Chapter 71 : The Garden of Secrets and Shadows
Chapter 71
I slowly lifted my head and met his eyes.
The gaze that once shimmered like a still, deep lake now appeared dimmed, weighed down by fatigue. Only then did I notice—his face was drawn, his expression weary.
He must be exhausted… freshly returned from a long day of work.
Before he could speak, I asked quietly, almost tentatively,
“…Did everything go well at work?”
But Johannes didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gave me a look—half amused, half resigned.
“I should be the one asking questions,” he murmured.
Without thinking, I tightened my hold on his hand, and he let out a small laugh.
“I ran here the moment I finished my duties—to cheer up my wife—and this is the reception I receive?”
“What reception do you mean?” I asked, frowning faintly.
“The kind that feels oddly cold.”
“………”
“You’re not even surprised?”
Was that… what he had meant to ask?
A soft breeze of silence passed between us, and strangely, though the question seemed trivial, something within me loosened. The lingering bitterness I’d harbored began to melt away.
Unable to suppress my smile, I replied gently,
“But Duke, if you must ask… it is a little late, isn’t it?”
He chuckled under his breath.
“Still, considering I arrived just in time to prevent a disaster… I hope you’ll forgive my poor timing.”
“…Fine. It’s true—I was startled. But I did find a moment’s peace, thanks to the timely arrival of my husband. So… thank you.”
Johannes responded with a soft, amused hum.
“A rare expression of gratitude. I shall savor it.”
Though his voice still carried its usual sternness, a warmth flickered beneath the surface.
Then, tightening his grasp on my hand, he said something unexpected—almost mischievous.
“Come out to the garden. Later.”
“…The garden? Now?”
I blinked in surprise. His request felt sudden, out of place.
But he didn’t seem to notice my confusion. Or if he did, he chose to ignore it.
“The more people around, the better,” he added.
“…More people?” I echoed.
“That’s for you to arrange.”
And then, with a quiet, knowing smile, he stepped away—leaving me baffled.
What on earth was he planning?
Meanwhile, Laura Hatzfeld was positively glowing with smug confidence.
In her mind, it was a certainty: Duke Johannes Schultz had fallen for her.
After all, he hadn’t reprimanded her for what had happened to the duchess’s gown. In fact, he had smiled—conversed with her, even appeared amused.
To Laura, that could only mean one thing: affection.
How else could a man behave so warmly to a woman unless he was drawn to her?
Men, she thought, were easily swayed by curiosity and mystery. And she—Laura—was unlike any woman he had ever met.
“I’m sure he’ll ask me for the next dance,” she whispered confidently.
The women around her giggled and nodded, feeding her fantasy with exaggerated praise.
“Did you see the way he looked at you?”
“He didn’t pay any attention to his wife!”
“And the way he tied her dress—so gently, so sweetly…”
“Oh, please. That was just to avoid scandal. If the duchess had been embarrassed, the family name would’ve suffered.”
They spun stories around their shared delusion, each comment fortifying Laura’s belief.
But then—Baroness Vermont, quiet and often ignored, finally spoke.
“I… I never thought the Marquis would actually follow through with our jest. If the Duke hadn’t arrived when he did…” she trailed off, visibly uneasy.
Her voice was low, hesitant. Unlike the others, she seemed genuinely shaken.
Laura’s eyes narrowed.
“Baroness Vermont, do you object to my… connection with the Duke?”
“O-of course not,” one of the others interjected quickly, before Vermont could answer. “The Baroness was simply worried for your well-being.”
In truth, none of them dared offend Laura. Even with her reputation, she was still the daughter of one of the most influential families.
The Baroness looked down, lips pursed, her guilt plain.
Still, Laura, revived by the comfort of her circle, smiled grandly.
“It’s obvious the Duke was intrigued. We all saw it.”
“Certainly. He’ll come back for another dance soon enough.”
And just as they predicted, Johannes returned.
He approached Laura with the same calm, courteous demeanor he wore like a second skin. With a few polite words, he invited her to speak with him in private.
The wives exchanged knowing glances as the two slipped away.
“Who knew Duke Schultz could be so charming?”
“Perhaps war changed him. He used to be so… cold.”
But Baroness Vermont wasn’t convinced.
No—she remembered Johannes’ eyes, the way he had looked directly at Laura when the dress had been sabotaged.
He knew.
And yet, he had said nothing.
‘How could he? Unless…’
Something didn’t sit right.
“Baroness,” someone snapped, “don’t ruin the mood.”
Yet her heart was heavy with unease.
Back in the ballroom, I stood among the crowd, Johannes’ strange words still echoing in my mind.
“Bring people to the garden.”
Why? When?
I didn’t even know where the garden entrance was.
What was he planning?
Lost in thought, I scanned the room—then saw Edward Windsor, standing not far off. He was greeting nobles with the same bored, languid expression he always wore.
I approached him, dipping my head slightly.
“Infinite glory. I hope Your Highness has been well.”
His expression shifted.
Surprise flickered across his face, and his posture subtly straightened.
“What’s this? The Duchess greeting me first? Shouldn’t I be the one paying my respects?”
His voice was filled with teasing disbelief.
I studied him—no longer the man I’d once been too wary to even face. Now, there was curiosity in my heart. Questions. Especially… about Johannes.
“I merely hadn’t had the chance to greet you earlier,” I said evenly.
He pouted theatrically.
“How dull.”
“I wasn’t aware I had an obligation to entertain you.”
His laugh was sharp and amused. “Touché.”
Then, lowering his voice, he leaned closer.
“I saw your dance with Johannes. It looked rather strained. Trouble in paradise?”
“Not at all.”
He tilted his head, unconvinced. “You’re such a skilled liar. Is that why he married you?”
“…Perhaps,” I said coolly. “Sometimes lying is a useful skill. I’ll accept that as a compliment.”
He grinned, clearly delighted. His hand reached up—lightly brushing a strand of hair from my shoulder.
I recoiled.
“It’s dusty,” he said, far too innocently.
Eyes around the room began to drift toward us.
“The Prince certainly enjoys stirring misunderstandings.”
“Indeed. I do enjoy that the Duchess understands me so well.”
“I’ll take that as another compliment,” I replied, tone flat.
Edward sighed dramatically.
“I’ve already heard the rumors. About the Duke and Duchess Schultz… What a scandalous entrance.”
Then, as if tasting something bitter, he muttered,
“And I’m the one who’s hosting this ball.”
