Chapter 3.4
The rumor that Cassian Baltinart had submitted his marriage registration to the Imperial Family spread like wildfire throughout the empire when there was less than a week left until the wedding.
It was only natural for high society to be stirred with the sudden news of Grand Duke Baltinart’s marriage, as he had no official fiancée.
No one could hide their surprise, especially since it had been less than a month since the passing of the former Grand Duke Baltinart.
“Exactly who is His Grace rushing to marry? All the noble ladies from distinguished families already have fiancés, don’t they? If it were Grand Duke Baltinart’s fiancée, there’s no way we wouldn’t know.”
“Perhaps she’s a princess from another country? According to an anonymous tip in this week’s Agzent Weekly, the Baltinart family even made them swear to secrecy when commissioning the wedding preparations!”
“…Lady Senicia, haven’t you heard anything?”
Isabelle, the daughter of Duke Senicia and hostess of this tea party, elegantly raised her teacup and shook her head. Each time her head swayed, her flowing pink hair looked exceptionally beautiful.
“No, I don’t know anything. And even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to say.”
“Ah. Of course, it’s hard to talk about, isn’t it?”
“Please understand, everyone.”
Isabelle Senicia smiled sweetly and drank her tea. The young ladies gathered at the tea party exchanged glances.
‘So, does she know or not?’
Isabelle’s vague way of speaking always made her seem mysterious, as if she held many secrets. That was Isabelle Senicia’s charm, and especially since she was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, who could be considered the true power of the Agzent Imperial Family, every word from her mouth carried weight. Furthermore, she was also the Empress’s younger sister.
The source of her information would surely be from someone higher than the Senicia Ducal Family.
The ladies attending the tea party, who had hoped to gain some information this time as well, couldn’t hide their disappointment.
Isabelle put down her teacup and suddenly stood up.
“Well then, ladies. I’m not feeling well, so I think I’ll excuse myself now. Please enjoy the rest of the gathering even if I leave first.”
“Oh my, if Lady Senicia leaves, we have no reason to stay either.”
“Then, shall we leave too?”
When the hostess of the party stood up, the ladies, one after another, rose from their seats.
At that sight, Isabelle’s smile faltered slightly. If they had nothing to gain from her, none of them would have offered even a friendly smile.
Just like her father, who wouldn’t have given her a shred of attention if she hadn’t been favored by the Empress.
“Did you say you didn’t want to be the Emperor’s concubine? Then marry Grand Duke Baltinart, Isabelle. Use any means necessary to seduce him and somehow become the Grand Duchess. After all the support the family has given you, it’s time you earned your keep!”
At that moment, the laughter of the ladies, gathered together and walking back from the garden, could be heard.
“It’s really funny. She acts like she’s someone important, doesn’t she? Since Grand Duke Baltinart is getting married, she’s just a dog who chased a chicken and lost it.”
“Even if high-and-mighty Isabelle Senicia manages to win the Grand Duke’s heart, she will only end up as his secret mistress, hiding from everyone’s eyes. My father says the Duke seems to be furious this time, from head to toe.”
“The moment the Grand Duchess sets foot in high society, Lady Isabelle is finished. Who would care about her like this? She kept acting like she would become the Grand Duchess one day and didn’t even keep a separate fiancé, did she? What a disgraceful situation is this?”
“At the party, they didn’t even seem to be close. The air between them was downright icy.”
Isabelle, who had been indifferently watching them, hid behind a pillar and gripped the back of her hand so tightly that it turned white.
Isabelle’s eyes grew cold. And she began to walk back as if she had heard nothing. How long had she walked? It was when she entered an empty corridor inside the mansion from the garden.
“Damn it, I knew this would happen.”
Isabelle’s clear voice rang out softly.
“That old man will make a fuss again about earning my keep. Isn’t there anyone who can ruin this household?”
No, that’s not right. If that happened, the hyena-like relatives would surely come rushing to seize the Senicia Ducal Family’s assets. Her own life wouldn’t be safe either. Isabelle roughly swept her hair back with her hand.
No matter who was designated as the Grand Duchess of Baltinart, giving up that position was out of the question.
In truth, marriage didn’t matter to her in the slightest.
However, the privilege bestowed by the name Baltinart was Isabelle’s last resort to escape the headache of political strife and the Senicia Ducal Family.
She had even buttered up the Empress Dowager and subtly made a request, but now she had truly become a dog chasing a chicken and lost it.
“Ruin my plan?”
Isabelle’s eyebrows rose fiercely.
If you ruin someone else’s plan, you should take responsibility.
One week from now. She planned to meet the woman who ruined her plan.
* * *
“Lady. Where would you like to have lunch today?”
It was a bright sunny afternoon. Helia, who was tidying the bed sheets, asked casually.
Thump. Thump!
Helia deliberately smacked the pillow to make a sound and added an element of unnatural acting.
“Cough, cough! But I don’t think it’s possible to eat in the room, so you absolutely must eat outside!”
At first, Rosena tried to overlook it out of goodwill, but it was gradually becoming harder to pretend not to notice.
The people of the mansion were putting all their effort and sincerity into orchestrating an “accidental” encounter between Cassian and her.
‘It’s definitely not because those people have nothing to do.’
It must be Cassian Baltinart’s influence that led to this situation.
He appeared just seconds later wherever Rosena went, regardless of time or place.
At first, she truly thought it was a coincidence, but when it kept happening, even someone as unobservant as her would start to feel that something was off.
Once, to confirm her suspicions, Rosena deliberately walked around the mansion like she was playing hide-and-seek, and surprisingly, the result was the same. No matter where she went, she met Cassian, as if all her movements were being reported to him.
‘It’s not my imagination. Cassian is directly watching me now.’
She didn’t know when she became the target of his suspicion, but this couldn’t continue.
“I’d prefer to eat in the dining room. I’ll go there.”
“Yes, alright.”
“Right now. Immediately.”
“…Now?”
Helia looked flustered, her eyes darting around. And she even made a gesture as if sending a signal somewhere outside the window.
Rosena didn’t know what they were thinking, but she could clearly see that they were wasting the talents of the Baltinart mansion’s staff in real-time just to follow her around. She admitted it. This level of effort was commendable.
Rosena quickly blocked the window, and Helia flinched, feigning indifference.
“Helia, it’s okay, I know everything. Just do it.”
“What do you mean, Lady?”
“Oh, shall I deliver the message instead?”
Rosena raised her voice and spoke to someone who must be outside somewhere.
They must be incredibly skilled. This place was on the second floor of the main mansion, and in terms of height alone, it was high enough to potentially lead to the afterlife if one wasn’t careful.
“Now, immediately! I’m so hungry, I need to eat lunch in the dining room right now!”
“…How long have you known?”
“Is that important right now?”
This much should have gotten the message to Cassian. A warning to stop, now that everything’s been revealed.
Rosena exited the room and headed straight to the dining room.
Now, under the splendid chandelier, various dishes were being served one after another. It wasn’t a simple lunch but food one would eat at a formal dinner. Everyone in the empire knew Cassian was a busy man, yet he had even made time.
‘So, he’s not even going to try to hide it anymore. He’s going to monitor me during meals too?’
It seemed he fully intended to do as he pleased. Even Cassian Baltinart himself was waiting for her in the dining room.
“Welcome, Rosena. I’ve been waiting for you.”
It was an open admission that he had been watching Rosena all this time. She thought he would apologize for being caught, but when she saw him skip the apology, Cassian’s shamelessness seemed innate.
“Yes, Cassian. You don’t seem to have any intention of hiding it now.”
“A married couple should always be truthful, after all. Since Rosena caught me, what’s the point in hiding?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I want to see Rosena. And I want to know more about you.”
At those words, Rosena massaged her forehead. To have people follow her movements just because he wanted to see her.
“Then why not just make an appointment? Not this way. Is there anything you’re curious about? I told you to ask me directly if you had any questions.”
“I thought about asking every time we met, but I felt it would be difficult to hear it directly from your lips. I’ll find out as quickly as possible, so please bear with me, Rosena, even if it’s uncomfortable. I’ll instruct them to be careful so it doesn’t bother you in the future.”
“…Huh?”
She was dumbfounded. How could someone say, ‘I’m digging up information about you…’ so blatantly.
He absolutely refused to say he wouldn’t do it.
“I’ll let you know once I find out.”
Instead, he even said he would inform the person in question once he found out what it was.
Rosena was utterly speechless at his somewhat absurd confession and way of speaking. She realized she’d been using the phrase “I’m speechless” in the wrong situations all this time.
Yes, that phrase should be used precisely in moments like this, when your brain went numb from sheer disbelief.
Rosena sincerely reflected.
What she had experienced until now was nothing astounding.
People could experience even worse things in life. Because in this world, there are “worse people.”
“Haha, I’m also very curious what Cassian is curious about. I really hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Ugh. Muffled words escaped from between her teeth.
Soon, all the main dishes were served, and Rosena picked up the tableware she had now grown quite accustomed to. At first, she hesitated whether she dared to put such expensive cutlery in her mouth, but isn’t it true that humans are creatures of adaptation?
She was now using them without hesitation. Not only that, but she had completely grown accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle of the Baltinart family.
‘Now, no matter where I go, I don’t think ordinary food will taste good anymore.’
Thinking about it, this was a huge problem. It was a huge problem, but…
Rosena’s expression, as she cut a large piece of T-bone steak with a serious face and put it in her mouth, melted away. As she moved her knife again, she felt an intense sensation, as if the top of her head was so hot it might burst.
She looked up to see Cassian observing her, without having even started his meal.
Rosena, with puffed-out cheeks and wide eyes, tilted her head.
His red eyes were directed at Rosena’s bulging cheeks. He muttered something, lost in thought.
“Definitely.”
“Yes?”
“I already knew this, but I can see you have a good appetite.”
“…”
“It’s like you’ve stored food in your cheek pouches.”
This is him trying to pick a fight, right? If so, he succeeded. Rosena furrowed her brows.
Of course, a person with cheek pouches would hardly be perceived as a threat.
