CHAPTER 54…………………………………..
. Wanderer’s Fate
“No matter how I look at it, something’s strange…”
After the marquis had thrown a fit like a storm and disappeared, Anje, completely drained, rested his chin on the windowsill, gazing outside.
It was an afternoon where the warm spring sunlight fell on the garden like a blessing. Viscount Algernon, visiting the mansion, was taking a walk in the garden with Mariana.
Having just finished lunch, the other aides were quietly dozing, heads drooped like sickly chickens, while Anje was entirely focused on glaring at Algernon.
Watching the man, still frail and looking as if he could collapse at any moment, smile brightly at Mariana, Anje frowned.
“Why is he still alive?”
Of course, just because one could read some aspects of fate, it didn’t mean Anje could know Algernon’s entire life. The study of astrology and fate was a complex discipline—the more you researched, the more difficult it became.
Interpretations change over time, making it even trickier. For instance, it used to be said that without wealth in one’s fate, one would live in poverty—but Anje had seen many who became rich despite lacking the “wealth star.”
Yet, no matter how you looked at it, Algernon’s chart was unbalanced, lacking harmony—it should have led to disaster long ago. In fact, Algernon had barely survived multiple assassination attempts and numerous illnesses.
Anje narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to the window.
“Are you interested in Viscount Algernon?”
The duke, entering the aides’ room, approached Anje.
“Well… about that.”
Anje, pondering whether it could be called “interest” in Algernon, tilted his head with a frown.
“Well, you could put it that way, I suppose.”
Technically, it was curiosity about Algernon’s astrological chart, but Anje simply nodded vaguely.
“Was that kind of face your type?”
“What kind of face?” Anje blinked, not understanding, as the duke continued.
“He was weak since childhood and rarely saw the sun. He was always in bed. That pale, delicate face is probably why.”
“Hmm. It is indeed an unusual beauty.”
Just then, Viscount Algernon smiled brightly at Mariana, who laughed in return. The two looked increasingly well-matched.
Mariana, though older than Anje, felt like a younger sister to him. Seeing her with a man in a romantic relationship moved him so much he dabbed his tears with a handkerchief.
“Are you crying?”
“Something got in my eye.”
Sniffling, Anje’s words earned a snort from the duke.
“Why on earth would someone like him be appealing?”
The duke’s eyes narrowed as he observed Algernon.
“He’s always reckless, acting on absurd plans without thinking. The cleanup falls on others. And yet, someone finds him appealing?”
“Are you criticizing Viscount Algernon… or the Grand Duke?”
“Not criticism, just stating facts. I suppose even he knows this. He causes trouble without intending to solve it, then suddenly goes traveling.”
“That’s because he has wanderer’s fate. He probably will his whole life… Wait.”
“Wanderer’s fate?”
Anje’s eyes narrowed as he watched Algernon and Mariana.
“Could it really be because of wanderer’s fate? That’s why he’s still alive…”
He remembered hearing that Algernon fell ill with a local disease during one of his travels back to the empire.
But wanderer’s fate isn’t just about traveling far.
“It’s the power to change direction without giving up when facing obstacles.” That, Anje thought, was the essence of wanderer’s fate. Algernon’s survival until now was likely because of it.
Even in the final moments, he never stopped doing his best.
“Viscount Algernon… no, Grand Duke, you are remarkable.”
The duke’s uncomfortable gaze turned to Anje. Was this woman even listening?
“That’s why your chart shines gold…”
Muttering something incomprehensible, Anje smiled faintly.
Before the duke could question her, he fell silent.
Black hair, black eyes—he kept being drawn to the subtle smile that appeared on a face he always thought ordinary.
“…Algernon won’t do.”
The duke’s expression stiffened as he noticed Anje’s gaze following Algernon.
“What? Why?”
The words slipped out involuntarily. Anje’s previously pretty smile was gone, replaced by his usual sulky expression.
Had this person, too, developed feelings for a beautiful but otherwise unimpressive royal? Her feelings between herself and Algernon…
“Do you think they suit each other?”
“Can’t you tell by looking?”
Anje rolled his eyes at the duke, who clearly didn’t understand how well Mariana and the Grand Duke matched.
“Good grief, does she have any sense at all?”
The duke muttered, exhaling lightly.
“What did you just say?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Giving up on the discordant conversation, the duke turned away and moved a stack of documents to Anje’s desk.
“Finish them tonight, if necessary.”
Anje’s jaw dropped at the workload placed before her.
“All of this?”
“Absolutely. I clearly said it must be done by today.”
Why suddenly now! Regardless of her expression, the duke left without a second thought.
A Few Days Later
“Miss, an invitation.”
Mariana’s expression darkened sharply as she took the card Josh handed her.
Across from her, Anje craned her neck to read the card.
“It’s an invitation to Hildegarde’s tea party. How unusual. She never sent invitations after the banquet.”
After the banquet, Hildegarde hadn’t even greeted her when passing by, let alone extended an invitation.
Yet now, a formal invitation. A few months ago, this would have hurt Mariana deeply.
But thanks to Anje at the banquet, Mariana had made new friends like Olivia and Dolores. The four of them, having attended the academy around the same time, stuck together.
“She says you should come too.”
“Why me? Are you sure you’re reading it right?”
“No, really.”
Leaning closer, Mariana showed the card to Anje.
Seeing her name, Anje’s expression stiffened.
“Dolores is friends with Hildegarde, so maybe she can find out what it’s about?”
Mariana muttered, hesitant. Attending felt like being surrounded by enemies, yet refusing might stir rumors. Plus, wasn’t Hildegarde in negotiations with her brother?
Mariana sighed deeply. Having friends changed her perspective—now she worried about affecting them with her own actions.
“Dolores doesn’t seem to think of them as friends. Still, maybe ask her.”
“If they’re not friends, why do they hang out so much?”
“In high society, it’s usually about mutual benefit, not genuine liking. Even engagements and marriages often happen this way.”
After a moment of thought, Mariana continued.
“I know, but I can’t accept it. Someone smiling at me could secretly be thinking something else. Maybe I’m immature because my parents always treated me sincerely… But still.”
Mariana furrowed her brow slightly.
“What about the marriage talks between my brother and Hildegarde? Even if it’s for convenience, at the banquet both openly brought other partners, right?”
Anje looked caught off guard—partly her own fault.
“Well… Miss, I can’t say for sure…”
“Sending the invitation means Hildegarde still considers marriage. But my brother? Don’t just shake your head. You spend the whole day with him, so surely you know what he’s thinking.”
“I don’t… spend all day with him. That’s a terrible misunderstanding.”
“Really? Aside from the short tea we had together, you’re with him all day.”
Anje shook her head in disbelief.
“Miss, you mustn’t say such things outside. Someone like me—insignificant—could have her marriage prospects ruined. Though I have no intention to marry, there’s a difference between choosing not to marry and being unable to marry at all.”
Pouting, Mariana glanced at Anje.
“They say you even have dinner together every night?”
“That’s all work-related.”
Anje shook her weary face. No matter the quality of the meal, Mariana didn’t seem to understand that it wouldn’t go to her stomach.
“It’s not work. My brother usually skips meals because he’s lazy. Mother and the housekeeper worried, but thanks to you, he eats dinner properly now. The housekeeper’s very pleased—it’s one less big worry.”
“Seems like a misunderstanding. Maybe it’s not that you helped him eat dinner, but that he was just hungry from skipping meals all day?”
Furrowing her brows, Mariana spoke with sincerity.
“No, really!”
Was Anje quick-witted or slow? Mariana patted her chest, exasperated. Who knew that someone usually so perceptive about others could be so oblivious in this case?
