Princess Shu

“Schu, don’t say anything to Duchess Billiam today.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t ask any questions, either. I will tell you everything later.”

“As you wish, my dear.”

Schuden answered calmly without asking what was going on.

After going down the stairs from the second floor, they crossed the hall and headed to the annex. Then, they entered the first-floor drawing-room where Duchess Billiam was waiting.

“Duchess Billiam, have you been waiting long?”

“Oh, Marchioness Garth. No, I haven’t.”

Duchess Billiam rose from her seat. She seemed a bit bewildered to see Schuden entering with Valia but she skillfully hid her expression like an experienced noblewoman. News of the Marquess and Marchioness Garth’s good relationship had already spread throughout Gel’s high society.

‘It looks like he is escorting her from the main building to the annex.’

Even that was enough to say that they were a couple in love, thought Duchess Billiam comfortably. She lightly bowed to Schuden.

“It’s been a while, Marquess Garth.”

“Indeed, Duchess Billiam.”

After bowing face-to-face following etiquette, Schuden did not leave the annex. Not only did he not leave, he even sat down next to Valia. A subtle expression flashed across the Duchess’ face, she did not expect such a situation.

‘Doesn’t she know that I’m here to apologize?’

Of course, the letter sent to Marchioness Garth did not mention even a single word indicating an apology. It was her pride as a high-ranking noble.

‘I definitely heard that she embarrassed Carnie at the banquet.’

Valia’s skillful response was a topic of discussion in many ways. However, considering that her opponent was Young Lady Billiam, it did not spread much. But Duchess Billiam knew the details. It was only natural, her daughter was the person in question, after all. She heard that Valia had so skillfully put Carnie in a corner, and yet, she failed to understand the true meaning of the letter.

‘Okay. This is probably for the better.’

Rumors were often exaggerated. Duchess Billiam decided to think well of Valia. If Valia was an inexperienced noblewoman, then it was rather good for her. It would be much easier for Valia to accept her apology. While rationalizing the situation like that in her head, she still could not come to talk about it.

Duchess Billiam, who had spent many years in high society, glanced at Schuden. The gorgeous Marquess whom she met after a long time had an expressionless face, as always. She had never bumped into him in high society but she could not help but feel the pressure.

‘Should I just go back today and make a promise for next time?’

The thought crossed her mind but she could not do that. Valia was a regular member of Marchioness Joan’s tea party. Duchess Billiam, who had no prior relations with Valia, only visited her manor and left after small chatting. If Valia ever leaked this story at the tea party, Duchess Billiam would surely be laughed at. Though the situation was strangely disagreeable, there was no other option.

“Have some tea, Duchess Billiam.”

Valia recommended the tea brewed by the employees. Duchess Billiam took a sip of lemon-flavored hot tea. The refreshing yet sweet taste lingered in her mouth. Valia waited for the Duchess to take a sip of her tea before asking.

“What made you come to this manor?”

“I’m here to talk to you about the incident that happened at the Imperial banquet a few days ago.”

‘Incident?’

Schuden’s eyebrows slightly moved. In an instant, he could guess that it was not a good incident. He was unaware of what had happened between Valia and Carnie. This was because Schuden was as busy as, no, busier than Valia in the grand banquet hall.

Schuden was with Gusto and Elvan when Carnie brought Louise to Valia. No matter how troublesome it was, they were of the Imperial household so Schuden could not just brush them off like chasing flies away. In any case, he had a part to play as Marquess Garth.

“My daughter has been disrespectful to you, Marchioness.”

Duchess Billiam minimized Carnie’s fault as euphemistically as possible.

“There are times when a child is not mature enough to measure the situation and displays an unrefined behavior. I hope you will understand with great generosity.”

“Duchess Billiam.”

Valia put down her teacup, Duchess Billiam wondered what she wanted to say. 

She did not expect Valia would say this.

“I think you need to correct your words. It would be more appropriate to say that Young Lady Billiam’s behavior that day was rude, not unrefined.”

Duchess Billiam’s fingertips stiffened slightly. She thought that it was unusual for Valia to point out her wording without any sign of clumsiness.

“You have been in high society for much longer than I have, Duchess Billiam, so you know better than me. That day, Young Lady Billiam was rude to me in many ways.”

“…”

Valia had never attended a social event as a noblewoman in her past. Still, she often went to banquets or tea parties as an escort lady-in-waiting of the Imperial household. Bringing the husband’s ex-partner to his newly-wed noblewoman. It was so rude that no one could say anything even if she got slapped by gloves right away.

“She is the only daughter of the Duke in the Empire and I had high expectations for her, but it is too bad that I could not see her dignity as I initially expected.”

Though she was beating around the bush with her words, Valia’s tone was as cold as ice. Duchess Billiam realized that she could not finish everything with just a few good words after only having a short conversation with Valia.

“…I apologize for my child’s rudeness, Marchioness Garth.”

“It’s not something for you to apologize for.”

“But…”

“The one who was rude to me was Young Lady Billiam. Duchess Billiam, this would not be good for her education.”

Valia still drew a line. The Duchess had already given up trying to win her over, but she at least achieved stepping to Garth’s manor. Duchess Billiam slowly bowed her previously firmly upright head.

“I know this is very shameless of me, but I will apologize again and again. I will teach my daughter strictly.”

Duchess Billiam had to throw away the expression ‘child,’ which she had been clinging on to on purpose. It was like taking off the armor that a knight was wearing.

Valia took a sip of tea silently. When she did not give her answer immediately, Duchess Billiam’s heart shrank every moment. It was only until Duchess Billiam finally could not stand her impatience when Valia asked in her normal tone.

“Are you serious about what you just said?”

“…Of course.”

Because of Valia’s insistent questioning, Duchess Billiam had to show her sincerity to keep what she had said. Carnie would not be able to attend banquets as well as tea parties for the time being under the strict scolding of her mother.

‘How can Carnie be such a poor judge of character?’

How could she touch such an intimidating noblewoman, a woman who carried such a formidable background as Marchioness Garth? At first, she was bothered about Schuden next to her, but the more she talked to Valia, the less time she had to pay attention to him.

After that, they continued with small empty talks. After talking about formal things, Duchess Billiam got up from the hot seat.

“…I had a good time today. I’m just sad that I can’t stay long, Marchioness Garth.”

Despite being in an unfavorable situation, Duchess Billiam was ranked higher than Valia. So Valia saw her off in person to the front of her carriage.

“Don’t mention it. Take care of yourself, Duchess Billiam.”

The duchess had subsided considerably after getting on the carriage. It was quite comparable to when she just came to Garth’s manor.

As a matter of fact, Valia was not feeling so refreshed. It was the mother who stepped on behalf of her daughter who came to apologize to her today, the situation was neither pitiable nor heartbreaking. And Valia did not act kindly to her, either. Still, maternal love was something Valia had never experienced in her life, the interaction she had today stayed in the back of her mind.

“Valia.”

A familiar touch hugged her waist while she was staring at the place where the carriage left. The employees standing behind now avoided their gaze very skilfully. Even Valia had adapted a lot to his sudden touch.

“Aren’t you being too generous to someone who came to apologize?”

“But I just served her a cup of tea.”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t even give her a cup of tea. Let alone seeing her off.”

If it were Schuden, he would never serve her in the annex. He would just let her wait outside the office for about three hours. The reason he came out to see Duchess Billiam off was that Valia was also there. While still in his embrace, Valia looked up at Schuden.

“But she’s a Duchess.”

“The Garth name is better in terms of power.”

Valia laughed out loud. 

He was right. The only thing that Garth was inferior to in Billiam was the title. The Garth family was at the forefront of everything, including military position, dominance in politics and business, and real influence on the nobles. The reason Duchess Billiam came to the manor herself was that such public affairs could not be ignored.

“I know. Still, there’s nothing wrong with being polite. She is a Duchess and I’m a Marchioness.”

‘Should I ask for a Dukedom?’

It was already four times that Schuden declined when the Emperor offered him the title of Duke. Schuden seriously thought that he should reconsider the position of the Duke, which he refused every time because he was not interested. Of course, Valia had no idea of his thoughts.

Schuden and Valia walked into the yard together. He hugged her waist and held hands with her together. After being quietly nervous about dealing with Duchess Billiam, the gentle breeze gradually lifted Valia’s mood. 

“Valia.”

Valia was playing around and touching his cold firm hands, she answered.

“Yes, Schu.”

“What happened at the Imperial banquet? I heard earlier that Young Lady Billiam was rude to you.”

No matter what Valia answered, Schuden was determined to find out a little about what had happened at the Imperial banquet. But before that, it would be good to at least listen to what Valia had to say about it.

“Young Lady Billiam said something bad to me.”

“Something bad?”

“Yes.”

Valia rolled her eyes. Her silvery-gray eyes looked up at Schuden’s red eyes. When she saw the curious look in his eyes, Valia said calmly.

“She brought your former woman in front of me.”

Schuden stopped walking without realizing it. For the first time since his wedding, his eyes shook mercilessly.