ITAYA 43

~Chapter 43~

‘Anna.’

I opened my eyes. I was sure someone had called me. I was lying alone in bed.

“…Is anyone there?”

I definitely heard someone. It was a low, heavy voice. It seemed to shake my eardrum with its weight.

“…Maybe I just had a dream.”

I tilted my head.

And wasn’t I curled up on the sofa before? Where did Baldwin go?

It was morning already. Today, Baldwin and I planned to buy souvenirs.

He had kept his promises through the whole honeymoon.

Wherever he went, he was always with me.

What would we do together today? What wild or clever thing would Baldwin do to surprise me again…?

Stop.

Am I really going to think of that first thing in the morning?

I smacked my cheek.

Then I went to the balcony and opened the curtains wide. The sun was already high, and the soft sunlight came in with the fresh air.

The air was warm.

I stepped out onto the balcony.

“Baldwin…?”

He was strolling in the garden. He wore a white shirt and had his hands behind his back. He leaned his arms on the railing, resting his chin.

Baldwin’s hair shone in the sunlight as he walked. It was like the path he walked was filled with light.

Maybe he felt my gaze, because Baldwin turned his head toward me.

He smiled at me like a rainbow. It was as if water droplets popped all around him.

His lips moved silently, but I could see he was saying my name.

‘Anna.’

In that moment,

I heard that voice from my dream again.

It was a man’s voice, a little rough and low, even sexier that way. Its heaviness was attractive.

I got goosebumps down my arm.

Maybe,

I just dreamed about Baldwin. Maybe my mind made up his voice, the one I had imagined so many times.

The voice that lingered in my ear suited Baldwin perfectly.

Even though he looked delicate and elegant, his voice was rough and deep.

I wanted to hear his voice.

I wanted to hear Baldwin call my name.

Even though I told myself not to make this marriage and our relationship special, I couldn’t help it anymore.

“Baldwin!”

His smile grew even deeper.

His name became special to me before I knew it.

Normally, after the honeymoon, we would have returned to the capital and gone straight to the palace.

But since the Empress was about to give birth, the palace had strict rules, and we couldn’t go inside.

We sent a gift and a letter to the Emperor, who had sent his most trusted aide to bless our wedding.

So, when Baldwin and I returned to the capital, the first person we saw was Madam Rosemarlin.

“Did you have a good trip, son?”

Baldwin stared at her coldly.

“So stiff. You used to be cuter when you were young. What a shame. But it looks like you had a good time. You’re not sick, right?”

She didn’t wait for his answer. Her eyes moved to me, slowly looking me up and down.

Madam Rosemarlin’s lips moved.

“So tacky.”

Baldwin couldn’t see her lips from where he stood. Madam Rosemarlin took another step toward me.

She had more to say.

“Your lessons will start soon, Duchess.”

Her voice was cold, drawing a line between us.

“Since you’re so busy, let’s have the lessons at the bank. I’ve already hired a teacher. You’re not going to refuse my kindness, are you?”

Again, Baldwin couldn’t see her lips from his angle.

Even if I didn’t want it, she seemed determined to force her way into the bank.

“Oh, and there’s a young lady who wants to help you. She’s an old friend of Baldwin’s—Gwendolyn Horace.”

She was the only daughter of the Marquis Horace. The marquis and his wife had high hopes for her.

She was still unmarried and called the “flower” of high society.

There was a rumor she was engaged, but it disappeared at some point. Only she and her family know the truth.

I knew she was friends with Baldwin. But would she really help me?

I’d never spoken to her directly, so I didn’t know her personality. Was she really so kind?

High-ranking noble ladies usually hated me.

Was she helping me because she was friends with Baldwin?

But I felt suspicious. Why would Madam Rosemarlin, who clearly hated me, suddenly want to help me?

There’s no way.

I couldn’t judge her yet.

“You can’t refuse.”

Madam Rosemarlin said this with a proud face.

I sighed.

“Yes, Madam. As you wish.”

She really wanted to keep fighting me. Or maybe she just wanted to get rid of me.

Why did she hate me so much? She was also a noble’s daughter who married into the Constantine family from a lower status.

Shouldn’t she feel some sympathy for me? I really couldn’t understand her at all.

If that’s the case, I’d just have to face her head-on.

If I kept facing her, eventually I’d find a breakthrough.

I was ready to win.

Baldwin stared at her coldly, but Madam Rosemarlin didn’t care.

“Go on inside, son. You must be tired after the trip. Get some rest.”

Madam Rosemarlin wore many masks. I wondered what her real feelings were behind them.

Pretending not to hear or speak had been useful for business.

But right now, Baldwin wanted to open his mouth. He wanted to stand in front of Anais and stop that woman from talking.

He wanted to shut up all the nonsense Madam Rosemarlin was saying to Anais.

But Baldwin could only clench his fist and listen to the conversation between the two women.

Madam Rosemarlin smiled with a rotten look, thinking Baldwin knew nothing.

That smile made his skin crawl, as if bugs were crawling on him.

And Gwendolyn? What kind of help did she plan to give?

They were just two-faced people sticking together.

Baldwin licked the inside of his mouth.

Should he say something?

Should he tell her he had heard everything, all the things she had said, and all she was saying now?

Should he tell her he knew exactly how she felt about him? Should he ask her to leave the house forever?

Should he tell her she had no place in his life?

Baldwin’s lips twitched.

But he never got the chance. Anais spoke up first.

“Mother, I don’t mind you coming to the bank, but I can’t promise you’ll see me.”

When Anais said this, Madam Rosemarlin turned her whole body. Her face, which had been smiling like a generous hostess, twisted with anger.

Of course.

Anais doesn’t hold back.

Baldwin stroked his face with satisfaction.

“What? Are you going to stand me up? How dare you?”

“That’s my workplace, Mother. You can’t just barge in without an appointment. There will be guards and secretaries.”

“They can’t stop me!”

“Why not?”

Anais tilted her head.

“If my work is delayed, it could cause problems for the bank. Then people who trust us with their money and those who want investments from Graham Bank could get hurt. If everyone knows you are the cause of those problems, what will they say?”

“Duke! Do you hear what your wife is saying? Of course not, your ears can’t hear…! This rude girl. No wonder she acts like this after coming from such a family!”

“I think you misunderstood, Mother. I’m actually worried about you. No one is immune to money. Even the most polite gentleman or the most elegant lady will throw away their mask when it comes to money. But if you still want to come, go ahead.”

Anais never held back.

Madam Rosemarlin’s face turned red as a tomato.

“Duchess!”

“I don’t know why you’re so angry. You could just make an appointment. My secretary knows my schedule better than I do. I’ll be really busy for a while, since I have to catch up on all the work I missed during my honeymoon.”

Rosemarlin trembled with anger. Her eyes turned to Baldwin, as if begging for help.

But Baldwin stared at her coldly.

He looked just like a mother animal protecting her young.