Chapter 32

The carriage stopped precisely at the location where Shuan and I had agreed to meet. Another carriage awaited us there. Holding Marian’s hand, I alighted and approached the waiting carriage. As we neared, someone stepped out—a taciturn knight who greeted me politely before speaking.

“My master has instructed me to assist Your Grace.”

“Who is your master?“ I asked for confirmation.

The knight answered without hesitation,

“Lady Lethe.”

If he had said Shuan, I might have been suspicious. But using our mutual code assured me of his authenticity. Moreover, he opened the carriage door to reveal someone inside. Marian covered her mouth with both hands and joyfully exclaimed,

“Mother!”

The person inside was Marian’s mother. Shuan had ensured that Marian could leave with her mother, just as I had requested.

Shuan was indeed reliable when he was on your side, though our relationship now teetered on uncertainty. By now, Shuan had probably met Ari. What were they discussing? What would he uncover? Would he tell me? Or would he decide to oppose me?

Lost in these thoughts, Marian suddenly grabbed my hand. Her face radiated joy, so evident that anyone could see her elation.

Marian’s sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks, and soft smile conveyed genuine happiness. Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall. Seeing her cry, I fumbled, unsure what to do, before hastily pulling out a handkerchief. When I touched Marian’s cheek with it, she smiled faintly.

“You are truly kind, My Lady.”

Her words made me blush. Everything I did was for my own sake; I never expected such a response. I didn’t deserve such words. I waved my hands, denying her compliment.

“Kind? Not at all. I merely used you.“

“Even so, if it means being used like this, I don’t mind.“

“You’re naive!”

I tried to scold her, but Marian was no ordinary young lady. After her family’s fall and supporting herself in less-than-ideal circumstances, Marian had her own story. Perhaps, through this ordeal, she had become quite substantial.

“My lady,“ Marian said, looking directly at me. Despite her tear-streaked face, her gaze was clear and determined.

“Please take me as your own. I don’t need to be a lady-in-waiting. I could work as a stable hand in the grand duchy. I just want to serve you. Will you allow it?”

What I had offered was a small kindness for my own peace of mind. Yet, it returned as a profound loyalty. I couldn’t grasp Marian’s hand as I slowly shook my head.

“You must go far away.“

Marian’s expression turned sorrowful.

“My lady, please. I swear my loyalty will never waver.”

Her plea was like a child’s, but her words were tantamount to offering her life to me. However, I was not worthy of such a commitment. More importantly, I had little time to take responsibility for someone else. Seeing that I wouldn’t relent, Marian knelt before me, heedless of the dirt that stained her clothes.

“I will miss you too. But Kazak and Prince Cain will never leave you alone. You need to hide where they can’t find you.“

“But, my lady…“

“You must think of your mother.”

The mention of her mother softened Marian, who had seemed impossible to persuade.

I gently patted Marian’s shoulder and led her to the carriage. Inside, her mother sat, waiting solemnly as if ready to accept Marian’s choice. Despite their downfall, the woman’s former dignity as the mistress of a noble house remained.

After staring at her mother for a long while, Marian began to cry again. This time, they were not tears of joy but sorrow, guilt, and regret. I wiped her tears once more.

“My lady, I will never forget this kindness. I am yours until the day I die.“

“Yes, let’s meet again.”

The words were almost a lie. My days would be numbered after I rendered Kazak and Prince Cain powerless. But I didn’t want to burden her with such thoughts, so I maintained a composed facade. Fortunately, Marian, usually perceptive, believed me this time.

Marian insisted on me leaving first, saying she couldn’t bear to go ahead of me. I saw her waving goodbye from the carriage window.

Seeing my evident regret, Anna, who had been attending to me, spoke cautiously.

“You should have kept her. Unlike me, she’s of noble birth and would have been helpful.”

Perhaps. Marian was, after all, raised as a noble and received such an education. But I wanted her to be happy. To me, Marian was exceptional. She was the first person whose life I had completely turned around upon returning to this life.

The woman who once worried about growing old and unattractive no longer existed. Marian would live a new life with her mother, giving me hope.

Hope that I can also grant new lives to my family.

Therefore, there was no need for Marian to stay by my side.

“You are enough for me. What’s the point of having multiple maids?”

When I said this with a bit of sass, Anna smiled brightly, pleased.

“I’ll do my best, Your Grace.”

Finding her determined expression endearing, I pinched her cheek and laughed.

* * *

This time, the first to greet me upon arriving at the mansion was my adorable Duke. As always, Duke ran towards me, shedding fur everywhere.

The affectionate Duke quickly slowed when I bent down, opened my arms, and placed his paws on my shoulders.

I rubbed my cheek against Duke’s and whispered in his ear.

“Duke, where is Julian?”

I knew Julian couldn’t always come out to greet me. He was responsible for taking care of the estate, yet I couldn’t help but hope he would.

I pretended to dote on Duke while waiting for him. Surprisingly, my efforts weren’t in vain.

I saw Julian walking towards the garden from the building’s entrance. His steps were slow, almost arrogant, but they suited him well. I patted Duke’s chin and quickly approached Julian.

“Julian! Weren’t you bored without me?”

When I looked at him and asked, Julian lowered his eyes slightly and replied.

“Not at all.”

His response, without a moment’s hesitation, made me glare at him.

“Is it so hard to say something nice to your wife?”

A sly smile appeared on Julian’s exposed face at my sulky words. I realized immediately he was teasing me, but it was too late to stop him.

“You left all those people you hired to me. I had no time to be bored.”

Having more people in the house had advantages but also meant more work. I put on a playful, sassy expression and teased back.

“Yes, this lady loves luxury. I even ordered an expensive dress for our child.“

“Our child?“

“I mean Duke.”

Knowing his name was mentioned, Duke rubbed against my dress energetically. When I reached out to him, Duke covered my palm with slobber.

“Did you greet Duke?“

“Mm.”

Julian’s noncommittal answer amused me, making me burst out laughing.

“What does that even mean?“

“I’m afraid you’ll nag me if I tell the truth.“

That was genuinely funny. As I laughed while talking with Julian, one of the servants standing by his side widened his eyes before quickly bowing his head. My casual demeanor must have seemed unusual to him.

Julian extended his arm to me, and I linked my arm with him, whispering to him.

“I think I should act a bit more like a lady.”

Though it was a gesture of repentance, Julian shook his head.

“My wife doesn’t need to worry about what the servants think.“

“Oh, Julian.”

I called him teasingly.

“You seem like a player secretly meeting a hundred ladies.“

“Duchess.“

“Okay, I’ll stop.”

Clearing my throat, I accepted Julian’s escort and entered the building. The now-familiar sight of the grand mansion welcomed me.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

Accepting the greetings of the maids, I instructed them.

“Prepare a bath.“

“And set up the chessboard on the third floor.”

Julian added after my command. I blinked at him in surprise. The new maid bowed deeply and disappeared from view. Preparing the bath and setting up the chessboard with refreshments on the third floor would take some time, so she would be in a hurry.

Having time until the maid called us back, I casually asked Julian like it was a routine.

“Are you not busy today?“

“I’m curious why you seem so happy.”

With his words, I realized I had been visibly excited since arriving at the mansion.

It was understandable. Though the scale was smaller than I thought, I had outwitted Prince Cain and Kazak. There was no reason not to be in a good mood.

“And Marian?”

Of course, there were also some unfortunate partings.

Hiding my regret, I teased him playfully.

“Why are you looking for Marian? Have you also fallen for her beauty?”

But Julian didn’t easily fall for my jokes.

“It seems you are the one who has fallen for her more than I have.”

Pouting, I defended myself.

“I grew up in the frontier with hardly any friends my age. That’s why I miss her a bit.”

Chatting with Julian, I strolled down the corridor aimlessly. Maids were everywhere we went, but they respectfully greeted us and quickly moved out of the way, not wanting to disturb us.

For a marriage of convenience, it seemed overly familiar. Thinking this, I tilted my head slightly to look at Julian. His handsome, half-exposed face was also looking at me.

“And you?“

Julian’s face seemed to ask, ‘What?‘ So I answered his unspoken question.

“Were you really not bored without me?”

Julian replied straightforwardly.

“I was lonely.”

It was an unexpectedly honest answer.

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