TGDHC Chapter 95

Chapter 95 – “Excuse”:

Her sharp remark stung me a little, so I softened my tone and tried to placate the Marchioness.

“Still, you’re lucky. When I first arrived at the Grand Duke’s castle, I was completely shut inside and couldn’t even step out.”

Reminding her that the duchy was designated as a military zone made her expression ease a bit.

“But it’s so boring—I can’t live like this!” she complained, lips jutting out.

“At least call for a jeweler. Or a dressmaker. Surely you have those even in the North?”

“You don’t have any money.”

“W-what did you just say?” she sputtered, as though insulted by a beggar’s pity.

“Can’t I at least window shop? And who says I have no money! Did you forget I’m the Marchioness?”

True, she had seen me back when I was still in the Marquis’s house—so she was probably shocked to hear such words from me now.

“If the Fasie family will cover the cost, I can call a dressmaker for you,” I allowed at last.

I was already exhausted from our back-and-forth since morning. At first, I had no intention of giving her anything—but if a simple visit from a seamstress would stop her complaints, then maybe it was the practical choice.

“Call the same place where you had your dresses made.”

Though she frowned at the mention of payment, in the end she sulked and agreed. Since yesterday, she had been eyeing my dresses with envy, remarking more than once how different they looked from capital styles.

Well, at least she has some taste.

“I’ll send word to Coutere soon. Madame Ramondria is quite skilled.”

“What? Ramondria?”

The Marchioness widened her eyes. “She opened a shop in Blenheim?”

“You know her?”

“Of course. For a while she was the most sought-after dressmaker in the capital—until Ladriel ruined her.”

“What do you mean?” I asked quickly.

She gave me a strange look. “Don’t you remember? Ladriel’s debutante gown.”

From her jumbled explanation, I pieced it together: Ladriel had demanded the most extravagant gown for her coming-out ball. Ramondria made one, but Ladriel kept insisting on adding more jewels and ornaments. Eventually, the dressmaker refused, saying it violated imperial etiquette.

After that, rumors spread maligning Ramondria. She lost her clients, even to her own former apprentice, and was forced to close her shop.

“That was because of Ladriel?”

“There was no proof, but isn’t it obvious?” the Marchioness whispered. “I’m still afraid of that girl. Who knows what she might do if displeased?”

My head went blank for a moment.

Madame must have known all this, right?

No wonder she’d been so nervous when we first met. She must have been shocked to run into me here in the North—yet she still treated me kindly, never once letting it show.

Why do I have to feel guilty everywhere I go, even for things I never did?

I sighed softly. “How long will you be staying?”

“I don’t know. We’ll leave when Raphael’s vacation ends, I suppose…”

The door opened just then. She hastily switched to formal speech, but relaxed again when she saw it was only Raphael and Janet.

Raphael, in cute suspenders, had just finished dressing. While I greeted my little brother warmly, Leta poured tea.

Janet waved Leta off rudely, then turned to me with a smile.

“Your Grace, may I ask a favor?”

“What is it?”

“Could I use the servants’ passageways too? To attend properly to Madam and Young Master, I need to fetch things often. But the visitor’s corridors are blocked in places, and so inconvenient…”

Her syrupy voice made my skin crawl.

“Why?” I asked bluntly.

She twisted her body coyly. “It’s just—”

I glanced at Leta, who I had already instructed to keep an eye on the Marchioness.

“Leta?”

Leta spoke crisply: “Whatever is needed, just tell me or the maids. We’ll bring it.”

“You heard her,” I said.

“But Your Grace—!” Janet protested.

“That’s enough,” the Marchioness cut her off irritably. “It didn’t work for me either. Don’t waste your energy.”

Janet bit her lip in frustration.

“Soon a delegation from Rondoris will arrive,” I said, looking between them.

“Please keep quiet and stay out of sight until they leave. Especially you, Janet. The Blenheim knights are nothing like me—they’re truly terrifying.”

“What do you mean, Your Grace? I would never—” Janet’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Oh, but you would.

The Marquis had married off his own daughter to block relations between Rondoris and Blenheim. There was no way he’d let this diplomatic opportunity pass unused. I wouldn’t put any scheme past Janet.

“If my suspicion offends you, you’re free to return to the capital right now.”

Janet feigned hurt. “How could you say that, when young master Raphael was so excited to see you?”

No, you can go back alone.

Before I could retort, Raphael muttered, “I don’t like it here.”

“What do you mean?” Janet forced a smile. “Didn’t you once say you liked the Grand Duke because he was so impressive? Don’t you remember?”

“Really?” the Marchioness asked dully.

Janet nodded eagerly. “The young master admires strong men.”

“That was… before I knew he was marrying my sister,” Raphael mumbled.

His pouty face was so endearing, I almost laughed. Just then, Cecilia came in to announce my next schedule. Grateful for the excuse, I ended the tea session early—much to the Marchioness and Janet’s visible annoyance.

Afterwards, Raphael tugged my hand and whispered, “Sister, come here.”

He pulled me into his room, left me standing in the small sitting area, and darted into his bedroom. He returned with a small jewel box.

“What’s this?”

“A wedding present for you.”

“What?”

Surprised, I carefully opened it. Inside lay a delicate hairpin set with a small sapphire.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

“Do you like it?” he asked nervously.

I nodded hard.

“I saved up all my allowance to buy it,” he said proudly.

My chest ached. This little boy had bought me a wedding gift with his pocket money. His bright eyes shone as he placed it in my hands.

“Pin it in your hair, Sister.”

I bent down so he could. But as he reached, he froze.

“…Did the Grand Duke give you that one?”

“Eh?”

He was staring at the sapphire hairpin already pinned in my hair. It looked similar, but the stone was far larger and more transparent—a finer jewel. He must not have noticed it earlier.

His face clouded with disappointment.

“No, this one’s from Ferdinand,” I explained quickly.

“From my brother?” Raphael’s eyes widened.

“Why so shocked?”

“It’s just… no one but me ever gave you gifts like that before. So it feels strange.”

“It was a wedding gift from him,” I said.

But inside, my heart lurched. The jewelry I pawned… were they all from Raphael?

I had sold everything I once owned without hesitation. If he knew, it would break his heart.

At least this one, I’ll treasure forever, I vowed, stroking his soft brown curls.

“Raphael, yours is my favorite,” I said warmly.

“Really?” His dimples deepened with a grin. But then he tilted his head.

“What about the Grand Duke?”

“…Hm?”

“Didn’t he give you anything?”

In the hallway, Cecilia had paused, ears pricked. Through the half-open door she heard their muffled conversation.

“I—I got a ring. My wedding ring,” Annette’s voice said.

“That’s all?”

“…The dress! This dress was a gift from him.”

“…A dress?”

“And the flower garden! He gave me a flower garden too.”

A boy’s heavy sigh followed.

“Sister, why don’t you just come back to the capital with us?”

Cecilia’s eyes flew wide open.