A week had passed since the Duke's return. Except for the first day, he had fortunately not harassed Chloe anymore. Like Chloe, he had shut himself in his study, looked over the old accounts, and after learning about the castle's activities, sent out telegrams to call in businessmen and nobles from all over the kingdom.
The people who hung out with the Duke were all of different social statuses, but they were all well-informed, quick to grasp the situation inside and outside the kingdom, and did not hide their opinions.
“I heard that a railroad is being built on Verdier’s estate. Now that place is going to develop rapidly.”
“Maybe? It would take quite some time, though.”
Damien nodded lightly as he cut the meat with his knife. Chloe could do nothing but sit still to his right and smile like a doll. The man with the red hair lowered his voice in a Southern accent.
“Have you given your wife a grand wedding present, Your Excellency?”
“Why can’t I do that?”
“I am always surprised when Your Excellency shows you human side.”
“Hahahaha.”
At the dinner table, whenever there was an intimate conversation, Chloe felt like she was in a thorny situation, but as it was her duty as the hostess to entertain guests, she couldn't just leave.
“The Carter Principality is in trouble. Even if we negotiated a ceasefire, we never know when they might strike back.”
“Since they are taking advantage of our geographical advantage and joining hands with other countries, and can attack us again at any time, you will eventually have to attack them, Your Excellency.”
“What do you think, ma’am?”
Damien suddenly asked Chloe for her opinion. The gentlemen sitting there naturally turned their gazes to her. Chloe wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled.
“I don’t know much about politics or diplomacy, I’m a layman.”
Chloe continued speaking as everyone gathered around looked away as if they hadn't expected any other opinions.
“But I know that everyone is tired of war.”
A quiet silence fell over the table. Damien raised his glass and motioned for her to continue.
“Conquering the Carter Duchy would ultimately be good for the people, so wouldn’t it be worth sacrificing cattle for the sake of the family?”
“No one can guarantee the outcome of a war. Swanton indeed won the war against the Carter Principality, but we cannot be certain that their fighting power will always be weak.”
“Keep going.”
“If they were to ask for aid from other countries, the situation would get out of control. As Count Vice said, the Carter Duchy is a country that knows how to make full use of its geographic advantage as an island nation.”
“Madam, you are very knowledgeable.”
Chloe smiled politely as Vice looked slightly impressed.
“You are too kind.”
The response was calm as if the compliment was going in one ear and out the other.
“Does this mean we should just sit back and watch as the Duchy grows in power? They have already started raising tariffs on imported goods from our kingdom.”
Damien asked Chloe again.
"Yes."
“Any opinions on that?”
It was a persistent question, almost like a pry. It was not uncommon for there to be a lively exchange of opinions in a place where the Duke was present, but Chloe felt uncomfortable with the situation where everyone's eyes were focused on her at the table.
“I am just cautious about adding words to the conversation between high-ranking officials.”
“Is there anyone else in this place with a higher status than you besides me?”
Chloe held the napkin tightly, then let go, and took a breath. If the Duke was going to embarrass her in front of everyone, she wasn't going to let it happen.
“I think it would be ideal to proceed with a peace treaty with the Carter Duchy. It would also be a good proposition for them, as the Duchy would be free from the danger of war.”
“Promises are not always kept. They are broken more often than not.”
“You just have to make it unbreakable.”
"How?"
Now it seemed as if the Duke and Duchess were the only ones left at the table. Everyone was holding their breath and listening to their tense conversation when Chloe opened her mouth.
“The marriage alliance would be the strongest.”
If they tie the royal family together and divide the bloodline, there will be no way for them to betray each other. But Damien shook his head as he looked at her.
“Although he is the only son of the duchy’s successor, his identity is kept a secret, so no one knows for sure, and there is no Princess in the Swanton royal family.”
Chloe looked incomprehensible.
“Isn’t there a young Prince Johannes? There are three unmarried Princesses in the Carter Duchy above the son who is the heir.”
Damien finally chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. At that, laughter broke out again around the table. Chloe couldn't figure out why everyone else was looking at each other and smiling meaningfully.
“It’s horrible to even imagine. Marrying a Prince. It would be a disaster.”
“Rather, we might be counterattacked by an angry Carter Duchy.”
“It’s not that there is no income. Ordinary people might think that way, so we can use that in reverse.”
Chloe felt bad for having been laughed at. She tried to keep her expression straight and continued eating the rest of her meal, but she was becoming more and more convinced that the Duke had intended to humiliate her.
“Anyway, it is certain that the Duchess has not read ‘The Red Veil’.”
Chloe's face hardened. The first and last time she had seen the gossip paper called the Red Veil was at Verdier's Tailor's. Her stomach began to churn as she thought of the faces of the Duke and his mistress filling the front page.
“Vice, do you think that’s an appropriate topic to talk about now? Be mindful of your surroundings.”
Someone who belatedly remembered the Duke's scandal blurted out something, but it was already spilled milk. Damien went even further and asked her.
“No, I’m curious too. Have you ever read ‘The Red Veil’, Ma’am?”
“Just once by chance.”
"Yes?"
Damien raised his eyebrows, showing interest.
“But the content written there didn’t really resonate with me. It was just sensational news from a third-rate gossip magazine. A true nobleman in this country wouldn’t read such low-level articles.”
Chloe answered with a harmless, calm expression. It was fortunate that no one saw her hands tremble as she clutched the napkin under the table.
“It seems I married the last true noblewoman left in this country?”
Damien burst out laughing. He laughed so genuinely that the tense atmosphere at the table returned to its original state.
“Congratulations again on your wedding, Your Excellency the Duke.”
“I think I know why the Duke rushed the wedding. I was nervous.”
“Don’t shorten your life by making sidelong glances at your old boss’s wife, Vice.”
“After a bullet grazed my temple in war, I never looked back.”
“Hahahaha.”
Chloe couldn't stand it anymore and got up from her seat.
“Dessert is a little late. I’ll go out and check.”
The moment she left the banquet hall, the smile completely disappeared from her face. Her stomach churned and she wanted to throw up everything she had just eaten. She felt like a fool for forgetting that those who were close to the Duke would also secretly know about his mistress.
She also knew that adultery was rampant in the aristocratic society. However... The Duke who had called her to a place full of people who knew this fact, and the Duke’s friends who had been praising her without any hesitation were all the worst. Some of the Duke’s friends thought he had a good impression, but that was also her naive delusion.
‘...How much longer will it take before I become numb?’
A servant appeared, pulling a cart full of desserts. Chloe had a fleeting wish that the moment she walked down the hall would never end.
It was in the middle of the night when Chloe noticed a quiet commotion in the castle. She heard someone sobbing in the hallway. Then came a troubled voice that seemed to be trying to comfort her.
“Get out of here, Mrs. Eliza. If the master finds out, you won’t be safe!”
“I have dedicated my entire life to this family...!”
“What's going on?”
When Chloe opened the door, she saw Eliza's face covered in cold sweat. Her hair, which was usually neatly tied up, was a mess. She had been fired and was scheduled to leave the castle in a few days.
“My grandson has a high fever and is faint. He is even talking nonsense. Please let him see a doctor, Ma’am.”
Chloe didn't hesitate.
“You call your doctor right away.”
“Yes? Ma’am, but Sir Brown will not do so without your orders...”
A small spark flashed in Chloe's eyes as she looked at the hesitant servant.
“Do you intend to disturb the Duke’s sleep this late at night? Or have you forgotten that I am the mistress?”
“I will bring him over immediately, Ma’am.”
After the servant hurried away with a surprised look on his face, Chloe hurriedly opened the closet. Inside, her numerous luggage bags were arranged by size.
“Can you help me?”
Eliza, who had been cursing her for bringing twelve suitcases from Verdier, stood there dumbfounded for a while before quickly coming to her senses and approaching her.
“Please take out the blue bag at the very bottom.”
Eliza pulled out a blue suitcase with great force. Chloe untied the leather knot and another square bag emerged from it. Chloe picked up the old bag and grabbed her walking stick.
“I need to watch the baby until the doctor arrives. You go ahead, Eliza.”
“Ma’am... Ma’am.”
“Fever is a race against time. Hurry up!”
Eliza lived in the private cabins of the servants gathered in the forest behind the castle. Chloe came out wearing only a wool coat over her thin nightgown. Chloe, who had been walking quickly to keep up with Eliza's anxious steps, stumbled several times in the snow and bit her lips.
“Ma’am... Ma’am.”
“Eliza, can you carry me?”
Eliza knelt before her without hesitation. Carrying the frail Duchess on her back, Eliza ran forward with superhuman strength.
By the time Chloe and Eliza's bodies were covered in snow, they had barely reached the cabin. The child's condition was serious. He must have been five or six years old. He was shivering all over from the cold, and his forehead was as hot as a fireball.
Chloe quickly threw away the woolen blanket the child was holding onto with her bare hands and began to take off his clothes herself.
“Cold... cold... cold...!”
The child, who had become delirious, cried, his teeth constantly chattering with his parched lips.
“Hey, Charlie...!”
Eliza screamed in surprise, but Chloe didn't hesitate to make the struggling child bear. She opened the bag she had brought, took out two vials of different colors, opened them, and poured them into the child's lips.
“Cough... Cough...!”
The child was coughing loudly, and she held his nose and made him drink the entire bottle of medicine. The child started to thrash and scream that he was going to die.
"Lady!!!"
“Go outside and shovel some snow! I need to bring down the fever, so do it now!”
“I won’t forgive you... If the child does something wrong, I won’t forgive you!!!”
Eliza's wrinkled eyes were a mixture of tears, anxiety, anger, and regret. Chloe looked straight at her and muttered in a low but clear voice.
“I’ll get blamed later, but if you don’t want your child to end up crippled like me, do as I say for now.”
Eventually, the child vomited and drank three potions before calming down. Chloe blocked the air out of the room, undressed the child, and wiped him from forehead to toe with a cold, snow-soaked towel.
Eliza watched the little Duchess wipe the urine from the child's lower body, tears streaming down her face.
“Madam, is there anything I can help you with...”
“It’s even more dangerous if an older person gets a fever. You should stay out.”
Chloe rather threw Eliza out of the cabin, saying it was dangerous. When the doctor finally arrived at the Duke's residence in a carriage that was running at a crazy speed, the child's temperature had returned to normal. The doctor, who was almost dragged in by the servants, belatedly bowed his head when he saw the Duchess.
“Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, please look after this child.”
The attending doctor had not yet fully grasped the situation, but he carefully observed the child's condition. It was the first time in his life that he had personally visited a servant's house to examine them. However, since it was the Duchess' order, he had no choice but to refuse. After examining the child thoroughly, the attending doctor came to one conclusion.
“The Duchess took the medicine well.”
Chloe gave the child the same medicine that the doctor had on hand. Plus, she had administered the correct first aid to bring down the fever, which seemed to have prevented the fever from reaching the head.
“If you had been even a little bit later, it could have been a big problem. You should be grateful to the Duchess.”
Eliza looked at Chloe with tears in her eyes. Chloe nodded to Eliza, who whispered a word of thanks, and then looked back at the attending doctor.
“Please stay here and watch the situation until daybreak. I will be with you...”
Squeak.
“Your Excell the Duke.”
At the sound of the cabin door opening, everyone except Chloe and the sleeping child lowered their heads. Eliza, who had been banned from entering the castle since receiving the order to be fired, and Tisse's personal doctor, who would not move without the Duke's order, both swallowed dry saliva.
“Close the door, Your Excellency. It’s very drafty.”
As Chloe broke the silence, the Duke glanced at the child lying on the bed. The child, sound asleep, looked fine, unlike Eliza who had been screaming in a dying voice.
“Come out.”
The subject was unclear, but it was clear who he was ordering. The Duke turned around after saying a word.
“Your Excellency the Duke... I...”
“Don’t come out and stay here.”
Chloe quietly held onto the doctor who was taking a step forward in fear. She continued speaking in a calm, yet firm voice.
“I will take responsibility, so you take care of the patient until the end. Those who have devoted their lives to Tisse are Tisse’s family.”
Large tears flowed from Eliza's eyes. Chloe pretended not to see her tears and followed the Duke. It was just before dawn, and snow was still falling in the dark sky.
As the name suggests, Birch Castle had a long forest path running through the trees. Chloe walked slowly through the dense forest of white, dry trees that she had seen on the train.
“Eliza was supposed to leave two days ago, but she couldn’t because her child was sick.”
Square. The sound of the snow crunching underfoot could be heard quietly. Chloe continued talking, keeping her distance from the unresponsive Duke.
“The money stolen from the castle was said to have been squandered on gambling debts by the father of the child who left for Swanton, her son.”
Square. The Duke's clean leather shoes left footprints in the snow again. Chloe tried to walk as slowly as possible to distance herself from him, but it was impossible. The Duke stopped every two steps and waited for her.
“It was the adults who sinned, not the children. I didn’t want to disturb the Duke’s sleep... so I called the doctor without permission. I apologize.”
“Chloe.”
"Yes?"
White breath escaped Chloe's red, parted lips. Damien muttered quietly without taking his eyes off her lips.
“I never questioned you. So there’s no need to make excuses or apologize.”
Chloe swallowed dryly. True to his word, the Duke hadn't questioned her a single word, so she was the only one who was pricked and made excuses.
“No homeowner likes to see a corpse come out of their home, especially if it’s a child. It’s a good thing it turned out that way.”
Well, it would have been better not to listen to the Duke's next words, but it was typical of him. Chloe kept her mouth shut and walked towards the castle, thankful that no one was hurt.
Square. Square.
The snowy dawn was especially quiet. It was an atmosphere she had never experienced in Verdier’s estate where there was no snow. Chloe took a deep breath and left footprints in the white forest all around. The cold winter air flowed into her body, but perhaps because she had done something great, she felt refreshed rather than cold.
“You said you wrote Eliza’s letter of recommendation yourself.”
This time, it was Chloe who became silent. Damien stopped walking right next to Chloe, who was silent.
“Why did you do that?”
“...Madam Tisse said she absolutely couldn’t use it.”
“My mother is the type that gets angry a little later.”
That didn't mean Chloe had to write the letter of recommendation, especially if she was a servant who had committed an injustice and was being kicked out. Damien raised his eyebrows at her, swallowing a smirk.
“What I want to know is, was there a reason you helped her? Not just for a job, but for her blood relatives as well?”
Chloe looked at him, her grip on her cane tight.
“...Why?”
“Yeah. Reason.”
Chloe answered, looking at Damien's expression that seemed to indicate that he was genuinely curious about the reason.
“I helped her because she seemed to need help.”
“Stop beating around the bush and speak in a way that is easy to understand.”
Chloe eventually lost her temper and raised her voice.
“There’s no way someone who’s worked at Birch Castle all her life could get a letter of recommendation from somewhere else. And with the child in such an urgent situation, I couldn’t ask for any other reason.”
“You don’t know that it was Eliza who took the lead in inciting the servants to harass you, do you?”
"No."
She knew it. But that wasn't what held Chloe back.
Did Eliza want to relieve herself of her guilt about being fired?
It would be a lie to say that it was absolutely not true. However, Eliza’s crime was serious enough to warrant a trial. Damien barraged Chloe with questions as she remained unanswered.
“Pity for her son who lost all his money gambling?”
Chloe took a step back, but the distance narrowed again. Damien's eyebrows shot up crookedly.
“Or is the bond with the servants originally that deep?”
Chloe finally opened her mouth with a sigh as she faced Damien, who was pushing her as if not giving her a chance to escape.
“Can Your Excellency give a clear reason for all your actions?”
"Substance."
Tap, tap. Snowflakes fluttered in the pitch-black winter sky before dawn. Damian stared intently at the sight of snowflakes flying and landing on Chloe's face, which was covered by the hood of her coat.
“I’m sorry, I don’t do that.”
White breath escaped Chloe's small lips. She also couldn't quite figure out her own mind. It might have been one of the reasons the Duke had listed, or maybe it was all of them. One thing was certain: whenever he came out like this, she wanted to run away.
“I don’t know why... Your Excellency keeps asking me difficult questions.”
“Then what do you do when you want to know someone without asking questions?”
"Just..."
Chloe looked at Damien and let out a long breath.
“You’ll find out naturally.”
Even if you don't try hard to find out, if you stay with that person and quietly observe them, there are bound to be aspects that you can see. Chloe's assessment of the Duke alone would already fill up a whole notebook.
“That’s the dumbest answer I’ve ever heard.”
Damien smirked at Chloe. Whether he did or not, Chloe eagerly waved her cane, hoping that he would not ask her any more difficult questions. Damien glanced at her and blurted out in a feminine tone.
“I’m thinking of hiring Gray Wilson to fill the empty stable manager position. He’s a day laborer at the train station, so it might not be a bad idea for him.”
Chloe's steps stopped abruptly. It was Robinson's empty seat, who had been fired along with Eliza. Chloe looked at him with her lips half-open without realizing it. Gray... could come to this castle?
“I'm curious about your opinion.”
The Duke asked her with a face that showed no change in expression. Chloe swallowed dryly and tried to gauge his intentions, but she could not read any expression from his poker face that had a faint smile on it, as if he could draw a portrait right now.
“Isn’t it within your authority to hire servants?”
“There may be an exchange of opinions between a married couple. Especially since he is a servant who has worked for the Verdiers for a long time.”
“Gray will do well.”
Chloe tried to defend him, but Damien hit the nail on the head, as was his wont.
“Do you want to keep him by your side?”
“...Because he is a trustworthy person.”
“Why?”
“I can guarantee on my name that Gray is a servant who will not betray.”
Even when the Verdier family was on the verge of ruin, he was a servant who refused to accept compensation and kept his position. His loyalty could not be doubted.
“I guarantee it on the name of ‘Tisse’.”
The Duke repeated her words with a twinkle in his eye. Chloe could clearly see what he wanted to confirm. He must have doubted her duty and qualifications as a Duchess as if to emphasize that this was a marriage of interest without any trace of affection. Chloe clenched her fists and opened her mouth with a determined expression.
“I can swear before my late mother that there was nothing unpleasant between him and me that would concern Your Excellency.”
“Gray Wilson would be very sad to hear this now.”
“I clearly told you no.”
The Duke blurted out to Chloe, who was frowning and throwing a tantrum.
“Kiss me.”
"Yes?"
A fluttering snowflake landed on her parted red lips. Damien continued speaking, his eyes narrowed.
“Prove to me that your heart is as pure as the snow that is falling now. Then I will gladly hire him. The salary will be ten times what he received at Verdier Castle.”
The offer, which seemed so outrageous, only made her feel smaller. Chloe struggled to speak with the last of her pride.
“Your Excellency, I don’t feel like kissing you right now.”
“Then the poor servant will soon have to catch the train leaving Tisse.”
“Is there any reason why that child should leave?”
“Do you regret it?”
“Wherever Gray settles, it is his freedom.”
“The more my wife makes me anxious, the more certain it is that he will have no place to stand in Tisse. Unfortunately, in this kingdom, the authority of the Duke trumps the freedom of his servants.”
A hot feeling welled up in Chloe's chest. How could people be so evil? Was the Duke secretly studying her to abuse her?
“...Do you find it amusing, Your Excellency, tormenting me?”
Chloe let out a trembling voice, but Damien didn't move.
“I didn’t mean to bother you, but I’m sorry you felt uncomfortable.”
A beautiful python-like man bared his pure white fangs at her.
“I think you’ll know from experience what kind of kiss I like.”
“...I don’t know.”
“Try it. That’s something you’re good at.”
The definition of a kiss as a sacred act where soul meets soul has long since disappeared from Chloe's mind. It was because of the savage man right before her eyes.
“Please bow your head a little.”
The Duke looked at Chloe, who was trying to spit out a hoarse voice, and lowered his chin slightly. Chloe lifted one leg up on the step, but it was still not enough to meet his gaze.
“Just a little more.”
“Don’t you have hands?”
Chloe was now at her limit. Damien laughed silently as she threw her cane roughly into the snow in protest. She was even more angry when he was laughing in front of someone who was getting angry as much as he could.
“My hands are fine, Your Excellency.”
Chloe's slender hands, trembling, tightly gripped the collar of Damien's shirt inside his coat.
“What about the lips?”
Here you go, you devil!
Chloe pulled him with all her might and placed her arrogant lips against his. The venomous snake opened its mouth as if welcoming its prey that had entered its paws. The snowflakes that fell on its face melted and soaked its face. Chloe bit her lips and closed her trembling eyes as Damien, who was smirking and hugging her tightly, hugged her tightly.
Against the backdrop of the sky that was becoming brighter and brighter, thicker snowflakes fluttered. The sound of the chapel bells began to be heard faintly in the distance. The bells that resonated through the quiet city struck six times and only after the echoes had died down did Damien slowly let her go.
“The effort is admirable.”
Her hood was off, revealing her flushed cheeks, and her hair was a complete mess. Damian whispered, clutching her hair as she gasped for breath through her open mouth.
“The hottest kiss you’ve ever given was for someone else.”
His voice was low and husky, and his blue eyes were dark enough to swallow her up.
“It feels so good and dirty?”
Chloe collapsed on the ground at the edge of the birch forest. As she watched Damien’s back as he walked away without hesitation, leaving her behind, Chloe felt as if her whole body was on fire. Sitting in the snow, she was shivering, but she didn’t feel cold.
She was definitely sick. Chloe von Tisse would probably die early. Because of none other than her legal husband.
Dear Father, Count Verdier,
How have you been? I hope you aren't surrounded by sweet treats now that your nagging daughter is gone.
Please forgive me for sending you this letter so late, I have been so busy.
This Tisse Territory is a city of pure white snow. As befitting the reputation of the North, there are mountains where the snow never melts all year round, so I'm sure you can imagine the scenery here, too. I've only ever seen snow once when I was ten years old when I went on a trip with my parents, so I feel like I'm waking up in a new world every morning.
Outside, the river is freezing cold, but I don't feel the cold. Here, at Birch Castle, all the servants are polite and kind, and the Duke's mother, Madame Tisse, is also kind to me. She is still as dazzlingly beautiful as she was when she was a Princess and is as innocent as a child.
At this point, I think I should hurry up and tell you the story that my father is most curious about.
Dear Father. The Duke of Tisse, the master of this castle and my guardian, is taking great care to help me adjust as much as possible to the title of Duchess, as I am still not used to it. He even personally invites nobles from the neighborhood to a tea party to prevent me from feeling lonely in an unfamiliar city, and personally prepares rare gifts for me.
Chloe paused for a moment. Her right shoulder was stiff from having to force herself to write nice words about an unpleasant person. Even though she was trying to reassure her father, she was a little worried that her exaggeration might be too much and arouse suspicion.
'No. Father will be happy.'
Chloe frowned slightly as she felt her shins throbbing. The pain she had felt when she had walked in front of him wearing the brace the Duke had given her a few days ago was still vivid. She wondered what her father would look like if he knew about this.
Whoosh. Her thoughts were interrupted by the blizzard that swept through the window, rattling violently. She put down her quill and walked over to the window to draw the curtains.
“Please go back carefully.”
“Thank you.”
At the entrance, Gray appeared, speaking to the guests. Chloe's lips naturally formed a smile. As if he noticed her gaze, Gray suddenly raised his head and looked at the window. Chloe happily opened the latch and opened the sliding window wide. Gray hurried toward the flower bed in surprise.
“The wind is as cold as ice, Miss. Close the door!”
“Yeah. You too, be careful not to catch a cold, Gray.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Gray nodded, pulling down his brown woolen hat. Chloe smiled prettily at him. It was okay not to have a long conversation. Just the fact that Gray, who was more like family than a servant, was in this castle made her feel a little better. The day Gray was officially hired as a stable manager and entered Birch Castle, Chloe almost burst into tears when she saw his face greeting her again.
“Yes, bye. Good night.”
Chloe closed the window after a brief greeting. Gray waved at her and ran quickly across the garden. Chloe returned to her desk with a smile on her face and began to write down the letter she had been stuck on.
There is one more surprising piece of news. In my last letter, my father said that you were sad that Gray suddenly quit his job and left the castle. Perhaps Gray was quite fond of this place, the Tisse Estate, which he visited while bringing me here.
Can you guess what I'm going to say? Yes, father! Gray has come to work here at Birch Castle! Of course, if you look at the boy's diligence, it won't be hard to find work anywhere, but it's a relief to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar place.
I dare say that the reason the Duke has asked Gray to work here and promised him special treatment is probably for my own good. I hope you won't worry about me, as I am treated so preciously. Soon, when spring comes, the incredible cold of Tisse, which seems to have been blessed by the Ice Saints, will subside.
Now it's time to have tea with the Duke. No matter how busy the Duke is, he never misses having tea with me every night and discussing the big and small things of the castle. It's thanks to the Duke's help that I, a weakling, can easily handle unfamiliar tasks.
Until I write to you again, please stay healthy.
With my longing heart,
Chloe, daughter of Thomas Verdier.
After folding the letter neatly and putting it in the envelope, Chloe checked the time. The pocket watch was pointing to midnight. As she had written in her letter to her father, it was true that she had to see the Duke alone every night. It was a secret that Chloe did not particularly enjoy that time.
“The master is waiting in the game room.”
“Guests?”
“The last guest just left.”
It seemed that he was the guest that Gray had just seen off. Damien never missed saying goodbye to her at night, no matter how late his business was. As a result, Chloe couldn't even get ready until he fell asleep.
“Your Excellency.”
Chloe made a noise, but Damien took the cue without even looking at her. He was wearing a black shirt and pants, and he seemed colder and more distant today, perhaps because of his dark clothes.
‘...Will there ever come a day when the distance between me and the Duke is shortened?’
Bam! Chloe came to her senses at the sound of a white ivory ball hitting a red ball. The red ball quickly crossed the wide table and disappeared into the hole.
“If the game isn’t over yet, should I wait a bit and come back later?”
“It’s no fun if you’re alone.”
Again, with a cheerful sound, the blue ball quickly rolled to the edge of the table where she was. Damien took out the chalk and rubbed the cue as he approached her. When he stretched his arm out toward Chloe, she took a step back in surprise without realizing it. Her heart was beating fast because of the surprise from him coming so close that her face was almost touching just a moment ago.
“Do you know the rules of snooker (a type of billiards)?”
Damien asked, putting the blue ball back in its place in the hole. Chloe shook her head, pretending to be calm. She didn’t want to give the impression that she was pretending to know, and she didn’t want to get off the topic. No one could keep up with her husband in asking questions, and Chloe wanted to end this unpleasant encounter with him as quickly as possible and go back to her room.
"No."
“I see.”
Damien lowered his chin slightly and took a stance.
“What I just did was a 10-point play.”
Lie!
Chloe, who opened her eyes wide, almost let out a sound. Damian's eyes, which had carefully aimed at the ball, shone sharply, and the white ball quickly moved along the wall of the table.
The people who hung out with the Duke were all of different social statuses, but they were all well-informed, quick to grasp the situation inside and outside the kingdom, and did not hide their opinions.
“I heard that a railroad is being built on Verdier’s estate. Now that place is going to develop rapidly.”
“Maybe? It would take quite some time, though.”
Damien nodded lightly as he cut the meat with his knife. Chloe could do nothing but sit still to his right and smile like a doll. The man with the red hair lowered his voice in a Southern accent.
“Have you given your wife a grand wedding present, Your Excellency?”
“Why can’t I do that?”
“I am always surprised when Your Excellency shows you human side.”
“Hahahaha.”
At the dinner table, whenever there was an intimate conversation, Chloe felt like she was in a thorny situation, but as it was her duty as the hostess to entertain guests, she couldn't just leave.
“The Carter Principality is in trouble. Even if we negotiated a ceasefire, we never know when they might strike back.”
“Since they are taking advantage of our geographical advantage and joining hands with other countries, and can attack us again at any time, you will eventually have to attack them, Your Excellency.”
“What do you think, ma’am?”
Damien suddenly asked Chloe for her opinion. The gentlemen sitting there naturally turned their gazes to her. Chloe wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled.
“I don’t know much about politics or diplomacy, I’m a layman.”
Chloe continued speaking as everyone gathered around looked away as if they hadn't expected any other opinions.
“But I know that everyone is tired of war.”
A quiet silence fell over the table. Damien raised his glass and motioned for her to continue.
“Conquering the Carter Duchy would ultimately be good for the people, so wouldn’t it be worth sacrificing cattle for the sake of the family?”
“No one can guarantee the outcome of a war. Swanton indeed won the war against the Carter Principality, but we cannot be certain that their fighting power will always be weak.”
“Keep going.”
“If they were to ask for aid from other countries, the situation would get out of control. As Count Vice said, the Carter Duchy is a country that knows how to make full use of its geographic advantage as an island nation.”
“Madam, you are very knowledgeable.”
Chloe smiled politely as Vice looked slightly impressed.
“You are too kind.”
The response was calm as if the compliment was going in one ear and out the other.
“Does this mean we should just sit back and watch as the Duchy grows in power? They have already started raising tariffs on imported goods from our kingdom.”
Damien asked Chloe again.
"Yes."
“Any opinions on that?”
It was a persistent question, almost like a pry. It was not uncommon for there to be a lively exchange of opinions in a place where the Duke was present, but Chloe felt uncomfortable with the situation where everyone's eyes were focused on her at the table.
“I am just cautious about adding words to the conversation between high-ranking officials.”
“Is there anyone else in this place with a higher status than you besides me?”
Chloe held the napkin tightly, then let go, and took a breath. If the Duke was going to embarrass her in front of everyone, she wasn't going to let it happen.
“I think it would be ideal to proceed with a peace treaty with the Carter Duchy. It would also be a good proposition for them, as the Duchy would be free from the danger of war.”
“Promises are not always kept. They are broken more often than not.”
“You just have to make it unbreakable.”
"How?"
Now it seemed as if the Duke and Duchess were the only ones left at the table. Everyone was holding their breath and listening to their tense conversation when Chloe opened her mouth.
“The marriage alliance would be the strongest.”
If they tie the royal family together and divide the bloodline, there will be no way for them to betray each other. But Damien shook his head as he looked at her.
“Although he is the only son of the duchy’s successor, his identity is kept a secret, so no one knows for sure, and there is no Princess in the Swanton royal family.”
Chloe looked incomprehensible.
“Isn’t there a young Prince Johannes? There are three unmarried Princesses in the Carter Duchy above the son who is the heir.”
Damien finally chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. At that, laughter broke out again around the table. Chloe couldn't figure out why everyone else was looking at each other and smiling meaningfully.
“It’s horrible to even imagine. Marrying a Prince. It would be a disaster.”
“Rather, we might be counterattacked by an angry Carter Duchy.”
“It’s not that there is no income. Ordinary people might think that way, so we can use that in reverse.”
Chloe felt bad for having been laughed at. She tried to keep her expression straight and continued eating the rest of her meal, but she was becoming more and more convinced that the Duke had intended to humiliate her.
“Anyway, it is certain that the Duchess has not read ‘The Red Veil’.”
Chloe's face hardened. The first and last time she had seen the gossip paper called the Red Veil was at Verdier's Tailor's. Her stomach began to churn as she thought of the faces of the Duke and his mistress filling the front page.
“Vice, do you think that’s an appropriate topic to talk about now? Be mindful of your surroundings.”
Someone who belatedly remembered the Duke's scandal blurted out something, but it was already spilled milk. Damien went even further and asked her.
“No, I’m curious too. Have you ever read ‘The Red Veil’, Ma’am?”
“Just once by chance.”
"Yes?"
Damien raised his eyebrows, showing interest.
“But the content written there didn’t really resonate with me. It was just sensational news from a third-rate gossip magazine. A true nobleman in this country wouldn’t read such low-level articles.”
Chloe answered with a harmless, calm expression. It was fortunate that no one saw her hands tremble as she clutched the napkin under the table.
“It seems I married the last true noblewoman left in this country?”
Damien burst out laughing. He laughed so genuinely that the tense atmosphere at the table returned to its original state.
“Congratulations again on your wedding, Your Excellency the Duke.”
“I think I know why the Duke rushed the wedding. I was nervous.”
“Don’t shorten your life by making sidelong glances at your old boss’s wife, Vice.”
“After a bullet grazed my temple in war, I never looked back.”
“Hahahaha.”
Chloe couldn't stand it anymore and got up from her seat.
“Dessert is a little late. I’ll go out and check.”
The moment she left the banquet hall, the smile completely disappeared from her face. Her stomach churned and she wanted to throw up everything she had just eaten. She felt like a fool for forgetting that those who were close to the Duke would also secretly know about his mistress.
She also knew that adultery was rampant in the aristocratic society. However... The Duke who had called her to a place full of people who knew this fact, and the Duke’s friends who had been praising her without any hesitation were all the worst. Some of the Duke’s friends thought he had a good impression, but that was also her naive delusion.
‘...How much longer will it take before I become numb?’
A servant appeared, pulling a cart full of desserts. Chloe had a fleeting wish that the moment she walked down the hall would never end.
***
It was in the middle of the night when Chloe noticed a quiet commotion in the castle. She heard someone sobbing in the hallway. Then came a troubled voice that seemed to be trying to comfort her.
“Get out of here, Mrs. Eliza. If the master finds out, you won’t be safe!”
“I have dedicated my entire life to this family...!”
“What's going on?”
When Chloe opened the door, she saw Eliza's face covered in cold sweat. Her hair, which was usually neatly tied up, was a mess. She had been fired and was scheduled to leave the castle in a few days.
“My grandson has a high fever and is faint. He is even talking nonsense. Please let him see a doctor, Ma’am.”
Chloe didn't hesitate.
“You call your doctor right away.”
“Yes? Ma’am, but Sir Brown will not do so without your orders...”
A small spark flashed in Chloe's eyes as she looked at the hesitant servant.
“Do you intend to disturb the Duke’s sleep this late at night? Or have you forgotten that I am the mistress?”
“I will bring him over immediately, Ma’am.”
After the servant hurried away with a surprised look on his face, Chloe hurriedly opened the closet. Inside, her numerous luggage bags were arranged by size.
“Can you help me?”
Eliza, who had been cursing her for bringing twelve suitcases from Verdier, stood there dumbfounded for a while before quickly coming to her senses and approaching her.
“Please take out the blue bag at the very bottom.”
Eliza pulled out a blue suitcase with great force. Chloe untied the leather knot and another square bag emerged from it. Chloe picked up the old bag and grabbed her walking stick.
“I need to watch the baby until the doctor arrives. You go ahead, Eliza.”
“Ma’am... Ma’am.”
“Fever is a race against time. Hurry up!”
Eliza lived in the private cabins of the servants gathered in the forest behind the castle. Chloe came out wearing only a wool coat over her thin nightgown. Chloe, who had been walking quickly to keep up with Eliza's anxious steps, stumbled several times in the snow and bit her lips.
“Ma’am... Ma’am.”
“Eliza, can you carry me?”
Eliza knelt before her without hesitation. Carrying the frail Duchess on her back, Eliza ran forward with superhuman strength.
By the time Chloe and Eliza's bodies were covered in snow, they had barely reached the cabin. The child's condition was serious. He must have been five or six years old. He was shivering all over from the cold, and his forehead was as hot as a fireball.
Chloe quickly threw away the woolen blanket the child was holding onto with her bare hands and began to take off his clothes herself.
“Cold... cold... cold...!”
The child, who had become delirious, cried, his teeth constantly chattering with his parched lips.
“Hey, Charlie...!”
Eliza screamed in surprise, but Chloe didn't hesitate to make the struggling child bear. She opened the bag she had brought, took out two vials of different colors, opened them, and poured them into the child's lips.
“Cough... Cough...!”
The child was coughing loudly, and she held his nose and made him drink the entire bottle of medicine. The child started to thrash and scream that he was going to die.
"Lady!!!"
“Go outside and shovel some snow! I need to bring down the fever, so do it now!”
“I won’t forgive you... If the child does something wrong, I won’t forgive you!!!”
Eliza's wrinkled eyes were a mixture of tears, anxiety, anger, and regret. Chloe looked straight at her and muttered in a low but clear voice.
“I’ll get blamed later, but if you don’t want your child to end up crippled like me, do as I say for now.”
Eventually, the child vomited and drank three potions before calming down. Chloe blocked the air out of the room, undressed the child, and wiped him from forehead to toe with a cold, snow-soaked towel.
Eliza watched the little Duchess wipe the urine from the child's lower body, tears streaming down her face.
“Madam, is there anything I can help you with...”
“It’s even more dangerous if an older person gets a fever. You should stay out.”
Chloe rather threw Eliza out of the cabin, saying it was dangerous. When the doctor finally arrived at the Duke's residence in a carriage that was running at a crazy speed, the child's temperature had returned to normal. The doctor, who was almost dragged in by the servants, belatedly bowed his head when he saw the Duchess.
“Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, please look after this child.”
The attending doctor had not yet fully grasped the situation, but he carefully observed the child's condition. It was the first time in his life that he had personally visited a servant's house to examine them. However, since it was the Duchess' order, he had no choice but to refuse. After examining the child thoroughly, the attending doctor came to one conclusion.
“The Duchess took the medicine well.”
Chloe gave the child the same medicine that the doctor had on hand. Plus, she had administered the correct first aid to bring down the fever, which seemed to have prevented the fever from reaching the head.
“If you had been even a little bit later, it could have been a big problem. You should be grateful to the Duchess.”
Eliza looked at Chloe with tears in her eyes. Chloe nodded to Eliza, who whispered a word of thanks, and then looked back at the attending doctor.
“Please stay here and watch the situation until daybreak. I will be with you...”
Squeak.
“Your Excell the Duke.”
At the sound of the cabin door opening, everyone except Chloe and the sleeping child lowered their heads. Eliza, who had been banned from entering the castle since receiving the order to be fired, and Tisse's personal doctor, who would not move without the Duke's order, both swallowed dry saliva.
“Close the door, Your Excellency. It’s very drafty.”
As Chloe broke the silence, the Duke glanced at the child lying on the bed. The child, sound asleep, looked fine, unlike Eliza who had been screaming in a dying voice.
“Come out.”
The subject was unclear, but it was clear who he was ordering. The Duke turned around after saying a word.
“Your Excellency the Duke... I...”
“Don’t come out and stay here.”
Chloe quietly held onto the doctor who was taking a step forward in fear. She continued speaking in a calm, yet firm voice.
“I will take responsibility, so you take care of the patient until the end. Those who have devoted their lives to Tisse are Tisse’s family.”
Large tears flowed from Eliza's eyes. Chloe pretended not to see her tears and followed the Duke. It was just before dawn, and snow was still falling in the dark sky.
***
As the name suggests, Birch Castle had a long forest path running through the trees. Chloe walked slowly through the dense forest of white, dry trees that she had seen on the train.
“Eliza was supposed to leave two days ago, but she couldn’t because her child was sick.”
Square. The sound of the snow crunching underfoot could be heard quietly. Chloe continued talking, keeping her distance from the unresponsive Duke.
“The money stolen from the castle was said to have been squandered on gambling debts by the father of the child who left for Swanton, her son.”
Square. The Duke's clean leather shoes left footprints in the snow again. Chloe tried to walk as slowly as possible to distance herself from him, but it was impossible. The Duke stopped every two steps and waited for her.
“It was the adults who sinned, not the children. I didn’t want to disturb the Duke’s sleep... so I called the doctor without permission. I apologize.”
“Chloe.”
"Yes?"
White breath escaped Chloe's red, parted lips. Damien muttered quietly without taking his eyes off her lips.
“I never questioned you. So there’s no need to make excuses or apologize.”
Chloe swallowed dryly. True to his word, the Duke hadn't questioned her a single word, so she was the only one who was pricked and made excuses.
“No homeowner likes to see a corpse come out of their home, especially if it’s a child. It’s a good thing it turned out that way.”
Well, it would have been better not to listen to the Duke's next words, but it was typical of him. Chloe kept her mouth shut and walked towards the castle, thankful that no one was hurt.
Square. Square.
The snowy dawn was especially quiet. It was an atmosphere she had never experienced in Verdier’s estate where there was no snow. Chloe took a deep breath and left footprints in the white forest all around. The cold winter air flowed into her body, but perhaps because she had done something great, she felt refreshed rather than cold.
“You said you wrote Eliza’s letter of recommendation yourself.”
This time, it was Chloe who became silent. Damien stopped walking right next to Chloe, who was silent.
“Why did you do that?”
“...Madam Tisse said she absolutely couldn’t use it.”
“My mother is the type that gets angry a little later.”
That didn't mean Chloe had to write the letter of recommendation, especially if she was a servant who had committed an injustice and was being kicked out. Damien raised his eyebrows at her, swallowing a smirk.
“What I want to know is, was there a reason you helped her? Not just for a job, but for her blood relatives as well?”
Chloe looked at him, her grip on her cane tight.
“...Why?”
“Yeah. Reason.”
Chloe answered, looking at Damien's expression that seemed to indicate that he was genuinely curious about the reason.
“I helped her because she seemed to need help.”
“Stop beating around the bush and speak in a way that is easy to understand.”
Chloe eventually lost her temper and raised her voice.
“There’s no way someone who’s worked at Birch Castle all her life could get a letter of recommendation from somewhere else. And with the child in such an urgent situation, I couldn’t ask for any other reason.”
“You don’t know that it was Eliza who took the lead in inciting the servants to harass you, do you?”
"No."
She knew it. But that wasn't what held Chloe back.
Did Eliza want to relieve herself of her guilt about being fired?
It would be a lie to say that it was absolutely not true. However, Eliza’s crime was serious enough to warrant a trial. Damien barraged Chloe with questions as she remained unanswered.
“Pity for her son who lost all his money gambling?”
Chloe took a step back, but the distance narrowed again. Damien's eyebrows shot up crookedly.
“Or is the bond with the servants originally that deep?”
Chloe finally opened her mouth with a sigh as she faced Damien, who was pushing her as if not giving her a chance to escape.
“Can Your Excellency give a clear reason for all your actions?”
"Substance."
Tap, tap. Snowflakes fluttered in the pitch-black winter sky before dawn. Damian stared intently at the sight of snowflakes flying and landing on Chloe's face, which was covered by the hood of her coat.
“I’m sorry, I don’t do that.”
White breath escaped Chloe's small lips. She also couldn't quite figure out her own mind. It might have been one of the reasons the Duke had listed, or maybe it was all of them. One thing was certain: whenever he came out like this, she wanted to run away.
“I don’t know why... Your Excellency keeps asking me difficult questions.”
“Then what do you do when you want to know someone without asking questions?”
"Just..."
Chloe looked at Damien and let out a long breath.
“You’ll find out naturally.”
Even if you don't try hard to find out, if you stay with that person and quietly observe them, there are bound to be aspects that you can see. Chloe's assessment of the Duke alone would already fill up a whole notebook.
“That’s the dumbest answer I’ve ever heard.”
Damien smirked at Chloe. Whether he did or not, Chloe eagerly waved her cane, hoping that he would not ask her any more difficult questions. Damien glanced at her and blurted out in a feminine tone.
“I’m thinking of hiring Gray Wilson to fill the empty stable manager position. He’s a day laborer at the train station, so it might not be a bad idea for him.”
Chloe's steps stopped abruptly. It was Robinson's empty seat, who had been fired along with Eliza. Chloe looked at him with her lips half-open without realizing it. Gray... could come to this castle?
“I'm curious about your opinion.”
The Duke asked her with a face that showed no change in expression. Chloe swallowed dryly and tried to gauge his intentions, but she could not read any expression from his poker face that had a faint smile on it, as if he could draw a portrait right now.
“Isn’t it within your authority to hire servants?”
“There may be an exchange of opinions between a married couple. Especially since he is a servant who has worked for the Verdiers for a long time.”
“Gray will do well.”
Chloe tried to defend him, but Damien hit the nail on the head, as was his wont.
“Do you want to keep him by your side?”
“...Because he is a trustworthy person.”
“Why?”
“I can guarantee on my name that Gray is a servant who will not betray.”
Even when the Verdier family was on the verge of ruin, he was a servant who refused to accept compensation and kept his position. His loyalty could not be doubted.
“I guarantee it on the name of ‘Tisse’.”
The Duke repeated her words with a twinkle in his eye. Chloe could clearly see what he wanted to confirm. He must have doubted her duty and qualifications as a Duchess as if to emphasize that this was a marriage of interest without any trace of affection. Chloe clenched her fists and opened her mouth with a determined expression.
“I can swear before my late mother that there was nothing unpleasant between him and me that would concern Your Excellency.”
“Gray Wilson would be very sad to hear this now.”
“I clearly told you no.”
The Duke blurted out to Chloe, who was frowning and throwing a tantrum.
“Kiss me.”
"Yes?"
A fluttering snowflake landed on her parted red lips. Damien continued speaking, his eyes narrowed.
“Prove to me that your heart is as pure as the snow that is falling now. Then I will gladly hire him. The salary will be ten times what he received at Verdier Castle.”
The offer, which seemed so outrageous, only made her feel smaller. Chloe struggled to speak with the last of her pride.
“Your Excellency, I don’t feel like kissing you right now.”
“Then the poor servant will soon have to catch the train leaving Tisse.”
“Is there any reason why that child should leave?”
“Do you regret it?”
“Wherever Gray settles, it is his freedom.”
“The more my wife makes me anxious, the more certain it is that he will have no place to stand in Tisse. Unfortunately, in this kingdom, the authority of the Duke trumps the freedom of his servants.”
A hot feeling welled up in Chloe's chest. How could people be so evil? Was the Duke secretly studying her to abuse her?
“...Do you find it amusing, Your Excellency, tormenting me?”
Chloe let out a trembling voice, but Damien didn't move.
“I didn’t mean to bother you, but I’m sorry you felt uncomfortable.”
A beautiful python-like man bared his pure white fangs at her.
“I think you’ll know from experience what kind of kiss I like.”
“...I don’t know.”
“Try it. That’s something you’re good at.”
The definition of a kiss as a sacred act where soul meets soul has long since disappeared from Chloe's mind. It was because of the savage man right before her eyes.
“Please bow your head a little.”
The Duke looked at Chloe, who was trying to spit out a hoarse voice, and lowered his chin slightly. Chloe lifted one leg up on the step, but it was still not enough to meet his gaze.
“Just a little more.”
“Don’t you have hands?”
Chloe was now at her limit. Damien laughed silently as she threw her cane roughly into the snow in protest. She was even more angry when he was laughing in front of someone who was getting angry as much as he could.
“My hands are fine, Your Excellency.”
Chloe's slender hands, trembling, tightly gripped the collar of Damien's shirt inside his coat.
“What about the lips?”
Here you go, you devil!
Chloe pulled him with all her might and placed her arrogant lips against his. The venomous snake opened its mouth as if welcoming its prey that had entered its paws. The snowflakes that fell on its face melted and soaked its face. Chloe bit her lips and closed her trembling eyes as Damien, who was smirking and hugging her tightly, hugged her tightly.
Against the backdrop of the sky that was becoming brighter and brighter, thicker snowflakes fluttered. The sound of the chapel bells began to be heard faintly in the distance. The bells that resonated through the quiet city struck six times and only after the echoes had died down did Damien slowly let her go.
“The effort is admirable.”
Her hood was off, revealing her flushed cheeks, and her hair was a complete mess. Damian whispered, clutching her hair as she gasped for breath through her open mouth.
“The hottest kiss you’ve ever given was for someone else.”
His voice was low and husky, and his blue eyes were dark enough to swallow her up.
“It feels so good and dirty?”
Chloe collapsed on the ground at the edge of the birch forest. As she watched Damien’s back as he walked away without hesitation, leaving her behind, Chloe felt as if her whole body was on fire. Sitting in the snow, she was shivering, but she didn’t feel cold.
She was definitely sick. Chloe von Tisse would probably die early. Because of none other than her legal husband.
***
Dear Father, Count Verdier,
How have you been? I hope you aren't surrounded by sweet treats now that your nagging daughter is gone.
Please forgive me for sending you this letter so late, I have been so busy.
This Tisse Territory is a city of pure white snow. As befitting the reputation of the North, there are mountains where the snow never melts all year round, so I'm sure you can imagine the scenery here, too. I've only ever seen snow once when I was ten years old when I went on a trip with my parents, so I feel like I'm waking up in a new world every morning.
Outside, the river is freezing cold, but I don't feel the cold. Here, at Birch Castle, all the servants are polite and kind, and the Duke's mother, Madame Tisse, is also kind to me. She is still as dazzlingly beautiful as she was when she was a Princess and is as innocent as a child.
At this point, I think I should hurry up and tell you the story that my father is most curious about.
Dear Father. The Duke of Tisse, the master of this castle and my guardian, is taking great care to help me adjust as much as possible to the title of Duchess, as I am still not used to it. He even personally invites nobles from the neighborhood to a tea party to prevent me from feeling lonely in an unfamiliar city, and personally prepares rare gifts for me.
Chloe paused for a moment. Her right shoulder was stiff from having to force herself to write nice words about an unpleasant person. Even though she was trying to reassure her father, she was a little worried that her exaggeration might be too much and arouse suspicion.
'No. Father will be happy.'
Chloe frowned slightly as she felt her shins throbbing. The pain she had felt when she had walked in front of him wearing the brace the Duke had given her a few days ago was still vivid. She wondered what her father would look like if he knew about this.
Whoosh. Her thoughts were interrupted by the blizzard that swept through the window, rattling violently. She put down her quill and walked over to the window to draw the curtains.
“Please go back carefully.”
“Thank you.”
At the entrance, Gray appeared, speaking to the guests. Chloe's lips naturally formed a smile. As if he noticed her gaze, Gray suddenly raised his head and looked at the window. Chloe happily opened the latch and opened the sliding window wide. Gray hurried toward the flower bed in surprise.
“The wind is as cold as ice, Miss. Close the door!”
“Yeah. You too, be careful not to catch a cold, Gray.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Gray nodded, pulling down his brown woolen hat. Chloe smiled prettily at him. It was okay not to have a long conversation. Just the fact that Gray, who was more like family than a servant, was in this castle made her feel a little better. The day Gray was officially hired as a stable manager and entered Birch Castle, Chloe almost burst into tears when she saw his face greeting her again.
“Yes, bye. Good night.”
Chloe closed the window after a brief greeting. Gray waved at her and ran quickly across the garden. Chloe returned to her desk with a smile on her face and began to write down the letter she had been stuck on.
There is one more surprising piece of news. In my last letter, my father said that you were sad that Gray suddenly quit his job and left the castle. Perhaps Gray was quite fond of this place, the Tisse Estate, which he visited while bringing me here.
Can you guess what I'm going to say? Yes, father! Gray has come to work here at Birch Castle! Of course, if you look at the boy's diligence, it won't be hard to find work anywhere, but it's a relief to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar place.
I dare say that the reason the Duke has asked Gray to work here and promised him special treatment is probably for my own good. I hope you won't worry about me, as I am treated so preciously. Soon, when spring comes, the incredible cold of Tisse, which seems to have been blessed by the Ice Saints, will subside.
Now it's time to have tea with the Duke. No matter how busy the Duke is, he never misses having tea with me every night and discussing the big and small things of the castle. It's thanks to the Duke's help that I, a weakling, can easily handle unfamiliar tasks.
Until I write to you again, please stay healthy.
With my longing heart,
Chloe, daughter of Thomas Verdier.
After folding the letter neatly and putting it in the envelope, Chloe checked the time. The pocket watch was pointing to midnight. As she had written in her letter to her father, it was true that she had to see the Duke alone every night. It was a secret that Chloe did not particularly enjoy that time.
“The master is waiting in the game room.”
“Guests?”
“The last guest just left.”
It seemed that he was the guest that Gray had just seen off. Damien never missed saying goodbye to her at night, no matter how late his business was. As a result, Chloe couldn't even get ready until he fell asleep.
“Your Excellency.”
Chloe made a noise, but Damien took the cue without even looking at her. He was wearing a black shirt and pants, and he seemed colder and more distant today, perhaps because of his dark clothes.
‘...Will there ever come a day when the distance between me and the Duke is shortened?’
Bam! Chloe came to her senses at the sound of a white ivory ball hitting a red ball. The red ball quickly crossed the wide table and disappeared into the hole.
“If the game isn’t over yet, should I wait a bit and come back later?”
“It’s no fun if you’re alone.”
Again, with a cheerful sound, the blue ball quickly rolled to the edge of the table where she was. Damien took out the chalk and rubbed the cue as he approached her. When he stretched his arm out toward Chloe, she took a step back in surprise without realizing it. Her heart was beating fast because of the surprise from him coming so close that her face was almost touching just a moment ago.
“Do you know the rules of snooker (a type of billiards)?”
Damien asked, putting the blue ball back in its place in the hole. Chloe shook her head, pretending to be calm. She didn’t want to give the impression that she was pretending to know, and she didn’t want to get off the topic. No one could keep up with her husband in asking questions, and Chloe wanted to end this unpleasant encounter with him as quickly as possible and go back to her room.
"No."
“I see.”
Damien lowered his chin slightly and took a stance.
“What I just did was a 10-point play.”
Lie!
Chloe, who opened her eyes wide, almost let out a sound. Damian's eyes, which had carefully aimed at the ball, shone sharply, and the white ball quickly moved along the wall of the table.
Bam! Bam!
The three balls that had hit in succession disappeared perfectly into different holes. Damien opened his mouth again with a face free of any remorse.
“This is 30 points. Isn’t it perfect?”
If Chloe's father, the master snooker player Viscount Verdier, had seen this, he might have been furious. Chloe frowned as she watched the Duke play without blinking an eye, completely ignoring the rule that only one ball should be played at a time and in order. How can someone who attends parliament and discusses the affairs of the country so bashfully and shamelessly commit fraud?
“The ball is going in well today. I’ll soon get over 100 points.”
Chloe's lips, which had been quivering in dissatisfaction, finally opened.
“Your Excellency, you kept fouling. You’re giving up a point.”
“You don’t know the rules.”
Damien aimed the ball again and spit it into the hole where she was.
“Did you lie?”
Red. Blue. Black. Pink. Colorful balls fell into the hole in the corner of the table where Chloe was standing. Rattling, rattling. Every time she heard the sound of the balls falling, Chloe's mouth became dry for no reason.
“Did you have a nice night’s greeting with the young stable manager?”
Rattling.
After putting the last black ball in, Damien stood up. As he rearranged the balls gathered under the wide table, Chloe realized that this room was not far from hers. The windows all faced the same direction, which meant that the Duke could have heard Gray and her brief conversation.
“Have you changed your mind and decided to exercise your right to remain silent when asked difficult questions?”
“...Why did you ask me to come here? If you want to check on the relationship between me and the servants, I would say that it is no problem. Not only with Gray but with the other servants as well.”
“Take the cue.”
Chloe looked at him with her brows furrowed, but Damien nodded at the wall, showing no intention of going back on his orders. It seemed like the Duke was planning to torment her with this today.
“Take the cue, Chloe.”
Chloe took a deep breath and looked at him.
“Would you like to play a game with me?”
"Yes."
“What are the conditions?”
Damien looked at her and smirked.
"Condition?"
Chloe repeated the words that the Viscountess Verdier always emphasized.
“I don’t play games without betting.”
A low laughter echoed through the spacious space.
“Ah, Chloe. You always amaze me.”
Chloe bit her lip as she watched the Duke grinning happily at her as if he were a little child.
“Do you find me funny?”
"Very."
“What’s funny?”
Chloe raised her head defiantly.
“You have such an innocent face as if you’ve never bought a ticket for a horse race, but you talk about betting on billiards like some curious man.”
Damien approached her and made eye contact.
“What should I bet on? Do you want something from me?"
His eyes were filled with an interesting light. It wasn't a good situation for Chloe at all, but since it had come to this, she felt she had to say something.
“Please stop calling me in the middle of the night.”
“What if I have business to attend to?”
“You can do it while the sun is up. Not when all the servants are asleep.”
“What if I win?”
Chloe paused for a moment. Damien laughed softly again.
“Have you never considered the possibility that you could lose? This is driving me crazy.”
Chloe looked at him seriously, thinking that she should be calm whether the Duke laughed at her or not.
“What would you like if you win, Your Excellency?”
“Let me take whatever I want from what you have.”
Chloe blinked a couple of times and looked slightly embarrassed.
“As Your Excellency knows, I don’t have much.”
“Are you saying that the twelve luggage bags that took up an entire truck were nothing but dust?”
Chloe gripped the cue stick tightly instead of the cane and glared at him intensely.
“Of course not. I just thought you didn’t need anything, Your Excellency.”
“What did you hear?”
Her precious suitcase was filled with the necessities. In addition to the vials of medicine that had saved Eliza's grandson Charlie's life just a few days ago, there was also a bundle of diaries she had kept since she was a child, the first colorful embroidery floss her mother had bought her, the scented letter paper, the quill, the scented candles her father had bought her from Swanton, and the doll she had played with since she was a child. There was not a single thing she wanted to take away from Damien.
“I’ll tell you after the match is over.”
“As you wish.”
Damien nodded and handed her the turn. Chloe thought that she would never let him go. In the name of Verdier.
The white ball rolled smoothly and hit the target-colored ball exactly. After scoring, Damien watched Chloe carefully measuring the next angle as if he was admiring her. Her small lips, which would open secretly when she concentrated, did not know how to close throughout the game.
"Foul."
“No way!”
Chloe's eyes widened at Damien's whispered words. She was moving so carefully that she might make a mistake, but how could he cheat? Did the Duke have eyes in the back of his head?
“I saw it wrong.”
Damien shrugged his shoulders calmly and hid his laughter. He had known for a long time that women had a way of catching him off guard, but this, frankly, was beyond his expectations. Chloe was careful, and once she made up her mind, she had the determination to strike boldly.
She licked her tongue at her dry mouth. Chloe seemed to have lost sight of him as she limped along the wide table, glaring at the balls. Soon, only the last two balls were left.
The score was two points ahead of Damien, but the problem was that Chloe had the last chance to attack. If she could score two balls in a row, the game would be hers. If that happened, she would never see him again that night. If he didn't meet the terms of the bet, she wouldn't play any more games with him.
“Chloe.”
Damien suddenly called her name. Chloe answered, “Yes,” without even looking at him.
“Do you know that winning this game is about drawing out your opponent’s mistakes?”
“That’s what they said.”
Chloe listened to his words with one ear and let them go out the other, calculating the angles in her head. Her hands kept getting sweaty, so she diligently applied rosin powder and finally settled down. When she was young, when her legs were weaker than they are now, Viscount Verdier taught Chloe to play billiards until the wee hours of the morning, when she was depressed because she couldn’t go out.
“There are countless things that happen at this small table, Chloe. Our lives are the same. Nothing is set in stone from the beginning. That’s what makes it fun.”
“My... life too?”
“Your life too, my beloved daughter.”
Chloe had learned all the hobbies she could do indoors instead of going outside. Her father, who taught her billiards while discussing the unpredictable future, probably couldn't have imagined that she would become a Duchess and have to deal with a bad-tempered husband. It was when she took her final aim, with a faint smile on her face as she thought of her father.
“In two days, a group of important guests will be visiting Birch Castle. As the Duchess, I would like you to do your best to welcome them.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Welcoming guests was no longer a pleasure, but it was not something that could not be done. All that was needed was to constantly serve food to suit the tastes of the people who invited them, to join in on their conversations, and to leave when they felt like it.
Chloe bit her lip and focused hard on hitting the ball. The angle was slightly off, but the ball narrowly missed the corner. Now, all she had to do was put in the last black ball to end the game.
“The Marchioness Isabella is due to attend. She’s a very picky woman, so you’d better be extra careful.”
The white ball, which had been hit, moved away from the black ball helplessly. The cue fell to the floor from Chloe's hand as she slowly pulled away from the table. What did the Duke say just now?
Chloe watched with a hazy gaze as Damien rubbed the cue on the chalk with an expressionless expression and hit the ball hard that she had missed. Damien sat up and faced her.
“That’s too bad, Chloe. You almost won.”
Bing. Bing. Bing.
The ball that had been going around the four sides of the table finally touched the black ball with a tap. The black ball rolled smoothly and disappeared as if it was sucked into a hole.
The score was reversed. Damien won. Chloe didn't even bother to pick up the cue that had fallen to the floor, and just stared at him with unfocused eyes.
“...What can I give you?”
Damien slowly approached her, extending his clasped hands forward. He approached her slowly, like a lazy animal, and whispered softly.
“The tongue and lips of Chloe Verdier.”
How could this man be so cruel? Chloe thought of herself choosing a dish for his mistress. Who should she ask what the Marchioness Isabella would like? Should she ask the man in front of her?
“...Are you serious?”
Chloe looked at him with a hollow laugh. The man who so casually trampled on the pride she thought she had barely managed to maintain was laughing at her.
“It couldn’t be more sincere.”
Damien enjoyed watching Chloe bite her lip and clench her fists, her eyes completely wet.
“You were the one who suggested the bet.”
Blow it, Chloe.
“Why? What’s the problem?”
“Your Excellency, I.”
Yeah. Blast it, Chloe.
Chloe limped toward him, her hands gripping Damien's black dress shirt with both hands without the usual hesitation.
“I have never felt so disgusted by a person in my life.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
Damien returned the kiss with an even hotter kiss to Chloe, who kissed him with hot tears in her eyes.
“Is that all you have to say to me?”
He ran his lips over Chloe's soaked cheek. His heart pounded inside him as he watched the woman shed tears silently, like a painting.
"No."
Yes. At this point, it was time to question him. It was normal to yell at him for being so insulting as to officially invite the government to the castle where she was the mistress.
“Go ahead, I’ll listen to anything you ask.”
“If you’re done with your business, can I go back now?”
Chloe was far more capable of driving people crazy than he thought.
“This is 30 points. Isn’t it perfect?”
If Chloe's father, the master snooker player Viscount Verdier, had seen this, he might have been furious. Chloe frowned as she watched the Duke play without blinking an eye, completely ignoring the rule that only one ball should be played at a time and in order. How can someone who attends parliament and discusses the affairs of the country so bashfully and shamelessly commit fraud?
“The ball is going in well today. I’ll soon get over 100 points.”
Chloe's lips, which had been quivering in dissatisfaction, finally opened.
“Your Excellency, you kept fouling. You’re giving up a point.”
“You don’t know the rules.”
Damien aimed the ball again and spit it into the hole where she was.
“Did you lie?”
Red. Blue. Black. Pink. Colorful balls fell into the hole in the corner of the table where Chloe was standing. Rattling, rattling. Every time she heard the sound of the balls falling, Chloe's mouth became dry for no reason.
“Did you have a nice night’s greeting with the young stable manager?”
Rattling.
After putting the last black ball in, Damien stood up. As he rearranged the balls gathered under the wide table, Chloe realized that this room was not far from hers. The windows all faced the same direction, which meant that the Duke could have heard Gray and her brief conversation.
“Have you changed your mind and decided to exercise your right to remain silent when asked difficult questions?”
“...Why did you ask me to come here? If you want to check on the relationship between me and the servants, I would say that it is no problem. Not only with Gray but with the other servants as well.”
“Take the cue.”
Chloe looked at him with her brows furrowed, but Damien nodded at the wall, showing no intention of going back on his orders. It seemed like the Duke was planning to torment her with this today.
“Take the cue, Chloe.”
Chloe took a deep breath and looked at him.
“Would you like to play a game with me?”
"Yes."
“What are the conditions?”
Damien looked at her and smirked.
"Condition?"
Chloe repeated the words that the Viscountess Verdier always emphasized.
“I don’t play games without betting.”
A low laughter echoed through the spacious space.
“Ah, Chloe. You always amaze me.”
Chloe bit her lip as she watched the Duke grinning happily at her as if he were a little child.
“Do you find me funny?”
"Very."
“What’s funny?”
Chloe raised her head defiantly.
“You have such an innocent face as if you’ve never bought a ticket for a horse race, but you talk about betting on billiards like some curious man.”
Damien approached her and made eye contact.
“What should I bet on? Do you want something from me?"
His eyes were filled with an interesting light. It wasn't a good situation for Chloe at all, but since it had come to this, she felt she had to say something.
“Please stop calling me in the middle of the night.”
“What if I have business to attend to?”
“You can do it while the sun is up. Not when all the servants are asleep.”
“What if I win?”
Chloe paused for a moment. Damien laughed softly again.
“Have you never considered the possibility that you could lose? This is driving me crazy.”
Chloe looked at him seriously, thinking that she should be calm whether the Duke laughed at her or not.
“What would you like if you win, Your Excellency?”
“Let me take whatever I want from what you have.”
Chloe blinked a couple of times and looked slightly embarrassed.
“As Your Excellency knows, I don’t have much.”
“Are you saying that the twelve luggage bags that took up an entire truck were nothing but dust?”
Chloe gripped the cue stick tightly instead of the cane and glared at him intensely.
“Of course not. I just thought you didn’t need anything, Your Excellency.”
“What did you hear?”
Her precious suitcase was filled with the necessities. In addition to the vials of medicine that had saved Eliza's grandson Charlie's life just a few days ago, there was also a bundle of diaries she had kept since she was a child, the first colorful embroidery floss her mother had bought her, the scented letter paper, the quill, the scented candles her father had bought her from Swanton, and the doll she had played with since she was a child. There was not a single thing she wanted to take away from Damien.
“I’ll tell you after the match is over.”
“As you wish.”
Damien nodded and handed her the turn. Chloe thought that she would never let him go. In the name of Verdier.
***
The white ball rolled smoothly and hit the target-colored ball exactly. After scoring, Damien watched Chloe carefully measuring the next angle as if he was admiring her. Her small lips, which would open secretly when she concentrated, did not know how to close throughout the game.
"Foul."
“No way!”
Chloe's eyes widened at Damien's whispered words. She was moving so carefully that she might make a mistake, but how could he cheat? Did the Duke have eyes in the back of his head?
“I saw it wrong.”
Damien shrugged his shoulders calmly and hid his laughter. He had known for a long time that women had a way of catching him off guard, but this, frankly, was beyond his expectations. Chloe was careful, and once she made up her mind, she had the determination to strike boldly.
She licked her tongue at her dry mouth. Chloe seemed to have lost sight of him as she limped along the wide table, glaring at the balls. Soon, only the last two balls were left.
The score was two points ahead of Damien, but the problem was that Chloe had the last chance to attack. If she could score two balls in a row, the game would be hers. If that happened, she would never see him again that night. If he didn't meet the terms of the bet, she wouldn't play any more games with him.
“Chloe.”
Damien suddenly called her name. Chloe answered, “Yes,” without even looking at him.
“Do you know that winning this game is about drawing out your opponent’s mistakes?”
“That’s what they said.”
Chloe listened to his words with one ear and let them go out the other, calculating the angles in her head. Her hands kept getting sweaty, so she diligently applied rosin powder and finally settled down. When she was young, when her legs were weaker than they are now, Viscount Verdier taught Chloe to play billiards until the wee hours of the morning, when she was depressed because she couldn’t go out.
“There are countless things that happen at this small table, Chloe. Our lives are the same. Nothing is set in stone from the beginning. That’s what makes it fun.”
“My... life too?”
“Your life too, my beloved daughter.”
Chloe had learned all the hobbies she could do indoors instead of going outside. Her father, who taught her billiards while discussing the unpredictable future, probably couldn't have imagined that she would become a Duchess and have to deal with a bad-tempered husband. It was when she took her final aim, with a faint smile on her face as she thought of her father.
“In two days, a group of important guests will be visiting Birch Castle. As the Duchess, I would like you to do your best to welcome them.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Welcoming guests was no longer a pleasure, but it was not something that could not be done. All that was needed was to constantly serve food to suit the tastes of the people who invited them, to join in on their conversations, and to leave when they felt like it.
Chloe bit her lip and focused hard on hitting the ball. The angle was slightly off, but the ball narrowly missed the corner. Now, all she had to do was put in the last black ball to end the game.
“The Marchioness Isabella is due to attend. She’s a very picky woman, so you’d better be extra careful.”
The white ball, which had been hit, moved away from the black ball helplessly. The cue fell to the floor from Chloe's hand as she slowly pulled away from the table. What did the Duke say just now?
Chloe watched with a hazy gaze as Damien rubbed the cue on the chalk with an expressionless expression and hit the ball hard that she had missed. Damien sat up and faced her.
“That’s too bad, Chloe. You almost won.”
Bing. Bing. Bing.
The ball that had been going around the four sides of the table finally touched the black ball with a tap. The black ball rolled smoothly and disappeared as if it was sucked into a hole.
The score was reversed. Damien won. Chloe didn't even bother to pick up the cue that had fallen to the floor, and just stared at him with unfocused eyes.
“...What can I give you?”
Damien slowly approached her, extending his clasped hands forward. He approached her slowly, like a lazy animal, and whispered softly.
“The tongue and lips of Chloe Verdier.”
How could this man be so cruel? Chloe thought of herself choosing a dish for his mistress. Who should she ask what the Marchioness Isabella would like? Should she ask the man in front of her?
“...Are you serious?”
Chloe looked at him with a hollow laugh. The man who so casually trampled on the pride she thought she had barely managed to maintain was laughing at her.
“It couldn’t be more sincere.”
Damien enjoyed watching Chloe bite her lip and clench her fists, her eyes completely wet.
“You were the one who suggested the bet.”
Blow it, Chloe.
“Why? What’s the problem?”
“Your Excellency, I.”
Yeah. Blast it, Chloe.
Chloe limped toward him, her hands gripping Damien's black dress shirt with both hands without the usual hesitation.
“I have never felt so disgusted by a person in my life.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
Damien returned the kiss with an even hotter kiss to Chloe, who kissed him with hot tears in her eyes.
“Is that all you have to say to me?”
He ran his lips over Chloe's soaked cheek. His heart pounded inside him as he watched the woman shed tears silently, like a painting.
"No."
Yes. At this point, it was time to question him. It was normal to yell at him for being so insulting as to officially invite the government to the castle where she was the mistress.
“Go ahead, I’ll listen to anything you ask.”
“If you’re done with your business, can I go back now?”
Chloe was far more capable of driving people crazy than he thought.
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