Chapter 5
Bell, following Stefan’s instructions, dropped him off and then drove the carriage away. Stefan, however, remained standing, watching as another carriage entered the Duke’s residence.
He took out his pocket watch and checked the time again. A fleeting smile appeared on his lips before disappearing.
Rita, making a noisy entrance as if leaping from the carriage, displayed a showy enthusiasm towards her son. “Duke! How long has it been?”
“…I’ve been neglectful.”
Despite his curt tone, Rita didn’t mind at all. She was used to her son’s brusque manner.
“It was truly unacceptable not to have received a single letter in a year.”
“I believe Finn has been reporting on the situation quarterly.”
“I wanted a heartfelt letter from my son, filled with affection.”
“……”
Rita, unaffected by her son’s silence, linked her arm with his. Since it was not easy to face her son even while living under the same roof, she needed to express everything she had to say immediately.
“So, you’re staying for a while this time?”
“Did you hear that from Finn?”
“Should a mother be the last to know the good news?”
Rita deliberately omitted mentioning the huge sum of promissory notes she had received from Finn.
Stefan, hoping she would reveal more, fixed his gaze on her and asked, “Where have you been coming from?”
“I was at a close friend’s funeral.”
Still holding her son’s arm with one hand, Rita took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
“I felt so sorry for the orphaned children of my friend… I gave the son a promissory note to prevent bankruptcy and promised to create a new family for the daughter.”
Stefan thought if the promissory note was used for that purpose, it wasn’t too bad.
“My son, do you know what this mother’s earnest wish is?”
“……”
Stefan stared intently into Rita’s eyes as she looked up at him.
“To hold a grandson who resembles you exactly next year.”
“……”
“Friends’ daughter has been raised very well. So, as soon as the funeral is over, I plan to bring her here and have a grand wedding.”
“Are you saying the wedding will be held at the Duke’s residence?”
Rita’s green eyes brightened at Stefan’s question. She understood the wedding would involve Stefan as the groom.
Of course, Stefan’s intent was entirely different. His question implied whether it was possible to have the wedding at the bride’s family home, as was customary in the Empire.
“I don’t want to have a hasty wedding in Courtney, where the funeral took place.”
It was typical of Rita to want to flaunt the Edmond family’s wedding to all the Empire’s nobles. Furthermore, her claim of creating a new family for a pitiable girl was a mere pretext. It was clear she planned to take advantage of an orphaned woman.
“Is there really a need to rush?”
“By next year, you’ll be twenty-five. Don’t make me a useless Duchess who cannot uphold the Edmond family’s traditions.”
It seemed Rita had forgotten that a new Duchess would inherit her position as well.
Seeing Rita with an unusually affectionate and earnest smile, Stefan withdrew his meaningless gaze. He no longer wanted to hear more from his mother.
In Stefan’s mind, his former fiancée Hazel, whom he had broken off the engagement with a month ago, came and went. She was also a fiancée forced by his mother, and he had no interest in her.
Yet, the idea of bringing in another bride suddenly made Hazel seem like an ally. Why was that?
***
The funeral of his parents was held grandly for a week.
Despite being puzzled by the grand scale of the funeral compared to the anticipated state of the Marquis’s finances, I decided not to get involved, as it was Leopold’s responsibility as the head of the family.
It was only in the evening, after all the funeral procedures were completed, that I could finally sit down with Leopold.
“Rachel, you’ve worked hard.”
“You too, Leo.”
Leopold, who gave a faint smile at my words, kept moving his lips as if he found it difficult to start a conversation. Seeing this, I decided to ask first.
“Leo, what did you talk about with the Duchess of Edmond?”
“…The Duchess spoke highly of you. She asked about your marriage to the Duke of Edmond…”
It wasn’t unexpected, but it wasn’t welcome news either, and my face stiffened.
“Leo, I don’t want to get married. I want to help you solidify your position as the Marquis and take better care of Remington…”
“Rachel! For a Marquis’s daughter to become a Duchess is an incredible fortune.”
“……”
“Moreover, the Duchess considers you like her own daughter. How grateful is that?”
“……”
Leopold’s words were just more of the same flattering nonsense about Rita. It was exactly as it had been in the past life.
Still, I wanted to understand his true feelings, as he avoided making eye contact. I stood up from my seat and moved closer to Leopold, sitting right next to him.
I took his hand, hoping he would recognize the change in the color of my eyes. If anyone would remember my blue eyes, it would be Leopold, just like our mother.
But the words that came from him were unexpected.
“Rachel, you’ve agreed to marry the Duke of Edmond in exchange for a promissory note. That note is needed to prevent the bankruptcy of the Burke family.”
It was exactly the same situation as before.
“But Leo can’t be a ventriloquist…”
I needed to confirm it properly this time.
“Leo, let me live here too. I want to be happy with you and Remington at the Marquis’s residence, in Courtney.”
“……”
I tightened my grip on Leopold’s hand and looked into his dark eyes.
“Rachel, please marry the Duke of Edmond. It’s the only way to save the Burke family and ensure a future for Remington and me.”
His mouth remained shut, and even his throat didn’t move. Yet, the message was conveyed, proving it wasn’t ventriloquism.
Feeling upset that I wasn’t among those he wanted to save, I questioned him.
“Leo, do you think I’ll be happy if I become the Duchess of Edmond?”
“You’ll definitely be a great Duchess, Rachel.”
“I can’t be happy without you and Remington.”
“Rachel! Happiness is something you create with your own hands. You can be happy.”
Leopold held my hand tightly and looked into my eyes.
“If you ever feel unhappy as the Duchess, I’ll come to get you. Just endure a little longer until the Burke family’s issues are resolved.”
Tears streamed down my face at his heartfelt words. It was clear that in both lives, Leopold had never abandoned me.
Leopold’s embrace, as he held me while I cried, was incredibly warm. Not knowing when I would be able to nestle into his arms again, I buried myself deeper into his embrace.
“Leo, this time I will be a proper Duchess and be a help to you. Don’t risk your life for the Burke family.”
I vowed to save Leopold, who had taken on the disgrace of failing to protect the Burke family and had ended his life. I would not let Remington be abandoned either.
[I believe you will wisely use the small gift as well.]
If the “small gift” mentioned by God was the ability to read others’ minds, I would make full use of it.
I would no longer be swayed by Rita or be intimidated by the scorn of my sisters-in-law and the disdain of the servants. I would be a wicked wife to the wretched Stefan.
“This life, it won’t be me who withers away but you, Stefan Edmond.”
In my rage, I almost ended up squeezing Leopold’s chest instead of Stefan’s collar. Startled, I quickly looked up and spoke brightly.
“Leo, don’t worry. I’ll marry the Duke of Edmond.”
Relieved by my innocent smile, Leopold pulled me into another tight embrace and whispered.
“You’ll be happy. I’ll prepare your wedding splendidly.”
“……”
Unable to bring myself to discuss Rita’s plans with Leopold, who was eagerly anticipating the wedding preparations, I decided to let him enjoy the sweet dream for now.
***
Rita continued her relentless shopping. Even though the existing statues and paintings were perfectly fine, she replaced everything as if changing the exhibits for a new season.
She bought expensive ingredients to entertain guests and even purchased costly rose bushes because she thought the garden where the ceremony would take place lacked flowers.
Of course, all of this wasn’t solely for her son’s benefit.
Stefan, sitting by the window, observed the scene as if watching a distant spectacle. He felt like a mere bystander at this wedding.
Just as he decided he no longer needed to watch, a familiar messenger pigeon landed.
“Did Bell send this?”
After checking the letter, Stefan furrowed his brow.
‘The Burke trading ship en route from the Continent of Huahua to the Merwin Empire has sunk. All on board, including the Burke Marquis’s bride, have died. The cause is cited as a steering error, but both the helmsman and navigator were confirmed to be experienced professionals. There are rumors that all passengers suffered from food poisoning during the voyage.’
Stefan glared with his red eyes at the messenger pigeon.
“Find out more details.”
As the startled pigeon flew away, a cheeky voice followed.
“Did the messenger understand that?”
