~Chapter 19~
“Y-yeah… The Duke doesn’t seem like the kind of person who fusses over formalities. The Dowager isn’t picky either. And all the staff are nice.”
Elin couldn’t bring herself to tell her brother that the Duke had left the house at dawn the day after the wedding. He would surely worry.
“Well, that’s a relief.”
Eddie relaxed and rested his head comfortably back on the pillow.
“Eddie, for the next year, you need to recover properly so we can go to Castia together. The environment there will be much better for you. Do you promise?”
Eddie looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“You’re married now and a Duchess… can you really go to Castia whenever you like? The Duke must really be a generous man.”
“Huh? Y-yeah… Yes, he really is a good person.”
Once again, Elin flinched at her brother’s sharp observation, managing an awkward smile to skirt around the topic.
“Today, Great-Aunt is returning to Castia. I just wanted to stop by and see you before that. I’ll come visit you again soon.”
After that brief hospital visit, Elin left the hospital with a lighter heart than before.
Before getting into the carriage, she took one last look around the hospital, her expression resolute.
‘Duke… I will do my best as your Duchess for the next year.’
Though the Duke was still distant and difficult, she felt genuinely grateful that he had so quickly honored his promise.
She had hesitated a lot about this marriage, but Dominic Linderto, the Duke, had given both her and her brother a chance to dream anew a year from now.
And so, she resolved to repay him.
With a firm determination to give her all in this contract marriage, she stepped into the carriage.
“Oh my! Look who’s here! The Duchess has arrived!”
At Rosana’s sweetly lilting voice, everyone in the hall turned toward the entrance.
Marie, who was just carrying tea, nearly dropped her tray in surprise at the newcomer.
‘Miss Elin?!’
Wearing a form-fitting deep purple dress and a hat adorned with flowers and feathers, Elin exuded the very air of a noblewoman.
She was no longer the plain young lady in a faded floral dress with braids on either side of her head.
Elin’s appearance startled more than just Marie. Even the servants who had lived with her for years at the Baron’s house murmured among themselves.
If Rosana hadn’t called out to her loudly, some might have failed to recognize her as Elin.
“It’s barely been a day since your wedding, and yet you already carry yourself like a true Duchess, Elin.”
Isabella, seated on the sofa, reached out kindly to Elin.
Janice glared at her with envy, while Royce stared in disbelief.
Elin’s presence radiated a completely different atmosphere than the girl they had known.
Feeling the gaze of the Nelson family on her, Elin was slightly uncomfortable, but she approached Isabella naturally.
Though her rank had risen, she still greeted her great-aunt as before, kissing the back of her hand and lightly pressing her cheek to it.
“I was worried you might have already left.”
“I was just about to get up. This old lady can’t trouble you any further.”
Outside, Great-Aunt’s carriage was ready to depart, perfectly on schedule.
“I’m glad to see you before I go, Elin.”
Elin helped her great-aunt stand, offering an arm for support.
“This old lady wants to take one last stroll around the garden with you.”
Isabella spoke, folding her wrinkled eyes gently, while the rest of the family looked uneasy.
The small garden was full of pink moss roses, charming in their neat arrangement.
Walking among them, the two exchanged a tender farewell.
“As for your mother-in-law… she’s no ordinary woman. That sly fox will catch on to something, so don’t act naive—keep your wits about you.”
Elin stopped, noting the weight behind her great-aunt’s warning. Could she have noticed something already?
“Noticed something? What do you mean about her?”
Isabella didn’t answer directly, only offering more cryptic advice:
“Melissa Linderto isn’t completely unreasonable. I can guarantee that. If you win her over, she’ll be your strongest ally.”
Elin tilted her head, unsure what that meant. Isabella pressed her hand over Elin’s.
“Elin, don’t be intimidated. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Act as yourself—naturally. That’s your strongest weapon.”
Elin gazed at Isabella in silence.
“Understood?”
Finally, Elin smiled faintly and nodded.
After their last farewell, Isabella boarded the carriage to Castia.
The Nelson family lined up as they had when she arrived, sending her off.
As the carriage departed, an awkward tension lingered among those left behind.
Elin watched the retreating carriage, feeling a hollow emptiness, as though her staunchest ally had just left.
“Elin, let’s head inside.”
Rosana gently took her arm. Elin, slightly repelled by her over-familiar kindness, freed her arm and turned.
“I need to get something from my room.”
Rosana pouted at her coldness.
“Even as a Duchess, you’re quite aloof.”
Elin went straight to her room, ignoring Royce, who seemed about to speak.
She returned shortly, holding a small iron box, drawing curious stares from everyone.
“Elin, after coming home, you really aren’t going to have even a cup of tea?”
Rosana asked, while Janice muttered sarcastically beside her:
“Do you think a Duchess would ever treat us trivial people like family?”
Elin let a faint smile escape. Janice had never once treated her as family.
“Come on, Elin. While you’re here, have some tea.”
Elin hesitated, then sat upright on the sofa. Gradually, those claiming to be family began gathering around the table.
In truth, the only real family for her was Eddie in the hospital.
“This morning, I heard you saw the Duke at the train platform. Is that true?”
Janice asked, curiosity sharp in her eyes. Everyone waited for Elin’s answer.
“Yes. He had an important business trip scheduled even before the wedding.”
Elin met Janice’s gaze, answering calmly as if it were no concern.
Janice sighed in frustration:
“Even so, how could he leave the bride alone right after the wedding?”
Elin smiled, noting Janice’s concern:
“You worry about me, just like a true sibling, Janice.”
Rosana stepped in to ease the tension.
“The Duke is one of the busiest men in the kingdom. That’s understandable. But shouldn’t we visit where you’ll be staying sometime?”
The Baron, who had been waiting for this cue, started rummaging through a drawer.
“I haven’t told you yet, but your father is planning a new business venture. We thought to discuss it with you as well…”
Seeing her father handling documents, Elin felt a surge of disgust. It was revolting to see him acting as if he could profit from his daughter just married.
“Since when have you been consulting me on business? If it’s such a good venture, just go ahead with it.”
She bit her lip softly, answering gently but with trembling anger.
“Even the Duke is a businessman. I thought he’d be interested, so I told you first, Elin.”
Elin stared at him in disbelief.
“Do you know how people gossip about a marriage into a declining noble house? We’re all frustrated just hearing it.”
Rosana added:
“Your father’s success would raise your prestige too. Supporting him fully would only help everyone, yet you act so heartlessly.”
Elin chuckled bitterly, picked up the iron box again, and prepared to leave.
“My late mother’s inheritance was used entirely for Janice’s dowry. Isn’t that enough?”
“Elin!”
“How… could you say that!”
The stepmother and the Baron’s faces contorted in shock.
Janice glared incredulously, and Royce looked embarrassed.
“Didn’t you ever consider that sending a daughter without a dowry to the Duke’s house is shameless enough without dragging the Duke into your business dealings?”
“Elin, my sweet daughter, why have you changed so?”
The Baron looked on, stunned.
“Do you know who made me like this?”
Elin rose, breathing harshly, equally shocked by the family’s audacity.
“Once again, don’t think of using me for your own gain in the Duke’s house. If you consider me your daughter, don’t embarrass me further.”
With that, Elin walked toward the entrance.
The remaining Nelson family sat in the living room as if a bomb had been dropped.
The Baron and Rosana trembled, pale as death, while Janice laughed derisively:
“So, becoming a Duchess means family is invisible now? Let’s see how long that pride lasts. I can only be driven out in my position, right?”
She continued her tirade:
“Even if they kick me out of the house, may I never set foot there again! Straight to hell!”
“Janice!”
The Baron, glancing at Royce, tried to rein her in.
“You saw what she was doing, Father! That girl’s antics!”
“Janice!”
Finally, Rosana stopped Janice’s harsh words, while Royce shook his head helplessly, staring out the window as Elin’s carriage departed.
