Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Tenus’s expression as he tucked the fake will back into his pocket was no different from usual. It was as if he had no interest in the suspicious will.

“Take this.”

This time, Tenus pulled something out of his pants pocket. The blue sapphire and diamonds glittered brilliantly in his palm under the sunlight.

“Don’t lose it again. It’s your wedding ring.”

“So this is a wedding ring too.”

The wedding ring, which was obviously chosen without much thought, was handed to her so unceremoniously that she couldn’t help but mutter inwardly. She didn’t particularly have a desire for material things, but she did harbor a romantic notion about a wedding ring, the only one in her life, somewhere in her heart.

“It’s unmistakable.”

Ignoring her indifferent reaction, Tenus gently took her right hand.

“It was also the wedding ring of the previous Duke of Seidon.”

Just like at the wedding, he personally slipped the ring onto Sellakia’s hand. As she absentmindedly stared at the ring that fit perfectly as if it were hers, Sellakia suddenly processed the information that had just been input. 

So, in other words, it was the wedding ring of Tenus’s parents…

Before she could finish her thought, Sellakia’s mouth moved instinctively.

“So, I mean. This is a wedding ring too. A very precious, one-of-a-kind wedding ring. I meant it’s very beautiful!”

Sellakia, who was hurriedly babbling about how special the ring was, couldn’t even properly look at the ring.

To cool her flushed face, Sellakia fanned herself with her hand. Tenus’s gaze followed the radiant light of the gemstones reflecting at various angles with her gestures.

“By the way, who on earth forged the will….”

Sellakia mumbled, turning her gaze to the garden, which she couldn’t even see. She wasn’t genuinely asking, as she already had a suspicion. It was merely a desperate attempt to change the subject somehow.

As if responding to her effort, or perhaps reading her mind, Tenus spoke.

“It must have been Aldrich Logue.”

He even took a nonchalant sip of tea. Sellakia flinched at the suddenly mentioned name.

“Why… do you suspect him?”

“Who else in the Ducal House would scheme such a plot?”

“…Then you left me alone in this mansion knowing that man is cunning?”

She hadn’t expected Tenus to suspect Aldrich as well. She didn’t know what expression to make. Sellakia gripped her innocent skirt tightly under the table.

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t expect him to harm you.”

“Liar. How am I supposed to believe that?”

“Aldrich has been living on medicine for years because of rumors that he poisoned my mother. All the vassals who stayed at the Ducal House due to his poor health have left. No one visits the castle except on regular meeting days.”

“…….”

“Though he’s a severe opportunist, he’s nothing more than a nervous bookworm. So I didn’t think he would plot against you.”

For a moment, the anger that had surged within her subsided at Tenus’s unusually cautious confession.

Sellakia knew less about the Seidon Ducal House’s affairs than anyone else. All she knew were a few rumors, likely widespread in social circles, told by her tutor. 

The previous Duke of Seidon died, leaving behind a 12-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. The Duchess took on the regency in place of the young heir. Six years later, she fell ill and appointed her brother, Sir Aldrich Logue, as the guardian of the Ducal House before passing away—that was the extent of what was publicly known.

But Aldrich poisoned his sister, the Duchess then? Sellakia had never heard such a rumor before. She was mildly shocked.

“In any case, it’s my fault. I won’t deny it.”

She came to her senses when Tenus admitted his mistake.

“Tell me. What do you want me to do?”

Sellakia couldn’t respond to the unexpected words. Tenus asked again, impatiently.

“Do you want me to bring you Aldrich’s head?”

“What? No!”

Chester was the same. Why are men so barbaric and emotional?

She shuddered and spoke firmly.

“Let it go unpunished. That’s what I want.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t desire revenge. However, if the revenge would hinder her future escape from this place, she couldn’t go through with it. What mattered to Sellakia was not retribution but freedom.

Tenus raised an eyebrow as if questioning her reasoning. Instead of revealing her true feelings, she fiddled with the teacup handle and replied sarcastically.

“As a dutiful Duchess, how could I cause trouble for the family?”

“…….”

“Why that expression? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Don’t exaggerate. I’ve never forced such obligations on you.”

“Don’t pretend to be virtuous. Don’t act like you care about my rights or duties now.”

Sellakia glared fiercely at Tenus. He bore her hostile gaze with the calmness of someone who knew he was wrong.

“Or should I tell you another way to apologize to me?”

Suddenly, Sellakia’s eyes softened. Tenus seemed startled for a moment but then responded immediately.

“Tell me.”

“Let me go. Then I’ll forgive you.”

“……What?”

“Let me leave the Ducal House. That’s what I want most.”

Tenus’s expression, which had remained composed, faltered. He asked sharply.

“Why do you want to leave here so badly?”

“You said Aldrich forged my will. That means he tried to kill me. Who in the world would want to live under the same roof as someone who tried to kill them?”

“If I bring you Aldrich’s head, you won’t say that again.”

Tenus stood as if ready to confront Aldrich immediately. Sellakia stopped him with an exasperated voice.

“That’s not all. I don’t want to stay in a place that’s not my home. It’s something even you can’t change.”

“Is that all?”

Just that?

Sellakia lost even the composure to feign a smile.

Tenus was someone who ruled over the Ducal House without inheriting the title. As an indifferent ruler, he couldn’t possibly understand the loneliness or deep sense of alienation of an outsider.

Tenus cruelly whispered as he ran his hand through his hair.

“Even in death, you’ll be buried here, so give up.”

His silver hair shimmered like fish scales under the sun. Coincidentally, the hand he raised wore a wedding ring identical to hers.

Marriage.

Her mistaken choice.

The story that led her to decide to bury the past and leave.

Come to think of it, the root of all these events was the man right in front of her.

“It’s all because of you that Aldrich Logue targeted me. I’ll resent you for the rest of my life.”

“Do that. By my side.”

“I won’t cooperate with you at all as the Duchess.”

“We’ll see. Up close.”

“…I’ll lead a debauched life, squander the Ducal family’s wealth, and tarnish its fine reputation.”

“I’ll cheer you on from the side.”

His leisurely response, as if mocking her, fueled her anger. She couldn’t understand Tenus’s intentions. She wondered if he was planning to play with her like a puppet.

Sellakia, seething, glared at him and gripped the teacup tightly. Even with cold tea, she intended to quell her burning anger.

“Ugh.”

But before she could even bring it to her lips, she dropped the teacup in midair. With a clatter, the cup shattered on the floor with a sharp, piercing sound.

Sellakia clutched her stinging hand. The blister that had formed while staying in the cabin had burst, oozing yellow fluid.

As she stared at her hand, unable to do anything, Tenus suddenly stood up and grabbed her hand.

Clicking his tongue briefly, Tenus led her somewhere.

They arrived at the reception room.

Tenus seated Sellakia in a chair and gestured for the steward standing at a distance.

“Where is Rupert?”

“I received a message a short while ago that he is on his way.”

“Didn’t I tell you yesterday to have him visit the castle early in the morning?”

“That is….”

“Never mind. I understand.”

With a light sigh, Tenus examined Sellakia’s hand. He frowned slightly at the sight of her completely blistered skin.

“Did you bring the medicine?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll instruct the maid to bring it. Please wait a moment.”

The steward, seemingly already informed, politely bowed and quickly left the reception room.

Rupert was the physician of the Ducal House. Sellakia had once heard Aldrich calling Rupert loudly. However, she feigned ignorance and asked bluntly.

“Who is Rupert?”

“The Ducal House’s physician.”

As she nodded as if learning something new, a cautious knock sounded.

When Tenus responded, a maid with brown hair entered, bowing so deeply her face was almost hidden. Her dark brown hair and moderately plump figure seemed familiar.

“Here… I brought the medicine, Your Grace.”

Hearing her voice, Sellakia’s memory suddenly clicked. She was Amy, the maid assigned exclusively to Sellakia, who hadn’t brought any servants from the Viscount’s house.

As Sellakia stared intently at Amy, the maid’s already trembling body began to shake even more visibly.

“It’s ointment.”

Tenus, who had been silent, spoke up. He seemed to interpret Sellakia’s gaze as curiosity.

“They say it’s remarkably effective even if you apply it for just a few days. Make sure to apply it for a while.”

“……Ointment?”

“Don’t do anything with that hand until it’s completely healed.”

Hand?

Sellakia, realizing what the ointment was for a beat late, looked blankly at her hand. According to the old woman in the cabin, such wounds would heal on their own over time without ointment. However, Tenus seemed to have a different thought, having prepared the ointment in advance.

The Duchess having unsightly hands could be a blemish on the Duke’s reputation. Especially for someone like him who wanted to play with dolls. Having made her cynical judgment, Sellakia replied calmly.

“Then I’ll apply it myself…”

“Didn’t you hear me say not to do anything with that hand?”

At the harsh remark, Sellakia quietly lowered the arm she had extended toward Amy.