I Thought It Was An Arranged Marriage - Chapter 23

“It’s ‘that’ Young Marquis Addis. Maybe the host approved of it?”

Here, some people’s speculative intentions were added. Stories spread that the kind Rosaline might have felt sorry for her former fiancé, or that the possessive Lucas might have disliked his wife’s former fiancé. Whatever the truth was, that side was more interesting.

The rumor seemed to flow as the creators intended. If they had a wish, it was for Young Marquis Addis to be deeply infatuated with his mistress, neglect his wife, and for something bad to happen to her. If that happened, an undeniable rift would form in the Grand Duke of Bryant’s house, the Marquis of Addis’s house, and the Count of Marte’s house. The most desired outcome was Amelia’s inheritance.

And they were confident. It was easy to scratch an unstable woman mad with loneliness under the guise of concern.

But then, unexpected testimony was added.

“Huh? That banquet day? I remember the young marquis didn’t find a partner that day.”

“Right. I saw him going back alone.”

“He was quite drunk, and the Grand Duke’s servants helped him.”

On the problematic day, Kallen Addis returned home alone in a carriage. That day, there was no woman Kallen Addis met or took out from the banquet. So who did Kallen Addis meet? His nasty friends, unable to contain their curiosity, poked at Kallen.

“You got a woman, right? You’re fast. Good at it, too.”

“Well… yes.”

“Who is it? Someone we know?”

“Well…”

Kallen, who always bragged about his women, was now clearly cautious and reluctant to reveal his partner.

They got a feeling. Even ignoring that the mistress couldn’t be openly revealed, Kallen’s mistress must be someone he couldn’t openly talk about. After several conversations, their vile tongues pointed to Rosaline.

If Kallen’s mistress was Rosaline, that would easily explain everything. Kallen, who drank heavily that day, Lucas, who was separated from the banquet host Rosaline for quite some time, and Rosaline, who had a good relationship with her longtime fiancé but was forced to break up.

Since Lucas and Kallen were different types of handsome men, it was possible that Rosaline, tired of her husband, was swayed by her former fiancé. Most notably, Kallen, who stayed late in the hall, was escorted home by the Grand Duke’s servants.

“Did you hear about what the young marchioness said? Something happened between the Grand Duchess and the young marquis that day.”

“Oh my, it was a sudden breakup. The Grand Duchess must have still had feelings for the young marquis while pretending not to.”

“Then what I heard makes sense. They were enjoying a secret meeting in a secluded place in the Grand Duke’s residence, and the Grand Duke saw it. So he beat the young marquis and ordered his men to kick him out…”

“Really? If that’s the case…”

Thus, the manipulated rumor, which even its active spreaders hadn’t hoped for, hit the social circles. And it was beyond their control.

* * *

Contrary to Noah’s expectations, Lucas felt anxiety and impatience rather than anger. He knew it was an absurd rumor. Rosaline having a secret affair was laughable. Lucas was the one who persistently tormented her every night until she fainted and held her in his arms to sleep.

Nevertheless, he was anxious. Unlike those who talked aimlessly, hoping something would stick, he had actually witnessed something.

“Their speculation isn’t entirely wrong.”

Although it was not a secret affair, Rosaline and Kallen had indeed met alone at the banquet. He didn’t know what they talked about, but they did have a conversation in a space where they were alone. And he witnessed it and forcibly sent Kallen away.

Rosaline seemed like she wanted to say something about it, but Lucas deliberately avoided it. He was her husband now, so even if she had a lover, he would generously overlook it… No, damn it, just imagining it made his blood boil.

“Another man.”

He hated it even when female servants touched Rosaline’s body. He tolerated it because they were dressing her, but he couldn’t give up attending her bath for that reason.

Lucas couldn’t trust himself not to kill the other party if he witnessed Rosaline’s secret affair. But he shouldn’t. What if Rosaline, hurt by losing her lover, completely closed her heart? Compared to that, his likes and dislikes didn’t matter.

What mattered was that Rosaline was his wife and that she stayed by his side. That was enough. Whoever was in her heart, he wouldn’t let her go… No, damn it, he hoped there was no other man. It was okay if she didn’t love him, but he didn’t want her to love another man and regret being his wife.

“I stupidly avoided it because I didn’t know what Rosaline would say. I know it was a dumb decision, but even if I went back in time, I wouldn’t be able to listen.”

During their engagement, Rosaline and Kallen had a good relationship. Rosaline, not knowing the exact reason for their breakup, might have some lingering feelings. If she cherished it as a regrettable memory, it would be the worst.

But he did not want to reveal the exact reason for the broken engagement. Not only to others but especially to Rosaline. A former fiancé who frequented brothels would be an indelible insult and wound to Rosaline.

Rosaline had already been torn apart by Amelia’s premarital pregnancy. If that fact came to light, it was easy to imagine the excessive mockery she would face.

That was why the fatal reason for their broken engagement was not made public. Lucas didn’t care what happened to Marquis Addis or Kallen. The political position and abilities of the Marquis of Addis were regrettable, but that was all. It wasn’t as if there were no replacements. It had been the same before. Although it was a bit troublesome, it was manageable.

But Rosaline getting hurt was unacceptable. No, it wasn’t just troublesome; it was unthinkable. He married to protect her. He couldn’t be the one to hurt her.

“Of course, they didn’t directly mention the madam. They aren’t that thoughtless.”

“Just hinting at my wife is thoughtless enough.”

“That’s true, but…”

Noah thought so too. Amelia, who had actually mentioned Rosaline’s name, was slightly better. She only mentioned her in relation to the place, not pointing directly at anyone.

What was incomprehensible was Kallen’s side. He was educated as the heir of the Marquis of Addis. He should know that avoiding direct mention and being vague in such a situation only made the rumors seem true. And he wasn’t foolish enough not to realize that it would be fatal not only to Rosaline but to himself as well. So why…?

Lucas, who seemed to know the reason, sighed deeply.

Rosaline, who was no longer a sheltered flower, had already received the report. Since she has firmly established herself as the Grand Duchess Bryant, she didn’t just hear rumors from her maids but directly moved the Grand Duke’s information organization.

Her aide, sensing her disbelief and laughter, cautiously spoke up.

“It hasn’t surfaced yet. Only those in the know are whispering about it.”