34. A Duchess of Common Birth

‘Duke Torpeo’s Homecoming Celebration.’

Befitting a banquet hosted directly by the crown prince, the lavishly decorated banquet hall boasted a magnificent scale.

After the banquet began, the crown prince made his appearance. Everyone bowed their heads in respect at his arrival.

“That’s enough. Raise your heads. I am not the protagonist here.”

The crown prince appeared fashionably late when the banquet was in full swing. As if he were the main character making an entrance.

After the crown prince’s grand appearance, the doors to the banquet hall firmly closed.

“When will His Grace the Duke arrive?”

“The doors are closed. Is he already here?”

People whispered among themselves. The protagonist of the banquet, Duke Torpeo, had not shown himself at all.

Yet no one dared to step forward and ask the crown prince. Everyone knew his fiery temperament.

They were merely watching cautiously, worried that sparks might fly on what should be a good day.

As if aware of everyone’s curiosity, the crown prince began to continue speaking.

“The duke suffered a mishap during his expedition. I told him to rest comfortably at his mansion as his body is unwell.”

A banquet where the protagonist, the duke, hadn’t actually been invited. The banquet hall instantly buzzed with murmurs.

“Expedition? Did the duke go on an expedition?”

“That’s what I’m saying. How unfortunate.”

The nobles who had been chattering among themselves closed their mouths at the crown prince’s gaze.

Under his sharply shining eyes, the nobles began to tremble in fear as if their bodies had been cut.

It wouldn’t be strange if that mad crown prince suddenly drew his sword and slaughtered the nobles.

However, contrary to everyone’s fear, the crown prince laughed boisterously and spoke loudly.

“But how could I wait without announcing this joyous news? I hope everyone will congratulate the duke on welcoming a duchess who will be responsible for the internal affairs of our empire’s only ducal family.”

“A duchess for the ducal family? Wasn’t the duke engaged to a count’s family?”

“Watch your words! How long has it been since His Grace the Duke’s engagement was broken! Perhaps he’s newly engaged?”

At the news announced by the crown prince, the banquet hall began to buzz with whispers from everyone.

He smiled meaningfully and closed his eyes to appreciate the murmuring as if it were an orchestra.

After a brief moment of appreciation, the crown prince deliberately clinked his glass against the tray held by the attendant beside him.

Trasi opened his mouth after focusing everyone’s attention.

“The imperial family almost lost the empire’s only duke. If it weren’t for that commoner woman.”

“His Grace the Duke almost died?”

“A commoner woman?”

At the crown prince’s words, the nobles couldn’t contain their curiosity and began to whisper.

“The imperial family finds it pitiful that despite her great merit in saving the empire’s only duke, she remains a mistress due to her commoner status.”

“Well. I heard the duke took in a commoner mistress, it must be that woman.”

“No, then. Surely not……”

As if anticipating everyone’s whispers, the crown prince raised the corner of his mouth crookedly.

“Therefore, the imperial family accepts Lady Del as a member of the nobility. From today, I will recognize her as the duchess.”

Trasi’s words were practically an announcement.

Saying he would bestow the title of duchess in recognition of her merit in saving the duke’s life.

The crown prince raised the corner of his mouth even more as he read the shock spreading across the nobles’ faces.

For him, it was an extremely satisfying reaction.

“Everyone should enjoy this occasion celebrating the duke’s safe return and the welcoming of the duchess.”

After making the declaration that had shocked everyone, the crown prince abruptly left the banquet hall.

Once the crown prince departed, two different atmospheres pervaded the social gathering.

“A commoner becoming a duchess. Does this make any sense?”

“No matter how much she saved His Grace the Duke, this will destroy the ducal bloodline.”

There were those who couldn’t accept a commoner into the noble society, and the noblewomen centered around Marchioness Ingrid who were obsessed with gossip.

Marquis Credion observed everything happening at the banquet from a distance away from the center.

‘So the Iron Duke has fallen for a commoner mistress.’

The corner of Severus’s mouth twisted as he crossed his arms.

He recalled Duke Torpeo, whom he had only encountered during hunting competitions or major palace events.

Black hair and red eyes that didn’t allow even a speck of impurity.

Although the Torpeo ducal family had once produced an empress from a prestigious family, that was merely a story of the past.

When the empress became the deposed empress, the ducal family declined. But still.

‘They haven’t declined so much as to make a commoner mistress the duchess.’

Nevertheless, Torpeo was still the empire’s only ducal family. Tracing back the ducal lineage would eventually connect to the imperial family.

Crown Prince Trasi’s intention to connect the duke with his mistress surely included the empress’s influence as well.

The meeting of noble blood and a commoner.

“Quite fitting.”

Marquis Credion left the banquet hall without lingering, wearing a meaningful expression.

Without even imagining that the commoner mistress was his daughter, Adeline.

⁕⁕⁕

Adeline sat on the terrace, taking a deep breath in and out.

The fresh air made her feel as if she was finally waking up.

Moreover, watching the sunset turning red brought peace to her heart.

Indeed, the ducal family’s physician hadn’t been wrong.

“My lady, your body is quite damaged. Even with severe morning sickness, you must eat to replenish your strength.”

“But food won’t go down. Lately, I’m so sensitive to even small sounds that I can’t sleep.”

As Adeline grew thinner day by day, the duke called a physician for her.

He was probably more concerned about the child in her belly rather than her.

Adeline felt somewhat relieved whenever she met the physician in the suffocating mansion.

There was a comfort similar to meeting a psychiatrist.

“You’re under extreme stress. Resting in a natural setting could help you, my lady. How about going on a recuperation trip?”

“Even if I wanted to go on recuperation, would he let me go?”

“Wouldn’t he? You’re not alone anymore, my lady.”

After the physician left, Adeline spent a long time lost in thought on the terrace.

After repeated examinations by the physician, Adeline had to accept the fact of her pregnancy.

The pregnancy pulse, which was initially faint, had recently become noticeably clear, he said.

Unless he was a quack, there was no way to deny it anymore.

‘So you’ve really come to me.’

Adeline stroked her belly. Even though it was early, it wasn’t showing yet.

Then she looked down at her arms. She had definitely been getting thinner since staying at the duke’s mansion.

‘This won’t do.’

Feeling that something terrible would happen if she continued like this, Adeline made a decision.

If she was indeed pregnant, she needed to protect this child.

And to protect it, she needed to escape from that man’s sight. From the duke who always seemed to choke her.

Adeline rose from her seat.

“My lady, where are you going?”

Becky, who was with her, approached in surprise. Adeline asked her.

“Where is the duke now?”

“His Grace should be in his office now. My lady?”

Becky looked at Adeline leaving the bedroom with puzzled eyes.

This was the first time she had sought out the duke on her own initiative.

⁕⁕⁕

Adeline hesitated with her hand on the doorknob.

Now that she had come all the way to his office to find him, she lacked the courage to enter.

Wasn’t Casis the one she had been avoiding, not wanting to encounter him?

But she couldn’t continue like this. It might be different if she were alone, but if she was truly pregnant, this would be hard on the child.

Adeline took a deep breath in front of the office and knocked.

After a brief knocking sound, a voice from inside told her to enter.

Adeline quietly stepped into the office.

She found the duke sitting at the desk directly in front of her.

He showed no interest in Adeline. He was busy signing approval documents.

‘Did I come at too busy a time?’

She regretted not sending a maid to inquire first. Now that she had entered, she felt some regret.

Adeline decided to wait quietly. Standing by the door, she looked around at his surroundings.

The warm afternoon sunlight streamed in diagonally through the large windows lining the walls.

The Torpeo territory in the south was warm all year round. Even though it had been long since the beginning of autumn.

“What brings you here?”

Adeline raised her head at the voice that came with the sound of a folder closing.

“Coming all the way here in person.”

Casis was now making eye contact with her.

He was looking up at her slightly, wearing glasses with thin frames.

So he wears glasses when working. His red eyes, usually sharply gleaming, seemed somewhat gentler behind the glasses.

“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll have tea prepared.”

He nodded toward the sofa in the center of the office. And just as he was about to pull the bell cord.

“No need. This isn’t a conversation I need to sit down for.”

He leaned back in his chair, looking at her as if to say go ahead.

Adeline clasped her hands tightly together. Then slowly opened her lips.

“I’d like to go on recuperation. I heard there’s a villa within the duchy.”

Of course, even though it was within the territory, the villa was at the edge of the vast Torpeo lands.

The villa by the lake was surrounded by mountains on all sides and was said to be a spectacular sight when the seasons changed.

She recalled the head maid saying it was built by the previous duke for young Casis.

If she went there, she might be somewhat free from the numerous eyes watching her, and from Casis too.

Just thinking about it made her feel alive.

“Please allow me to go for a week.”

She didn’t expect to receive permission easily.

If Casis refused, she planned to ask him to send her for the sake of the child in her womb.

As she waited for his response.

The duke’s lips, which had been watching her with his arms crossed, slowly parted.

“I permit it, as much as you want. I’ll tell Gwen myself.”

With those words, he dropped his gaze back to his documents.

Adeline’s eyes widened in surprise.

The permission had been granted too easily.