But Helena thought that the rumor was exaggerated beyond belief.
To Helena, it seemed that the only truth was that the duchess was close to the Duke of Lienster.
The rest was simply that the duchess had been comfortable thanks to that connection.
It appeared to her that people were under the misconception that the duchess was remarkable because of this.
Seeing the cold and sharp looks directed at Helena, she couldn’t help feeling anxious, though she didn’t want to admit it.
“…Why?”
Helena belatedly realized that she had missed something important.
“Looking at your expression, you really don’t know, do you? Well… you did come to the capital only last year.”
So even if she knew many things, her understanding was superficial.
It could not compare to those who had been observing everything and hearing rumors in real-time for a long time.
However, Helena’s pride was hurt by the fact that she was the only one unaware within this circle.
So she pretended to know and spoke dismissively,
“Even so, what’s so great about that? In the end, it’s just power backed by the Duke of Lienster.”
“……”
A silence fell suddenly.
The expressions of the ladies subtly changed at Helena’s remark.
It seemed that none of them shared Helena’s opinion.
“Do you really think so?”
The Countess Hernan frowned slightly as she asked.
There was a palpable sense of exasperation among everyone.
“Of course?”
“Listen carefully. And please be more careful in the future.”
“……?”
Countess Hernan’s voice grew firmer; she spoke with a stern look in her eyes.
“The rumors about the Duchess of Lienster are true. Not at all exaggerated, but the truth itself.”
“Yes……?”
“The Duchess of Lienster herself is the real power. Everyone here knows that.”
Everyone but you.
The meaning was clear even through their glances.
Helena started to feel increasingly flustered.
What was this situation about?
Helena instinctively looked at the expressions of the ladies. It was then she realized that the air around her had changed.
“There’s talk that all of Lienster’s cash is actually the personal wealth of the Duchess of Lienster.”
“……”
Helena’s eyelids fluttered.
An ominous feeling crept up on her. She somehow felt herself shrinking.
“It’s not just a rumor, of course.”
Countess Hernan drove the point home.
The power you think is a mere facade, all of it is real.
“Moreover, the Duchess of Lienster has been trained in swordsmanship alongside the Duke since she was young, and she had a natural talent for it.”
“……”
“It’s not widely known because she hasn’t had to show off her skills, but… they say even the Duke can’t beat her.”
“……!”
“And crucially……”
Helena’s pupils quivered.
Just hearing this was enough to shock Helena; she felt like she might collapse. And to think there was something even more shocking yet to come.
She didn’t want to listen anymore; the things she had done kept haunting her, she’d rather cover her ears.
But the Countess’s story continued.
“There was an incident in the past involving the Duke of Lienster.”
“……?”
It was the first time Helena had heard this tale.
However, the noblewomen who had been in the capital for a long time were all aware of the incident.
“Lienster had kept such tight security that the exact details of what happened are not known… But there are always eyes watching, and some information has leaked out to us.”
Everyone seemed to swallow dryly, recalling that time.
“It was the now Lady of Lienster who turned everything upside down in Lianster while protecting the then-heir.”
“……”
“Do I need to recite in detail the cold and ruthless deeds of her youth, when she was just in her early teens?”
“No, that’s enough……”
She was afraid of what unbearable truths might come out next.
Seeing Helena back down, the Countess Hernan swallowed a sigh and said,
“Alright. From now on, please refrain from doing anything that might needlessly drag us into your troubles.”
“Yes……”
Helena meekly responded.
An incident from the past that Countess Hernon did not disclose to the end.
The legend that Erin Lienster had stirred up the noble house protecting Aiden from Whitney had become a tale recounted in legend.
And at least from that time, anyone who had heard rumors about Erin in the capital knew.
They knew that those were not just rumors.
And since then, there was a unanimous view that Erin Lienster should not be thoughtlessly provoked.
So they sternly warned the young lady not to destroy their peaceful days.
***
From the moment she left the Lienster house, Mona, who had observed everything Erin did, cautiously began to speak.
“I’ve watched since I was a child but… truly, our lady is…”
Mona muttered.
Seemingly lost for words, she trailed off but then slowly stretched out her arm and spoke again.
“She’s really remarkable.”
Mona, with a pleased expression, lifted her thumb in approval.
Inside, Mona greatly admired her mistress who didn’t just brood internally but acted decisively and spoke her mind thoroughly.
Erin’s lips curved into a pleased smile at Mona’s support and praise.
Then, the two of them high-fived.
They were in such sync that it was like they had a fantastic rapport.
“But… is it alright?”
It was only after enjoying the moment that Mona asked with a bit of concern.
“What is?”
“Since this happened in front of everyone, people will surely talk.”
Though Mona felt a sense of refreshment from Erin’s actions, she couldn’t help but worry about the aftermath.
Upon hearing Mona’s words, Erin’s eyes narrowed.
“Expected, wasn’t it?”
Yet, her face showed no sign of worry.
As if it didn’t concern her in the slightest, the corners of Erin’s mouth rose even higher.
“So, we’ll have to keep this a secret from Aiden, right?”
Erin winked. She had given the order for discretion.
“Yes, I understand.”
Mona pressed her index finger to her lips and nodded firmly.
“But it will be hard to keep it completely hidden.”
“That’s true.”
Erin readily agreed, nodding her head.
“Wouldn’t the Duke be… displeased?”
Mona asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“Hmm?”
Faced with Mona’s anxious inquiry, Erin’s lips curled up significantly in an enigmatic smile.
It was a vague smile, neither affirmative nor negative, but filled with ease and confidence.
“I’m not worried about that at all.”
“Then why instruct it kept secret?”
“That’s because…”
Erin smiled silently without saying a word.
In truth, Erin had two objectives in mind.
One was to resolve a personal and emotional jealousy of her own.
The other was because of Aiden.
Until now, Erin had been a staunch supporter for Aiden.
Thus, Aiden had come to firmly believe that Erin’s feelings for him were those of love.
But, Erin, blinded by jealousy, had spread the evidence far and wide.
If Aiden learned that Erin had caused a scene out of jealousy and had tried to hide it, he might be disappointed or even disgusted.
That could be a step towards divorce.
Aiden wouldn’t be pleased to learn that Erin had made a public display out of jealousy, without considering his feelings.
Erin had never done something like this before.
This would be the first time Aiden would be disappointed in her.
‘If this builds up… he’ll turn his heart away just like in the original story.’
Upon reaching that point in her thoughts, despite it being what she wanted, Erin felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
Meanwhile, to Mona, observing by her side, it appeared that nothing was adding up at all.
The more she saw, the more Erin’s divorce seemed improbable to her.
‘If she’s this concerned, why would she want to get a divorce?’
Mona gave up trying to understand her master whom she served.
Naturally, the news did not fail to reach Aiden’s ears.
Aiden had ears everywhere, and there was no place without them.
While he was tending to his duties in the office, Felix reported to him in great detail about the incident that had occurred at the tea party.
The report was so vivid it almost felt like Aiden had been there.
Aiden, who had been perusing documents while listening to Felix’s report, slowly lifted his head.
“Did Erin really do that?”
Aiden’s voice seemed slightly tremulous.
“Yes. There was some disturbance. And there are those who are discontent.”
“…”
Felix spoke cautiously.
Erin had acted emotionally in a public place.
Such behavior was not tolerated among the nobility.
This incident could potentially damage Aiden’s reputation.
Even as fond as Aiden was of Erin, her blatantly disrespecting his dignity was a separate issue entirely. There would also be those who might overinterpret her actions as a slight against him.
“Your Grace. Are you alright?” Felix looked at Aiden, assessing his complexion.
Aiden didn’t say anything for a while. He had his forehead in his hand, head bowed, making it impossible to see his expression.
It was difficult to read Aiden’s face.
With an impassive expression, he seemed to be deep in thought, his eyelids trembling imperceptibly.
He parted his lips slightly, then pressed them firmly together, a sign that something was amiss.
A lengthy silence followed, and just as Felix was contemplating whether to speak up on behalf of Erin, Aiden’s shoulders shook.
As he slowly raised his head, Aiden was smiling broadly.
He looked utterly thrilled.
“Erin did….. really did that, you say? Erin….”
Aiden, repeating those words and snickering, appeared as though he might have gone mad, and it was almost chilling to witness.
Aiden’s lips twitched, continually trying to curve into a smile.
It was as if he couldn’t contain his emotions, to the point his smile almost seemed to tear his lips.
