger? As I remained silent in surprise, Ian’s expression darkened. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke defensively.

“I’m not trying to defend him, but if he hadn’t done that, my mother wouldn’t be alive today.”

“…”

“Anyway, it’s just a rumor that will die down if left alone, so don’t worry.”

Ian didn’t seem to want to talk about the past anymore. I understood. It was a rumor that started because I avoided people due to my fatigue. If I invited guests and attended parties again, it would soon disappear.

But because my heart had already left, I no longer wanted to play the role of a dutiful duchess. Moreover, I didn’t have time. I needed to escape the center of gossip as soon as possible. If everyone’s attention was focused on me, I wouldn’t be able to disappear.

“…Since we’re out, why don’t we go see a play?”

“A play? All of a sudden?”

“Isabella is performing. I’m the only one who hasn’t seen it yet.”

I really was the only one who hadn’t seen it because of the scandal involving Ian and Isabella. If I didn’t see it now, I wouldn’t have a chance later. Besides, it would be good to see that supposedly amazing performance. And if I could use this new scandal to cover up the rumors about my imprisonment, all the better. Ian looked worried for a moment but didn’t stop me.

Until the play started, I made a show of linking arms with Ian, touring the shopping streets, and stopping by a tea house for a drink.

When we entered the theater, I greeted the surprised nobles warmly, making sure they saw how affectionate Ian and I were, and then we watched the play.

As expected, the nobles, who thought Isabella was Ian’s lover, eagerly spread the news that Ian and I had come to see her play together, causing the rumors of my imprisonment to dissipate like clouds.

***

The conferment ceremony for the Order of Merit followed immediately after the title conferment ceremony. I was genuinely happy because I was the first to be awarded. Historically, no woman had ever received the highest honor, so I hadn’t expected it at all. After receiving the medal and kissing the emperor’s hand, I returned to my seat with Ian’s escort. As soon as we sat down, Ian said,

“If you’re tired, shall we leave early? There’s no need to stay until the end.”

“…Really?”

I looked around the hall, seeing that no one else had left.

“I’ve already informed them.”

Then we might as well leave. It would be strange to keep checking my surroundings when I’d already decided to leave. I stood up and gave a brief nod of respect to Cade and Celia, then left the hall with Ian. I kept laughing, thinking about the stunned faces of the other nobles as they watched us leave.

“What’s so funny?”

“Everything.”

The weather was nice, I had a 5,000-lead medal hanging around my neck, and I was happy because I had a pleasant dream about successfully escaping last night.

“Ian, since we’re out, let’s stop by the bank. I need to get the account certificate.”

“Alright.”

Without questioning my words, Ian directed the carriage to the bank. I carefully put the medal I’d been wearing around my neck into my bag. Inside the bag were Benjamin’s necklace, Walter’s letter, and the witness affidavit my mother had given me.

“Welcome, Duke of Keppel. Duchess.”

Clinging affectionately to Ian’s arm, I entered the bank. Ian, used to my affectionate facade in public, didn’t find my behavior strange. These days, he even encouraged our outings. Earl Goldman, the bank manager, came out to greet us personally and was about to guide us to the VIP room, but I took my time, looking around the bank curiously.

“Sorry, Earl. The bank is impressive. This is my first time here.”

I’d heard there was a women-only area. As I looked around, I spotted a woman in a black dress, possibly a widow, walking quickly.

It must be that way. Turning my back to Ian, I mouthed the words “secret vault” to the Earl. He looked flustered but smiled nonchalantly when Ian glanced over.

He’s good at managing situations. Even though the secret vaults for noblewomen at the central bank were an open secret, I was probably the first to mention it directly to the bank manager.

“Since it’s your first visit, would you like to see the counters as well?”

“Yes, I’d like that!”

I answered quickly before Ian could refuse. Though he looked displeased with the sudden suggestion, he didn’t say anything when the Earl explained it was a rare experience. However, Ian protested when told he couldn’t enter the women-only area.

“My wife is frail and needs me.”

“…I’m sorry, but the ladies inside might feel uncomfortable with a man present. Our staff will take good care of her, so please don’t worry.”

“Ian, are you trying to embarrass me here?”

I whispered, and Ian closed his mouth, full of dissatisfaction. I spoke to him softly.

“You’ll wait for me, right?”

Since the day I tried to escape, Ian had been forceful about my whereabouts but was still weak to my requests. I wondered how long this would last, but I wouldn’t be around to find out.

“I’ll wait. Call if you need anything.”

I shrugged as if it were unnecessary and followed the staff. As I walked away, I glanced back to see Ian still watching me and the Earl standing beside him awkwardly. I’m going to run away today. This might be my last moment with him. I smiled at Ian, thinking it might be the last time.

“Oh, I have something to tell you when I get back.”

I had nothing to say. I just hoped he would be preoccupied wondering what I wanted to talk about, so he’d realize late that I’d run away. Leaving Ian’s puzzled face behind, I followed the staff with a light heart.