DD 09

Chapter 9

The butler’s urgent expression was ignored as she looked at the woman. After a moment of hesitation, Marillian stepped outside. She must be going to the garden, the butler added as he watched the woman grow farther away. Servants moved busily past where Marillian had disappeared. Isilia nodded and turned away. The butler seemed relieved that she had lost interest. It wasn’t a funny situation, but for some reason, laughter rose in her throat.

“……”

Unlike herself, Marillian was not foolish. She wasn’t a naïve girl intoxicated with romance. Had she really expected Marillian to keep waiting there, until Luiyan arrived and embraced her? …Ridiculous. What had she been expecting? Her thoughts refused to connect properly—she must be crazy.

“…Father.”

“……”

The moment she stepped into the receiving room, she saw those familiar green eyes, and Isilia smiled. With a mask over her face, she behaved no differently than usual, while Count Agnes stared at her. His eyes followed her every movement until she sat down. Isilia sighed and sat opposite him. Looking at her father, his gaze seemed unfocused, as though lost in thought. She had no desire to break the gloom. She sipped the tea the maid brought and stayed silent. Her reflection floated in the tea poured for her father. Count Agnes stared at her, making no attempt to drink. A strange situation continued: the golden-haired woman quietly sipping tea while the man with her same face simply stared.

“I’ll go.”

“…What?”

The sudden words came when she assumed enough time had passed. In her dazed tone, she asked, but her father didn’t respond and stood abruptly. Watching him leave without even accepting her farewell, Isilia frowned. …Why did he come here at all? When she tried to follow him, the butler stopped her with a shake of his head. Her father had indeed returned to his estate.

“…What on earth.”

It wasn’t like him. Completely out of character. She stood at the door, blankly staring into space, and saw a familiar emblem: a sword and a quill crossed, surrounded by lilies—the crest of House Agnes—engraved on the carriage pulling away. Isilia shook her head. For the sulking Johan, she ordered the butler to prepare cookies. The child liked sweets; he’d cheer up quickly. Imagining him smiling brightly as he jumped into her arms, Isilia stepped forward. A breeze carried the scent of flowers. She stopped before entering the mansion. Not far away, a neatly tied head of hair fluttered in the wind. Isilia looked at her indifferently, then began walking toward her—toward the woman half hidden among small blossoms. Marillian noticed her approach and stood. Passing by the woman who greeted her in surprise, Isilia bent down. She plucked a large orange flower and shaped it into a small wreath. Marillian stared at her, bewildered.

“……”

Come to think of it, this woman was ignored by her husband on the very first night of marriage. There was no way she wasn’t hurt. When Isilia had been seventeen, she would have shown her heartbreak plainly. But at twenty-three, Marillian didn’t. Realizing that, Isilia laughed. The pumpkin-colored flower formed a neat circle. She laughed out loud.

“Madam…”

“It’s a gift.”

The woman touched what had landed lightly on her head and looked at her. Her wide, round eyes seemed almost innocent. Marillian, who moments ago stared at her with wavering eyes full of thought, opened her mouth.

“Aren’t you angry with me?”

“I am.”

Marillian fell silent at the blunt reply. Of course she was angry—what a foolish question. Isilia smiled faintly as she spoke. It wasn’t funny at all, yet laughter kept bubbling up.

“Should I ignore you?”

“…Yes.”

“Why?”

“……”

Pretending to be naïve, she asked again. Marillian looked troubled and avoided her eyes. Isilia already knew the answer Marillian couldn’t say. She asked anyway—just to see her flustered.

“Because you hurt me?”

Marillian clamped her mouth shut at the impossible question. The habit was just like Luiyan’s. Isilia laughed. They really were alike. Surrounded by fluttering flower petals, those amber eyes watched her. She took a breath. Everything was ridiculous. This situation, facing her; the fact that in her favorite place stood the lover of the person she loved most.

“If I ignore you,”

“……”

“What benefit is it to me?”

If ignoring her was required, she could do it. But Isilia did not. There was nothing to gain. If she ignored Marillian, Luiyan would only see her less—so why would she? Thoughtless comfort wasn’t medicine—it was poison. How could Marillian not know that?

“If I torment you,”

“……”

“What good does it do me?”

Difficult questions received no answers. Isilia laughed. If she were a foolish young girl, she might have done exactly that. But Marillian wasn’t. …Pathetically, she even resembled him. What could Isilia possibly do, then?

“The weather is nice.”

The vast garden was full of blossoms. How fortunate—though one may climb from the bottom to the top, one can never descend from the top to the bottom. As long as she lived, Marillian was only a concubine. Titles meant nothing, yet to Isilia, that title mattered. It was the only thing she desperately had.

“It’s unmistakably spring.”

She didn’t expect a reply. The woman simply listened to her speak. Should she be relieved Luiyan wasn’t the crown prince? Should she be thankful Marillian wasn’t someone driven by greed? Isilia stared ahead. Amber eyes were on her. …Her head hurt. Her mouth opened on its own.

“Congratulations, Mari.”

Marillian blinked at the words. Isilia smiled. Those round, startled eyes looked absurd. It was absurd that Isilia smiled like this—what was so amusing?

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

I must truly be going insane.

After four days, her husband returned to the mansion looking exhausted. He embraced the children who clung to him and retreated to his room. Isilia hesitated outside the door. …He must already be asleep.

“……”

She lowered the hand that had been about to knock. Staring at the closed door, she turned away. Servants moved cautiously; the mansion felt quieter than usual. As she walked down the hallway, she saw a smaller, slightly worn door—not Luiyan’s. She placed her hand on the handle. Locked. Marillian had left as soon as he returned.

“……”

So now he planned to chase after her? She didn’t know how to react. This wasn’t the social scene. Here, she was just a powerless woman. What Jordan arranged was none of her business. If the crown prince wanted something, he would take it. Isilia turned away. Descending the stairs, the butler approached with something in hand.

“A letter from Baron Nerian.”

“……”

“It is for this evening.”

It was an invitation to a small tea gathering that rotated among estates. Isilia accepted it expressionlessly. It wasn’t even a real party—just noblewomen drinking tea and chatting. Anyone of noble status could host or attend. Sometimes invitations for close households arrived on the very day. The envelope was yellow. She unfolded the paper. Same ordinary content as always, no reaction. She refolded it.

“……”

There was writing on the back. Looking closer—a personal note, insisting that she attend. After a period of silence, again? Isilia clicked her tongue. What did this woman hear? The tone was so transparent that Isilia couldn’t even laugh. Baron Nerian had once worked at the palace, if she remembered correctly. She ended her thoughts and ordered the butler to prepare the carriage. After having the maid do a simple touch-up, she left the room—only to find the children standing there with drooping faces.

“Do you really have to go?”

“I’ll be back early. Listen to your sister.”

Johan begged to go with her, but Isilia soothed him and climbed into the carriage. Nothing good would come from going somewhere dirty. Watching the children from the carriage window, her expression hardened. The carriage began moving toward Baron Nerian’s estate.

“Welcome, Lady Endrianz.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Baroness Nerian.”

“The pleasure is mine—”

As soon as the formal greetings ended, she was swallowed by a crowd of noblewomen. She could clearly see the hostess’s intent—she wanted something. Holding back a sigh, Isilia smiled. Meaningless chatter filled the air. She considered leaving early, when suddenly, her eyes met the hostess’s.