I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Madame Benoit was no stranger to rumors of Marquise Naphier’s extraordinary devotion to her hard-won only child.

For a noble family like the one she married into, the only remaining issue of concern was the matter of the heir’s marriage.

The fact that they hadn’t made a definitive decision by that age indicated that they, too, were weighing various possibilities.

“She cleverly pretended to help while working hard behind the scenes. Compared to her strong sisters, that child was probably the most manageable.”

It might have been nothing more than an insurance policy before finding a better match, but such caution ended up inviting trouble instead.

Ultimately, losing the young lady they had been eyeing for so long must have been quite a blow.

“Will is quite greedy. If he’s going to have everything, he should at least have modest tastes when it comes to women to maintain balance.”

Considering Madame Benoit’s somewhat twisted personality, such praise was practically unparalleled.

Thanks to Lady Naphier’s arrival, everything had been smooth sailing and endlessly joyful.

Until yesterday.

“What’s the matter?”

The master, whose mood hardly fluctuated, seemed unusually serious today, emitting an air of low pressure.

The Duke, who had been unusually serious, instructed Jade to bring Freesia’s health records.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Of course. They say she was naturally healthy, and if she had studied martial arts properly, she could have taken down a boar.”

“Then the story becomes even stranger.”

Even if he had fallen asleep, he could be certain it wasn’t a dream. The question remained as to why she had suddenly mentioned death.

“Did you upset your wife by any chance?”

“Of course not, she’s been giving me a lap pillow every day since yesterday.”

It was partly the result of his own coercion, but the Duke willingly kept his mouth shut.

“She must be happy. Saying you want to die doesn’t mean you actually want to die; it means you don’t want to die. She’s satisfied with the present, so perhaps she said that?”

It was a thinly veiled attempt to protect the master’s feelings, but the Duke quite liked the sentiment.

“Well, even if the god of death comes knocking, I’ll just have to cut him down.”

“The information you requested is here.”

Even Madame Benoit’s remark about his greed had some merit.

With that thought, Jade handed the Duke the information he had requested about Princess Hyacinth.

Until he was first proposed to, he hadn’t cared the least bit about the princess.

He couldn’t fathom why he was being instructed to investigate now, even when the imperial family had practically been pushing for the marriage. Nevertheless, as he examined the recent developments, the Duke couldn’t help but smirk.

“The princess seems to view Freesia very favorably.”

“The Lady?”

“That woman is capable of changing her attitude at will if it serves her interests.”

Before anyone could forget that she had initially set her sights on the Duke, the princess quickly changed her stance without a hint of hesitation and openly attempted to showcase her friendship with Freesia, now his wife.

“Even if that’s the case with the princess, why did you accept her proposal?”

“If she had been seeking power, she wouldn’t have been so easily swayed by mere flattery.”

“Then…”

“She tried hard to protect my secret. Quite cleverly.”

“Did she find out?”

At Jade’s puzzled question, the Duke casually nodded.

“Not at all. I can’t even begin to guess.”

No matter how much Hyacinth was praised as a royal princess, it would be too easy for her to assassinate just one princess if she set her mind to it.

If she had been needlessly provoked, she would have been silenced with poison, but for some reason, she took the initiative, missing the chance to strike first.

“Swallow the sweet and spit out the bitter. She doesn’t hesitate to use others when necessary.”

“It’s widely rumored that the emperor is considering the princess over the inadequate crown prince.”

“Nonsense.”

Even if she was overflowing with talent, if her character was flawed, it couldn’t be discerned just by appearance alone, as she never revealed it.

Her true nature was revealed when she was ousted at the moment of trust and coercion by the imperial family.

If such a person were to wield power, who knew what tragedy might occur.

“If she does anything unnecessary, it won’t be too late to get rid of her then.”

“I will continue to keep an eye on her.”

At the moment of coercion, the princess’s downfall was already predetermined, but suddenly, due to an unwelcome guest, the Duke’s mind changed.

Moreover, even though Freesia had no idea what his secret was, she never asked what it was, believing that secrets only hold value when they remain secrets.

Furthermore, if she were to see her attitude, Princess Hyacinth would be even more cautious about revealing secrets.

“If you’ve managed to get to this, you’re truly remarkable.”

“Indeed.”

He had been foolish, unknowingly asking if her sister was better multiple times. Facing the Duke’s indifferent response, Jade lowered his head in embarrassment.

* * *

“Etchew, etchew!”

“Are you alright, Freesia?”

When two sudden sneezes came in succession, they said it meant someone was talking about you.

With a shiver, Freesia tightened the reins.

“I’m still inexperienced at horseback riding. I must have been nervous.”

Social gatherings among ladies typically stayed far from the outdoors.

From the position where the invitees placed their letters to the manner and order of eating snacks, any deviation could turn the gathering into a silent battlefield, where any misstep became fodder for laughter.

If it had been such a setting, it might have been somewhat uncomfortable, but there was something different about gatherings involving the princess.

“How refreshing.”

Taking into consideration Freesia’s lack of experience in horseback riding, Princess Hyacinth, displaying her proficiency, reassured that they would only lightly tour the course today.

“This was built by my Father for me.”

Listening to the princess’s pride, Freesia glanced at the people gathered here today.

“Diverse. Something.”

From the daughter of Lord Roser, who had once sold her name to draw her into his service, to the daughter of an academy professor who was introduced as belonging to the gentry class.

With the increased exchange with the Eastern continent, the industrial revolution utilizing magic devices, and the activation of a monetary economy, a so-called “emerging wealthy class” had emerged, which had garnered some reputation and social status.

“They’re calling upon people who can help maintain their power.”

Even nobles who were content with income from their estates alone had now begun to engage in “business” in order to avoid decline.

Once they had noble status, they could monopolize businesses that were unquestionably more beneficial than those of the commoners.

Rose, too, was a successful member of this emerging nobility, but it was none other than Duke Crowford who was effectively utilizing this system within the country.

From laying down railways to advancements in basic science.

Just fifteen years ago, using candles was still common, but the magic device revolution led by Crowford brought innovation to everyday life, allowing people to enjoy light even late at night and use clean water.

Thanks to this, Crowford boasted a robust financial situation, so much so that even astronomical costs to torment the protagonist wouldn’t shake his finances.

“So that’s why he dragged me into this.”

Now in an awkward position where even the royal family had to be cautious, they had attempted to marry off Freesia to the princess, but since that plan failed, it was clear they were trying to involve Freesia even belatedly.

“Within the club, feel free to address me by my name. Here, please call me Hyacinth.”

Since the princess said so first, they naturally began to address each other by their names. And after the horseback riding session ended, some ladies who seemed to be of similar age as Lily approached cautiously and struck up a conversation.

“F-Freesia, it’s truly an honor to meet you like this.”

“You can call me Freesia comfortably.”

It was a formal greeting, but for some reason, the girls blushed and didn’t know what to do.

At first glance, while they had been seen a few times at balls, they hadn’t conversed with most of them.

“I’ve heard a lot about Lady Lily. It’s such a pleasure to finally have a chance to talk, oh, how wonderful it is.”

“Our Lily?”

Unlike Freesia, who was a homebody, Lily had adapted to social circles and often showed up at various places. And subtly, she sold cosmetics enthusiastically to aristocratic young ladies who ignored her.

“These cookies are handmade by my sister. You can’t even imagine.”

“I heard Lady Lily chose all the dresses she wore!”

Although Lily had been raised with much affection, I never imagined she would openly discuss such matters.

It was a bit embarrassing, but still, Freesia didn’t mind the admiring gazes of the young ladies.

“U-um, may I also call you sister?”

“That’s fine. You can call me sister anytime.”

I wondered how much she had boasted about it. This time, Madame Rose’s peers approached and offered pastries to Freesia.

“I’ve heard a lot about Lady Devlanc.”

“About my sister?”

“She swore never to marry him. Rose cried so bitterly, it broke our hearts.”

Today, at the gathering, Lady Raverey, the eldest present, for some reason, looked at Freesia with eyes that seemed to be evaluating her daughter, then offered her some pastries.

“When Rose announced her intention to become a lady-in-waiting, I’m ashamed to say we all thought she was being reckless to say the least.”

“That’s…”

“You must understand, that’s no easy feat. Despite all our efforts to dissuade her, Rose persisted.”

Freesia had said she could do it, and she didn’t want to abandon that belief.

Even if the whole world said it couldn’t be done, Freesia believed she could do it, so she didn’t want to give up.

“Through every adversity, Rose never faltered, all to protect a single flower that bloomed in her shadow.”

At the mention of her sister’s tears, Freesia’s heart also ached.

But before she could dwell on it, three very excited young ladies approached, sparkling with excitement, and tightly grasped Freesia’s hands.

“You say that every night the Duke has been hiding in the rue Devlanc, away from Rose’s eyes? Please tell us the secret of how he did it.”

“T-The secret, what do you mean by that?”

Despite Lady Rose’s staunch opposition, the rumor of the power of love prevailing between the two had already taken root.

Naturally, people’s curiosity shifted to the secret behind how the two managed to nurture their love despite Rose’s strict surveillance.

“Did the Duke cross over to personally visit Lady Freesia’s room?”

“Please, tell us. What’s the secret to communicating while evading surveillance?”

Ladies with lovers from different backgrounds seemed fixated on avoiding their parents’ surveillance…

“They must have used a method similar to what’s mentioned in Alster’s book.”

Upon hearing one lady’s remark, it suddenly dawned on her.

Could there be someone here who knows our writer!

“Smile Love”