If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 41
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Agatha thought there might be something more behind her actions, but seeing Boudica’s eyes twinkling at the mention of Cain’s name, it seemed she was merely curious due to the rumors that had stirred up the capital.
“So, it seems the rumor about the betrothal with Princess Alexandra was indeed false.”
Mentioning Princess Alexandra’s name in front of Agatha, his betrothed, was clearly a form of mockery. Whether it was directed at Agatha, Princess Alexandra, or both remained unclear.
Just as Grand Duke Norfolk had a strained relationship with his brother, Emperor Vlahova, the Grand Duchess had an equally strained relationship with the Empress and her daughter, Alexandra.
While the Grand Duke might be lacking the Emperor’s trust due to the sensitive issue of imperial power, the Grand Duchess’s animosity toward the Empress and her daughter stemmed from simpler reasons.
Before her marriage, Boudica had been renowned for her ebony-like hair and her strikingly beautiful azure eyes that shone like jewels. She was considered a beauty so captivating that she could enchant the Grand Duke who held the highest status at the time aside from the Emperor.
With her high status and striking appearance, it was only natural for her to be accustomed to a life where she was the center of attention. She wanted to be the protagonist wherever she went, enjoying the pleasure of attracting people’s attention, winning their favor, and receiving awe-struck gazes.
However, her greed was repeatedly thwarted when facing the Empress. In the presence of the Empress, she always had to yield the protagonist’s position and was consistently relegated to a secondary role, which was a source of Boudica’s discontent.
It was almost laughable that the Grand Duchess harbored animosity towards the Empress and the Princess for such simple reasons. The thoughts of a high-ranking noble were no different from those of a five-year-old.
Grand Duke Norfolk’s declaration that he would welcome Boudica as his Grand Duchess barely three months after losing his first wife to illness might have been due solely to this naivety, which was proportional to her beauty.
“People always gossip as they please and only hear what they want to hear.”
Even with Boudica’s mocking words, Agatha’s face remained unchanged. A smile even graced her calm response. One might have expected her to blush or bite her lip, but she did none of those.
Boudica set down her teacup.
“What was the reason behind Marquis Vernat taking your hand, even if becoming the Emperor’s son-in-law position was at stake?”
That Cain Vernat to be swayed by something as trivial as love was out of the question. Boudica had already decided this within herself, yet her eyes twinkled as she asked. It was a face that seemed genuinely curious rather than contemptuous.
How can she ask such a sensitive question with such an innocent face?
Agatha concealed her emotions and lowered her gaze into the teacup, as if she could hide her thoughts within it.
“I doubt that it’s because of love that Sir Cain acted in such a manner.”
“If it’s not love, then what could have prompted Marquis Vernat to take the hand of someone as unremarkable as myself? No matter how you look at it, there’s no benefit that the Marquis would gain from me.”
The terms of their marriage contract were a secret between the two of them. Other than that, there was nothing more to say to the young Grand Duchess, who was needlessly suspicious of their relationship.
“Hmm. If you insist, there’s nothing more to say.”
“I’m not insisting. I’m simply stating the facts.”
Unseen blades flew back and forth between the two as they exchanged words with smiles. The Grand Duchess was known for her unrestrained behavior, but Agatha, who didn’t back down, was also out of the ordinary.
Ethan couldn’t help but find it surprising that Agatha didn’t stop her gentle smile nor get angry at the question that crossed the line. The Lady Kristin he remembered was like a delicate, young flower petal.
He felt he might have some inkling as to why Cain was fond of the Lady. Despite Cain’s claim that he only felt a sense of kinship with Agatha because she reminded him of a lost sister from his childhood, Ethan didn’t believe a word of it. Cain wasn’t the sentimental type to go through with a marriage just because he was reminded of a sister.
Ethan discreetly surveyed the surroundings. It was the Grand Duke’s estate, so there likely wasn’t any imminent danger, but habit made him keep an eye on the vicinity of the person he had to protect.
Having arrived in the Grand Duke’s carriage, she would also leave in the same carriage. He still didn’t understand why the Grand Duchess prevented them from accompanying Agatha under the pretext of sending the carriage as a gesture of goodwill.
He hoped the envoy he sent to His Excellency arrived safely. If he’s busy with his duties at the Knights Order, he might have missed the envoy to the Marquis’s estate. There shouldn’t be any problems, but Ethan still tensed his body, trying to minimize any variables that might deviate from the plan, allowing him to handle any unexpected situation.
Despite that, the tea time with the Grand Duchess continued for a long time. It wasn’t until the sun began to set that Boudica left the audience room, leaving behind the words, “I’m tired from entertaining guests after a long time, so I should retire now.”
It was an action that showed no courtesy toward the guest she had invited.
As Ethan had anticipated, on the way back, Agatha and the escort knights had to ride in different carriages. Without warning, the Grand Duchess whimsically summoned people and then left.
Liana muttered that it was hard to understand the Grand Duchess’s capricious behavior.
