Chapter 29 on
“Love…?”
“Yes!”
Aileen froze, an awkward expression forming on her face.
If she had married normally — out of affection or mutual choice — this question wouldn’t have been difficult.
But her marriage was different. It wasn’t one born of love.
She didn’t hate Richard — in fact, she liked him, even respected him — but that was more because of familiarity, not romance.
If someone asked whether she loved him as a man, she could only deny it.
Yet she couldn’t exactly say that in public. So, looking away, she gave a vague answer.
“Well… it wasn’t one particular thing. It just happened naturally over time, I suppose.”
“But surely there was some moment — something that made you decide to marry him?”
Despite Aileen’s obvious discomfort, the curious lady pressed further.
Before Aileen could find a graceful way out, someone interrupted.
“Perhaps that’s enough questions. The Duchess looks uncomfortable.”
“Ah—! I’m sorry, Madam. I didn’t mean to pry.”
The embarrassed lady apologized, and Aileen smiled warmly to show she wasn’t upset. Then she turned to look at the person who had come to her defense — none other than Lady Pain.
It was surprising. Given her father’s behavior in the past, Aileen hadn’t expected kindness from her.
Lady Pain smiled politely when their eyes met, but… there was something smug, almost mocking, behind that expression.
Before Aileen could frown, Lady Pain added, “Besides, considering the Duchess’s circumstances, it’s understandable she might not have an easy answer to that question, isn’t it?”
“Ah…”
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The lady who had asked the question looked uneasy, glancing between them. Aileen, however, didn’t take her eyes off Lady Pain.
Like father, like daughter, she thought bitterly.
Everyone in high society already knew Aileen’s story — the fallen noblewoman who miraculously caught the Second Prince’s eye and married into the royal family.
Though rumors said it was “love at first sight,” most people assumed she’d used her situation to seduce him and secure a better life.
Apparently, Lady Pain was one of those people.
The mood grew tense. The other ladies watched Aileen nervously, waiting to see how she would react.
But instead of showing anger, Aileen smiled serenely.
Getting defensive would only make the rumors seem true. And if she appeared offended, people might twist it as “a guilty conscience.”
No — the best response was calm confidence.
“You’re right,” she said softly. “My situation was difficult back then. If His Grace hadn’t comforted me, I might not have made it through.”
“Pardon?”
Gasps rose from around the table.
Aileen covered her mouth with her fingers, feigning surprise.
“Oh dear, I accidentally called him what I usually do in private. Please, forget you heard that.”
Of course, none of them would forget — and that was exactly what she wanted.
Let them spread that rumor instead. It would overwrite the old one nicely.
Aileen stole a glance at Lady Pain. Her smile had vanished, replaced by a stiff expression.
But Aileen wasn’t done yet. After all, Lady Pain had started this.
Still smiling, Aileen asked casually,
“By the way, Lady Pain — how is your father these days?”
“My father? Why do you ask?”
“I happened to run into the Marquis at the last reception. We had a bit of a… discussion about business. I hope he didn’t take offense.”
Lady Pain’s face visibly hardened.
No wonder — Aileen had just brought up the time she’d publicly embarrassed the Marquis.
Lady Pain clenched her dress beneath the table before forcing a strained smile.
“He’s fine, thank you. In fact, he recently met with the Duke of Olden as well.”
“That’s good to hear,” Aileen replied lightly, as though the conversation were trivial.
Then she took a sip of tea. The fragrant aroma filled her mouth.
Mmm… nice tea, she thought idly, making a note to ask what kind it was later.
The table remained awkwardly silent — but that was Lady Pain’s problem, not hers.
If anything, it proved how poorly the hostess handled tension.
A moment later, someone raised her hand.
“Excuse me — may I step out for a bit?”
It was Lady Blaise, the silver-haired woman.
Everyone turned to look at her. She explained calmly,
“I’m feeling a bit heavy from the sweets. I’ll just take a short walk.”
“Of course,” Lady Pain said politely. “Take your time.”
As Lady Blaise walked away, Aileen watched her — then stood as well.
“I think I’ll stretch my legs too. Please, continue without me.”
The other women’s faces relaxed slightly. They were clearly relieved to see one of the two tense figures — Aileen and Lady Pain — leaving.
It’s probably better this way, Aileen thought. They’ll gossip, sure, but at least the hostess can recover her pride.
She followed the direction Lady Blaise had gone and soon found her standing quietly near the flowerbeds, gazing at the blossoms with her usual emotionless eyes.
Sensing movement, Lady Blaise turned. Her eyes widened a little when she saw Aileen.
“Oh… Duchess.”
“There you are.”
“Yes. But why are you—”
“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Lady Blaise studied her for a moment, then nodded slightly.
Aileen smiled gently.
“I just wanted to see you again.”
“See me?”
“Yes. I wanted to thank you for letting me take that item at the shop — and, well…”
Because there’s something about your eyes that feels familiar, she thought but didn’t say.
Lady Blaise looked puzzled.
“Madam?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Aileen shook her head, brushing away the thought.
After a quiet pause, Lady Blaise spoke.
“It wasn’t anything special. I just needed a storage box, and that one wasn’t necessary.”
“Still, you gave it up for me. That was kind of you.”
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
Her tone was modest, almost shy.
Aileen smiled again and made a spontaneous offer.
“If you don’t mind… would you like to visit the Olden estate sometime?”
“…What?”
“I’d like to repay your kindness — and maybe talk more with you.”
Lady Blaise looked flustered.
But Aileen’s gaze was calm and sincere. There was something about this woman that continued to draw her interest.
After a brief hesitation, Lady Blaise nodded.
“…If you send me a date and time, I’ll come.”
“Wonderful. I’ll send a letter to House Blaise soon. I hope we can become friends.”
Lady Blaise gave another hesitant nod — though her face remained expressionless.
Just then, a familiar voice called from behind.
“Aileen?”
She turned — and there stood Richard.
“Richard? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same. What brings you here?”
He approached slowly, but when he noticed Lady Blaise, he stopped.
“And you are…?”
“Oh! I was invited to Lady Pain’s tea party,” Aileen explained quickly. “This is Lady Blaise — we met there and were just chatting.”
“I see.”
His tone was polite, but his expression was unreadable — something about his gaze made Aileen frown slightly.
Sensing the tension, Lady Blaise spoke up softly.
“Um… I should return to the party now.”
“Oh, of course,” Richard said smoothly. “Duchess, shall we head back as well?”
Aileen blinked, glancing between them.
“You’re leaving already?”
“I came to discuss business with Marquis Pain. I was just on my way out,” he explained. “You can stay and enjoy the tea party.”
“Your Grace!”
Marquis Pain himself appeared, hurrying toward them.
He froze when he noticed Aileen beside Richard.
“D-Duchess… you’re here?”
“I suppose your daughter didn’t mention it. I was invited to her tea party.”
“Ah… I see.”
He forced a smile, but the unease behind it was obvious — no doubt remembering how she’d humiliated him at the wedding banquet.
Richard glanced at Aileen.
“Then, I’ll head back first. Enjoy the rest of your time.”
“No,” Aileen said suddenly. “Let’s go together.”
“…Pardon?”
She turned to Lady Blaise.
“Could you please tell Lady Pain I had to leave early? Just say I wasn’t feeling well.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’ll be awkward if I return now. Thank you.”
Lady Blaise nodded obediently. Aileen smiled in gratitude, then followed Richard toward the waiting carriages.
Cain, who was standing nearby, looked startled to see Richard with her. He quickly composed himself and bowed.
“Your Grace, what brings you here?”
“I just finished speaking with Marquis Pain,” Richard replied. “It seems we’ll need both carriages now — take the other one back.”
“Yes, sir.”
Richard offered his hand to Aileen.
“After you, Duchess.”
“Thank you.”
She took his hand and stepped into the carriage. Once he joined her, they set off, leaving the Pain estate behind.
Inside the moving carriage, Richard finally asked,
“So, what happened at the tea party?”
“Well…” Aileen hesitated. “Nothing serious. Just a bit of unpleasantness.”
She gave a small, wry smile as she looked out the window.
“Some of the ladies didn’t think I was worthy of being Duchess. I just… reminded them otherwise.”
“I see,” Richard said, chuckling softly. “You handled it well.”
She blinked, a little surprised by his easy praise. It felt strange to be complimented for getting into a fight — but not unpleasant.
“And who was it that provoked you?” he asked casually.
“Marquis Pain’s daughter… wait, why do you ask? You’re not thinking of doing anything, are you?”
Richard smiled faintly.
“Just curious.”
“Good. Because I already handled it. I made sure her pride took a little hit — she’s probably fuming right now.”
Aileen said it quickly, half to reassure him, half to stop him from retaliating.
Richard simply nodded, still smiling.
“Of course.”
“…You really won’t do anything, right?”
“Of course not,” he said smoothly.
Not personally, anyway.
He didn’t say the last part out loud.
Aileen, unaware, smiled in relief as the carriage carried them home.
