Chapter 1.2

The next day, a morning like any other arrived.

The three family members, including Carnier’s brother, Tristan Ruble Raymore, the Duke, who had returned home at dawn, gathered in the dining room for breakfast. Though the siblings had a good relationship, neither was particularly talkative. However, ever since Aisha joined the family as the Duchess of Raymore, the atmosphere had become noticeably warmer and more harmonious.

“I was worried because you didn’t come home yesterday. You must be exhausted… Will you be late again today?”

“The urgent matters have been resolved, so I should be able to return on time today. I apologize for not contacting you. Did you wait long?”

“I was sleepy, so I fell asleep quickly.”

Although she said that, Carnier, who had seen Aisha stifling a yawn earlier, found it hard to believe. It seemed she had waited quite late for her husband to return. However, Carnier chose not to ruin the mood and quietly ate her soup. Across the table, the gazes exchanged between the Duke and his wife were as warm and fragrant as freshly baked bread.

“Today, His Highness has no external engagements, so I might even return early.”

Despite coming home at dawn and barely catching a wink before heading back to work, the Duke of Raymore looked impeccable, living up to his reputation as the most eligible bachelor even before his marriage. Now in his thirties, his matured appearance continued to captivate many women.

However, this man’s heart had belonged to one person for the past five years. Even now, five years into their marriage, his gaze at his wife was so tender that it made other noblewomen bite their handkerchiefs in envy. His affectionate tone revealed just how much he adored and respected his wife.

Witnessing this, noblewomen would return home and scrutinize their husbands. The husbands, realizing their wives had encountered the Duke and Duchess of Raymore, would tread carefully. The quick-witted ones, upon hearing that the Raymore couple had attended the same social event as their wives, would buy flowers on their way home to ensure their safety.

By now, almost every married man in Asherit’s social circles had grown accustomed to hearing, ‘Why can’t you be even half as good as the Duke of Raymore?’ at every meal.

“I have a day off today. I’m thinking of lying in bed and reading a book for a change.”

It was an unusual statement coming from a noblewoman. But that was Aisha Raymore, the Duchess. Unlike other noblewomen, she had a profession—none other than the director of the Imperial Library.

In Asherit, it was rare for women to take up jobs. However, with changes in the law and Aisha paving the way, things were gradually shifting. Young women, inspired by the new era, idolized Aisha, who had graduated with top honors from an academy abroad and was personally scouted by the Crown Prince. They dreamed of following in her footsteps.

Of course, there were conservative factions who were displeased with these changes. But at least within the harmonious Raymore household, such sentiments did not exist. After finishing his meal, the Duke rose from his seat and kissed his wife’s forehead.

“I’ll have to return early just to join you in that bed.”

“Tristan…!”

Though not loud, his voice wasn’t exactly inaudible either. Blushing slightly, Aisha glanced at Carnier, then reluctantly kissed her husband’s cheek in return. The servants, having witnessed such displays of affection countless times over the years, pretended not to notice.

“To return early, you’ll first need to leave for work, brother.”

“…Ahem. Then, I’ll be off.”

Of course, Carnier, the one person who didn’t pretend not to notice, made a pointed comment. The Duke, clearly flustered, cleared his throat awkwardly and left the dining room with obvious reluctance.

“By the way, Carnier, didn’t you mention a tea party today?”

“Yes, at Marquis Lusein’s household. It’s just a casual gathering of young ladies, so it shouldn’t last long.”

Perhaps embarrassed by her sister-in-law’s presence, Aisha quickly changed the subject. Carnier tilted her head, glancing at her brother’s retreating figure, still dripping with reluctance.

“I might come back late.”

“That’s… not necessary…!”

“If something else comes up later, that is.”

“Oh…”

Aisha, who had been waving her hand dismissively, awkwardly pulled it back and opened her mouth in surprise. Carnier, lifting her teacup, playfully winked at her. Teasing her innocent sister-in-law never seemed to get old.

“I’ll make sure to come in quietly so I don’t disturb you.”

“Carnier…!”

“While you’re engrossed in your long-overdue reading, that is.”

“…Stop teasing me.”

Why was she being teased here when even her own family had never done so? Aisha looked as if she were about to cry. Though Carnier found the teasing endlessly amusing, she knew that if she went too far, her kind and innocent sister-in-law might end up burying her face in her plate. Today, as always, Carnier stopped at a reasonable point.

Truly, ever since her brother’s marriage, she had found endless entertainment in watching her overly affectionate brother and his adorable sister-in-law.

However, as always, that pleasant feeling didn’t last long.

“How are you planning to travel? I heard that train tickets to the Kingdom of Delva are as hard to get as plucking stars from the sky since it’s the season when flowers are in full bloom.”

“Oh… I reserved an entire train. I booked it a year ago, so fortunately, there won’t be any disruptions to the schedule.”

“My goodness, how foresighted of you!”

“Could it be… the ‘Pink Muhly’ train, the one known as the express?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“My, my, I’ve heard it’s worth its weight in gold!”

Exclamations of envy erupted from all around. Carnier covered her mouth with her fan and smiled quietly.

Yesterday’s party, and even today’s tea gathering, revolved entirely around her and her upcoming wedding.

‘How many times have I heard this same question?’

It was only natural to receive attention. The problem was that the same questions followed her wherever she went. And each time, Carnier had to repeat the same answers like a parrot. It was truly a tiresome ordeal.

In a social circle where rumors spread like wildfire, it wasn’t as if the young ladies asking the questions didn’t already know Carnier’s answers. They were simply choosing questions that would draw admiration from others, all to leave a favorable impression on the soon-to-be Crown Princess. This kind of superficial behavior was nothing new among the ladies of high society, and the old Carnier might have thought, ‘Here we go again,’ and brushed it off.

But the current Carnier found even such trivial questions unbearably tedious.

‘The person I should actually be having these conversations with hasn’t even shown a single strand of hair…’

She couldn’t even recall the last time she had a proper conversation with her fiancé, the man who would become her husband in two weeks. While she understood he was a busy man, at this point, she was beginning to wonder whether she was marrying him or one of these chirping young ladies.

‘Surely, he won’t be so busy that he submits his marriage vows in writing on the wedding day.’

She was entertaining such ridiculous thoughts when it happened.

“—Don’t you think so?”

Suddenly, the table fell silent.

Snapped out of her daydreams, Carnier belatedly came to her senses.

‘Huh? What were they talking about?’

She blinked slowly. Looking around, she noticed that the young ladies, who had been chirping like birds just moments ago, were now tightly shutting their mouths, stealing glances at each other. Someone had clearly brought up an uncomfortable topic.

‘I can guess what it might be…’

Without flinching, Carnier picked up her teacup. She leisurely took a sip of her tea.

Seeing Carnier’s composed demeanor, the hostess of the gathering, the young lady of Marquis Lusein’s household, quickly intervened.

“Ahem. It seems the topic just now isn’t quite appropriate for such a lovely day, Lady Eseth.”

‘Oh, she’s bold.’

Pretending to savor the aroma of her tea, Carnier murmured inwardly.

It was natural for the host to mediate conversations among guests, but typically, they would do so in a way that allowed everyone to save face. They might offer more refreshments or steer the conversation toward a new topic.

But to call someone out so directly suggested that whatever had been said was quite offensive.

“Oh? In what way is it inappropriate? I don’t understand.” 

Lady Eseth responded.

“Lady Eseth.”

At the far end of the table, a blonde young lady with lips painted a vivid red smiled sweetly, her eyes narrowing.

“It seems Lady Raymore doesn’t deny it either.”

“Hmph, hmph!”

From the hostess to the other young ladies seated around the table, all eyes turned to Carnier.

Unlike the others, Carnier remained unperturbed and blinked calmly.

‘I wondered why she even bothered coming here.’