Ch#50
Rosalyn was ‘pretending to be interested’ in the old theologian. She nodded along the entire time, feigning deep attention, but the fact that she hadn’t asked a single question made it obvious.
Gerard could now see the true feelings hidden behind her polite demeanor. He could spot the cracks in her otherwise seamless social skills.
Rosalyn was bored. Her only thought was to end the gathering, send the old men away, and retire to her bedroom. At the same time, she felt burdened by having to face her husband. The reason she hadn’t looked his way once was likely because of what happened earlier that day.
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would find it unpleasant.’
On the surface, there was no sign of it, but Gerard knew she was currently dejected and offended.
‘You know this author is a woman, don’t you?’
He had been genuinely flustered then. Finding Rosalyn in his office unexpectedly had been surprising enough, but seeing what she held in her hands had momentarily numbed his mind. Of all things, why did it have to be that book?
‘The Empress sent it.’
That was why he had blurted those words out. For a brief moment, Gerard had been seized by panic, gripped by the fear that Rosalyn might realize everything—even though the actual possibility of that was extremely low.
‘I had this book too. I found it very enjoyable.’
How could Rosalyn possibly know that the person who wrote that book was his former lover?
Would it be alright if his wife found out about his past love? It would be a lie to say he didn’t care. To say he was indifferent was not the truth. It mattered to him, and it weighed on his mind. He did not want her to know the circumstances between Gerard Glenn and the novel Blooming Mansion.
His most base qualities were melted into the pages of that book. A noble man who toyed with and then abandoned a powerless commoner woman. It was a bit of a hyperbolic leap, but wasn’t it partially true? Regardless, he was the real-life model for Count Blooming. Thinking of how that book had led to a reunion with his former flame, and all the pathetic things he had done in the process, his life felt like a series of shameful acts.
‘Please stop Miss Evelyn Dale from leaving the country.’
No one needed to know what kind of deal Gerard had made with the Empress. It was the most despicable thing he had ever done in his life. The worst mistake, where he had cast aside duty, conscience, and judgment.
‘I will use every means at my disposal to help Your Majesty achieve your goal.’
That was not a past he wanted to reveal to anyone. Especially not to his wife.
“I have heard rumors that the Duchess is an excellent pianist. If you wouldn’t mind, may I request a piece?”
At Lord Nomad’s words, Gerard brushed aside his thoughts and looked up. That selfish old man. As if holding her captive for three hours wasn’t enough, now he was asking for a piano performance.
He looked at the old scholar with an expressionless face. Having taught at a university for decades, he likely found the young Duchess easy to push around. Gerard recalled the nasty hazing he had endured as a law school freshman and turned his gaze toward Rosalyn.
A woman with such a strong model-student streak would never refuse a guest’s request. Besides, it was about time for a performance in the banquet’s itinerary.
“You’ve heard an exaggerated rumor, My Lord. If you lower your expectations completely, I shall try one piece.”
As expected, Rosalyn rose from her seat with a picture-perfect smile.
Honestly, she never knew how to say no.
Gerard watched her walk to the piano in the corner of the drawing room and take a seat. He watched her profile as she placed her hands on the keys with impeccable posture and pressed them with a calm touch. He was now fairly familiar with her repertoire. Hearing the familiar opening notes allowed him to predict the melody that would follow.
Objectively speaking, Rosalyn’s playing wasn’t exceptionally brilliant. Piano was a mandatory refinement for noblewomen, and among them, there were occasionally those born with the talent of professional performers. Rosalyn’s skill was enough to garner attention and applause in a setting like this, but not quite enough to elicit gasps of awe.
Her repertoire consisted mostly of lyrical short pieces. Even naturally upbeat songs became somewhat subdued when Rosalyn played them, which perhaps was why his body unconsciously relaxed as he listened.
Gerard leaned further back against his chair and appreciated the music with his eyelids half-closed. For a moment, he even forgot the presence of the others listening with him. Perhaps it was because everyone fell silent and listened intently while she played.
Silencing a group of talkative people was a formidable skill. He wondered if she played these meditative pieces on purpose, as if to say, ‘That’s enough, let’s go to sleep.’ At that thought, Gerard couldn’t help but let out a faint smile.
“Bravo!”
As soon as the performance ended, a thunderous round of applause and loud praise erupted from one guest. It was Count Basset, a man who was always more enthusiastic than necessary.
At the Count’s prompting, the guests began to call for an encore one by one. The Duchess, sitting at the piano like a featured performer, gave a troubled smile, and Gerard, who had been watching her, glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. Eleven o’clock. This was more than enough to fulfill their duties as hosts.
“Let us be satisfied with one piece for today.”
When he spoke, everyone’s attention shifted to him. Gerard had been quieter than usual tonight.
“It is late, so it would be best to end the gathering here. I believe the ladies must be tired.”
“Exactly which lady are you worried about, Duke of Windberg?”
The guests smiled at Count Basset’s banter. Instead of answering, Gerard looked at Rosalyn sitting at the piano. Everyone else was on this side of the drawing room, and since they were all focused on the Duke’s reaction, they weren’t looking at the Duchess.
Thus, only Gerard could see it. The expression on Rosalyn’s face as she watched the scene unfold.
“Oh dear, I have committed a discourtesy. They say one should get better at reading the room as they age, but I seem to be going backward.”
“It wasn’t a discourtesy, so please don’t mind it, Lord Nomad. Staying in a social setting until late at your age is actually something to be admired.”
“Thank you for saying so. By the way, it seems the rumors that Your Grace loves your wife dearly are true.”
“Some rumors are worth listening to.”
Gerard smiled at the old scholar. Right now, he was once again an actor on a stage, showing his best self under everyone’s gaze. As if there were no problems in his life. As if the Duke of Windberg were finally perfect.
“I understand you both, of course. You are newlyweds. When I had been married for a month, I was so head over heels for my wife that I couldn’t think straight.”
“We aren’t there yet, Count. It will be a month next week.”
“My goodness! To be counting the days like that… how romantic!”
Count Basset teased him with an exaggerated expression. Gerard knew the current atmosphere was in his favor. If he used this momentum to usher the guests to their rooms, he could end the banquet on a pleasant note. Flaunting a perfect marital relationship was a bonus.
“Rosalyn, come here. I believe it’s time to see our guests off.”
When he stood up first, the woman at the piano rose, and the seated guests followed suit one by one with joyful expressions. All eyes were focused on the dearly loved Duchess. Even her gait was graceful; it seemed only natural that she would receive her husband’s love.
But Gerard knew. He knew that the woman with the faint smile was not actually happy at all.
She was likely offended. This blatant performance would slowly start to feel miserable to her. Once she realized she could never escape this act until the day she died, she would resent him for a while, and eventually, she would accept the limitations of reality and just live. Like the countless couples who had lived that way and were still living that way.
‘I think we need to get to know each other.’
She might feel that way now. She might be unable to distinguish curiosity from affection. But before long, she would realize the truth. This marriage had a very clear beginning and end, and there was absolutely no reason to waste emotions on it.
‘Fine. Let’s say I hold the novelist for you. What do you intend to do after that?’
In the end, Gerard had gained nothing from his deal with the Empress. Only self-loathing and debt remained. So how futile it was—to be swayed by emotions.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation. Everyone, please go and rest. Lord Nomad, I hope you have a comfortable journey back to Isen tomorrow.”
After bidding the guests farewell with masterly etiquette, Gerard left the drawing room first with his wife. As he escorted her, he placed his hand lightly on her waist.
Why had he gone that far? He thought about it briefly while returning to the bedroom, but no answer came to him other than self-mockery.
