Chapter 31
Naturally, the banquet ended right then and there.
A murder in the heart of Müssen.
The shocking news caused quite a stir in the city.
At first, people exaggerated the story despite not having seen it themselves. But soon, they lost interest and returned to their daily lives.
My own routine continued as usual.
Each morning, I would check the daily newspaper brought by Sir Fret, sort through the documents sent to the Evanstein estate, and draft the budget—a series of rather mundane tasks.
Meanwhile, the newspapers were still abuzz with talk of the murder in Müssen. Sensational articles poured out daily, and even Johannes’s name was mentioned.
It was early morning when I was, as always, sorting through documents.
Johannes had assigned Sir Fret to assist me in handling my duties as duchess, and as I glanced through the day’s newspaper, I asked him,
“This is strange. Isn’t the police department doing anything? How can there be no progress at all?”
Sir Fret, who had been buried in paperwork, lifted his head.
“You might already know this, but it’s not because the police in Müssen are particularly competent that crime has been kept in check all this time. It’s because the Duke of Schultz held absolute authority and enforced strict punishments. No one dared to act out. Now that the royal family has suspended that authority, someone seems to have taken advantage.”
“Still… the royal family can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
I muttered as I flipped through the documents.
“I don’t believe I’ve mentioned this before, but the royal family provides no support to Müssen whatsoever.”
“What do you mean?”
I looked up at him. Sir Fret was staring back at me with solemn eyes.
“All the government officials dispatched to Müssen from the central authority are those who’ve been demoted. To put it simply, everything in Müssen runs under the Schultz family’s control.”
He added that it had been ten years since the last major crime. The police, having been idle all that time, were of no help now.
Which meant the pressure on the Schultz family to solve this case was immense.
“That explains all the petitions arriving at the estate.”
I glanced at the towering stack of papers on my desk.
All the petitions delivered daily to the Evanstein estate carried the same message: the Duke of Schultz must take charge and resolve this crisis.
“That’s why your husband is living like he doesn’t have enough hours in the day.”
Since the wedding, I’d been using the room alone. While I didn’t mind having such a spacious room to myself, it also meant Johannes wasn’t even getting proper sleep.
“Regrettably, that’s true, Madam. The peace we’ve enjoyed until now was thanks to the tireless efforts of the previous Duke Schultz.”
Now that peace had been disturbed, no one could say what would happen next, Sir Fret added.
I sighed heavily and turned my gaze from his bowed head back to the newspaper.
‘This might take a while.’
But contrary to my worries, the case was resolved sooner than expected.
Thanks to that, a dinner with Johannes—something I’d thought wouldn’t happen for at least a month—came much sooner than expected.
“You look like you’ve lost some weight.”
I offered the polite comment as I watched Johannes eat across from me.
“I’ve just been busy.”
A faint smile played at the corner of his lips.
It was true. His jaw, already sharp, had become even more angular in just a few days, and his eyes looked more intense. Even his once perfectly fitted shirt looked a little loose now.
“You must’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you.”
His tired tone matched his words. Maybe it was because we hadn’t talked in a while, but the atmosphere felt a little awkward.
Not knowing what to say next, I carefully picked a topic and asked,
“…We’ll be sharing a room from now on. Won’t it be uncomfortable for you? If it bothers you, I can sleep on the sofa.”
“Is that your idea of being considerate?”
His eyebrows rose.
“Yes, if that’s how you want to take it.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but no decent husband would let his wife sleep on the sofa, even if he were uncomfortable.”
It was a gentlemanly refusal, not enough to make me feel embarrassed.
Johannes spoke again near the end of our meal.
“Have you been doing well?”
It sounded like an obligatory question—something he’d just now remembered to ask.
“Yes, I’ve been so well that I almost feel guilty. But I’m relieved the case was resolved.”
I glanced at the newspaper lying on the table. Its headline was printed in large, bold letters:
“Disgraced No More: Duke Schultz Becomes the Hero Who Solved Müssen’s Murder Case”
Most major newspapers were running similar headlines. That was the story people wanted to hear.
People burdened by reality respond more to crises they’re directly facing than to distant tales.
If the crime had been out of personal vengeance, people would have criticized it briefly and forgotten. But a senseless murder was a different matter—it could have happened to anyone.
Everyone must’ve been living in fear until the culprit was caught. And once someone took down the villain, people hailed him as a hero.
Müssen’s citizens were no different. This time, their hero was Johannes Schultz.
Public opinion, which had started to turn against me, had now swung completely back in our favor thanks to the resolution of the case.
Along with that were countless articles about the marriage between me and Johannes Schultz.
‘I guess I was helpful in my own way.’
The anxiety I’d felt about whether this whole ruse would even work began to fade a little.
“There are quite a few opinions expecting an heir as well.”
Sir Fret, standing next to Johannes, nodded toward the newspaper as he joined the conversation. Perhaps he’d sensed the somewhat subdued atmosphere between us.
But…
‘An heir?’
I forced a smile to hide my surprise.
“Seems like people think we’re a very affectionate couple.”
“Fortunately.”
Johannes’s eyes met mine.
“Thanks to my wife’s excellent performance.”
He lifted his utensils again, a smile playing on his lips. His white teeth peeked between them.
‘If we’re going to act, we might as well do it right.’
The smile reminded me of the one he gave me at the banquet when he pulled me close by the waist. My face flushed.
I quickly looked away, and Sir Fret took the opportunity to speak again.
“Honestly, seeing how you both acted at the wedding, I’m not surprised by these articles. Even I briefly forgot it was all a performance.”
I let out an awkward laugh.
“I’m glad it came across that way. It’s a shame we won’t be fulfilling the public’s expectations for an heir, though.”
I said it somewhat playfully, and Sir Fret looked shocked.
“What do you mean?”
“This marriage is for show, isn’t it? A ridiculous romance between a noble and a commoner.”
Both men clamped their mouths shut at my reply. Sir Fret was the first to speak.
“True, your marriage might not be conventional, but most nobles don’t marry for love, either. The two of you seem well-matched, and living together might lead to affection…”
“That will never happen.”
I shut it down firmly, not leaving even a sliver of hope. Sir Fret’s expression twisted even further.
He shook his head as if I’d just said something absurd.
“That’s impossible. Madam, I heard you agreed to fulfill the duties of the household. Solidifying the succession is one of those duties.”
“But—”
“I don’t know what promises you two exchanged, but… I assumed the master was also aware of the importance of an heir.”
He turned to Johannes as he said this.
Apparently, the only reason Sir Fret had supported this bizarre marriage was because he believed Johannes had finally resolved to produce an heir.
It was the first time I’d heard this, and though flustered, I responded calmly.
“Once the public calms down, I believe he should marry a new duchess. I’m just a commoner with no outstanding talents—hardly any help to the Schultz family.”
“But unless there’s a major flaw, nobles cannot divorce. It requires royal permission—”
“Divorce—”
As Sir Fret continued to explain, Johannes cut him off.
Sir Fret fell silent.
“Once everyone’s needs are met, things will proceed however my wife wants. Whether she desires divorce or not, I will follow her wishes completely.”
His face showed not the slightest hint of doubt. As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
