The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke - Chapter 111
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Rumors about Grace’s actions at the palace spread swiftly across the empire.
Some gossip publications attempted to circulate scandalous stories about her. However, no matter how much they exaggerated the falsehoods, the sheer number of witnesses to the truth rendered their efforts futile.
Among those witnesses stood the influential Marquisate of Charles, a dominant force in high society.
It was through Grace that they met Aria, and during Grace’s absence, Aria, purely out of goodwill, offered a blessing to Madam Charles’ daughter-in-law, Lady Charles.
Even in an unofficial setting, a Saintess’s blessing carried great significance. The Charles family rejoiced, believing that the child would surely be born healthy and that Lady Charles would maintain good health.
When Grace received a thank-you letter from the Charles family, she was completely taken aback. She hadn’t been aware that such an event had unfolded during her absence.
‘So that’s why everyone was gone then,’ she thought.
Upon receiving the Saintess’s unexpected blessing, Lady Charles quickly returned home, fearing—albeit irrationally—that lingering outside might somehow disperse the blessing.
With the central figure gone, the remaining attendees shared a few brief exchanges before departing. Then, left on her own, Aria wandered aimlessly, only to inadvertently end up in ‘that situation.’
‘So that’s what happened…’ Grace thought, finally understanding the truth. She couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
However, the Charles family, who had benefited from the incident, expressed their gratitude to Grace for introducing Aria. Thus, upon hearing about the subsequent events, they were even more outraged than Grace herself.
Using their social standing, they actively spread the truth at salons and clubs.
Since Lady Charles needed to focus on her pregnancy, Madam Charles took the lead. Although she was on the brink of retiring from society, her long-standing influence ensured she still commanded a loyal following.
Thanks to their efforts, interpretations of the scandal published in gossip magazines began to change.
“……”
Before Boris arrived, Grace had completed her light exercise and was perfectly prepared to receive her guest. Realizing she had some time to spare, she decided to enjoy a leisurely walk.
There, she encountered Benjamin, who appeared to be in an exceptionally good mood.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Yes, there has been a good development.”
He kept grinning and chuckling, seemingly trying his best to suppress an outburst of laughter.
“What have you so pleased?”
Seeing him this unusually happy made Grace curious, so she cautiously asked him.
“Well, while I haven’t really been able to do what I wanted properly until now, things are proceeding somewhat favorably this time.”
“Is it about a family matter?”
“If you think about it, yes, it’s related to the family. It would be a big problem without it.”
‘Is he talking about magic stones or magic tool business?’
But that had always been flourishing. Grace eyed Benjamin, who seemed unwilling to outright discuss it, with a skeptical look.
At that, he appeared somewhat embarrassed.
“No matter how much you look at me like that, it won’t do. If I tell you, My Lady, you might be disappointed in me.”
“……Hmm.”
Grace muttered thoughtfully and then eyed Benjamin’s attire. He was wearing a coat.
“So, where are you off to?”
“Ah, before going with you, I have a personal appointment at the Magic Tool Association headquarters.”
“For personal business? Did you have a prior engagement?”
“Yes, I had scheduled it previously. I scheduled it for today because I was busy, but if I’d known the priest was coming, I would have chosen another day. Unfortunately, it’s not something I can postpone.”
Actually, it would be easier for Grace to carry out her plans without Benjamin around, so she just smiled.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll handle everything without making any mistakes.”
“Mistakes? If anyone from the temple’s side dares to show you any discourtesy, feel free to tell me everything, down to the last detail. You can even throw in a couple of extra complaints if you like.”
As Benjamin grinned, casually suggesting she could even report things that hadn’t happened, Grace was about to gape in response when he burst out laughing again.
“I’m joking.”
“R-Right?”
“Probably.”
‘Probably?’
“Yes, such actions would be illegal and improper, wouldn’t they? So, I will make every effort to avoid committing them.”
Benjamin smiled casually and gave Grace a slight nod.
“Then, I’ll be off, My Lady. I sincerely hope nothing unpleasant happens to you.”
It was a genuinely kind remark, but Grace couldn’t help but notice something unsettling about that sentence.
‘What about everyone else?’
Shouldn’t it be that no unsavory incidents should occur in this mansion at all? Of course, as her husband, it made sense for him to be concerned about her.
However, his deliberate emphasis on her alone made it seem as though, no matter what else might happen, as long as Grace remained unharmed, Benjamin would cover it up under his authority.
‘No, this isn’t just my imagination, is it?’
Benjamin had just said she could fabricate incidents if she wanted, so he must have genuinely meant it. Grace nodded as she watched his carriage roll away.
‘I always thought his sudden descent into darkness and frenzy in the story was completely out of the blue, but the more I talk to him, the more I realize he has the personality for it.’
Despite looking like the textbook example of a gentle second male lead, he definitely had a streak of cunning in him.
Grace didn’t find this side of Benjamin unpleasant at all.
‘Better to have some edge than to be so kind you end up getting taken advantage of.’
In the original novel, he was often depicted with an easygoing smile, constantly giving away things to others. Whenever she saw that Benjamin, she couldn’t help but think that while the Felton duchy wouldn’t crumble from his generosity, was it really okay to just keep giving like that?
But now, reflecting on their conversations, she started to think that perhaps Benjamin’s generosity had always been more calculated than it seemed.
“Madam, it’s almost time.”
“Alright, let’s get ready quickly.”
Grace smiled as her eyes fell on the simple tea snacks arranged by the outdoor gazebo.
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“Greetings, Duchess.”
“…Thank you for coming, Priest Benedict. Adjusting your schedule on such short notice must have been difficult. Why not take a moment to catch your breath?”
Grace glanced over the individuals accompanying Boris. The group was modest—just one knight and one apprentice priest.
‘They’re not here to apologize for what happened that day.’
Even if they did intend to apologize, it couldn’t possibly count as an official one from the temple. The delegation was far too small for that—if the temple showed such a dismissive attitude toward a ducal family, it would undoubtedly tarnish their reputation, no matter their standing.
‘Especially now, with rumors about my actions at the imperial palace spreading.’
While Grace had assured the palace that the temple had resolved the misunderstanding well, any attempt to downplay the issue here would make her earlier statement seem like a deliberate attempt to shield the temple’s missteps.
‘In other words, even if they apologize today, that’s not the real reason they’re here.’
Their carriage was unassuming, their party small, and they brought no gifts.
After concluding her brief analysis, Grace guided Boris to the seating area that had been prepared.
Instead of tea, the table was set with coffee.
“Ah, it’s coffee.”
“Yes, do you enjoy coffee, Priest Benedict?”
“It’s considered a luxury at the temple, so I’ve only had the chance to see it occasionally. Thanks to you, Duchess, I’m indulging in something far beyond my means.”
“Not at all.”
Grace gave a faint smile and gestured toward the maid standing nearby. The maid stepped forward and set intricately adorned cups in front of them.
Boris stared at the cup placed before him for a moment.
“Is something wrong?”
“…No, nothing.”
The coffee, freshly ground, filled the cups with a rich, fragrant aroma. Boris took a moment to savor the scent before taking a sip. Then, he spoke.
“I believe it’s only right for the temple leadership to issue an official apology. The matter is far too significant to simply let go.”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
‘Even though they were planning to just brush it off.’
A cynical thought crossed Grace’s mind, but she quickly suppressed it.
‘It must be because of the rumors spreading about what happened at the palace.’
On top of that, Benjamin had already gone ahead, offering what were essentially bribes coupled with subtle threats, leaving the temple with no choice but to take the situation seriously.
‘Benjamin’s proactive actions ended up helping in the end.’
For now, the only thing the temple could do was comply with Benjamin’s demands.
‘And, of course, pretend to appease me in the process.’
Grace had no clear idea of what Boris intended to say today. If the temple planned to deliver an official apology separately, then today’s visit must have a different purpose.
‘But I can’t for the life of me figure out what that might be.’
If she could, she thought wryly, she might as well quit being a duchess and start working as a detective. Chuckling softly, Grace took another sip of her coffee and noticed Boris’s hand twitch subtly.
“…?”
It was only a brief movement, but Grace, ever attuned to people’s reactions, didn’t miss it.
“You seem much brighter than the last time I saw you.”
“Do I?”
“Yes, and I’m relieved. I’ve been worried. The temple occasionally receives reports about the Duchess, and I was particularly concerned since your condition hadn’t been improving.”
“…”
Grace slid a slice of cake toward Boris and asked nonchalantly,
“Do you read those reports about me, Priest Benedict?”
“I hope you don’t find it offensive. The Duke requested that we keep an eye on your well-being, so I’ve been reviewing them regularly.”
“No, I just feel sorry since it’s not really part of the temple’s duties.”
A memory from long ago flickered through Grace’s mind.
‘That diary from before.’
The diary that was reviewed regularly, with its contents written as if speaking to someone.
‘So that’s what it was about?’
As if to confirm her growing suspicion, Boris asked in a casual tone,
“Have you been keeping up with your diary?”
“…”
“Writing in a diary every day is supposed to help when you’re feeling down, you know.”
“…I’ve been so busy lately, that I haven’t been able to keep up with it. Sorry.”
A different kind of certainty settled within Grace.
‘The original Grace must have known something wasn’t right too…’
Otherwise, there would’ve been no reason to create a separate diary just for show.
