Chapter 13
‘Aha…’
Eleanor barely held back a laugh.
It seemed that Matthias was going through withdrawal symptoms.
They said the first week after quitting smoking was the hardest — your hands tremble, you can’t concentrate, sometimes you even get headaches.
Even the great schemer Matthias appeared helpless in the face of nicotine withdrawal.
‘Maybe I should tease him a little.’
Originally, Eleanor had planned to avoid getting involved with Matthias — the original story’s mastermind — as much as possible.
That began with not exchanging any unnecessary words with him.
But letting a good opportunity to tease him slip away?
Especially after all the trouble he caused her by pretending to be her baby’s father?
‘No way.’
Only a fool would waste such a perfect chance.
Unable to hide the mischievous curve tugging at her lips, Eleanor approached Matthias.
“Are you bored, Your Grace?”
“Miss Eleanor.”
Startled by her sudden appearance, Matthias flinched.
Maybe he really was losing his mind over this no-smoking business.
Usually, he’d call her “baby’s mother” in that teasing tone of his, but for the first time in a while, he actually used her real name.
Eleanor smiled sweetly.
“What are you doing here?”
“…Just getting some fresh air.”
Matthias ran his hand through his perfectly fine hair for no reason.
“The weather’s nice today.”
Eleanor quietly studied him.
As the Duke of Hillier, he was famous not only for his noble birth but also for his striking looks.
A man said to be as if “handsome features were molded from melted gold.”
Some even claimed that if perfection took human form, it would look exactly like him.
But today, he was far from perfect.
‘His skin looks rough.’
He must have lost sleep from withdrawal — the once flawless, porcelain-like skin looked a bit dry and coarse.
His hands kept fidgeting, opening and closing restlessly.
Even behind his polite smile, there was a flicker of irritation.
‘He looks like a man who’s lost the meaning of life.’
A little pitiful, perhaps — but after everything Matthias had put her through, Eleanor only found it satisfying.
Suppressing a smirk, she feigned innocence.
“I see. I just thought you were staring really intently at something.”
“Oh, I was admiring the plants. The owner’s done a fine job tending them. I was impressed.”
“Right? Sophie’s good at everything. She’s so resourceful — she grows carrots, celery… Oh, this one looks just like a tobacco leaf, doesn’t it?”
The moment Eleanor deliberately mentioned tobacco, Matthias’s shoulders twitched and he coughed awkwardly.
“Ahem. I didn’t notice.”
“My, I thought you were about to pluck it and light it up.”
“Seems our baby’s mother is half-asleep and dreaming nonsense.”
“True. It’s not even real tobacco — no matter how desperate, I doubt Your Grace would stoop to smoking random weeds.”
Eleanor smiled brightly.
“Besides, I can’t imagine the Duke taking back his own words.”
Matthias said nothing.
His expression suggested he had plenty to say — but was biting it back.
“I’ll be going out with the baby for a bit. There’s a traveling merchant in town today.”
“…Where exactly?”
“Over by that house with the red roof. The nearest village is quite far, so a supply wagon comes once every two weeks. I’ve just run out of baby formula and other things.”
“…”
“Oh, and come to think of it, the merchant sells cigarettes too. Would you like to come along?”
Eleanor tossed the bait casually.
Matthias’s lips parted after a long silence.
“A… no.”
“Right? Better not to even see temptation.”
Her eyes curved mischievously.
“Well then, I’ll be off. Rest well, Your Grace.”
She gave a polite bow and left the inn, humming as she went.
Not long after—
“Ahahaha.”
Once she’d walked far enough away, Eleanor couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
“Ha, that felt good.”
It was the first time she’d ever seen the duke at a loss for words, utterly flustered.
For a moment, she could almost understand why he kept teasing her by calling her the baby’s mother.
“Kya, kya.”
“Yes, my dear. You had fun too, didn’t you?”
Eleanor giggled, looking down at the baby in her arms.
“The duke really is something, though. I honestly thought he’d give up soon.”
“Ah—oo.”
“He’s thrown away everything else, but he could easily order one of his men to get him more tobacco if he wanted. I figured he’d sneak a few and just lie about it. But he really hasn’t touched a single one.”
It was unexpected, even for Eleanor, who had been sure he’d relapse.
She tapped the baby’s soft cheek.
“Could it be that he’s really quitting… for your sake?”
“Uu—”
“…No way.”
That cold, ruthless man? The merciless villain of the original story?
There’s no way he’s being considerate.
Shaking her head, Eleanor dismissed the thought and walked toward the red-roofed building.
The weather was lovely, and a crowd had already gathered around the traveling merchant’s wagon.
After being cooped up and harassed by Matthias for so long, it was refreshing to see new faces.
She was about to wave and greet the townsfolk when—
“Don’t you think he’s a nobleman?”
Eleanor froze.
She had caught the words drifting on the breeze and couldn’t help but listen.
They hadn’t mentioned a name, but she had a strong feeling they were talking about the duke.
Uneasy, she quietly eavesdropped.
“He’s definitely a high-ranking noble. I’m sure of it.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? Just look at him! That pale, flawless face — you can tell he’s never done a day of labor in his life.”
“Noma’s right. Even his posture — I’ve never seen anyone stand that elegantly before.”
“And he’s so handsome. Even better looking than Jeffrey.”
“Oh, please! Weren’t you head over heels for that actor? You went to the city five times just to see his play!”
“Well, what can I say? A better man showed up.”
The middle-aged women burst into cheerful laughter.
Eleanor sighed in relief — so they hadn’t actually uncovered his identity, just admired his looks.
‘Is the duke really that handsome?’
Eleanor recalled Matthias’s face.
He did, admittedly, have flawless, snow-white skin.
His bright blue eyes, beneath neatly shaped brows, gleamed like frozen lakes in the northern empire.
A sharp nose, a sculpted jawline.
His face was small, his height tall — the proportions perfect.
‘…Okay, fine. He is handsome.’
Even thinking it made her lips purse in annoyance.
She blew out a puff of air, which the baby mistook for play and squealed with delight.
And then—
“But what’s the point? I heard his parents told Ellie to get rid of the baby.”
Eleanor went rigid.
“Wait—what? They told her to what?!”
“Shh, keep it down! It’s supposed to be a secret.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“You know how those two have been staying at Sophie’s inn? Sophie said the man’s parents were furious about their relationship. He even cried, apologizing to her because he couldn’t protect her from his mother’s insults.”
“You’re kidding. Oh my goodness…”
“So that means the baby’s father didn’t even know Ellie gave birth? And that’s why he came looking for her now?”
“Must be. Remember when Ellie first came to our village? She never said a word about her husband.”
“She probably planned to raise the baby alone.”
“Poor thing. Just goes to show — handsome men always bring trouble.”
Eleanor’s mind went blank.
‘Those rumors are going around already?!’
