Chapter translated by Gon.
The not-quite-misunderstanding among the maids only snowballed as time went on.
That was because Etisha’s presence was enough to stir up the once-cold and rigid Wintel Castle.
“They say His Grace tore her dress the night after the engagement banquet…” one of the servants said.
“And gifted her all kinds of jewels—including the Angel’s Heart, no less!” another added.
“Apparently, even the madam invited Miss Etisha for tea…”
“A tea invitation after just one day in the north? Other noble ladies wait years and still never get that invitation!”
“So… what in the world is happening at our Duke’s castle?”
At this point, the servants saw Etisha as some kind of heavenly being who had suddenly appeared in their lives.
After all, who exactly was Duke Kaiyen?
A war hero. The Sword of the North.
Kaiyen was the cold and rational master who had never once shown emotion in front of others. Strict and fair, he trained and managed everyone in the castle thoroughly. And when it came to criminals, he showed no mercy—sometimes even beheading them on the spot.
It was because of his leadership that the people of the North were able to build wealth and live peaceful lives, despite the harsh lands.
“A man who never even looked at women… acting like this now?”
The servants were both baffled and fascinated by their master’s sudden change. And it wasn’t just Kaiyen who had changed.
Lady Cyrille Wintel, the former duchess, had also changed.
Her reputation was almost equal to Kaiyen’s. Over the years, she hosted countless balls and tea parties, always upholding the dignity of the Wintel family with grace and strength.
While Kaiyen’s sword fought enemies on the battlefield, Cyrille’s weapon was her self-confidence, cutting through the treacherous nobility of high society.
“Most young ladies can’t even look her in the eye.”
“Exactly. Some even ran out crying during their debut for being too proud in front of her…”
Yet somehow, Etisha had won her over in one go. It was no ordinary feat.
And then came the words of Marin, the maid who had followed Etisha from the capital, which only fueled the rumors more.
“You’re all acting surprised, but Lady Etisha was amazing in the capital, too. The Duke gifted her a mansion and land—even before the wedding! The Emperor himself sent her a wedding gift!”
A mansion…?
Land…?
The Emperor?!
Naturally, the servants and attendants of Wintel Castle couldn’t help but admire her.
She looked so delicate and gentle on the outside… What was so unique about her that she was able to tremble the castle?
No one really knew.
Anyway…
The rumors about Etisha kept growing and spreading. And everyone who came to or left the castle heard them in some way or another.
The majority of people were in favor of Etisha.
But not all.
And the one who felt the most hostility toward her was Judith, who stayed in the Tower of Stars.
“You heard the rumors, didn’t you?”
Her usual bright and cheerful appearance was nowhere to be found—she looked anxious and frightened.
“Rumors?”
A smooth, seductive male voice replied from behind the tapestry.
Marquis Hexion appeared, pretending not to know what she meant.
“Oh, so you haven’t heard it yet? The ones about Lady Etisha. About the jewels, the mansion…”
“Hm.”
“And even the tea invitation from the Madam. That used to be my routine! But now she took that too.”
Judith let her frustrations spill freely. Watching her rant, the Marquis chuckled.
“Heh, how naïve. Do you really think I haven’t heard about those rumors? Just remember—nobles pretend not to know, even when they do.”
“What?”
“Don’t be so quick to show your true thoughts.”
“Oh…”
Judith widened her golden eyes, then shut her mouth, realizing what he meant.
The Marquis was like a snake in human form. Every time she met him, she fell deeper into his words.
“Nobles are so strange.”
“And what about you? You want to be among those strange nobles.”
“I just want to be near Kaiyen. That’s all. I have no other intentions.”
“Really?”
The Marquis leaned against the windowsill with a playful smile. Behind him, stars spilled across the night sky.
“You’re the one who said you wanted to be the Duke’s lady—or his mistress. Yet now you act innocent. Cute. Honestly, with lies like that, you already have the makings of a noble.”
He teased her, and Judith frowned, annoyed.
“Enough jokes. Just tell me what to do next. You said I need to win over Countess Montmard.”
“Oh, that.”
The Marquis waved her closer, signaling he had something to whisper.
As Judith leaned in, he whispered slowly:
“You know you’ve been invited to the tea party, right?”
“Yes, I know.”
“Good. Countess Montmard will be there too. Spill tea on her when you get the chance.”
“What?! How could I do that…!”
Judith trembled. She could still feel the sting of the slap from Countess Montmard.
“Don’t worry. This time, she won’t be able to slap you. You’ll be with Lady Cyrille. It’ll be… entertaining to watch.”
“I don’t know… You think she’ll back down just because of the Madam? She hates me! If I spill tea on her, she’ll never take my side.”
The Marquis flicked her golden hair playfully and leaned back. The whisper ended.
“No, she will. The more you upset her, the more she’ll end up on your side.”
The tea party was scheduled for tomorrow.
The outcome would be revealed at the Marquis’s residence.
“Little canary. Just do as I say.”
***
Late at night, Etisha lay in the couple’s bedroom in Wintel Castle.
This time, she had properly changed into nightwear.
She arranged the long hem of her blouse to cover her legs and smoothed the fabric over her chest.
‘Sigh… This outfit is a bit embarrassing. It’s too thin…’
She was forced to wear the thin garments because the bed was enchanted with a warming magic. She thought about pulling a shawl on, but decided to curl up under the blanket instead.
‘I wonder when the Duke is coming… Will he sleep here again tonight?’
Now that she knew they’d be sharing a bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
‘And why did he… do that to my dress?’
She shook her head. Just thinking about it made her brain feel fuzzy and hot.
Suddenly, a strange thought crossed her mind.
‘Wait… Could it be… the Duke has a certain… preference?’
She’d once overheard her stepsister talk about men with strange tastes.
The kind of preferences too scandalous to speak of…
But Duke Kaiyen? No way.
Etisha shook her head fiercely.
‘I can’t believe I just thought that. I’m sorry, Your Grace!’
She had to clear her head.
Etisha pulled the blanket over her face and curled up like a shrimp.
‘He would never do that. I trust him more than Larienne.’
Larienne had always lied to her, locking her up at home and keeping her from society. She never permitted Etisha to meet men or women or go to parties without accusing or harassing her.
Because of that, Etisha had no dating experience. She barely had friends.
‘So why would I believe Larienne? Forget about the dress. Thinking about it only makes me feel weird.’
She closed her eyes and cleared her mind.
She imagined the open snowfields, the snowy sky she saw when she first arrived at Wintel.
It helped calm her heart a little.
.
.
.
Her thoughts deepened—about Wintel, the castle, and the one and only Duke of Wintel…
Kaiyen Wintel…
Kaiyen…
Ah…
His face.
Those distant eyes.
His hands touching her…
Ahh…
His large, strong hands, broad shoulders, sculpted muscles, and that raw expression she caught a glimpse of like a dream the night before…
‘Ahhh…!’
Etisha threw off the blanket and sat up.
She just couldn’t take it anymore.
‘Please, just stop!’
She buried her face in her hands and let out a long sigh. She had no idea why her mind kept going on to such inappropriate thoughts.
‘Why am I like this? It’s the bed’s fault. And the dress. And everything else…’
She finally realized her emotions were unusually stirred.
It wasn’t just the bed or the dress—or her heart.
The real reason was the North itself.
‘Since coming to Wintel Castle… my heart has felt lighter.’
Judith, who she thought was a mistress, was just Kaiyen’s adopted sister.
Lady Cyrille, who she thought would hate her, turned out to be so kind.
And Kaiyen… from start to finish, had always been good to her.
Etisha really loved the North.
She even thought… maybe this place was heaven.
‘I see now. Just imagining living and dying here makes me so happy…’
Etisha pressed her palms to her cheeks. Her soft, round cheeks squished gently under her hands.
‘Is this what people call happiness…?’
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