Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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“Look, I’m perfectly fine!”
“Hmm...”
“No, look properly! I can even jump like this.”
“Huuuuuuuuuuuum.”
What am I doing right now?
I am performing all sorts of tricks in front of the Duke to show him how perfectly fine I am.
Since I fainted, the Duke has become extremely worried about me.
I am maintaining peak condition, to the point where he must wonder if I can truly be this well!
“While watching my new daughter-in-law’s antics is pleasant, I am still worried...”
To think he sees this as antics, what a case of rose-colored glasses...
There was a reason I was going to such lengths.
It was this morning.
“Beth, I need to purchase supplies for the investigation. Would you care to accompany me?”
“Yes! I want to go too, I want to go!”
Perhaps because the reaction was too enthusiastic.
The Young Duke looked surprised for a moment, then disappeared after saying he would see me in the afternoon.
I had lived in the countryside in poverty my entire life.
I had only briefly passed through the capital, and even then, I couldn't properly sightsee.
Even after arriving at the Duke’s Mansion, I was restless with the desire to see the capital.
It was then that he made such a proposal.
However, the problem was...
“No. I won’t allow it. I have no intention of letting you go, so please return now, new daughter-in-law.”
“Duke...”
Had I ever seen the Duke look so resolute?
He was always infinitely gentle toward me, how did it come to this...
“Duke, I hear Bestia has never properly seen the capital. Please let her go.”
Aristelle looked at me with pity and subtly took my side.
“Can’t she do that even after she has fully recovered?”
“But Bestia is already fully recovered.”
“That’s right, Duke. I am perfectly fine like this.”
To prove my condition, I hopped several times on the spot.
Seeing that, the Duke gave a warm smile, as if watching his grandchild’s antics.
“New daughter-in-law...”
“Yes!”
“If I say no, it means no.”
Tch.
I was grateful that the Duke worried about me.
But wasn't this excessive protection?
Just then.
“It is truly unfortunate. Our Master...”
Aristelle?
He drooped his shoulders and cast a wistful gaze toward the Young Duke’s study.
“The Young Master has been busy with his backlog of work since he arrived, so he hasn't been able to spend time with Bestia.”
“Mmm...”
“And even if she goes out for the investigation, I and the maid will accompany her, so there won't be any opportunity for the two of them to spend quality time together.”
“Umm...”
“Perhaps today could have been their first date, but I ruined it...”
As Aristelle trailed off, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“New daughter-in-law, go ahead.”
“Really?”
The Duke showed a reluctant expression but finally granted permission.
“Yes, go ahead... But don't overexert yourself.”
“Yes!”
“Bestia, the sunlight is intense.”
“Young Duke, are you alright?”
It doesn't seem like something someone wrapped head-to-toe in black should be saying to me...
Still, we took the carriage here, so maybe he’s fine?
Given his status, attire that conceals his face would probably be more comfortable anyway.
In contrast to him, I wore a light, flowing white dress made of airy material.
I was just going to throw something on casually, but...
“Bestia, this is it! This must have been made for Bestia.”
The newly assigned maid with black hair thrust the dress toward me with burning eyes.
...She was incredibly passionate.
And the way she braided my hair was so meticulous.
I almost felt sorry for having assumed she disliked me until now.
Oh, I didn't even ask her name.
“Bestia, how about this one?”
“Yes? Yes?”
Startled by my delayed response as I was lost in thought, the Young Duke was already handing gold coins to a merchant.
“Use this.”
In his hand was a wide-brimmed white hat made of what looked like luxurious material.
“...”
When I didn't respond much, he wordlessly placed the hat gently on my head.
“This is repayment for what you did last time.”
Repayment...?
The doubt was brief before I recalled the shabby hat I had placed on his head at the temple.
I had just grabbed whatever was handy and put it on him...
I suddenly felt a pang of conscience.
That passed quickly, and the Young Duke held up a mirror with an indifferent touch.
“...It suits you well.”
“My goodness, are you newlyweds? You suit each other so well.”
The merchant, with overly agitated gestures and tone, twisted his body as he spoke with such obvious salesmanship.
Besides, the Young Duke was completely covered, so how could he possibly know if it suited me or not?
But...
I watched the Young Duke hand the merchant the entire pouch of money.
What is this big-hearted fool doing...?
My jaw dropped, but he nonchalantly proceeded to buy every hat on display.
“Y-Young Duke...? I only need one of these?”
“It’s fine. I can wear them.”
...This shop only sells women's hats?
The Young Duke, unperturbed, simply ordered Gilbert to take all the hats to the carriage.
He truly was a strange man.
Bringing Gilbert along, whose driving skills were terrible, was strange enough, but falling for such obvious sales tactics was another thing entirely.
Was it because of his status as the Young Duke that he felt pity for commoners like us?
My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden presence beside me.
“...Excuse me, are you the Young Duke?”
To recognize him immediately despite this black mass...
Out of curiosity, I turned my head toward the source of the voice.
Hair and eyes of a brilliant color like burning fire, and a proud, haughty expression.
A woman of captivating beauty that would draw anyone’s attention, she held a fan covering part of her mouth as she looked back and forth between me and the Young Duke.
“You are the Young Duke, correct? I am Jane Ellen, the second daughter of the House of Duke Ellen.”
She maintained a perfectly formal greeting, and as soon as she finished, she posed a question.
“And who is the person beside you?”
Her eyes were smiling, but the visible corners of her mouth were overly stiff.
“Ah, hello. I am Bestia.”
Before the Young Duke could explain anything, I found myself greeting her in an awkward tone.
“Hmm...”
She stared intently at me, tapping her mouth with her fan as if assessing something.
Every time she moved slightly, the sound of her luxurious ornaments chimed softly.
The Young Duke seemed quite annoyed by the situation, crossing his arms and asking listlessly,
“What is your business?”
“Is that person perhaps the new daughter-in-law from the recent rumors that have gained popularity?”
The rumored new daughter-in-law...?
Given the Duke’s personality, I hadn't expected him to keep quiet.
But hearing the story, I couldn't help but be appalled.
The new daughter-in-law from the recent popular rumors.
Would it kill her to speak more normally...!
“Yes, I am?”
It was an indifferent answer without any further explanation, but she didn't seem flustered or offended.
Rather...
“The Young Duke remains unchanged. Which is, admittedly, why he shines even brighter.”
Her gaze toward him was filled with undeniable attraction and longing.
“Young Duke, we sent a letter from our family estate. Did you happen to read it?”
“No.”
The reply was perfunctory, but she still smiled brightly as she answered.
“Recently, people have been disappearing from the earldom located in the south.”
“...”
“There is no commonality among the disappearances, so we haven't been able to figure out the reason.”
“So what is your business?”
“The Imperial Family is also paying attention to this matter. It seems the Imperial side hasn't contacted you yet, but we are in need of the Young Duke’s assistance.”
“Hmm.”
The Young Duke seemed reluctant, resting his hand on his chin as he appeared to ponder.
“But are you taking your fiancé with you?”
“I am.”
“Hmm... Well, from my perspective, the gap between you and the Young Duke is so vast it seems like heaven and earth.”
She made no attempt to hide the fact that she found me insignificant.
“Is there a reason you chose someone so beneath you as a fiancée...? Wouldn't it be much more advantageous to be engaged to me instead?”
“What did you just say?”
The atmosphere around the Young Duke, who had been cold and indifferent throughout, suddenly felt charged with heat.
Was he angry?
Because his father-appointed fiancée was being mocked?
However, drawing attention in the middle of the street wouldn't be good for him.
I tried to calm him down, lightly grasping the edge of his sleeve, and asked,
“Speaking of which, why is the young lady of the Ellen family here?”
While the Young Duke was completely concealed, she was strutting down the street dressed in attire that screamed, 'I am nobility!'
“Ah, my carriage broke down. The coachman was so foolish. It was a hassle because he couldn't fix that one thing.”
“I see...”
When I replied briefly, she looked toward us and spoke with undisguised scorn.
“This is what commoners are like... Just ignorant and foolish. Isn't that right?”
“Yes, that seems to be the case.”
While I was deeply concerned, I also looked hurt, displaying a sorrowful and bitter smile.
Ah, of course, this was all an act.
If it were up to me, I would have returned the words in kind, but what could I do?
I didn't want things to escalate.
The Young Duke frowned deeply at her rude remark, but seeing the sleeve I held, he simply looked at me quietly.
“Young Duke.”
“Yes, Beth.”
“The sunlight is strong, and I worry that this young lady might suffer some ailment to her health.”
“...”
“So, since we still have things left to buy, how about we instruct the coachman to escort this young lady home?”
For a fleeting moment, I noticed the corner of the Young Duke’s mouth twitch upward slightly.
“That is a good point. I agree with Beth’s suggestion.”
“Lady Ellen, the Duke’s coachman will escort you home.”
She clearly seemed fond of the Young Duke.
That’s why she must have found me repulsive.
She would obviously interpret the offer of borrowing the Duke’s coachman and carriage as an excuse to visit the Duke’s Mansion.
After all, many couples secretly continued their meetings under the pretense of borrowing a carriage or coachman.
See? She was trying hard not to show it, but her cheek muscles and the corner of her mouth were visibly twitching.
“Th-That might be acceptable too.”
I smiled warmly and said to the Young Duke,
“Young Duke, please tell Gilbert quickly to escort this young lady home!”
“Let’s do that.”
The Young Duke also responded to my words with an uncharacteristic smile.
Soon, the carriage driven by Gilbert departed, and I thought I heard a woman’s scream faintly from a distance.
That was to be expected, as the carriage of doom he drove was not something one should ride alone.
I was truly curious how long she could endure that carriage by herself.
“Young Duke, how long will it take by carriage to that young lady’s home?”
“...I don’t know. I have no interest.”
It wasn't the answer I expected, but somehow, the corners of my mouth curled upward.
To be continued in the next chapter ▶
