~Chapter 38~
The last banquet was a brunch held in the Constantine outdoor garden.
Maybe rumors had spread about what I said to the noble ladies yesterday, because today everyone treated me carefully.
“The flower centerpiece is really beautiful. I guess it’s thanks to Your Grace’s good taste?”
After that, more compliments followed from the noble ladies. They were not only looking at me but also watching Baldwin, who was at the same table.
“Thank you.”
“…Isn’t it a little lacking?”
A sharp voice cut in.
It was the main person who had caused chaos in the banquet preparations with her sudden appearance.
Madam Rosemarlin tapped the centerpiece with her finger.
“The colors are too bright. Constantine should have more dignified colors. Something calm. I can tell you’re new at this, Your Grace.”
The noble ladies at the table watched us carefully.
Baldwin stopped eating and stared at Madam Rosemarlin.
“Don’t you agree?”
“Hahaha!”
One of the ladies, nervous, let out a forced laugh.
“Older people always see something to fix! But since we have such a dependable Madam, there’s nothing to worry about, right?”
“Of course, of course!”
The other noble ladies quickly agreed.
“That’s why I’ll make sure to teach everything about Constantine properly.”
“So, are you going to stay here until then?”
“I guess I should. Soon I’ll have to meet His Majesty the Emperor. I’m so worried that Your Grace might make Constantine lose face by showing up like that.”
Madam Rosemarlin criticized me coldly.
She was right that after the honeymoon, I would have to go to the royal palace to meet the Emperor.
The royal family and Constantine had always been close. This wedding could happen so quickly because the royal family gave their permission and support.
No one dared to stop our wedding because of that, too.
At the wedding, Count Tungs, one of the Emperor’s closest men, attended as the Emperor’s representative.
“Is my outfit lacking?”
“Of course! Do you really think that’s okay? Constantine has always used dark green. It should be an elegant green, worthy of the laurel tree. Not such a flashy color!”
At her words, the noble ladies went silent.
“Then I’ll choose new fabric. Since you have such great taste, Mother, please pick it for me.”
I replied lightly.
“I’m planning to bring in an etiquette teacher soon. It’s too much to teach the Duchess by myself. Of course, you’ll accept that, right?”
As soon as Madam Rosemarlin said this, Baldwin put down his silverware. Before he could do anything, I grabbed his hand tightly.
Now is not the time to step in, Baldwin.
I looked at him and gave a small smile.
“I’ll make time for it.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying you’ll just keep working and ignore your duties as the mistress of Constantine?”
Madam Rosemarlin glared at me, her eyes full of emotions I couldn’t name.
“Yes, that’s what I plan, Mother.”
“Then who will manage the family? The house?”
“You’re here, Mother. You said you’d stay to help teach me and fill in what I lack. I’ll rely on you and learn well while you’re here.”
“I trust you, Mother.”
One of the ladies at the table gasped and quickly covered her mouth.
I met Rosemarlin’s eyes without looking away. Her face turned bright red.
I had gotten used to being hated for a long time. Maybe that’s why I was quick to understand people who disliked me.
It seemed like Rosemarlin cared a lot about what others thought. Since I spoke so boldly in front of so many people, she wouldn’t argue further.
“The Duchess really does trust and rely on the Madam.”
“Yes, it seems so.”
With the other ladies agreeing, there was no more she could say.
She wanted to bring me down, but—
It looked like she failed.
Madam Rosemarlin forced a smile and said,
“That seems to be true. Now, everyone, please enjoy your meal.”
She stared at me with rough breathing. I didn’t look away—I smiled right back at her.
This time, it was my victory.
At that time—
Since Anais’s wedding, Egbert had shut himself in. Sophia, too, was watching him nervously, trying not to get in his way.
The silence in the Graham house was finally broken the morning Anais and Baldwin left for their honeymoon.
“Egbert, where are you going?”
Sophia caught Egbert with a worried face.
His eyes were sunken, his jaw sharp, his gaze cold.
Egbert looked so empty, Sophia didn’t dare reach out to him.
With the morning sun at his back, Egbert seemed to have a dark cloud around him.
Sophia followed him as he put on his coat, calling out to him desperately.
“Egbert, Egbert!”
Egbert turned to her coldly and finally spoke.
“You don’t need to know.”
“Egbert, that day, it was my fault. Okay? I didn’t mean to do that. You were embarrassed, right? I was just so jealous, so upset. You know how I feel, Egbert. I only have you. I don’t want anything else. I just want to stay by your side.”
Egbert blinked.
For the past three days, he’d thought about how to get Anais back.
Sophia was just in the way.
“Leave Chris here, Sophia.”
“E-Egbert!”
“I must have been crazy all this time. I never thought you’d aim for the Marchioness title.”
Egbert let out a dry laugh.
Since he wasn’t drinking, his mind was clear.
“That’s why Anais left. It’s all because of you.”
“Egbert!”
Sophia begged, her hands clasped together.
“I’m sorry! I’ll stay quiet. I have nowhere to go! I only have you!”
She broke into sobs, her makeup running down her face.
“Don’t leave me, okay? For Chris’s sake, too. I can’t live without you!”
She shook her head desperately.
Her heart pounded and it felt like the ground was disappearing under her feet. Since meeting Egbert, she’d never once thought they would break up.
Sophia had enjoyed things she never had before.
She even went on their honeymoon, took the Marchioness’s bedroom—she had enjoyed everything that belonged to Anais as if it was her own.
Three years was enough to make her forget where she really came from.
Sophia had long since lost her old self.
“Why are you doing this to me, Egbert? I’ll do anything you say! Please, just forgive me, okay?”
Sophia’s knees collapsed.
Her expensive dress spread out messily on the clean road.
“Egbert, please, Egbert…”
Egbert knelt in front of her, looked into her eyes, and spoke quietly.
“Then why don’t you go and bring Anais back? If you do, I’ll forgive you. But you can’t, right?”
He let out a bitter laugh.
Sophia’s face turned white. Anais’s name scratched at her heart again.
She thought it was all over when Anais left this house. She thought she’d taken everything. She thought no one could take Egbert away now.
But it was all an illusion. Everything Sophia dreamed was fake, and what she held onto was just empty hope.
Sophia’s body shook.
‘How long do you think Egbert will stick with you? Do you think there won’t be another Sophia?’
It was as if Anais’s voice was carried on the wind. Sophia’s crying got louder.
Another Sophia.
‘You will get back exactly what you gave me. I promise you.’
Words she ignored before now stabbed her like knives. She couldn’t feel the stones of the road digging into her skin—because the pain in her heart was much greater.
Who is this man?
Sophia stared blankly at Egbert.
“You said you loved me, Egbert. You said you only loved me. That I was the only one.”
“I must have been crazy.”
Egbert slowly stood up and put on his hat. She could no longer see his face.
“I hope you disappear soon, Sophia. I need to bring Anais back.”
He no longer looked at Sophia. His eyes, full of obsession, were on Anais—the woman he missed so much it hurt.
“Egbert…”
The carriage carrying him went far away.
Egbert abandoned Sophia.
