NRAL | Chapter 06

Chapter 06

My Fiance’s Woman

Time passed uneventfully after the day Eleanor witnessed Nora and Arlo’s affair. Some servants whispered about strange laughter in the early morning, but none of them suspected that the crazy woman could be the real princess of Astria. This was thanks to Arlo discreetly keeping everyone away while he snuck into Nora’s room.

Eleanor acted as if she had seen and heard nothing that day and returned to her usual routine. One week. Since she witnessed those two animals on Monday at midnight, she planned to observe the situation while keeping her usual demeanor at least until the following Monday.

This was a habit she had learned from the Duke of Astria’s constant abuse.

“Don’t bite until the perfect moment comes. If you act rashly, you’ll ruin everything. Corner your enemy once you fully understand the situation, and then strike where they can’t defend themselves.”

This was the advice he gave when he threw his young daughter into high society.

Though Eleanor despised her father, she learned much about survival and scheming from him. She intended to use all of these lessons when leaving here after stabbing everyone in the back.

So, as usual, she woke up early in the morning, processed paperwork, listened to the concerns of the estate’s people, and examined the finances of the duchy. Everything seemed normal, but those who observed her closely noticed subtle changes.

“Doesn’t she seem in a good mood lately?”

“Yeah, she looks brighter somehow.”

“Come on, that doesn’t make sense. In a situation like this? You must be mistaken.”

Even though they didn’t believe they were wrong, the maids kept their mouths shut. There was no way their lady would be in a good mood during times like these.

After all, Nora had been claiming to be the real princess for several days now, and there were no signs of her being kicked out of the Astria household.

The Duke visited her room daily, talking to her for long periods of time, but nothing seemed to come from it. Nora’s voice behind the door always sounded confident, and the Duke left with a serious look every time.

This meant that Nora’s claims had some weight, and the Duke had not found a single flaw in her story yet.

The servants’ whispers grew louder, and more and more eyes were cast toward Eleanor.

Then, on one particularly cold and windy Sunday, Nora’s door finally opened.

It wasn’t to drag her out and put her on trial, though.

Instead, Nora emerged with a bright smile on her face.

The Duke of Astria gathered the household staff in the hall, brought Nora in front of them, and declared, “From now on, treat Nora as you would the Princess of Astria.”

At his command, every servant turned to look in Eleanor’s direction.

The maids, the servants—everyone—looked at Eleanor.

Some had intrigued expressions, while others looked at her with pity, unsure of what to do.

Despite the stifling gazes that seemed to choke her, Eleanor stood firm.

Her heart started racing again, but that was all.

Soon, her eyes met Nora’s in the distance.

Nora’s narrow eyes curled into a smile, the same smile Eleanor had seen through the opened door.

Nora smiled sweetly and said, “I look forward to working with all of you.”

***

After the shocking announcement, the Duke of Astria immediately ordered Eleanor to follow him to the study.

Walking through the stares aimed at her, she made her way there.

The moment they arrived, the Duke spoke.

“I had no choice,” he said with a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

“What she claims is certainly shaky in parts, but there’s no evidence to call her a liar. I looked into her past but found nothing. Even the investigation of the slums in Tolkan led nowhere. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince’s pressure only grows stronger by the day. For now, we’ll treat her as she wishes and reveal the truth slowly over time.”

Eleanor slowly looked up at him. Her eyes, a mix of confusion and anger, were fixed on him.

“Aren’t you suspicious of me?” she asked.

The Duke, sitting with his head in his hands, frowned as if to say, “What are you talking about?” Eleanor, her face expressionless, continued.

“Don’t you think I could be the fake? Nora knows memories I never told you about.”

“Well, you probably told her. You always talked too much to that girl,” he replied.

“How are you so sure? I could just lie and say I told her when I didn’t. Do you really have no doubts that she might be the real princess, or even your daughter?”

As her words continued, the Duke’s expression darkened further. Noticing this, Eleanor fell silent. A sharp tension filled the study.

When his cold gaze settled on her, she clenched her fists instinctively. The tense atmosphere tightened around her throat.

“You’re acting strangely weak,” the Duke finally responded in a harsh tone.

After what felt like hours but was only a few minutes, he continued.

“Eleanor, I’m no fool. What kind of idiot doesn’t recognize his own daughter? Stop thinking such nonsense. You’re my real daughter, without a doubt.”

His unwavering answer surprised her. She had expected her father to be having second thoughts by now.

But for some reason, he still believed she was his daughter, with complete confidence.

Does he trust me?

No, that can’t be it.

Even though they’d spent over ten years in this house together, there had never been any real bond of trust between them.

It was just a businessman trying to craft the “perfect princess,” and a product obeying his every word.

“That foolish girl just got cocky and made a mistake. The truth will come out soon enough, so stop worrying about her and stay as far away from her as possible. It won’t do you any good to get involved with her.”

Eleanor clenched her fists even tighter, unnoticed, and bowed her head. The Duke took this as her response and continued.

“By the way, isn’t there a party at Count Lambert’s estate tomorrow? You’ll be going with the Crown Prince as your partner.”

“…I don’t plan on going this time. Considering the circumstances…”

The thought of going to a party with Arlo disgusted her.

She shuddered at the mere idea and raised her head again.

Then she saw it: the fierce face of the Duke, the same one he had worn when he ordered young Eleanor to lift her skirt.

“…Not going?”

The Duke’s eyebrows twitched violently. The sharp pressure of a man once known as a formidable warrior surrounded him.

“You know how much Count Lambert has invested in Astria’s wine business, yet you’re saying you won’t go?”

His cold glare pierced through her as if to devour her, then shifted toward the corner of the study.

On an elegant desk sat an odd object—a birch rod, out of place in such a lavish room.

Eleanor lowered her head again, biting her lower lip hard.

Even now, after living more than twenty years, her situation hasn’t changed much from when she was a scared child, terrified of being beaten.

The only thing that had changed was her heart.

Eleanor no longer yearned for her father’s affection.

She no longer feared being thrown out of Astria.

“I was thoughtless, Father. I’ll attend the party as planned.”

The Duke’s anger subsided only after she bowed her head and apologized.

“Good. Go without any fuss. I’ve made sure no one will spread any rumors about her.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Besides, with the Crown Prince acting the way he is, you have to attend. His interest in Nora is just a passing whim. Men often go through phases like this.”

Eleanor clenched her mouth shut.

She should have said something, but no positive response came to mind.

Luckily, the Duke didn’t point it out and continued, “That’s why women need to be wise. You can’t show ugly jealousy, but you also can’t sit back and do nothing. Tch, if your mother were still alive, I wouldn’t have to explain all this myself…”

He rambled on, saying things she didn’t want to hear.

Eleanor gathered her patience and played the part of the obedient daughter.

Her calm gaze slowly swept over the Duke’s neck, as if waiting for the right moment to come.

***

Time flew by, and the party was fast approaching.

Just thinking about having to attend with Arlo after seeing him like that with Nora a few days ago disgusted her.

It made her feel more than just uncomfortable—she felt nauseous.

Eleanor tried to calm herself by recalling her father’s words.

“That’s why women need to be wise.”

Be wise. Yes, that’s right.

Arlo was Nora’s biggest ally, and he surely knew things Nora didn’t.

To get what she wanted, she would have to endure her disgust, just like always, and try to get information out of him.

So, she put her personal feelings aside and prepared for the party.

Before long, Arlo arrived at the mansion to escort her.

“The Crown Prince has arrived, my lady.”

“All right, I’ll be down soon.”

Hilda, a maid who had replaced Nora, draped a shawl over Eleanor’s shoulders.

It felt much softer and finer than usual.

She glanced in the mirror and saw her reflection in a beautifully arranged outfit. As usual, she had worn whatever the maid recommended, but somehow, it looked like she had put in more effort today.

‘Is the only difference between the maid picking the clothes?’ she wondered.

Nora didn’t seem to have much fashion sense, and Eleanor never cared about dressing up, so she usually just wore whatever was given to her.

But somehow, the clothes Nora had been wearing lately suited her perfectly. Was that just her imagination?

Eleanor sighed lightly and headed to the drawing room.

There was no point in overthinking.

She just wanted to get this over with and come back quickly.

But when she got to the drawing room, no one was there.

Arlo’s coat was draped over the sofa, so he had arrived, but where had he gone?

‘No way,’ she thought, frowning as she slowly turned her head.

The door to the hallway leading to the west wing was wide open.

And not far away, she heard a familiar voice.

Eleanor started walking toward the sound, slowly.

It felt like a scene she had been through before.

“Thank you, Your Highness! The flowers are so, so beautiful!”

As she expected, there were Arlo and Nora.

At least this time they were properly dressed. That was something to be thankful for, if nothing else.

Nora stood there with a huge bouquet of roses in her arms, her eyes sparkling as she smiled sweetly.

Anyone who saw her would find her utterly charming.

“What should I do? I don’t have anything to give you in return…”

“Your smile is more than enough. I’m glad you like them.”

“Of course, I love them! It’s the best gift I’ve ever received in my life!”

So everything I’ve given meant less to her than that one bouquet of flowers? Eleanor sighed quietly as she watched the two lovers sharing their sweet moment.

Behind her, the maid Hilda also saw the scene and gasped in shock.

“Eep!”

But fortunately—or unfortunately—Nora and Arlo were too lost in their own little world to notice.

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t stay out too late, all right?”

“I won’t. It’s just a formality—I only need to show up briefly.”

“That sounds fun. I wish I could go to events like that. But I can’t even take a step outside the mansion. It’s so frustrating.”

“You’ll have a chance soon. I’ll talk to the Duke, so don’t be upset.”

Nora pouted like a child, clearly displeased.

Arlo, finding it adorable, smiled widely and lightly patted her silky blonde hair.

‘Ugh.’

What a pair of idiots, Hilda thought, making a disgusted face.

Meanwhile, Eleanor watched Arlo silently, her face expressionless.

As always, he looked perfect.

His hair was effortlessly swept back, his clothes were fashionably elegant, and his golden eyes sparkled, even in the dim hallway.

He exuded an aura that was both refined and rebellious.

But what caught Eleanor’s attention the most was his innocent smile, so out of place on him.

She had seen that smile before, a long time ago.

Suddenly, memories she had long forgotten resurfaced in her mind.

“Princess of Astria?”

It was when she was fourteen.

Arlo had returned to the capital during the Academy’s vacation.

Having heard about the princess Astria had found, he’d become curious and showed up at the mansion unannounced.

“…Who are you?”

“Don’t you recognize me?”

Eleanor, who had been enjoying a some alone time in the garden, tilted her head at the unexpected guest.

She hadn’t expected to meet the second prince of Astria, the one whose support had grown rapidly recently, in her own garden.

At that time, rumors were swirling about how Arlo had a growing number of supporters, being no less talented or charming than the Crown Prince.

Her behavior was rude, and most would have scolded her for it. But instead, Arlo found her fresh, unbothered reaction amusing, bursting into laughter.

“I’m Arlo Fernandite de Juvenile. We met when we were younger. It’s been a few years, so I’d like to hear your name again.”

It wasn’t until he introduced himself that she realized he was the Empire’s prince.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but think his way of speaking was embarrassingly over-the-top.

He couldn’t have been older than sixteen, yet he was talking like some old-fashioned noble.

Having spent most of her time with street urchins in the past, Eleanor found it so cringe-worthy that she could barely keep her composure and bowed politely.

“Eleanor. Eleanor Astria.”

“Pleased to meet you again, Lady Eleanor.”

The mischievous-looking boy smiled with his eyes as he kissed the back of her hand.

It was a moment that should’ve been heart-fluttering, but Eleanor was too busy hiding her disgust at the feeling of goosebumps crawling up her arm.

After that day, Arlo started visiting the mansion every day. At first, she found it burdensome, but over time, she grew used to his presence.

Even as a boy, Arlo had been arrogant and full of himself, but in front of her, he always showed a playful, almost endearing side.

This popular boy, with admirers everywhere, would always light up when he saw her, unable to hide his big smile.

And a few months later, when he returned for the winter break, Arlo brought a ring adorned with a huge jewel.

“Lady Eleanor, I promise to cherish you more than anyone. Will you marry me?”