Chapter 27
Even though their eyes met, she couldn’t tell what lay within his gaze. Had he smiled awkwardly or hesitated to answer, she might have ventured a guess, but Rosalyn was given no such chance. The Dowager Duchess interjected immediately.
“That’s a wonderful idea. Jered, I think it would be a gracious gesture for you to show your fiancée around the house yourself today. After all, it’s impossible to see this entire mansion in one go.”
Having intercepted the response, Diane Glenn looked back at her son. It would not be easy for him to find an excuse to reject both his fiancée’s request and his mother’s suggestion at once.
“Of course, Mother.”
As expected, the Duke readily agreed and turned toward his fiancée.
“Let’s start with the west wing. It’s nearly sunset, so we should be able to catch a decent view. The sky is clear, so the glow will likely be magnificent.”
“I hope you two have a lovely time. Tell me at dinner what a kind guide your fiancé was.”
With a pleased expression, the Dowager Duchess turned away first. Her attendants followed as she headed into the manor. The remaining servants were unloading luggage from the two automobiles. After glancing over at them, the Duke turned back to Rosalyn.
“Shall we head inside?”
He yielded the way with gentlemanly courtesy. Rosalyn responded with a smile and stepped through the wide-open doors into the Great Hall. The soaring ceilings and low-hanging chandeliers greeted her. This being her third visit, the mansion felt somewhat familiar.
“This way.”
The Duke led her toward the left side of the Great Hall. As they entered the western corridor, portraits began to appear. It was a long gallery where ancient faces hung along the right wall. Beneath the ornate frames, the names and dates of the subjects were inscribed.
“This is the Portrait Gallery. It is where the portraits of successive family heads and great figures are kept.”
The Duke spoke in a composed tone as he walked. From the portrait of his father, Duke Philip, to the portraits of kings painted on wooden panels hundreds of years ago—Rosalyn had walked this gallery before, feeling as though she were traveling back through time.
“It’s a magnificent place. I visited once during the last ball.”
“I imagine so. The Great Hall is at the end of this gallery. Since guests must pass through this corridor to reach it, it’s the perfect location to flaunt the family’s history.”
He laughed, his voice tinged with cynicism. Rosalyn wore an awkward expression, unsure if she should laugh along, but he wasn’t looking her way. Perhaps that was for the best.
During her hesitation, the conversation lapsed for a moment before Rosalyn picked it up again.
“This is Lord Irving.”
When she stopped in front of a painting, the Duke stopped as well. Praising a famous ancestor was usually a welcome topic for nobles.
“Do you like him?”
“He was the first Duke of Windberg, wasn’t he? I’m also very fond of his statue in Irving Square. He looks so gentle and benevolent.”
“I see. However, since you are to become a member of our family, it’s best you know the truth. Within this house, Lord Irving is not a particularly respected ancestor.”
“Why not?”
“Because he submitted to the Imperial Family without even putting up a fight.”
The Duke answered without hesitation. Facing him, Rosalyn fell silent.
The Trissen Empire was originally a southern kingdom that had expanded its power northward about three hundred years ago to give birth to the empire.
The Glenn family, once royalty themselves, were the great lords who ruled the entire North at the time. Irving Glenn was the man who surrendered to the unstoppable Emperor and accepted the title of Duke. Having abandoned war to avoid civilian casualties, he remained a highly respected figure among the common people, and a square in Windberg had even been built in his honor.
“Our family does not care for the Imperial Family. Among the successive Dukes of Windberg, there have been only three moderates, including that man and his son. All the others were hardliners.”
“Which side do you fall on, Your Grace?”
“I wonder.”
He did not give her an answer. Nor did he joke for her to guess.
“You’ll find out in due time.”
After offering a cryptic smile, he resumed his pace.
Rosalyn followed him in silence. The portraits on the right wall continued. The Duke never once glanced at the men wearing crowns or armor.
He walked slowly toward the front, remaining silent, only occasionally opening doors on the left side of the corridor to show her the rooms. The drawing rooms, tea rooms, and music rooms were each uniquely and beautifully decorated.
What were the rooms he didn’t open like? What lay in the east wing and on the upper floors? Rosalyn felt a slight flutter of excitement at the thought of getting to know this vast, historic estate.
“The family’s private rooms are on the second floor, and guest rooms are on the third. There is one Master Suite for guests on the second floor, reserved only for the most important visitors. You will stay there until the wedding.”
The most important guest. As that phrase stirred Rosalyn’s heart, the two of them reached the entrance to the Great Hall.
The Duke opened one side of the large arched doors and let the lady enter first. The banquet hall was empty. The dais where the orchestra once stood was vacant, leaving only the paintings on the walls and a few statues in place. With all the tables and chairs cleared away, the space looked much larger than she remembered.
Rosalyn walked slowly into the vast, empty space.
The thin light of dusk stretched long through the windows. Thanks to the glass windows and doors facing west, the outdoor scenery was clearly visible. The colors of the paintings on the opposite wall were also vivid. Everything about it was completely different from the night of the ball.
A place without music, people, or laughter.
Feeling strangely moved, Rosalyn turned her head to the west. The golden afterglow was fading rapidly as twilight settled in. In the distance, a crimson sunset spread over the tips of the conifers.
“It’s a beautiful view.”
“It’s a sight worth seeing.”
The Duke, who had followed her in, stood by her side. Rosalyn could smell the deep scent of his cologne.
“This Great Hall is the largest banquet hall in the manor. The reception after the wedding will be held here as well. The ceremony will take place at the sanctuary on the grounds, so let’s take a look there soon. It’s practically a historical site, so it’s only used for weddings and funerals.”
He was diligent in his role as a guide. He spoke of ‘weddings’ and ‘funerals’ with the exact same tone. Listening to that low voice, Rosalyn carefully gauged whether now was the right time to bring up the subject.
‘His Grace intended to visit today to discuss the engagement, but unfortunately, urgent official business arose, so he could not come in person.’
The ideal situation would have been for the Duke to explain himself first. However, he seemed to have no intention of doing so. The more time passed, the harder it would be for her to bring it up.
Rosalyn could not just let it slide—the fact that her fiancé had sent a proxy to propose. She couldn’t let it be brushed aside as if it were nothing, without even a mention. So, she summoned her courage.
“That day… did you manage to resolve your urgent official business?”
She spoke while looking at the sunset over the coniferous forest, acutely conscious of the ring on her left hand.
The Duke did not answer immediately at the somewhat sudden question. However, he seemed to have understood the hidden intention behind it at once, as he didn’t hesitate long.
“It wasn’t bad. Thanks to my fiancée wishing for a smooth resolution.”
He responded naturally after a brief pause. There was a definite trace of amusement in his tone, which allowed Rosalyn to turn her head and meet his eyes.
“I forgot to give my regards. Thank you for being so understanding and generous.”
“Regardless of my understanding of your situation, Your Grace, I hope you realize that I and my family had to deal with some hurt feelings.”
“I suppose so. I am grateful for that.”
He nodded as if it were only natural and offered his thanks. However, he did not say he was sorry.
“May I ask what happened?”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”
“…….”
“I’ll let you know later. It’s not at a stage where it can be made public yet.”
“It must have been something very important.”
He ultimately did not answer. He simply remained silent, looking only at her face. Rosalyn, enduring that cool gaze, soon lowered her eyes.
It must be a sensitive and important matter. He likely has many such official duties. So, it’s not something to be upset about.
As she was quietly soothing herself that way,
“Call me by my name.”
He said.
Rosalyn looked up at him again. His green eyes were looking at her casually. His pupils took on a deeper hue in the dim twilight air, and perhaps because of that, they seemed momentarily soft. Rosalyn looked into those eyes and breathed his name to herself.
Jered.
The tip of her tongue felt a tickle, much like the finger wearing her engagement ring.
