Chapter 36

It took me a moment to grasp the situation. The coachman was groaning in pain, suggesting he was severely injured. The carriage had taken a significant hit, causing the front to collapse and the whole vehicle to tilt forward.

Anna had rushed to shield me, hitting her head hard enough to bleed. I held her close and knocked on the coachman’s seat.

“Are you alright? Are you safe?”

From the front, I only heard groans that sounded like crying. A familiar voice called out from outside the carriage, and I felt helpless.

“Your Grace! Your Grace, are you there?”

I instantly recognized the high-pitched voice.

“Lady Heira, could you fetch some help?”

“Oh! You’re safe!”

Shina almost screamed in relief. She then hurriedly gave orders to her attendants, who seemed to be helping the coachman out of the wreckage, making quite a commotion.

“Your Grace, please wait a moment!”

Not long after Shina spoke, the carriage began to level out.

“Your Grace! Please step away from the door!”

A stranger’s voice called out just as the door rattled loudly. The crumpled door held firm for a while before it gradually started to give way. Despite her pain, Anna squinted and watched the scene unfold.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

Anna, seemingly regaining clarity as the door opened, asked in trembling.

“You’re hurt more than I am.“

“I’m fine…”

Despite the blood on her head, Anna insisted she was okay. I held her more securely in my arms. How long did we wait? Finally, the door opened completely, and I could clearly see the faces of the people outside and the light of their torches.

“Take her out first.”

I entrusted Anna to the burly man standing at the front. Then, I extended my hand to be helped out as well.

“Your Grace! Your hand!”

Shina, standing nearby, let out a short scream upon seeing my hand. I glanced down to see bruises already forming. Though Anna had tried her best to shield me, she wasn’t big or strong enough to protect me entirely.

Not wanting to show my injuries, I hid my hand behind my back and extended my other hand to receive support.

“The wound is severe.“

“It’s nothing, My Lady.”

Shina cautiously offered a suggestion, noticing my attempt to conceal my injury.

“Would you like to use my gloves?“

“…I would appreciate that.”

As soon as I spoke, Shina quickly removed her gloves and handed them to me. Fortunately, they fit well enough. Supporting my injured hand with the other, I asked,

“What about the carriage that collided with us?”

Shina bit her lip before answering with concern.

“Oh, it’s a mess. The coachman was drunk, it seems. He shouldn’t have had access to alcohol…“

“Are they badly hurt?“

“It appears so.”

As Shina spoke, the door of the other carriage opened, revealing a footman and a man who seemed to be quite injured. One was limping badly, while the other clutched his waist, barely able to stand.

“Which family do they belong to?”

Shina answered promptly.

“I believe it’s the Viscount Lessa. I saw them negotiating on behalf of their father once.”

Viscount Lessa. Searching my memory, I recalled a faint impression. A minor noble family from the provinces… I vaguely remember Kazak mentioning them with annoyance once.

‘Viscount Lessa keeps sending insignificant gifts and currying favor. It’s insufferable.’

Viscount Lessa had tried ingratiating himself with the Marquis of Amber to align with the second prince. However, Kazak was extraordinarily wealthy and prospering under Prince Cain’s backing in my past life, so he had no need to entertain Viscount Lessa’s overtures. In the end, Viscount Lessa had to leave empty-handed.

But in this life, Viscount Lessa might have had his turn. Could Kazak still be relying on Prince Cain? Or perhaps someone else from Prince Cain’s faction had reached out.

In any case, one thing was clear: this accident was no coincidence.

I walked towards Viscount Lessa, who couldn’t even stand due to a severe back injury, groaning in pain.

“Viscount Lessa.”

At my call, Viscount Lessa lifted his head and gasped.

“Y-Your Grace. Forgive my… my rudeness…”

I looked down at the anxious Viscount Lessa and waved my hand broadly.

“The fault lies greatly with you for not managing your coachman properly. However, we can’t stay here longer, so let’s move to the Grand Duke’s residence.“

“W-What? No, I’m fine. I can’t impose further…“

“Viscount.”

I called him softly, and his gaze shifted to my gloved hand as I touched it.

“Don’t forget that you injured me.”

At my warning, Viscount Lessa quickly closed his mouth.

“Is there anything else I can do to help?”

Shina approached and asked. After a moment’s thought, I nodded.

I had a broken carriage and a small carriage used by the attendants. It was the one that had hurriedly set off to catch up with Shuan. I didn’t want to share that small carriage with Viscount Lessa.

“Lady Heira, if it’s alright, could you take me to the Grand Duke’s residence?”

Shina joyfully guided me to her carriage. Meanwhile, Viscount Lessa climbed into the small carriage without a word. Shina kindly offered Anna a place in her carriage as well. I bowed slightly in gratitude. Shina waved her hand dismissively and smiled.

“It’s my pleasure to be able to help Your Grace.“

“Thank you so much.“

“But really, Viscount Lessa is out of his mind. He didn’t even know his coachman was drunk. Crashing into Your Grace’s carriage could have led to a disaster.”

I nodded. However, my mind was occupied with other thoughts. Was this accident really a coincidence? Was it simply due to Viscount Lessa’s carelessness? If only I could find out by asking Viscount Lessa.

While I was lost in thought, Shina remained silent. She was indeed a perceptive and intelligent young lady.

I decided to stop dwelling on thoughts that wouldn’t be helpful right now and turned my attention to the lovely young lady showing me endless kindness.

“Lady Heira, why are you so kind to someone you’ve just met?“

“Is it that obvious?”

Shina covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“There are several reasons, but I’ll tell you the most practical one. My family, the Baron Heira’s house, wants to trade the rare magic stones owned by the Grand Duke’s house.”

This lovely young lady’s eyes sparkled at the mention of money. She looked more like a businesswoman than a noblelady. Although impressive, her words left me with no choice but to express my reluctance.

“The rare magic stones owned by the Grand Duke’s house are essentially tied up with the imperial family.“

“Did you offer all the stones?“

“Not all, but the imperial family will want to take them all.”

The deal with the imperial family wasn’t entirely settled yet. We still had to negotiate on how much to give and how much to receive. Engaging in trade with another merchant group before wouldn’t please the emperor.

Despite my skeptical answer, Shina remained undeterred.

“It’s alright. I still have a card up my sleeve.”

As Shina spoke confidently, the carriage arrived before the Grand Duke’s residence. I hurriedly had Anna help me out of the carriage first.

After Anna disembarked, Shina courteously held my hand and helped me out of the carriage. Upon stepping out, I was startled.

A strikingly tall man stood tall in front of the dark residence. The moonlight gleamed off his mask, highlighting his imposing presence. I almost walked straight to him but stopped, remembering Shina’s presence.

Shina, noticing my hesitation, remarked enviously.

“You two seem to get along very well, contrary to rumors.“

“Please… don’t say such things.”

I felt my face flush with warmth.

In Count Winsley’s house, my father always greeted my mother at the door. However, this wasn’t common among the nobility, so to Shina, this must have seemed unusual.

“Lady Heira, won’t you come in for some tea?“

“No, I’ll leave you two alone. Please invite me to a tea party when you have time. We can talk more then.”

Shina smiled brightly, lifted her skirt, and bowed. I returned her bow with a slight nod. Shina, seemingly reluctant to part, added,

“Your Grace, I’m so kind to you because I’m a fan. I’ve heard many stories about you and thought you were admirable.”

My already flushed face turned even redder. I bid Shina farewell with a wave, and she curtsied once more before boarding her carriage.

Once Shina left, I hurried towards Julian.

“Julian! Why are you out here?”

Julian didn’t answer. He merely looked down at me silently. I blinked, wondering if something was wrong.

But Julian still said nothing. He just stood there like a massive statue.

“Julian?”

I tilted my head to look up at his bowed head. Julian extended his large hand towards me. I instinctively placed my hand in his.

“Duchess“

“Is something wrong?“

“Isn’t there something wrong with you?”

It seemed he had heard about the recent carriage accident. I nodded and then sighed, shaking my head. It was dizzying, almost unbelievable, that it had just happened.

“There was a carriage accident. It’s already the second one this year, which is strange.”

It was as if someone was desperately following my carriage, wishing for an accident to occur.

“Were you hurt?“

“No. I’m fine. But Anna was seriously injured instead of me.”

Despite my worried answer, Julian seemed relieved. At that moment, the coachman of the small carriage approached and asked what should be done with Viscount Lessa. Hearing this, Julian asked rather harshly.

“Viscount Lessa?“

“He’s the owner of the carriage that collided with mine. They say Viscount Lessa’s coachman was drinking… It’s a headache, so let’s discuss this inside.”

I turned to the coachman and said,

“Escort Viscount Lessa to the guest room and tend to his injuries. Make sure he can’t contact anyone outside.“

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The coachman approached to get help from the attendants while I continued to look at the hand Julian was still holding. Julian usually didn’t express much, but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking today.

“Julian, shall we go inside?”

Instead of answering my question, Julian asked in a very low voice,

“Who were you going to meet, Duchess?”

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