Chapter 59

The world was abuzz with the early morning events, but inside the Ducal Mansion, it was quiet and peaceful. Harriet, the subject of the rumors, was more relaxed than expected, lounging half-reclined on the office couch, reading a book. Considering it a given rest, she indulged in reading books she had always wanted to, when the butler, who had personally brought refreshments, knocked on the door. After being granted permission to enter, Harriet asked abruptly.

“When did the Duke start acting a bit strange?”

“…Pardon?”

The butler, with wide eyes at the sudden question, asked back.

“What do you mean, Madam?”

Harriet, resting the book on her lap, habitually chewed on her nails.

“I thought something was off, but it seems a bit serious.”

“Serious?”

“I feel like if I don’t join him, he won’t even bathe. When did the Duke become so strange?”

“Oh…”

Finally understanding what she meant, the butler chuckled softly.

“It was probably around when he was about twelve or thirteen. From then on, His Grace was quite taken with you, Madam.”

“Twelve… or thirteen?”

“Yes.”

“He went abroad for studies three or four years ago… So, almost ten years ago now?”

The feeling that it started from the night of the accident was deeper than she thought. Surprised, Harriet quietly waited for the butler’s next words.

“It was on the anniversary of the late Madam’s death. Each time, the former Duke would always be depressed and wouldn’t leave the family mausoleum, and the young master at the time would always stay in his room, watching for signs. Then one time, his friend, Aaron, visited.”

“If it’s Aaron… that makes sense.”

He was a gentle and kind-hearted child. He wouldn’t have left his friend, who was suffering and lonely, alone.

“So, what happened?”

Harriet urged him to continue, muttering to herself. The butler, smiling gently, naturally sat diagonally across from her.

“I believe Aaron took the young master to the Vanetti Estate. And then.”

“And then?”

“When he returned, he was clear of any sadness. He seemed as if he was under a spell, smiling brightly.”

Harriet listened intently, waiting for the next words. But nothing followed. Harriet, who couldn’t wait any longer, quietly pressed him.

“Is that all?”

“Yes. That’s all I know. After that day, the young master became very interested in you, Madam.”

While Harriet was silent, recalling memories, the butler stood up and bowed politely.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Please call me anytime if you need anything.”

“Yes… Thank you.”

Harriet nodded with a dazed expression.

“You’re welcome.”

After the butler left the office, Harriet was lost in thought again. No matter how much she tried to recall what happened back then, nothing significant came to mind.

“…What could it have been? What happened?”

She had asked Lennox something similar before, but he seemed unwilling to tell her. Harriet, after thinking deeply for a while, decided to let it go since she couldn’t remember anything.

“If it’s something I’ll remember, I’ll remember it someday.”

What mattered was the present. The past, which had already passed, couldn’t be changed, no matter how much she dwelled on it.

Leaving a bit of regret behind, Harriet picked up the book she had set aside again. She had just read a few pages when hurried footsteps were heard in the hallway. With a strange feeling, she looked at the door, and a knock was heard. When she asked what was going on, a nervous voice replied.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have something to tell you, Madam.”

It was the head maid. Harriet, putting down her book again, allowed her to enter.

“Come in.”

“Madam…”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

The head maid hesitated for a moment, thinking about what to say, then opened her mouth.

“Lady Donovan is here. She insists on seeing you, saying she’s a friend of yours. Is that true?”

“Lady Donovan…”

Harriet, who couldn’t immediately recall the name, furrowed her brows.

“Miss Angela?”

It was a name she hadn’t heard in a long time. Surprised, Harriet stood up abruptly. The head maid, with a troubled face, nodded.

“Yes… I told her repeatedly to leave, as you instructed not to let anyone in except family, but she wouldn’t budge.”

“…”

“What should I do? Should I force her to leave?”

“No.”

Shaking her head, Harriet stopped the head maid, who seemed ready to leave immediately.

“Please bring her to the reception room.”

Though she wasn’t a welcome guest at this time, it was worth meeting her to see what she had to say.

* * *

As Harriet entered the reception room, Angela, who was already seated, greeted her first.

“It’s been a while, Duchess.”

“Yes, it has. Though it’s only been a few months.”

Angela, beautifully dressed, was a beauty that could make any man’s heart flutter. Harriet recalled how she felt the first time she saw her on the deck and smiled lightly.

If she had realized her feelings for Lennox back then, she might have gone through some emotional turmoil. After all, a noticeable beauty and a former lover’s rival are always subjects of caution.

“So, what brings you here? Lennox is not here at the moment.”

Angela paused slightly at the casual mention of her husband’s name, then bit the inside of her cheek discreetly.

“I’m not here to see His Grace; I’m here to see you, Madam.”

“Me?”

Harriet pointed to herself with wide eyes.

“Yes. I have something to say.”

“What is it? Especially in this situation.”

“I’m saying this because of the situation.”

Angela, having composed herself, smiled softly and then boldly demanded.

“Please divorce His Grace.”

“…”

Harriet, doubting her ears, quietly looked at her. Even with a gaze questioning her intentions, Angela met her eyes steadfastly.

After a heavy silence, Harriet reached for her cup and took a sip. Fortunately, the fragrant aroma of the tea calmed her excitement and settled her mind.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Yes… I know it’s very rude. I apologize.”

“Why say something you need to apologize for in the first place?”

Harriet, sharply retorted, placed the cup back on its saucer. Though her rising anger had somewhat subsided, she was still indignant. No matter if she was his former lover and a colleague from his school days, there were lines that shouldn’t be crossed.

“Are you taking advantage of my situation to pounce? Did you think I’d just step aside if you said that?”

Though she spoke calmly, her voice inevitably carried anger. Angela, who had stiffened at her increasingly sharp tone, shook her head.

“No. I know you wouldn’t step aside so easily.”

“Then what is this about?”

Harriet, who had let out a hollow laugh, suddenly became expressionless and pressed her.

“Do you think I’m a joke because I’m just an illegitimate child? Do you think you can win by declaring it so confidently?”

“It’s not like that.”

Angela, who repeatedly denied it, took a deep breath. The woman before her was so different from the one she had seen on the ship. She had underestimated her, thinking she would easily cooperate with her pleas, but now she seemed cold and unyielding, like someone who wouldn’t bleed even if pricked.

“Do you love His Grace?

“Why does that matter? It’s none of your business.”

Harriet, who had asked coldly, crossed her arms and sank deeply into the backrest in a slightly relaxed posture. But she froze at the next words.

“If you love His Grace, I’m telling you to step back.”

“What…?”

“You must be aware of His Grace’s current situation. The elders, led by Earl Eiden, who have seized control of the business, are tightening their grip on him.”

“I’m aware of that.”

Harriet, who had paused briefly, squinted her eyes and asked back.

“Are you saying His Grace can’t handle it?”

“No. He’ll manage, of course.”

Contrary to her expectations of a nod, Angela agreed readily and replied softly.

“Of course, His Grace can overcome it. There are young ministers who support him, and they have started to demonstrate their abilities. Moreover, as the only son of the late Duke, he has legitimacy, so even if it takes some time, he will persuade the elders to his side. However.”

“…However?”

“That’s assuming you’re not by his side as an illegitimate child.”

Illegitimate child. When Angela uttered that word without hesitation, Harriet felt as if she had been stabbed with an invisible dagger.

While she was frozen, Angela drove the point home.

“The Ducal family is closely related to the royal family. Everyone in this country knows it, and the people who work for the Ducal family live with great pride and honor, considering it a glory passed down through generations. The elders, who value their lineage and nobility above all else, are even more so.”

“What you’re saying is… if I’m by his side, he won’t be able to win over the elders and maintain his position.”

“Yes.”

Angela affirmed with a faint smile.

“In contrast, my father, Earl Donovan, is acquainted with the elders of the Ducal family, and my roots, though not comparable to the Ducal family, are noble and impeccable.”

A cold silence once again crossed between the two women. Harriet, who had bowed her head, nodded slowly after a long silence.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“Then…”

The impression she had just felt must have been a mistake. Angela, her face brightening, opened her mouth with a trembling heart.

“Ah!”