✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Translated by: Alina
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
The tea party, my first and last as the Duchess, ended successfully.
“I had a truly enjoyable time today.”
“Thank you for inviting us.”
I replied with a smile to the words of the guests.
“No, I’m the one who should be thankful.”
I subtly spilled what happened with Medelin and the Grand Madam during the party.
Furthermore, I informed them I would go out with the Grand Madam and Medelin in two days.
Therefore, whether they wanted to or not, they would inevitably become witnesses to the upcoming event.
‘Moreover, since individuals from different factions are present, if they lie, it will be exposed, and if what they say aligns, credibility will be established. Then surely there will be justification…’
As I was contemplating this grand scheme,
“Duchess, it was truly an honor to be here with you today.”
My eyes widened in surprise, but I quickly smiled.
“It was an honor for me too. Lady Schultz.”
Giselle Schultz, a long-time friend of Medelin and the daughter of the esteemed Viscount Schultz, who holds a relatively high position in the aristocratic circle
Seeing her like that, Medelin opened her eyes wide and gave me a sharp look.
‘Surprising, I thought Medelin would be more observant.’
Ignoring Medelin’s gaze, Giselle blinked and asked me with a twinkle in her eyes,
“If it’s alright with you, Duchess, would you like to have tea together again next time?”
I genuinely felt a smile welling up within me.
‘Is it because she grew up being loved? It’s amusing how clueless she is.’
When I was twenty-five before the regression, I would’ve genuinely despised someone like her.
Because I wasn’t loved, this kind of innocence was both greatly enviable and repulsive to me.
However, practically being over thirty years of mental age now, the lady who was oblivious and carefree just seemed cute to me.
‘Of course, we won’t have tea together again. But there’s no need to refuse. Because it will make Medelin feel even worse.’
“Yes, of course.”
Giselle blushed and smiled bashfully at my reply.
I smiled back and glanced at Medelin from the corner of my eye.
‘Getting upset over something like this, is it because of her youth? She seems to have poor emotional control. Moreover, a series of surprises will be in store for her in two days…”
Imagining the Grand Madam and Medelin fainting, I barely managed to suppress rising laughter.
‘I wonder what kind of reaction those people will have to what will happen in two days.’
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Late at night, despite the protests of his subordinates, Erich insisted on standing watch.
“Your Grace, please don’t do this and get some rest. Even if Your Grace is transcendent, staying awake for too long is harmful.”
In response to Xenon’s words, Erich chuckled and replied,
“I’ve gone without sleep for even longer periods on the battlefield. This is nothing.”
“But, Your Grace…!”
“Instead of nagging at me, wouldn’t it be better for you to rest? We still have quite a way to go up north.”
Xenon sighed.
“Understood. Then, please stay up only until tonight, and make sure to get some rest tomorrow.”
As Xenon left, Erich wiped the smile off his face.
‘Tomorrow, huh? It’s going to be tough.’
After leaving the Duke’s mansion, Erich had been having the same dream repeatedly.
It was about Cornelia and the child stubbornly running away from him.
And in the dream, Erich relentlessly chased after them.
‘Even in dreams, they run away because they dislike me.’
For a moment, as he sighed, Erich’s blue eyes darkened.
‘Even if it’s a dream, I don’t understand.’
As a transcendent being, there was nothing he couldn’t chase, but in the dream, he was desperately chasing after them.
Yes, as if he would face consequences if he let them escape.
Unconsciously, Erich clenched his fist tightly.
‘But I still can’t catch them, and I just woke up feeling uneasy.’
And that uneasy feeling persisted even after waking up, especially concerning Cornelia’s safety in the mansion.
To the point where he felt the urge to run to the house and check on Cornelia.
And that urge grew stronger every time he had that dream.
Therefore, instead of sleeping, Erich chose to stand guard.
As long as he didn’t dream, he could maintain his composure.
Thunk.
As Erich was about to add another dry log to the fire, a moth flew towards the flames.
At that moment, Erich saw it overlapping with Cornelia and jolted up.
“Your Grace, what’s wrong?”
At the question from the soldier standing guard with him, Erich let out a hollow laugh.
‘Yeah, it’s just needless worry.’
Janet would have sent a messenger if something had happened, but there was still no news.
So, as always, she would stay safely in the mansion until his return.
‘That’s why I left many knights behind.’
Indeed, dwelling on pointless thoughts was unnecessary when important matters were looming.
Erich thought so and casually replied to the soldier as if it was of no concern.
“Just lost in thought for a moment…”
At that moment, Erich’s eyes flashed and disappeared instantly.
‘Where did they disappear to?’
The one who had been watching them from hiding rolled their eyes in bewilderment,
A low voice came from behind him.
“There was a rat.”
‘Behind!’
By the time he noticed, it was already too late. Duke Blant had swiftly subdued his body.
“That hair color, he’s a spy from the north.”
Upon hearing Erich’s cold voice, the man sensed his fate.
‘After torturing and extracting information, he will kill me. In that case…!’
The man tried to swallow the poison he had hidden in his mouth.
But…!
“Cough!”
In an instant, a dagger was thrust into his mouth.
“You fool. Do you know how many Krithans I’ve killed so far?”
As Erich dug through his pockets, an unfinished map emerged.
Along with the topographical features, the map detailed each territory’s fortresses and army sizes.
However, the reason for Erich’s serious expression was not solely because of that.
‘The shortcuts are marked here. To reach the capital as quickly as possible without any conflicts.’
“Immediately inform all nearby territories and commanders, including the subordinates.”
Upon Erich’s orders, Xenon quickly arrived.
“Your Grace, you caught a spy…!”
Before Xenon could finish his sentence, Erich handed over the subdued barbarian spy who had become helpless and said,
“There may be other spies approaching the capital.”
Although the map with shortcuts was still incomplete and cut off at the northern end, it was a precautionary measure.
‘Perhaps they are in the process of piecing together the map. So…’
“We must prepare to defend against any potential surprise attacks near the capital.”
Agreeing with Erich’s words, Xenon nodded.
“Then I will send a messenger!”
“No, that would be too slow.”
It had been over five days since the entire unit had moved. Even if the messenger went back, it would take at least three days, even if they rushed.
During that time, there was a possibility that the enemy could discover secret passages or how many spies had infiltrated.
Erich spoke in a stern voice.
“I’ll go to the capital and deliver the news. You all go north to uncover the spies and prepare for battle.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
The long-awaited day of the promised arrival dawned.
I ordered the maid to dress me up, and I put on a green velvet dress.
Then, I wore a hat with black lace fabric covering my face.
‘Good, this should leave a lasting impression on people.’
It would be good if people could recognize me from afar. That way, this plan would be successful.
Eventually, I called for Sardin.
“Is everything ready?”
“Perfectly.”
“I will thank you after everything is done.”
Sardin nodded in response to my words.
“I will ensure that your plan proceeds smoothly.”
“Good, then you may leave now. I still have things to do.”
With that, Sardin nodded and left the room.
Alone, I looked around the large master bedroom where I had lived.
‘The arrangements I made…’
Furniture and decorations, including the intricately crafted grandfather clock.
Before the regression, they were like me, losing their luster, but they still had a gleam.
‘At first, I thought I would be treated well here and hoped to be welcomed.’
On the first day of entering the Duchy after the marriage, I had hoped this place would become my paradise.
Although Erich’s feelings had changed, I had thought that if I did well, he might change his mind.
Gradually, a bitter smile formed on my lips.
‘But that was my arrogance. Once feelings change, they rarely return…’
The youth I thought would shine brightly here had withered away miserably.
As someone who thought they would be loved as the lady of the house, I faded away along with the furniture in this room.
Existing but ignored, just a presence that no one cared about, not even giving a glance.
Yet, due to the occasional attention I received by chance, I couldn’t let go of the lingering attachment and waited for Erich like a loyal servant waiting for their master.
How miserable it was. Always being cautious, always looking over my shoulder to avoid being driven away, my pitiful existence.
Then, my gaze was fixed on the portrait depicting the wedding day right in front of me.
‘If it weren’t for you…!’
An uncontrollable rage surged from within me, initially unclear about why such emotions arose.
‘But now I know. It’s all because of you!’
I grabbed the ink bottle before me and forcefully hurled it towards the portrait.
Crash!
A black stain now covered the figure I detested the most—a woman resembling a wretch in a wedding dress in the portrait.
It was me.
😢