The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke - Chapter 47.2
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As they approached the billowing smoke, a bright orange light became visible.
‘It’s strange…’
The light was so bright and warm, it made her eyes hurt.
‘Why is it so bright, as if the sun is rising, even though it’s nighttime?’
A crackling sound and intense heat emanated from the towering flames. Many people surrounded the burning orphanage, creating a tumultuous scene.
The crowd was so dense that they wouldn’t have been able to enter even if they had arrived by carriage. The murmurs of people could be heard.
“What’s happening?”
“I-I don’t know. The fire suddenly…”
Grace’s breathing became labored.
“My Lady, it would be best for you to just turn back…”
“I… I have to see for myself, I need to make sure.”
She knew that her presence wouldn’t change anything. Yet Grace insisted stubbornly.
Cleta was someone she had met in this world, her first friend.
Although they hadn’t explicitly named each other as friends, there were after all many moments filled with genuine affection.
“Then, if you start feeling unwell, please let me know.”
Grace nodded silently in response to Benjamin’s request. He made sure her appearance was properly concealed and pushed through the crowd, taking her with him.
“Your Highness the Duke!”
The security guards accompanying Benjamin recognized him and greeted him. After dismounting, Benjamin helped Grace down from the horse and asked a question.
“What’s happening here? Are there any casualties?”
“A fire broke out suddenly within the orphanage. Fortunately, there are only a few people with minor burns, and there are no fatalities.”
“Is it a simple accident?”
“It doesn’t seem so.”
One of the security guards pointed to a man lying in a corner, severely burned.
“This man was found collapsed at the site of the fire. It has been confirmed that only young women and children reside in this orphanage, making him a plausible suspect.”
As Grace listened to their conversation, her heart churned.
She could feel the gaze of the orphanage staff crossing paths as they checked on the children’s conditions.
Grace brought her hand to her chest, but she couldn’t feel the pendant. Knowing there was nothing there, she continued to fidget with her chest.
“He’s not in a condition to speak.”
Benjamin murmured as he looked at the man lying motionless.
The security guard hesitated to respond to his reaction.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s… nothing.”
Cleta, who had been checking on the children’s conditions, cautiously interjected.
“Um, e-excuse me.”
“Oh, Miss Cleta.”
Recognizing Benjamin’s face from the festival where they first met, Cleta bowed her head. It was only now that she realized he was a duke.
“Please raise your head. It’s alright.”
“Well, um… I wanted to ask something, if it’s alright…”
Grace’s heart began to beat faster as Cleta spoke. She wanted to cover her mouth, unsure of what words might come out.
It seemed like it wouldn’t be good if she let her speak.
“Please go ahead and speak.”
“Well, first of all, that man used to be the director of the orphanage. I’m not sure how he managed to sneak in… or if he had been hiding there from the beginning.”
He set fire to the place where the oil was stored. It was strange that he didn’t escape after starting the fire, but judging from his physical condition, it seemed like he had been through quite a rough time.
Benjamin speculated that it wasn’t a deliberate act of self-destruction but rather a desperate act.
“But before he passed out, he said something strange… and that was…”
Cleta seemed hesitant as she tried to speak. It was as if she was trying to hold back forbidden words from escaping her lips.
Benjamin waited for her to speak, and the security guards seemed uneasy for some reason.
Then, one of the members of the security team who was approaching from a distance spoke.
“The man said it was revenge against the Duchess before he collapsed.”
“…!”
“Revenge?”
Benjamin narrowed his eyes at his words and then turned to look at Grace.
Cleta’s gaze, which had been fixed on him, shifted towards Grace.
“…Mrs. Linden.”
Cleta’s voice seemed somewhat desolate. The other women standing behind her also turned their gazes toward Grace one by one.
Grace’s steps slightly retreated.
‘Revenge…?’
To her knowledge, Grace hadn’t done anything to warrant revenge. The wind blew, causing her hair, tightly held under her bonnet, to flutter.
Her red hair looked like it was burning with the reflection of the bright flames.
A voice that had been absent for a while sneered at her.
<You were told to stay still, right?>
<You fool!>
“My Lady, let’s go back for now.”
Benjamin draped his jacket over Grace and hid her behind him.
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