ITAYA 67

~Chapter 67~

“His Grace the Duke thinks Estus needs justice restored. He also believes it should start with Lady Gwenndolyn.”

Now I understood the link between the city guard and Gwenndolyn’s rudeness.

This was payback.

Gwenndolyn had dared to insult the Duchess. Since Baldwin couldn’t act directly without damaging her reputation, he decided to punish the Horace family by making their son an example—a warning.

The Marquis of Horace clenched his teeth.

All his anger turned toward his wife.

‘She spoiled Gwenndolyn too much!’

Now, not only did he have to keep his son out of jail, but Gwenndolyn’s whole future was on the edge.

“I’ll fix this, Your Grace. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll even have my family apologize to the Duchess!”

Baldwin’s eyes turned icy.

“That’s not the main point, Marquis. His Grace won’t just let this go.”

“What do you want me to do, Your Grace?” the marquis pleaded.

He cared only about his two children, and both were in trouble. He was beside himself.

Luterick spoke again.

“His Grace does not want to see Lady Gwenndolyn’s face in the capital’s social circles anymore. Luckily, her fiancé is a foreigner.”

“She’s getting married at the end of the month! The invitations will go out soon! I’ll send her away immediately—she’ll never set foot in the capital again, I promise.”

Baldwin, who had been silent until now, finally moved his hand.

The Marquis watched him anxiously.

[Lady Gwenndolyn needs to learn her place.]

The Marquis nodded quickly.

“Yes, Your Grace!”

[And I don’t want the Duchess to know about any of this.]

The Marquis’s eyes widened. Wasn’t all this happening because the Duchess wanted it?

“I—I understand.”

There was no point in asking questions now. All he could do was agree.

[I’m glad to hear that, Marquis.]

Baldwin gave a slight smile, but the Marquis shivered at the coldness in his eyes.

[Your illegitimate son will get a fair trial. Properly.]

At least it seemed the Duke wouldn’t get involved any further.

The Marquis breathed a sigh of relief.

He thanked Baldwin several times and left the office. Outside, he glanced up at the elegant sign hanging on the building.

“Ha… That young man has some nerve.”

He finally gave in to temptation and lit a cigarette, unable to calm his nerves any longer.

Now, what should he do?

He stood by his carriage for a long time, smoking and sighing deeply.

“So… this wasn’t just a business marriage after all.”

People had always gossiped about the Duke and Duchess—was it for love, or was it just business? Some even claimed Anais had “traded up” to a better husband.

But one thing was certain: if Baldwin ever heard those rumors, it wouldn’t end well for anyone.

His cold eyes were sharp as ice—filled with real malice.

The Marquis threw his cigarette down and crushed it under his foot, sighing once more.

“I shouldn’t be worrying about others right now.”

He scowled. He really didn’t know what to do about his reckless daughter.

Where had it all gone wrong?

He didn’t even know what Gwenndolyn was thinking anymore.

Facing the fate of his entire family, the Marquis grew somber and serious.

Right on time, Countess Crenbel came to pick me up at the bank.

Actually, she wasn’t a member of the Lady’s Reading Circle.

The Lady’s Reading Circle was for young ladies in their twenties and noblewomen, but sometimes older women attended to help out. It was a bit like a finishing school.

But today, Countess Crenbel was coming as my etiquette teacher.

She talked nonstop in the carriage.

“You really must thank Lady Gwenndolyn. She personally asked the others so I could come just for you!”

She was working hard to make things difficult for me.

“Yes, I will.”

I answered lightly.

I’d heard about these gatherings but had never attended one before, not even when I was a marchioness. No one ever invited me, and I never wanted to go.

Today’s Lady’s Reading was being held at the Weidon family’s house. Miss Weidon was one of the organizers.

I nodded along as Countess Crenbel chatted, and soon the carriage stopped.

The reading was to be held in the garden. As soon as I got out, a maid led me there.

Women were sitting around tables, chatting.

“Your Grace the Duchess.”

Gwenndolyn gave me a polite little curtsy.

“It’s an honor that you came. Everyone’s been waiting just for you.”

Wait—was I late?

I’d arrived ten minutes early, according to the instructions.

“You’re a little late, but everyone was happy to wait.”

I looked at Gwenndolyn coldly. She was smiling, but I could see the malice behind it.

She must have given me the wrong time on purpose.

Her black eyes gleamed, watching for my reaction.

This sort of trick was nothing.

Even if I said she’d given me the wrong time, I couldn’t prove it. I’d just look like a fool.

I looked away from Gwenndolyn.

“Countess Crenbel, did I get the time wrong? Did you also get the time wrong?”

Gwenndolyn pouted. It wasn’t the reaction she wanted.

So childish.

Countess Crenbel, looking embarrassed, said,

“I—I…”

“It’s fine. I’m already late.”

I greeted everyone politely.

“Hello, everyone. Thank you for inviting me. Sorry I’m late—I must have mixed up the time.”

The young ladies giggled.

Some looked at me with curiosity, others made it clear they wanted to exclude me.

It was obvious who was on Gwenndolyn’s side.

And then, among them, one person stood out: an elderly noblewoman watching me quietly. Gwenndolyn came up beside me.

“Oh, this is the Countess of Raynglass. She came today to share her wisdom. Countess Raynglass is very learned.”

The countess watched me with unreadable eyes.

“I’ve seen you from afar, but this is our first time meeting in person. It’s a pleasure, Countess.”

“Thank you for your welcome, Your Grace,” she replied politely.

It was a neat, proper greeting—impossible to tell if she was friend or foe.

“Let’s begin the reading again. Everyone, please take your seats.”

The young woman leading the reading must be Miss Weidon, the host.

Countess Crenbel sat beside me, still looking annoyed that I’d corrected her earlier. She clearly wanted to say something, but the reading began before she could.

“Next up…”

“Excuse me, Miss Weidon.”

Gwenndolyn cut her off, raising her hand.

“The order we drew is important, but wouldn’t it be better if Her Grace read first?”

All eyes turned to me. Miss Weidon smiled brightly.

“That’s a good idea, Gwenndolyn. Your Grace, would you mind?”

She didn’t seem surprised at all, as if they’d planned it.

And I didn’t mind, either. Whether I went first or last didn’t matter.

They just wanted to see me embarrassed.

I stood up.

As I did, Miss Weidon handed me a book.

“Today’s theme is the early poems of Kaelersk: Was All That Was Taken Love?”

Everyone looked at me, full of anticipation.