I was deep in thought.
“Hmmm.”
‘The plan is certainly impeccable, but….’
“This is more serious than I thought.”
After observing for a few days, I realized that Ian and Eloise truly had a relationship worse than that of strangers.
Aside from breakfast, they never encountered each other, and even when they did, conversations were cut short by Ian Cloud’s sharp attitude, rarely lasting beyond three sentences.
At this rate, I could see a future where I’d be completely ignored, rather than getting any cooperation from him.
And that wasn’t the only problem. The entire capital was already buzzing with rumors that the two were worse than strangers as a couple.
How did I know this? Because I overheard commoners gossiping about their relationship on a day I ventured outside the mansion under the pretense of a casual outing.
They were saying things like, they’d never even shared a bed, and that they were like complete strangers….
The issue was that not a single one of these rumors was false.
“…If even the commoners are talking about it, just how far has the story spread?”
It was beyond shocking—it was absurd.
I had read about this in the book, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.
“Sigh.”
I recalled a passage from the novel that I had read long ago:
The two might have been better off never marrying. In the end, neither the Cloud Grand Duchy nor the Alpheus Marquessate gained anything from this union. In fact, it was a marriage that made everyone unhappy.
A marriage that made everyone unhappy.
Could there be a more fitting description of this situation?
I even felt sorry for the Marquess of Alpheus.
Trading reputation for business—it’s just…
‘Wait, so they let their reputation fall to this point and just ignored it?’
I couldn’t believe how indifferent they were to their own marriage.
In a way, they were a perfect match.
“But I can’t just give up here.”
I clenched my fists.
You have to know your enemy and know yourself to win a hundred battles.
I immediately called for the maid who was said to serve Eloise closest.
Not long after, a maid with brown hair entered the room, bowing her head.
“My lady, you called for me….”
“Yes, I did. So… what’s your name?”
“It’s Vivi.”
The maid answered without hesitation, showing no sign of being surprised. The fact that the master she had served for over two years didn’t know her name didn’t even faze her.
‘This means Eloise was equally indifferent.’
What a mess of a couple.
“All right, Vivi. Look up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The maid cautiously raised her head, her round brown eyes trembling with nervousness.
“You’ve been by my side for the past two years, haven’t you?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then you must know me better than anyone else.”
The maid lowered her eyes and bowed her head.
“Th-that’s too generous of you, my lady.”
“Too generous?”
I smiled sweetly.
“But I heard something interesting.”
“Interesting…?”
“I hear the capital is quite noisy, all because of me and the Grand Duke.”
“What? Wh-what do you mean? I don’t….”
Seeing her face turn pale, I knew this was no ordinary situation.
I deepened my smile.
“So, tell me about the rumors going around the capital about me.”
“W-what?”
The maid looked up in shock.
“Am I asking for something difficult?”
“No, it’s not that….”
The maid’s eyes darted around in panic, her face filled with confusion.
Well, that’s expected. Eloise probably never cared about what was said behind her back.
As the silence stretched and my gaze became increasingly pointed, the maid finally forced herself to speak.
“The rumors that might concern you, my lady, are… are not worth worrying about.”
“Why? Is there something I shouldn’t hear?”
“N-no! That’s not what I meant.”
The maid flinched and waved her hands in denial.
“I don’t like repeating myself.”
My words, carrying a hint of steel, caused the maid’s expression to freeze.
Eventually, she paled even more, and reluctantly began to speak.
“The titles given to you in the capital are….”
“…….”
“The Ice Flower of the Social World, the most noble and beautiful Grand Duchess….”
“Wait, stop there.”
I shook my head and raised my hand to stop the words that were all too predictable.
Who did she think I called her here for? Certainly not to hear such cliché nonsense.
“Vivi, am I being unclear? I asked you to tell me about the rumors concerning me.”
As my eyes narrowed, the maid bowed her head again. Her shoulders trembled, and she looked as if she wanted nothing more than to leave the room as quickly as possible.
“My lady, how could I….”
“Since it seems difficult for you, let me make it easier. I want to hear about the exact rumors related to me and the Grand Duke.”
“Ru-rumors! I would rather die than speak of them!”
The maid eventually collapsed to the floor, trembling in fear.
I sighed softly and adjusted my posture.
“Vivi.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I promise I won’t punish you, no matter what you say.”
“……”
“So, I hope you’ll tell me. What you’re about to say is very important information to me.”
As I continued in a gentle tone, Vivi, who had been quietly listening, bit her lip slightly.
“…Will you really not punish me?”
“Yes, I promise.”
I answered with the most gentle expression I could muster.
“Of course, if you continue to keep silent… I might be so disappointed that I’ll have to let you go.”
In other words, if she didn’t want to be dismissed, she had better talk.
Vivi, who clearly understood the meaning, gasped in shock.
“Oh no…”
“So, are you ready to talk now?”
After gauging my expression for a long time, Vivi finally exhaled deeply, realizing she had no other choice.
“The truth is….”
Her small voice trembled with fear.
“I’ve heard people say that my lady is nothing more than a figurehead of the Grand Duchy. Some even call you the ghost of the Cloud Duchy, and also…”
Once she started, the maid continued to spill all sorts of rumors about me. From clichéd titles to vulgar, low-class nicknames that even commoners would hesitate to use—there was a wide variety.
‘If any ordinary noblewoman heard these, she might have fainted on the spot.’
But since I wasn’t such a noblewoman, I simply rested my chin on my hand and listened indifferently to what the maid had to say.
“So, it’s like that, huh.”
When the maid finally finished, a satisfied smile formed on my lips.
The maid, seeing my smile, turned pale as a sheet.
“M-my lady, I have committed a grave sin.”
…Was my smile that alarming?
I tilted my head, watching the maid bow her head once again.
“It’s nothing of the sort. I asked you to answer me, didn’t I? You may go now.”
“…Is it really all right?”
“Yes.”
Still looking doubtful, the maid stood up quickly, seemingly relieved, and straightened her back.
“Then… I will take my leave now.”
“Oh, wait a moment.”
“Yes, yes?”
The maid, who had just started to leave, stopped in her tracks, startled when I called her back.
I smiled warmly at her.
“Thank you for telling me, Vivi.”
The maid looked at me, stunned for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it and trembled again as she bowed her head.
“Th-thank you for your generosity, my lady.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Then, I’ll truly be leaving now!”
The maid gave a 90-degree bow and cautiously closed the door behind her as she left.
I gazed at the door through which she had exited for a moment, then relaxed and folded my arms, leaning back against the sofa.
The opulent ceiling mural and chandelier came into view.
“The ghost of the Grand Duchy, huh.”
I recalled the stories the maid had shared and grinned.
“Ian Cloud, you’re as good as dead.”
♧♧♧
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