<Chapter 74>

No matter how noble the Duke’s family was, the Winsteins’ reputation was only worth so much to them. That’s why such absurd rumors could spread.

“Have you heard? You know the two young ladies His Majesty the Emperor matched before the current Duchess…”

“You mean the young noblewomen who allegedly fled before even reaching the North? Come to think of it, both of their whereabouts remain unclear. They must be too scared to return home, considering they defied a royal decree…”

“No, no. It turns out they didn’t actually run away.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Apparently, they didn’t flee before reaching the North but rather…”

“……What? Are you serious?”

“Shh, shh! It’s just hearsay, so don’t go spreading it around.”

The magical incantation that spread rumors fastest in the world was none other than, “Only you should know.”

With that phrase, words passed from mouths to ears, and from ears to mouths, until there wasn’t a soul in society left unaware of the gossip.

Finally, on the day the Winstein Duke and Duchess’s carriage passed through the capital’s gates, bored onlookers gathered on the upper windows of tall buildings along the bustling streets, eager to witness the spectacle.

“Is it true? The viscount’s daughter will confront them at the head of that procession today?”

“Yes. She’s a powerless girl from a humble family. The only way she can clear her grievances is by making them public.”

“Truly disgraceful. I wonder if the Duchess knows her husband is the kind of scoundrel who seduces innocent young ladies and throws them away like trash.”

“Of course, she knows. She might even be crying silently inside that carriage right now.”

The crowd eagerly watched the Winstein procession, their faces full of expectation.

After all, it was the entourage of the North’s ruler and duke—a sight worth seeing on its own.

The Duke and Duchess’s grand carriage wasn’t ostentatious but exuded sophistication and sturdiness.

Surrounding it were knights with imposing statures, armed and mounted on horses, each with stern expressions as they vigilantly guarded their surroundings.

‘When will the viscount’s daughter show up?’

The shocking rumor that the Duke of Winstein had seduced and impregnated a viscount’s daughter had spread beyond the social circles and reached the commoners in the streets.

Even the common folk gathered around the Winstein procession, curious to see when the drama would unfold.

But from the moment the Duke and Duchess’s carriage passed through the capital’s gates, along the main road, through the square, and onto Royal Street lined with noble townhouses, no one leapt in front of the carriage to stop it.

Not a pregnant young woman, nor a young man, an old man, a child, or even a stray dog or cat interrupted the procession.

The Winstein Duke and Duchess’s entourage entered the grand mansion they had acquired without a single halt.

Until the very end, as the crowd waited breathlessly for the viscount’s daughter to appear—‘Now, any moment… any second…’—nothing happened.

“Is this it? the Duke’s carriage entered the townhouse, and that’s the end of it?”

It was over. Even the knights at the back of the procession had entered the townhouse, and the gates closed behind them.

The remaining guards outside the closed gates waved away the disappointed onlookers with dismissive gestures.

Even those who clung to the last shred of hope had to admit their disappointment.

“How dull. Who said the viscount’s daughter would show up today and make this exciting?”

“What a waste of time. I should’ve gone to Lady Laura’s tea party instead…”

“Exactly. I would’ve had a much better time there.”

“Oh? What happened at the tea party?”

“Well, you know that infamous libertine who’s been engaged and dumped three times? Apparently, he’s fallen for another woman while betrothed again…”

Gossipmongers were called as such for a reason—they constantly pricked their ears to seek stories and wagged their tongues without pause.

With the Duke’s scandal ending anticlimactically, the crowd quickly turned their attention elsewhere, hungry for their next dose of excitement.

But not everyone could move on so easily. Some stared at the tightly closed gates of the townhouse, struggling to process what had just happened.

‘What’s going on? Wasn’t the viscount’s daughter supposed to show up today, flaunting her swollen belly?’

‘Could it be the wrong day? No, it was definitely supposed to be today.’

These individuals had been tipped off by the Emperor himself and were tasked with stirring up the crowd the moment the viscount’s daughter threw herself in front of the Winstein carriage, exposing the Duke’s misdeeds.

‘The Emperor himself gave us the date. There’s no way it’s wrong…’

‘So, where on earth is the viscount’s daughter?’

But now, even if the viscount’s daughter did show up, it was too late. The peak moment of public interest and excitement had already passed.

Of course, if the viscount’s daughter arrived now, banging on the closed gates and demanding the father of her child, she could still regain some attention. However…

“Damn it! So where is my daughter now?!”

Eight months had passed since the viscount lost track of his daughter.

He had hoped to finally hear news of her—whether alive or dead—and even imagined meeting her again, no matter how wretched her state.

Yet all he was left with were vile rumors, with not even a shadow of his daughter in sight. Viscount Khodchen collapsed on the streets, sobbing as he cried out for his daughter.

*  *  *

Clip clop. Clip clop.

The carriage swayed gently, and through its windows, I saw the view of a grand mansion and a beautiful garden.

Even after passing through the front gates, the expansive green lawns stretching out made me gasp in admiration.

“Wow…! It’s so pretty! The flower beds are huge, and the fountain and statues are enormous!”

“There’s even a lake behind the house,” Temenos added.

“Really? Can you row a boat on it?”

“A small one that fits two people, perhaps.”

“Wow! That’s amazing!”

Hearing my genuine amazement, Temenos chuckled lightly, while Flurry squeaked happily on my shoulder.

I pressed my face against the window, engrossed in the scenery.

“Didn’t they say Winstein didn’t have a townhouse in the capital?”

“They do now. I bought one.”

“And how long are you planning to stay to justify buying such a massive estate?”

“I don’t know how long we’ll stay, so I had to buy it.”

Oh… That’s a great lord for you.

Truly, a wealthy man who owns five mines is different.

The thought that this man is my husband fills me with admiration. He’s the best.

“Look, there’s even a hedge maze! Flurry, do you think you could find your way out if you started from the center?”

“Squeak!”

“Really? Then do you want to race me later?”

“Squeak squeak!”

Flurry puffed out its tiny chest confidently, tapping it with its paws as if to say, Leave it to me.

I found it adorable, but Temenos, who had straightened me in my seat, teased with a smirk: “You might want to reconsider.”

“Why? Do you think I’d lose to Flurry?”

“Of course, you would. All it has to do is go straight.”

“How would Flurry even run? Oh… It can go through the bushes because it’s small.”

As realization dawned, Flurry, now perched on Temenos’ hand, smacked his palm with its tiny paws as if complaining, How could you reveal my secrets like that?

“Want some sunflower seeds?”

“Squeak!”

Feigning indifference, Flurry folded its arms and turned away, but as soon as Temenos pulled sunflower seeds from his pocket, it grabbed them eagerly and began nibbling.

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, I could sense Temenos found Flurry endearing.

It surprised me. I hadn’t thought of him as someone who would care for a pet.

‘Maybe that’s why he likes Flurry. Most people find him intimidating, but Flurry doesn’t.’

“Looks like we’ve arrived.”

At that moment, Temenos returned Flurry to my shoulder as the carriage came to a halt.

‘A mansion so large that you had to ride a carriage even after passing the front gates…’

I already loved it. If I didn’t have to return to the North, I’d happily live here forever.

Click.

The carriage door opened just as Temenos put on his mask and gloves, perfectly synchronized.

“My wife, your hand.”

Temenos, having disembarked first, extended his hand to me.

After ensuring Flurry was securely perched, I took his hand and stepped out of the carriage.

“Greetings to the Duke and Duchess.”

The servants, who had been waiting outside, bowed respectfully.

Though it was my first time at this mansion, meeting the staff and touring the estate could wait. There was something more urgent to address.

“A guest should’ve arrived ahead of us.”

<To be continued>

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