CHAPTER 76……………………………………………..
. Taming
“Is it because of all the wedding preparations?”
Up until last week, regardless of her will, Anje had endured the so-called torture of seeing her superior’s face several times a day—and even having dinner together without fail.
But since the day before yesterday, Anje had begun to wonder about the absence of her boss, whose presence she hadn’t seen at all.
That empty feeling must be because the enormous workload, always thrown at her along with nagging, had suddenly disappeared.
There was no other way to explain this feeling.
Suppressing her unease, Anje reached out toward a brightly blooming rose.
The garden, brimming with the energy of early summer, was filled with the scent of roses.
Having picked a bunch of pink roses to decorate Mariana’s room, Anje was about to finish her morning walk and enter through the side gate where the servants came and went. But a gaze she sensed from somewhere made her turn her head.
Standing beside a massive black carriage, Crow Marquis was staring at her. Anje’s expression stiffened.
Has he come to see the matriarch?
Behind the marquis, the servants seemed busy unloading luggage. It didn’t look like he had come just to negotiate—he seemed to have even brought a dowry.
But unlike the busy servants, the marquis kept his eyes fixed on Anje. Even from a distance, his expression revealed unmistakable complexity.
Anje simply nodded politely. No matter his expression, it had nothing to do with her.
From the start, what he wanted was a granddaughter who was beautiful, intelligent, and blonde—resembling an imperial citizen like Hildegarde. A granddaughter who could help with his business and elevate the prestige of the Marquis family.
With a marriage arranged with the Duke’s family, the Crow Marquis had, in theory, obtained everything he wanted. So why did he have that expression? Or was there still something else he desired? Human greed truly knows no bounds.
“Hmph!”
Turning her head to hide her expression, Anje snorted.
“Miss! Were you out for a walk?”
Josh came running as he saw Anje entering.
“Yes. These are roses for Mariana’s room. They’re the last blooms—there aren’t many pretty buds left.”
“Since the rainy season will start soon… I wonder how much rain we’ll get this year. I’m already getting tired of it,” Josh said, shivering, then suddenly remembered something.
“Miss, His Grace is calling for you.”
“For what?”
As his aide, it was natural for the Duke to call for Anje.
But now, as the wedding with Hildegarde was proceeding in earnest, the number of times she was summoned had decreased.
Anje thought it might be about time to start packing.
From what she had investigated, Hildegarde was a young lady without flaw. If someone asked her to recommend a suitable match for the Duke’s side, she would have suggested Hildegarde herself.
“Does His Grace usually explain things to me in detail? I’m just a messenger,” Anje said.
“Mm.”
Despite her thoughts, Anje still couldn’t guess what it was about. She had no choice but to follow the Duke’s orders and headed toward his study.
“I heard you were called.”
The Duke stood facing the window. Anje greeted him as she entered, but he remained turned away, unmoving.
“Um… Your Grace, I saw the Crow Marquis has arrived downstairs.”
Only then did the Duke slightly turn his head and reply curtly:
“And?”
And what of it? Since he was to be the future step-grandfather, shouldn’t proper greetings be made? Anje only widened her eyes instead of voicing her doubts.
“He has an appointment with my mother. She will handle it. It has nothing to do with me.”
“No, it must have something to do with you,” Anje protested.
The Duke raised one eyebrow at her boldness.
“What?”
Feeling the Duke’s displeasure, Anje quickly stepped back.
“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”
“I think I just heard you questioning me.”
Playing innocent after hearing everything…
Still unable to openly rebel, Anje reluctantly denied it again.
“You must have misheard.”
“… ”
Feeling the sharp gaze pierce her skull, Anje swallowed a sigh. Such a difficult man! She couldn’t lie that she liked Hildegarde, but she found herself sympathizing with her.
“So, why did you call me?”
The Duke, glaring at the insolent aide, pulled a box from his pocket and held it out.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Obediently opening the box, Anje saw a milky gemstone that seemed to hold a rainbow inside, and she gasped.
Seeing even the tiny diamonds embedded under the pale, round gem, she frowned. Why show her the engagement gift for Hildegarde? She was just an information agent—what did she know about jewelry?
Of course, some information agents specialized in jewelry, but she was not one of them.
“I think Miss Hildegarde will be very pleased,” she said.
The Duke’s eyebrow shot up even higher than before—clearly displeased.
“…But? What’s the problem? Do you think this necklace is insufficient as a gift?”
So difficult.
Muttering internally, Anje cautiously spoke:
“No, it’s a very beautiful and precious gem. It looks expensive. But I’m really inexperienced in this area.”
Trying to ease the tension, she added:
“It will suit Miss Hildegarde very well.”
Even to herself, her voice sounded oddly weak. No matter how hard she tried, she always got scolded. A pang of sadness swept over her.
Moreover, she wasn’t particularly interested in jewelry, but she disliked the Duke showing her the engagement gift as if she needed to verify it.
Why do you dislike it?
As an aide, this was part of her duties. She wasn’t asked to procure it, just to look at it—what was the problem?
Had she been treated like family by Mariana and the matriarch in recent months, that she assumed she was actually part of the family?
Pull yourself together, Anje!
She steeled her expression.
“It’s truly a beautiful necklace. Since the Marquis is downstairs, it can be sent on his way back.”
“No.”
What do you mean no?
Thinking for a moment, Anje forced a faint smile and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I was thoughtless. Since it’s for the bride-to-be, it should be given directly. Should we set a meeting with Miss Hildegarde? Tomorrow is fully booked, but the day after…”
“No need.”
Anje sighed, watching the Duke lift one eyebrow in displeasure. What was wrong now?
“From the look of it, it doesn’t seem to satisfy you. If it doesn’t satisfy your eyes, it certainly won’t satisfy Hildegarde’s, who has seen only precious things.”
“When did I say it didn’t satisfy me…”
Anje wrinkled her brow in disbelief.
“Then it’s yours.”
“What? I can’t possibly!”
“Then throw it away!”
The Duke waved his hand as if done speaking.
Reluctantly, Anje tucked the necklace into the box and held it to her chest as she left the room.
Since it was just a pendant necklace on a thin gold chain, the box was small and light. Yet holding it carefully to her chest felt as heavy as a stone.
“Where has the Duke gone?”
As soon as they sat across the table and exchanged light greetings, the Marquis asked bluntly.
Not only had the wedding been delayed with all sorts of excuses, but now he had come personally, and yet the Duke didn’t even show his face!
He had resolved not to let pride interfere this time, but he couldn’t help feeling annoyed.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be a meeting with me? Why would we force the busy head of the house to come? Moreover, the presence of the Duke isn’t particularly necessary here. You didn’t come with Miss Hildegarde either, did you?”
Damn noble household!
The Crow Marquis ground his teeth.
Even though she was just a woman, the matriarch, born and raised in nobility and skilled in politics, could not be defeated in words.
