Chapter 40
“The Grand Duchess must truly believe in destined love.”
The Empress spoke in an envious tone, as though she found it delightful.
“Well, that’s only natural. How wonderful must it be to enjoy the bliss of newlywed life? It was a love strong enough not to call off the marriage, even when the Grand Duchess was gravely ill and on the verge of death.”
She naturally praised the harmonious bond between the newlyweds.
“His Highness is a man of unwavering loyalty.”
However, Cecilia remarked that their union had been born not of love, but of duty.
“The Grand Duchess seems rather shy.”
“…….”
“How could waiting for a woman he doesn’t love to miraculously recover not be considered love?”
At the Empress’s words, soft laughter echoed around them. The others clearly agreed.
“Indeed. As His Grace’s former nursemaid, I can say that with certainty.”
Countess Casper hastily joined in. Knowing Eden’s cool and composed nature, she implied that he would never have made such a decision unless he had feelings for Cecilia.
It was an uncomfortable topic. Even in her past life, Eden had waited for her to recover—but not out of love. Though she now understood that, recalling her misplaced hopes from back then was far from pleasant.
“Is that so.”
Cecilia hadn’t thought the Empress to be someone who took an interest in such emotional notions as love. Wishing to end the discomforting conversation, she quietly lifted her teacup.
Yet before the cup reached her lips, something she had forgotten suddenly came to mind. Setting the cup down without a sip, Cecilia instinctively inhaled the scent lingering in the air. It was unfamiliar.
“……Come to think of it, Your Majesty, have you changed your perfume?”
At Cecilia’s question, the Empress nodded.
“You must have a sharp sense of smell. I changed it about half a year ago. Damon, who barely visits, kept complaining that the rose scent gave him headaches.”
The Empress muttered how boys cease to be adorable or amusing once they grow older. Cecilia let the comment pass.
Perfume was a matter of personal taste, so it wasn’t strange that she had changed it. Besides, she had switched scents half a year ago. There was no way she could have been the one to send Curtis Rain the recent letter. The suspicion had been unfounded.
“The new fragrance suits you well, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for saying that, Grand Duchess.”
The Empress’s expression remained completely serene, without a trace of discomfort.
“You resemble your father.”
Just as Cecilia was about to avert her gaze, having set aside her doubt, the Empress’s sudden remark brought her to a halt.
“……You know my father?”
At her question, the Empress gave a soft exclamation.
“Of course I do.”
“But how……”
Cecilia’s confusion deepened, and the Empress blinked, almost taken aback.
“Who in Wyatt doesn’t know Curtis Rain?”
The Empress was right. It was only natural. As the Empress, she was familiar with the many nobles who came and went through the palace. It would have been stranger had she never exchanged a word with Curtis.
“That was a foolish question of me.”
Upon reflection, her own ignorance struck her as more than laughable—it was almost embarrassing. The noblewomen nearby chuckled, commenting that love talk must have flustered Cecilia.
With a sheepish smile, Cecilia lowered her head. The Empress chuckled, finding her reaction endearing.
Tea time didn’t end until nearly evening. Topics ranged from Count Nova’s household, Illina, the Jackinson Viscounty, Duke Rain’s family, to art collections and intermarriages among noble houses.
Previously, such conversations would have passed without her remembering a single detail. Though it might serve her in the future, for now, it was simply exhausting.
“Did you have a pleasant time?”
As Cecilia stepped into the carriage, Lady Monte, who was adjusting her seat, asked naturally.
“It’s much more pleasant and comfortable talking with you and Evie.”
Lady Monte grinned. Though she knew Cecilia only said it to be kind, hearing it still made her happy.
“Did Evie go to Morak’s Pawnshop?”
“Of course. It was an important errand. She left early this morning.”
Lady Monte nodded as she spoke.
“Honestly, I could have gone myself, but that stubborn girl insisted on doing it.”
She muttered with a hint of suspicion in her voice. While Cecilia had witnessed the subtle exchange between Evie and Diego, Evie had likely never let it show before Lady Monte. Perhaps mothers were naturally perceptive in such matters.
“I suppose she wanted to go out. It’s not like she has the same freedom here as she did at Duke Rain’s townhouse.”
At Cecilia’s composed response, Lady Monte nodded reluctantly. Cecilia considered mentioning that Evie might have a lover—but she decided against it.
If Lady Monte disliked Diego, it could make it harder for Evie to see him. And in that case, the inconvenience would fall on Cecilia.
‘Abby, deliver this letter to the owner of Morak’s Pawnshop.’
‘Yes!’
Right now, Evie was on her way to see the man she had feelings for, carrying the letter without an ounce of curiosity. But Lady Monte would have undoubtedly wondered about its contents.
“……”
The contents of the letter were not something she could show to anyone. She could never reveal it to Eden, whom she trusted the least. And she couldn’t show it to Lady Monte or Abby, whom she trusted the most, for fear of being misunderstood.
It’s best to approach Countess Casper only after I’ve contacted her myself. Whispering to her from all sides at once would raise suspicion.
Also, find Alice’s father, who lives in a village on the eastern side of Laner Island. If you mention Alice, the maid working at Grand Duke Burnett’s townhouse, someone will come forward.
Incite conflict between him and the Venian navy. If he ends up being detained by Venia for defiance, that will suffice. I’ll handle the rest myself.
Telling someone to approach Countess Casper with secrets or to stir up trouble on the island was blatantly suspicious.
……And if possible, find out whether my father is seeing any woman.
That last part weighed heavily on her. After today’s conversation with the Empress, she knew it had been nothing but a foolish suspicion. Still, it wasn’t as if she could retract the letter now.
“Why the sigh?”
“It’s nothing.”
Cecilia shook her head with an awkward smile, then leaned back against the carriage seat, quietly gazing at the sunset through the window.
“I suppose. You’ve had a lot on your plate lately.”
Lady Monte patted her gently, as if she understood everything.
“It must bother you that you couldn’t get rid of that wretched girl once and for all.”
“Not that much.”
“Don’t lie to me. You even asked for wine out of nowhere last night. You might fool others, but you can’t fool this old nursemaid.”
Of course, she didn’t forget to scold Illina, either. Despite her weariness, Cecilia let out a faint laugh.
“You’re right. It’s impossible to fool you, Lady Monte.”
“Told you so.”
“Still, she has no home left now. Having only a title might be more miserable than anything.”
Cecilia understood the despair of losing what one loved most. So she could deeply empathize with the hopelessness and misery Illina must now be feeling.
“That’s true.”
Lady Monte praised Cecilia’s kindness but looked sorrowful at the same time.
In truth, the closest person often knows the least. Lady Monte, more than anyone, didn’t truly know Cecilia. That only meant Cecilia was playing her role flawlessly—pretending to be the graceful, kind-hearted, pitiable Grand Duchess.
“Your head… it really is better now?”
Cecilia nodded quietly. It was an answer to Lady Monte, and a reassurance to herself. Yes, she was handling everything well—she was certain of it.
“Get lost, now!”
The Venian navy’s sharp tone sliced through the air.
“When did you sneak out and lay your net here?”
“Please… just this once.”
Alice’s father, Gideon, pleaded desperately. Regretful, he couldn’t bring himself to let go of the net in his hands.
“Isn’t the Wyatt royal family developing the island anyway?”
“What does that have to do with me?”
The sailor shook his head firmly. Gideon insisted it had nothing to do with him, but it was useless.
“You’ve got a way to make a living now, so why do you keep loitering in our waters? The royal family ordered us to take strict action, so we can’t let you off.”
“Fine. Stingy bastards…”
Grumbling, Gideon reluctantly let go of the net. Seeing this, the sailor—who had been glaring with sharp eyes—relaxed slightly.
“Go! And tell your friends: if they cross the line again, we won’t hesitate to shoot.”
Muttering under his breath, Diego pulled the ship away. Soon, they had distanced themselves from the fishing boat.
Good actor.
Though Cecilia had given him specific instructions, Diego had come to Laner Island purely out of curiosity. Now, standing on Gideon’s fishing boat, he mused casually.
“Tonight, bring your friends and return to this area.”
At Diego’s words, Gideon nodded without resistance. At first, Diego had doubted whether Gideon would obey Cecilia’s orders, but that had been unnecessary.
He hadn’t cared to know before, but the residents of Laner Island were treated as complete outsiders by Venia. The navy had even threatened to use force. With their very livelihood at stake, they had no choice but to submit to Cecilia, who had offered them a way out.
“Freeze! Hands in the air!”
She really knows how to read people—and situations.
Late that night, as Diego raised his hands in surrender before the Venian navy, that was the only thought in his mind.
