Chapter 4. I’m Leaving
“Miss, surely the Marquis has arranged a date for your departure. There’s no need to rush; you can leave after preparing thoroughly.”
The Marquis had already selected over ten maids and servants to send to the Duke’s estate. All of them were spies tasked with monitoring me and gathering information about the Duke’s household.
Janet was likely on that list as well.
‘Even if I have to team up with them, I’ll never go with you,’ I thought.
I spoke with the elegant voice of a Duchess, as if it was natural for someone of my status to speak this way. I replied, “Miss?”
“…?”
“Since I’ve exchanged vows, why am I still being called ‘Miss’?”
Janet gave me a look as if to say, What do you want me to do about it? Then, noticing the people around us, she lowered her gaze slightly.
“My apologies, Your Grace.”
“If there’s trouble in the Duke’s territory, how can I possibly sit idly by? I must go immediately to support the Duke.”
“If you must insist, I’ll accompany you,” Janet said, raising her chin defiantly, as if daring me to stop her.
“Sorry, but there’s no room for you.”
“What?”
“The carriage is packed; there’s only room for one more person.”
“Then who will attend to you during the journey? Or when you arrive?”
“As the lady of Blenheim, I’ll hire people from there. And let’s not pretend you’ve ever really attended to me.”
Janet’s face turned bright red.
Seeing her flustered expression was oddly satisfying. Hah. I’ve endured worse in an industry full of sly schemes and veiled insults.
‘The subtle jabs from noble ladies in romance novels? They’re nothing compared to the backhanded attacks from advertisers.’
“You can inform my father,” I continued, “that I left urgently and couldn’t say goodbye.”
At this, Perel looked nervously between Janet and me before stepping in.
“We’ve kept the party small, so there’s no one to properly guard Her Grace. Perhaps this isn’t wise…”
“Are those not knights?” I asked, gesturing toward the six or seven knights preparing to depart. They looked like elite warriors, handpicked for this journey.
Surely, in a place like this, practically enemy territory, the Duke wouldn’t send just anyone. The intensity of their glares sent chills down my spine.
“Well, yes, but—”
“I’ve heard of the Blenheim knights’ reputation. With the empire’s best warriors by my side, why would numbers matter?”
“But… the roads are in terrible condition from the thaw.”
“It’s fine. I’ve padded the seats generously.”
“You’ll find many muddy and uneven paths.”
“And isn’t Sir Perel’s carriage leading the way?”
Seriously, how long are you going to argue?
Watching Perel scramble for excuses, I couldn’t help but smile.
“If the matter is so urgent that you couldn’t deliver a proper farewell, shouldn’t we leave quickly?”
Perel bit his lip in frustration, realizing I wouldn’t back down so easily.
“Very well, Your Grace. Let’s depart.”
Clunk.
The knights behind us shifted awkwardly, casting silent glares at Perel. Although visibly trembling, he still managed a courteous smile as he helped me into the carriage.
Inside, the space was packed with my luggage, leaving room for only one person. Perel glanced at the interior for 0.1 seconds, as if I were some madwoman, before regaining his composure.
“Your Grace, please allow me to switch carriages with you. This one isn’t suitable.”
“It’s fine. I prefer this one—it has all my things.”
“But staying in such a… cramped space for so long—”
“I said it’s fine. Let’s not waste time.”
I whispered to Perel, wary of Janet overhearing. I had crammed this carriage on purpose and couldn’t risk being forced into the spacious one.
Janet, realizing she couldn’t stop me alone, frantically searched for the Marquis’ carriage.
“Miss! No—Your Grace!”
Just as Perel was about to close the door, one of the Marquis’ attendants appeared. He was one of the few people in the household who treated me with any respect.
The attendant, holding a small jewelry box, bowed.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“My lady, the young master asked me to deliver this to you.”
“My brother?”
“May I load it onto your carriage?”
The attendant glanced inside, his expression turning confused as he took in the overstuffed interior.
“Hand it over.”
When I reached out, the servant gave me the jewelry box.
“There’s also this,” he said, handing me a letter before stepping back.
‘Why give it to me here instead of at home…?’
“Did you come all the way from the manor?” I asked curiously.
The servant hesitated for a moment before replying.
“I came with the young master. He left earlier after attending the ceremony.”
“My brother attended the wedding?”
“Yes, he stayed until the vows were completed.”
It was surprising. None of my family, including the Marquis, had come to the wedding. The fact that Ferdinand, who barely spoke to me, had attended felt strange.
No wonder the officiant had been so diligent, despite the lack of guests.
“Did he say anything else?”
“Just to make sure this was delivered to you before your departure.”
‘He knew I was leaving?’
The Marquis’ household must have assumed I would return to the manor after the ceremony. How Ferdinand knew about my plan was a mystery, but for now, leaving here was the priority.
“Tell my brother I received it well.”
“Yes, Your Grace. But, if I may ask… where are you going?”
Though we weren’t close enough for casual conversation, his curiosity seemed too strong to suppress.
“Me? I’m going to Blenheim.”
“Miss!”
Janet reappeared, stomping her feet in frustration upon seeing me already seated in the carriage.
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?!”
The coachman, who Janet had dragged along, nervously fiddled with his hat, unsure of what to do. Janet started shouting that I couldn’t leave, but the servant, bound by Ferdinand’s orders, just stood silently, observing the commotion.
Seeing Janet frustrated, I finally realized the gravity of the situation.
‘I’m finally escaping from this prison!’
A surge of exhilarating freedom rose from deep within me.
“Miss! Are you really going to do this?!”
“Janet.”
I gave her the warmest look I could muster.
“Yes?”
“It’s ‘Your Grace,’ remember?”
Clang!
Smiling, I closed the carriage door, leaving Janet fuming as she failed to break her habit of calling me “Miss.”
The carriage rattled along a quiet forest path.
‘This is the first time I’ve ever truly left the Marquis’ household.’
Lost in the scenery, I suddenly remembered the jewelry box in my lap after we had completely left the city behind.
‘It’s pretty heavy.’
I cautiously opened the box. Each compartment contained small but exquisite earrings, bracelets, and hairpins. When I lifted the final compartment…
‘What is this! This looks really expensive!’
A sapphire necklace, clearly valuable, was inside. The large central stone was surrounded by tiny sparkling gems.
I opened Ferdinand’s letter in a hurry.
“If you ever need help, contact Lady Arsen.”
That was it? Just one line?
The letter contained no further explanation.
‘Could this be a wedding gift?’
Looking again at the necklace, I began to feel more confident in that assumption. The large sapphire seemed chosen with my eye color in mind.
A wedding gift and an emergency contact—Ferdinand clearly knew about my escape plan.
He even attended the wedding. Should I feel hurt that he didn’t greet me or grateful that someone as aloof as him cared enough to help?
‘Well, thanks anyway.’
For the first time, I felt a sense of deep relief knowing someone had supported and helped me, even if just one person, at this critical moment when I was breaking free from the original story.
‘I think I might do just fine in Blenheim.’
I was lost in peaceful thoughts, enjoying the scenery, when—
Neigh!
The horses whinnied, and the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
“Your Grace, we need to take a short break while waiting for someone to join us,” Perel said, cautiously peeking into the carriage. He seemed shy, given how much he’d rushed earlier.
“Perfect. I was getting restless anyway. I’ll go for a quick walk.”
Truthfully, the bumpy ride had made sitting unbearable.
Perel looked relieved at my response.
“I’ll assign a guard to accompany you.”
I glanced at the knights tying their horses to nearby trees. They all gave me suspicious glances.
“No need. I won’t stray far.”
“But Your Grace—”
“I’d feel uncomfortable. I’ll be back soon.”
I reassured Perel and set off for a short stroll along a nearby forest path. Though the scenery wasn’t particularly remarkable, the fresh air and freedom from the carriage felt invigorating.
When I returned, I overheard an argument.
“Are you out of your mind? How could you bring that woman with us?!”
“Then are you going to leave the new bride on the street?”
The knights and Perel were arguing. It was clear why.
I quickly hid behind the carriage.
“We should leave her here and move on without her!”
