Chapter 66: Duchess Sophia Klein
Chapter 66: Duchess Sophia Klein
If Marquis Hyante wasn’t going to host anything, it was only natural to attend the tea party held by Duke Orleans. Visiting Count Quessa’s estate wasn’t a bad option either.
While that house was somewhat lower in prestige compared to the other two, she needed to familiarize herself in advance if she wanted to investigate the details of that incident from late summer.
‘I did greet them at my debutante ball, but of all people, they introduced me to Morgana and the third son… then started bickering over whether they should let us talk or not. How insulting. Should I just not help them? Even if their estate goes under, it’s not like it affects me.’
“…Tiana?”
“Ah, yes. Are the gatherings hosted by the Quessa family and the Orleans family scheduled for the same day?”
Dott quickly asked the question with wide, concerned eyes.
“No, they’re not. There’s a bit of a gap between them, and the Quessa one comes first. Are you planning to attend both?”
“Yes.”
Duchess Klein gave a short reply and then looked quietly at her smiling daughter.
Just now… did I imagine that? For a moment, as she thought about where to go, her eyes darkened like some unpleasant memory surfaced.
It wasn’t just distant. It was chilling. A gaze sharp enough to be aimed at an enemy.
‘Was I seeing things? Hm… Well, after what happened at the Grace Monastery, she might be a little wary around people. And that’s all my fault. Who else can I blame?’
From the Duchess’s perspective, it was naturally a good thing for her daughter to attend events hosted by both families. However, she also thought that going to the more pastoral Viscount Duran’s literary salon would be a great way to gain some refinement.
While their rank and estate size weren’t as impressive as others, they were consistently respected and regularly invited to the Imperial Palace. There had to be a reason for that. And then there was the special cross-class gathering at the Dahlia Hotel Salon. That was considered the year’s most unique event.
Even influential merchants and well-educated commoners, despite not being of noble birth, could attend if they met certain criteria.
Duke Klein always reminded her that noble status should not lead to arrogance, and that they must be willing to listen to others, no matter their background. And in that regard, the Duchess completely agreed.
As a ducal household, they had an even greater responsibility to listen. That’s why, in her heart, she hoped her daughter would choose to attend.
‘I’d like her to go, but I can’t force her to attend something she didn’t choose. I suppose I’ll just have to go alone.’
Count Quessa’s tea party was on the 27th of this month, and Duke Orleans’ tea party was scheduled for the 1st of the next. The Viscount Duran’s literary salon would be held on the 24th, just a few days away. The schedule was tight, but since it didn’t require a lavish dress, it should be manageable. The Dahlia Hotel Salon event was on the 5th of next month.
The Duchess mentally noted the dates with care and smiled warmly.
So what if her daughter occasionally acted out of line? She was precious nonetheless. No matter the cost, she would raise her well and protect her.
“My sweet girl, may I give you a hug?”
“Of course.”
Her daughter’s body was incredibly warm.
At that moment, the Duchess shivered slightly as a terrible memory surfaced. She lifted her hand and gently stroked the back of her daughter’s head. No bumps or dents, just smooth, beautiful hair. May the pain of that accident, when she lost her memory fleeing from the carriage, never return.
She would never again allow undeserved blood to be spilled from her daughter’s body.
“Then let’s go out together in five days. I’ll have new dresses and ribbons prepared, so get some good rest.”
“Yes, Mother. I trust your taste completely.”
“Alright then.”
These days, the Duchess found her greatest happiness in spending her time and money on her adorable and lovable daughter.
My daughter, I would do anything for you.
* * *
“Madam, it’s raining.”
“A spring rain, is it?”
Rain had been falling since dawn, tapping steadily against the windows. The sky was heavy with clouds, and the air was thick with mist, hardly what one would call morning.
The lady’s maid hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Shall we cancel today’s outing? It doesn’t seem like the kind of rain that will stop quickly. I’m worried you might catch a cold.”
“No. I’ve already promised I’d attend. Would I let a bit of rain stop me?”
The Duchess responded sternly, though she too felt the stiffness in her body. She had skipped only the Duran literary salon and attended both noble gatherings with her daughter. Now, it was the 5th, the day of the Dahlia Hotel Salon’s event. She had to go, even if it was by herself. Her precious daughter should be allowed to rest.
“Madam…”
“There will be others who came despite the rain simply because I said I would attend. Would you have me disappoint them? Even if hail falls, a noble must hold a knight’s shield over her head and honor her commitments. No more fussing. Prepare the carriage.”
She spoke with undeniable dignity.
“Yes, Madam.”
“And let Tiana sleep in. Don’t wake her.”
As the Duchess rode the carriage toward the Dahlia Hotel, she was lost in thought.
Her husband, the Duke, was as distant and work-focused as ever. The joy of finding Tiana again had already faded like smoke, and he had returned to his busy routine.
At least he wasn’t stingy with money when it came to Tiana, but it still felt disappointing.
‘Yes, I was grateful that he secured the Crown Prince’s escort for her at the spring ball… but it’s been so quiet since. That worries me.’
Lady Lâtel had also made her reappearance in society, but she, too, had gone quiet afterward. She hadn’t shown up at either of the two gatherings where the Duchess brought Tiana. If she wasn’t going to maintain the effort, why bother attending the palace ball in the first place?
Then there were her two sons, who were problems in their own right.
‘Kassel.’
She hardly saw Kassel these days. Her eldest son not only avoided returning home but was also difficult to meet at the palace, always too busy or sparring with knights.
Was that really the only reason?
‘Why won’t you come home, Kassel? You can’t be so busy that you can’t spare a single day.’
Had she raised her voice too much when she tried to block him from interfering with Tiana’s debutante plans?
Still, she just… couldn’t yield on that. Ever. And since that tearful day when she refused his proposal, the distance between them had grown too clear to ignore.
If she insisted on seeing him, she could. She was still his mother, and Kassel wasn’t cold enough to leave her standing at the door.
But even so… meeting like that no longer brought her joy.
How can my son keep his distance from me? Because of my daughter…?
A crushing sense of frustration weighed down on her.
Kassel’s face the last time she saw him had been completely devoid of a smile. And he had said something strange:
[“Whatever you do, make sure you don’t regret it later. Even if the person has nothing to do with you, don’t leave a nail in their heart.”]
‘That’s exactly what you’re doing to me now. Don’t you see it?’
She forced his image out of her mind and thought of her other son.
‘Maurice.’
Her second son had joined the Crow Knights as a squire. He was enduring the whispers of others while working and training hard. She knew that becoming a knight was the only path left for him.
[“Fine, leave! Go and live however you want! Do you think the family can protect you forever?”]
‘Aah…’
The Duchess clenched the handle of the carriage door and shut her eyes tight.
Of all things, was that really the last thing she said to Maurice?
The memory twisted her heart every time it surfaced. Even if she was proud of Maurice’s efforts, had she not been too harsh?
And ironically, his departure also had to do with Tiana’s return.
She thought that once they had Tiana back, the lonely manor would be full of laughter and life again. Kassel had returned from the borders, Maurice was calming down under his brother’s influence – it should have been the perfect chance. Had she ruined it with her impatience?
If only I had spoken more carefully…
She forced the painful memories aside.
‘When I attend this gathering, there may be commoners unfamiliar with etiquette. Even if their behavior is rough, I mustn’t scold them. I’ll be generous.’
Would a rainbow appear once the rain outside the carriage window stopped?
The Duchess must have dozed off briefly in her fatigue, because the next time she opened her eyes, she was already in front of the Dahlia Hotel.
“Madam, we’ve arrived.”
As the door opened and she stepped out, she was slightly startled. The coachman wasn’t holding an umbrella but she wasn’t getting wet.
‘What’s this? Are they trying to let me get soaked on purpose?’
But contrary to her suspicion, she wasn’t wet at all. The spring rain fell steadily, but it was oddly only landing far off to the side, not on the hotel entrance.
“Welcome, Duchess Klein. One of today’s invited guests thought the rain was too heavy and conjured a magical parasol so attendees could enter without getting wet.”
The hotel manager greeted her politely.
“Oh? Is that so?”
She looked up and gasped at the sight.
Instead of a drab tarp, there was a translucent magical canopy overhead, like clear glass. Watercolor-like images of flowers, birds, deer, and saplings spread wide across it. More amazingly, as the spring rain fell against the magical surface, the soft colors would glow slightly—pop, pop—each impact making the image more vivid.
How fascinating. I’m glad I came.
“This way, Madam.”
“Yes.”
The air inside the salon was pleasantly warm. As she stepped in, she spotted a familiar face.
“Isn’t that Scholar Pochette? It’s been a while.”
“Oh, Duchess! A pleasure, as always.”
He kissed the back of her hand with polite formality.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Haha, I actually attended Viscount Duran’s salon recently, and you wouldn’t believe it, but I ran into Lady Morgana there. Quite the speaker, and well-read too.”
Lady Morgana? Why is that name coming up now?
“She said she’d be attending this gathering as well, so I quickly requested another invitation.”
After a moment’s confusion, the Duchess remembered. That name belonged to the mage who had been Tiana’s peer at Grace Monastery. Normally, she might have bristled, but the gentle spring rain and her quiet reflections in the carriage kept her temper in check.
“Is that so.”
“She’s the one who conjured the umbrella spell at the hotel entrance. It’s said she hasn’t even been learning magic for a full year, but she made some fascinating remarks at the salon. Quite impressive. Haha.”
The Duchess sat near the scholar and responded calmly.
“If she managed to pique your interest, she must be something.”
It wasn’t as if she had any deep resentment toward Lady Morgana. She had only reacted when she heard that Tiana had lived in misery at Grace Monastery.
Sure, Morgana had once stood out as one of the Crown Prince’s associates, but she hadn’t made a scene at the palace since.
So for now, there was no reason to be hostile.
……
T/N: Yes, I do agree that Mother had been too impatient when her ‘daughter’ returned, but it’s good that she knew all of her mistakes and is thinking about it
