Chapter 51
Settled Old Ties
After sharing a kiss with the Commander, I completely erased thoughts of Berta from my mind.
I thought there was no need to worry anymore since the Commander had promised to handle things himself.
However, I learned the very next morning that not everything in the world can be resolved so easily.
“Are you trying to kick me out now?!!”
Berta’s piercing scream, almost like a shriek, echoed through the castle from early morning.
Startled by the commotion, I immediately ran toward the Great Hall, where the cry had come from.
There, a crowd had already gathered, drawn by the sudden uproar.
At the center of it all was Berta, as expected.
She stood in the Great Hall, shouting with a loud, commanding voice—directed at the Commander…
“How can you do this!! You used me when it suited you, and now you’re telling me to leave!!”
Even hearing just that much, I could quickly grasp what had happened.
It seemed the Commander had, as he promised me yesterday, told Berta that she needed to leave.
And Berta clearly could not accept it.
The Commander, who tended to be weak toward those weaker than himself, looked quite flustered as he saw Berta in tears.
Berta, however, grew even more forceful in her shouting toward him.
“If you knew the humiliation I’ve suffered, my father would never forgive you!!”
When she even tried to bring her family into it, the Commander finally replied.
“I only said that for your sake. We are not formally betrothed, are we? Even if you were to stay in a man’s castle without a formal engagement, it would be a waste of your time—”
“Why are you saying we’re not betrothed!! I’ve already taken on the role of the Duchess in your castle!! And yet you claim we have no relation!?”
“Of course, that is true, but that was your unilateral decision—”
“Even if it was my unilateral decision, it’s already happened!! I have been fulfilling the role of your wife all this time!!”
The Commander remained silent.
Honestly, even I would have been at a loss for words in that situation.
Of course, the Commander was not at fault, as he had just intended to make a polite request.
Berta had simply overstayed her welcome in the castle, and the Commander had been unable to refuse her.
But even if that were pointed out, the agitated Berta would not listen.
Knowing that no matter what he said, the argument would simply repeat itself, the Commander kept his lips firmly shut.
Should I step in and help somehow?
That was what I was thinking when suddenly the Commander looked toward me.
We paused, locking eyes for a brief moment.
I had no idea what thoughts passed through his mind during that short span.
But one thing was clear: the exhaustion in his eyes seemed to reignite the moment they met mine.
He faced Berta again, his gaze clear and unwavering.
“My lady.”
“Why are you calling me? Have you finally decided to apologize—”
“I sincerely thank you for managing the estate all this time. If you wish, I can compensate you adequately. However…”
He paused briefly, then spoke to Berta in an even firmer tone.
“Managing my castle and estates is the duty of my wife, as you said.”
“……”
“I already have someone in mind for marriage. I hope you will vacate your place for my fiancée.”
Berta froze as if struck by lightning upon hearing this.
When she heard, “I already have someone in mind for marriage,” she even trembled.
Finally, she moved her lips slowly and said,
“Lies.”
“……”
“That’s a lie, isn’t it? You made up a nonexistent fiancée just to drive me away.”
Tears welling in her eyes, Berta spoke, and the Commander shook his head with unwavering firmness.
“No.”
“Then tell me. Who is this fiancée?”
“……”
“See? You can’t tell me, so it is a lie.”
Even when accused of lying, he did not reveal who he had in mind, likely to avoid putting that person in a difficult position.
Berta spoke again.
“It’s a lie, so I won’t leave. I’ve already devoted my time to managing your castle and estates. Lies won’t drive me away. Unless you bring the person you truly plan to marry in front of me, I will not budge.”
“Then if I bring them in front of you, will you leave?”
Those words did not come from the Commander.
They slipped from my lips, and Berta looked at me in stunned silence.
I pushed through the crowd and approached Berta.
I knew it was dangerous to be so blatant.
If I stepped forward, the castle staff would speculate about my and the Commander’s relationship, and the gossip would eventually reach high society.
But I could not bear to watch the Commander suffer alone.
So I willingly stepped into the center of the commotion, under everyone’s watchful eyes.
“Lady Berta. You just said it, didn’t you? That unless the person he truly plans to marry is in front of you, you will not leave.”
“……”
“So, if he really brings that person here, will you leave?”
Berta could not answer and froze.
The Commander looked at me with concern.
“…Are you sure about this?”
He meant, is it safe to reveal our relationship in front of everyone?
I had already resolved myself, so I nodded and spoke to Berta.
“It’s me.”
“……”
“I am the one meeting with Commander—no, Duke Martin von Habicht, with marriage in mind.”
“……”
Frozen, Berta was speechless.
I continued.
“I understand your feelings completely. I also recognize the effort you have put into managing the castle and estate. But Lady Berta, relationships born of unilateral feelings usually end in tragedy.”
“……”
“You have worked diligently without complaint all this time. You are a responsible person. That is why I hope you will not suffer from feelings that cannot be returned.”
This was sincere advice from someone who had suffered in unrequited love.
I knew how deeply unreciprocated feelings could wound the heart.
I just hoped Berta would understand my feelings.
“……”
Berta glanced at me, then at the Commander.
Then she said,
“Sniff… sniff… sniff…”
And she began to cry.
Her sobbing continued for some time, as if releasing all the emotions she had bottled up.
I worried she might scream, but fortunately, she calmed down and quietly left the hall.
Our knights had no choice but to stay at the castle for one more day.
Both the Commander and I were too preoccupied with Berta to prepare for departure.
By evening, the Commander came to my room to update me on Berta.
“She left this afternoon.”
“No other commotion?”
“No. She packed quietly and left without a word.”
I leaned against the terrace railing as the Commander watched me.
I, leaning beside him, also glanced at him briefly before looking down at the garden.
In the silence, the Commander spoke.
“By the way, about revealing our relationship in front of everyone—”
“I handled that.”
“Handled it?”
“Yes. The knights came to ask about our relationship. Seeing how uncomfortable you seemed, I just told them I had lied.”
The Commander’s eyes furrowed briefly.
“Why did you say it was a lie? We are seriously seeing each other.”
“I thought it would be better for you if our relationship wasn’t revealed.”
“Why?”
I hesitated a little, then answered honestly.
“Anything could happen. We might break up in the future.”
“……”
“Then you would have to find someone else, and your long experience with me might become a hindrance.”
“……”
“Does it upset you? That I brought this up?”
I asked cautiously, gauging his feelings, and he remained silent.
