Chapter 98
The very day Anne realized the scandal with Gray had spread, she went to find Hannibal but couldn’t see him.
So she sent word asking him to come to her, even if late, and waited in her room all day.
But Hannibal never came—not through the night, not even as dawn crept pale through the window.
Was his work finished too late? Or perhaps, no matter the reason, visiting his fiancée’s chamber at midnight wasn’t proper.
Anne tried hard to think kindly of him, forcing herself to sleep.
But even with the rising sun at her back, she could only doze for a few uneasy hours.
“…You’re awake?”
Before she knew it, Donna had entered, throwing the curtains wide. Hearing her light footsteps, Anne immediately sat up. Donna handed her a glass of water.
“…Hannibal… the lord?”
The water wouldn’t go down. Anne set the glass on the table and asked.
Hannibal’s duties began early in the morning. By now, he would be awake—she had to hurry and see him.
Anne threw on her robe and asked again. Donna, watching her carefully, spoke hesitantly.
“He just left to inspect the territory. It’ll take a few days.”
“…”
He’s avoiding me. He ran without even giving me a chance to explain.
Anne half-rose, then collapsed onto the bed.
“He goes on inspection often, doesn’t he? You’ll see him in a few days, Anne.”
Donna sat beside her, patting her shoulder. She defended Anne fiercely, insisting the rumors were nonsense.
But half of it was true. She had met Gray.
That alone was enough for Hannibal—and even the servants—to turn against her.
Would she again, like in her previous life, be isolated in the lord’s castle, forced to endure scorn and contempt?
The nightmare loomed though it hadn’t yet touched her.
Her skin prickled, and she shivered.
“You must be exhausted. Rest more. I’ll bring warm tea, my lady~.”
Donna forced a playful smile to comfort her. Anne tried to return it, but her own smile faltered.
A day passed, then another. As Hannibal’s return drew nearer, Anne instead wished to avoid him.
Where had the courage gone—the resolve to clear up the misunderstanding the very first night?
Meeting Gray alone in the greenhouse at midnight—
That fact alone branded her a shameless city woman, unfaithful and disloyal.
Soon, even the servants would split into factions, quarreling over her.
No matter how kind Anne had been, no matter how good her reputation, a mere former maid elevated to fiancée of the lord could not afford a single flaw.
And yet, she—future lady of the manor—had been entangled in scandal with a capital duke.
That alone was enough reason for reproach.
“Anne, don’t worry. I believe you. My brother likes you too. Forget whatever that duke says!”
Thankfully, Victoria tried to cheer her.
Anne was grateful, but the shadow of her past clung to her ankles.
Gray Benton.
He longed for her former self—Anne Perot, the duke’s wife. The woman who had suffered endlessly in his grasp, miserable and lonely.
“The Duke of Benton is terrifying.”
“I know, Anne.”
That was all the truth she could confess. Even to Victoria’s comfort, she could not reveal more.
Because she had nothing left to prove it.
Worse, Benton might use this very weakness to trap her further.
At that time, Miss Mighty’s words came back to her:
“Can magic turn back time?”
“If it’s a witch, maybe. But the price would be great.”
Everything suddenly fell into place.
So—it was a witch who turned back time. Someone must have paid the price and struck the contract.
And Gray remembered the past life too. He, who had no interest in magic, suddenly collected magical artifacts.
That meant Gray Benton was the contractor. He must have promised something precious for her sake, to rewind time.
Which meant… he wouldn’t easily let her go. He had staked his life on this contract.
She didn’t know why he went as far as the western lands for such a deal, but one thing was clear: the rumors must end.
To end them, she had to confront Gray directly—about the witch’s contract, about their ties.
But how to meet him?
She had no desire to meet him alone, not under all these suspicious eyes.
Then… she would have to ask Hannibal for help. Which meant revealing part of the truth.
But how much could she tell him? Revealing her entanglement with Gray was a gamble.
Even if Hannibal believed her innocence, could he accept that she had once married another man?
Would he lose all affection for her? The thought pained her.
But wasn’t this engagement doomed from the start?
Whether or not his feelings withered, she only had to fulfill her role, then leave without disgrace.
Yes—even if they broke the engagement, she must at least uphold her duty and keep her honor.
Resolving herself, Anne summoned Jamie from the annex.
He was known as her younger brother, so no one would suspect them meeting.
“Sis, you called for me?”
“Yes. Sorry if it pulled you from your duties.”
Worried he might be scolded by his master, Anne asked. Jamie shook his head.
“No. As soon as I said you wanted to see me, he let me come.”
“…Really?”
Even Gray’s ready permission unsettled her.
“How’s your master in the annex?”
It wasn’t mere small talk. Jamie answered for Gray.
“…He’s sorry about the rumors spreading because of the earl’s drunkenness. But sis, did you really meet him?”
His eyes sparkled with curiosity. Anne flicked his forehead with her knuckle.
“Ow—!”
“Jamie, will you add fuel to those rumors too?”
“I was just curious! I believe both of you.”
Rubbing his forehead, he muttered around a mouthful of madeleines:
“He mostly stays in his room these days. Drinks less with the earl now. Sometimes Sir Seth visits, but nothing much else.”
“Sir Seth?”
She knew he was Gray’s adjutant, had seen him arrive at the manor, but he didn’t seem to be residing here.
He was likely gathering intelligence around the west. Plenty of guilds would sell information for coin.
Anne set aside the thought.
“After negotiations, he’ll probably return to the capital. Prince Nathan’s been urging him to come back quickly.”
Indeed, with succession undecided, a duke couldn’t linger in the west forever.
He hadn’t even spoken properly with the local lord—only tormented her and brewed scandals.
Anne would miss her brother, but she was relieved Gray would leave soon.
“But sis, you didn’t just call me here for tea, did you?”
Jamie wiped his mouth after clearing the dessert plate.
“You catch on quick. You’ve grown into your role.”
“I am a retainer, you know.”
Anne smiled faintly, then pulled out a memo.
“Give this to the duke.”
“…?”
It was half-folded, easy for Jamie to read if he wanted. When Anne nodded, he opened it.
“Tonight at midnight? Sis! You want to meet him in the greenhouse? What if worse rumors spread?!”
He tried to hand it back, but Anne didn’t take it.
“He must take responsibility for those rumors, Jamie.”
“But it’s dangerous to meet him so late, alone. I’ll come too.”
“No, Jamie. This is between me and the duke.”
Anne clenched her fists, determined. Jamie, worried, confessed softly:
“That magic-stone necklace… as soon as I took it, he noticed. He still has feelings, sis.”
“I already know. The rumors probably aren’t just from the earl’s drunkenness. Don’t you think so, Jamie?”
“People can’t just erase feelings at will. Maybe he needs time…”
He spoke as if defending his master, but his eyes betrayed doubt.
“Really?”
“…At least, I’ll try to think so.”
Gray Benton was even more unpredictable than in her past life. If he was the one who turned back time, he would be harder than ever to understand.
Once she cut ties with him, Jamie might no longer remain his servant.
After sending Jamie back, Anne repeated her resolve.
Even without Hannibal. Without relying on Gray.
Anne Perot would live well on her own.
Hadn’t she dreamed of a graceful retirement when she accepted Hannibal Clyde’s proposal?
With a house and a generous dowry, even with a younger brother, she could live comfortably.
Yes. Even in the worst case, she could still survive.
“Don’t give in!”
After Jamie left, Anne stood alone in her room, shouting to herself.
“Phew.”
The hand on her empty chest felt unbearably heavy and lonely—but it must have been only her imagination.
