“Cassie, something simple is enough for me. Tell the head chef I’m sorry and share the food with the other maids. Bring my meal to the office instead.”

“What? My lady, no! Head Butler Derrick said we have to make sure you eat properly today.”

“…I just have a lot to do. And no appetite.”

“That still won’t do, my lady. Doctor Brown said you must eat well.”

During her time at the ducal estate, she had hardly rested at all.

With a sprawling manor to manage, a strained budget, and unfinished projects to complete, she felt as though ten of her wouldn’t be enough to handle it all.

It took her three weeks just to learn the ropes.

How long would it take to clear away old burdens and push new plans forward?

She had thought she was doing well since her arrival, but lately she had started to resent how unremarkable she was.

She knew Kieron was shut away in his office day and night.

According to Derrick, he was working tirelessly to strengthen the ducal house.

If she had even a fraction of her family’s brilliance, she might have solved at least one of his problems by now.

Whenever she had that thought, she felt even more apologetic towards him.

What right did someone as insignificant as her, who had only met him once before the wedding, have to claim that she would marry him?

If not for her, he might have married a woman of far higher social standing, such as the princess, by now and resolved the crisis surrounding his house in one fell swoop.

Unable to offer him anything else, Ariadne hurried up the stairs. Her legs felt heavy as she did the only thing she could: manage the household well.

***

“It seems the duchess had no idea of her husband’s circumstances before marrying.”

The voice was soft.

The tone was gentle and refined — almost tender.

It came at a time when Ariadne was trying to keep her broken heart under control and focus on her duties despite Kieron’s continued indifference.

The elegant princess, her expression poised and noble, had stopped by the estate, saying that she was merely passing through.

However, she arrived so suddenly that Ariadne had no time to compose herself.

Kieron had been away from the mansion for weeks, attending to matters in his territory.

It was the mistress’s role to receive guests.

And here she was, welcoming the princess who might very well have taken her place.

Ariadne didn’t know where to put her hands, let alone her heart.

The princess’s manner of speaking made matters worse; she spoke as though she understood the duke far better than the duchess ever could, gently correcting a foolish child.

Ariadne’s fragile heart, already worn thin, broke a little more.

“I thought you might not realize how difficult it is for a young, unmarried duke to hold his position in the Empire. Surely you didn’t really marry for romantic reasons, as the rumors say?”

Her voice was perfectly courteous, every word refined.

Only the content, and that look in her eyes, the look of someone teaching an ignorant simpleton—
stabbed Ariadne without mercy.

“…I knew his situation wasn’t an easy one. That’s why I wanted to support him even more…”

“Oh my. Then the rumors going around were really true?”

What were the rumors again?

Jay, the maid who had followed Ariadne from the Marquisate to the Ducal Estate, had mentioned them once — something about a love for the ages and a romance straight out of an Orpheo Sonnet.

But Ariadne had never cared for gossip.

Lost in the excitement of marrying the man she believed to be her prince charming, she simply let the rumors pass at the time.

Besides, rumors were never worth trusting.

This thought flitted through her mind, and Ariadne neither confirmed nor denied it, only offering a faint smile.

He had probably allowed the rumors to spread because they benefited the ducal house.

If he truly loved her, she wouldn’t be living with this constant, quiet dread.

Whatever the meaning of her smile, Princess Lorelei lifted her cup, her eyes holding an unreadable look.

“I was curious, you see. I wanted to confirm it. The Kieron I know has always seemed far removed from such emotions.”

“Kieron…?”

More than anything else, that one name struck her ears.

Kieron.

A name she had not dared call aloud—not even once.

Still half-convinced she was dreaming, afraid that if she spoke his name she would wake and lose everything.

A name she repeated in her mouth countless times a day, yet never out loud, not when he didn’t even show his face long enough for her to ask his permission.

A name the princess spoke as though it meant nothing at all.

Lorelei set her teacup down with an effortless smile.

“Yes. Even while our engagement was being discussed, he only ever maintained a formal relationship. He rarely visited, and he never spent much time with me. So to be honest, I thought he was rather dull.”

“I… see.”

Ariadne could barely form the words.

What was one supposed to do in a moment like this?

Her husband’s ex-fiancée was intelligent, refined, and stunningly beautiful.

She was a woman superior to Ariadne in every way, speaking so casually about a side of her husband that Ariadne had never known.

What was she supposed to do?

How was she supposed to respond?

She is intelligent.

She is beautiful.

Could he really not have fallen for a woman like her?

Princess Lorelei was gracious and radiant — even Ariadne, a woman herself, could not deny her charm.

Perhaps he had only given her up because of Ariadne Peyton’s sudden intervention.

The thought hit her like plunging into ice water.

Her face grew paler by the second.

Whether she noticed or simply chose not to, Lorelei continued speaking in her gentle, graceful tone.

“I was surprised when he said he was going to get married. Never mind, though — I’m sure his wife will take good care of him. You do know that the Elder Council still hasn’t officially recognized him as the rightful duke, don’t you? Now that he’s married and has a strong family behind him, I hope you will support him.”

“Yes, thank you for the advice, Your Highness.”

“And do try persuading him to attend imperial balls and other noble events with you. Nothing builds a presence like that. I think Kieron would listen to you – don’t you agree?”

“I… I’ll see. I’ll look over the invitations.”

Lorelei continued offering her blend of advice and thinly veiled superiority, pressing each word into Ariadne’s chest like a needle—never once forgetting to say Kieron.

“It was delightful today, Duchess. I’ll be the one to invite you next time.”

“…Please… take care on your way back.”

When Lorelei finally rose to leave, Ariadne felt the strength drain from her entire body.

After forcing herself to escort the princess out and finally turning back, she would have sunk to the floor and stayed there for quite a while

—if someone hadn’t caught her just as her legs gave out.

“…Tch.”

Before she could see who had grabbed her, she heard the soft click of a tongue. Startled, she pushed the person away immediately and straightened up with effort.

She shouldn’t have looked so pathetic. If she was going to collapse, she should have forced herself to hold on just a little longer until she reached her room.

“Th… thank you… for helping me.”

With her gaze lowered, she bowed her head slightly and offered her gratitude. Then, without giving herself time to think, she turned and hurried away.

She just wanted to reach her room and rest.

***

Kieron received the news of the princess’s visit far too late.

More than an hour after that sly woman had already begun pressing and needling his fragile little wife.

“Why are you telling me this only now?!”

His sharp shout filled the office. Not only Derrick but even his aide, Herald, seemed to have lost their minds.

How could they leave that small woman alone in front of that scheming creature?

Yet despite Kieron’s fury, Derrick merely shrugged without the slightest hesitation.

“My lady does not know Your Grace is in the estate. Since she believed you were absent, she must have thought there was no need to inform you. She even ordered the servants to keep quiet about Her Highness’s visit.”

Derrick answered with complete composure, as though it were nothing important at all.

It was Kieron, not the butler, who found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Derrick was right.

Kieron had left the estate a few weeks earlier, supposedly to inspect his domain, and had returned before dawn that morning.

He had also instructed the servants not to inform Ariadne of his return.

He had reasoned that meeting her while he was tired from travelling would burden them both. Besides, if he was honest with himself, he simply wanted to rest without thinking about anything.

So, of course, she had no way of knowing that he had returned.

It was neither her fault nor Derrick’s for informing her late.

Nevertheless, he felt irritated for no reason at all.

“Even if the duchess didn’t know, you did, Butler. Why didn’t you tell me the moment the princess arrived?”

“My lady did not wish Your Grace to be informed.”

“…Then why are you telling me now?”

“My lady skipped breakfast and, because of Her Highness’s visit, she hasn’t eaten lunch either.” Given her nature, she would never have shared a meal with Her Highness. Her Highness also said that she had already eaten. That is why I am informing you, Your Grace.”

Ha!

A hollow laugh escaped him.

If it had been the shameless princess, he might have understood.

But to seek him out just because the duchess hadn’t eaten?

And from Derrick, of all people — that stiff, unbending butler?

Even Herald, seated beside him, let out a faint, incredulous laugh, as if agreeing that this was a clear case of overstepping the mark.

‘Why on earth does that woman keep skipping meals or barely eating every single day?’

“When a servant behaves this rudely toward his master, I can only assume he’s prepared for the consequences, right?”

“I have always placed Your Grace first, but in this case alone, I must make an exception. I will accept any punishment you deem appropriate.”

Derrick bent deeply at the waist.

His bow was flawless, too — precise and without a single wasted motion.

Kieron ran an irritated hand through his hair and stood up.

He understood the sentiment behind Derrick’s bold response.

To Kieron, Derrick had always been like an older brother or uncle.

Unlike Kieron, who was easily swayed by mood and circumstance, Derrick always seemed to know what was right and best to do.

In other words, from Derrick’s perspective, Kieron’s avoidance of Ariadne was not looking good.

Feeling grateful for the honesty yet somehow annoyed by it at the same time, Kieron let out a long, weary sigh.

“Herald. Have the documents I brought sorted by the time I return.”

“Understood.”

“As for you, Derrick… you’re confined. Stay here until I give further orders.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Tch! The anger he thought had cooled began to rise again.

What had that woman done to make him go to such lengths?

Kieron sighed repeatedly as he headed downstairs.