~Chapter 78~
“I apologize for being so rude. I am from the House of Horace…”
“Ah, you must be Lady Elenia. We haven’t had a chance to speak alone before. It’s a pleasure.”
The Grand Duchess smiled gently.
Seeing that gentle smile, the Marchioness of Horace almost shed tears.
The tension that had built over time seemed to melt away. She bit her lips tightly.
“The reason I stopped Your Highness today…”
Anais tilted her face in slight confusion.
She hadn’t done anything to Gwenndolyn. There was no reason for the Marchioness to approach her with such fear.
The Marchioness hesitated.
“I came to apologize for my daughter’s rudeness.”
“What did Miss Gwenndolyn say?”
That question wrapped the Marchioness in a fresh wave of tension.
She remembered the warning from Horace:
“The Grand Duke said this must be kept from the Grand Duchess. He’ll handle it from behind! That boy is sly, so dark-hearted. He doesn’t want the Grand Duchess to see his darkness.”
It was indeed a tricky situation. She remembered the humiliation at the Enshver salon that morning.
She hadn’t known it would be helpful.
The Marchioness quickly forced a sorrowful expression.
“No, I noticed it myself. I went to Enshver to prepare Gwenndolyn’s wedding dress and discovered it. It was shocking.”
“Ah.”
“I heard from the salon’s madam that Miss Gwenndolyn did things she shouldn’t have. I came to apologize on her behalf. I’m sorry, Your Highness. I must have failed in raising my daughter properly.”
Anais looked at the Marchioness with a blank expression.
The Marchioness smiled harder, hoping even a small smile might reach the Grand Duchess’ heart.
She had never humbled herself like this in her life, especially not in front of someone her daughter’s age.
Yet there was no time to argue.
“Our house could collapse. You know that. You need at least one son to inherit the family! You can’t have more children now. Gwenndolyn might be expelled, and do you want the family taken by someone else, leaving you on the street?”
This was no joke.
They were the ones most alert to what choices must be made to maintain their property and title.
Even if it twisted her pride, the Marchioness realized she had to hold her illegitimate child and bow before the Grand Duchess.
Anais spoke.
“A wedding dress… Miss Gwenndolyn is getting married? I hadn’t heard that.”
“It’s a secret.”
The Marchioness quickly replied.
“Gwenndolyn had a fiancé. Her wedding was delayed for a long time, but they finally set a date. Counting it, only about two weeks remain.”
“…Is that so?”
Anais let out a faint smile.
She had another man?
Recalling proud Gwenndolyn, she felt stunned. She had acted as if she herself were a pure-hearted heroine, strutting with pride.
Anais spoke coldly.
“I understand your intention, Marchioness. And thank you for the news. I will send a wedding gift to her soon.”
“Your Highness…! I don’t know how to thank Your Highness for your mercy!”
Anais smirked.
She knew her daughter would be humiliated simply because the Grand Duchess offered a wedding gift.
This was not congratulation—it was mockery.
“Yes, I appreciate you taking it that way. Next time, I hope to meet you under better circumstances.”
The Marchioness nodded eagerly. She could never know how grateful she was for Anais’ words.
“I survived…!”
And there was a man quietly watching and overseeing everything.
Baldwin smiled crookedly. Luterick sighed upon seeing that expression.
“I hope Your Highness the Grand Duchess doesn’t notice that mischievous look on your face.”
[This must never happen again.]
“Of course.”
Baldwin’s eyes gleamed slightly.
The seeds he had sown over the past weekend were bearing fruit.
He hadn’t expected the Countess of Crenbel to flee in the night, but it meant she had been pushed to the edge.
The Horace family’s decision was quick as well. Preparing the wedding dress meant they intended to follow orders, get their daughter married, and settle matters.
Baldwin rubbed his lips with his fingers.
‘Better set things up before she causes trouble.’
The investigation into Gwenndolyn’s future husband was already complete.
[I need to meet that Aska person.]
“Wasn’t that the end of it?”
[I just want to give a wedding gift.]
“That doesn’t seem likely.”
Luterick looked at Baldwin with distrust.
Baldwin never acted without reason. Every action had a purpose.
And suddenly—a wedding gift?
Luterick sighed. No matter what he was thinking, Baldwin could not be defied.
“I will locate Aska Mandelain and set a meeting. But why are you seeking her?”
It was necessary to understand the situation to respond properly. Baldwin answered.
[I heard Aska Mandelain is a noblewoman of refusal.] (i.e., extremely selective, independent)
“Yes, that’s correct.”
[What if we establish a trade relationship with her?]
“Uh… hmm.”
Luterick tilted his head.
[We bring in goods through Aska’s guild.]
“I don’t know what items she handles….”
[At least the luxury goods for the cruise we’re building. If we place a large order, Aska Mandelain will listen.]
Not just listen—she might kneel and beg for favor.
Baldwin seemed instinctively to know how to dominate others.
Luterick nodded, understanding.
“We’ll bring her here directly.”
And Baldwin thought:
Never go against the Grand Duchess’ will.
Wednesday, the start of summer.
Anais was busy planning a new business investment.
Janus was adapting to his new workplace—the hospital Anais trusted him with.
“Life really is full of twists and turns.”
It was a completely new challenge for him, but he wanted to do well. He did not want to disappoint Anais, who trusted him.
He tried to understand his work as quickly as possible, arriving at dawn and leaving past midnight, repeating this routine.
Janus’ only joy in life came from his sense of accomplishment at work. Perhaps there would be more in the future.
At that moment, a visitor arrived.
“Director, the Marquis Graham has come to see you.”
Janus thought immediately:
‘It has come.’
His face tensed. Marquis Graham had a deep connection with him.
Sezares Graham had been someone Janus could trust and follow—an employer. Through him, he had met Egbert and Anais.
Egbert had been a rude brat as a child and a reckless rogue as he grew up.
Yet, it was Egbert’s recklessness that had put Janus in this position.
And now…
He had to surpass Egbert.
To repay Anais for placing him here.
“Show him in.”
The moment Egbert entered, his expression stiffened.
“Why are you here?”
He still had no respect for others. It was hard to believe someone like Sezares’ bloodline could be such a brute.
“I was newly appointed.”
“You’re the hospital director?”
“Yes, sir.”
Janus answered calmly. Any emotional reaction would only tire him.
Egbert repeated, eyes tense.
“Really?”
“Yes, Marquis.”
“What happened to the previous director? The one who pocketed my family’s money?”
“By now, he must have gone elsewhere. I don’t know where. I will protect this position from now on, Marquis.”
In other words—do not seek that person anymore.
“You…”
Egbert narrowed his eyes.
“Did Anais do this?”
Luckily, he wasn’t completely insane yet.
