Chapter 75
The more provocative the subject, the more the rumors grew exaggerated.
Especially when it involved a newlywed duke and duchess.
“Come to think of it, it was a bit strange. Two perfectly normal adults not sharing a bed even once—it doesn’t make sense.”
“Was it because one of them had a lover? To think they’d do that, ignoring our lord!”
“So, even someone like Eskel has principles, huh?”
“Just how important is that doctor for her to still not forget him?”
“It could be the opposite, you know.”
“Oh my goodness.”
As the rumor spread throughout the estate, the staff became even less hesitant to gossip.
What might have remained a private thought quickly turned into a topic they eagerly chewed over together.
“No wonder I thought Eskel seemed too well-behaved. Turns out it was all an act.”
“To think she’d be scheming behind the scenes like that. At least she’s smart enough to keep up appearances.”
“Do you remember the last duchess?”
“Oh, the one from the York family?”
“That annoying and prickly woman. Of course, I remember.”
“This new duchess will probably end up just like her.”
“The Duke will surely kick her out eventually.”
“Right, there’s no way he’d keep a woman like that near Master Jeremy and Master Joshua.”
The estate was abuzz with speculation, and the rumors eventually reached the master’s ears.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. This is my fault.”
By now, the gossip had spread far beyond control.
The scandal surrounding the duchess had completely overshadowed the good deeds she had done in Frantor. No one cared to ask what kind of person she truly was or whether the rumors were even true. Simply because she was an Eskel, people deemed the rumors credible, and the criticism of the new duchess grew louder by the day.
“How could this be your fault, steward?”
“It’s my responsibility to manage the staff, Your Grace. I failed to keep their tongues in check.”
“Their tongues? How does one gather up formless words?”
Caligo gave a cold smile.
“If there’s any fault, it lies with the person who couldn’t conduct themselves properly.”
The duke’s reaction was colder than usual, causing the steward to cautiously watch his master’s mood.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to read the young duke’s emotions.
He was a ruler who had made a habit of thoroughly hiding his feelings and thoughts.
Like the massive wall built in Frantor, his inner self was impenetrable.
Did he believe the rumors?
Was he angry at the duchess?
Because his thoughts were so unreadable, the steward didn’t dare speak carelessly.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with my mood any further,” Caligo said.
The sharp-eyed duke had noticed the elderly steward’s gaze upon him.
“…However.”
“All you need to do is continue fulfilling your duties and holding your position as you always have.”
“…”
“Whatever expectations you have of her, stop sharing unnecessary information with her as well.”
The duke sat down at his desk and busied himself with paperwork.
“Are you not angry?”
“As you know, I dislike disorder.” Caligo replied.
“It’s merely unpleasant that a woman who’ll be leaving in a few months has disrupted the peace.”
“…”
“Angry? No… That woman isn’t worth wasting emotions like that on.”
The duke had answered just enough to cut off any further questions.
Turning his attention back to the documents, he appeared indifferent, as though he had nothing to do with the matter.
But watching him like that, the steward couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pity.
The duke and duchess looked so harmonious when they were together.
Though Caligo was not one to show his emotions openly, he would occasionally smile in her presence and seemed genuinely happy spending time with the young masters.
Though their relationship had been rocky from the start, the steward had believed that, with a little effort, it could eventually bear fruit.
But had he been mistaken about everything he’d seen?
Was all the kindness the duke had shown the duchess nothing more than a hollow formality?
Thinking that, the steward couldn’t help but feel heartache.
After all, he had been quietly pleased to think that his young master, whose life had never been peaceful, had finally found a place to rest.
The same went for the duchess, who didn’t seem to have lived a smooth life either.
Although he didn’t know the details, he could see the pain in her eyes.
He had hoped they could be pillars of support for each other.
But perhaps that had been asking too much.
Was the Duchess truly of no significance to His Grace?
Unable to hide his pity, the steward eventually sighed and got straight to the point.
“I understand, Your Grace. However, the reason I’ve sought you out is to deliver something.”
The steward presented a plain letter.
“This letter arrived at the estate, and I thought Your Grace should see it.”
At first, the envelope, decorated with nothing but forget-me-nots and bearing no sender’s name, was almost discarded. However, upon checking the contents just in case, it contained detailed information about Eskel’s movements.
Most of the information was something only those close to Eskel could possibly know.
After reviewing the letter, Caligo’s expression immediately hardened.
“At first, I thought it was either a prank or an attempt to confuse us, but the more I read, the less it seemed so. I thought it prudent to show it to you.”
“Have you investigated who sent it?”
“Well… it’s only known that it was a man, but no one got a proper look at him.”
If the contents of the letter were true, it could prove to be quite useful.
“Verify the information and find out who sent it.”
“Understood.”
Forget-me-nots?
As he handled the letter, Caligo absentmindedly touched the flowers depicted on the paper.
—
The scandal between the Duchess and the doctor continued to grow, with exaggerated details snowballing daily.
By the time the rumor, which had originated from the Frantor estate in the capital, made its way back to Helena, it had taken on a completely different form.
Ridiculous falsehoods, vulgar gossip, and all manner of nasty tales had been added, rendering the original story almost unrecognizable.
It was no different from what had happened during her academy days.
And so, the choice Helena could make this time was the same as before.
“Senior, I need to talk to you.”
As usual, Aiden had come to visit the estate, but his face stiffened upon seeing her serious expression.
He had a bad feeling.
“What is it?”
“Sit down first. Not next to me—sit across from me, keeping some distance.”
Following her instructions, Aiden sat down across from her.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
His uneasy eyes quickly scanned her body.
Her complexion was pale, and her eyes were reddened, as if she hadn’t been sleeping well.
Had she been crying? He noticed her eyelids were slightly swollen.
“What’s going on?”
“There’s a rumor spreading in the estate.”
“A rumor? What kind of rumor?”
“The same kind as back in the academy.”
“…!”
Though she answered calmly, Aiden’s face turned ghostly white.
With just those words, he instantly understood what was happening.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes. The rumor that you and I might be lovers. Just like at the academy.”
While Aiden was clearly flustered, Helena remained calm and composed.
“What I have to say is the same now as it was back then.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to tell me to leave?”
“Then what? Do you want the rumor to grow even bigger?” she asked.
“You worked so hard to become a doctor. You finally managed to establish yourself. Don’t you hate being falsely implicated with me?”
“What’s so false about it? I don’t regret anything!” Aiden shouted.
“Damn it, I chose to stay with you!”
“…”
“Why do you think I contacted you first after becoming a doctor? I swore I wouldn’t run away like I did during the academy! So how could you call this unfair?”
“I understand how you feel, Senior.”
Unlike the agitated Aiden, Helena remained calm.
She was so composed that she seemed emotionally drained, almost hollow.
“I’m saying this because I’m worried your life will be ruined.”
“…”
“I don’t have much time left anyway. I don’t have enough power to protect you.”
“And you wouldn’t be able to protect me either,” she added.
“You… really…”
“I don’t understand why you insist on staying by my side despite knowing all this.”
“So, you’re saying I should leave?”
“Yes. Leave right now, if you can.”
Helena spoke coldly.
“You won’t be able to fix me anyway, Senior. Staying by my side will only bring you harm. In situations like this, it’s best to keep your distance. That’s the logical thing to do, so why are you so opposed to it?”
“Damn it! What if you suddenly stop breathing again, like last time? What if you get sick again? What then?”
“That’s for me to deal with.”
Helena replied dryly.
“If I die earlier than expected—say, before a year—it’ll be unfortunate, but there’s nothing that can be done about it.”
“What? So you’re planning to stay alone with that frail body? And what about Eskel? What will you do about him?”
“That’s also for me to handle. In a way, this might be for the best. It’s better to step away now, before getting directly involved in something dangerous.”
“So, you’re saying you don’t need me anymore?”
“Yes, I don’t need you.”
She said firmly.
“I appreciate your willingness to help, truly. But I don’t think I’ll need a doctor’s help.”
“You… you really…”
Aiden let out a hollow laugh.
“There’s one more thing that’s just like back then.”
“What do you mean?”
“The way you’re treating me now. Back at the academy, you talked to me with that same expression.”
“…”
During their time at the academy, Helena had ultimately chosen to end things with Aiden at the urging of Baroness Baren.
Naturally, Aiden couldn’t accept it and begged her, claiming he would persuade his mother.
But Helena had coldly rejected him, speaking in the same detached tone she used now.
At the time, Aiden had been so shocked by her demeanor that he’d given up, assuming her feelings for him were gone. He’d lost all confidence and walked away.
Even after becoming a doctor, the only reason he’d written to her first was because, after much deliberation, he realized he still cared for her.
But he had harbored resentment and bitterness toward her for the way she had so coldly ended things.
And yet… now, Aiden saw things that he hadn’t been able to see back then.
“Hey.”
“…”
Aiden carefully observed Helena’s face before letting out a hollow chuckle.
“Do you even know what your face looks like right now?”
“…”
“How can you expect me to believe you when you say all that, with a face that looks like you haven’t slept all night?”
At his words, Helena couldn’t muster a response.
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