Chapter 119

“Come to think of it, you two don’t have a portrait, do you?”

It happened while Rabiana and Alberto were deep in conversation, mingling among several other couples.

The topics of conversation ranged from complaining about their husbands, to the outrageous things happening between maids and servants, to the latest romantic scandals among bachelors in the capital.

“Come to think of it, you two don’t have a portrait, do you?”

As they lost track of time enjoying the amusing reactions, a woman who had been distractedly glancing around the room asked with a hint of curiosity.

“You’ve been married for quite some time, haven’t you?”

Though they’d only recently held their wedding, everyone knew that this was actually their second ceremony.

There had been questions about why they felt the need to marry twice, but Rabiana hadn’t cared enough to answer.

It was too much trouble to explain, so she always just brushed it off with a laugh whenever someone asked.

But this time, she felt as if she’d been struck in the back of the head—she was so stunned, she couldn’t say a word.

It wasn’t something she’d ever thought about.

In hindsight, it was only natural, but she hadn’t managed to think that far ahead.

Probably because she’d been so busy with everything else.

“We’re actually having it done right now. Isn’t that right, darling?”

Alberto lied smoothly.

For a moment, Rabiana almost fell for it herself and nearly blurted out if they really were having a portrait painted.

She sipped her champagne and smiled with her eyes to show she agreed.

“They say a lot of couples end up fighting during portrait sessions. How about you two? Any funny stories?”

“Hm.”

Alberto pretended to think it over, his performance so natural that Rabiana couldn’t help but admire him inwardly, several times over.

“Why do couples fight over a portrait?”

She asked, genuinely not understanding.

At that, the wives covered their mouths and let out little gasps.

They exchanged knowing looks among themselves.

What was that?

Were they embarrassed for some reason, or was it just her imagination?

“Are you bragging about how well you two get along, madam?”

“Pardon?”

“The duke must be very accommodating, if you don’t even know why couples fight over a portrait.”

So that’s how it sounds, Rabiana thought.

Since their trip, she and Alberto hadn’t argued or clashed at all, so it wasn’t entirely untrue.

He’d been especially kind to her lately.

“How envious. My husband had so many complaints! He insisted that he couldn’t sit for long because of his back, so he wanted the artist to paint us separately and combine us onto one canvas. We ended up having a huge fight over it.”

“My dear, must you share every detail?”

The woman’s husband, embarrassed to have his faults aired in front of others, lowered his voice and tried to caution her.

She just shrugged and took a sip of champagne.

The other wives quickly joined in, sharing their own stories of their husbands’ shortcomings.

As husbands across the table fell one by one under their wives’ pointed remarks, only Alberto remained smiling, as if he found the whole thing amusing.

He seemed to think he was above it all.

‘But you never know.’

Rabiana thought. He probably just came up with an excuse because he didn’t want people to know that, unlike everyone else, they hadn’t even thought of having a portrait made yet.

If all husbands were like this, wasn’t hers likely to be the same?

It was just then that—

“Kyaa!”

A sudden shriek drew everyone’s attention.

Rabiana turned as well.

It seemed that a servant carrying a box—perhaps to refill champagne—had collided with a guest.

The servant dropped to his knees, but the woman’s beautiful purple dress was already stained.

“Oh dear. That dress is ruined now.”

Someone murmured in sympathy.

Hearing this, the guest’s face turned even redder. She looked a little tipsy.

Tap, tap, tap.

All eyes turned to Rabiana as she walked over.

Everyone was curious to see how the Duchess of Roen would handle this—her servant had made a mistake at a party she was hosting.

Would she side with her servant from her own household, or with her guest, a noblewoman? It was a fascinating spectacle.

“Joseph, what happened?”

Rabiana asked. The servant, Joseph, looked up at her, flustered.

“I was just passing through when she suddenly stepped in front of me—”

“So you’re saying I ran into you on purpose?!”

The guest shrieked as if insulted.

“I had no idea anyone would be there! Honestly, how do you train your servants? They’re supposed to keep to the edges of the room, not cut through the center!”

From her outburst, it was clear what had happened.

Joseph hadn’t been paying close attention, and the guest had also been distracted—both had contributed to the accident.

Rabiana let out a small sigh.

“Joseph, you weren’t paying enough attention. Apologize. The lady’s dress has been ruined.”

Both were at fault, but Rabiana scolded Joseph.

It wasn’t because he was a servant and the guest was a noble, but simply because the guest was the only one who had suffered a loss.

Joseph understood this and didn’t feel resentful.

“I’m sorry. I was distracted for a moment.”

“I can’t just let this go! This servant embarrassed me and must be punished!”

The guest, now quite drunk, raised her hand to strike him.

Instinctively, Rabiana caught her wrist before it could come down on Joseph.

A hush fell over the room.

Joseph, who had squeezed his eyes shut, opened them in surprise at the silence.

The Duchess of Roen, usually delicate and gentle like a single flower, seemed transformed as she protected him.

She was different now.

Stronger than when she’d first set foot in the ducal estate.

“I’ll discipline my servant myself. Please, set aside your anger.”

“Are you joking? My whole day is ruined, and you won’t even let me slap him? Are you making a fool of me?”

“On the contrary, this is fortunate, madam.”

Fortunate? The onlookers were intrigued.

Rabiana smiled gently as she continued.

“There just so happens to be a dress that would suit you perfectly, madam. Would you like to change into a red gown that will make your fair skin look even more radiant? It’s from Robeng Atelier.”

Her final words were whispered softly, just loud enough for the guest to hear.

Robeng Atelier!

Even with money, one had to wait ages for their turn at Robeng.

One of her acquaintances had complained that she’d been waiting over four years for an appointment—such was its renown.

“R-really?”

The guest’s anger dissipated instantly.

Rabiana led her to a room with a bright smile and helped her change into the new dress.

Thankfully, Rabiana had prepared extra gowns for the party, and since their body types weren’t too different, the dress fit beautifully after a few adjustments.

The guest, affecting a prim tone, said she’d let it go this time, but she couldn’t hide her smile.

When she returned to the party, she was too busy showing off her new dress to her friends to remember her earlier anger.

“Joseph, I’m sorry I couldn’t take your side. Still, try to watch where you’re going from now on. You’re welcome to walk through the center all you want.”

Rabiana felt sorry that she’d made Joseph apologize.

When she found him cleaning the floors and apologized, Joseph looked up at her, surprised.

“Pardon? Madam, I was moved.”

“What?”

“You took my side. When you said you’d punish me yourself.”

It hadn’t even crossed Rabiana’s mind, but the other nobles and servants had also found her response surprising.

Most nobles would have preferred to keep things quiet, unconcerned about what happened to the servant.

If letting the guest slap the servant meant the matter would end there, they’d have considered it for the best.

But seeing Rabiana stand up for her own—regardless of their status—left a strong impression on everyone present, noble and servant alike.

“I’ve decided to devote my life to the Roen household.”

“T-that’s not necessary… Anyway, I’m just glad you’re alright, Joseph. I was worried you might be hurt.”

Joseph’s eyes grew wet with emotion.

He’d served in the Roen estate for a long time, but under Bianca, the servants had never been treated this way.

Rabiana thought she was simply lucky that things had gone well.

But the incident was talked about for a long time afterward.

People soon said: The Duchess of Roen, once thought to be timid and overshadowed by her husband, had real backbone.

It was the rediscovery of the Duchess of Roen.