Chapter 74
The Marchioness of Severia, in her elegant and cutting tone, delivered a flawless condemnation of Claudio’s character.
What on earth has he been doing with his life for her to think so?
Listening to the Marchioness, one would think there was no greater scoundrel in the world.
Yet to Marsha, Claudio was not that kind of man.
Of course, there had been times when his sharp words had irritated her, even hurt her.
Only yesterday they had had a quarrel of sorts, hadn’t they?
But he apologized first.
Even though, truthfully, it had been her fault.
“Thank you for worrying about me. But really, I’m fine,” Marsha said with a gentle smile.
“Oh, you don’t have to be so cautious. Please, speak honestly. I’ll make sure no harm comes to you.”
“No, truly…”
After hesitating, she finally gathered the courage to speak.
“His Grace is very kind and considerate.”
Even today, he had apologized and thought of her feelings.
Whenever there was danger, he appeared to help her…
Come to think of it, I’ve relied on him a lot, she realized, smiling a little sheepishly.
This young lady is telling the most outrageous lie, thought the Marchioness of Severia, unable to believe a word.
She prided herself on knowing Claudio better than anyone alive.
I’d sooner believe pigs could fly.
But of course, she also understood why Marsha would say such things.
This poor girl has no choice but to tread carefully around him.
What sense would it make to pour her heart out to someone she’d only just met—especially when that someone was Claudio’s own blood?
She would naturally fear her words being carried straight back to him.
No need to force the truth right now, the Marchioness decided.
If Claudio was himself, then sooner or later his true nature would show.
He wouldn’t bother with appearances or play the gentleman just because someone was watching.
He’ll behave just as selfishly as always.
And when he does, I’ll have the perfect excuse to rescue her.
That was what she thought.
But the scene that awaited her was far beyond anything she had imagined.
***
A maid who had returned to the ducal estate before them reported what had happened in the park.
As he listened, Claudio’s expression darkened to ice.
“…So you left Marsha alone?”
“Ah…” The maid trembled, bowing her head.
“I’m sorry. The park seemed quiet, and I only wanted her to be comfortable, so I thought…”
“Wasn’t it the west side of the park? There’s a market street there, isn’t there?”
On the surface it was lively enough, but just a little deeper into the alleys, drunkards and ruffians loitered in broad daylight.
To leave Marsha alone near such danger—
That’s how she ended up running into a pickpocket.
The maid should have told the coachman to wait at the west entrance.
That much was common sense.
And on top of that, she’d allowed Marsha to accompany the Marchioness of Severia?
True, the Marchioness was an impeccable noblewoman who never forgot a favor.
She would never harm Marsha, knowing that she had saved her and Claudio.
Likely, she would even lend her support.
But for Marsha, being left in her company could only have been deeply uncomfortable.
Claudio could not forgive a maid who had endangered the one entrusted to her care and placed her in such an awkward situation besides.
There’s no place in my house for incompetence.
He was about to dismiss her outright—but then his lips pressed shut.
Marsha might be slow to catch on, but she would easily realize that if her maid suddenly disappeared, it was because of this incident.
She would blame herself, carry guilt she didn’t need to bear.
Foolishly kind, she had even tended to and worried about the very man who had threatened her life without realizing he’d been saved by her.
“…This must never happen again.”
The maid blinked, surprised not to be punished, then quickly composed herself.
“Thank you, my lord. I’ll never disappoint you again.”
When she left, Claudio rose to his feet. Marsha would arrive soon—he had to meet her.
As he walked toward the entrance, his thoughts churned.
This woman attracts danger as if it follows her everywhere.
Hadn’t he thought the same before?
Why did she get caught up in such things so often?
Always making him worry, always making him want to keep her within sight.
I’ve never worried about anyone in my life until now.
It felt like punishment for the ease with which he’d lived so far.
His head, his heart—everything was filled with her.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha…
Still, he intended to scold her when he saw her.
What had she been thinking, involving herself in something so dangerous?
Even if he’d hurt her only yesterday, he couldn’t overlook this.
What if it happened again?
But the moment Claudio reached the entrance and saw Marsha step gracefully down from the carriage, all his pent-up frustration melted away.
It’s as if all the light in the world shines only on her.
Foolish.
How could he scold her?
How could he darken that face again?
In the end, it was his fault for letting her go out unprepared.
From now on, he would make sure such things never happened again.
Meanwhile, the Marchioness of Severia’s eyes went wide at the sight of Claudio hurrying forward.
“The Duke himself comes out to greet her?”
It was the first time in his life he had ever done such a thing.
“I heard from the maid. Are you all right?” Claudio asked, as if no one else existed but Marsha.
Marsha was flustered.
Why ignore her grandaunt and direct his question at her?
“I’m fine. But I imagine the Marchioness must have been very startled.”
“Never mind me. They said you tripped a thief? Are you hurt?”
“No, not even a scratch.”
She answered as if wondering why he’d ask such a thing.
“Let me see.” Claudio looked ready to kneel then and there.
Marsha, startled, muttered under her breath so only he could hear.
“W-what’s there to see…!”
“You collided with a man running, didn’t you? There’s no way you came out of it unscathed.”
“I told you, I’m fine! Why won’t you believe me?”
“Then prove it. Let me check.”
“Right now…!” Marsha flicked a glance at the Marchioness.
“She’s watching us…!”
“Didn’t we already fight about this? About not caring what others think?” Claudio frowned.
“And you apologized afterward!”
“I apologized for my tone, not my point. And you told me not to apologize, remember? Didn’t that mean you thought I was right?”
“No, I only meant—”
As the Marchioness stood frozen in disbelief, Urian approached with an awkward smile.
“Marchioness. It’s been too long. We’ve prepared tea inside—shall we?”
Allowing herself to be escorted, she whispered faintly:
“…Count Celtos. My eyes must be failing me. The infamous Duke of Gloria is—”
Not sneering, not ignoring, but bickering playfully with a woman?
“…I must be seeing things.”
“You’re not,” Urian replied quietly. “You saw it correctly.”
“What?”
Impossible.
Before mounting the steps, the Marchioness turned back one more time.
There they were—Claudio, his face tight with worry, scolding in exasperation, and Marsha, looking equally flustered yet refusing to yield.
“Oh, heavens…”
Now she understood why Claudio had brought Marsha here.
After years of infuriating her with his cold indifference toward young ladies, he—
The revelation was so shocking the Marchioness staggered.
Urian quickly caught her arm.
“Are you all right? Shall I carry you?”
“Hardly. Don’t treat me like an old crone.”
“N-no, of course not. I was only worried—”
Her sharp glare made poor Urian sweat bullets.
