~Chapter 121~
“So much has happened.”
After listening to Ellie’s story, Ancia’s head throbbed painfully.
The news of the guard’s death was a huge shock. The situation was far more serious than she thought.
And now there was even someone claiming Nathan had done it.
“But that’s impossible.”
What trick had the coachman pulled? Was he blinded by money and told a terrible lie?
Hearing that Nathan was accused of kidnapping made Ancia’s heart burn with frustration.
While she was lost in thought, someone knocked on the bathroom door. Ellie hurried over, peeked outside, and returned holding a glass of fruit juice.
“My lady, since your bath is taking a while, they brought you something to drink.”
“Ah, thank you.”
When Ancia reached out her hand, Ellie scooped a spoonful of juice first. Seeing this strange action, Ancia blinked in surprise. Ellie gave an awkward smile as she passed the glass.
“The master ordered that at least two people must taste-test all food before you eat it.”
Royal treatment, or what?
It showed just how alert Richard was about Ancia’s safety.
After she had gone missing for months, it was understandable he would be so cautious.
Some of Richard’s misunderstandings were forgivable — but they were still misunderstandings. Before deciding who to trust, shouldn’t they first uncover why the coachman lied?
Through Bianca, Ancia had already learned that the coachman gave her tea mixed with sleeping herbs. If she mentioned this, wouldn’t that clear Nathan’s name?
“I must see the Duke.”
“Yes, my lady. He said to bring you to the bedroom once your bath is over. You’ll be able to meet him right away.”
Thankfully, it seemed she could see Richard soon.
When she stepped out after bathing, as Ellie said, a guard stood outside with his back turned.
While Ancia dressed, Head Chef Harmon came in with a tray. His eyes looked swollen as if he had cried, but he entered calmly.
“I heard you were sick in the carriage. So I prepared vegetable soup and refreshing lemon tea, something gentle on the stomach.”
“Thank you. I was craving something fresh.”
When Ancia reached for the cup, Harmon tasted a spoonful first, then handed it to Ellie, who also tested it with a clean spoon before giving it to Ancia.
So they really were making two people test everything.
But wasn’t it Harmon himself who cooked? How could he poison his own dish? Richard’s distrust of even those inside his mansion made Ancia worry how she could ever persuade him.
“You may drink now.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
There were too many things to argue about, so she let this one go. She sipped, and the gentle aroma and refined taste soothed her. Bianca had been good at cooking, but not at making tea.
“Haah… I’m finally home.”
At her soft sigh, Harmon seemed deeply moved. Ellie, ashamed she had once doubted her mistress, couldn’t raise her head. Even the guard’s stern gaze softened for a moment before hardening again.
Soup and light finger foods were set out too. Testing every dish became a hassle, so Ancia invited the guard to join them. At first, he firmly refused, but once Ellie stepped out, even he couldn’t turn down the cookie Ancia offered, since it meant both of them had to taste it anyway.
“The chef’s skills seem to have improved. This is very soft.”
“Pudding is supposed to be soft, my lady. But what did you live on all this time…?”
Harmon, carrying in more dishes, nearly choked on his words. Seeing normally picky Ancia eat everything so happily made his heart ache.
Even after she set her fork down, Harmon tried to bring more snacks, but Ancia stopped him. Eating too much at once might upset her stomach again. She rubbed her full belly in relief.
During the carriage ride, she had thought she would die from vomiting everything she ate. But now that she felt full, her energy returned.
She needed that energy — to speak firmly with Richard about Nathan and Bianca.
In the Duke’s office, everyone’s faces were grim.
On the table lay letters sent from the imperial family — warnings and reprimands.
The Emperor wrote that leading knights to the Count’s estate was no different than hostility toward the Crown. Though it excused the Duke, saying he had lost reason because of his missing wife, the words felt humiliating, as if they could be burned for firewood.
They even reminded him not to forget the royal family’s “generosity” for allowing the knights to remain in the East. Arthur clicked his tongue in disgust.
“They act like they’re erasing a debt that doesn’t exist.”
“But still, Your Grace did march east, knowing the Crown seeks to keep the Duchy in check,” a clueless aide argued.
Arthur glared at him with eyes that said, We really need to replace this fool someday.
Some argued they must prove their justification, while others said they should apologize to the Crown.
Richard, however, showed no reaction. This meant nothing to him. Compared to the time when he hadn’t even known if Ancia was alive, this was far easier to endure.
Ancia. In just a few months, she had changed his entire life. She had become his most precious treasure.
When she looked at him with those wounded eyes, Richard had wanted to kneel and beg forgiveness: I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.
He wanted her to know: I believe you — but what happened beyond your sight may be different.
“Your Grace, a messenger from the Crown Prince has arrived. This time, you must give an answer.”
Dragged from his thoughts, Richard reluctantly nodded. He had delayed many matters while searching for his wife. Now he had to settle at least some of them.
But thinking of Ancia only reminded him of more things to do.
“Has Bianca’s interrogation ended?”
“Yes. The information matches what we learned in the village. Her background was checked again, and nothing suspicious was found.”
When Ancia reunited with Bianca, her reaction had been pure relief.
Still, Richard couldn’t completely trust someone who had lived with Ancia while she was missing. He had allowed it on the road back, since Ancia relied on her, but at the estate he had her thoroughly investigated.
Bianca had been bold, even indignant. She demanded why it had taken them so long to come, after she had sent so many letters and pigeons. She complained about having to serve Ancia in such poor conditions, but not once showed fear before the interrogators — only worry that Ancia was now safe at home.
If Bianca were a man, Richard might have suspected her instead of Nathan. She cared for Ancia too much, almost fiercely. But in truth, there was no proof against her.
“Contact Count Leslie and release Nathan Leslie from custody.”
Richard didn’t plan to stop investigating altogether, but he could compromise this far.
Other than the coachman’s testimony, there was no evidence. And the coachman had since vanished. His words could not be trusted.
Besides, Nathan and Bianca had indeed protected Ancia. So Richard chose to resolve what troubled her most.
Morning at the Duke’s mansion always began with the peculiar scent of herbal tea — fragrant herbs mixed with bitter medicine.
Soft bedding, warm sunlight — a perfect start to the day.
The only odd part was that the one serving the tea wasn’t Bianca, but a maid Ancia had never seen before.
“Who are you?”
“An honor to meet you, Duchess. I am Anna Rop, wife of Baron Rop, knight of the Gwyntid Duchy.”
Anna’s gentle smile, black hair, and brown eyes stirred a deep sense of familiarity in Ancia — an Eastern look that reminded her of long-lost memories.
“Anna Rop? Then your husband is Sir Gail Rop?”
“Yes, it is an honor that you remember.”
Sir Gail had been one of Ancia’s guards during the abduction. He had ridden in a different carriage. The guard in Ancia’s own carriage had been killed, so survival had come down to a small difference.
Ancia’s already heavy heart grew even heavier.
“Anna, you must have suffered so much. Is Sir Gail doing well?”
“I don’t deserve such kindness. My husband was punished but has now returned to duty.”
Because of her, many people had suffered. Even if it wasn’t her fault, she still felt responsible.
“I’m sorry. Sir Gail did nothing wrong.”
“It was my husband’s failure to protect you properly. Please allow me to beg your forgiveness.”
Anna bowed low, lifting the hem of her simple dress. Ancia quickly reached out and helped her stand.
“Did you come here to assist me?”
“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself properly. From now on, I will serve as your personal maid, Duchess, with all my heart.”
