Chapter 5

Even after hearing there would be no divorce, Agnes did not waver and nodded calmly.

If she could only bring Noah back, nothing else mattered.

‘But if I marry His Grace, what happens to the heir?’

The thought crossed her mind, a question that had to be settled before marriage.

“Your Grace, may I ask something? What will happen regarding an heir?”

“An heir?”

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not asking you to make my son the heir of House Vasteron. That would be absurd. It’s just that, as far as I know, Your Grace doesn’t have an heir yet.”

Did that mean he planned to have a child with her?

Was that really possible in a marriage that was hardly a real one?

Her mind tangled quickly, but Dylan only made a short sound of realization.

“Ah.”

He spoke in a calm and detached tone, as if the matter meant little to him.

“I have no need for an heir. You do not need to worry. And as you said, I will not name Noah Overhen as one.”

“What?”

What did that even mean?

Seeing the confusion on her face, Dylan clicked his tongue softly.

“Does this question help you bring your child back?”

“No!”

Her quick denial showed how uncomfortable she was with the topic. She feared he might change his mind.

Dylan looked her over from head to toe before averting his gaze.

‘She’s sharper than she seems.’

She was not the kind of person who would expect more from this marriage than what had been promised.

And since she saw him as her only lifeline, she would try to make everything as convenient for him as possible.

That was enough.

As long as she kept to that promise, Dylan could treat her politely and without trouble until the end.

He needed someone like her just as much as she needed him.

With graceful movements, Dylan stood and approached her.

When he gently extended his hand, Agnes blinked in confusion, then seemed to realize something and took off her glove.

“Please be gentle.”

Her outstretched hand looked as though she were offering it for him to drink from.

Dylan’s expression twitched in surprise before he gave a small cough.

“I meant a handshake. Our agreement is now official.”

“Oh… goodness.”

Embarrassed, Agnes’s face flushed red. She timidly reached out and took his hand.

“I’m sorry. I’ve never shaken hands before. I’ll be careful next time.”

With that simple sentence, Dylan understood where her innocence came from.

Her world was painfully small.

It had been limited to the Everchen estate, then moved to the Overhen mansion after marriage.

Even when she attended parties, it had only been as a showpiece for potential suitors.

That could never have been her real world.

For a woman like that to come to him on her own and propose remarriage must have taken tremendous courage.

Dylan held her hand firmly.

“There’s no need to return to the Everchen townhouse. From today, stay here.”

Agnes blinked in surprise.

Was that even proper before the marriage?

The Everchen family would surely cause an uproar.

They were likely busy already, trying to arrange another match with an older nobleman.

But Dylan’s next words swept away her hesitation.

“Who do you think you need to answer to? The Everchens, who have no intention of helping you find your son? Or the Overhens, who will not even let you see him?”

It was neither. She knew that.

Meeting Dylan’s clear blue eyes, Agnes slowly and firmly nodded.

“You’re right. From now on, the only people who matter in my life are Noah and Your Grace.”

Warmth seemed to spread from their joined hands.

For the first time, Agnes felt as if the ghost she had become finally had substance again.

Her very first handshake left that deep of an impression.

* * *

“What? Agnes is marrying who? Who said that nonsense?”

A sharp voice sliced across the long dining table.

The pitch was so high that even the servants nearby grimaced.

Viscountess Everchen still had traces of beauty from her younger years, but time and temperament had sharpened her features into something fierce.

Those eyes glared at the butler, who was sweating under the pressure.

“I confirmed it several times. The messenger was indeed from the Vasteron household. They said the Duke of Vasteron intends to marry Lady Agnes.”

“Oh heavens, heavens! That’s impossible!”

The viscountess shot up from her chair in shock.

Her earrings, far too luxurious for their means, clinked loudly beside her cheeks.

They were the same earrings she had received when marriage talks with Count Paula were still ongoing.

Now that the match had fallen through, she should have returned them, but she had delayed because she liked them too much.

“Well, this is wonderful! Agnes finally did something I can be proud of!”

The Duke of Vasteron.

That was far beyond Count Paula.

Those earrings were nothing compared to the treasures she could gain from this.

Delighted, the viscountess burst into loud, high laughter.

“To think the girl who refused every dress I picked to look modest and pure somehow managed to win over the Duke of Vasteron.”

The dresses she had chosen for Agnes had always been revealing or sheer.

Every time Agnes saw them, she would frown and shake her head.

Now, imagining that stubborn girl acting sweet toward the duke filled her with satisfaction.

“Ugh…”

Across from her, Viscount Everchen groaned, his face full of worry.

“Why that face? Our daughter finally did something right. Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“No matter how I think about it, something feels wrong. What kind of man takes a bride without sending her home first or informing her family?”

“That just makes it better. The Duke must like her so much he doesn’t want to let her go home. Could she ever find a better match? Be glad.”

The viscountess smiled, patting her husband’s shoulder, but his expression didn’t soften.

“I heard the Duke of Vasteron is a monster.”

“Dear, that’s just a rumor.”

Her husband’s cautious tone irritated her, but she forced herself to speak sweetly.

“Even if he were a monster, do you think he’d eat his own wife? If that were true, why bother with marriage? It’s all foolish talk. What I’m worried about is whether she’ll start ignoring us once she’s busy pleasing him.”

“Hmph. That girl might be many things, but she’s not cold-hearted toward her family.”

“Yes, yes, of course. Our Agnes is such a kind child.”

Though the viscountess found his uncertainty tiresome, she agreed for the sake of peace and waved to the head maid.

“Why is the table so empty on such a good day? The food is taking forever. Tell the kitchen to hurry.”

“Madam…”

The head maid hesitated, her voice uneasy.

The viscountess turned sharply, her fierce eyes narrowing. The maid winced, then forced herself to speak.

“The kitchen staff is short-handed, madam. Half of the maids quit suddenly, so the preparations are delayed.”

“What? When? Why wasn’t I told?”

“It happened very suddenly. I just learned myself. They all said they were offered positions at the Vasteron townhouse.”

“Vasteron?”

The viscount and viscountess gasped at once.

“Why would the Vasterons hire our household maids?”

“You see? This is exactly what I mean. That girl has no shame at all. Do something about her!”