Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 104

Episode 104

People seemed to be glancing over in our direction as if they thought we were having an important conversation, but they just looked and didn’t approach. 

I chatted with Adelhardt, thinking that we were discussing something important.

“Oh, right. The atmosphere leaving the palace today was a bit strange.”

“Hmm? How so?”

“It felt like they were a little hostile towards me. Do you happen to know anything about it?”

“It’s probably because of the rumors.”

Rumors again. Judging by the reaction, they didn’t sound like good rumors.

I sighed, and Adelhardt rested his elbow on the table and propped his chin up.

“But what’s your relationship with Viscountess Morgane?”

I didn’t have a specific term for it. I didn’t consider her my mother, and she didn’t act as a mother to me either.

“It’s not a close relationship.”

“That’s how it looks. Viscountess Morgane has been spreading negative rumors about Nelly.”

“What kind of rumors?”

“The naked ones?”

“Yes, it’ll be easier to deal with if you’re direct.”

He proceeded to list the rumors, from those that originated directly from Viscountess Morgane’s mouth to others that had passed through various people. 

Unlike the previous rumors, which were just gossip, this time the rumors were malicious.

‘Why are my rumors so extreme?’

I chuckled inwardly and got up from my seat.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“What’s there between us?”

I had thought we would exchange pleasantries and part ways, but he followed me.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to give her a warning.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Yes!”

Having another person on my side made me feel safer. I nodded and walked briskly towards the upscale inn where the woman was staying.

Once inside, Adelhardt was quickly surrounded by people, who seemed unwilling to let him escape.

My sense of security vanished. I left him and approached the front desk to call for the innkeeper.

“Tell Viscountess Morgane that Nelly Pepper is here.”

The place briefly fell silent upon hearing my words, then erupted into a low murmur. It was too noisy to make out anything specific.

After a short wait, the innkeeper came down.

“She requests your presence in room 204.”

Following the innkeeper, I looked back at Adelhardt. He seemed to be reassuring me with a smile as if telling me not to worry.

He wasn’t surrounded by people because he couldn’t push through them, but because he wanted to clarify the rumors and dispel misunderstandings.

Leaving the now-secure Adelhardt behind, I followed the innkeeper upstairs. When I knocked on the door, it was quickly opened.

“Welcome, Lady Pepper.”

A maid stepped aside, offering a polite greeting. I replied briefly and entered the room. Viscountess Morgane rushed forward and grasped my hand.

“Nelly, I thought you’d come.”

She welcomed me with an expression that showed not a hint of hostility. She led me to the sofa and placed a variety of fine teas and snacks on the table. It was an excessive display of hospitality.

At this point, I wondered if she had spread the rumor to invite me.

Was this a trap? Memories of the poisoned strawberry compote pudding came to mind, so I deliberately avoided touching any of the tea and cookies.

“It would have been even better if Duke Leonel had come with you. Please bring him next time.”

“That won’t happen.”

I stared directly into Viscountess Morgane’s eyes.

“I came to give you a warning.”

“What?” 

“Please stop spreading rumors that I’m a thief or have bad habits. And from now on, refrain from making slanderous remarks about me.”

“…”

“If my relationship with you as my mother becomes known, it will be inconvenient for you.”

“That’s…!”

Viscountess Morgane half-rose from her seat.

I waited until she had settled back down before continuing.

“I don’t consider you my mother. That’s why I haven’t revealed our relationship.”

“So, you’re threatening me now? Saying that if I don’t want to be exposed for entering a sham marriage, I should just keep my mouth shut?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“How, how can you do this to your mother?”

“What you did was something a mother would do to her daughter, right?”

She couldn’t respond, gripping the hem of her dress. Tears welled up in her angry, resentful eyes, but I felt no sympathy.

“Just live as if we’re strangers. Just like we’ve done until now.”

“Then what about me? My reputation! If I keep quiet after you’ve left, what will people think of me?”

“People will probably think of you as someone who maliciously spreads baseless rumors. But it’s a situation you brought upon yourself.”

“Nelly, you’re really…!”

“I trust you’ll know which choices will be beneficial to you. Goodbye.”

I heard crying from behind, but I didn’t look back. 

As I came downstairs, a few people gave me glances. There was almost no hostile stare. It seemed that Adelhardt had cleared up the misunderstandings caused by the rumors.

‘Where’s Adelhardt?’

As I wandered around, I quickly spotted a gathering of people. Adelhardt, who had spotted me, emerged from the crowd.

“Nelly, I’ve called for the carriage.”

“Thank you.”

I boarded the carriage with him. We hadn’t been out for long, but it felt like all my energy had drained away. I already felt overwhelmed by the thought of correcting the rumors.

I sighed, and Adelhardt, who had been gazing out of the window, turned his head.

“Is it because of the rumors?”

“Yes…”

“What’s your plan?”

“I have to confront them head-on!”

I had occasionally faced misunderstandings when working for my uncle’s family, as a penniless wanderer doing odd jobs. I heard accusations that I had bad habits or tried to seduce people due to wandering alone. These rumors were baseless, but they stuck.

At first, I ignored them because I found them bothersome, but they soon became nearly accepted truths and spread uncontrollably.

That’s when I learned that you can’t simply ignore rumors. You have to clarify as succinctly and confidently as possible. Even if not everyone believes you, it’s the best way to reduce misunderstandings.

I nodded firmly, and Adelhardt smiled.

“Would you like some help?”

“To clarify the rumors?”

“Yeah. While it’s admirable for Nelly to speak up herself, it’s not the noble way.”

He must be talking about how it’s like marking oneself with “no influence or backing.” However, I had no such backing!

Even so, I had no intention of refusing Adelhardt’s help. He was more experienced in dealing with this kind of situation.

“Then, Adelhardt, please help nobly. I’ll handle it my way.”

“That’s a good plan.”

After getting off the carriage, Adelhardt left, saying he had to meet someone. I entered the palace alone, and I could still hear hostile gazes and mocking remarks here and there.

I deliberately walked slowly, listening to the murmurs and laughter. Then, I headed towards the spot where most people had gathered.

“Hello.”

“Lady Pepper.”

Still, even their polite smiles were tinged with embarrassment and awkwardness.

“I haven’t committed embezzlement or theft, and I have no idea how to maintain double-entry bookkeeping.”

“Oh, well…”

As I confessed casually, I noticed the nobles visibly flustered.

“Also, if I were the kind of person who could easily seduce Leonel, I would have been a married woman a long time ago.”

“That’s true.”

One of the nobles who had been listening blankly nodded instinctively.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

The nobles coughed awkwardly and avoided my gaze. Finally, one of them stepped forward with an awkward smile.

“Lady Pepper, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to spread rumors.”

“That’s okay! I just thought you were curious, so I wanted to explain it myself. Please, feel free to ask.”

At first glance, it seemed like a peaceful parting. The atmosphere wasn’t bad, and the volume of the conversation was loud enough that most people must have overheard it.

I decided to leave it at that for today and go rest inside. Next time, I should join them for tea or something.

I smiled and replied to those who invited me to do so, then went upstairs to my room. Once I lay down on the bed, I felt a wave of relaxation wash over me.

It was then that I realized something:

‘I’ve been so tense all along.’

I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. As I sighed and pulled the blanket closer, I muttered to myself.

“I miss Leonel…”

Perhaps my muttered words had some effect because Leonel returned earlier than he had anticipated.

I sprang up as soon as I heard the door opening. 

“Leonel!”

He embraced me tightly, wrapping his arms around my waist. I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his. He didn’t break our kiss as he carried me to the bed.

Once he laid me down, I gazed at him, my legs dangling off the edge of the bed. He climbed down from on top of me.

I yanked his arm towards me and burrowed my head into his chest. 

“What happened?”

I nodded and rested my ear against his chest. His warm body and the sound of his heartbeat brought some comfort.

Only then did I tell him about everything that had happened. Leonel listened, running his fingers through my hair. After a while, he let out a thoughtful hum.

“Hmm…”

He paused for a moment before speaking softly.

“Rumors and the fatigue recovery potion business…”

“Why?”

“No, it’s nothing. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I’m okay. I’m used to dealing with this sort of thing.”

I squeezed his arms around me, and with my head lifted, I saw Leonel furrowing his brows, looking at me like he felt sorry for me.

Still, I wanted to tell him. I brought up all the discrimination, ignorance, and suspicion I had faced, in my life as a wanderer.

Leonel listened quietly, occasionally giving me a reassuring kiss on my forehead.

“Even though I used to feel lonely thinking about those times when I was alone, now I’m okay.”

“Yeah. Now you belong to Altwood, and I’m here by your side.”

His words melted the persistent loneliness.

The comfort I received now was something I probably couldn’t explain with words for the rest of my life.