Chapter 53
During that time, Urian had thought Beatrice was simply trying to put her feelings in order.
But no—she only hovered more persistently around Claudio.
She acts as though a death sentence gives her the right to do whatever she pleases.
Urian stifled a sigh just as Claudio spoke.
“This woman never rests.”
“It seems she intends to do everything she desires within the year.”
For once, Claudio opened one of her letters.
I cannot sleep, worried that something dreadful might happen to you on your long journey.
Every day I offer prayers in tears for your safety, and surely those prayers will return you to me unharmed.
When you come back, the summer social season will have begun.
You know well that, in my situation, no one dares ask me to be their partner.
I beg you, pity me and remain by my side.
You would not shame the future queen, would you?
Hehe… You are such a kind man, after all.
And I am the only one who truly understands you.
I shall return to my prayers until the day I may see you again, healthy and strong.
Claudio’s lips curled into a sardonic smile as he read the shameless words.
I cannot fathom what goes on in that head of hers.
No matter how harshly he dismissed her, she always returned.
Was her intelligence lacking, or was something wrong in that part of her brain that governed emotions?
In any case… the party.
Unlike other nobles, Claudio had little reason to attend the social gatherings.
He had no need.
But this time was different.
If he wished to show the one who had tried to assassinate him that their efforts had been in vain, then his presence was necessary.
“Have you uncovered any other leads?”
“I’m sorry. There has been no word from the West or from Sedem…”
“Don’t look so dejected. I’ve been in seclusion and no news has spread—our enemy has no choice but to remain hidden and wait.”
Claudio’s lips tugged upward in a languid smile.
“In any case, I’ll need to show my face at a party or two this season. Who knows? The sight of me alive and well might provoke some slip.”
“This will mean more trouble from Lady Hermes again,” Urian muttered with a weary sigh.
“If only you had a partner, she couldn’t bother you quite so much…”
The words slipped from him before he realized, and he clamped a hand over his mouth.
“A partner?”
“I—I misspoke…”
“No. That’s a good thought. A partner.”
Urian ’s face went blank, his head tipping to the side in disbelief.
“You mean… her?”
“Who else but Marsha?” Claudio’s smile deepened as he spoke her name.
Urian’s eyes widened nearly out of their sockets.
“Y-your Grace, you’re joking, surely?”
“Do I look like a man with time to waste on jokes?”
“But she is a commoner—a foreigner without even legal standing. How could she possibly stand beside you?”
“One of the families serving my great-aunt would certainly allow me to adopt her into their line. For them, it would be nothing.”
Claudio intended to make Marsha a noble—for the sole purpose of placing her at his side.
“B-but… would such a thing truly be all right? I’m not sure Lady Marsha could bear the burden.”
“You’ve only seen her a few times. That woman has more grace than any noble-born lady.”
Claudio remembered Marsha wearing the clothing he had gifted her.
Even in such plain attire, she had looked more radiant and dignified than any heiress.
“With the right outward polish, no one would dare question her.”
He dismissed Urian with a satisfied wave.
“As for the Marchioness of Severia, I’ll send the letter myself. She won’t believe it unless it’s in my own hand. In the meantime, you know what you must do.”
He meant James.
“…Understood.”
Suppressing his tangled feelings, Urian bowed and moved to leave.
But just then, Vist barreled in like a charging boar.
“Your Grace!”
He had rushed over the instant the gatekeeper announced Claudio’s return.
The man’s face twisted in worry as he studied him.
“Are you truly all right? You’ve returned for good? I’ll fetch a physician at once—”
“That won’t be necessary. Tell me, who is the swiftest rider among our knights? A letter must go to the Severia March at once.”
Claudio’s voice cut through Vist’s fuss with firm command.
“I’ll prepare the fastest rider immediately!”
Still fretting, Vist trailed Claudio down the hall toward his study.
In the meantime, Urian hurried toward Marsha’s quarters.
Later, when he returned from dealing with James, his face was ashen…
***
Visd stared in shock. “Wh-why are you saying this?”
“The duke said he would be bringing along the woman he had been living with tomorrow…”
And then he added that the woman still did not know he was the duke, so until he chose to reveal it himself, everyone was to act with utmost discretion.
“He also said no one is to come out to greet them when they arrive. A room has to be prepared for her, and he ordered that we hire the finest designer in the region.”
“I see.”
“I’m only asking because… I need to be sure.”
Visd’s face had gone pale as he whispered, “You don’t truly mean this, do you?”
“…”
Urian had no answer.
He remembered well how Claudio had once strayed outside, and how his mother had been left to crumble helplessly under the weight of it all.
That was why Urian had grown disillusioned with both love and marriage.
Perhaps Claudio had, too—perhaps he had intended to remain a bachelor his entire life.
After all, until now, he had never once sought a woman, not even a companion for a party.
So why now?
Why would he suddenly bring a woman to his side—and in such a troublesome, roundabout way?
“He must only wish to help his savior,” Visd muttered in a rush. “A noble title alone wouldn’t help her adjust. The duke intends to bring her into society himself, to introduce her, to build her a solid foundation.”
Urian could only manage a troubled smile.
No… if all he wished was to help his savior, he wouldn’t have chosen a method like this.
Then… Did Claudio truly begin to see Marsha as someone special?
But even that, I can’t be sure of…
With a low groan, Urian pinched the bridge of his nose.
If he’s so determined to bring her here in this convoluted way, then why is he still putting off revealing his true identity?
In every way, Claudio was acting differently from the Claudio Urian once knew.
***
Marsha blinked as she stepped into the room Claudio had led her to.
What was this vast, grand chamber?
“If there’s anything lacking, tell me,” Claudio said.
Marsha frowned as if he were joking.
“Stop teasing me and take me to my room.”
“This is your room. What, you don’t like it?”
He glanced around.
He had ordered the best chamber to be prepared, but the country house was old-fashioned, and somehow the décor looked faintly tacky.
The curtains were a heavy crimson that clashed with her entirely.
Shouldn’t have left it to that fool Visd.
If it had been Urian, he would have known to make adjustments.
Everything will have to be redone.
She’d only be staying a few days, but still—what was displeasing was displeasing.
Then Marsha spoke in disbelief.
“You really gave a maid a room like this, Your Grace?”
Claudio’s head snapped toward her so sharply his hair whipped.
“A maid? You?”
“Yes.”
Claudio had been hoping she would laugh and deny it, but she answered without hesitation.
“Why would you be a maid?”
He couldn’t fathom why Urian had jumped to such an insulting assumption—and now Marsha too?
She laid a hand to her chest, puzzled.
“Because you hired me, didn’t you?”
“I made a deal with you. I didn’t hire you.”
“Isn’t it the same thing?”
Claudio let out a disbelieving snort.
“What kind of person hires someone by asking for their help?”
Marsha tilted her head, thoughtful.
Couldn’t it be said that way?
Still, the seriousness etched on Claudio’s face made her bite back any retort.
“I dealt with you as an equal,” he said firmly.
Her eyes widened.
Equal?
How could they possibly be equals?
Maybe back at her home—where she was the landlady, and Claudio had concealed his identity as a mere guest.
But here?
This was the duke’s estate.
No matter how tightly he bound up his true name, the world would always treat him as nobility.
And her, as a commoner.
…Even setting that aside…
Here and now, what exactly was she?
She had come to treat his wounds, but surely they didn’t consider her a physician.
Perhaps a healer, then?
Yet his injuries would be fully mended within a few short months.
After that, what was she supposed to be?
“What am I supposed to do, then?” Marsha looked up at him, her eyes steady and unwavering.
“For now, rest.”
“And after that?”
Her gaze sharpened.
Claudio crossed his arms and tilted his head at an angle.
