Chapter 14

Chapter 14

What she said three months ago seemed sincere enough to be believed by ordinary people. But Alexis did not take her words seriously.

He got up and pulled the curtains in the office. He saw the Duchess walking through the garden with a brighter face under the sunlight.

‘The Empress’s Informant.’

There was only one assessment Alexis could make of his wife. From the first night, which was a mistake, until now, it had always been like that.

Before she could take a few steps, a man with light green hair in a white robe jumped up and raised a lace parasol over her head. The look of her smiling, seemingly surprised, was foreign.

Alexis had never seen his wife’s face like that. If the opponent hadn’t been a priest, it would not have been strange to have doubts of cheating at the sight.

He pulled the curtain roughly to cover the window, sat down on a chair and picked up some documents, but couldn’t concentrate. Tossing the quill, Alexis pulled out a piece of paper that had been tucked deep in a drawer.

Dr*g test.

It was a doctor’s note about the weak drug that was detected in his body a year ago. Alexis’ hand, who was examining it meticulously again, tightened.

– It has been detected that an undiluted solution was purchased by the Empress’s Palace.

– If you do not immediately relieve the increase in se*ual desire caused by the medicine made from the undiluted solution, the heat will rush to your head and you will die.

At that time, Viscount Rylent’s report and the doctor’s words came to mind.

On the day he had been careless because it was the end of the year, it was Kathleen, a noble and his maid, who saved him from the Empress’ scheme.

He didn’t know how she, a kitchen maid, knew and helped him with his weakness. She only said that it was also a coincidence. So Alexis made her his wife to spy on her.

He had believed that the Empress had used Kathleen as a tool to help her plans succeed. So if they really had a child after spending one night together, it would be better to make a move on his side first.

‘But there is no hurry to make a move.’

He put the note back into the drawer.

Since their marriage, the Empress had called her frequently. Most of the time, she was persecuted because she couldn’t have children, but he didn’t know if that was an act either. When he saw how she endured the Empress for over a year, he could only think of it as a play that was crafted in advance.

‘The Young Lady Winston was also said to be a candidate for the Crown Princess.’

No matter how much the value of Count Winston increased, it was rare in history for a family to marry off all their daughters to the Imperial family.

In addition, the Crown Prince, the protagonist of the new marriage, was also close to Kathleen. It was suspicious that they, who had no contact points, were particularly friendly.

Under these circumstances, there was no reason for Alexis to tell her the secret of Walten. If it reaches the Empress, everything will be in vain.

It was rather fortunate for him that the absurd speculation that he had a mistress was circulating. If it would cover the Empress’ eyes and give vain expectations, then his plan was already successful.

– I love you, Duke.

But why does he keep hearing her voice?

The poison of the southern scorpion fed to him by the Empress was particularly effective in suppressing these wasteful emotions. Especially for him who had been taking it for a long time. But he still felt like being swayed by such shallow moves…

‘You must have been properly trained.’

He didn’t know if it was Count Winston or the Empress who taught her, but his fake wife had a knack for making a corner of Alexis’ chest uncomfortable, matching her slender face.

At times, he had these urges that made him want to press down on her neck and throw her away, but he endured, holding her just tight enough so that she wouldn’t die. He didn’t realize that waiting for the truth would make him this impatient.

Alexis rose from his seat, ruffling his hair angrily. He went down the stairs’ landing and heard the sound of footsteps.

“Your Grace, are you leaving?”

Alsdorf, who had come with tea, hurriedly asked. It was not unreasonable for the old butler to ask because his schedule fluctuated a lot. But.

“What is the Duchess’ schedule?”

Impulsively, a question about Kathleen popped out of Alexis’ mouth. It was the very first time, after a year and three months of marriage.

Alsdorf was perplexed.

“Madame? There is no set schedule.”

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Does it make sense for the lady of the house to be stuck at home with no schedule?”

“That’s.”

Alsdorf, seeing his irritation at the unexpected question, was perplexed, but soon summarized the details in a concise manner.

“We received invitations from social gatherings, but she has refused to attend since a few days ago.”

“What is the reason?”

“She said she was unwell and needed a rest.”

“That’s a lie.”

Walking through the garden with the trash priest, she didn’t look sick at all. The Duchy’s doctor had not said anything about Kathleen’s health either.

It was astonishing to hear that she had refused to attend social gatherings when she was so anxious to flirt with the scum that was brought in from the Temple.

Alexis took a step without realizing it.

“I, sir? Are you leaving after eating?”

Alsdorf asked from behind, but his words didn’t reach Alexis’ ears. He was quickening his pace, thinking about the reason for the unfamiliar displeasure.

‘Maybe the Empress has reached out to the Temple as well.’

Otherwise, there was no reason to bring a stranger and make them stay in this house.

‘No. They might already know each other.’

Thinking of digging deep into the Temple of Delafos, Alexis entered the entrance to the garden and saw Kathleen.

“I don’t think I knew Madame very well. I apologize.”

“Apologize? Priest has been very helpful to me. Don’t say that.”

Ha.

Startled by the friendly conversation between the man and the woman, Alexis made the sound of his footsteps heard, and approached them. Kathleen, who turned at the sound, looked startled, and her face hardened. The Delafos priest also got up and greeted him looking surprised, but Alexis neatly ignored him and asked Kathleen.

“What were you talking about?”

“Duke. I thought you were busy…”

“I’m always busy, but I didn’t expect my wife to be busier than me.”

“What?”

Without answering, Alexis took the piece of paper that Joseph was holding in his hand and scanned it.

It was scripture containing the story of the founding myth that children could read. It smelled old.

“If you want to learn something like this, you should have called a private tutor.”

“Ah.”

Kathleen, noticing that Alexis was being sarcastic, spoke quickly.

“I’m sorry. I was afraid of what would become of the Duke’s prestige. If a lady who is already married calls for a tutor, it will be exposed that she did not learn properly as a child.”

He felt dirty.

Not just because she was not wrong, but also because she put the Duke’s prestige first rather than her own.

‘Is it meant to induce sympathy?’

Alexis was displeased with that feeling. She must have calculated this act to use herself as an excuse.

“It would also damage my prestige to neglect social activities just to learn basic knowledge while hanging out with a young priest.”

So he spit it out as he pleased.

“I believe you can judge which one holds more value.”

“…..Yes.”

At Kathleen’s words, her face darkened.

“I’m going to send a reply that you’ll be attending the Rawlings evening party tonight.”

At Alexis’ carelessly thrown words, Kathleen’s eyes trembled weakly. It was such a subtle change that only Joseph, who was nearby, could notice.

Marchioness Rawlings was the woman who had the biggest mouth at the tea party Kathleen had immediately returned home from.

Just as she loved gatherings, she also loved spreading rumors fast and wide. Therefore, events at the Marquis of Rawlings were always noisy and fun, and everyone wanted to attend. The exception would be Kathleen Walten, and the Marquis of Rawlings knew it. So this invitation must have been sent as a formality, and he must have expected her absence.

“The Rawlings’ Ball? But I think it would be difficult to attend…”

“Why? Are you going to say that studying comes first?”

Alexis threw the parchment roughly on the table and leaned down to stare into her eyes.

Kathleen leaned back and replied.

“No. But a ball needs a partner.”

“Partner?”

“Yes. It doesn’t matter in the case of men, but a woman must have a partner, whether married or unmarried. Usually, they go with their father, brother, fiancé, or husband…”

‘But you won’t do that.’

She couldn’t help but swallow the words that were about to come out.

“Did you think I didn’t even know such etiquette? Did I say that you were going to go to the ball alone?”

“Then with whom… are you to ask the Crown Prince?”

“What are you talking about?”

Alexis crossed his arms and looked down at her as she spoke with a face full of excitement.

“It’s not like you don’t have a husband, so I don’t know why you are assuming that you are going with another man.”

“Are you saying that the Duke is going with me?”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“No. I’ll get ready then.”

It was embarrassing, but once he agreed, Alexis went back. Although his attitude without showing any emotions was still the same, she was puzzled because it was the first time he offered to attend a social event except for wedding ceremonies.

“Madame, you have to be careful.”

Joseph lowered his voice and whispered anxiously.

“It’s not good for the fetus if you get nervous in a crowded place.”

“I’ll be careful. It’ll be fine.”

Joseph had a doubtful expression on his face, but he thought there was no helping it, so he checked once again if there were no people around him, and continued to talk about myths that he couldn’t finish due to Alexis’ interference.

“It is natural for doctors to fail to understand a woman’s physical condition properly. Medicine tells everything based on the body of an ordinary person. However, if someone is of fairy blood like Madame, it is right to check it using theology. The same goes for the diagnosis of pregnancy.”

“But the priest who diagnosed me when I was young also confirmed that I was infertile, so what happened?”

“Excuse me, Madame, a priest who received money and went on a private visit would not have had a very high level of divine power.”

Joseph’s voice was full of certainty. According to theology, the baby in her womb would grow very slowly. Maybe like when she was conceived.

‘It’s still okay.’

Her heart was relieved. She had more time than she had thought, which gave her hope that she might be able to change Alexis’ mind.

‘Because he was against it when I said I was leaving.’

She saw a glimmer of hope. She knew that he hated the idea of having children because of the conflict between him and the Empress, but she may be able to change his mind, even just the slightest bit.