Chapter 19

While Evelyn was introspecting about herself, the dance music ended, marking the end of the final turn.

The two of them came to a stop.

“I think we can stop for today.”

Evelyn spoke with a smile and was about to step away from Dyffrin when she realized they were still holding hands.

Even though Dyffrin disliked physical contact, he didn’t show any signs of discomfort during dance practice, perhaps because it was unavoidable.

As she quietly looked down at their joined hands, Dyffrin released his grip.

Then, clearing his throat, he spoke up.

“If we practice once more, I think you’ll be able to dance well enough not to embarrass yourself.”

“Yes, I think so too. It’s all thanks to you.”

As Evelyn smiled brightly and spoke, Dyffrin’s face stiffened.

‘He really can’t handle compliments.’

Her mischievous side flared up again. Evelyn decided to tease him further with more praise.

“I’m so fortunate to have married you. There’s always so much to learn from you, and lately, you’ve been so considerate. I’m truly lucky to be married to someone like you.”

“…That’s nonsense.”

“I mean it. Someday, I think this marriage will be a really good memory.”

Evelyn looked at Dyffrin with a radiant smile.

“…?”

‘Hmm…?’ 

However, his face was excessively rigid. Inadvertently, Evelyn also slowly hid her smile.

‘What’s going on……? He didn’t like compliments, but it wasn’t usually like this.’

She tried to rethink what she had said, wondering if she had made a mistake, but she couldn’t find any problems.

Evelyn was puzzled, but Dyffrin left the room first, saying, 

“Let’s stop the practice here for today, as you suggested.”

Alone, Evelyn couldn’t shake off the sinking feeling and returned to her room. What had started as a joke had left such a harsh atmosphere.

‘He seemed to be in a bad mood…….’

But Evelyn couldn’t understand why he had suddenly looked as if he’d been doused with cold water.

Dyffrin remained an enigma to her. Every time this happened, she resented Amelia, the person who had made him this way.

Evelyn sighed as she looked out at the darkening sky.

***

A sunny afternoon.

The sound of knights training echoed loudly through the Liwonoc Ducal Estate, and the skilled servants moved efficiently, managing the estate.

Sunlight spread under the clear sky, illuminating every corner of the estate. In the peaceful estate, as serene as the weather, Amelia was surrounded by the rose garden she personally tended.

Wearing gardening gloves, Amelia bent down and snipped the largest and most splendidly bloomed rose.

In her hand were a yellow rose, two red roses, and a purple rose.

At that moment, a maid hurriedly walked to the edge of the garden and hesitated.

Amelia, still focused on the roses, gestured with her hand. The hesitant maid quickly approached and bowed her head.

“Yes, madam.”

“Has Gilmore arrived?”

“He has just arrived.”

Amelia took off her gloves and handed them to the maid. Though her gesture was almost like a throw, the experienced maid quickly caught the gloves.

As Amelia, surrounded by roses, walked to the fourth reception room in the corner of the estate and opened the door, a young man greeted her with a sly smile..

“It’s been a while. Madam Duchess.”

“Have a seat.”

Without further pleasantries, Amelia sat in front of the man with an expressionless face. The man, seemingly unbothered, began to speak.

“I have some interesting news for you today.”

“You should. Considering the amount I pay your guild every month.”

As Amelia said, the man before her was Gilmore, the guild master of Vallon, which dealt in confidential information.

Amelia, without her husband’s knowledge, had been paying this guild every month to gather information from the capital.

“First, about the royal palace. It seems the tension between Prince Fenris and Prince Nosellerton has reached its peak. Prince Nosellerton even secretly ordered an attack on Prince Fenris.”

“Tsk, the prince is clueless.”

“Prince Nosellerton must have been anxious. Prince Fenris is a formidable opponent.”

Amelia frowned.

“Nosellerton won’t easily lose the position of crown prince, given his lineage and Dyffrin’s support, but if there’s any sign of that happening, inform me immediately.”

Nosellerton had to become the next emperor. The Liwonoc Ducal Estate had supported him for a long time, and he needed to ascend to the throne to repay that. Amelia’s eyes flashed briefly.

“Yes, understood.”

Taking a sip of tea made from dried roses, Amelia spoke.

“Any news from the ducal residence in the capital?”

“I was actually going to talk to you about that. It seems there’s chaos in the mansion since the new hostess arrived.”

Amelia faintly smiled. Hearing about that had been like drinking cold water to cool her burning insides.

‘Yes, it’s about time the discord grew.’

Dyffrin and Evelyn were an ill-matched pair.

Evelyn was probably spending every night in tears, unloved by her husband. And it wouldn’t stop there. Even the household staff wouldn’t respect a mistress who wasn’t loved, so how could she endure that humiliation?

Amelia opened her lips, painted red.

“It’s only natural for the household to be in chaos after bringing in the wrong daughter-in-law.”

“Oh, that’s not it. Since the new hostess arrived, she’s replaced half the maids and is renovating the mansion.”

“…What?”

The teacup Amelia was about to lift to her lips froze in mid-air.

“She even replaced the head maid. She fired the former head maid, accusing her of embezzling household funds.”

Amelia had to swallow her surprise.

She wasn’t shocked that Patricia had been embezzling; she already knew that.

What surprised her was that Evelyn had uncovered the embezzlement. Patricia’s stubborn nature would not have easily shown the account books.

“……How did Dyffrin react to that?”

“I’m not sure, but from what I’ve heard from the maids, the two of them seem to be getting along well these days. They’re even planning to attend the royal ball together soon.”

Amelia finally placed the teacup she was holding back on the table.

‘Attending the royal ball together?’

Dyffrin rarely attended balls.

Dyffrin often attended regular social parties, but balls where he had to dance were among the gatherings he avoided the most. One of the reasons was that he had no one suitable to choose as a partner.

But to attend a ball with Evelyn.

This was not the picture Amelia had expected.

Although they had been married due to the late Duke’s will, their relationship was supposed to deteriorate over time. And in two years, they were to divorce, allowing him to remarry the daughter-in-law she had always wanted.

This was how the Liwonoc Ducal Estate would become more solidified, achieving what she desired.

As Amelia’s expression noticeably turned icy, Gilmore started to read the room.

“……That’s what I’ve heard, at least.”

Amelia was silent for a moment before speaking in a subdued voice.

“Gilmore. I’ll write a letter, and along with the letter, send the maid Patricia to Rachel Pinford.”

“You mean the ‘Rachel Pinford’ in the capital?”

“Yes.”

Gilmore’s eyes shifted.

Rachel of the Pinford family was one of the most famous individuals. Resembling her famous opera singer mother with a beautiful face and backed by a wealthy marquisate, she was practically a flower in the social world.

Reading the situation, Gilmore realized who Amelia had originally picked as her daughter-in-law.

‘Rachel of the Pinford family is indeed a fitting bride.’

Thinking this, Gilmore answered obediently.

“Understood.”

“She must arrive before the royal ball. Move quickly.”

Gilmore bowed his head and left the room first.

Alone, Amelia clenched her hand tightly.

‘Why has it come to this?’

Things that were supposed to flow naturally had gone awry the moment she took her eyes off them. This was intolerable for Amelia.

Dyffrin was always supposed to walk the path she laid out, and that path was meant for the family.

‘Because I raised him that way.’

By the time her nails were digging into her palms, Amelia regained her composure.

‘Right, it’s not a big deal yet.’ 

She didn’t know how Evelyn managed to sway Dyffrin, but since she raised him, she knew him better than anyone else.

If their relationship had improved, she would just make it bad again.

So, although things had gone slightly off track, everything would ultimately go according to her plan.

‘As it always has.’

A dark glint flashed in Amelia’s black eyes.

* * *

“Walter, take all the dresses from the dressing room.”

Under the sparkling chandelier, Rachel, who looked like a doll with her platinum blonde hair shining, gave orders to a servant carrying a load of luggage.

As Rachel looked around the mansion, a frown quickly formed on her forehead.

“Where is the jeweler?”

The maids, lined up to greet the returning lady, exchanged nervous glances. One maid hurriedly approached and bowed her head.

“Well, that is…….”

“Don’t tell me they haven’t arrived yet?”

As the maid hesitated, Rachel’s irritated voice flowed out.

“Did they stop by Snowville first? I specifically told them to come here as soon as the new items arrived!”

“……I think it might be delayed due to road construction.”

“Do you know that? Did you see it? You fools! How many times have I told you I need to look the prettiest at this ball! And you couldn’t even call the jeweler on time!”

Unable to contain her anger, Rachel kicked the maid’s shin with her pointed shoe. The maid bit her lip hard, barely suppressing a groan.

Even with that, she looked around with sharp eyes, surveying the maids.

“Go out and bring them here immediately! If the jeweler isn’t in front of me within 10 minutes, none of you will be spared!”

The one who intervened to stop Rachel was the head butler of the marquisate.

“…Lady Rachel, there’s a guest.”

“Is it the jeweler?”

“It’s not, but…….”

“Then tell them to come back later!”

“The visitor has come with a letter from the Duchess of Liwonoc.”

At the mention of the Duchess of Liwonoc, Rachel calmed down as if by magic. Then, clearing her throat, she spoke in a calm voice.

“Bring them to the reception room.”

Rachel went to the drawing room and sipped her tea nervously until someone entered the room.

It was Patricia, who had worked as the head maid at the Duke’s residence before being chased out by Evelyn.

Rachel frowned at the sight of Patricia in her shabby state.

She had expected a high-ranking guest since they came with a letter from the Duchess, but the visitor looked like a beggar.

However, since she came with a letter from the Duchess, Rachel couldn’t treat Patricia carelessly.

To Rachel, Amelia was the second most important person.

“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Rachel.”

Patricia barely glanced at the beautiful woman in front of her and greeted her.

Rachel. She was a famous princess in the capital. Not because she had royal blood, but because of the way she was treated.

Even without royal blood, her brilliant golden hair, flawless white skin, and status as the only daughter of the Marquis Pinford, who dominated the port with their merchant fleet, made her deserving of such treatment.

There was hardly any reason for her not to receive princess-like treatment.

Despite having everything, there was one thing she couldn’t obtain.

And that was Dyffrin Liwonoc.