Chapter 41
The Closing Shadow
I wasn’t even sure what I was thinking when I rushed across the courtyard and into the main building of the villa.
By the time I stumbled into the drawing room—barely noticing my ankle twist—the duchess was already there, still wearing her hat and coat.
It was the first time I’d ever seen her in person, but I knew that face.
She looks like her portrait at the main house.
Of course, the portrait made her look younger and more beautiful, but there was no mistaking her identity.
Good. That means she’s only just arrived.
Since she hadn’t even removed her outer garments yet, it was obvious.
I quickly spread my skirt and bowed deeply.
“Cassia of House Florence humbly greets the noble Duchess Cohen.”
My current legal name was “Cassia Cohen.”
But I couldn’t say that in front of her.
To mention that I was legally the little Cohen duchess would only rub her the wrong way.
“Yes. I’m pleased to finally meet my nephew’s wife.”
The duchess seemed satisfied by my low bow.
Before she could say anything more, I stepped forward and offered:
“Please, grant me the honor of assisting you.”
Her smile deepened.
Helping her change or hold her things was a servant’s duty.
I was not her maid. Technically, I was even the Cohen lady.
But offering to serve her like this clearly pleased her.
“What a good child you are.”
Normally, she might have refused out of formality—but she willingly handed me her coat and hat, even her bag.
Just as I thought—this works on her.
As I passed her belongings to the maids, my mind raced.
By now, Edmund and Willace should be moving.
I had dashed straight here as soon as I heard the duchess had arrived.
But Edmund and Willace knew what had to be done without words—
Edmund had to be back in his bedroom.
After all, “officially,” I had him locked up.
If the duchess came all this way, she won’t leave without checking on Edmund.
That meant only one thing for me:
I need to buy time. Enough for Edmund to get back into that room.
But distracting her with tea or some polite excuse would only look suspicious.
No. I need something natural. Something that grabs her attention without seeming forced.
My hesitation lasted only a moment. My judgment was instant. My action, immediate.
Before the duchess could say a word, I dropped to my knees in front of her!
“I beg your pardon, Duchess. I have shamed you with my unworthy conduct, and I cannot excuse myself!”
***
The duchess raised an eyebrow.
This was not at all what she’d expected.
“And what terrible conduct is that? I haven’t even asked you a question yet.”
Cassia hesitated, then lowered her voice.
“…It’s not something others should overhear.”
“…Everyone, leave us.”
The duchess dismissed all attendants—including her head lady-in-waiting, Madam Lillifen, and my nanny.
Only once the room was empty did the duchess fix me with an icy stare and demand,
“Do you even know what you’ve done wrong?”
“…Yes, I do.”
“You dare act that way even knowing?!”
She flung one of her gloves at my feet in anger.
“How dare a girl like you reject my son, wound his heart, and crush his pride?!”
“…?”
My eyes widened.
What the heck? She was the one who paid me to stay away from her son!
I had deliberately rejected Patrick’s gifts and letters over and over, just so she’d see I was keeping my distance.
But her next words made me realize something important.
“When I warned you, it was only to remind you of your place! To tell you not to interfere with Patrick’s imperial marriage talks! It was never to humiliate him so openly, to break the heart of such a gentle boy!”
The duchess stamped her foot in outrage, looking so much like an overbearing “helicopter mom” that I nearly laughed.
Wait—so she didn’t mean for me to ignore him completely? She just wanted me to ‘know my place’ and stop flaunting myself?
As someone raised in modern-day Korea, I couldn’t wrap my head around that logic.
To me, Patrick was just a sixteen-year-old kid acting grown-up. Naturally, I hadn’t considered things that way.
Now that I think about it… didn’t she say she’d “tolerate me as a mistress” or something?
Unbelievable.
Neither Patrick nor his mother seemed to think my opinion mattered at all.
Like mother, like son. Disgusting.
I felt dizzy.
The duchess’s cold command followed.
“When Patrick returns, you will soothe him and make amends. Is that clear?”
“Yes, madam.”
But something in her words stuck out to me.
“You said ‘when he returns’… Does that mean he’s traveling?”
The duchess lifted her chin proudly.
“Yes. He has gone with his father to Zenobia’s imperial palace to discuss his marriage alliance.”
Of course, rumors already said Duke Cohen was pushing for Patrick to wed into Zenobia’s royal family.
But if they had gone directly to the imperial capital… that was far away.
I had to fight to keep my expression calm.
Stay calm. Stay calm!
I lowered my head so she couldn’t see my face.
So the duke isn’t even in the country right now!
This was it.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Edmund to escape.
My eyes glinted as I stared at the floor, though the duchess completely misunderstood.
“Sigh… The difference between you and Patrick is becoming clearer by the day.”
I pretended to squirm awkwardly.
“Patrick is far too noble for someone like me…”
Of course, inwardly, my thoughts were the opposite.
That arrogant brat? No thanks. And having both a wife and a mistress? This isn’t some trashy soap opera!
The duchess sighed again.
“What can we do? He has never clung to anyone like this before. I can understand if you feel nervous, but I cannot forgive you for wounding him.”
“…Yes, madam.”
“It will be better for you as well.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Outwardly meek, inwardly fuming, I kept my act.
I just need to buy more time. Every second counts.
And I had even gained valuable information. If I could stretch this conversation just a little longer…
But suddenly, the duchess stood as if remembering something important.
“Ah, how could I have forgotten?”
“…Madam?”
“Edmund. He’s in his room, isn’t he? I heard you have the key.”
So she already knew Edmund had been “locked away” under my orders, and that the key was with me.
The duchess held out her hand.
“Lead the way.”
If I tried to stall now, it would be far too suspicious.
I forced myself to stay calm and guided her toward Edmund’s room.
I couldn’t lead her around in circles—the duchess already knew the villa’s layout, and the servants trailed us in a group.
At best, I could slow my steps a little.
“Hmm? Did you hurt yourself?”
“Oh—when I heard you’d arrived, I ran as fast as I could and twisted my ankle.”
“You should be more careful.”
But she didn’t tell me to stop or rest.
“Anyway, hurry along. At this pace, we’ll arrive after sunset.”
“Yes, madam.”
With my nanny supporting me, I dragged my steps until, at last, we reached the door I had least wanted to open.
“….”
I swallowed hard.
“Give me the key,” the duchess ordered calmly.
The moment I handed it over, Madam Lillifen all but snatched it from my fingers, glaring with lingering resentment from when I’d mocked her before.
But I didn’t care about her petty grudge.
Did Edmund make it back in time?
If the room was empty, it was all over—for him and for me.
Please, Edmund. Please, Willace. Move fast.
Clink!
The heavy lock clicked open.
And at last—the door swung wide.
