Betrayal of Dignity - Chapter 12

12. Duties of the Duchess


The Birch Tower, located in the northern part of the kingdom, on the old border, was once a tower used for reconnaissance to defend the kingdom's borders. When Count Tisse, Damien's great-grandfather, was promoted to Duke, the tower was expanded and turned into a mansion, and after over 100 years, it was finally transformed into the beautiful Birch Castle.

The architectural style of the castle, built in a circular pattern with white bricks, was romantic, resembling that of the kingdom's capital, Swanton, but the pointed tower and turrets in the center, as well as the balcony walls on the top of the castle, which were pointed like gearwheels, remained intact, hinting at the castle's original purpose.

“It’s bigger than I thought, Miss.”

To enter the castle, one had to pass through two gates erected in the birch forest path. Finally, Gray whispered softly as he looked at the Birch Castle spread out before his eyes.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Chloe opened her mouth slightly. The carriage they were riding in had no wheels or roof, resembling a giant sled, but aside from its original purpose of preventing people from slipping on the snow, it also had the secondary function of allowing them to vividly perceive the surrounding scenery.

A sleigh-like carriage passed through the castle garden. The grass in the garden, covered with snow, was neatly cut and neat, and there was a large fountain in the middle. The naked body of a man carved in the middle of the frozen fountain was beautiful and dynamic, but Chloe felt as if she was getting cold and buried her face in her thick coat.

In front of the beautiful castle with snow flurries falling, the carriage and cart carrying her finally stopped one after another.

“Welcome, little lady. My name is Eliza, the head maid and acting housekeeper.”

Eliza bowed to her, her back straight. Several keys jingled from her waistband. Chloe immediately guessed why only one servant had come to greet her in this vast castle, which contained over 150 bedrooms, not to mention the study, the reception room, the library, the tea room, the piano room, and various hobby rooms.

“The lady is waiting.”

She feel unwelcome.

It wasn't unexpected. Chloe lifted her face, red from the wind chill, and smiled.

“Thank you for welcoming me.”

“I’ll have someone pack the luggage.”

Eliza glanced at Gray, who was standing next to her, and then said in a firm voice. The valet was no longer needed, so she should send him away. It was time to send Gray away, even if she didn't urge him. Gray had to leave immediately to make the return train.

“Would you please send my servant to prepare some warm tea and food? It was a hard time taking care of me all the way here.”

“Yes. Please wait here for a moment. After I guide the little lady, I will have another maid bring you some food.”

Chloe looked up and met Gray's eyes one last time. Snow flurries fell, landing on his black curly hair. Gray's good puppy-like eyes were filled with concern. Chloe fought back tears with all her might. She couldn't let Gray worry. She couldn't let her father, who was waiting for news of her, tell him that she had cried when he told him of Chloe's last appearance.

"Miss."

“Thank you, Gray. Take care.”

Chloe eventually turned her head first. Breakups were one of the things she hated the most, but now she had to do it maturely.

Clang. Clang.

Chloe followed Eliza as she walked ahead, her tears falling silently on the cold gray brick floor. The reason the inside of the castle felt so dreary was not just because it was winter.

'Miss...'

Gray stared at Chloe's back for a long time as she walked along the maid's steps, which were reminiscent of a witch. Chloe was leaning on her cane and moving diligently to keep up with Eliza, who was walking quickly.

The wise and kind young lady who had always been on Gray's side did not look back even once until she disappeared into the castle. However, when she turned the corner, he could not ignore the fact that her side face, which he had glimpsed, was terrified. Gray clenched his fists with both roughly swollen hands.

***

“The lady is in the chapel.”

Eliza opened her mouth quietly. The long gallery inside the castle was even more splendid than the castle's exterior. The walls were brightly lit by candles, with portraits of former Dukes, Ladies, and families hanging on them, and the furniture was of the highest quality as if it contained all the precious things from the entire kingdom.

Outside, it was midwinter, but inside, it was warm beyond belief. It was impossible to estimate how much it would cost to light a fireplace in a castle of this size. Chloe had calculated that it would be impossible to come up with a figure based on her life experience.

“We have arrived, Ma’am.”

As Eliza spoke, a calm, slightly high soprano voice was heard from within.

“Come in.”

Chloe cautiously stepped into the open chapel. The moment she first encountered Damien's mother, it was inevitable that her hands holding her cane would sweat.

“You must have had a hard time coming this far.”

“I’m sorry for the late greeting. My name is Chloe. I really appreciate you sending me a carriage to the station.”

“Would you please lift your head, Chloe?”

Chloe, who had been keeping her gaze slightly down and maintaining a humble posture, slowly raised her head.

Did the Duke make an external request?

Princess Priscilla, the eldest daughter of the former King and the former Duchess, was indeed a beautiful person who was rumored throughout the kingdom.

“You're quite pretty.”

Madame Tisse smiled elegantly at her.

“I thought it was going to be pale.”

Chloe was a little taken aback by the unexpected words that followed but quickly bowed her head to show her respect.

“You are too kind.”

“It’s just like the first deer Damien killed when he was little. I don’t know if you know, but he enjoys hunting. He’s been called a genius since he was five.”

“...”

Chloe forced the corners of her trembling lips to smile gently. She thought it was better to just smile calmly when she had nothing to say.

“You probably didn’t get a chance to see it, but it happened.”

Contrary to Madame Tisse's expectations, Chloe had felt Damien's hunting instinct deep in her bones.

“You wouldn’t believe how dynamic and graceful that kid is when he’s hunting.”

The memory of him galloping on a horse while swinging his whip comes back to her vividly, and the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end even though the fireplace is burning warmly. As Chloe simply nods, the woman’s words grow longer.

“That boy has done everything so well that his parents have never had to ask him to do so. No one would disagree that he is the best groom in the kingdom.”

Even Princesses are always proud of their children.

Chloe nodded, seeing the unmistakable joy on Madame Tisse's face.

“My family and I are both honored.”

“Do you have any great hidden wealth? Or are you exploiting the weaknesses of the royal family?”

A curious question followed. Chloe hesitated for a moment and then answered quietly.

“...I’m sorry, but as far as I know, there is no such thing.”

“So, is it really true that Damien has chosen you as his bride? Why?”

Priscilla's face was filled with questions. Chloe swallowed dryly and took a slow breath. The resemblance between the Duke and his mother was not limited to appearance.

“You’re indeed a little pretty, but hunting deer with wounds on your legs doesn’t suit his tastes. He prefers to roll around with wild beasts that could kill him while hunting.”

She also had the same talent for poking people with a smiling face. Plus, Madame Tisse was a bit talkative.

“When he came back to Birch Castle lately, I had not seen my son in a year. And he asked for the family jewels, without even having a cup of tea with me, and asked for my hand in marriage. You know it takes more than twenty hours by train from Swanton to here. He took the jewels and went away again. How I felt when I heard that the bride he had chosen was the crippled daughter of a bankrupt nobleman from a remote part of the country whose name I had never heard of...”

She continued talking without stopping, then she put her hand on her chest and let out a long breath as if she was out of breath.

“I don’t know if it was absurd.”

Chloe once again realized that she really didn't have the personality to match Tisse's. She felt like she was being hit with a verbal arrow right in front of her.

“Was it curiosity? That kid has a tendency to enjoy thrills sometimes.”

However, Priscilla seemed to treat her without malice, unlike Damien, and honestly, that was even more frightening. Chloe tried to remain calm and opened her mouth with difficulty.

“I don’t know the deep meaning behind why the Duke chose me, but I don’t think he chose such an important matter as marriage out of a momentary curiosity.”

Priscilla met Chloe's eyes and nodded.

"Yes."

Chloe spoke to Priscilla cautiously, as if she were reading a book whose cover left no clue as to what was inside.

“The Duke has told me to fulfill my duties as a Duchess. So I will serve him as well as I can, despite my shortcomings, and do my best for the prosperity of the Tisse.”

“You really are smart.”

"...Thank you."

Chloe blinked, unable to fully rejoice at the sudden compliment. Priscilla nodded, as if she finally understood, with her hands clasped to her chest.

“Damien likes to keep smart people by his side. When he was in the military, didn’t he once incur the royal family’s hatred by giving special treatment to those with good skills regardless of their status? Now I understand his feelings a little.”

Priscilla looked at her with enlightened eyes, as if she had come to her own conclusion.

“Even though I have Eliza’s help, it’s really too hard to manage this huge castle alone. That’s why he chose someone who he thought would be perfect for the job.”

"...Ah."

Chloe feels like her soul is leaving.

“You can’t go out and play because your legs are weak. You’re the perfect person to work as a secretary at a desk.”

Chloe's face flushed and then faded. It seemed as if the mother and son were conspiring to harass her.

“I like you. First of all, you have a pretty face and I think my jewelry will suit you well.”

“...”

“You seem smart, so I think you’ll help me manage the castle well. As expected from my son, Duke Tisse. That boy is a filial son who values ​​his family the most in the world.”

After concluding the last conversation with bragging about her son, Priscilla personally led her to the dinner table. Chloe had to listen to the accomplishments of Duke Damien Ernst von Tisse, who proved his perfection while eating the food that filled the table. After dessert, it seemed like she could ghostwrite the Duke's autobiography.

"Ha..."

Following the maid who led her to the bedroom with a candle in her hand, Chloe finally had time to think alone. The walls of the hallway were lined with portraits of the Dukes of Tisse and their families. Seeing Priscilla pregnant with her child, a time with the previous Duke who died in the war, and Damien enjoying a picnic with his mother as a child, Chloe realized that what she had expected before coming here was wrong.

Because the Duke's personality was so twisted, Chloe had been secretly assuming that his home environment must have been strict or rigid.

'It's definitely a bit unusual, but...'

It was clear that Madame Tisse loved her son. When she thought that it was truly amazing how a human being could become strange despite being loved and raised without any lack, the maid stopped.

“This is it.”

The Duchess's bedroom was connected to the Duke's bedroom by a single door. According to the schedule, the Duke was to arrive here in a week.

Chloe, who had finished getting ready, went to the window and gently opened the curtains. Through the window where the snow was falling quietly, she looked at the red roofs of the Tisse estate. An unfamiliar sight. She looked at the scenery of Tisse that she had to get used to, and turned her head toward the wall that she had been trying to avoid.

She met his eyes with the Duke in the portrait hanging on the red wallpaper. It looked like it was probably drawn during his days at the military academy. Is it true that bad trees are different from the start? He must have been about seventeen years old, but the confident boy’s expression already seemed to be reaching the peak of arrogance. Every time she met his eyes with the Duke standing in his uniform, she felt bad.

She climbed up onto the chair, struggling. She barely avoided falling over when she lost her balance while turning the heavy portrait upside down. After barely turning the picture over, she lay down on the bed and thought about what she had to do the next morning, then she jumped up again. She didn’t want to imagine what would happen if the maid came to serve breakfast and saw the portrait of the master of the castle upside down, and if she told Madame de Tisse about it.

Finally, Chloe put the portrait back in place and lay down on the bed, catching her breath. The faint smile on his face in the picture seemed to be laughing at her, so she pulled the covers over her head.

***

“Yeah, what’s up, Chloe?”

Priscilla, who was drinking tea while being attended to by Eliza at the sunny window, looked up and looked at her.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Oh, really? Come here and sit down.”

Priscilla winked at Eliza, hiding her complicated expression as she watched her walk carefully with a cane.

“Eliza, go and help her walk.”

“No, I’m fine alone.”

After refusing her help, Chloe walked slowly across the wool carpet and sat down in a chair.

“I was so surprised when you immediately locked yourself in the study and didn’t leave the house for three days. I guess that’s where I see your similarities with Damien. When he concentrates, he doesn’t even notice the day passing by.”

Chloe opened her still lips as she looked at the headmaid, Eliza, who was pouring tea into her glass.

“Could you please step aside?”

Priscilla smiled and waved her hand.

“Eliza has been the maid of honor in this house since I gave birth. Without her, this house wouldn’t run, and there’s nothing she wouldn’t hear. Tell me. What’s the matter?”

Chloe hesitated for a moment to answer. She couldn't bring herself to talk about the topic she was about to bring up in front of the person in question. Especially if it wasn't something she was happy to talk about.

“I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with everyone in this castle yet.”

“I will go out, ma’am.”

Priscilla frowned as Eliza, who was quick-witted, tried to get away on her own.

“No. You don’t have to go out. What’s going on that makes you act so strange?”

Chloe took a deep breath and secretly wiped the sweat from her hands. Priscilla was with Eliza or another maid almost all the time except when she was sleeping. The first and last time Chloe was able to see her in person was on the first day she arrived at the castle, in the chapel.

“I hesitated whether I should say something, but I think it’s the right thing to do.”

“That’s enough time to calm down.”

Chloe had actually been thinking about it for the past three days. There were times when she thought it might be better to wait until the Duke arrived at the castle. That was until the telegram from him arrived this morning.

To my dear Duchess of Tisse

How do you feel about arriving at Birch Castle? I have no doubt that you will be fulfilling your duties as a Duchess.

I hope nothing disappoints you on the day you're looking forward to.

From Damian

The short letter seemed like a warning to her. No, it was a warning, no question. She didn't want to do anything that would make him nitpick. Chloe finally opened her mouth with a determined expression.

“There is a hole in the castle’s finances.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Eliza, pour me some more tea.”

Priscilla furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and laughed incredulously. Eliza's expression as she picked up the teapot remained unchanged. Chloe opened her mouth calmly again.

“There’s definitely money leaking through that hole.”

It was enough for anyone who knew how to read the books to notice that someone had been tampering with the finances of Birch Castle since the death of the previous Duke William in the war. It was exactly the same time that his attendant and butler, Mr. Floyd, left the castle, and Eliza, the head maid, took on the role of butler.

“Maintaining a castle of this enormous size is no easy task.”

Priscilla shook her head as if it was no big deal.

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why even more meticulous management is necessary.”

But the ledgers Chloe saw were far from meticulous. The amount of money spent on things of unknown origin was also increasing.

“It is unclear where the money was spent, the total amount of taxes collected from the people is incorrect, and the amount of wine in the warehouse is different from what is written. I suspect double accounting. I did not count the silver candlesticks and tableware...”

Chloe shut her mouth as Priscilla quietly raised her hand.

“Eliza, step aside for a moment.”

Chloe swallowed dryly, conscious that Eliza was looking at her with an ashen face. Unfortunately, it was clear that Priscilla had left all the castle's finances to her and had paid her no attention.

“Wouldn’t it be better to talk about that when we’re alone?”

As the door closed, Priscilla looked at her with her brows furrowed and her face full of fatigue. Instead of showing her resentment, Chloe ended up lowering her head.

“I’m sorry, but I think I’ll have to fire Eliza, the head maid, and Robinson, the stable manager.”

“Why Robinson again?”

Priscilla's voice now rose sharply, as if she were angry with her. Chloe could only respond in silence.

“She must have used a cart to steal the goods. It was an amount she could not possibly handle on her own.”

Priscilla sighed, pressing her temples with both hands.

“Eliza was there with me when Damien was born, and Robinson is the one who has managed Birch Castle since his father’s time.”

“That is why their infidelity is all the more unforgivable.”

As Chloe continued speaking in a small but clear voice, Priscilla's expression became increasingly grim.

“Eliza is the oldest servant in this household, hand-picked by me. I cannot discuss her dismissal lightly.”

Priscilla bit her lip as she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. Chloe knew that Priscilla had also been hurt by the infidelity of her close servant. She could guess that she had left Swanton and married into a distant northern land with no connections, so she had little to rely on, but it was impossible to ignore the infidelity that was so obvious to her.

Besides, if the Duke, after returning, finds out that she knew about the servants' infidelity and turned a blind eye to it... Chloe didn't even want to imagine what would happen.

“I think you must have relied on Eliza a lot for a long time.”

“Is it just will? When William died like that, she was the person I'm thankful for who stayed by my side when I was worried that my only son would also return as a corpse.”

“If she had respected the sincere care that Your Highness had for Head Maid Eliza, she would not have been able to touch the enormous fortune that amounts to one-fifth of the castle’s annual maintenance fees behind your back. That’s why I can’t forgive her even more.”

Chloe continued speaking calmly, her brows furrowed thoughtfully.

“Once a hole is created, it will get bigger. If we just ignore this, the servants’ corruption will increase, and that will never be good for Tisse.”

The longer Chloe talked, the more Priscilla felt offended rather than convinced. She was the type of person who reacted emotionally when her opinions were challenged, and the problem was that Chloe had not had enough time to get to know her.

“Why do you insist on telling me about this and make it so hard for me?”

“Wouldn’t you have been even more offended if I had arbitrarily fired your favorite servant?”

“...You have a side that is a bit annoying to people.”

"Sorry."

Priscilla looked at Chloe, who was apologizing meekly, with a displeased expression, and then nitpicked as if it was the right time.

“And what’s that you call me? You're married, but you act like a stranger.”

“...Then would you allow me to call you mother?”

“That’s awkward.”

Chloe closed her eyes for a moment and opened them as Priscilla turned her head away. This short time with her felt more tiring than the three days she had spent buried in the ledgers in the study.

“Go out. I will discuss this matter with Damien when he comes. Damien is not so cruel as to kick out his own nanny.”

Chloe blinked silently for a moment, fantasizing that Priscilla might have another son of the same name.

“I don’t have an appetite. Eat dinner alone.”

“I will bring your meal up to your bedroom.”

“Even if I have no apetite.”

“I understand that you don’t want to dine with me, but if you harm your health, the Duke will be very worried.”

Priscilla finally raised her voice at her.

“Can you please just stay quiet and not talk back to me all the time?”

Chloe was at a loss as to whether she should say yes or keep quiet. Neither of the two seemed to satisfy her, so she quietly lowered her head. Priscilla motioned for her to leave as if she was tired. It was a welcome sound to hear.

***

For four days now, the Duchess has been eating alone at Birch Castle, ever since Priscilla began eating in her room.

“Is there anything else you need, Ma’am?”

The servant who brought the meal asked her from beside her. His tone was polite but could not hide his stiffness. Chloe shook her head and forced a smile.

“Stay out and I’ll call you if I need anything.”

She wanted to feel comfortable, at least while eating. The stuffed deer heads and pistols hanging here and there in the red-decorated dining room were already making her uncomfortable, so there seemed no need to add anything to it.

"Then."

Chloe drank from her glass of water, feeling the inside of her mouth gritty. The day she had reported the head maid and the stable keeper’s infidelity to Priscilla, rumors had already spread among the many servants at Birch Castle.

The servants whispered quietly as she passed by, and some even sighed openly behind her as she limped. Chloe tried to be more confident every time, but it wasn't easy to endure the loneliness that was surging.

'I have to write a letter tomorrow.'

Chloe missed the castle of Verdier, where she had left. She wanted to hear her father's good-natured laughter, and she wanted to see Alice. She still missed Gray's kind eyes that would always quietly appear when needed.

Crackle crackle. Crackle crackle.

The fireplace crackled with wood in the huge dining room where she was left alone.

How long should she live like this? The Duke was scheduled to arrive tomorrow, but it was obvious that his presence would not help her but rather make her more miserable. Chloe thought for a moment about which one would be harder for her to deal with, the Duke or his mother. She stared at the dried meat and cold vegetables on her plate, then muttered softly as she dug her fork into the pigeon peas.

“They’re both equally good.”

The people of Tisse seemed to have an indisputable talent for making others uncomfortable. The Duke of Tisse, who would push people around with obvious intentions, and his mother, who would forget what she had just said, were both the kind of people that Chloe would have a hard time dealing with.

Chloe shook her head to shake off the thought, then pulled herself together and focused on her meal. It was then that she realized that holding on was the best defense she could do, and she cut into the tough meat with all her might.

Bam. The heavy door opened, and the candle on the table swayed with the sound of wind. The flustered maid spoke urgently to her.

“My Lady, I have word that the Duke has arrived. Please hurry and get ready...”

The moment Chloe's eyebrows gathered between her foreheads as she clenched her fork and knife as if fighting over a large piece of meat in front of her, a man a head taller than the maid met her eyes.

“It’s been a while.”

As the maid stood up in surprise, Chloe could now see Damien clearly. Snowflakes that had not yet melted fell from the collar of his black coat.

"Ma'am."

“Your Excellency.”

The moment Chloe, who had come to her senses late, jumped up from her seat, Priscilla's surprised voice was heard following her.

“Damialen, my son. What is this, without any word? I heard you were supposed to arrive tomorrow afternoon.”

Priscilla was also unprepared for her son's sudden appearance. Damien smiled as he lightly hugged her in her dressing gown.

“I came a day early because I missed my mother.”

“Oh my, stop making such annoying noises.”

Even as she waved her hand, Priscilla's face was bright as a lily.

“I’m hungry because I came in a hurry, but I’d like to eat first.”

“Well, that makes sense. My son, wasn’t the journey here difficult?”

“Not at all. I think I drank all the alcohol in first class.”

"Ha ha ha."

Chloe's neat eyebrows were drawn a little closer to the center as she watched Damien joking friendly with Priscilla. They looked like a very close pair at first glance.

Of course, she already knew that Madame Tisse loved her son terribly. But Chloe felt a sense of betrayal from the Duke, who treated her mother so normally and affectionately, like any well-educated gentleman from any family. How could someone who could smile so affectionately have such a dark inside?

“Tell Mrs. Dutton to hurry and prepare the food. Hurry up and get the Duke’s favorite dishes ready.”

“No. I think we already have enough food, so just bring one more set of dishes.”

The moment the Duke gave his orders to his servants, a moment of silence flowed through the red space. Priscilla quickly broke the silence while all the servants looked around.

“Hey, hey. This table isn’t ready yet.”

“No way. The Duchess seems to be already eating.”

Priscilla had no time to make any excuses for the cold table. The Duke sat down at the end of the long table, which seemed to take ten steps to walk from end to end, and clicked his tongue at Priscilla.

“Mother, please sit down too.”

“Damien, I don’t have an appetite so I wasn’t planning on eating dinner.”

“Didn’t I tell you not to skip meals?”

Damien shook his head and clicked his tongue.

“Don’t you know how much I care about my mother’s health? Come on.”

Priscilla was unable to speak any longer and had no choice but to sit down next to the Duke. The strange atmosphere of the meal began when the ashen-faced servant brought out two sets of dishes.

“I wonder if my wife experienced any inconvenience while I was away.”

The Duke opened his mouth towards Chloe, taking the food placed in the center himself.

“No. Not at all.”

"Yes?"

The stuffed animal head hanging on the wall behind the Duke and the two pistols hanging across it seemed to fit in with him as if they were one body. Chloe swallowed dryly, feeling that it was a sight that could tell who the owner of this castle was without even having to say anything.

“Everyone is kind so I feel comfortable...”

“What the hell.”

Chloe couldn't finish her sentence. Damien, who was chewing on the meat attached to the bone, threw the knife away nervously. Chloe froze in place.

“Call the doctor.”

"Yes?"

“Are you making me say this twice?”

When the servant took a couple of steps back in surprise, Priscilla opened her eyes wide and asked him.

“What’s the matter, Damien? Why are you here, Mr. Brown, all of a sudden at this hour of the night? Are you sick?”

“No. As the doctor of the Tisse family, I failed to properly take care of my mother’s health, so I plan to call him in and kill him immediately.”

“Hey, I’m fine! What the hell are you talking about!”

Priscilla strongly denied it and waved her hands, but Damien's face only grew more serious.

“My mother eats this kind of food and doesn’t complain at all. How could that be possible without having a serious problem with her sense of taste?”

After Damien wiped his mouth with a napkin, he got up roughly and picked up the shotgun hanging on the table wall. Priscilla, her face ashen, jumped up and barely managed to continue speaking. Her index finger, raised in the air, trembled.

“There’s nothing wrong with my taste, Damien. Unless you’re planning on taking down an innocent person, put that gun down.”

“Really?”

The Duke looked at his mother and asked in a clear voice as if confirming.

“Does My mother know that the meat is incredibly tough, the vegetables are all dried and torn, the soup was made a day or so ago, and the wine is of the lowest grade, the kind that has never been on the Tisse table in its entire life?”

The Duke's expression was extremely cautious. Chloe was speechless, frozen in shock at the fact that the shotgun on the wall was not just a decoration but something that could be used at any moment. Of course, she wasn't the only one who was surprised by the Duke's nonsense.

“Yeah, yeah. Damien, I have no idea what the hell is wrong with the table.”

“Call Mrs. Dutton.”

Finally, Priscilla narrowed her eyes at Damien's order to call the chef. Even in her eyes, this table was shabby enough to make Damien angry. Since Eliza's infidelity was revealed, Priscilla had deliberately ignored Chloe. The servants who had followed Eliza had not been pleased with the new Duchess from the beginning, and the atmosphere became even worse when rumors spread that Eliza and the stable manager would be fired because of her. She had never imagined that pretending not to know about the conflict because she was annoyed by the headache would lead to such a situation.

“Have you found me, Master?”

Mrs. Dutton, the chef who had been brought in, looked puzzled. The Duke gestured to her at the food on the table.

“Throw it in the fireplace, plate and all.”

Mrs. Dutton followed his orders without hesitation. A large fireplace was filled with a smorgasbord of shabby food in expensive silverware.

“Why is the food like this?”

“I just don’t understand why there is food here to be sent to the poorhouse.”

"Poorhouse?"

Damien's eyes lit up sharply at the mention of food being sent to street vagrants and addicts. Mrs. Dutton still looked at him with a look of resentment, and the servants who carried the food did not even look him in the eye.

“Lord... I have committed a sin worthy of death!”

“Hey, Damien.”

Priscilla tried to calm him down, but it was no use. Damien lifted his lips in a crooked manner as he swept his eyes over the icy servants.

“Do you dare to live after insulting Tisse?”

The servants all fell to the floor in a group and bowed their heads. Among them was a young maid who was shedding tears of fear.

It had been several days since they had been playing around the Duchess’s table, but the Duchess had never complained. They had always admired the head maid, who was strict but meticulous in taking care of the servants. When they heard that the new Duchess had falsely accused her, they felt like a stone rolling down a rabbit hole. At first, they had lightly changed one or two dishes, but when the Duchess didn’t say anything, they had crossed the line without realizing it, and this was the result.

“Your Excellency.”

The owner of the quiet voice was Chloe, who had been watching this situation without saying a word. Damien's eyes lit up at her amidst the servants' complex gazes of fear and anxiety.

"Ma'am."

“It was just one meal. Please forgive the mistake of mixing up the food.”

Damien shook his head as he faced Chloe, who was frowning at him. No. No, Chloe. You can't let that slide.

“It was food for the poorhouse.”

“Isn’t this food for people to eat anyway?”

“Don’t you know that for nobles, a meal is an opportunity to confirm the honor and wealth that has been bestowed upon us?”

“I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never had that much fame or wealth, so I didn’t feel any dissatisfaction or strangeness about this meal.”

Chloe tried to control her trembling voice and looked straight into his eyes. She was already feeling uneasy as soon as he appeared, and she had absolutely no desire to witness a mass death here.

"Yes?"

“Yes, Your Excellency. So please, put aside your anger.”

“If the Duchess’s tastes are this low, then the problem seems a bit serious.”

"Sorry."

As she whispered, holding back her humiliation, Damien slowly opened his mouth in a clear voice.

“I must have told you clearly, Madam. To fulfill your duties as a Duchess.”

Chloe faced him silently. Damien continued, enjoying the resentment and anxiety filling her eyes.

“It seems you don’t understand what I mean, so I’ll explain it to you myself. When I’m not around, you have the same duties and rights as I do. It’s an insult to me to chew and swallow this kind of food without a word. Since you’ve decided to use the surname of Tisse, even the most humble noble should know this much as common sense.”

As Damien glared sharply, Priscilla and the servants' faces all took on a similar expression. The Duchess, who had done nothing wrong, was bearing the brunt of his arrows, but since everyone's head might be blown off, no one could open their mouths.

“...Your Excellency.”

Finally, as Chloe swallowed dryly and looked straight at him, Damien nodded with an arrogant gesture.

“Please speak.”

“As the Duke’s companion and the mistress of Tisse Castle, I ask you with all my heart.”

Priscilla's eyebrows gathered silently between her eyebrows. It was true that she was displeased, but she could not say anything. Since the previous Duke died, the owner of this castle was Damien, who inherited the title. That meant that Chloe, who married him, was the actual owner of this castle and had more decision-making power than Priscilla. In contrast to Priscilla's crumpled expression, an interesting light passed through Damien's eyes.

“Is the first request you make of me as a hostess to save the servant who has become a traitor?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Chloe was using the shield for the first time.

“Would you please calm down and give them another chance? A chance to show me what a fine Tisse dinner is all about.”

A moment of silence fell over the tense space. Damien, who had been silently looking at her, finally turned around and hung the pistol on the wall, and there were muffled sighs of relief here and there. However, no one could completely relax, and Chloe was no exception.

"Ma'am."

At the end of the spacious mahogany table, Damien held out both arms to her. What are you doing? Damien smiled beautifully as he watched Chloe narrow her eyes.

“Come here.”

The uneasy premonition proved to be correct.

"...Yes?"

“In return for granting your request, wouldn’t it be okay to accept this kind of reward?”

Chloe's small lips trembled. The Duke was just waiting for her with his arms outstretched. Chloe took a step toward him, leaning on the cane that was lying on the table.

The Duke's table was very long, and Chloe could not walk fast. Everyone present saw Chloe limping towards Damien, and Damien looked at her with the eyes of the most loving person in the world.

“If that’s what you want, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Damien finally approached the Duchess and hugged her deeply into his arms, whispering. Everyone couldn't help but blush as they watched the Duke kiss Chloe's soft hair with a slightly deeper affectionate kiss and lower his head to her cheek, whispering sweetly while touching hers with his own.

“But there are other things more pressing than waiting for a new dinner right now, so let’s postpone your request until tomorrow morning, my love.”

No one could see Chloe's shocked face as Damien pulled her towards him, his large hands clutching at her soft hair.

“Shall I tell you a secret?”

“...”

“None of the guns on the wall are loaded, Chloe.”

Damien whispered devilish words to her in a voice mixed with laughter, and Chloe was the only one who heard it.

“I really enjoy that moment when you come to me with a look on your face that says you hate me so much that you can’t help it.”

Chloe really wanted to learn how to load a shotgun no matter what. She really felt like she could shoot someone right now.

***

The Duke's wish, which seemed to be impatient to take his bride to bed at once, was not granted, for Chloe, whose face was bright red to her neck, insisted that they finish the meal at all costs. Mrs. Dutton, as if she had been waiting, rolled up her sleeves and showed off her skills by continuously providing Damien with food that would satisfy him. Chloe had to taste every bite of the food during the embarrassing evening, to put into practice what she had said.

She thought she could be free now that she had finished dessert, but the Duke suggested a social time for the family that had not been together for a long time. Sweet champagne was flown into the drawing room at night, and Priscilla talked to Damien continuously with a look of relief that everything was resolved well.

Chloe played the piano during that time. To be exact, it was an order disguised as an offer from the Duke to play the piano. Chloe did not refuse but complied.

Perhaps it was for this moment that she had studied the piano so diligently to help her sick mother. Chloe began to play, deeply grateful that she would not have to talk to the two men and women of the Tisse family.

“A ballad on a moonlit night.”

Damien smiled silently next to Priscilla, who was biting into a biscuit and spitting out small words.

“Isn’t that a great performance?”

“That may be true, but...”

The performance, which had begun to speed up, was filled with passion. The piano sound, which directly betrayed Priscilla's expectations of a sweet and gentle nocturne, rang out powerfully.

“You have truly brought a mysterious person as your bride, Damien.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Damien lifted his glass to his lips as he watched Chloe pedaling the pedals with her strong legs. The melody raced forward. Damien licked his lips as he watched Chloe continue to play without any hesitation as if she had no intention of eavesdropping on their conversation.

You're running, Chloe.

The image of Chloe running desperately to get away from him came to mind. Damien thought for a moment what it would have been like if she had two holy legs. Would she still be here?

Damien was very curious about her running face. But even if the miracle of Chloe running happened, he would probably only be able to see her back, not her face. It didn't matter.

“...Even if you run away, it’ll be useless.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Damien spoke softly to Priscilla, who was sitting next to him and blinking innocently.

“I haven’t seen the maid for a while. What’s going on?”

"That is..."

Priscilla hesitated for a moment before finally opening her mouth, pretending to be calm.

“I was going to tell you when you came. Actually, Eliza made a little mistake.”

“Why? Was she caught by my wife while evading the castle guards?”

Priscilla looked at Damien in surprise, but he still had his head tilted, his gaze fixed on Chloe, who was playing.

“How did you know that? Did you hear anything from your wife already?”

“My wife and I haven’t had time alone together yet, Mother.”

Damian smiled and gave her a quick glance.

“Then how...”

“When I asked about the Duchess’ recent situation at the dinner table, didn’t my mother say that she had been buried in the ledger? The reason I turned a blind eye to the fact that Eliza wasn’t very healthy was because she was quite good at pleasing my mother.”

Damien finally looked at Priscilla and clicked his tongue in regret.

“I guess it would be hard to pretend not to know once it has been discovered by someone.”

“Damien, but Eliza and Robinson have been in this house since before you were born.”

“Was there one more dishonest person? Haha. It seems that Birch Castle has become a den of thieves while I was away.”

Priscilla was speechless as she watched him raise his eyebrows in disbelief. Just then, as the performance ended, Damien slowly clapped his hands. Chloe took her hands off the keyboard, panting as if she had run fast.

“That was a wonderful performance, Duchess.”

"Thank you."

Chloe was not at all pleased with Damien's compliments, as he whispered something to her as if he was talking to his mother while she played. The night was getting deeper, and Damien opened his mouth to Chloe, who was hesitating on how to convey her intention to leave.

“It seems that Mother is heartbroken that she has to personally fire some of her old servants. I think I should go to bed early tonight.”

It was the most welcome thing she had heard all day.

“May you rest easy.”

Chloe quietly greeted Priscilla and made a show of respect, while Damien also said good night to his mother in a friendly manner.

“It will be a long trip to your villa in the south tomorrow, so sleep well.”

“A villa...?”

When Priscilla asked again in confusion at the completely disagreeable situation, Damien gently grabbed her hand.

“I have returned after a long absence, and Birch Castle will be bustling for a while. But doesn’t My mother hate having guests coming and going? You should leave the troublesome matters to the Duchess and rest. You have worked hard.”

“Damien...”

Priscilla and Chloe's eyes widened at the same time. Damien continued speaking naturally.

“If you wish, I can send you two servants whom I fired myself. However, I would not recommend them. I feel that they are too cunning to understand the nature of my beautiful mother.”

Priscilla finally let out a long sigh as she looked at her son who spoke with genuine concern in his eyes.

“You really... have been worrying about me too much since you were little, and it’s become a problem.”

“What can I do about being born that way, Mother?”

“People don’t know that the Duke is this affectionate.”

Chloe took in Priscilla, who was furrowing her brows and smiling helplessly, and Damien, who was smiling back at her, and felt like she vaguely understood why this family was so harmonious. Damien and Priscilla must have had a special talent for thinking about everything in a self-centered way.

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