Chapter 13
Misunderstanding
“How was it?”
What kind of question was that?
Surely she didn’t want to hear how unpleasant and irritating it had been to face the Duke the whole time.
So what exactly was she curious about?
“What do you mean, specifically? I’m not sure…”
Anze turned toward Elliot, silently asking for help, but he looked just as confused.
“My son, the Duke of Seid—he’s rather handsome, isn’t he?”
Before Elliot could respond, the Dowager Duchess continued.
“And he’s wealthy.”
Anze kept her lips pressed together, unable to find an appropriate reply. She lifted her gaze, glancing just above the Dowager Duchess’s head.
Imsinilju.
Reading Elina’s saju (fate chart), Anze’s eyes widened.
Born beautiful and clever, blessed with good fortune and affection from all.
But there was also the sharp “piercing needle” sign—someone destined to fire off cold, cutting remarks at anyone, fiercely devoted to her child.
Whoever becomes her daughter-in-law will have a hard life. But…
Anze narrowed her eyes, studying the chart.
It clearly shows only one child. How is that possible?
According to the chart, even that only child’s life was fragile.
Yet the Duke of Seid was alive and well, and supposedly had a younger sister.
It wasn’t really Anze’s concern—once her assignment ended, she had no intention of ever looking this way again—but still, her gaze grew serious.
While Anze examined the Duchess’s fortune, the woman went on.
“And he’s unmarried. Sometimes young ladies mistake my son’s kindness for something more.”
Kindness? No word suited the Duke less, but the Duchess’s face remained earnest.
Anze finally lifted her eyes. She was beginning to understand the point of this conversation.
“Today a young lady with whom Joseph is considering a match will be visiting.”
Perfect. I needed to see her myself, anyway.
“So just focus on your work. Don’t harbor any foolish thoughts. If you were merely a maid I wouldn’t bother saying this, but as his personal aide—spending all day at his side—I can’t help worrying. These days people claim social rank doesn’t matter when men and women court, but that’s just idle talk from those with paltry titles. You’re a clever girl; you understand me, don’t you?”
Elina lifted her chin in a commanding way and smiled.
“Madam, such a thing would never happen,” Anze said politely, lowering her eyes and folding her hands in front of her. A faint, calm smile touched her lips.
Watching from the side, Elliot tilted his head.
Why did that serene smile feel so full of irritation?
“She meant no harm,” Elliot said afterward, as if to soothe the noticeably subdued Anze.
“She’s simply very protective of His Grace. Of Lady Mariana as well. In her youth some mistook her beauty for frivolity, thinking she was just another society lady who loved parties, but they were wrong. She’s wise, family-oriented, and thoughtful toward her staff.”
Anze gave him a flat look.
“Then why treat me that way?”
“Well, you’re the first female aide in the Seid household. In fact, the first aide His Grace has ever personally hired. Most of us come from families who’ve served the Dukes for generations. Myself included. For him to hire someone directly—let alone a woman—is unusual.”
Amusement colored Elliot’s voice; he seemed to find the whole situation entertaining.
“Perhaps she’s wary because she doesn’t know how you came to be employed.”
“I suppose I should be grateful she worried at all, seeing me like this,” Anze murmured.
The day was unusually mild for winter. Maids carrying ornate vases hurried toward the greenhouse, their pink uniforms and crisp white aprons bright and lively.
Anze looked at her own dark, somber dress reflected in the window and exhaled.
“All these adorable young ladies around… and she’s worried about me? Absurd.”
“Pardon?” Elliot asked.
“Nothing. Everyone seems busy this morning. Is it because of Lady Hildegarde?”
Glancing toward the greenhouse, Elliot nodded.
“Likely so. I hear Lady Hildegarde’s mother was a close friend of the Dowager Duchess. And besides, in society today there’s hardly a family more fitting for the Seids than the Marquis of Crow. Lady Hildegarde is also the first guest Lady Mariana personally invited.”
“The first… ever?”
“Yes. Lady Mariana is terribly shy. I’m told she made no real friends even at the academy.”
“Despite being the Duke’s daughter?”
With her rank, people should be lining up to befriend her.
Seeing Anze’s disbelief, Elliot gave a rueful smile.
“Lady Mariana is gentle to a fault. And—”
He paused, rubbing his chin, brow furrowed as though debating. Then he looked straight at Anze.
“There’s something you should know.”
“If it’s unrelated to my work, you needn’t tell me. I’m not curious. Secrets are safer the fewer who know them.”
Anze’s profession had made her weary of secrets. Knowing them meant danger and responsibility.
Elliot blinked, surprised, then burst out laughing.
“The Duchess judged you well. You are cautious.”
What’s he talking about now?
Anze frowned at the cryptic remark.
“It’s nothing scandalous. In fact, it’s common knowledge to those close to the family, but not something to spread lightly.”
He was taking unusually long to get to the point.
“Lady Mariana is not the Duchess’s biological daughter.”
“What?”
Anze’s eyes widened.
That explains it. The Duchess’s chart clearly showed only one child.
“And?” she prompted.
“You’re not surprised. Did you already know?”
“Being an information broker doesn’t mean I know everything. I only dig up what clients ask for. As for the rest of the world, I know as much as anyone.”
More detail only brought more headaches.
“After giving birth to His Grace, the Duchess could no longer have children. But she always longed for a daughter. His Grace was a reserved child, after all.”
That’s innate, Anze thought. He probably didn’t even babble as a baby.
“Indeed,” she said aloud.
Elliot chuckled at her quick agreement and continued.
“During a tour of the estates, the late Duke discovered Lady Mariana. She was a distant relative from a fallen branch of the family, with six siblings besides. The Duchess was so lonely that the late Duke first brought the girl home simply as a companion. But the Duchess cherished her so much that she formally adopted her.”
“She’s still a duke’s daughter, though. How could she end up with no friends at all?”
“Society smiles to your face and tears you apart behind your back. The problem was that Lady Mariana, raised in the countryside, didn’t know those ways. She greeted every friendly face with nothing but kindness, unaware of the rumors behind her.”
Anze’s brow creased. She didn’t need details to imagine it. Two-faced people were hardly rare.
“Whispers that she was the Duchess’s secret child or the late Duke’s illegitimate daughter were almost tame compared to some of the things said—things unfit to repeat.”
Anze made a face and lifted a hand to stop him.
“That’s enough. I don’t need the rest. So she simply stopped trying to make friends?”
“She was shy to begin with, and the experience only made her more withdrawn. She barely speaks to strangers now.”
“And the Duchess? She just let it happen?”
