Betrayal of Dignity

Episode 20

“I see what you are concerned about. But there’s nothing to blame him for being busy.”

At first, Chloe also thought that the conduct of the duke, who had never contacted her after leaving the bride behind on her wedding day, was a mess. But she changed her mind later.

It was a marriage that proceeded without love anyway, but she thought it would be much better if he kept her at her home and treated her as if she was invisible. And time will solve the problem of people whispering.

“In fact, I’ve been busy since the wedding, so I don’t have time to pay attention to useless things.”

“Is it useless?”

It was unintentional, but it seemed that her words were sharp again. Chloe soon realized that she had made a mistake and waved her hand. No matter how comfortable she was with Gray, she didn’t need to cause any concern by telling her subordinates that her marriage was useless.

“Maybe the Duke gave me some time to take care of things. You know how busy I am dealing with wedding presents that are flooding in because I suddenly became the Duchess.”

Chloe smiled broadly as she saw Gray’s expression dissipate a bit of concern.

“Furthermore… The letter I’ve been waiting for has already arrived. Today.”

“What letter?”

“Look. It’s no fun if you find out sooner.”

Chloe got up from her seat, limped toward the bookshelf, and took out a hidden letter envelope. Gray’s face, which recognized the sender just by looking at the handwriting, brightened up.

“Did Alice send you a letter?”

“Yes!”

“Can I read it too?”

“Sure. Here.”

The letter was short, but it was clear that Alice was doing well. Alice’s chattering voice seemed to be heard from it.

“I’m the happiest in the world right now, Gray.”

Chloe was sincere. Her younger sister’s well-being was confirmed, and her father’s health has improved noticeably these days, so her life is bright. The faces of people in the estate have brightened up with whom she had grown up since birth, the cleaning of old dust and the repair work in every nook and cranny of Verdier Castle was in progress

“I hope to live like this forever “

“I wish we could be just like now, miss.”

Chloe smiled face to face with Gray as before. It was only later that day, their peace was broken.

Chapter 08: The Scandal.

Was Duke Thisse’s passion impossible to extinguish even by marriage? Our war hero, who surprised the entire kingdom by welcoming the lady of humble aristocratic family as a bride, is reportedly spending a sweet time with Marquis Isabella in Swan. In the top bedroom of the Rose Castle, the candle never goes out, and the poor bride was left in the countryside for three months after the wedding….

“I…May I bring you some tea?”

The owner of the tailor opened her mouth with a trembling voice towards Chloe. She never thought that the gossip paper that delivered Swan’s news would be here. After carefully reading the rumours one by one, the duchess folded it finely and put it back on the table.

“No, I’m done with the tea. I’ve heard there’s an interesting newspaper, but it’s the first time I’ve actually seen it.”

The ‘Red Veil’ was a gossip magazine published secretly without the permission of the royal family. It was fun to read because most of them ridicule the private lives and affairs of nobles, but it is strictly forbidden in the royal palace.

“I’ll burn it right away. Duchess.”

When Deborah, the owner of the tailor’s shop, bowed her head, Chloe waved her hand.

“No way. If it is something that will be destroyed by fire, I have a lot of memories that I want to destroy.”

Deborah looked at Chloe as she spoke calmly even in this situation and bit her lips tightly. Chloe, who is younger than her daughter, looked determined with a smile on her face.

“I think you are done measuring, so I can go now, right?”

“What? You haven’t even picked out the fabric and design yet….”

Chloe shook her head with a light smile and held the cane in her hand.

“I want you to take care of it. I think an expert would be better than me.”

Ding. The door opened and the Duchess disappeared, leading with her uncomfortable legs. Deborah leaned back, staring intently at the newspaper lying on the table. The newspaper, which contains the rumor of the Duke and Marquis Isabella, on the front page, had the image of the two which was drawn very carefully. They were looking at each other from the balcony of the rose castle. Marquis Isabella, who is smiling seductively, had a high headdress that showed how much money she invested on her hair, and the duke was unable to take his face off her voluptuous chest under the dress.

“Anyways, men ruin the country because of their lower body!”

Deborah clicked her tongue loudly and thought she should give the poor duchess the most beautiful dress. She was sorry to Chloe, but the dull-colored dress she was wearing was an old-fashioned style that has been centuries away from the current trend. Even if she changed her clothes a little, her pretty face must have stood out a lot more.

“Look at the skills of a rural hard-worker!”

Deborah was once again determined to take this opportunity to splurge on the money that would come out of the duke’s pocket.  Her hands were busy choosing the finest fabrics that fit well with Chloe’s fair face.

***

“Miss, I think you’d better go back to the castle.”

“My schedule is not over yet. I have to meet Mr. Wharton and talk about opening a hospital, and look around the waterway and windmills.”

Gray chewed his lips as he looked at Chloe in the carriage with a pale face. It was after he also read the ‘Red Veil’ published this morning. While Chloe, who entered the tailor’s shop, was choosing clothes, a little boy selling newspapers ran down the street with excitement. The paper, which was printed with the face of the Duke and a strange woman, was torn into small pieces and thrown into the drain, but the anger was not relieved.

“…people may feel uncomfortable meeting you.”

“People would be more anxious if the Duchess is swayed by low-quality rumors. Let’s get going.”

Gray was unwilling, but he had no choice but to ride the horse. Chloe, who was struggling to smile, closed her eyes as soon as the carriage door was closed. Her heart pounded unpleasantly and her stomach churned. She wanted to go back to the castle right away.

A pitiful and poor bride. In a state of recuperating in the countryside. The Scarecrow Duchess who got married with the careless Duke of Tisse. A bird that can’t fly because her leg is broken.

The words in the newspaper dug into her heart one by one like broken pieces of glass.

Her slightly wet eyelashes trembled and lifted upwards. She couldn’t forget the profile of the Duke buried in the breasts of Marquis Isabella.

Why does he make me bear this humiliation?

Leaving for Swan, the capital, the last thing Duke Tisse said to Chloe was to ‘Fulfill your duty as a Duchess’. As long as she had married him, Chloe also intended to faithfully follow his words.

She did her best to maintain her position as the Duchess in order to make her marriage look flawless, but when she saw that the Duke was living like a rascal in the capital, she was filled with unbearable shame and anger burned in her heart.

“Haa…”

Autumn has already passed, but her body has a fever. As she passed through the graveled road, her back was hurt by the rattling carriage. Chloe bit her lips tightly and raised her head.

In fact, if I think about it, it was a marriage with no expectations from the beginning.

So, it’s okay. I’m fine.

Chloe, who got off the carriage, checked the agricultural waterway with her usual face.

“If you have any difficulties, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Thank you, Duchess.”

A farmer bowed his head with a sweaty face.

“The Duchess’ face is different from what I saw in the newspaper!”

Someone hastily shut the mouth of the young child who was shouting.

“Oh, right! She had a high head like a bird’s nest and a mole on her cheek!”

When another child raised his voice next to him, the peasant, whose face was shriveled, bowed his head repeatedly to apologize.

Chloe smiled bitterly and walked back without any response. She heard someone giggling behind her, but she didn’t have the courage to look back. She felt like she was going to get angry at a child who did nothing wrong. She really hated the duke who made her feel this miserable.

***

As the butler entered the study, Damien, who was standing by the window, turned his head.  After work, having a drink and organizing the day was like his regular job. The butler carefully put down the alcohol that Damien ordered and was about to leave, but Damien suddenly opened his mouth.

“Are there any letters from Verdier?”

It was only then the butler realized that he had forgotten and hurriedly bowed his head.

“No, it arrived when Mrs. Isabella visited today, but it was too late, so the delivery was delayed until tomorrow.”

“Bring it.”

In a hurry, the butler hurried to the front door where the letter was kept. The reason was that Marquis Isabella visited immediately after the letter arrived.

“Haa….I really don’t know what he’s thinking.”

The frequent visits to the capital of the Duke Tisse began immediately after the war ended.  Thanks to this, the almost empty Rose Castle was filled with aristocrats and businessmen who wanted to line him up.

“What are you doing with the letter without even replying once?”

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In Paul’s 20-year career as a butler, Duke Tisse was the first owner to be so mysterious. Damien chuckled when he returned to the study and handed him a letter.

“Put it down there.”

“Yes, duke. Then please take a rest.”

“Who said you could leave?”

The butler was nervous at the sharp voice and swallowed dry saliva.