Side Story 3.7

“Are you troubled by something?”

Ian, who came home late after inspecting the factory site in Lohandra, noticed his wife’s unusually dark expression.

“No, nothing.”

Sophie couldn’t bring herself to mention meeting Diana yet.

“What did you do today?”

“I went out with Milia, did some shopping…”

Soon Sophie was nestled in Ian’s arms.

“I’m sorry for being so busy.”

“It’s fine. Milia and the Viscountess are so kind, I’m happy these days.”

Ian touched Sophie’s lips gently.

“That’s good.”

Sophie quietly looked up at her husband. Under his straight brows, his golden eyes were vivid. At first, they had seemed like the eyes of a predator ready to devour her, but now they felt warm. That golden gaze was inherited from Diana. How could they be so different? Diana’s golden eyes seemed cold and lonely.

* * *

After being invited to the ducal residence, Sophie often received summons from Diana. Milia’s reaction was never positive, so Sophie had to hide that she’d been called again today. Still, meeting Diana, she felt they’d grown a little closer.

‘I hope Ian and his mother can reconcile someday.’

With that hope, Sophie climbed into the black carriage again. It had been sent secretly from the Aliph ducal residence, with no crest. There wasn’t anything special to do with Diana—just tea and conversation. Yesterday, Diana had even given her a pearl necklace she’d worn as a maiden. Right now, that necklace hung around Sophie’s neck.

“There she comes.”

Sophie paused at the door to the drawing room, where Diana always waited. This time, there were other elderly ladies present. Diana called Sophie with a delighted face.

“Come here, Sophie.”

When Diana reached out, Sophie carefully took her hand.

“Everyone, let me introduce you. Sophie Crayble Aliph. My daughter-in-law.”

The ladies’ faces brightened at Diana’s introduction. Sophie had to greet each one as Diana’s daughter-in-law.

“So graceful and pretty, the daughter-in-law you’ve always spoken of.”

“You live in Caincridge? I was surprised by your short hair.”

“She’s ahead of the trends because she works in fashion. Watch—her hairstyle will be the next big thing.”

“What about her family…?”

“Sophie’s family are merchants. Our Ian is in business too, and they help each other a lot.”

“I see. With similar backgrounds, it’s a good match.”

“These days, status and rank aren’t so important.”

Sophie’s heart pounded. Diana, who had always cared so much about status, was now introducing Sophie, a merchant’s daughter, as her proud daughter-in-law.

‘I’ve been accepted by her!’

She almost burst into tears. Sophie stayed by Diana’s side until the tea party ended, handling the guests. In between, she had to listen to endless advice about how to act as the future mistress of the Aliph family, and who the gathered ladies were.

“I’ll teach you everything myself from now on.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Sophie nodded enthusiastically, moved by Diana’s words. She was happy to be accepted and loved by Ian’s mother.

After the guests left, Diana led Sophie to a small room, saying she had someone for her to meet. The guest room was neatly decorated, with a clean-sheeted bed as the centerpiece. On the sofa sat a middle-aged male doctor and a female nurse, each holding a large medical bag.

“This is my family’s longtime physician. He’s very reputable and skilled.”

Sophie still didn’t understand why Diana was introducing her to a doctor, and stood blankly.

“It’s all for you and Ian.”

“Mother?”

“You’ve been married less than two years, but your friend Milia Manders is already expecting her second.”

From behind, Diana placed her hands on Sophie’s shoulders and led her to the bed. With a gentle but firm push, Sophie found herself sitting on the edge.

“I worry about you. What if you’re unable to have children? Have you ever been tested?”

Sophie shook her head. She was still young, and as Ian and Milia had said, it was too soon to worry about infertility.

“It won’t hurt to check in advance.”

“How regular are your cycles?”

Sophie’s face turned bright red. The doctor took out a chart and recorded everything from Sophie’s constitution to how often she and Ian shared a bed. The nurse began pulling strange, unfamiliar instruments from her medical bag: long rods, a large syringe-like device, all things Sophie had never seen before.

“Please change into this.”

The nurse handed Sophie a white cotton dress. It was loose, almost like a nightgown, but the material was coarse and not luxurious.

“Please remove all your undergarments.”

“What?”

Sophie looked up at Diana in surprise. She had no idea what an infertility test involved, nor what the doctor intended to examine about her body.

“Just do as the doctor says.”

“Then, I’ll change in another room.”

“No, do it here.”

Even if he was a doctor, there was a man standing right there in the room. To change clothes in front of him, and even take off her undergarments…

“But…”

Yet Diana’s golden eyes were so cold and indifferent that Sophie lowered her head.

In the end, she began to unbutton her dress, one button at a time. With a soft thud, Sophie’s clothes fell to the floor.

* * *

For the past few days, Sophie’s expression hadn’t been good, and Milia was worried. Her complexion was pale, as if she were ill, or perhaps she’d been shocked by something. She’d been going out alone more often, and Milia was sure it was related to those outings.

“Sophie, is something wrong? You haven’t played with me lately.”

Even when Milia asked directly, Sophie shook her head.

“No, it’s just business. There’s a lot to do, a lot of people to meet.”

“Really? Your eyes are so dark underneath, haven’t you been sleeping?”

“It’s not that. Really, it’s not.”

Sophie’s strong denial only made Milia more suspicious. At that moment, Sophie’s personal maid quietly approached and whispered something to her. Sophie flinched, then nodded quietly.

“Milia, I need to go out for a bit. I have someone to meet.”

“Who?”

“Someone for business. You don’t know them.”

That was even more suspicious. But Sophie was so firm that Milia couldn’t press further. Watching Sophie’s back as she left in a black carriage, Milia tilted her head. The black carriage was a hired one, but quite expensive. The Lisner family had their own carriage—why call for a hired one? If Sophie wouldn’t answer, Milia wanted to question her maid, but the maid followed Sophie, leaving no opportunity.

“What should I do? Sophie’s acting so strange…”

“What seems strange?”

A sudden voice from behind made Sophie cry out.

“I’m pregnant! You can’t scare me like that from behind!”

Startled, Milia snapped at Ian, who stepped back apologetically.

“I’m truly sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Next time, make some noise before you approach. I was really startled.”

“Yes, understood. But is something wrong with my wife?”

“Ah, well…”

Milia hesitated. She’d been hiding Sophie’s meetings with Diana from Ian, and wasn’t sure if she could speak without Sophie’s permission.

‘But it all started that day!’

Ever since visiting the Aliph ducal residence, Sophie had been going out alone more often, and lately she’d seemed unwell. Thinking of Sophie, Milia decided it was better to be honest with her husband.

“Actually…”

* * *

Sophie entered the drawing room where she always waited for Diana at the ducal residence, her heart full of fear. Diana hadn’t arrived yet; the room was empty. Ever since the sudden infertility test with the doctor, Diana hadn’t called for several days. But today, she’d suddenly summoned Sophie. Something felt off, and the air in the ducal residence seemed cold from the moment Sophie arrived. There were no refreshments prepared, unlike usual.

Sophie sat in her usual spot and waited for Diana. Strangely, no one came. Time passed, and there was no word from the servants about when Diana would arrive. It felt intentional, like a child being punished. Sophie had to wait for Diana for a long time.

After a long wait, the door finally opened quietly, and Diana entered with a stiff expression. She was wearing a black nightgown, looking disheveled.

“Mother.”

As Diana sat opposite her, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over. Sophie’s gaze fixed on Diana’s face, which had returned to its old, icy expression. She was scared. 

‘What was happening? Was it because of the test? Had the results come back?’

‘Could it be?’

“You… can’t have children, it seems.”

Diana’s calm, cold voice chilled the room. Though the weather outside was bright, Sophie felt as if lightning had struck.

“What?”

Sophie managed to ask, her mind turning blank.

“Is ‘what?’ the only thing you know how to say?”

“M-mother.”

“Don’t call me mother.”

Even as she got angry, Diana’s voice was so low it seemed she didn’t even think Sophie was worth yelling at. If Sophie hadn’t been listening closely, she might not have heard it.

“Ian was the most outstanding child in the Aliph family. The most legitimate heir, so talented, with innate grace and beauty—I was proud of him. No one ever questioned Ian inheriting the dukedom.”

Diana spoke as if reminiscing about Ian’s childhood.

“Guillaume Aliph, who married that foolish woman, Robelia or whatever her name was, was never even in the same league from the start.”

Ian was Diana’s pride, her life’s work, the reason she lived.

“No one but Ian should become Duke of Aliph. No other man in Lohandra is greater than him.”

Diana’s dry gaze was now moist.

“But that child chose you. Someone like you!”

Diana’s submerged voice started to rise.

“You’ve driven a wedge between me and my son, and now you plan to end the family line?”