Capítulo 185: [Chapter 185] The Duchess's Entrance <<<
As the carriage carrying the Duke and the new Duchess arrived in Felena, spring suddenly made its appearance.
The grand mansion was bathed entirely in the early spring flowers. Neris admired the beauty of the Yellow Duke's residence.
"What a splendid place."
"Not bad at all."
Kledwin held Neris's hand to help her comfortably step out of the carriage. She smiled as she watched the sunlight filtering through the petals linger on her husband's face.
The more she looked, the more she realized what a beautiful man he was. Typically, when you keep looking at someone's face, you tend to notice flaws one by one, but he seemed to have none. Like a fairy from a story.
"Fairies are said to enchant people and play pranks."
Would Kledwin play mean pranks on others?
While he might play embarrassing pranks... As memories of their carriage ride back came to mind, Neris felt her face flush and quickly tried to think of something else. It was just kissing here and there on the way, so why did it feel so sensual?
"Miss!"
A person ran out from the mansion. Neris greeted her warmly. She looked healthy, which was a relief.
"Dora!"
"It's 'Madam,' not 'Miss.'"
Another person emerged from the mansion with a leisurely voice. Neris recognized his face too. It was Gilbert, the steward of the White Swan Manor.
"Gilbert came too."
"He arrived a few days ago. He was given instructions to ensure the mansion is in a state that is not embarrassing for the host."
In Hwando, where they were uncomfortable staying without their own people to avoid the inconvenience of bringing their own servants into someone else's house, they had no choice but to call their own people. While nobles who frequently used the Hwando residence had a route to introduce trustworthy individuals, this was not the case here.
Seeing Kledwin apologize as he noticed Neris looking around for someone else, he explained, "The road is rough, so I decided not to bring my mother-in-law. It seemed better to meet her when we return rather than making her travel back and forth on the rough road twice. There are safety concerns too. Did I make the wrong call?"
"No, that's right."
With the original Tifian Marquis deceased, his son would have taken his place. The new Tifian Marquis was not a trustworthy person, so for his mother to come here, she had to use that cliff path.
Acknowledging the irrationality, Neris concealed her disappointment.
Several people poured out following Gilbert and Dora. While not numerous, they were all familiar faces from the White Swan Manor. Among them was Hilbrin, who seemed teary.
The servants lined up from the carriage's stop at the main gate to the entrance of the mansion, forming two rows. Gilbert and Hilbrin, standing at the front, simultaneously bowed.
"We greet the Madam."
"We welcome the Viscountess."
Their tone seemed natural, as if they had been calling her that for a long time.
With welcoming faces in clean clothes and the stately mansion behind them, Neris felt an unexpected comfort and said, "Thank you. I look forward to working together."
"I will serve you with all my heart!"
The people replied in unison. The warm scent of spring flowers flew through the lingering cold, brushing the tip of their noses.
"Shall we go in, my lady?"
Kledwin lightly kissed his wife's hand and assumed a posture to escort her.
Neris walked alongside him, heading towards the place that would be their home for a while.
❖ ❖ ❖
"How are your wounds?"
"Thanks to your concern, they have healed completely. It's a great sin not to serve you until the end, even in urgent situations!"
"No, at that time, there were others at the mansion. And because you left, Nelushion was also relieved."
Neris had no intention of blaming Dora. She had been worried about her significant injury, but seeing her complexion looking good, she was relieved that she had recovered safely.
Neris's bedroom in the Duke's residence was large and luxurious, fitting for the mistress, but most importantly, it was bright and cheerful with sunlight streaming in. Despite being abruptly brought in for questioning by Adrain, her belongings that she couldn't pack were also neatly arranged in the room.
After inspecting the room with familiar items carefully arranged, Neris sat down at the white marble table.
"Now that we've just arrived, you must be curious about the news from Hwando. Would you like to hear about any interesting events?"
"Yes, my lady!"
Dora replied confidently.
"The relationship between the Earlendria Duke and Duchess has worsened. It seems that emotions built up during the process of the Duke asking his wife to return have erupted."
"Why did the built-up emotions suddenly erupt?"
"Usually, when a person crosses a certain line, things that seemed good before become annoying, the same words become hurtful, and so on."
While Dora casually spoke, Neris suspected that perhaps the process had added some issues to the couple. Or maybe she just didn't know the situation well.
"I see. Has Valentine returned to school?"
"Yes, my lady. The term has started."
This term would be an uncomfortable one for Valentine. Witnessing the Duke and Duchess fight would likely be a first in his life, and being separated from his parents in such a serious situation was challenging.
Moreover, there were quite a few children at the academy whose families had borrowed money from the Duke or the Wells family. It would be difficult for him to carry out his duties as a queen as usual. If Valentine's temper explodes due to frustration, the situation could worsen.
"Continue spreading the rumor that the Duke and Duchess's relationship is at its worst and recovery seems unlikely. Ensure the Duke cannot borrow money from anywhere."
"Yes, my lady. The nobles who are aware of the sanctions from the palace are already taking precautions."
Knowing the Duke's ambitions from the palace, they couldn't stay idle. The Duke likely still believed in the possibility of recovery. If taxes were collected this fall, money would come in again, and then urgent debts would be paid off. But before that, they would cut off the Duke's important financial resources.
It was time for Mori to exert influence. Neris smiled slyly.
"Good. What else has happened?"
"Before the term started, Miss Diane McKinnon visited the mansion. She left instructions to write a letter as soon as you return since you were not present."
"They misunderstood each other. But why did Diane come to Hwando? The McKinnons always celebrate their family's birthdays on their own estate."
"She came to see you. She came with Joyce McKinnon to defend you against the murder charge, but by then you had already left. She initially stopped by the Earlendria Duke's residence before coming here, but since we couldn't specify where you had gone, we simply informed her that you were not here."
"She asked for a letter upon your return."
"Yes. Although we didn't mention your return, she seemed to think you would definitely come back here."
Neris was once again amazed by Diane's peculiar insight. Since Nelushion had spread rumors around the town that Neris had been taken away by Kledwin, Diane must have thought Neris was in a state of 'missing after committing murder.'
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience. She made another long trip, so I should send a letter to the academy."
"Yes. Miss McKinnon had to return as the term had started, and Mr. McKinnon returned to the Marquisate due to upper-level matters, but both seemed disappointed."
As Dora spoke, she somehow seemed proud. It was as if she was showing off to others how remarkable our lady's sociability was.
Neris sighed.
"I caused a lot of trouble, so I should also send a letter to Joyce."
That wasn't all. With the Wells family faltering, there was a significant gap in the upper echelons. Discussions needed to be held to ensure that if Mori couldn't take advantage, the McKinnons would benefit from all the upper-level matters.
"Yes, my lady. How about sharing the news of the marriage? It's better to hear about a friend's marriage news from the friend themselves rather than from rumors."
"That's true."
"Finding out about the marriage through rumors might trigger Diane's unpredictable reaction. She had been so angry before.
Neris pondered on how to start the letter's introduction and asked, "Is there any other news?"
"Yes, I was just about to tell you. The Earlendria Marquis's daughter, Lady Lycandra, is engaged to the Ganielo Duke's son, Lord Ganielo. The negotiations between the families are complete, and they just need to sign and hold the engagement ceremony. Although the term has started, Lady Lycandra is still in Hwando."
"Megara?"
"Yes. Lady Lycandra has no one else but that lady."
Even when Dora decided to serve Neris, she had heard some of her school stories from Talfryn. So, despite never having seen Megara in person, she already felt a slight aversion.
"Ganielo Duke's eldest son is still in poor health, so if all goes well, Lady Lycandra will become the next Duchess."
At least until the previous Neris's death, such a thing had not happened, but it was a plausible scenario in the eyes of those around her.
Of course, in her previous life, Neris had known and spent time with Colin Ganielo, the second son of the Ganielo Duke and Megara's fiancé.
He had lived his life hoping to inherit his father's title instead of his sickly older brother. Despite his frequent illnesses, the Ganielo Duke's eldest son had outlived Neris, and Colin always made it clear that he was unhappy about it.
The union of the Lycandra and Ganielo families. It was a strategic engagement, but Colin was openly proud that Megara, not his brother, was engaged to him.
And he was even prouder when she had dalliances with the prince.
It was a thought process that ordinary people couldn't understand, but having seen countless sycophants in power at the palace, Neris roughly understood the principle of how such individuals found happiness. They just needed to please the ruler in any way possible.
The fiancé's prerogative? How great a reward would be given to Colin, who would nominally become the father of the child if Megara bore a child with the prince, even if the child was the prince's 'destined partner.' To prevent the child born from the prince's 'destined partner' from being made a bastard, a noble father who would quietly keep his mouth shut was needed.
The more Megara acted like a princess, the more Colin swaggered as if he had become the prince's top aide.
So, how perfect a pair they were. In a different sense from the Megara and prince couple.
Unfortunately, even in this life, it remained to be seen whether Colin would feel like the prince's aide.
Neris shrugged.
"First, we must safely proceed with the engagement."
"Yes. There is nothing else to report. Oh, my lady. After dinner, I have prepared the bath for you. What scent would you like for the candles?"
Dora asked with a suddenly eager expression.
Already having heard about Neris's preferences from Maindlandt, there was no need to ask about her bathing preferences. Neris looked puzzled.
"There's no need to add anything, but if you must, a gentle scent would be nice."
"Yes, my lady! Would you like to see the new nightwear we have prepared?"
Why would they have new nightwear? They wouldn't be staying here for long, and she already had what she wore in Maindlandt... Neris pondered until she finally realized what Dora was talking about.
Not just Dora. Everyone in the mansion probably thought that tonight, the Duke and Duchess would sleep in the same room.
Neris blushed. She covered her face with both hands and whispered softly.
"...Um... I find this question amusing, but do you happen to know where I will be sleeping tonight?"
"Yes? Considering you were recently married, I naturally assumed it would be in Your Lordship's chamber..."
Even Dora realized what Neris was talking about.
The newlyweds' wedding night had yet to come.
And it seemed there was no agreement on when that would be.
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