CH 34

“Let’s take a break.”

When Riggs said this, everyone in the meeting room agreed. He asked for their understanding and got up from his seat, then he approached the window.

From where the meeting room was situated in Count Gray’s estate, he could see the balconies of the hall where the tea tasting event was taking place. Riggs squinted and saw two women together in one balcony.

‘Isabelle and Lady Celeste.’

While he was getting through the previous agenda at the meeting a while ago, some young noblemen were looking at the two alternately. It might be because they were anticipating a confrontation.

However, Isabelle was looking at Lady Celeste with clear adoration in her eyes. If Isabelle was looking at a man with the same gaze right now, Riggs would have left his seat immediately.

“Your Highness, is something the matter?”

“…It’s nothing. Let’s continue the meeting.”

Riggs couldn’t possibly say, ‘The problem is that my wife is looking at another woman affectionately.’

With a shy smile on her face, Lady Celeste also continued her conversation with Isabelle. Even Riggs, who wasn’t interested in high society, knew that this reaction was unusual.

‘Isabelle captured the young lady’s heart in the meantime.’

It was odd, but this development wasn’t bad at all. If Lady Celeste, who had conquered both the social world of the capital and the duchy, could be by Isabelle’s side, then it was like gaining a thousand troops for her army.

There were many ways to gain close aides, and the way the Cardiago household had gone about it throughout the years was through the leash of fear and subservience.

‘But Isabelle will be different from me.’

If Riggs were to say that he wasn’t concerned about Lady Celete’s intentions, then that would be a lie. However, more than anyone else in the world, Riggs believed in Isabelle’s wit and strength in dealing with the people around her.

‘If I think about it, it’s also a distance I can run towards right away.’

He then resumed the meeting so that he could return to his wife’s side faster.

* * *

Everyone couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Lady Celeste? That’s her? She was the unrivaled noble young lady of high society, like a poisonous viper.

However, the harsh, terrifying young lady had turned into a blushing mush while talking animatedly. Her features were relieved of all tension, and she looked so much gentler now.

What surprised everyone even more was the fact that the person who was responsible for this change was Duchess Cardiago—it was her first time being in a social gathering today.

“With that innocent face that seems to know nothing of the world…”

“What did she do to make Lady Celeste change so much?”

“The Duchess must have made sure to sort out the ranks while they were on the balcony.”

This scene—where Lady Celeste was shining so brightly as she talked to Isabelle—had a great snowball effect on the social world. Until this moment, the bystanders were just enjoying the confrontation between the two women, but soon after they started speculating that this was the duchess’ method or rearranging high society’s hierarchy.

“She’s so soft-hearted that she doesn’t need to use force—wasn’t it different with even Lady Celeste’s maid, Rena?”

“That’s possible. Even if they have the same position as maids, the Duchess’ maids are stronger. We can’t look down on Cardiago’s shield even now, but the opponent is the Duchess herself.”

“Now that you mention it, I can’t see their maids around.”

“But you know, what exactly are they talking about that’s making them look so happy?”

The commotion around the two was bound to intensify. While attracting the crowd’s attention, the two women burst into peals of laughter right then, only igniting the flames of their curiosity.

‘P-Perhaps they’re talking about political matters?’

‘The Celeste family will be able to establish themselves as Cardiago’s shield once more.’

‘The hierarchy of the families allied with the Duke will change from now on.’

The nobles who knew better began to worry about what kind of impact would be brought out from the two women’s conversation.

However, the small conversation between Isabelle and Lizzie had absolutely nothing to do with Cardiago’s politics or economy. The two moved to the ladies’ lounge and continued their conversation.

“If Your Grace had fun reading 〈 I’m Doing This Because I Love You 〉, then I just know that 〈 I’m Doing This Because I Hate You 〉 will suit your tastes.”

“Thank you for the recommendation. It’s your recommendation, Lizzie, so I’ll make sure to read it.”

“Oh, but the book is out of print. The explicit parts are too much, so…”

“Oh my…”

Isabelle and Lizzie covered their lips and held back their sly smiles. It was reassuring to have met someone they could share their secret hobby with, but unexpectedly, their tastes matched as well.

“I was worried because I don’t have any acquaintances in high society, but I’m glad I talked to you, Lizzie.”

“I was a little surprised to find out that Your Grace and I have similar tastes. I didn’t think you’d be interested in this at all.”

“Why did you think so?”

While tilting her head to the side, Isabelle gave a pure, innocent smile. Her hair, which seemed to have a subtle glow, cascaded gently, giving off a sacred atmosphere around her.

“The Duchess’ elegant appearance is…”

“Is it because of the rumors about my husband?”

“……”

Isabelle somehow felt bad when she watched Lizzy struggle to speak.

‘Indeed. There’s no way that a noble living at the center of high society doesn’t know the rumors that even I heard while I was still living at the temple.’

The House of Celeste was Cardiago’s shield, so Lizzie should know better about the duke. She should also know that he wasn’t not really a tyrant who would tear people apart whenever he felt like it.

In Isabelle’s opinion, the rumors about Riggs’ lower body was the biggest flaw to his image.

‘Riggs said that he doesn’t show up to social gatherings that much, but still, I’m sure everyone knows that rumor.’

As Isabelle learned from Count Gray, Isabelle decided to stick to the role of a wife who strove to protect her husband’s honor.

“Lizzie. I know what you’re about to say.”

“Ah… As expected, Your Grace also knows about it. I didn’t think anyone would dare mention it.”

“It’s fine. Can I ask you how you heard the rumor, Lizzie? Did the rumor start from high society just as I thought? I’m just guessing, but please feel free to correct me.”

“That’s… I witnessed a scene that became the basis for the rumor.”

“……?”

Isabelle stared at her. She couldn’t believe that Lizzie was an eyewitness. What in the world did she see that started the rumor about the duke being incompetent down there?

Of course, because Riggs would only cover up the bare minimum while he was sleeping, Isabelle could tell just by looking at it. She couldn’t ask him to change his sleeping habits for her sake, so she just let it slide.

‘No, I mean, is it possible to tell if he’s really incompetent just by looking?’

What on earth did Lizzie see? While flustered, Isabelle made a rather silly face.

“Your Grace? Oh, I’m sorry. I caused you to worry by mentioning the rumors about the Duke’s strength.”

“Ah… So you were talking about the rumors of his strength?”

Lizzie then tried to ask, ‘Are there any other rumors?’ but she remained silent. Only then did she recall the same rumor that Isabelle was thinking about.

“I-I’ve never seen such a scene related to that. It’s also my first time seeing His Highness the Duke after I returned to Cardiago. Please don’t misunderstand.”

Then, Isabelle was able to calm her shocked heart. No matter how clumsy Riggs was, it didn’t seem like he was someone who’d take off his clothes in front of women.

Now then, since this was the case, she took on the duty of a wife by taking on a lethal defense.

“Of course. It’s a false rumor in the first place…”

“It was a… false rumor?”

The eyes of Lizzie and her maid twinkled. If Isabelle could choose her words correctly here, then she’d be able to erase the bad rumors trailing behind Riggs so that he wouldn’t have to suffer any more.

While pretending that she was feeling hot, Isabelle fanned her face.

“That’s right. I mean, I lived in a temple and maintained my innocence all my life, but I fell for him right away…. Well, of course, I didn’t get married just because of that. But those rumors are really so unbelievable.”

“Oh my…”

“You can’t even imagine, my husband wears practically nothing while sleeping and… Riggs?”

Isabelle had been chattering randomly up to that point, but her eyes suddenly widened like saucers. As soon as Lizzie realized who that nickname referred to, she jumped to her feet like a spring.

Riggs went straight to Isabelle’s side right after the meeting, but as he arrived, he spoke with a strange look on his face.

“I didn’t know that my wife fell for me right away. Lady Celeste, thanks to you, I feel much better.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll escort you to the entrance.”

Like a typical nobleman with great manners, Riggs sent her off. Isabelle was startled as she saw how naturally he acted like this.

He hadn’t even said hello to Lizzy yet, but here he was, already sending Isabelle’s friend off. Isabelle got up from her seat and followed.

‘Huh?’

The scene she saw was a little weird. Riggs had a bored expression on as he spoke, and Lizzie hesitated for a moment but nodded in the end.

“Lady Celeste. I believe you’ve seen many things in the past. But I won’t touch someone on my wife’s side, so you don’t have to worry.”

Riggs’ tone was much colder than when he had talked to Ravi when they were young. Not being able to take this sight, Isabelle strode to him and elbowed him on the side.

He was definitely jabbed, but Lizzie was the one who got more surprised. She didn’t know what to do.

“Riggs. Be nice.”

“We’re just talking.”

Riggs’ gaze slipped away from Lizzy and onto Isabelle, becoming sweet. Lizzie hesitated for a second, but she soon spoke with confidence.

“Duchess. With the grace of His Highness, I shall stand by the Duchess’ side at the upcoming Imperial Conference.”

“No, Lizzie, you don’t have to force yourself just because it’s His Highness’ request. It’s fine if you won’t do it.”

“If I hadn’t talked to Your Grace just now, then that might have been the case, that I would force myself to play the role of your supporter. But now, it’s really what I’d like to do. Please let me stay by your side.”

The tension and fear that had been hovering around her disappeared at once.

At that, Isabelle saw Lizzie off, but she felt a little bitter somewhere. As it was revealed with Lizzie’s conversation with Rena, Lizzie was definitely afraid of Riggs for some reason.

‘Does she have bad memories of when Riggs confronted his uncle to take the household’s seat of power?’

Isabelle saw Riggs use violence only once—and that was when he saved her from Baron Iron.

Even that was an unbelievable scene, when he had blown away the building. So rather than feeling fear, Isabelle felt amazed.

“Isabelle, is there something you want to ask me?”

She was quickly caught staring at him. Isabelle felt kind of bad because it looked like she wanted to pry into his past.

“No, I’ll ask you later.”

“…Isabelle. I want you to promise me one thing.”

“Yeah?”

“If you’re curious about something related to me, then just ask me directly. I want to tell you myself.”

His voice was full of worries and fear. Isabelle could guess what he was thinking without any difficulty. Of course, the rumors about him were so rampant that it was something to be scared about.

“I got it. Then Riggs, I’ll ask you about it directly when I want to know something. So don’t make a face like that, it looks like you’re about to cry.”

Riggs slightly frowned just as his eyes drooped. Isabelle was weak against this sight, and so she patted him on the butt.

“Riggs, you said you see me as a woman. But why do you keep crying in front of me?”

Riggs held back. He wanted to cry out, ‘If you remember that, then why do your hands continue to go to that place?!’

“The meeting was so… Everyone gave me a hard time, so I’m tired. Isabelle, can we take a break inside?”

“Should I ask an attendant to bring warm tea so that you can relax?”

“I don’t want any tea. Just stay with me for a while. I think I’ll feel better if I rest for just a bit.”

Riggs’ shoulders slumped down as he made a pleading expression.

‘Did I really think that he didn’t show any feelings on his face just now?’

‘Who’s the one giving someone else a hard time at the meeting…?’

Lady Celeste’s maids, who returned to retrieve a fan that their lady had left behind, were at a loss of words as they witnessed this scene.