Chapter 126
‘Wha- what are you doing….’
I was so flustered that I averted my gaze.
This is not good for my heart!
No, more importantly, why is he smiling at me?
Isn’t this the time to be spreading rumors to the Duchy of Rohitham about a mysterious young man with violet eyes in the Kingdom of Arlo?
I almost had to clutch my pounding heart… but luckily, I didn’t.
I just tried to nonchalantly bring the already empty teacup to my lips.
I glanced at Ludwig.
He was still looking at me.
I frowned sternly.
‘What are you doing! Get back to work!’
That was the feeling I tried to convey.
Only then did Roche… no, Ludwig—finally look away from me.
I stared at the back of his head.
This is purely surveillance, surveillance.
* * *
Ludwig attended all sorts of social gatherings for the next few days.
He was so busy that he barely had any time to talk to me.
A strange sense of disappointment arose.
‘No, disappointment? What a childish thought is this? ’
The fate of the Duchy of Rohitham is at stake!
I pulled myself together.
But surprisingly, Ludwig was the unexpected obstacle.
Every time our paths crossed, he greeted me with that bright smile of his.
Each time, my heart couldn’t help but drop.
And, of course…
His smile directed at me became a topic of conversation.
Luces Club Lounge.
It was the day of the regular meeting.
As soon as I entered, people started glancing at me knowingly.
“Countess Balthus!”
A few elderly noblewomen approached me and dragged me to a corner of the lounge.
Why are they doing this?
They were so assertive and sudden that I couldn’t maintain my usual calm poker face and ended up looking flustered.
“Hello, everyone. Your welcome is quite intense?”
“Let’s get straight to the point. It’s suspicious the way Adonis of Eolize looks at Countess Balthus.”
Adonis of Eolize.
I knew that Ludwig was called that.
It’s fascinating how the term ‘Adonis’ is synonymous with handsome young men both on my previous world and here.
No, no. That’s not the point.
“What do you mean by that?”
“He smiles like that when he looks at Countess Balthus?”
“He smiles at everyone.”
“The smile he gives Countess Balthus is different.”
I couldn’t deny it.
When he looks at me, it’s as if he’s delighted to see me…
I wanted to avoid this comparison since he’s now ‘Ludwig’ again…
He’s like a puppy.
I felt my face heat up.
“Do you remember? I’m the kin of Marquis Rowissum. I knew him before he entered society. Of course, he would be glad to see me.”
“It’s only been a few days?”
“Yes, it hasn’t been long since Marquis Rowissum took him in.”
“And, according to Countess Balthus’s logic, Adonis should make the same expression when he sees Marquis Rowissum.”
“But he doesn’t.”
Faced with the two noblewomen’s relentless assault, I rarely felt at a loss.
Oh, really!
Why does he smile like that!
You’re guilty, guilty!
But I couldn’t be defeated here.
“Then, do you ladies think that…”
For some reason, it felt embarrassing to say ‘Adonis.’
But who am I?
I’m confident in acting, the master of maintaining a poker face.
I mustered all the shamelessness I had.
“…Adonis…”
“Yes, that he has feelings for Countess Balthus!”
You ladies are really impatient!
I hadn’t even finished speaking!
Interrupting like this!
Now I’m at a loss for words!
‘Duke Ludwig, is this right? Is this going according to plan?’
I silently berated Ludwig.
Should I agree or disagree?
I couldn’t decide which would be better for the plan.
In such times, laughing it off is the best strategy.
I laughed heartily and scanned the surroundings.
“Hello, Duke Lopez!”
And then I found my savior.
“Ladies, excuse me. I think I need to greet the Duke of Lopez.”
Everyone in the social circles knew about my close relationship with Duke Lopez.
The noblewoman reluctantly let me go.
Barely freed, I hurriedly went to the Duke of Lopez with a relieved smile.
“Your Grace, how have you been?”
“Well. And you, Countess Balthus?”
“I’m always fine, of course. But you, Your Grace…”
I carefully examined Duke Lopez’s face.
He seemed more haggard than before.
It must be because of Oscar’s death.
A sudden death like a bolt from the blue for the son of a close friend.
No matter how disappointed Duke Lopez was with Oscar, he wouldn’t have wanted him to die.
He would have wanted Oscar to live, repent, and eventually come to his senses.
Oscar tore Duke Lopez’s heart to pieces until the end.
“I’m alright. Things happen as they are meant to.”
Duke Lopez said calmly.
As if trying to change the mood, he subtly gestured towards the noblewoman who had cornered me earlier.
“You seemed to be in some trouble?”
“Trouble? Not at all.”
“I’ve heard the rumors about that young man.”
“You’ve seen him in person, too.”
“That’s right.”
Duke Lopez faced me, but it seemed more like he was lost in deep thought rather than looking at me.
Then he spoke thoughtfully.
“Countess Balthus, violet eyes are quite rare, aren’t they?”
“Indeed.”
“I was surprised to see that young man’s eyes. Violet is also the eye color of the late Duke of Rohitham, who is no longer with us.”
I nodded slowly.
Then I said, “What a remarkable coincidence.”
“If it weren’t certain that the Duke had died, I would have suggested contacting the Duchy of Rohitham.”
During the mission, I learned that Ludwig had kept a low profile during his time as the Duke. He didn’t debut in social circles and went abroad to study quietly, keeping his identity a secret.
However, his outstanding looks had spread through rumors. Even in the Kingdom of Arlo, a few nobles, including Duke Lopez, knew about the exceptional appearance of ‘Ludwig Rohitham.’
This actually works in our favor.
The more Ludwig’s name is mentioned among the nobles, the more anxious Rudolf will become.
“By the way, Countess Balthus, I apologize.”
“What? Why?”
“I’m also curious about the same thing as those noblewomen.”
Oh, no. Even Duke Lopez?
I gave him a look of disbelief, though it didn’t help much.
Duke Lopez chuckled and brushed off my expression with a laugh.
“It seems true that the mysterious Adonis acts differently towards Countess Balthus. Do you have feelings for him as well?”
“Well…”
“The young Marquis Rowissum is certain that he’s of noble descent, right? Seeing him in person, I agree. His elegant demeanor isn’t something one can imitate.”
I nodded quietly.
“So, what I mean is, if you have feelings for him, Countess Balthus, this might be an opportunity for remarriage.”
“What?”
“Hypothetically speaking, are you interested in him?”
For a moment, I was taken aback.
“Ha ha, why… do you think that?”
“I heard from your bodyguard. You’ve separated him from you.”
…It’s a misunderstanding.
I can’t say it outright, but it’s a misunderstanding. I haven’t separated Roche from me.
Officially, ‘Roche’ has been dispatched to the Marquisate of Rowissum for a while.
My explanation that my father needed his exceptional skills was so perfect that no one questioned Roche’s absence.
Why does that even connect like this?
As I gave him a look of mixed protest and doubt, Duke Lopez responded leisurely.
“It’s a well-known secret that Roche holds you in high regard. You would know best, being close to him.”
Is that really such an open secret?
This was the first time someone else mentioned the relationship between Roche and me.
My face felt hot.
“But then Adonis appeared, and you sent your bodyguard back home…”
“That’s not true.”
It really wasn’t, so I said it firmly.
Duke Lopez widened his eyes, surprised at my strong response.
“I don’t know about Adonis’s feelings. I’m not thinking about remarriage yet.”
I subtly avoided Duke Lopez’s gaze.
Inside, I thought that I should visit the Rowissum townhouse tonight to warn Ludwig.
Seriously, his constant smiles at me are drawing too much unwanted attention!
I barely managed to mingle with the others.
My mind was entirely focused on getting to the townhouse, where Ludwig would be.
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penthesulia
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Poor Marlena. Her boy wants her BADLY and is making no bones about it. She’s the only one trying to keep a poker face and it’s hard being the only one doing it when the other party keeps trying to blow your cover!