The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke

If the gate breaks down, the passage is closed. It takes a long time to reconnect, and during that time, people are trapped in another dimension.

Fortunately, everyone survived and was rescued, but because they were trapped in another dimension, they all went insane.

‘That’s why Aria had to travel to the western contaminated area without using the gate, and that’s why she ended up visiting the area where I bought the tea plantation.’

Grace pursed her lips.

‘Why didn’t I remember that disaster?’ 

Grace sighed with disappointment about her memory.

She could remember other things well, but why couldn’t she remember such a terrible event?

However, if she were to have the gate inspected right now and prevent the incident beforehand, Grace would suffer a significant loss from buying the tea plantation.

In the first place, she only bought it, in anticipation of Aria’s blessing.

If she couldn’t secure high-quality tea leaves next year, she wouldn’t be able to compete with other tea brands in terms of product quality from next year.

‘But I can’t put money above people.’

If Grace’s business was solely hers, it wouldn’t matter if it failed. Although it would be bitter, her life wouldn’t become bleak just because her business failed.

However, Grace started this business not to start a life of luxury or pursue her own dreams, but for Cleta and the children of the orphanage.

“….”

Grace pondered.

She would rather not remember if that was the case.

But then she suddenly snapped out of her thoughts.

‘No.’

One should never have such thoughts. Because knowing the problem means it can be fixed and prevented.

‘There must be a way to solve both.’

Why did the gate suddenly break down in the first place?

This was information that even the most devoted fan of “The Saint’s Wish” wouldn’t know. No matter how much the author loved the setting, if they only wrote about the gate, it would be a setting book, not a novel.

And what Grace read was a novel.

Therefore, it was not explained why the gate had broken down.

‘No, it’s a pretty big event, why isn’t it written?’

Is it because the love between Aria and Sylvester has nothing to do with it? Maybe they just needed a scene where Aria and Sylvester travel by train and carriage for a few days.

Grace understood.

Meanwhile, Sylvester saw many towns and grew in the process.

‘But at least they could have mentioned the timing.’

Grace bowed her head again, wearing the hood of her cloak.

“I think you’re doing well, so I’ll go back now. Was there anyone strange around here?”

“No, fortunately not.”

“However, when things get a little more comfortable later on, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hire some guards. Since there are only women and children.”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Grace’s advice. It was something that everyone knew without even saying it.

‘Let’s go to the gate management office first.’

She didn’t expect to learn anything by going, but it was better than not going at all.

Anyway, it was okay to stay past dinner tonight. Everyone secretly hoped that Sylvester and Grace wouldn’t run into each other.

It was understandable. Sylvester and Grace’s personalities were polar opposites.

‘Sylvester isn’t a bad person, but he has a significant difference in how he treats his own people versus others.’

And Grace wasn’t one of Sylvester’s “own people.”

As Benjamin’s wife, she would still be somewhat favorably treated, but Sylvester was known for being very straightforward.

‘He said he wasn’t a bad person, but it’s still uncomfortable.’

Anyway, it was likely that Aria would fix things later, but until then, Grace avoided meeting Sylvester.

“Madam, where are you going? Would you like to ride in the carriage?”

A coachman called out to Grace in a natural tone.

“….”

Grace was wary of strangers talking to her, which made her uncomfortable and scared.

“…I can walk…thanks.”

Perhaps because a stranger suddenly spoke to her, Grace’s voice didn’t sound natural.

She herself was also unfamiliar with her small, trembling voice coming out of her throat, but what was more strange was the sudden emergence of her guard and faint fear.

‘Ah.’

And she realized the cause of these emotions as she looked at the appearance of the coachman.

This unfamiliar coachman resembled the man she saw on the festival day.

“Where are you going?”

“…To the Gate Management Office.”

The coachman was surprised by Grace’s answer and spoke in an exaggerated manner. “Oh my, it’s not too far, but for the lady’s weak body, it would be a big problem to walk! I’ll only charge you the basic fare, so please ride!”

Grace couldn’t refuse the persuasive coachman. If she asked for help here, the guards hiding nearby would appear and stop him.

‘But there’s no need to go that far…’

Grace thought she should firmly refuse while looking at the coachman who had come up to her, but she couldn’t bring herself to push him away.