~Chapter 18~
Before the Duke’s marriage, a Viscountess had once visited.
When Elin had brought tea and biscuits for her, she had a similar wound on her hand.
The Viscountess had frowned at the sight of it, her eyes narrowing in displeasure, glaring at Elin.
That day, the Viscountess hadn’t touched the tea or biscuits at all.
Even as Elin cleared the dishes, she felt uncomfortable, as though she had offered something dirty and contaminated.
The memory of that frown lingered uncomfortably in her mind for a long time.
‘I thought the Madam would push the basin away,’
the maid thought, brushing her hands over the ones Elin had held earlier.
Every noblewoman she knew seemed sharp, sensitive, and always on edge. But the new Madam seemed different.
‘Earlier, the flowers in the vase were wilting. There are beautiful hibiscus in the back garden—if I put some in the bridal chamber, it might brighten things up. I wonder if Madam will like it?’
The maid smiled timidly and hurried down the corridor.
Elin washed her face with the water brought by the maid and slowly combed her hair.
Her glossy red hair shimmered in the sunlight.
In the mirror bordered with gold, it wasn’t the maid-like Elin Nelson of a minor baron’s house—but Elin Linderto, Duchess, sat there.
‘I know I’m a fake Duchess. In a year, I’ll return to my original life. Maybe people will even call me the divorced former Duchess. But for a year, I’ll be a real Duchess. I have to act sincerely enough that no one doubts it.’
She nodded to herself in the mirror, reaffirming her resolve.
Elin, now simply dressed, went down to the dining room, where a neat breakfast awaited her.
Freshly baked bread and glossy jam looked irresistible.
Perfectly cooked smoked meat and fresh fruits, arranged with cut flowers, created a harmonious, elegant display.
At the long dining table, Elin hesitated for a moment, and Jeffrey smoothly pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you, Jeffrey.”
He smiled, restrained and professional.
“The Grand Duchess had business to attend to, so she left early.”
Then he reached into his breast pocket and handed her something.
“The Duke asked me to give this to you once you woke up.”
Elin unfolded the note, reading the elegant, brief handwriting:
[As I mentioned yesterday, I’ll be away on a business trip for a while. I’ve handled your brother’s matters as promised, so don’t worry. In the meantime, adjust well to your new home until we meet again.]
Elin stared at the short note for a long time. Jeffrey cleared his throat quietly.
“The Duke usually travels frequently anyway.”
It was as if he were defending the Duke. Seeing the bride shocked that her new husband left on a business trip right after the wedding, Jeffrey felt nervous.
But what caught Elin’s attention was entirely different. She finally lifted her head and addressed him:
“This morning, could you explain the basics I need to know as a Duchess? While I live here, if there’s anything I fail at as the mistress of this house, I’d like you to tell me without hesitation.”
Jeffrey nodded gravely.
“Of course, Madam. I will also organize the ledgers you manage.”
“Thank you.”
Elin remembered another detail suddenly:
“Please prepare cushions and extra blankets in the bedroom. I sleep poorly, and I don’t want to disturb the Duke.”
“I will remember.”
Jeffrey accepted her request without a hint of doubt.
Elin smiled softly, expressing her thanks.
“In the afternoon, I should visit my brother in the hospital. Could you have a carriage ready?”
Jeffrey straightened and replied:
“As you wish, Madam.”
The train, ready to depart, let off steam.
Dominic, having stepped out of the carriage, walked toward the platform with the first-class carriages, his face stern.
“Isn’t it a bit extreme to leave for a business trip the day after the wedding?”
Higgins, following cautiously, asked. Dominic replied in a businesslike tone:
“Since when did you become the Duchess’s spokesperson?”
Higgins shook his head, as if admitting he could never understand the Duke’s mind.
Indeed, Dominic had tracked her down after a brief encounter at a party and pressed on until the wedding, rejecting the fervent courtship of Viscountess Sylvia in the process.
How could he do this? Normally, newlyweds don’t leave their rooms.
Higgins’s confusion led him to blurt something inappropriate:
“Before the wedding, did the new Madam do something to give the Duke trouble? Maybe she’s expecting a child?”
Dominic stopped and turned to him with a look that could devour him. Higgins quickly covered his mouth, stammering.
Embarrassed, he tried to change the subject:
“You didn’t sleep well last night, I suppose? You look very tired today.”
Higgins instructed the train staff carefully while diverting attention.
Dominic rubbed his tired eyes as he boarded the train. True to Higgins’s observation, he hadn’t slept a wink until dawn.
‘I couldn’t sleep because I was too aware someone was next to me.’
Thinking of her in that way, Dominic resolved he would figure something out when he returned.
Meanwhile, at the Duke’s mansion, Elin was preparing to go out, heading down to the carriage.
A commotion in the garden caught her attention—someone was staggering drunkenly and making a scene.
Elin stared at the sight, and Jeffrey panicked, unsure what to do.
‘Get him out of here!’
Jeffrey shot a sharp glare and sent the staff running.
Watching the servants rush, Elin frowned in confusion.
‘How could a drunkard get inside the mansion in broad daylight?’
It couldn’t have been someone sneaking in past the guards, and if it was a staff member, that was even stranger.
‘Jeffrey or the Duke wouldn’t just let someone like that stay here. How odd.’
Curiosity piqued, she climbed into the carriage as Jeffrey opened the door.
“Take care.”
The carriage slowly moved toward the main gate.
Elin glanced again at the garden, spotting the figure under a tree post. The staff had grabbed his bottle and escorted him toward the back of the mansion, though he still resisted wildly.
‘Who on earth could he be?’
Elin watched anxiously before sitting back properly.
‘Even the most peaceful-looking estate has a few troubles.’
She decided it wasn’t worth overthinking—the chaos of unruly people existed everywhere, whether at her family’s home in Castia or here.
When Elin stepped out of the carriage, she was dumbfounded by the building before her.
“My goodness.”
She had heard good things about the Royal Hospital, but she hadn’t imagined it would be like this.
Although it was meant for royalty and high-ranking nobles, the place looked less like a hospital and more like a luxurious resort.
Even as she walked along the marble corridors, highly skilled doctors and nurses passed by her with a light nod of acknowledgment.
There was a calm, deliberate air about them that immediately inspired complete trust.
“This way, please.”
Following a courteous guide, they arrived at what seemed to be the finest room in the hospital.
As soon as the door opened, a large window framed a perfectly manicured garden, bright and orderly.
Instead of the harsh smell of disinfectant, the air seemed infused with a gentle, clean cotton scent.
“Eddie?”
Eddie looked confused, seemingly unable to adjust to being alone in such a grand room.
“Sister!”
His eyes lit up in the warmest welcome she had ever seen.
Elin placed the flowers she had brought from the Duke’s estate on the table and moved closer to her brother.
“Sister… what on earth happened? Why am I here?”
Eddie whispered quickly, glancing anxiously around the room.
“Don’t worry. The Duke arranged for you to have a place in this hospital.”
“The Duke?”
“Yeah. I was going to tell you beforehand, but I didn’t expect he’d have you moved so quickly either.”
Eddie finally seemed to relax a little, realizing why he was here.
“Still… this place is so strange.”
Elin frowned lightly, concerned.
“Strange? What’s strange about it?”
“They bring my medicine on silver trays. The meals are things I’ve never even eaten at home. People check on me at least ten times a day. It’s unbearably stressful.”
As he spoke, Eddie kept glancing toward the door, worried someone might come in.
Seeing her brother so flustered, a small smile crept onto Elin’s lips.
“That does sound stressful. That’s why you need to get better quickly so we can leave this hospital, alright?”
Eddie let out a small, resigned sigh.
Every conversation with his sister seemed to end with: “So get better quickly and let’s get out of this hospital.”
He blinked up at her, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
“I got married yesterday… can I visit you today?”
Even someone as naive as Edward found this perplexing. How could the new Duchess, married to the famous Duke’s household, be so free and unbothered the day after her wedding?
Elin paused for a moment, a little flustered, before giving him an awkward smile and answering.
