Chapter 35
“Several noble families have sent letters asking to meet you, but I’ve been politely declining them while you settle in,”
Aubrey explained, adding to the conversation after getting a sense of the situation.
Although it was quite shocking for the Grand Duke and his wife to storm in like this, Aubrey thought it was time for his lady to start reading some of the letters.
“If it’s too overwhelming, just choose one of them.”
Akron said casually, flipping through the pile of letters.
Some letters slipped off the table and scattered on the floor. Aubrey panicked and quickly stopped Akron.
“I’ll pick someone with a good reputation from high society for you.”
Aubrey said as he rushed to gather the letters from the ground.
He began sorting them into two piles—those from nobles with poor reputations were placed in a drawer, while letters from trustworthy people were set aside.
“That makes sense,”
Yuriel nodded while watching him work.
Making connections with a well-known and respected figure in society would make things easier later on. But they had to be careful.
If someone tried to use their meeting with the Grand Duchess to boost their fame or power, it could backfire badly.
“Please wait just a little longer,”
Aubrey said. There were so many letters, it took time to go through them all.
While he sorted, Yuriel scanned through the pile herself. One letter caught her attention—it had a soft red hue and came from a name she recognized.
“Torhisa?”
She read the name aloud.
Aubrey’s hands froze mid-motion. When Yuriel showed him the letter, he nodded in approval.
“Countess Torhisa is well-respected both in society and other fields.”
He explained.
Countess Torhisa was a powerful woman who had inherited her title. She was admired for her character, fought monsters with sword and aura, and was known for her fairness and strength, respected by both men and women alike.
“She’s truly admirable, but…”
Aubrey trailed off, watching Yuriel carefully.
The Torhisa family was one of the top five noble houses and closely allied with the Veiharz family. But Yuriel didn’t just recognize the name for that reason.
“If it’s about Lady Helia, I’ll be fine,”
Yuriel said, meeting Akron’s eyes firmly.
Though she had had a troubling encounter with Lady Helia before, it would be foolish to avoid a helpful person because of it.
“If Countess Torhisa can help me, I want to meet her.”
“…I don’t like it, but I suppose just her would be fine. She’s a normal person, after all,”
Akron said with a sigh.
“Normal?”
Yuriel tilted her head in confusion.
Aubrey clarified:
“People who aren’t cursed are sometimes called ‘normals’.”
“I see…”
So that was a nickname for people unaffected by the curse.
According to Asha, the reason Helia had lost control that day was due to a backlash from the curse—it overwhelmed her powers.
Meeting someone not affected by it should be safer.
“Then I’ll send a letter to Countess Torhisa right away,”
Aubrey said.
He also thought she was one of the best choices. She was neutral and unlikely to use her connection with the Grand Duchess for her gain.
“Thank you,”
Yuriel said sincerely, then left the room with Akron.
As they walked down the long hallway, sunlight poured through the arched windows, casting light on the beautiful garden outside.
“Take my hand,”
Akron offered.
Yuriel gently took his hand, and they walked together quietly.
＊ ＊ ＊
The meeting was arranged quickly—today was the day.
Yuriel stood in the hallway, looking outside, when a servant approached.
“My lady, the Torhisa carriage has arrived. Countess Torhisa is waiting.”
“Thank you,”
She replied and headed to the parlor.
Aubrey was waiting nearby.
“I hope your conversation goes well,”
He said, opening the door for her.
Meeting new people still felt unfamiliar to Yuriel, but she knew it would get easier with time. She gave Aubrey a polite look of thanks and stepped inside.
A tall woman was already seated in the large parlor.
That must be her…
She had short, striking red hair.
Sensing someone enter, the woman stood and placed a hand over her chest, bowing respectfully.
“Thank you for inviting me, Your Grace. I am Andria Torhisa.”
Her tone was calm and her smile warm, despite the sharpness of her presence.
Her posture was straight and elegant, which made her tall frame even more noticeable.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Countess Torhisa,”
Yuriel replied, masking the small surprise she felt and smiling in return.
Andria’s dress, while soft and graceful, couldn’t hide her strong build. She looked powerful, like someone who could knock down a man in a single blow.
But what caught Yuriel’s attention the most was…
Her eyes…
Her left eye was a deep, beautiful blue like the sea, like a sapphire. But her right eye was missing, replaced by a deep scar. She made no effort to hide it.
Andria was both a noble with great influence and a general who fought monsters herself.
She had likely lost her eye in one of those battles, but she displayed it with pride, without shame.
“Please, have a seat.”
Yuriel said.
Andria smiled and sat back down, one eye gently squinting with humor. While a maid brought tea, she quietly observed Yuriel.
I thought she’d be more surprised…
Most people were shocked upon seeing her scarred face, especially since she was a woman. Some even felt pity.
But anyone who truly knew Andria would quickly laugh at those looks. She was strong, sharp, and skilled in many ways.
She had grown up constantly hearing people say it was a shame she wasn’t born a man. Yet in the end, she surpassed even her younger brother and inherited the family title.
“Please try this tea. It’s one of my favorites. I hope you like it.”
Yuriel said, smiling.
The tea had a light fragrance and clean taste. Andria took a sip and nodded.
“Thank you. It’s delightful,”
She said, clearly pleased.
Yuriel’s warmth was sincere—there was no trace of discomfort about Andria’s appearance. Andria, though used to such reactions, had been curious about the new Grand Duchess’s response.
She was surprised by how unfazed Yuriel seemed, but it also made her more curious.
The Grand Duke bought an entire flower farm just for her, didn’t he…
In the West, owning a flower farm was like owning a gemstone mine. Because the soil was mostly dead, any land that could grow plants was used for food, not flowers.
Such farms were extremely rare and could not be expanded anymore.
This is worth keeping an eye on.
The Grand Duke had suddenly come to the capital and married a noblewoman from the center.
Some gossiped that it was a legendary romance, and the flower farm gift made that rumor more believable.
A central noble, huh…
Since the land had split in two, no one from the West had ever married someone from the center. The Veiharz family valued bloodlines above all, believing that strong power could only be passed through powerful unions.
The woman sitting before Andria was now the most watched figure in the West.
“Before we begin,”
Andria said, setting down her teacup.
Yuriel looked at her, inviting her to speak freely.
“I’d like to sincerely apologize for the rude behavior of my daughter the other day.”
Andria bowed her head deeply.
Though she had many reasons for coming—curiosity, duty, and more—her real purpose was clear.
She had known her daughter would be upset when the Grand Duke remarried, but she never imagined she would storm the castle.
Thank heavens the Grand Duchess wasn’t seriously hurt. But when Andria had faced the Grand Duke at the noble council, she had truly felt her life was on the line.
If my wife had been hurt that day, your family would no longer exist.
That’s what he had said as he walked past her.
Even though Andria was a seasoned warrior, she couldn’t move for a while after that. His gaze was like fire rising from hell.
But she didn’t feel ashamed—he had always been a monster of a man. She knew him well from his childhood.
