Chapter 28
“I don’t think it will look very good if my fiancée is overly formal with me. Engaged couples usually call each other by their first names.”
“That may be true… but I’m still a little awkward with it.”
“You seem to have no trouble calling the Dowager Duchess ‘Mother.’”
He countered ruthlessly, the corners of his mouth curling into a wry smirk. That cold smile immediately prompted her to defend herself.
“It is a bit uncomfortable for me to address someone I am not close with so familiarly.”
“Is my mother someone you are close with, then?”
“To be honest, I feel a greater sense of intimacy with Dowager Duchess Diane than I do with you, Your Grace.”
“It seems you will be a devoted daughter-in-law. That is a relief.”
He chuckled a little more. It was still within the realm of a smile, but it was the clearest one Rosalyn had ever seen, and that relaxed expression encouraged her. It gave her the courage to speak the words she had been holding in her heart.
“On that note, Your Grace. Please make some time for me.”
It was the thought that had occupied her mind most during the journey from Andover to Windberg. It was also the thing she had wanted to say most upon meeting him.
“I believe we need to get to know each other.”
I don’t know what kind of person you are. And you likely don’t know much about me either. If we are to vow to live as husband and wife for the rest of our lives—if we are to swear that oath with all our hearts—we must know each other better.
“I would like us to spend an hour together every day until the wedding. Just the two of us, without anyone else.”
The Duke said nothing. He seemed intrigued by his fiancée’s sudden request, or perhaps he was simply listening to see if she had more to say. Rosalyn willingly continued.
“Including today, we have met four times. There is a week left until the wedding, so even if we meet every day, that is only six more times. I believe ten meetings is the bare minimum required to build some level of intimacy before marriage.”
“Intimacy. Is that important?”
“Do you think it isn’t?”
Rosalyn countered defensively before she could stop herself. It happened naturally because she expected him to refuse flatly. Sure enough, the Duke did not hesitate to voice his disagreement.
“Well. First, I find it difficult to agree with the premise that intimacy will develop simply by meeting ten times. I’m not even sure such a thing is necessary at this stage. We are formally engaged, and we have confirmed each other’s intentions.”
Each other’s intentions. What intentions are you referring to?
Rosalyn wanted to ask, but he continued speaking.
“And I assure you, intimacy will develop naturally once we are married. We will see each other’s faces every day and share the same bedroom. If that is what you mean by intimacy, that is.”
“…….”
“Therefore, my conclusion is that there is no need to make an effort beforehand to build an intimacy that will develop anyway.”
The former lawyer concluded his argument in a fluid, polished tone. Facing him, Rosalyn struggled not to let her embarrassment and disappointment show. It was unladylike to reveal one’s emotions so carelessly—especially negative ones.
Furthermore, Rosalyn had to accept her new position. At Fairfield House, her opinions were always respected and carried a certain authority. Her father was always persuaded by her, and her siblings were much the same.
But this was Maxville, and her opponent was a Duke. The Duke of Windberg was not a man to be persuaded, but a man who persuaded others—a man accustomed to making decisions according to his own will. What was more frustrating was the fact that she could hardly find a way to refute his logic.
“Let’s do this.”
It was then that the Duke spoke again, just as Rosalyn was desperately searching for a counterargument.
“We need to practice dancing before the wedding, so let’s use that time. An accompanist will come for thirty minutes every day starting tomorrow. It won’t be time spent strictly alone, but I hope you will consider it an acceptable alternative.”
At those words, she felt a wave of relief.
Dance practice. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Since the two of them had to dance at the banquet following the wedding, they needed to practice in advance. As they would be attending countless events as a couple in the future, it was best to show they were well-coordinated on the dance floor. It was an incredibly practical compromise.
Rosalyn quickly added a condition.
“Please set the practice for two-thirty in the afternoon.”
“I will see to it.”
“And could we have tea together afterward?”
“As long as there are no other important guests.”
The Duke left himself a loophole at the end, but Rosalyn was satisfied. For thirty minutes a day, she would be able to converse with him while they danced. Adding a few tea times to that made it a sufficient alternative to her original request.
“That is an excellent compromise.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
The Duke gave a slight nod, confirming that the negotiation was settled.
“Shall we head out then? Let’s tour the upper floors before it gets completely dark.”
“Yes.”
Having gained her agreement, he turned toward the entrance first. Before following him, Rosalyn looked out once more toward the western forest in the distance.
In the meantime, the afterglow had faded further, and the dark sky had deepened into a rich purple. Above the black coniferous forest, the scattered sunset glowed a deep red. After casting a final glance at the sight, Rosalyn followed behind her fiancé.
The dinner was more harmonious than usual. Wine was poured incessantly into every glass, and the guests chatted more animatedly than normal. Since everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, it wasn’t a bad occasion for Jered either.
Most of the attendees tonight were his maternal relatives who had arrived early at the mansion for the wedding. Dozens of such guests were already staying at Maxville.
“Four siblings—how wonderful. Thanks to them, you now have three younger siblings, Your Grace.”
“Quite right, Count. It really is lovely, Jered. Have you met your brothers-in-law and sister-in-law yet?”
“Of course, Aunt. Both are upright and polite young men, and your sister-in-law is a very charming young lady.”
“You must take good care of them from now on.”
“My fiancée has already been doing a wonderful job of that, but if they need my help, I shall gladly provide it.”
Reciting lines befitting his role as a fiancé, he looked at the woman.
Rosalyn was sitting in the guest of honor’s seat directly across from him. The sixteen-person dining table was quite long, so the distance was significant, yet Jered could still see the brilliant sparkle on her left hand as she handled her cutlery.
He imagined the scene of the woman putting that ring on herself. That was likely how it happened. Surely the lawyer hadn’t put it on for her.
‘Why me?’
Had that ring been a satisfactory answer? What had she been thinking as she slid the engagement ring onto her own finger? Had it served as a catalyst for her to brace herself for the future of this marriage?
‘I suppose you’re asking me to give a more plausible proposal.’
She should have been prepared enough to know she shouldn’t hope for such things.
‘If you don’t mind, could I ask you to show me around the mansion, Your Grace?’
Jered intended to accommodate the woman’s wishes to a reasonable degree. She was his fiancée, after all, and the person he would marry next week. The woman who would bear his children and manage his household. The only woman who could officially stand by his side. There was nothing to be gained for him in diminishing his own prestige by treating such a woman coldly.
‘That is an excellent compromise.’
So, he could manage that much. As long as she didn’t cross the line he had drawn.
‘Call me by my name.’
He wanted to appear as a normal couple as much as possible. It would be even better if they looked like a perfect couple.
That was why Jered was making an effort. He had given his fiancée a tour of the mansion and escorted her to her room. He had gone inside with her to introduce the interior and had given careful instructions to the servants in charge to attend to her every need.
However, even in that moment, he couldn’t help but remember.
‘To put it simply, this is a prenuptial agreement.’
It had been that same room that day. The only difference was that back then, he had instructed the butler to give her the room, whereas this time there had been no need for him to intervene directly. Because the woman using that room now was his officially recognized fiancée. Back then, she had been a fiancée who had to fight for recognition.
‘Is this your decision?’
Memories do not die. Therefore, it is useless to try not to remember. If he could have done that, he wouldn’t have wasted so much time wandering in a daze. If it were something that could be simply cut away and washed clean, he wouldn’t have foolishly held on and faltered.
‘Of course, it was my idea.’
Even now, when everything has passed, he cannot help the memories that suddenly resurface like this.
Amidst a rare feeling of helplessness, Jered stared into his wine glass. He let his gaze drift for a moment, pretending to study the color of the dark red wine.
It wasn’t that his heart ached. He had already passed the stage of feeling pain.
‘Evelyn.’
Nevertheless, this sensation that still remained was something beyond the control of his will.
‘Don’t ever show your face to me again.’
The guests at the dinner table erupted in laughter. Amidst the boisterous sound, Jered picked up his wine glass. He slowly tilted the glass and drank what was inside.
Until the end. Without leaving a drop. Until it ran dry.
