Translator: Nox

Ch#60

Andreana returned home without making a scene. Far from showing any disappointment, she thanked Rosalyn for a week of hospitality with impeccable manners. That polite demeanor, paradoxically, made Rosalyn’s heart ache.

Even after sending her sister away, daily life remained unchanged. Rosalyn had to arrange various gatherings to ensure the relatives who had come for the family concert—her great-uncle, her cousin-in-law, and their children and spouses—had a pleasant time.

In that regard, Jared’s point had been undeniably correct. Even if her sister had stayed longer at Maxville, it would have been difficult to look after her properly.

‘Regrettably, it seems Miss Fairfield requires much preparation before she reaches adulthood.’

Still, he didn’t have to be so relentless about it.

The man’s words and the look in his eyes remained lodged in her heart like thorns, but regardless of that, Rosalyn began to actively seek solutions for her younger sister. She instructed Edith to look for a suitable governess and wrote a long letter to her father, urging him to oversee the youngest’s education.

She kept the letter sealed and unsent for now. She planned to deliver it in person when she visited Andover in two days. She didn’t want to give her father another thing to worry about right before his birthday.

Alfred Fairfield had said he would not invite Mrs. Selma to his birthday banquet this year. Rosalyn knew the reason was because he was conscious of his new family member, his son-in-law.

He likely felt uncomfortable introducing Annie Selma, a commoner, as his future second wife. The Viscount’s new wife would, after all, become the mother-in-law to the Duke of Windberg. He must have realized this would be an awkward issue for some time, but once his daughter actually became the Duchess, the Viscount’s concerns seemed to have deepened.

Thus, it was Rosalyn’s job to mediate. While she had never particularly cared for Mrs. Selma as a stepmother, she had even less desire to interfere with her father’s happiness.

It was amidst these various complications that the ducal couple was invited to Fairfield House.

With her first visit home since the wedding approaching, Rosalyn felt nothing but uneasy. Her relationship with her husband had grown strained since the incident with Andreana.

It hadn’t been exactly comfortable before, but now, her heart felt prickly every time she faced him. Unable to perfectly hide her hurt feelings, her attitude toward him had become stiff.

Perhaps, in a way, she wanted to be caught. She wanted him to ask what was wrong, to ask why she was upset.

But Jared hadn’t asked a single thing for days. She couldn’t tell if he was feigning ignorance because he didn’t want to deal with her, or if he truly didn’t know because he had no interest in his wife.

“Have the carriage prepared. I’m going into the city.”

Rosalyn decided to go out today. The thought of going to her father’s house in this state and playing the part of a loving couple felt overwhelming, so she wanted to do something—anything—to change her mood before then.

“I will accompany you, my lady.”

“No, Edith. I want to go alone.”

It was the first time since her marriage that she was leaving Maxville alone. No, to be more precise, it was the first time in her life. Even before marriage, she could only go out if accompanied by her father or brother, or with servants to escort her.

Back then, she thought it was simply to ensure a lady’s safety, but now that she knew exactly what they had been trying to protect, many thoughts crossed her mind. In a way, by losing that “protection,” Rosalyn had gained her freedom.

Thanks to that, she could now walk the streets alone with a parasol if she so desired.

“Arrest! The Underwood serial thief has been arrested! The Sunset Post is out!”

Newsboys shouted, waving evening papers. Rosalyn glanced at the headlines. It was still a long way from sunset; the evening edition was out early.

Learning something new, she tilted her parasol back slightly to check the time. The nearest large clock was approaching half past two in the afternoon. It was the clock hanging above the department store entrance, three stories high.

Rosalyn stood still and looked up at the building. Pedestrians brushed past her on the sidewalk. Located in the heart of the most bustling street in the North, the massive department store loomed like a lord’s castle.

‘Look, Rose. Over there. That’s the Duke of Windberg.’

Rosalyn remembered that day. It was March, and because it was still early spring, she had been wearing winter gloves. The image of the man she had seen from her aunt’s carriage remained vivid in her mind. A man standing in front of the department store, surrounded by people. The undeniable master of this kingdom.

Even now, as that man’s wife, she felt small standing before this gargantuan building. This was true even when she thought of her title as the Duchess of Windberg and her carriage—the one bearing the ducal crest—waiting two blocks away.

Standing before this department store, she was still just small.

She kept her parasol tilted back, gazing upward. The sky was exceptionally blue, and the sunlight was clear. Because of the hot August air, a light sweat broke out under her dress. Rosalyn narrowed her eyes, staring at the high cornices, before slowly lowering her head to look toward the entrance.

The Duke had been out when she left Maxville. Jared went out often, frequently meeting with politicians or attending business gatherings. He likely belonged to at least three or four clubs.

Therefore, she had no way of knowing exactly where he was or what he was doing, just as Jared did not know the intricacies of her daily routine.

Right now, he probably assumed she was at home. He would think she was playing the part of a noble lady, moving from room to room, the drawing-room to the tea room, as usual. At that thought, Rosalyn felt an unexpected sense of liberation and a small smile touched her lips.

Maybe I’ll buy a bottle of perfume, the impulsive thought occurred to her.

She had given her favorite rose water to her sister because her husband disliked roses, and the lilac perfume she used now was something her brother Victor had given her for her birthday. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t something she loved either—it was a lukewarm choice.

So, she would buy a new perfume.

The moment she decided, Rosalyn stepped forward. The department store entrance, lined with a red carpet, was wide open to anyone, and she could go wherever she pleased. She had plenty of money to spend as she wished, too.

“Welcome, Madam. Is there something specific you are looking for?”

“I’d like to buy some perfume. Could you show me a few that might suit me?”

“Of course, Madam.”

A young saleswoman responded with a warm smile.

Rosalyn had been to this department store several times, so she was skilled at dealing with clerks and making purchases. Paying by check was something she had done countless times even before her marriage.

In a noble household, the mistress has full authority over domestic finances. At Maxville, the head butler, the head maid, and even the private accountant submitted regular reports to Rosalyn. While the master provided the funds, it was the mistress who decided how to spend them.

Unless the situation was dire or the wife had no sense of economy, men rarely interfered in household management.

The Duke of Windberg was an especially generous man; not only did he never interfere with his wife’s spending, but he also gave her a handsome monthly allowance. The fact that an allowance would be paid every month starting from the wedding was a clause specified in the marriage contract, so Rosalyn knew the exact amount.

Including last month, two months’ worth of funds should be sitting untouched in her account. So, how much did that come to in total?

Recalling the amount, Rosalyn felt that strange sensation again. Did other men give their wives allowances like this? Even going so far as to open a separate bank account?

It was almost as if… he were paying her a salary.

“How about this one? It’s a rose-based scent, very elegant.”

“Show me something other than rose.”

“Then how about jasmine? Jasmine is quite enchanting as well.”

The clerk quickly brought out various products. Just looking at the perfumes contained in all sorts of glass bottles was a delight, lifting her spirits.

I’m glad I came out. Rosalyn decided to remember that a solo outing was an excellent remedy for a bad mood.

“The scent is lovely. Could you show me some others?”

“Certainly, Madam.”

The quick-witted clerk seemed to have realized that this customer’s account was well-funded. Given Rosalyn’s attire and manner, it wasn’t a difficult guess to make. Rosalyn decided to live up to the clerk’s expectations and began to enjoy the search for the perfect new perfume.