~Chapter 10~
2. Contract Mistress
The morning of the birthday banquet arrived.
From the early hours, Hamilton Manor was in a frenzy, the final stages of preparation underway. Servants moved briskly through the grand estate, their faces unusually bright as they double-checked every corner of the banquet hall.
Towering chandeliers. Luxurious curtains. The same extravagant multi-course meals prepared every year. The same predictable decorations for a noble’s birthday celebration.
As noon passed, guests began to arrive.
I stood at the entrance of the manor, silver hair neatly pinned up, wearing a black dress adorned with fine beadwork, welcoming each guest with a practiced smile.
“Welcome, Madam Mandana. Thank you for attending the banquet.”
“Goodness, Duchess Hamilton, it’s been so long. My, you look absolutely stunning today.”
Most of them commented on my dress.
And beneath their compliments was a subtle hint of surprise—because black was not a common choice for a birthday banquet.
‘Well, it’s not exactly normal to wear black to your husband’s birthday celebration.’
Especially not this dress.
It was elegant, subtly shimmering with beadwork, tightly fitted in all the right places—far too seductive for a hostess. More suited for the star of the party than the wife of the host.
But considering what’s about to happen… this is perfect.
“By the way, I don’t see the Duke. Where is your husband?”
“Ah, he stepped out briefly. You’ll see him when the banquet begins.”
“…?”
On the day of his own birthday banquet, he wasn’t even present to receive guests.
The lady looked puzzled but soon smiled politely and moved on.
I continued greeting guests with the same composed smile.
In truth, most of them were my guests.
Connections I had built long before becoming Duchess Hamilton—back when I was still the daughter of Count Whiton.
Only a handful were Kaiden’s acquaintances. Mostly opportunists clinging to a declining ducal house, flattering him for scraps of benefit.
And then there were those I had met through my business dealings.
Those who understood the current situation between Kaiden and me were already watching with interest, waiting for the banquet to begin. Curious. Expectant.
The hall was filled with anticipation.
“All invited guests have arrived, Madam.”
“Good work. Then begin the banquet on time. And—”
I added as the knight finished reporting.
“Do not close the gates. There will be one more guest arriving after the banquet begins.”
“…Understood.”
I stepped onto the elevated stage where seats for the ducal couple had been prepared.
But I sat alone.
The orchestra began to play.
Unlike my calm expression, the head maid looked increasingly anxious, pacing slightly.
“Madam… when will His Grace arrive? Surely he won’t miss his own banquet?”
“He’ll come.”
I kept my gaze on the musicians.
“Kaiden himself said he wanted to meet today. And he would never abandon his own birthday banquet.”
He loved attention too much. He valued appearances even more.
A man like that would never give up the stage where all eyes were on him.
If anything, he would use it.
As expected.
Ten minutes before the hour.
“Why isn’t the Duke here yet?”
Whispers began to spread.
Five minutes left.
The murmurs grew louder. The atmosphere became restless.
The head maid fidgeted nervously beside me.
Then—
DONG—
The bell marking the exact hour rang through the hall.
“The Duke of Hamilton has arrived!”
The grand doors opened.
And a man appeared.
“His Grace?”
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
At the top of the grand staircase stood a man with black hair, dressed in a formal brown suit suited for the occasion.
Kaiden Hamilton.
The master of the Hamilton Duchy—and the host of the banquet.
Those who had wondered about his absence finally relaxed.
“So he was out. I suppose he arrived just in time.”
“But… who is that beside him?”
At that moment, their eyes shifted.
Only then did they notice—the woman standing beside Kaiden, holding his hand.
“Wait… who is that?”
“Why is there a woman with the Duke…?”
Confusion spread quickly through the crowd.
Then someone recognized her.
“Isn’t that Lady Tiana?”
“Tiana?”
“The Duchess’s longtime friend?”
The whispers grew louder.
And then—
Silence fell.
Everyone understood, even without saying it aloud.
The Duke had arrived at his own birthday banquet—
holding another woman’s hand.
There was only one explanation.
Infidelity.
Tiana descended the staircase in a white dress.
At first glance, she looked like something out of a dream—delicate, innocent, almost angelic. A fragile figure that instinctively drew sympathy.
Her eyes met mine.
The dress she wore…
It was the same “Madame Charlotte” gown she had begged me to buy for her.
A dress my husband had likely purchased for her.
Tiana smiled shyly and approached me.
“Hello, Cecilia. It feels strange to greet you like this.”
“….”
“From today on, I’ll be officially introduced as His Grace’s mistress. Let’s get along well.”
I let out a faint laugh.
So predictable.
No surprises at all.
Tiana’s Perspective
Tiana Emel was extremely satisfied.
When she first decided to appear here as the Duke’s mistress, she had been nervous. After all, it was essentially announcing her betrayal of Cecilia to the entire world.
‘Cecilia has definitely noticed my relationship with His Grace! That’s why I told you to be careful in the manor!’
When she had faced Cecilia’s cold demeanor, she had even scolded Kaiden for the first time.
Cecilia Hamilton had been a perfect benefactor.
A fool who gave her anything she asked for with just a little acting. Someone easy to manipulate.
If she disappeared, Tiana would lose a great deal.
Even today, Cecilia had told her to leave the manor…!
“Don’t worry, Tiana. Trust me. I’ll handle everything.”
But Kaiden had held her close and promised to take responsibility for everything.
And so, trusting him completely, Tiana had stepped into the world boldly.
Declaring herself Kaiden’s true lover.
And now—
This feels even better than I expected!
For months, she had secretly grown closer to the Duke of Hamilton behind Cecilia’s back.
In truth, it had started much earlier. When Cecilia first introduced them, something had sparked between them instantly.
It had always been painful—watching Cecilia and Kaiden together at formal events.
But now, she stood openly beside him, holding his hand as his woman.
A long-suppressed pressure finally lifted.
And it felt… liberating.
