“The Grand Duchess?”

Walter nodded.

“You probably know that I came to the Grand Duchy early to gather information about the plague. While staying here, I’ve learned several things about the Grand Duchess. When I heard that you were approaching the Grand Duchess, I came just in case.”

Walter asked if she would like to hear about the Grand Duchess. Eve had no reason to refuse, so she agreed.

The two moved to the guest room where the Grand Duchy’s eyes couldn’t reach to have their conversation.

While entering the building, she worried about running into Medric, but he was away. Eve felt relieved without realizing it.

Sitting in a chair at the familiar guest room table, Eve poured tea and handed it to him, asking:

“What information have you learned about the Grand Duchess?”

She thought that if he went to such lengths to arrange this meeting, what he knew must be quite serious.

Walter sat across from Eve, took a deep breath, and slowly began speaking.

“I should start with my story. I’ve been staying in the Grand Duchy since before the Grand Duchess arrived.”

Walter seemed to have spent longer in the Grand Duchy than she had thought.

“When I heard that Princess Roanne, whom I had met several times in Ptotr, had been appointed Grand Duchess of the Grand Duchy and was coming here, I was happy. I was glad to see someone from Ptotr in the Grand Duchy.”

A gentle smile appeared on his face as he held his teacup.

“Seeing her trying to adapt to the Grand Duchy reminded me of when I first came here, and I found myself cheering for her.”

His expression hardened as if recalling that time.

“However, the situation unfolded differently from what I had hoped.”

Walter carefully chose his words.

“Do you know how the Grand Duke was able to marry the Grand Duchess?”

“…Wasn’t it because King Gregory accepted the marriage? There would be no better opportunity than becoming in-laws with the Grand Duke to strengthen national power.”

“It wasn’t just for national power. Princess Roanne could have married into an even higher family.”

“Then…?”

“It was because the Grand Duke rejected the bride price and was willing to pay a large sum to take Roanne as his Grand Duchess. The Grand Duke’s behavior seemed like that of a man deeply in love with Roanne.”

This was more detailed information than what Lady Anna had told her.

“But the Grand Duke changed from the day Roanne arrived in the Grand Duchy. He neglected the Grand Duchess. He might even have instructed the servants to do the same, as their attitudes were also cold.”

Walter lowered his head and added that it wasn’t just neglect—it was more like imprisonment.

Eve couldn’t help but frown as she listened to his words.

“Despite this, the Grand Duchess tried to show herself in public. But… after the Grand Duke laid hands on her in front of people, she stopped appearing before anyone.”

It was especially worse on days when he came home drunk.

“Couldn’t she send a letter to Ptotr to nullify the marriage?”

Walter shook his head at Eve’s question.

“The Grand Duchess has already sent several letters to Ptotr. But there was no response. After a month passed, she found herself in a situation where she couldn’t escape without going through complicated divorce procedures, let alone nullify the marriage.”

Eve tilted her head, thinking of what Glishakov had said.

“Letters? I heard the Grand Duchess only replied to letters from the Crown Prince. There wasn’t a single letter sent to the King of Ptotr…”

“That’s because the Grand Duke wouldn’t allow it. The Grand Duchess could only send letters with the Grand Duke’s approval. Eventually, she gave up sending letters.”

Eve was speechless.

She thought that Roanne had also lived a difficult life.

“The Grand Duchess had no choice but to wither away while staying here.”

The radiant flower-like Roanne who had shone in Ptotr was now gone.

Eve knew she had spent a painful time here. She had thought something was very wrong with her from the first time she saw her in the Grand Duchy.

But why was Walter coming to tell her this story directly?

‘Is he asking me to save her?’

‘Or to stop tormenting her?’

Eve opened her reluctant mouth and asked him.

“So why are you telling me all this?”

“Actually… I overheard the conversation between Her Grace and you today.”

“…….”

She had somewhat expected that her conversation with the Grand Duchess wasn’t just between the two of them.

The sound of teaware clinking together was heard as she set down her now-empty teacup.

A brief silence fell between them.

“…I don’t know what kind of person you are, Lady Eve. I only know that His Grace brought you here and married you. I realize I’m overstepping my bounds by telling you all this, but…”

She raised her gaze from the teacup to look at him.

His face was full of worry and concern.

“She’s a person with many wounds. Please, don’t hurt her too much.”

Just facing his expression seemed to transmit his pain, leaving Eve unable to respond.
Walter had been watching Roanne for a long time while staying in the Grand Duchy on his mission.

Having come from Ptotr together to carry out their respective duties, perhaps he had developed a sense of camaraderie with her, or perhaps he had grown sympathetic watching

Roanne gradually fall apart.

‘And maybe he came to support her.’

Unable to help, he could only watch from afar, and Eve could hardly imagine how he must feel.
Eve recalled her earlier conversation with Roanne.

How must she have felt having to accept and agree with criticisms of the homeland she so desperately longed for?

She remembered the pale face and trembling lips.

She understood his feelings.

‘But.’

Despite understanding, she had no intention of stopping her plan, much less changing it.

“I’m sorry.”

His expression turned bitter at her words of refusal.

“I understand that the Grand Duchess is a deeply wounded person. But I also have my own goals that I can’t stop pursuing. You can think I’m heartless if you want.”

“…Of course. You must have your own circumstances too, Lady Eve. I just wanted to talk to you, even if it was presumptuous. Thank you for listening to me.”

He bowed his head, returning to his previous businesslike demeanor.

As she watched his silver hair swaying with his movements, Eve spoke up.

“However, I do want to help her in a different way.”

Walter, who had been looking down, raised his head.

Not only Walter, but even Eve herself was surprised. She never imagined such words would come from her mouth.

Though part of her mind was filled with thoughts that she was already in a difficult situation and had no business helping others, Eve brushed those thoughts away.

Better to do good when possible.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could save someone while carrying out her revenge?

“But I can’t do it alone. I’m already overwhelmed with my own situation. So I’ll need Sir Walter’s help.”

Walter, who had been staring at Eve with wide eyes, broke into a small laugh.

“Of course. How could I refuse? Please tell me whatever you need. I’ll help you in any way I can.”

Is it really something to be that happy about?

Eve started to smile along with him but suddenly froze.

‘Did I just smile?’

It was her first smile since losing Ivan.

She had been so focused on avenging Ivan that she had no room for smiling. Not that her current situation was any more relaxed. She had just taken the first steps toward revenge, and nothing had improved yet.

Yet she had smiled. Whether it was because of Walter’s pure-hearted nature or because she had decided to help the Grand Duchess whom she had initially planned to just use, she wasn’t sure.

While Eve was sorting through her confused feelings and thoughts, Walter asked:

“What exactly can I do to help?”

“Please arrange for me to speak with her alone. If that’s not possible, find a way to prevent the Grand Duke from monitoring us, even if just for a moment. Can you do that?”

Eve answered Walter, trying to calm her somewhat excited feelings.