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“Delis, I think it’s better if you just keep it on.”

Even Alicia, smiling as she said it, made me think maybe this was for the best. Though I felt like I looked more like a superhero with a weakness for kryptonite.

“Well, if you insist, I’ll keep it on.”

With that, I began riding with the cloak fluttering behind me.

I could see Roan and Cameron riding their horses around the riding arena in the distance.

I wanted to ride closer to Roan, but there was a huge skill gap between them and me, who was just a beginner.

Determined to catch up, I reignited my learning spirit. After all, I had survived the grueling days of being a student with only hellish exams.

With Alicia’s help, I continued practicing.

But suddenly, I heard murmuring voices. I looked over and saw a group of ladies who couldn’t take their eyes off the Crown Prince and Roan. Even the noblewomen present at today’s gathering seemed to be conscious of their presence.

Even the men were sneaking glances, unsure if they were admiring or feeling jealous.

Please, don’t stare too much. My husband might wear out.

“I didn’t know horseback riding could be such a classy sport.”

“The Crown Prince’s visage is more impressive the more you see it.”

“Look at Duke Bannister. Is there anyone who fits the title of a nobleman better?”

“I never knew I had a thing for such cold-looking handsome men.”

“But he’s already married, which is a shame….”

The last lady speaking glanced at someone riding their horse at a pace slower than walking.

In my defense, I wasn’t struggling with horseback riding; I was just distracted by their conversation. My head was facing forward, but my ears were tuned into their chat.

Ahem. It’s not that my riding skills are lacking, it’s just the conversation about Roan made me lose focus. Again, it wasn’t because of my poor riding skills.

At that moment.

“But who knows what will happen between a couple.”

It was the Marchioness Nocturne, with her striking red hair, who used to hang out with the old Delis. Other ladies, startled by her words, glanced at Delis riding her horse.

“Many couples are worse off than strangers.”

“Marchioness.”

One of her companions seemed to think the Marchioness had gone too far. She replied nonchalantly, ignoring the concern.

“Isn’t most of her flaunting and boasting thanks to her husband’s status anyway?”

The redhead sneered. Whether she thought I couldn’t hear her or she wanted me to, I wasn’t sure.

“What’s so great about not being able to win her husband’s heart as a wife? Why boast about their poor relationship?”

“I wonder if she’ll be divorced soon. Then she wouldn’t act so recklessly.”

They could probably market it as a cure for low blood pressure: “Marchioness Nocturne and her entourage’s gossip will raise your blood pressure!”

But what irritated me more was that there was some truth in what they were saying.

It was true that Delis often bragged about Roan in a demeaning way.

And it was also true that Delis’s status was largely due to the Bannister family’s unmatched power, which even the emperor hesitated to challenge.

Delis’s family, the Marquis of Caesar, was influential, but the families here were all significant. Normally, such behavior wouldn’t be tolerated.

But these facts, twisted as they were by the redhead’s words, were also true.

Delis didn’t have the qualities of a social queen, nor was she particularly good-natured or skilled in diplomacy. She just kept bad-mouthing Roan.

The Nocturne family, like the Caesar family, held significant power. While the Caesar family was loyal to the emperor, the Nocturne family was known for its opposition. Lady Devon, who bullied Alicia, was the niece of the empress.

But regardless of how much truth there was, I couldn’t just sit and take the blame for something I didn’t do. I wasn’t going to live as a doormat. Not all their claims were right either. I chose not to be a pushover.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Oh my, no. But it seems to have struck a chord with you.”

“Of course not. My husband and I are living quite happily.”

“Pardon?”

Wow, she really laughed at me.

“I think you should focus on your own situation, Marchioness.”

I resisted the urge to add a snarky comment.

The fact that her husband, the Marquis Nocturne, had a mistress was common knowledge in social circles. Recently, rumors about him having an illegitimate child had even surfaced.

Why attack someone in a similar situation? Maybe she found comfort in thinking she was better off than me, who seemed on the verge of divorce.

Her actions seemed desperate, so I didn’t feel much anger. I didn’t pity her either.

My words made the Marchioness’s face turn as red as her hair. She had been direct and harsh herself, yet she seemed surprised to hear such words directed at her.

She looked a bit thrown off, as if my words had hit a sore spot. It seemed like she was about to say something particularly nasty. Finally, she opened her mouth.

“Know your place, you—”

“Stop it.”

Huh? That didn’t come from me.

“Alicia?”

The voice belonged to none other than Alicia.

“It’s not right to say such things when it’s not even your business.”

Alicia…!!

My heart swelled. Facing someone who had bullied her and speaking up must have taken immense courage.

I thought Alicia might be unexpectedly strong-willed. My baby bird, usually looking so timid, had stood up and said what needed to be said, and I felt proud of her.

“Yes. Let’s stop talking about things that don’t concern us. Unless you want a full-blown mud fight.”

Shall we head to a mud festival together?

“Marchioness.”

A perceptive young lady next to the redhead tried to hold her back.

“…Hmph.”

The redhead gave us a disdainful look before walking away with her group, without even a hint of a farewell. As the spectators began to disperse in pairs, I noticed Roan and the Crown Prince approaching from afar, surrounded by noblemen.

Roan’s eyes met mine for a moment as they drew near.

“We should be going now.”

Cameron spoke with a mix of fatigue and regret.

“These days have been extremely busy. But it was nice to have a bit of a break.”

It felt like they had just arrived. I was disappointed, especially that Roan was leaving. I hadn’t even had the chance to show off my riding skills. Why were they leaving so soon?

We all bid them farewell, including me and Alicia.

“See you later.”

“May the blessings of Neshrua be with you always.”

“Roan, take care. I’ll see you later at the mansion.”

I said to Roan, trying to hide my disappointment.

“…….”

Roan kept staring at me. Why was he doing that? The silence stretched on, making everyone a bit uncomfortable. Then, still looking at me, Roan spoke.

“Duchess.”

“Yes.”

“Did something happen?”

“What?”

“You don’t look well.”

Roan’s sudden comment puzzled Cameron and the other nobles.

I was too flustered to say anything other than yes. Was he referring to what had happened earlier? How did Roan know? Could it have been that obvious? But no one else seemed to have noticed.

“No, nothing happened.”

“…….”

Roan’s slightly furrowed brow showed he didn’t believe me. Cameron, looking puzzled, asked Roan.

“Why did you ask that all of a sudden?”

“I guess I’ve been tired lately, and it showed.”

I couldn’t openly discuss the incident in front of everyone. Luckily, my vague explanation seemed to satisfy everyone else. Except Roan, of course. He’d always been uncannily good at detecting my lies.

“If you’re busy, you should go.”

“…….”

Roan looked even more displeased. After a brief silence, he spoke.

“Very well.”

With that, Roan and the Crown Prince left the riding arena, apparently in a hurry. As I watched them leave, Alicia spoke to me.

“Delis, what the Duke said earlier….”

She seemed concerned about Roan’s comment.

“I think he noticed something. Did it show on my face?”

It was my first time facing such direct hostility here, and even though I tried to hide it, I must have felt a bit overwhelmed. But I never thought anyone would notice, least of all Roan. Not even I had fully realized how I felt.

“No, not at all.”

“That’s a relief. But I wonder how Roan figured it out.”

I had always kept my troubles to myself, fearing that showing them would make me seem weak or burden others. Even those close to me wouldn’t know unless I told them.

Then Alicia spoke.

“The Duke is always watching you.”

What was she talking about? I couldn’t relate to what she was saying.

“Maybe he can sense your mood because he’s so attuned to your slightest changes.”

“Roan? But Roan doesn’t always watch me.”

It was quite the opposite. I was the one who watched Roan more. I remembered how he barely looked at me when we first met, which had been quite frustrating.

“Um, is that so?”

Alicia murmured something about being perceptive and then smiled.

Alicia had seen it earlier. In the riding arena, the Duke’s gaze had been fixed on his wife the entire time. Though he had been far away, as an observer, Alicia could clearly see that his attention was directed solely at Delis.

There was no doubt about it. The Duke was undoubtedly aware of Delis, whether consciously or unconsciously. The reason Delis hadn’t noticed was probably because whenever she looked at him, he would quickly avert his gaze as if nothing had happened.

Contrary to the rumors that they would soon part ways, Alicia was convinced that their relationship wasn’t bad. They just didn’t fully understand each other’s feelings yet. Alicia resolved to help her friend, who had become dear to her.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories