~Chapter 83~
The good news came that the guests were leaving one by one.
They did not receive a proper meal, but on the surface, it only looked like they were people who could not wait for the dinner preparation.
Even if they went outside and complained, it was obvious that only their rudeness—coming in without prior permission—would be criticized.
While waiting for everyone to leave, Baldwin and I spent time in the study.
He worked, and I read a book. In the meantime, we also ate a light meal in the study. It was one of the routines we enjoyed in the evening.
The study was a place where we could stay together, each doing our own work, yet sharing the same space.
Of course, I recently learned that a study did not have to be used only for its intended purpose.
It must have been the table by the window. The books scattered in a mess, the paperweight rolling on the floor, the fountain pen, the paper crumpling under my palm, and finally, the sound that dampened the dry air—everything was vivid.
The sound of bodies colliding and the wet sounds mixing together had made my head burn hot.
On top of that, there was the sense of immorality from using such a quiet space for a completely different purpose.
Enough.
These thoughts should stop here.
Anyway, it was a space suitable in many ways for a married couple to spend time together.
I glanced at Baldwin over the bookshelf for no reason. Baldwin, reading documents with a serious face, looked far too abstinent to be the same man who had been so passionate the day before.
I bit my lip lightly.
I almost forgot about the guests who had made us uncomfortable today. Gwennolyn must have received the gift I told them to deliver, right?
What kind of expression did she make?
I was a little curious.
The moment Baldwin turned a page, our eyes met. I smiled slightly, as if I had been caught thinking something naughty.
Just as Baldwin gracefully put down the documents—
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking broke the silence.
I turned my head sharply and saw a maid enter with a tense face. After bowing deeply to Baldwin, she called me.
“Grand Duchess.”
“What is it?”
“A guest is asking to speak with you before leaving. It is Lady Siela of the Sallion family.”
It was a family name and a name I had never heard before. No business connection, no personal connection. And yet she wanted to see me?
I looked at Baldwin. He shook his head. She must have been among the group that came today claiming to be friends, but she did not seem to have any deep connection with him.
“What should we do, Your Grace?”
It was already 8 p.m. It was late to still be here without even having dinner. Yet she wanted to meet me before leaving?
That meant she had something important to say.
“Has Lady Gwennolyn already left?”
“I understand she finished preparing to leave and went out. Only Lady Siela remains now.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Was this at Gwennolyn’s instigation? Even so, there was no need to be afraid.
“Then it’s better to meet her. Guide her to the reception room.”
“Yes, Grand Duchess.”
The maid bowed to Baldwin as well and left the study.
I turned back to Baldwin.
There were things I needed to confirm before meeting Siela.
“Is there any connection with the Sallion family? Politically or business-wise?”
Baldwin shook his head.
[The Sallion family earns money by exporting agricultural products. Income from their territory is their only source. However, since all their land is farmland, they possess enough wealth to be established in the capital.]
So there really was no connection at all.
“Is there anything I should be careful about as Grand Duchess?”
[No.]
“I’ll go and come back, Baldwin.”
I walked over to him. Leaning over the large desk, I kissed his cheek and met his eyes.
“Finish your work and come after me.”
I rubbed the back of his hand with my fingers.
“Then meet me in the bathroom. All right?”
Baldwin lifted the corner of his lips. His purple eyes sparkled like stars.
There was no need to hear an answer. I lightly kissed the edge of his lips and left the study.
Yuna was a maid of the Grand Ducal household. It was a job she could be quite proud of. Maids of the Grand Duke’s house were often envied even among those doing the same work.
Yuna swallowed hard and spoke.
“Thinking about it, my lady, I think I’ll need more compensation.”
Gwennolyn, who had been hiding in a guest room on the second floor, stared at the maid with cold eyes.
‘This is why you shouldn’t be kind to lowly people.’
Gwennolyn’s kindness had given room for overstepping. But right now, she needed Yuna’s help.
“Before that, I’m curious if you did the task I asked properly.”
“I just confirmed that the Grand Duchess entered the reception room. And right after that, the Grand Duke moved as well.”
“Where to?”
“I’ll tell you that after we finish discussing the compensation.”
Gwennolyn bit her lip hard. Among the maids of the Grand Ducal household, who were known for their loyalty and pride, that woman was the only one she could buy.
‘How impudent.’
In the end, she had to give in.
“I’ll give you twice the amount I promised. Will that be enough?”
The maid smiled brightly.
“Yes, that’s enough. And I think I’ll need collateral as well.”
Gwennolyn took off the ring from her finger and handed it over. After checking the Horace crest engraved on it, Yuna smiled.
Then she handed over a memo with her bank account number.
Gwennolyn snatched it roughly.
“Now speak.”
“He just moved to the Grand Duchess’s bedroom.”
“…The Grand Duchess?”
At those words, sparks flew in Gwennolyn’s eyes. It felt as if flames were boiling inside her.
“Do the two of them use the same bedroom?”
The maid tilted her head, puzzled.
Gwennolyn’s eyes sharpened.
“Of course. They’re a married couple.”
At the maid’s answer, Gwennolyn bit her lip hard. Baldwin used to hate even touching others.
And yet they shared the same bedroom?
According to the rumors Gwennolyn had collected, Baldwin was sensitive even about sleeping arrangements. They said he couldn’t sleep well even if the blanket changed.
‘Impossible. That damned woman must have numbed Baldwin’s senses.’
Gwennolyn clenched her fist.
‘She’s a dangerous woman.’
She absolutely had to be removed from Baldwin’s side. Otherwise, Baldwin might truly be in danger.
She didn’t know that woman’s purpose, but she might really be aiming for Constantine.
‘Dirty woman.’
How dare she seduce Baldwin with a body that had lived with another man. She might have even used drugs to drag Baldwin into her bedroom.
Gwennolyn’s imagination branched out and grew, heading exactly where she wanted it to.
“Guide me to the Grand Duchess’s bedroom.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Yuna nodded.
“You really must keep it a secret that I’m involved.”
“I promise.”
Gwennolyn’s eyes shone unnaturally bright—eyes full of confidence and self-love.
“Just do what you were told.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Yuna pouted.
‘As long as I get the money.’
With twice the promised amount, she could open a shop back in her hometown. With that, she could marry a decent man and live comfortably.
She might even meet a knight working at the lord’s castle.
For a maid, it was quite a good life. Thinking about that exciting future, Yuna’s face brightened even more.
I examined Lady Siela closely. She had a slightly dull impression. The way she hesitated and wouldn’t open her mouth felt suspicious.
She was just drinking tea.
“I think I’ve given you enough time, my lady. It would be better for you to return before it gets too late.”
“W-wait a moment!”
Siela widened her eyes.
“I-I’ll tell you!”
I sighed and nodded.
“Well… actually, I wanted to tell you a rumor I heard.”
A rumor?
There were countless rumors circulating in high society. What kind of rumor needed to be told directly to me?
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Siela.
“Speak.”
“Well… actually, I heard that Gwennolyn and the Grand Duke are in that kind of relationship!”
Siela shouted it out, her face flushed red.
What… did I just hear?
Who and who?
Gwennolyn—that woman—and Baldwin?
My lips twitched on their own.
She was a woman who believed the world revolved around her. She had a record of manipulating the Countess of Crenbel and the Dowager Duchess to harass me.
Bringing people here today must also have been her doing.
Then what are you, Siela?
A piece of the picture Gwennolyn drew?
Or—
A traitor to Gwennolyn?
I narrowed my eyes and stared at the woman, but no answer came.
Not until the reception room door opened without permission.
“Grand Duchess! You must go to your bedroom immediately! It seems a thief has broken in…!”
It was as if an alarm bell had been rung.
