Chapter 23
A Certain Letter
The first thing I need to take care of…
Ah. Why does my heart feel so ticklish? A single gift can make me feel so soft inside. And because of that, I wanted to give him something in return.
“Then… may I give you a gift as well?”
“Huh? For me?”
His eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected the question. I smiled faintly and answered.
“Yes. I want to see you happy too, Eyzar.”
Of course, to someone as respected as him, a small gift from me might mean little. But gifts are always about give and take. Even if it’s nothing grand, I hoped it could bring a little joy.
“Anything my wife gives me is always welcome.”
“Really? Even if it’s something you don’t like?”
I teased him on purpose, and he answered with a playful grin.
“No, there is nothing I would dislike if it came from you, my lady.”
That just made it harder to choose. I would have to think carefully. Even though he said there’s nothing he wouldn’t like from me, I wanted to give him something useful if I could.
‘What a delightful day.’
The faint scent of roses brushed past my nose. Even though our marriage was one of convenience, the time I spent with him now was incredibly precious.
The carriage arrived at the ducal estate. I held Eyzar’s hand as we stepped down. The servants who had been waiting approached us, smiles spreading across their faces.
“Did you enjoy your tea time, Madam?”
“Yes. It was wonderful.”
The servants exchanged glances and nodded before looking at me. Their gaze was almost like the midday sun—warm and intense.
“I see… then, Madam, do you know how quickly the Duke handled his work before coming out?”
“I regretted not seeing how he hurried so as not to be late.”
“That’s right. You could tell even to us that they’re completely in the sweet newlywed phase, you know?”
That was the first I’d heard of it. I glanced at Eyzar, and he responded, slightly embarrassed.
“I didn’t want to risk missing you.”
“Next time, please let us know in advance. So we can wait for Eyzar to come for me.”
I had said it thinking of his worried expression if he were to miss me. After a moment, he replied.
“…I will.”
His side profile was fully visible to me. Though he wasn’t looking directly at me, I could see him covering his mouth with his hand, unsure what to do.
His reaction made me feel shy, so I turned my head and stammered.
“I-I’ll go wash up now. I’m tired from being out after so long.”
“I have some work to finish as well, so I’ll go too.”
It must have looked like we were both in a rush, but flustered, I didn’t notice Eyzar’s response. As I climbed the stairs with the maids, my body felt strangely warm.
It’s still early spring, so it should be chilly… why do I feel so hot?
“Do you think I can wash with cold water?”
“At this weather, cold water might be too uncomfortable, Madam. Are you sure?”
“Seems the heat outside got me.”
“What about the bouquet of roses you’re holding? Those are from the Duke, right?”
Ah. I’d been holding the bouquet all along. What should I do with it? I wanted to place it somewhere visible.
After a moment’s thought, I handed the bouquet to May and said,
“Could you put these in a pretty vase and place them in the bedroom? I think it would be nice somewhere visible.”
“Yes, Madam. I’ll use the prettiest vase for them!”
Relieved by her bright answer, I headed to the bathroom. I let the maids help me bathe and change clothes.
When I entered the bedroom, May greeted me with a wide smile.
“Madam, welcome back! I’ve placed them in a pretty vase just as you asked!”
I saw the roses arranged in a white vase.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
Unlike gifts that arrive too quickly to appreciate the giver’s face, this one felt so much more heartfelt. I even felt a little sad knowing flowers would eventually wilt.
“May, what do you think the Duke would like to receive as a gift?”
This time, the answer came from Ember, not May.
“Madam, anything from you would make the Duke happy. But if it’s something he could use when going out, that would make it extra special.”
Ember had served in the ducal household for a long time, caring for Eyzar. Her advice was valuable.
“Something for going out… like what?”
“Gloves, perhaps? Since the seasons are changing, I’ve heard he’s planning to order thinner gloves to replace the thick ones he’s been using.”
That was important information. I quickly grabbed her hand.
“Thank you, Ember! Could you make sure he doesn’t get the chance to buy them himself before I do?”
“Hehe. Of course. I’m always on your side, Madam.”
Now, with the information gathered, I could give him a gift at just the right time.
“Okay. I’ll handle the rest myself. I hope it makes him happy.”
At that moment, Ember, still holding my hand, spoke softly.
“Madam, you really care for the Duke… Would you have a moment to speak with me?”
Her voice was gentle, yet very polite and serious. I couldn’t help but feel tense. What did she want to discuss?
Was it because I wasn’t fulfilling my role as Duchess? But I had attended the tea, built rapport with the ladies, and gotten along with the knights and servants without trouble.
I tried to calm myself and sound relaxed.
“It’s fine. You can speak freely.”
Ember smiled faintly and told May,
“May, could you step outside for a moment? I have something to discuss with Madam.”
May didn’t seem to understand the situation either but nodded respectfully.
“Yes, Head Maid.”
Once May left, it was just Ember and me. She stared at me silently for a few seconds, her gaze strangely wistful.
“Madam, you speak as if you might leave soon, yet thanks to you, the Duke has been able to smile. I’ve watched closely as you’ve learned the duties of this household, raised the morale of the knights, and carefully looked after the servants to ease the Duke’s overwhelming workload.”
I expected a scolding, but hearing praise made my face flush.
“I think anyone would have done the same.”
“No. Only you could have done this, Madam.”
Ember then handed me a thick envelope from inside her clothes. I looked at her, puzzled. She answered politely.
“Madam, you are now the mistress of this house, not someone who will leave. As the head maid of the estate, I thought it was important to show this to you.”
I carefully opened the envelope to see what was inside. There were several letters.
‘Letters? Sent to Eyzar?’
As I checked the sender, my expression froze.
The letters were from Bertisha de Claude, now Empress Bertisha Hermine—the woman Eyzar had once loved devotedly.
“So she sent me these letters on purpose… because the one the Duke loved is now Her Majesty?”
I didn’t need to know who Eyzar had loved; this response was enough. Ember nodded in agreement.
“Why did you show me these letters?” I asked, even though I already knew the reason.
“Duke Eyzar never replied to these letters. He only read them, painfully… very painfully.”
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
“I have served the Duke at this estate since he was young. I’ve seen more than anyone how deeply love troubled him. Now that he has you and can finally smile, I cannot stand by as he suffers again. As the head maid, I felt it was my duty to show you.”
At that moment, I realized that those who cared for him during his hardships had also been powerless, watching him in pain.
“May I make a bold request of you, Madam?”
Her eyes shimmered with tears.
“Please help him sort out the lingering emotions from his past love. I ask this of you.”
Bertisha Hermine—now Bertisha de Claude—the woman who had only ever shown Eyzar her back. The one who had brought the proud, ever-forward Eyzar to his knees.
But was it right for me to resolve this devotion on someone else’s request?
“I’m sorry. Sorting out the Duke’s emotions at someone else’s request doesn’t feel right. It would not respect his feelings.”
“I understand… I am truly sorry for making such a bold request…”
“Then first, I will ask Eyzar himself. If I may help him sort his feelings, that is. Ember, this isn’t about your request—I want to help him myself.”
“Madam…”
Tears ran down her face. These people in this household were so emotional.
“Thank you for telling me as the head maid. I am glad you see me as the Duchess of the Perhaem estate.”
I carefully wiped Ember’s tears. Seeing her quickly compose herself, returning to her usual calm demeanor, I couldn’t help but smile.
