Chapter 30
Once all the guests had left, the estate quickly returned to its usual calm. Aside from the maids and attendants tidying up, everything was as it had been.
With one exception—Illina.
“Illina.”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
Illina, who had once roamed the mansion with a bright smile, was now unrecognizably quiet. She avoided attention, her posture low and submissive—a clear sign of intent to keep her head down.
“The issue from earlier was resolved. Duke Somerset and Marquis Clinton were understanding. They’ve agreed to accept our invitation for a private meal.”
Cecilia removed the shawl draped over her shoulders and handed it to Evie as she spoke.
“Th-that’s a relief. I was so worried…”
Illina, seated nearby, visibly relaxed and teared up with relief. Watching her, Evie’s brow twitched in annoyance. Illina hadn’t even apologized—just sighed with relief. It rubbed her the wrong way.
“However…”
“….”
“We can’t let this matter pass.”
Cecilia’s firm tone immediately quieted Evie’s irritation. She stood beside her mistress with a blank expression.
“As you know, today’s event was to celebrate His Grace’s birthday. It was our first major event since the wedding, and all eyes were on us.”
Cecilia sat on the sofa, her hands neatly folded in her lap. Though she faced Illina, she didn’t lean toward her even slightly. A minor gesture—but one that turned the room ice cold.
“This isn’t just about me. It’s about His Grace’s reputation as well.”
“Y-Your Grace…”
“I’m questioning whether it’s appropriate to keep you as my maid.”
How could she keep someone who couldn’t handle even the simplest of tasks? Cecilia’s eyes, sharp and reproachful, made Illina’s lips tremble.
“But I really did send all the invitations without a single omission. Your Grace, you counted them yourself!”
Illina pleaded, desperate and on the verge of tears. But Cecilia, worn out from the long hours at the banquet, had no patience left for flimsy excuses. She raised a hand, cutting her off.
“And the result? Did every invited house attend the banquet?”
Letting someone damage her reputation like this—Cecilia couldn’t overlook it any longer.
“Besides, I don’t know if you’re aware, but there’s an indecent rumor circulating in this mansion.”
Illina stared at her, tearful and uneasy. Her golden eyes trembled.
“There’s a vulgar rumor that you’re trying to seduce the Grand Duke—my husband.”
Cecilia’s voice was cold and emotionless as she laid out the scandal she had heard. Illina swallowed hard, startled. After all her flirtations, had she really expected no one would notice? It was laughable.
“I worry people might start saying I let my husband’s mistress manage his birthday celebration.”
Illina flinched, her shoulders shaking at the flat, cutting remark. Cecilia’s gaze traced slowly from Illina’s exposed neckline to her slender shoulders.
She had thought Cecilia was a foolish, easy woman. Yet those indifferent eyes sent a chill down her spine. That lack of emotion made it all the more terrifying.
“His Grace also said he’d like you to leave.”
For a moment, Illina looked more stunned than anything. Her face went blank, as though she couldn’t comprehend what she’d just heard. Then her expression twisted in disbelief.
“That’s impossible. The Grand Duke is a kind, gentle man. I know that.”
She protested. At her defiance, Cecilia’s brows furrowed slightly with displeasure.
“If you just don’t like me, why not say so directly?”
“…”
“Saying His Grace wants me gone—that’s a lie. It’s too cruel.”
Her unwavering faith that Eden was only kind and good—it was foolish. She didn’t even know a fraction of the man.
“Why not just admit it? You don’t like me being near him.”
Cecilia finally let out a cold, mirthless laugh.
“Illina, you are certainly beautiful.”
“….”
“But women like you—beautiful women—are everywhere. His Grace has more than enough of them at his feet.”
The fleeting smile vanished, replaced by a chilling disdain.
“If you’d even spent a night with my husband, maybe you’d have grounds for your confidence. But haven’t you? Not even once.”
Illina’s face flushed red with shame, as if she’d been stripped bare and beaten.
“It’s late. Pack your things and leave in the morning.”
Cecilia nodded toward the door. Illina shook with humiliation.
“Miss Nova seems to be having trouble walking. Evie, help her back to her room.”
Evie immediately pulled Illina to her feet with surprising strength. Though both were grown women, Evie had worked as a maid, while Illina had grown up sheltered. Their strength was not the same. Illina was dragged out like a sheet of paper fluttering in the wind.
“I can walk! Let go of me!”
Dragged into the hall, Illina struggled violently, shouting.
“You shameless hussy, chasing after another woman’s husband!”
Evie clicked her tongue, then turned away coldly. The door slammed shut behind her with a loud bang.
“Ha. That maid dares to—”
Illina let out a bitter, disbelieving laugh. But yelling at a closed door was pointless—especially since she had no allies left in the house.
She had checked the invitations multiple times. She had been meticulous—because it was about Eden. There was no way this happened naturally unless someone had deliberately tampered with it.
“…Your Grace!”
What had gone wrong? Lost in thought, she had forgotten to return to her room. At that moment, Eden—dressed comfortably—was approaching Cecilia’s chambers.
“Miss Nova.”
Eden hadn’t expected to find Illina lingering outside Cecilia’s chambers. He stopped at a respectful distance.
“It wasn’t my mistake. Truly, it wasn’t.”
Illina spoke without realizing she sounded like she was pleading. Eden gazed down at her silently.
“Let’s talk later—just the two of us, once Cecilia has calmed down tonight. For now, return to your room.”
He spoke in a low, gentle voice—so quiet that no one nearby could hear.
Illina’s eyes lit up. As she stood frozen in that moment of hope, Eden passed by her and opened the door to Cecilia’s chamber. The door didn’t close fully, and through the small gap, his voice drifted out.
“Cecilia, it’s all right.”
His tone was warm, comforting his upset wife. That voice should be mine. Illina clenched her teeth.
Eden gently touched the furrow between Cecilia’s brows as she slept. Even in slumber, her face was tense, as if weighed down by the day’s troubles.
“…I didn’t expect her to take it this hard.”
As things were now, he couldn’t bring himself to admit what he had done.
Before their trip to Laner Island, Eden had ordered his attendant to secretly remove the invitations addressed to Duke Somerset and Marquis Clinton from Illina’s room.
There were two reasons.
First, Enon had shared the results of his investigation into the Nova family. Second, Eden had grown thoroughly tired of Illina’s crude attempts to catch his attention.
“They recommended their daughter as Duke Rain’s second wife.”
“…Who?”
“Illina Nova. Young and healthy—they said she could bear strong heirs.”
That was the very matter Cecilia had mentioned previously.
“Their reputation in the territory is failing. It seems they wanted to use a marriage with Duke Rain to cover the scandal.”
They claimed it was to strengthen alliances, but it was nothing more than disgusting greed. Trying to push a girl young enough to be his daughter onto Curtis—it was absurd. Had Cecilia known, she never would’ve allowed Illina to serve her.
“The tax burden on the people has increased dramatically, and the items taxed are far more detailed than before. There’s even a joke—‘you get taxed just for breathing.’”
It was clear something was wrong.
“Look further into Count Nova—especially the tax issue.”
Eden had a gut feeling that Cecilia didn’t need to extend kindness to such people.
“Also, since Miss Nova became Her Grace’s maid, the talk of marriage to Duke Rain has ceased.”
Because from that point on, Illina had her sights set on Eden. She likely thought a young royal like him was a better target than Curtis.
Whether it was a father willing to sell his daughter as a concubine for power, or a daughter shamelessly trying to seduce him—they were both disgraceful.
“If Illina Nova or that maid of hers tries to learn anything from you, make something up and report it to me. I’ll pay you double whatever they offer.”
Illina was too low-class to be left unchecked. She had even asked Eden’s attendant about his type, and when he’d casually described his preferences, Illina’s wardrobe suddenly matched it to the letter.
Eden had been engaged to Cecilia for ten years. Even before their marriage, he had never strayed from her—not once. And now, having finally married her, would he look at another woman?
Especially not someone like Illina Nova when he had Cecilia—a woman of stunning beauty and grace.
Eden chuckled softly.
Some dreams are just too far out of reach.
Illina returned to her room long past midnight, her steps dragging under the weight of despair.
“Young Miss, where have you been? The whole house is in an uproar.”
Her maid, Sally, who had been hiding away in their room, scolded her while nervously glancing around.
“Her Grace summoned me.”
“Did she scold you?”
“She told me to leave.”
At that, Sally squeezed her eyes shut, unsurprised. Given the icy tension earlier between Cecilia and Eden, it was inevitable.
“I’ll pack your things for tomorrow.”
“Don’t.”
“What?”
Sally stared wide-eyed. Did Illina have a plan for forgiveness? Her innocent gaze asked that very question. Illina scoffed.
“His Grace said we’d speak tonight. I’m sure he has a plan. Don’t pack anything. Got it?”
Sally hesitated, but nodded. She didn’t feel good about it, but orders were orders.
“I’m tired. Help me change.”
Sally fetched a nightgown. Draped in a thin gown that barely concealed her skin, Illina’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.
