Chapter 69

“It wasn’t an annulment, only a broken engagement proposal. That sort of thing is common enough among the nobility. Was there some other issue that prevented further contact?”

Agnes asked in a puzzled tone.

She wasn’t wrong. Even she had received more proposals than she could count on both hands. Some of those had even come from aging nobles looking for a second wife.

The mere fact that a match had fallen through couldn’t have been the real problem. Something must have happened to cause it.

Gavelin nodded in quiet agreement.

“Yes. When His Grace was still a prince, the son of Count Peridot served in his knight order. They were more than just lord and knight. They were close friends.”

“Closer than the knights who serve him now?”

Agnes remembered how at ease Dylan looked when he spent time with his knights and asked curiously.

“Yes. His Grace is friendly with the others too, but he never crosses the line between commander and subordinate. As far as I know, he and that young man were childhood friends.”

“Oh… so that’s why a marriage proposal was discussed?”

Gavelin gave a silent nod. Agnes’s expression grew solemn.

A childhood friend who later joined the same knight order, walking the same path toward the same goal as Dylan.

Dylan must have trusted him deeply and respected his family enough to consider joining their houses through marriage. It wasn’t hard to imagine the situation back then.

It must have been more than a casual match made for convenience. It was likely an effort to strengthen the alliance between the prince’s faction and the Peridot family.

But if that connection had been broken…

“Did the son of Count Peridot betray His Grace?”

Agnes asked cautiously, lowering her voice as if someone else might overhear, even though only she and Gavelin were in the office.

Gavelin’s face darkened, and his voice dropped to a near whisper.

“From all indications, yes. But His Grace merely ordered the engagement proposal to be withdrawn. He never spoke further on the matter. What is certain, however, is that the young heir of Count Peridot died by His Grace’s hand.”

Agnes was struck speechless. The weight of that truth left no words to offer.

After a moment of silence, she quietly set aside the acceptance letter she had intended to send to Count Peridot’s household.

“I won’t send this. I’ll reply only to Baron Orwellin’s and Viscount Tavella’s families.”

“A wise decision, my lady.”

Agnes exhaled and smiled faintly.

“Please continue helping me with matters like this. I’m not well-versed in such things.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Agnes was truly grateful to have Gavelin beside her. The invitation from the Peridot family had likely been a matter of formality, but accepting it would have caused trouble for everyone involved.

* * *

Some time later, replies arrived from the two families.

Baron Orwellin’s family sent their answer almost immediately, along with a small gift, expressing how delighted they were and inviting her to an upcoming tea party.

Viscount Tavella’s family, on the other hand, wrote in a more measured tone, asking her to let them know when she would be available.

Agnes decided to attend the tea party at Baron Orwellin’s mansion with Noah.

Even though it was summer in the northern region, the weather was mild enough that she and Noah could dress lightly, wearing thin coats over simple attire.

The tea party was held in the Orwellin family’s garden, which was larger and more splendid than the main house itself. It was clear how much the lady of the house cherished it.

When Agnes and Noah entered the garden, Baroness Orwellin greeted them with a bright smile, her expression as warm and vivid as midsummer roses. She carried a passion that felt a little different from the usual calm of the northern nobility.

“Welcome, my lady. I’m so happy you could come. It’s only a modest gathering, but I hope you enjoy yourself.”

Agnes returned her smile, touched by the woman’s genuine enthusiasm.

“Modest? Hardly. A tea party in such a lovely garden couldn’t be more perfect.”

“Oh my, you’re too kind. The flowers bloomed well this year, so I’m glad I can show you something worthy of your visit.”

There was pride in the baroness’s tone, but it wasn’t arrogance. It was simply affection for the garden she clearly loved.

Agnes took Noah’s hand and followed her deeper into the garden.

Inside, members of the Orwellin family were already gathered, along with Baroness Arbil and her two daughters.

One of the young ladies seemed around Agnes’s age, while the other looked younger, probably not yet debuted.

Baroness Orwellin introduced Agnes and Noah to everyone present.

“May I introduce the Duchess of Vasteron and her son, Young Master Overhen.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. This is my son, Noah Overhen. We’re still getting used to life in the north, so I hope you’ll be patient with us.”

Agnes smiled warmly as she rested a gentle hand on Noah’s shoulder.

Thankfully, the atmosphere was pleasant. No one seemed to find it strange that her surname and Noah’s were different.

Everyone here must have already heard about the Overhen family’s scandal in the capital.

At one side of the garden, the Orwellin children were playing together. Among them, the oldest boy approached Noah politely.

“Young Master Overhen, I’m Caron of the Orwellin family. Would you like to join us?”

Caron looked about thirteen and already carried himself with the manners of a young gentleman.

Agnes looked to Noah to see how he would respond. After a short pause, he nodded shyly and took Caron’s hand, walking toward the group of children.

Agnes exhaled in quiet relief, watching them from her seat.

Baroness Orwellin chuckled softly behind her hand.

“Caron is my son. He loves taking care of others, so please don’t worry.”

Hearing that, Agnes laughed awkwardly, slightly embarrassed to be so easily read. But she was glad. It seemed Noah would be able to make friends here.

Baroness Orwellin guided Agnes to a seat and joined her at the table, where several noblewomen were already chatting.

As expected, the baroness was lively and sociable, while the others spoke in gentler tones, more suited to the calm northern temperament.

“When I heard someone new had come from the east, I thought she might be talkative like me. But you’re so elegant and quiet. You suit the north perfectly.”

Baroness Orwellin laughed as she spoke, cheerful and full of life despite being a mother of five.

She mentioned that she was originally from the western region, which explained her brightness. There was a hint of western warmth and openness in her demeanor.

“When autumn comes, the northern families hold a harvest festival. Since there’s plenty of game here, many of us celebrate without going down to the capital. It’s a smaller festival, but very lively. Since you recently returned from the capital, why not join us this time?”

Baroness Orwellin’s suggestion was met with a friendly comment from Baroness Arbil.

“We’d all be delighted if the new duchess could attend. Of course, since you’re part of the Imperial family now, if an invitation arrives from the palace, that would take priority.”

Her tone was considerate, offering Agnes a graceful way to decline if she needed to.

Agnes had been nervous before coming, but thankfully the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. She smiled gently.

“A harvest festival in the north sounds wonderful. I’ll discuss it with my husband.”

Her words were polite and noncommittal, but everyone nodded in understanding.

Then, with a sparkle in her eyes, Baroness Arbil’s second daughter spoke up.

“The northern harvest festival is just as grand as the one in the capital. Each family shows off their hunting skills and their traditional dishes. Especially the venison that Count Peridot’s family brings every year. It’s amazing.”

At the mention of that name, every lady present stiffened slightly.