Chapter 60

Four days had passed since the Mabelin Ducal Family’s ball.

I unfolded the newspaper in front of me and checked the first page. The front page featured the most current and sensational story.

[Conspiracy to Frame Duchess Eclipse!]

Ultimately, Helena’s maneuver aimed at me had transcended mere rumor and become a major newspaper scandal. Of course, the article didn’t mention Helena even once, but for anyone who had heard even a whisper of the rumors, it wasn’t hard to guess who the instigator was.

Scanning the article, it seemed the young lady who was dragged away that night had taken all the blame herself. Indeed, as a young lady from a minor baronial family, she probably couldn’t have brought down Helena even if she had named her.

After reading the news that she would ultimately be disinherited and live as a commoner, I put the newspaper down.

“Thank you for letting me know.” I thanked Nine, who sat across from me.

He simply gave a slight nod in response.

Since that day, I’d been staying put in the townhouse, realizing Nine was more worried than I’d thought. I hadn’t left the townhouse or actively gathered news, but he seemed to have been keeping tabs on the situation and handed me the newspaper during our long-awaited tea time.

I was truly grateful, but I glanced nervously at Nine.

‘I need to tell him I plan to attend other social events.’

Nine was worried, and I’d kept a low profile for a few days immediately following the major commotion. However, I couldn’t afford to end this social season just yet. The incident had escalated more than expected, so I needed to gauge the fallout and prepare.

‘According to the plan, the divorce and succession of the title are approaching.’

But…

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere suggested he wouldn’t take the news well. I had to persuade him so much the first time I wanted to go to the Regwin Ducal Family’s tea party; it would only be worse after an incident like this.

‘No, wait, didn’t I actually prove that I won’t be easily exploited?’

Nine helped by keeping the Young Duke from interfering, and Sir Kroel lent a hand. Still, I was the one who personally proved my innocence right there, so that should be proof enough.

“Duke.”

“Speak.”

The look in his eyes facing me was the same as usual. It meant he didn’t appear particularly upset. Thinking, ‘I was just paranoid and anxious for no reason,’ I felt relieved and spoke comfortably.

“I only have one planned social event left, but that’s near the end of the season. I thought I might make an appearance at a few other events in the meantime.”

“…”

“So, I picked out a few invitations.”

Clink.

The sound of Nine setting down his teacup seemed unusually loud. Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, I stopped reaching for the invitations and looked at him.

“Duchess, it hasn’t been many days since the recent incident.”

‘Oh no.’

Nine’s face, which had been calm moments ago, now wore a clearly displeased expression.

“…Yes. That’s why I want to attend other places and show myself more. It wouldn’t be good for the impression from the ball to linger too long.”

Nine narrowed his brow slightly, remaining silent for a moment as if contemplating.

I watched him nervously. He was never inclined to actively participate in social activities, so he might not like the idea of me showing up again right after such a commotion.

“…Would that be okay?” I added softly, unable to endure the gradually lengthening silence.

Hearing my question, Nine smoothed out his frown.

“Yes. But take Norman with you.”

I was momentarily speechless.

Frankly, I thought it would be difficult to get the answer I wanted during his moment of contemplation, but receiving a conditional acceptance left me with a pang of disappointment. It was similar to the condition set for the first social activity, but that felt more like a minimum safety requirement.

‘To assign Norman as a supervisor. It’ll be inconvenient for him when he works, too.’

Nine was still extremely busy with work, even in the capital. Detaching his assistant from his schedule was clearly a significant decision.

‘…It seems my credibility took a hit because of this incident.’

But what good would sulking do?

I had no choice but to accept the surveillance.

“Yes, I will do that.”

I took a sip of the herbal tea I had prepared for his fatigue, and a bitter taste lingered in my mouth. Even as I inhaled the fragrant aroma of the tea, I couldn’t control my sinking mood. I ended up impulsively deciding on an afternoon outing and informing him.

I just wanted to escape this place now.

“I plan to visit my family this afternoon. If you wish, I will be accompanied by Norman or Sir Kroel.”

“Do that.”

Perhaps because I volunteered to take a guard, Nine nodded easily, unlike when he first permitted me to attend the social event.

Our tea time ended with that conversation, followed by a long silence, as neither of us had the will to speak further.

In that silence, I realized a fresh, stark truth.

‘I was the only one making an effort.’

I was the only one who strained to gauge his mood, drive the conversation, and try to build affection. I was the only one who cared about making the time we spent together pleasant.

I headed straight for my family’s estate as soon as the tea time ended.

‘I feel suffocated.’

I felt more suffocated than I had in the North during the early days, where every look and every breath of air felt cold.

“Haa.”

I opened the small carriage window and slowly regulated my breathing. But even after a long time, the ache in my chest didn’t subside.

***

“Lady Chacha?”

“What? Our Lady has arrived?”

“Lady, welcome! I will inform the Count!”

Although my visit was sudden, my family welcomed me warmly, just as they always had.

‘This is my home, after all.’

No matter how comfortable I had become in the North, my family’s estate, which I could truly consider my home, was still the most comforting place.

Ultimately, Norman was the one who came along as the supervisor, but unlike last time, he immediately barricaded himself in the guest room, claiming he needed rest. I was puzzled but didn’t bother to point out his attitude.

‘It’s more convenient for me if he does that, anyway.’

After greeting my parents, I quickly changed into light clothing and headed for the training ground. I just wanted to shake off the feeling of endlessly sinking, like a person submerged with heavy stones tied to them.

I arrived at the training ground while roughly tying back my long hair.

My master, Wilhelm, stood there, as expected.

“Wilhelm?”

“Welcome, Lady.”

He greeted me concisely, as always. Then, without another word, he tossed me a wooden sword.

No lengthy conversation was necessary.

Klang!

Wilhelm easily blocked my sudden preemptive strike. I knew the difference in our skills well. My swings wouldn’t easily hurt him. With that knowledge, I immediately immersed myself, fiercely swinging the wooden sword. With every arc the sword carved, the emotions that heavily weighed down my chest permeated the air, slicing sharply through it.

Thwack, Crack, Thwack!

Dull sounds echoed continuously in the training ground. I continuously poured out the swordsmanship I learned from Wilhelm, but he blocked every single one, leaving me with no effective attack.

“Hup!”

To think that even this short moment wouldn’t go as I intended. My efforts felt utterly futile. Anger slowly began to rise.

‘Then, with a different style of swordsmanship…!’

Impulsively, I switched to the swordsmanship I had learned from Nine in the North.

As I did, memories of my time with Nine began to fill my mind: him watching my training, having tea time, the dreamy dance time, sharing meals, getting new clothes tailored together…

“…”

The sword I started swinging to shake off my gloomy mood only brought back memories of Nine, tightening the noose around my breathing. I couldn’t shake him off. Every place my eyes touched seemed infused with memories of him.

A bead of sweat trickled down my cheek and wet the back of my hand.

“Stop.”

Then, I heard Wilhelm’s voice.

“Your mind is elsewhere, Lady.”

Gasping for breath, I looked up blankly at Wilhelm.

My master, more than anyone, would know that I had been swinging the sword purely out of emotion. Normally, this would warrant a severe scolding, as Wilhelm was always strict when it came to the sword.

But the look in Wilhelm’s eyes now held none of that severity.

“If you can’t talk about what’s troubling you, you should at least have a good, honest cry.”

Seeing the gruff master open his arms as he said that, my heart instantly broke. Tears that I had held back, endured, and swallowed to keep from breaking down began to stream down my face endlessly.

“Huk, huk…”

The wooden sword I was holding thudded to the floor.

I rushed straight into Wilhelm’s arms and broke down, sobbing loudly like a child.