Chapter 10
I was puzzled by her reaction and asked,
“Weren’t people in high society already spreading those rumors since I married Cedric?”
“But those were made-up rumors on purpose…”
“They’re true. Anyway, now they say Cedric has a mistress, so it would be funny if I tried to deny it.”
It felt like my pride, which I had held onto all this time, was being torn to pieces. It was pathetic to bring myself down like this, but I felt like it was the only way I could endure it.
No matter how I behaved, people in high society always made up stories about me. If I admitted it all, they’d say they expected it. If I didn’t, they’d say I was just clinging to pride and insult me even more. So it was better to just admit it. I didn’t have any pride left to hold onto anyway.
Mrs. Jenkins hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I didn’t come to upset you, Miss Revril…”
“Then do you have news that would make me feel better?”
Mrs. Jenkins frowned slightly, looking troubled. It was obvious why she had come. Now that it was clear Cedric had a mistress, she wanted to see how I was doing—using a social gathering as an excuse.
I looked at her, wondering what she would say. Mrs. Jenkins seemed deep in thought, then quickly changed the subject.
“It’s not good news, but there’s been a shocking incident. Since you don’t attend many social gatherings, I thought you might not know what’s been happening in the capital.”
Mrs. Jenkins gave a slight smile, as if she still cared about my feelings. I was never really used to such noble etiquette. Maybe it was because I never properly learned it.
Since I didn’t interrupt, Mrs. Jenkins continued.
“Did you hear about the brutal murder at the Evynne mansion?”
“No. Isn’t that where Count and Countess Selaine live?”
“Yes. They were living there, but the countess was brutally murdered.”
I was at a loss for words. When I got married, that couple was rumored to have a good relationship. As I stayed silent, Mrs. Jenkins continued.
“It happened about a week ago, but the incident was so horrific that people are still talking about it.”
I couldn’t believe it and asked,
“Was Count Selaine always that kind of person? I didn’t think he was cruel.”
“Apparently, he was hiding his true self. He even married someone from a minor noble family on purpose.”
“Why?”
“They say he was fascinated by dark magic for a long time and often did strange things. And now they say he killed his wife and used her as a sacrifice for black magic—to bring more power to his family.”
I got chills on my arms.
“Things are already unsettling, and now there are even reports of wolves attacking people in the nearby forest.”
Mrs. Jenkins shook her head and took a sip of tea, glancing at me cautiously without saying anything.
“Is that problem serious too?”
Mrs. Jenkins looked troubled right away.
“It is, but I wasn’t sure if I should mention this in front of you…”
“It’s okay. Whatever the story is.”
Her hesitant attitude only made me more curious. After hearing that Cedric had a mistress, I didn’t think anything else could really shock me.
As I quietly watched her, Mrs. Jenkins cleared her throat and looked at me.
“Are you really sure? Of course, this story may not even be true…”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
As I firmly answered, Mrs. Jenkins looked around the room. She saw a servant standing by the drawing room door and leaned in to whisper.
“Could you ask that servant to leave? I’d like to speak to you alone.”
I immediately turned my head and sent the servant out. Mrs. Jenkins also sent out the one she brought with her.
Once it was just the two of us, she let out a small sigh and looked at me.
“Miss, this story is only known to a few people in the palace…”
I nodded and focused, and she looked around one more time. It was frustrating that she didn’t speak right away, but I waited patiently.
Finally, seeming a bit more at ease, Mrs. Jenkins leaned in and spoke cautiously.
“They say the Duke of Jedburgh controls wolves. If someone displeases him, he uses the wolves to get rid of them.”
“…”
“Of course, only a very few in the palace know about this rumor, and it might not be true…”
“Is there any proof?”
“I’m not sure. I just heard the rumor from people in the palace.”
The story was so unexpected that I felt dazed, my thoughts swirling.
“Anyway, because of the wolves, people are uneasy and all sorts of rumors are spreading.”
Mrs. Jenkins forced a smile, but I couldn’t bring myself to smile at all.
“Is Count Selaine connected to Cedric in any way?”
“I don’t think so. There’s no solid proof of that.”
I thought for a moment before asking,
“You said the rumor came from the palace, right?”
“Yes.”
Then maybe someone connected to the Crown Prince spread it.
While I was deep in thought, Mrs. Jenkins perked up and said brightly,
“Isn’t the Selaine case shocking? These days, everyone talks about it first whenever we meet. Even though the case is almost closed, people are still buzzing.”
“It is shocking. A man killing his own wife…”
As I spoke, I thought of the stuffed wolf in Cedric’s office. Then Batis’s gift of a white wolf fang, my returned wedding ring, and the mistress—all flashed through my mind.
“Miss Revril?”
Startled, I looked up. Mrs. Jenkins was looking at me with surprise.
“Are you really okay?”
It was getting hard to pretend I was fine. My head was full. I tried to think of a reasonable excuse and spoke calmly.
“I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll go rest now.”
“Of course. I should’ve let you know in advance instead of coming by like this.”
Mrs. Jenkins called a servant and gave a signal. The servant placed an invitation on the table. As I looked at it, Mrs. Jenkins said kindly,
“It’s for an upcoming social gathering. I’m happy to hear you’ll be attending this one.”
She clearly hadn’t forgotten her purpose for visiting. Tired of her thoroughness, I nodded and stood up.
“Then I’ll go up first. Take care on your way back.”
Mrs. Jenkins stood as well and smiled. Her face looked far more cheerful than mine. I turned and left the drawing room. As I climbed the stairs without thinking, the butler caught up with me.
“Madam, there will be a dinner banquet at the palace tonight.”
At the word “banquet,” I stopped and turned around. The butler bowed his head.
“It was arranged on short notice.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes, it’s to celebrate the Crown Prince’s successful hunt of a large wolf.”
Wolves again.
‘What on earth is going on?’
I nodded with a heavy heart. The worst part of being married to Cedric was having to attend events like this.
On top of that, the Crown Prince was extremely moody. His personality wasn’t pleasant either, so I didn’t want to run into him.
Cedric didn’t have a good relationship with him either. I didn’t know the reason why.
‘I thought things had been quiet for a while.’
Maybe the silence was just the calm before the storm.
