Chapter : 76
All day, she had been suppressing her sorrow, holding it down with all her strength. But when she encountered Louis’s cold, hollow kindness, her grief exploded, and she began to cry uncontrollably. Hugging herself, her shoulders shook with sobs. Louis, with a look of pity, got down from the carriage and draped his cloak over her shoulders.
“Oh dear, making a lady cry is hardly my specialty.”
He whispered as he drew Julie into the carriage.
“Let’s go somewhere warm first. I have something important to discuss with you…”
“Sniff… sob.”
Julie, still sobbing, obediently sat in the seat Louis led her to. The expensive velvet cushions were stained darkly from the rain, but Louis didn’t care in the slightest. Secretly delighted at Julie’s disheveled state, he knocked his fist against the carriage wall.
The carriage began to move through the rain-soaked streets.
After the incident in the banquet hall, the mistress of the house had lost all authority. From the highest-ranking butler among the staff to the lowest scullery worker, no one was unaware of what had happened.
It is said that silencing one mouth is harder than moving a mountain. The repercussions had quietly spread even to the social circles of the capital. As a result, the gaze directed at Anna—who participated in external activities under the name of the Marchioness of Marcus—grew colder over time.
Every event and banquet she attended had been carefully filtered by Louis. In short, she was like a die rolled in his hands. There was nowhere favorable or comfortable for her. And Anna knew this well.
‘I’m not dissatisfied.’
For noblewomen in the capital, the height of social activity was a tea gathering disguised as a sponsorship event. Only after enduring repeated humiliation could they volunteer for meaningful sponsorship work. High-ranking noblewomen disliked physical labor, so there were always too few volunteers for relief activities—but Anna, despite being despised, could sometimes attend these events.
Today, she was participating in a relief activity for poor women and orphans. Visiting a charitable shelter supported by the convent, she delivered donations and performed simple tasks suitable for a newspaper feature. Wearing a simple dress with an apron, she carried a laundry basket to the nearby stream, recalling the conversation she had with Ryden a few days ago.
It had been such a painful and miserable time…
Ryden still had not touched her. The kind demeanor he had shown before their marriage had vanished, replaced by a coldness that seemed reserved for mortal enemies.
She felt wronged. Knowing the reason might have eased her frustration. Anna swore to the heavens that she had never done anything to deserve such treatment, especially regarding Edward.
She desperately wanted to resolve the misunderstanding, but coincidentally, circumstances kept Ryden away from the castle. And, as always, Anna was pushed into a sponsorship event chosen by Louis. Wherever she went, sharp, scrutinizing glances—like those of hyenas spotting meat—followed, but she ignored them.
‘I don’t dislike the service.’
On the contrary, moving her body felt refreshing. And being able to help others was a bonus. Louis seemed to hope she would wither away and only attend tea gatherings, but she insisted on participating in volunteer work. Stepping out of the castle and moving her body, she finally felt a sense of relief.
As Anna lifted the basket again, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching across the grass behind her.
“Oh my, isn’t this the Marchioness of Marcus?”
“…….”
The overly sensual intonation made the fine hairs on her ears stand on end. Bracing herself, Anna turned. There stood Amelia Marsden, flanked by two or three followers.
“Lady Amelia.”
Amelia wore a pristine apron over her elegant golden dress and lightly tapped her cheek with perfectly manicured nails.
“It’s quite surprising to see the Marchioness here.”
Her theatrical tone drew the curious gazes of nearby noblewomen.
“I only just started participating in volunteer work,” Anna replied vaguely and attempted to turn away, but Amelia’s words caught her attention.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that… hmm, how should I put this?”
Her words were drawn out with a meaningful inflection. Her eyes gleamed with mischief.
Noblewomen nearby glanced over at them, eavesdropping. Anna could bet her entire fortune that every ear was tuned to this conversation.
“If you have something to say, say it plainly. Being vague might lead to misunderstanding,” Anna said, soft but firm. Amelia arched her perfectly drawn brows irritably but soon shrugged casually.
“I only thought it was surprising how healthy and lively you look.”
“……?”
Why was it surprising that she was well? Anna couldn’t understand, but she nodded vaguely, planning to leave as soon as possible.
“Perhaps it’s because you’ve married and found some stability…”
Before she could finish, Amelia clapped and laughed.
“Oh no, no. What are you saying, Marchioness?”
“……?”
“See? You still don’t realize it. Isn’t that strange, everyone?”
Anna was taken aback. She wasn’t the only one; nearby noblewomen began quietly laughing as if reminded of some forbidden topic.
Amelia continued as if teaching a child.
“Stability? Is there a phrase more inappropriate for a newlywed?”
“…….”
“Don’t you spend all your time finding a secluded spot whenever you meet eyes? Isn’t that right?”
Looking around for agreement, married noblewomen laughed uproariously.
“Oh my, how improper!”
“But, it’s true.”
“And the Marchioness of Marcus married for love, not strategy, right?”
“Well, that explains it. They must be very busy, then.”
Riding on the support of their laughter, Amelia laughed confidently.
“But you, Marchioness, seem… very comfortable, don’t you?”
“…….”
Amelia approached the stiffened Anna and whispered with excitement.
“They say your husband gave you his mother’s ring as a token of affection. Is that true, madam?”
“……How rude. Why would I discuss the intimate details of my marriage?”
Anna responded calmly, unshaken. Noblewomen behind her, frowning at the noise, nodded as if agreeing with her sentiment.
Amelia made a snorting sound of disapproval, but Anna stood her ground.
“Regardless of Lady Amelia’s opinion, the fact remains that my husband is him, and I am his wife. Making private matters a joke is beneath me, and I wish no further discussion.”
She spoke sharply and surveyed the women surrounding her. Realizing their impropriety, they avoided her gaze and quietly left.
Anna picked up her laundry basket to continue her work, and Amelia smiled faintly.
“But do you know, madam, that your esteemed husband probably knew this would happen today? Surely, the clever aide knew I would be here.”
“…….”
Anna’s eyes wavered. Amelia’s smile deepened as if sensing her agitation.
“Remember, the shame you just endured was not by chance—it was orchestrated.”
She then smiled brightly and left with her followers.
“…….”
Left alone, Anna bit her lip, stared at the ground, then lifted her head, straightened, and walked on with the laundry basket in hand.
Banfield Mansion. Several high-ranking nobles were secretly gathered there. They had attended the banquet where Janine Banfield, known as the “common lady,” had been humiliated.
“It’s been a while. How has everyone been?”
The man greeting politely was Chris Unshore, aide to the Minister of Finance, Duke Lopex, and second son of Viscount Unshore. There was a brief silence before Lady Banfield nodded faintly in response. Compared to the others pretending not to hear, this small acknowledgment was appreciated.
‘Damn it, because of that idiot, the Lopex family’s reputation is in the dirt.’
Chris ground his teeth in his mind. Duke Lopex had lived only knowing his wife, yet his only son not only courted courtesans but engaged in wild orgies with widows and unmarried women of the capital, eventually being caught by authorities.
As a result, Duke Lopex had to lay low, while the Marcus Marquis family rose politically.
“How did you get all the way here? I heard you’ve been busy gathering the settlement funds.”
The one speaking in a soft, mocking tone was Countess Heimel, wearing a snake-shaped gold necklace, smiling sweetly.
“……The Lopex family isn’t so easily shaken.”
Chris ground his teeth again. The Duke had kidnapped a widowed nun, drugged her, and assaulted her. When she regained consciousness, she attempted suicide. Her family then published a sensational story every day, attacking the Duke. To resolve the matter, he had hurriedly sold land in the provinces to pay the settlement. Now, things had finally quieted down.
