Chapter 84
Seeing Alice’s unease, Madame hastily continued.
“Ah, of course, this was about three years ago… and in the end, the engagement never came to fruition.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Alice tried to maintain a nonchalant expression, but it wasn’t easy.
“Moreover, according to rumors at the time, many said that Duke Dearrut had no feelings whatsoever, and it was Lady Chestain’s one-sided love, with the Chestain Duchy pushing for the engagement.”
Chestain Duchy…
She had thought their rank might be high, and her guess was correct.
Alice let out an uncomfortable sigh at the strangely fitting picture.
It made sense, didn’t it?
Dearrut was a duchy. Chestain was a duchy.
Come to think of it, Lady Chestain, despite her poor character, was quite beautiful.
She might be more suitable as a duchess than Alice, who came from the rural Fordley Barony.
Somehow, it doesn’t feel good.
Alice wasn’t really the duchess anyway, and she was meant to leave, so there was no need to compare herself with Lady Chestain.
But why does she keep comparing herself?
Alice stopped her train of thought.
“Haha. Those rumors from back then must have been true, Duchess. If there had been something between the Duke and Lady Chestain, the Duke wouldn’t have rejected the engagement.”
Noticing Alice’s sour mood reflected in her expression, Madame spoke with an awkward smile.
“…So the Duke was the one who rejected the engagement?”
“Yes. I heard he rejected it outright, very firmly.”
Madame nodded.
To think Kylus rejected it outright.
Alice’s lips twitched upwards without her realizing.
Ah, why am I feeling pleased about this?
Just as Alice was trying to control her rising cheekbones, a sound came from outside the curtain.
“I wonder who’s arrived? Duchess, just a moment please.”
Madame half-opened the curtain.
“Oh my, Duke Dearrut has arrived.”
At Madame’s words, Alice raised her gaze. She was about to call out to Kylus.
If only she hadn’t seen the person with him.
“…”
Lady Chestain was standing in front of Kylus.
The two were engaged in conversation, looking at each other.
The distance was too great to hear their conversation or see their lip movements, but one thing was clear.
The wistful look in Lady Chestain’s eyes as she gazed at Kylus.
It was a look full of lingering attachment, as if looking at a lover she had to part with against her will.
Was it really true… that there was nothing between them?
Such doubts crept into Alice’s mind.
Alice didn’t know about Kylus’s past.
She had only read a few lines about him overcoming a difficult childhood.
She knew nothing about the details of who he had met, what he liked or disliked.
Objectively speaking, Kylus was a man who lacked nothing in looks, wealth, or ability.
To the extent that if Kylus were said to be the male protagonist of this world, it wouldn’t feel out of place at all.
So naturally… there must have been more than one or two young ladies who admired him.
He might have dated some of them.
It was only natural for butterflies to gather around a beautiful flower.
Jet-black hair and shimmering platinum blonde. The contrasting colors strangely complemented each other.
Enough to dampen Alice’s mood.
Why do I keep feeling like this?
Alice furrowed her brow at the strangely unpleasant feeling.
It’s as if I’m jealous.
That’s ridiculous.
No, it’s more accurate to say it shouldn’t be happening.
She was only a duchess in name, after all.
Even if Kylus were to kiss another woman in front of her, it would be polite to pretend not to notice.
She was supposed to divorce him in a year anyway.
Right. That’s how it should be.
But strangely, just seeing him standing face to face with Lady Chestain made her uncomfortable.
Was it because Lady Chestain had picked a fight with her earlier?
At this sudden thought, Alice nodded.
“…Yes, that’s why I feel bad.”
Rather than Kylus being with someone, it was the fact that it was Lady Chestain that bothered her.
Just as Alice came to this conclusion, Kylus turned his head.
Directly towards Alice.
As soon as he saw her, he turned away from Lady Chestain.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he approached her.
Lady Chestain’s eyes, full of lingering attachment, followed Kylus’s back.
But Kylus didn’t look back at Lady Chestain.
He was approaching, looking only at Alice.
Seeing this, her mood that had been dampened until just now lifted effortlessly.
She even felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
He entered through the curtain that Madame had fully opened and stood in front of the platform.
“My lady, have you chosen your dress to your heart’s content?”
Alice answered with a bright smile, as if to show off.
“Yes. Thanks to your consideration, I chose freely.”
As she said this, she extended her hand to him first.
As if asking him to help her down from the platform.
Kylus visibly hesitated when he saw her hand.
He seemed taken aback by Alice’s response, which was different from usual.
Alice was also surprised by her own behavior.
What am I doing right now?
It was a childish action, very unlike her.
She had intentionally put on a bright smile because Lady Chestain annoyed her, but she hadn’t intended to… extend her hand.
This was too blatant a display of affection, wasn’t it?
Asking for an escort to get down from this small platform.
It was a cringe-worthy action, but her hand was already extended towards Kylus.
It was too late to take it back.
Kylus, who had hesitated, looked up at her. He smoothly curved his lips upward and took her hand.
“Step down carefully, my lady.”
A low voice full of affection.
Kylus played along with her childish act perfectly.
Madame Rosewell, deceived by the perfect performance, could be seen covering her mouth with both hands, letting out an “Oh my!”
Glancing to the side, Alice could also see Lady Chestain, her face crumpled as if she were about to cry.
She seemed to have been quite hurt.
The Duchess Chestain shook her head at her daughter’s tearful expression, then quickly pulled her arm and left the second floor.
“It seems something special happened here while I was late.”
Kylus’s gentle voice resonated in her ear.
Alice quickly turned her gaze from the retreating Chestain mother and daughter to Kylus.
Kylus was wearing a languid smile, as if he knew everything.
He had realized that she had intentionally put on this act for someone to see.
Did he also know that someone was Lady Chestain?
That Lady Chestain had picked a fight with her because of him?
Of course he wouldn’t know.
Alice strangely found Kylus’s smile, full of composure, annoying.
She let go of Kylus’s hand and said,
“Thank you.”
“Pardon?”
Kylus’s face flushed with confusion at Alice’s suddenly cold attitude.
Alice pretended not to notice and turned to Madame.
“Is there anything left to measure?”
“No, we’ve measured everything. I’ll make it with utmost care and send it to the duchy, Duchess.”
“Make not only the party dress, but all the everyday clothes with the highest quality fabric as well.”
Kylus said.
“Yes, understood, Your Grace.”
Madame Rosewell looked back and forth between Alice and Kylus as she spoke.
“Seeing the two of you together like this, you really suit each other well. I can see now that those rumors going around were truly meaningless talk.”
Madame Rosewell wore an excessively enraptured expression, as if she were looking at a dream couple.
Do we really suit each other that well…?
Alice was feeling a strange mix of emotions, both pleased and not, when Kylus’s glib words were heard.
“Baseless words tend to spread quickly. But now that Madame has seen the truth, I expect new rumors about the Duchess will start circulating.”
It was a blatant request to spread favorable rumors about Alice.
“Oh my, I’ve never seen a husband who takes care of his wife to this extent. I’ll make sure to convey the proper truth to many people so that you needn’t worry, Your Grace.”
Madame Rosewell looked at Kylus with eyes full of admiration.
It was a look of being moved by the sight of a husband who cared deeply for his wife.
Alice was actually a bit surprised too.
She hadn’t expected him to be so attentive to her reputation.
Having new dresses made for her was already a thoughtful gesture, but… Kylus was considering her even more deeply.
Somehow, it feels like I’m just receiving from him…
It’s true that he promised to protect her, but that wasn’t a one-sided promise.
It was protection she had secured in exchange for treating him with her holy power.
But since that negotiation… Alice had never used her holy power on him.
In contrast, Kylus had assigned her a knight escort, accepted the Third Prince, and even took care of such subtle matters for her.
It feels like I’m being too unconscionable.
“Duchess, I truly envy you.”
Alice’s reverie was broken by Madame Rosewell’s voice as she suddenly approached.
Alice awkwardly raised the corners of her mouth as she looked at Madame Rosewell, who was winking at her.
Madame held out a rectangular box to Alice.
“What’s this?”
“This is a fan I specially made for the Duchess’s visit today. It’s a gift to thank you for coming to our salon, please accept it.”
“Ah… thank you.”
“No, thank you for helping me in that difficult situation earlier. Please leave the matter of your reputation to me from now on.”
It seemed Alice had properly gained Madame’s favor due to the incident with Lady Chestain earlier.
Though unintended, it wasn’t a bad thing.
“I’ll trust you, Madame.”
Alice accepted Madame’s gift with a gentle smile.
“Shall we go then, my lady?”
As if he had been waiting, Kylus extended his hand to her.
A repayment for his kindness.
It seemed it was now her turn.
With that thought in mind, Alice took his hand.
