Left alone in the room, Luciella chewed over the words Enoch had spoken several times.

While eating, while trying on the dress, while bathing.

She invested the entire day in understanding Enoch’s words. Even so, Luciella still couldn’t believe this situation.

‘I’d rather believe it was a hastily made-up lie.’

But for that to be the case, Enoch’s bright red ears bothered her. Not only his ears but even his face had been dyed red like he really was a boy in love.

‘Could he possibly have the ability to control such things?’

That can’t be. She hadn’t heard rumors that Enoch Walter was good at acting too.

Besides, for someone good at acting, he was always like a wooden post. He always sat with a blunt face looking fierce, spitting out words dryly.

‘Or are all men like that?’

Do they originally give their hearts to just anyone that quickly?

Luciella carefully retraced her memories, wondering if there was something she had missed. But no matter how much she thought about it, their first meeting was definitely at the auction house.

‘I had never encountered Marquis Walter before that.’

He was such a famous person that if he had visited the kingdom, she couldn’t have been unaware of it.

‘So he really fell for me when he saw me at the auction house?’

Enoch Walter developing feelings while watching her climb onto the platform in a dirty, filthy state….

Continuing her imagination, Luciella sighed and shook her head like it was terrible.

‘If this is correct, this is truly the worst.’

Is it normal to like a woman in such a state?

No. If her assumption was correct, she would be terribly disappointed in Enoch. It would seem much better if he had made a false love confession.

“Princess, a letter has arrived.”

Through Luciella’s door came a knock and the maid’s words while she was holding her head in deep anguish.

“A letter……?”

But a letter…. There shouldn’t be anyone who would send such a thing to me…… Luciella tilted her head in confusion. The maid who entered through the large door approached carefully and held out a beautifully wrapped envelope.

“Yes, it arrived addressed to the Princess. It bears the seal of the Winston grand ducal family.”

Then Luciella’s eyes sparkled briefly at the mention of the Winston family.

‘From Brother Sejef?’

She carefully opened the envelope with the letter opener she received. The letter contained Sejef’s greetings and concerns written at length in beautiful handwriting.

“My goodness……”

Luciella clutched the letter paper preciously like she was moved. She almost regretted reading it letter by letter.

Sejef’s personality came through completely in the neat handwriting and affectionate sentences. She even felt like he was right before her eyes.

The content wasn’t particularly special.

Since she had said she was staying at the Walter estate, it seemed like he had sent a letter once to greet her.

“I should send a simple reply.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare it.”

Sejef’s single letter made her confused feelings feel much more organized. Luciella hummed unconsciously while carefully writing her reply.

Without dreaming of what words were being said behind her.

* * *

“Ugh, I just don’t understand. What on earth does the Marquis find so good about such a thing that he treats her this well?”

“That’s what I’m saying. She was even rude to the designers he specially called.”

“Right, didn’t she say she wasn’t interested so just handle it appropriately? Really, she’s just the worst.”

“To a woman who doesn’t even know gratitude, why does the Marquis devote himself so much…… It breaks my heart to watch.”

In the laundry room a little away from the mansion’s main building.

The maids put laundry in the flowing water and kneaded it while constantly chattering.

“Our Marquis isn’t someone who falls behind anywhere……”

“Exactly.”

“She was rude to the Marquis too. I heard when the Marquis first tried to kiss her hand, that woman coldly pushed him away.”

“Gasp, is that true? She really did such a thing to the Marquis?”

“Yes, it’s really true. Selly who works in the kitchen saw it directly. She told the Marquis not to touch her because he was dirty.”

“What’s this about, what’s this about. Could she be looking down on our Marquis because he’s of commoner origin?”

The maids had always been quite talkative, but after Luciella arrived, it became even worse.

Luciella was a stone that had rolled into the Walter estate overnight, so naturally everyone’s attention was focused on her.

But Luciella’s behavior in such a situation wasn’t what ordinary noble young ladies would do.

At least that’s how it looked to the maids who didn’t know the inside story.

“Is she acting up because she trusts her face?”

“That could be it. Her face is shiny and pretty at least.”

“Tsk, is that kind of appearance really pretty? To me she looks pale and corpse-like and not good at all…… Count Ederth’s daughter is much better.”

But the maids who were excitedly chattering behind people’s backs didn’t know. Who was nearby.

“Ahem, hmm.”

Only after rambling on and on did they all turn around in surprise at someone’s throat clearing.

Standing there was the head maid.

“Everyone seems to have free time. Not doing the laundry you’re supposed to do, but keeping your mouths busy.”

“S-sorry, head maid!”

Those who had been babbling instantly became quiet. The maids all picked up washing sticks and began enthusiastically beating the laundry.

Sweat beads formed on the lips that had been excitedly chattering.

“Tsk, there are many listening ears so be careful.”

“We’re really sorry……”

“From next time, know that I’ll switch you to attic cleaning duty immediately without warning.”

But the head maid who gave such stern orders wasn’t much different from them inside.

Since controlling the servants’ loose tongues was also her job, she just did it silently, but she too found Luciella disagreeable.

“Butler, what on earth is the Marquis thinking by continuing to keep Princess Bert at the estate.”

She went to the butler almost daily to complain.

“I’m afraid he might really marry that fallen princess.”

“Sigh…… That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“The princess herself has no interest in marriage with the Marquis. She coldly drove away salon designers who are difficult to even book, saying she wasn’t interested, and hasn’t chosen a single thing like rings or shoes…… I don’t understand what this is all about.”

Only the sighs of the butler and head maid echoed deeply.

“Why does our Marquis devote himself so much to take the princess as his spouse……”

“How would I know. I’m probably the one who wants to stop this marriage more than anyone.”

The butler pressed his forehead and shook his head.

Zek, who worked as the Walter estate’s butler. He was also a subordinate who had served Enoch in the past.

Enoch was particularly caring toward Zek, who was of similar commoner origins. When Enoch was granted the marquis title, Zek also came to handle butler duties at the estate.

He once prided himself on knowing Enoch better than anyone…… but his master lately felt so unfamiliar that he seemed like a different person.

“Butler, please try to subtly keep talking to the Marquis. You know that our Marquis needs to be more careful about marriage than other nobles……”

Instead of answering, the butler dry-washed his face and let out a deep sigh. Regardless, the head maid kept pecking at him without rest.

“The servants have already all noticed and are saying various things behind backs. But if a wedding ceremony really takes place…… what will happen then……”

“I’ll look for an appropriate time and speak to him once more. So don’t worry too much and for now……”

Zek tried to soothe the head maid. The head maid still had more to say and didn’t stop talking even while being pushed out of the office.

“Besides, today she’s giggling while exchanging letters with Grand Duke Winston.”

“What? What’s that about……”

“Grand Duke Winston sent a letter to the princess. But that woman who was indifferent when our Marquis brought all sorts of good things…… got excited about Grand Duke Winston’s letter and immediately caused a fuss about sending a reply……”

The head maid even pretended to wipe tears with her sleeve like she was truly lamenting.

Zek blinked his eyes blankly like this was the first time he was hearing this news.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes!”

“But if a letter came from the Winston grand ducal house, how could it go straight to the princess without any word to me……”

“Oh, I told them to deliver it straight to the princess just in case. Something seemed suspicious, and sure enough…… we caught her red-handed!”

Zek wrinkled his brow and let out a deep sigh. His head was complicated and he needed time to sort things out alone.

“I understand for now. I’ll handle this matter well…… please do your best at your assigned work for now.”

Saying this, Zek firmly locked his office door. It was to prevent the head maid from barging in again.

‘But such a thing happened……’

It’s definitely suspicious.

Zek, who was continuing his thoughts, pondered for a moment then headed somewhere. Where he headed was Enoch’s office.

* * *

“Your Grace, are you in?”

“Come in.”

Zek’s voice was heard immediately after he knocked on the office door. Enoch, sitting at his desk, was glaring at the pile of stacked documents then glanced at Zek with annoyed eyes.

He was already busy with work, but preparing for the wedding with Luciella made him extraordinarily busy.

“Is there something?”

“Well, it’s nothing major……”

He had come to report about Grand Duke Winston’s letter…… but seeing Enoch’s more displeased face than usual, Zek became very nervous and swallowed dryly.

“I came because I have something to tell you regarding the princess.”

Zek, who barely opened his mouth, hesitated while gauging Enoch’s mood. When Luciella was mentioned, Enoch raised one eyebrow like telling him to continue.