Chapter 16

“And everyone also talked about today’s walk.”

“What did they say?” I unknowingly lowered my voice.

“They were gushing aver about how Milady and Master were walking along the promenade arm in arm…and how both of you spend time together at the ‘resting place where the moon stays.’”

Of course, it should turn out that way because I intend it to happen. Somehow, I felt proud that today’s plan wasn’t in vain.

“That’s a relief.” I murmured in a tired voice. ‘Orchestrating the show for all of you drained a lot of my energy.’

“Milady would definitely succeed soon. I am sure that Milady would get closer to Master as time goes by. When Master finally becomes healthy again, even outside the bedroom, both of you could…”

“Stop.” I quickly blocked her words because I was about to feel sick to my stomach if I was to hear any more.

Rona looked at me with her hand covering her mouth. However, she couldn’t hide her sparkling eyes.

“It really turned out well.” She said with a bright smile.

‘At least there’s one person in the mansion who genuinely wants me to succeed.’

Rona was the only one who was on my side in this enormous mansion. She was indebted to me because I saved her in the past. Unlike other maids, she was a maid who was bought directly from the slave market.

Previously, Rona was sold by her deranged father due to his immense debt. I bought her before she was sold to a prostitution house. Therefore, in the beginning, Rona was the only maid who didn’t know about my real situation in this mansion.

‘Come to think of it, what happened to Rona after Selena died?’ Even Selena’s presence was insignificant in this mansion, much less a maid.

“Erm… Rona?” I held her hand firmly.

“Yes.”

“If you are to leave this mansion, do you have a place to go?”

“N-no…”

I roughly knew that Rona had a lover. It was Robert who also worked in this mansion. I caught them stealing glances and secretly sending heart signals with their hands to each other several times. They were so immersed in their world that they didn’t realize that I already noticed their relationship. Well, I decided to just feign ignorance.

Even so, Robert also had nowhere to go, like Rona.

“Why does Milady say that all of a sudden? Did I do something wrong?” Rona, who turned pale, said in a trembling voice, like an abandoned rabbit in the rain.

“No, no. That’s not it.” I shook my head in embarrassment and began to soothe her. “By any chance… What if…I’m not in this mansion anymore…”

“Milady, are you going somewhere?”

“No. What if… It’s just what if…”

“Then, I will follow Milady.”

“Rona…!”

‘Ah, I feel like crying… I’m really thankful that she said those words…’

Rona expressed her willingness to follow me when even my husband kept telling me to get lost. I didn’t have luck in getting a good husband though it seemed like I was blessed with a loyal maid.

“If you want, I can get a house for you to live with Robert after you get married.”

“How does Milady know?” Rona asked in surprise.

‘Ah, my mistake.’ It seemed like Rona didn’t have any idea that, except the stone, everyone else in this mansion knew that they were dating.

“Well, I just knew about it somehow. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” I didn’t bother to add, ‘Since everyone knows about it, anyway.’

Only then, Rona nodded her head in relief. “Does Milady still feel awkward toward Master?”

Awkward… Of course… but, it wasn’t just that. Looking back on my two years of marriage, the relationship between Amoide and me was beyond repair. He hated me, and I was scared of him, so I couldn’t approach him easily because of his fierce glare. Having a deep conversation with him was even more impossible. At this point, Camilla, who wished to see a child between us, was unrealistically optimistic.

“But Milady looked very close to the Master, yesterday and today.”

“Did we? You mean Amoide and me?”

Rona nodded enthusiastically. “Taking a walk while chatting with each other means that Milady’s relationship with Master already improved a lot. In addition, at such a remote place-”

“Stop.”

“Yes.” Rona smiled again with her hands covering her mouth.

Although it appeared like that in the eyes of the third party, I was quite pleased by that fact. It seemed that my effort wasn’t completely in vain. The most important thing was to make sure that everyone in this mansion thought that I, the duchess, had a special relationship with the duke. As convincing as possible. To the point that it became unthinkable for me to poison Amoide.

“Still, compared to the first meeting, Milady has become a lot closer to Master now, right?” Rona asked with a face full of hope.

“Well…” I didn’t fully understand what Rona meant by ‘becoming a lot closer.’ However, it was clear that, at least, it was not enough to describe it as a romantic relationship of a couple.

“When did Milady first meet the Master?”

“Our first meeting?” I was somehow embarrassed when I said it out loud. ‘First meeting? Is it all right to use such pleasing words to describe my first encounter with Amoide?’

I tried to recall my memory about my first meeting with Amoide. ‘Our first meeting…’ Narrowing my eyes, I began to reminisce about the day. “It was in the bedroom.”

“Bedroom?” Rona asked with a surprised look on her face.

“I bled a lot on that day.”

“Oh my, Milady…” Rona looked around as she lightly slapped my forearm.

“It’s true.” I rubbed my forearm while looking at her.

“Yes, I know.” Embarrassed, Rona wrapped her hands around her face.

“What do you know?”

“I know everything I should know…” She said as she clenched her fist.

She looked so cute that I kindly added, “I bled a lot to the point that I thought I was going to die.” I narrowed my eyes as I recalled what happened that day.

For a moment, Rona’s face turned pale. “…Is it that bad?” There was a mix of worry and fright expressed on her face. “Oh my god. Bled a lot… Milady must have had a hard time.” Rona suddenly became tearful as she held my hand tightly.

I responded by patting her hand lightly. “Whatever you imagine, it was more than that.”

It was beyond my imagination. I slowly closed my eyes. “It was an amazing first night.” Even now, when I closed my eyes, I could still recall vividly what happened that day.

*****

The newlywed room, which was lit up by candles, looked quite romantic. Candles were placed all over, making me look around in admiration. In particular, the scented candles were said to give off the perfect scent for newlyweds, and I agreed that the scent was quite effective. Though it couldn’t be compared to the charming groom in front of me, who looked as though the most beautiful creature in the world.

“What are you?” He asked in a harsh tone.

I wanted to say, “I am your wife,” but somehow, I couldn’t. “I was told to stay here starting today.”

“Are you a new maid?”

Even though he asked so, he seemed to have guessed that it wasn’t the case. Anyone can tell that the atmosphere in the room, which was strangely decorated with flowers and scented candles, and the instinctive feeling of seeing a woman in front of him dressed in seductive clothes, was meant to make him feel aroused.

I walked cautiously toward the man who would become my husband starting tonight.

The floor was sprinkled with rose petals. It was clear that from the strong scent, these roses were high-quality ones. The ones that were usually used to make perfumes, which were sold at high prices. I felt very sorry, thinking that such precious flowers were sprinkled all over the floor and crushed under my feet. ‘Just how much does this cost?’

“I asked who you are.” There was a hint of anger in his tone.

They said he was sickly and weak, but his voice was full of vigor. I could feel his dangerous aura that gave me goosebumps all over my body and made me wonder whether I was the one who was sick. Also…

‘He’s good looking.’ No, good looking wasn’t the right word to describe him. His beauty was beyond description. Under the delicate candlelight, this man even exuded a strangely attractive allure. Even more, I could also see a part of his bare body since he didn’t fasten the upper buttons of his loose top.

Before I met him, I thought that my future husband was a frail man who would break anytime if I didn’t control my strength when having the physical interaction with him. However, when I saw him with my own eyes, it wasn’t like that at all. He was like a mysterious creature that attracted people as if they were possessed.

“What are you looking at?”

‘Oh, he speaks in human language.’ This thought just popped up in my mind as I unknowingly stared at him.

As I turned my face away out of embarrassment, his words continued, “I think everyone, including you, knows why this room suddenly turned out like this. Except me.”

‘Did the Duchess seriously didn’t say anything? Did she believe that her son would just throw himself at me as soon as I entered this newlywed room wearing such seductive clothes…?’’

“Who are you, really?” He looked at me coldly.

When he gave me that look, I already felt breathless, and my instinct kept urging me to run away, but I held myself back because I had to do what I needed to. “I am… your wife.”

“My…what?” He said with a deep frown. “When did I get a wife without my knowledge?”

Feeling like I was approaching my death door, I answered in a trembling voice. “…A month ago.”

It wasn’t a lie. A month ago, I came to this mansion and started attending the bridal classes, or to be exact, ‘lessons on how to bear the successor.’ After that, I signed the marriage certificate and officially became the duke’s wife.

“I made a promise with the former duchess.”

“What promise?” He tilted his head.

“To bear your child.”

[ T/N: now things are getting more interesting ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]