Chapter 1 - Chapter 1

Translator: Nox

Chapter 1Chapter 1

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Wealth does not always buy happiness, but it certainly makes life’s burdens easier to bear.

Jacqueline Somerset had learned this bitter truth later than most. She now understood that being a prosperous commoner was far more desirable than being a noblewoman who possessed a grand title but not a single coin to her name.

The era where a family crest alone commanded respect had faded. In its place, a new age had dawned—one where gold exerted a power as formidable as any ancient lineage.

Her father, the Earl of Somerset, had been a man of ambition. Hoping to catch the rising tide of the times, he had turned his gaze toward the burgeoning ventures of the New World. Across the vast ocean lay a mysterious frontier, a land of gold that promised a fortune beyond imagining.

However, it was not a destination for the faint of heart. Reaching that distant shore required months of grueling travel across treacherous seas.

To succeed, a captain had to navigate the infamous “Canyon of Death” and survive the sudden, murderous tempests of the open water. Even then, one needed the grace of luck to avoid the predatory gaze of pirates.

More than half of those who ventured out never saw home again. Of those who did return, most came back with empty holds, having never even glimpsed the New World’s coast.

Despite the risks, the “Continent of Dreams” remained the kingdom’s most alluring gamble—a glittering, untouched paradise of wealth.

“But Father was no exception to the tragedy.”

The Earl of Somerset vanished at sea. In the wake of his disappearance, the family’s assets were seized by creditors, and the once-illustrious Somerset earldom collapsed into bankruptcy overnight. All that remained of Jacqueline’s heritage was a mocking nickname: the “penniless noblewoman.”

“Now is not the time for wallowing.”

Jacqueline gave her head a firm shake to clear the dark thoughts and returned to her task. She carefully tucked folded garments into a sturdy traveling bag. Even after she had packed everything she owned, the bag felt strangely light.

“That’s odd. I could have sworn it was bursting when I arrived… Oh! I almost forgot Colin. I’m so sorry, Colin.”

She reached for the plush bear her father had given her on her fifteenth birthday. Once the toy was tucked inside, the bag finally felt complete. She struggled to pull the zipper shut and was sliding the luggage beneath the bed when a soft knock sounded at the door.

A maid stepped inside with a respectful dip of her head.

“Count Greenwood has returned, Miss.”

“He’s home early. Where is Uncle Walter now?”

“He went straight to his private study.”

“Thank you, Laura.”

Taking a steadying breath, Jacqueline took one last look around the tidy room that had been her sanctuary. She made her way to the study, knocked, and entered. A warm smile touched her lips as she saw the middle-aged man behind the desk.

“Welcome home, Uncle.”

“Ah, Jacqueline.”

Walter Greenwood set aside his papers, his expression softening with genuine affection. Jacqueline settled onto the sofa, her smile remaining bright. Walter tucked a partially opened letter into a drawer, turned the key in the lock, and came to join her.

As a lifelong friend of the late Earl, Walter had been the only person to offer Jacqueline a home in the capital when her world fell apart. While the rest of society turned their backs on her, he had remained a steadfast guardian.

Their bond was such that she addressed the Count as “Uncle” without hesitation. He was her godfather and the only person left in the world she truly trusted.

“I’ve secured a position,” she announced.

Walter’s brow furrowed slightly. He looked at her with the protective concern of a father.

Carefully choosing his words to avoid bruising her dignity, he said, “Jackie, there is truly no need for this. I’ve told you before—I am more than happy to provide your dowry. I am your godfather; you are a daughter to me. That hasn’t changed just because your father is gone.”

“I know, Uncle. And I am eternally grateful for your generosity.”

“I’ve already spoken with Mrs. Smith about finding suitable matches for you. If you could just be patient a little longer…”

“Who would want a bride who is nothing but a hollow title?” she asked gently. “Besides, my best years for the marriage market are long behind me, aren’t they?”

On the eve of her formal introduction to society, her father’s ship had vanished. She had spent the years that should have been filled with balls and suitors desperately chasing rumors of his survival.

Three years had slipped away in an instant. The girl who was once a rising star of the season was now the “penniless noblewoman” whom everyone ignored.

“Jackie… is this about Evan Knox?”

Walter’s voice was uncharacteristically tentative. Jacqueline let out a clear, genuine laugh.

“No, Uncle. That is ancient history. We were engaged, certainly, but I was away at boarding school so often that I barely met Mr. Knox more than a handful of times.”

“Well, that is a relief to hear.”

“I appreciate your worrying over my marriage, but I have to focus on earning a living. I can’t leave Mother at my Aunt’s house indefinitely.”

“I will see to the Countess of Somerset’s needs,” Walter insisted.

Jacqueline’s expression softened. She knew his offer was sincere.

“Thank you, but I cannot accept. My life has changed, and I must change with it.”

“Jacqueline,” Walter sighed, her name heavy with unspoken arguments. But seeing the set of her jaw, he realized he could not move her.

Accepting her stubborn streak, he shifted the conversation. “Very well. What is this job you’ve found? Surely you can tell me where you’ll be going.”

“Of course. I’ve been hired as a governess for the Preston household. Madam Capelther was kind enough to provide a recommendation.”

“The Prestons? You mean the Marquess of Preston, Windsor Preston?”

Walter’s eyes widened in shock. Jacqueline nodded, her smile fixed.

“Yes, Uncle.”

“I see.” Walter rubbed his chin, his mind racing through the latest scandals. “If you are to be their governess, you’ll be in charge of young Master Benjamin.”

“Exactly.”

“I heard the Marquess returned to the city only a few months ago.” Walter paused, his natural caution taking hold. He looked at Jacqueline with a complicated mix of pity and worry. Finally, he gave a short sigh. “Do you have any idea how many governesses that boy has had in the last two years?”

“I heard there have been several.”

“By my count, you would be the tenth, Jacqueline.”

“Actually, I’m the thirteenth.”

“Good heavens. Three more than I thought. May the Lord have mercy on those poor women.” Walter made the sign of the cross, his humor dark. “After Lord Jeffrey Preston passed away, his brother Windsor took the title and the boy. The word in the clubs is that it isn’t the child who drives the governesses away, but the Marquess himself.”

“I’ve heard the rumors,” Jacqueline replied, unfazed. She was in no position to be selective; even a difficult post was better than no post at all.

Walter stroked his beard, hesitating before he spoke again. “You are aware of who the boy’s mother was?”

“Lady Amanda Preston.”

“Yes. A tragedy—dying of fever so soon after the birth. Benjamin lost both parents. But you remember she was the King’s youngest daughter?”

“I do, Uncle.”

Walter’s worry deepened. He couldn’t fathom why she would walk into such a hornet’s nest.

“Everyone knows the Palace and the Marquess are at odds over the boy’s custody. His Majesty has never hidden his disdain for Windsor Preston, seeing him as an illegitimate interloper. I fear you’ll be caught in the crossfire.”

Jacqueline met his gaze with eyes the color of vibrant summer leaves.

“Don’t worry about me, Uncle. I am just a governess. Why would I ever be involved in the feuds of kings and marquesses?”

“…I hope you’re right,” Walter murmured. He gave her a resigned smile, realizing he could only offer support now. “If things become unbearable, come back to me. I am always in your corner.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

As she smiled, Walter spoke up once more, his voice low. “Has there been any word at all regarding the Earl…?”

At the mention of her father, a trace of bitterness touched Jacqueline’s expression. She cut him off, perhaps a bit too sharply.

“I used to cling to hope, but I’ve decided to face the truth.”

“Jackie…”

“If he were alive, he would have found his way back by now. It has been three years. We never found a body, but the reality is clear: he is gone. I spent so long refusing to believe it, but now I just want to move on with my life.”

“That is a brave choice. Sometimes, it takes more courage to let go than to hold on. Your father would understand.”

It takes courage to let go.

Jacqueline nodded silently. To move forward, she had to leave the past behind. This was her way of closing the door on her old life and stepping into the unknown.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Walter tried to lighten the mood. “And what if the Marquess falls for you? I hear he hasn’t looked twice at any lady in the capital.”

“Oh, Uncle, don’t be ridiculous.” Jacqueline waved the idea away with a laugh. “The man is famous for it. He attends the balls but never dances. He has no interest in romance—there’s a reason they call him the ‘Devil of the Black Fleet.’”

“Men like that are the most dangerous when they finally lose their hearts. Fate has a way of striking when you least expect it.”

“Not in this case. I can promise you that.”

“We shall see. How could any man resist such a beautiful woman?”

“Only you see me that way, Uncle. To everyone else, I’m just the penniless girl from a fallen house.”

“Then they are all fools and blind men,” Walter grumbled.

His genuine defense made Jacqueline burst into laughter, and Walter joined her. In that moment, they looked every bit like a devoted father and daughter.

Her first encounter with Windsor Preston left her utterly speechless.

Jacqueline could only stare, her breath catching in her throat as if she were looking at a masterpiece brought to life by a divine hand.

She had heard the stories of his looks—the tabloids often spoke of a face that possessed both the purity of an angel and the temptation of a demon.

But standing before him, she realized the rumors hadn’t done him justice.

His hair was the color of spun gold, and his gray eyes were deep and contemplative. His features were carved with a precision that made the finest marble statues look crude. He was, quite simply, the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

Jacqueline was so lost in her astonishment that she forgot to speak.

“Miss Jacqueline Somerset?”

Windsor was the first to break the silence. His voice was steady and firm, a stark contrast to his ethereal appearance. It was the voice of a man who had commanded ships and survived wars. Only then did Jacqueline snap back to reality, remembering that the man before her was a soldier.