chapter 85
I looked at him with a slightly surprised expression.
「The only Archduke in the Empire had a Duchess, but she could not bear a child. The exact circumstances were unclear, but rumors spread that the Archduke himself had some sort of problem. There were even stories that he spent every night with a different woman. And yet, somehow, a woman whose name no one knew became pregnant with the Archduke’s child.」
This was what had been mentioned in the novel. The content of the novel and what Rex was telling me were similar in outline, but the details were completely different.
From what I knew, it had been the Archduke’s problem. Listening to Rex, it was still partly the Archduke’s problem, but it was also clear how harshly the Duchess had treated him.
At that moment, Rex spoke.
“The Archduke had no strength to resist. It’s like showing what happens when a person is cornered… His power was weak, and the position of Archduke was not even one he desired. As the situation worsened, he became increasingly speechless. Eventually, the Duchess went so far as to do things she shouldn’t have.”
“What do you mean?”
“She had women brought to the bedroom every night to prove whether they could conceive. From then on, the Archduke lost his emotions. And in truth… not a single woman ever became pregnant.”
That was a bit horrifying. To bring other women in under the pretense of proof…
I didn’t know much about the Archduke, but I was sure he wasn’t the type to chase after every woman simply because she was a woman. For him, to be forced to ‘prove himself’ in such a way…
‘I can imagine how miserable that principled man must have felt.’
A pang of pity welled up.
“Perhaps that’s why he thought of himself as a sinner and handed over everything in the Archduke household.”
“He thought of himself as a sinner…”
His hands began to tremble slightly.
“In truth, it wasn’t even clear whose fault it was. Yet even the Selectrox family, the Duchess’s own noble house, openly criticized the matter. They said that their precious daughter was married off, yet there would be no heir. They questioned whether the Duchess was really a Duchess at all. They said this couldn’t just be ignored.”
“Could they really do that to the Archduke?”
“The Archduke was unusually shaken. I think it was because he had no one on his side. Probably… that’s my guess. When a person feels utterly alone in the world… when there’s nowhere to lean, and worry is consuming them, they are driven to the extreme. I imagine the Archduke must have felt the same way.”
“So… what eventually happened?”
Rex forced a smile.
“As you can see. He handed over most of the Archduke household’s decisions to the Duchess. He thought it was the right thing to do, and at that time, it was the best course of action.”
“I see…”
So that was why the Archduke had said that last time, complaining about how long the past was brought up, and that he had left everything to the Duchess, yet nothing had gone right. It all started from that moment.
“Even so, perhaps the Archduke trusted the Duchess. Things may not have started well… but they were still husband and wife. That’s why, at first, he asked the Duchess about matters concerning the young master and the young lady. Not now, though.”
“Now he asks someone else?”
“No. Since Lady Aisha has made decisions, he thinks for himself and decides. He believes that’s right. He acts according to his heart, goes where his steps lead him. Anyway… the reason I mention the past is to show that from that time, the Archduke closed his heart considerably.”
“I see.”
“He trusts no one, expresses nothing. He knows there’s nothing good in showing weakness, in revealing he’s been pushed to the edge. That’s why he refrains from showing it even more. The truth is, the Archduke possesses a warmer heart than anyone… I hope you can understand that.”
Rex really seems to like the Archduke. The way he spoke to me like this…
“I understand.”
“Even speaking harshly to Lady Aisha at first… it wasn’t right, but I think it came from the mindset of having to appear strong because of those past events.”
“I actually knew. That the Archduke is better than he seems.”
At my words, Rex’s eyes went wide, surprised like a rabbit.
“Even letting me be here, even considering me… that itself proves those things.”
In the novel, I had thought the Archduke was just a flawed person who let the twins do whatever they wanted to compensate with his heart. But he was also a father for the first time. If what I had heard was correct, the child born to the Duchess, Lon, would not be the Archduke’s biological child.
So he wouldn’t have given his heart to that child.
‘Even though he was treated like this, he never spoke of the Duchess’s fault. Really… foolish.’
Now, unlike when he first became Archduke, he has power, yet he has done nothing until now… no, in the novel, he did absolutely nothing to the end. Strange.
‘Or maybe he’s just become too lethargic.’
I don’t know for sure… but at least now, he seems to be in a good state.
“That’s right. So… I hope you can understand the Archduke’s heart a little.”
“Rex seems like a really kind person.”
“No. I’m just… someone trapped by the idea that I have to be kind.”
Rex seemed unwilling to talk about himself, quickly turning his gaze to scan the surroundings.
“We’re almost at the Duchess’s garden.”
“Oh. Is this the only garden of the Duchess?”
“There is no information about the palace where the Duchess stays.”
It was certain that she had brought the seed. But even that was circumstantial; without evidence, it couldn’t be revealed. If spoken prematurely, it would only give excuses. When the evidence is complete, then one can act at once…
‘Surely the Duchess did not let this slip outside.’
If someone brought the seed that caused the incident with Lari, another piece of evidence would be created. She wouldn’t have done such a thing unless she were a fool. And judging from what she had done so far, it seemed obtainable immediately. That means her closest aides—or the Duchess herself—were cultivating it.
“It’s unfortunate…”
“Since she is the lady of the Archduke household… even if we wanted to recruit the maids working there to gather information, the Duchess’s people would never betray her.”
As I grew serious, Rex furrowed his brow with a serious expression as well.
“That makes sense.”
If we could only locate it somewhere in the Duchess’s castle, it would surely be helpful. But we couldn’t just barge in recklessly.
“Ah…!”
“What is it?”
“Is it possible to obtain the architectural plans?”
“Something you’re curious about?”
At my question, Rex lowered himself and met my eyes, as if he had been waiting for this.
“Yes. I wondered if… there might be a place where the seed could be cultivated. Something not freely imported. It wouldn’t make sense to bring it while leaking information that it came from her. So…”
“It should be findable. Normally, it would be top secret… but surely the Archduke household’s library has it. Lady Aisha’s visits to the library may have been preparing for a day like this.”
“Ah…!”
“But not everything would be drawn. Secret passages and the like are probably concealed.”
“That’s fine. To cultivate it… it wouldn’t be in secret passages anyway.”
“You think it’s being kept somewhere?”
“More precisely, I think it’s being grown somewhere.”
“Understood. I will investigate that part.”
That ended the conversation. We had arrived at the Duchess’s garden. From the moment we entered, both of us instinctively went silent.
Those nearby looked at my appearance with clear displeasure, then slowly approached.
“Have you come to see the Duchess?”
“Yes.”
“Follow me. She’s waiting. The knight will stay here.”
“I’ll accompany her for safety.”
“The Duchess isn’t doing anything dangerous, yet you insist on being cautious.”
The steward scowled at Rex.
“She is still the person I serve. I must accompany her wherever she goes.”
“Then you cannot meet the Duchess. Since last time, she has been extremely reluctant to meet anyone else. You will have to leave today.”
There was a firmness I had never seen before. Usually, my words would have been enough. The Duchess had wanted to meet me so badly. I had thought Rex accompanying me would allow me to be admitted, but apparently not.
Perhaps the previous incident had deeply affected the Duchess.
‘If not… then she must have other plans today.’
Instinct led me here. Even if I could go in with Rex today, I had the feeling I should go alone. The Duchess was in an extreme situation.
‘Perhaps… she might do something today.’
To her, I was probably a person she wanted out of the way. Because of me, the Archduke had changed. Nothing had gone according to her wishes.
So I looked at Rex.
“Rex, I’ll go alone.”
“But it could be dangerous.”
“Are you saying that our Duchess might be doing something dangerous right now?!”
I stared at the steward who shouted. His words were correct—so very correct—but somehow strange. Overly angry, like someone caught in the act. So I grabbed Rex’s hand.
“It’s fine.”
“But… but…”
“The Duchess would never do anything like that.”
“Even so…”
Rex still looked anxious, glancing between me and the steward. Perhaps sensing his anxiety, the steward spoke, almost as if acting.
“Still, it’s close enough if you wait here. Isn’t that sufficient?”
“Hmm…”
“Let’s do that.”
So, the Duchess wanted Rex to wait here. That explained the strange detail. Not just anyone, but Rex—the knight—was told that I should be seen, and emphasized to stay here.
All of this gave me a strong feeling that the Duchess would make a move today.
As always, guided by someone, we approached the table where the Duchess was seated. She sat elegantly in the center of the garden, drinking tea, scanning me from head to toe.
“You’ve arrived.”
Her expression was unchanged. I quietly looked back at her.
“Why are you staring?”
“Did you expect me to come?”
“No. On days I seemed likely, I didn’t come. On days I seemed unlikely, I did. How could you have predicted it?”
“Yet you were here, as if expecting me.”
“I am usually here anyway.”
“I see.”
“Sit first. Let’s have tea while we talk.”
I slowly sat down. Meanwhile, the steward who had been speaking with Rex whispered something to the Duchess. She, expressionless, nodded slightly as if amused.
“But Aisha. It seems you also have quite a lot to say. There was a bit of a commotion outside.”
“I came because it seems our Duchess has far too much to say, and I wanted to hear her out.”
