ITVDWBE 56

~Chapter 56~

Perhaps in the original novel, Bianca entered the mansion through the head maid.

It wasn’t described in detail how Bianca entered the mansion, but for some reason, it felt that way.

Well, Ancia didn’t care what relationship those two had. All that mattered was knowing they would be helpful in her divorce plans.

What was urgent right now was playing the role of a bridge or matchmaker between the male and female leads.

Ancia, sensing Bianca’s suspicious answer about learning tea-making directly from the head maid, took Julie and Ellie away before they could react sharply.

Sure enough, they hadn’t walked far from the room when Julie and Ellie both immediately voiced their concerns.

“Madam, we know you like Bianca, but she seems suspicious.”

“The master will arrive soon… Is it okay to leave? I’m worried Bianca will greet the Duke alone.”

That was exactly what Ancia wanted.

She couldn’t say that out loud, so she just smiled.

“We’ll be back soon. Ellie, will you stay if you’re worried?”

“I… I’ll follow if you command.”

Ancia genuinely smiled at Ellie’s meek reply.

Having honest and kind maids was reassuring. But at the same time, it was troublesome. To act like a villainess, she needed to bully them, but she didn’t have the heart to do it.

Luckily, for now, raising the intimacy between the male and female leads was more important than playing the villainess.

Ancia did her best. She worked hard to create chances for them to meet.

To create situations where only the two were left alone, whenever she had appointments, she avoided the Duke repeatedly.

However, Richard’s persistence was not to be underestimated. Whenever plans fell through, Richard sent another invitation through Bianca.

Like sword and shield, Richard endlessly sent invitations, and Ancia endlessly dodged them.

When Richard sent a message through Bianca to dine with him:

“Tell him I’m skipping dinner.”

When he suggested a walk:

“I’ve already been for a walk… Bianca, tell the Duke that.”

When he suggested tea time, she handed Bianca a bundle of snacks she had prepared.

“These are special treats I requested for the Duke. Take them to him before they cool.”

Thus, Ancia avoided meeting Richard with various excuses and sent Bianca instead.

Seeing Bianca still delighted to run errands even after several trips, Ancia became certain: Richard may not realise yet, but Bianca already had feelings for him.

Perhaps it was love at first sight, or perhaps the power of the original novel.

Either way, Ancia just hoped these small efforts would bear fruit.

Watching Bianca walk away lightly with the snacks, Ancia looked around for something villainous to do.

But seeing the well-maintained garden and the maids smiling kindly, she couldn’t muster the heart to do it.

‘It should be fine to skip being a villainess for a day.’

With a light heart, Ancia walked away.

Richard was holed up in his study, as his aide had wished.

While reviewing reports, Bianca appeared.

She claimed to bring a message from Ancia, but lingered around annoyingly until Richard told her off, practically driving her out.

When he later visited Ancia’s room at their promised time, only Bianca was waiting.

When he asked where Ancia was, Bianca said to wait and stayed by his side. She sat next to him and chatted about her past and her hopes for the ducal household.

Repeatedly, when his meetings with Ancia fell through, Bianca came instead.

Even when she rejected dinner, and Richard was about to go himself, Bianca visited again with snacks from Ancia. But instead of leaving them, she insisted on laying them out one by one.

When muffins and cookies were spread across the large desk among piles of papers, even the aide cleared his throat in discomfort.

Was this commoner testing her luck?

He even doubted whether all this was truly Ancia’s doing.

Seeing Bianca’s confident demeanour, he guessed Ancia must have allowed some of it.

Which annoyed him even more.

“Leave. Tell my wife I will visit before she sleeps.”

“She’s not in her room right now. Besides, Madam told me to watch you eat these snacks.”

“I will tell her myself. From now on, you will not have to visit me.”

“Ah, please don’t look at me so coldly. I’m only doing what Madam tells me to do.”

“Leave before my patience runs out.”

“Please don’t be angry. I just wanted to do well for the Duke who gave me a gift and the Madam who brought me here. I’m so lonely with no one here for me.”

Her lowered eyes as she spoke of loneliness made her look pitiful yet beautiful.

Even the aide and steward, who had been frowning, twitched their foreheads at her tearful look.

As Richard stared at her, Bianca gained courage and quietly approached his desk.

“I know everything. You’re lonely too, aren’t you, Duke?”

Everyone in the room froze at her sudden words.

“Even your wife wasn’t your choice. Your loneliness must be greater for it.”

A forced marriage within the ducal household.

It wasn’t a secret, but no one dared mention it. Yet here was a mere maid, speaking it aloud so easily.

“You act cold to keep everyone away, but you’re just lonely. I can’t leave you like that because I understand loneliness too.”

The Duke… lonely?

The aide and steward exchanged puzzled glances.

“Besides, you’re so tall and handsome. No woman would ignore such a lonely man.”

At this point, the truth hidden beneath her kind tone and expression revealed itself.

“Other women just don’t realise. Your coldness is a mask to hide your loneliness. I can be special to you.”

It was a clear seduction.

Until now, her sweet and innocent manner made it easy to mistake it for pure goodwill.

“I don’t think Madam realises your true self yet. She must have been loved and cared for all her life. She wouldn’t know your loneliness.”

Mentioning his wife crossed the line.

Richard, who had been listening silently to understand her intentions, reached for the dagger beneath his desk.

“Watch your words.”

The steward, usually silent before his master, raised his voice sternly.

“A maid should not say such things. How dare you belittle Madam in front of us?”

“I’m sorry. I just thought people close to the Duke should know his loneliness. I spoke out of turn.”

Bianca bowed deeply, apologising with tears brimming in her eyes. Her pitiful beauty even made the steward hesitate in scolding her further.

He looked at Richard, unsure if he should continue reprimanding her or leave.

Richard was desperately letting go of his dagger’s handle.

Finally releasing it, he glared at Bianca with unconcealed displeasure.

“The only reason I’m not throwing you out is because of my wife. Betray her kindness, and you’ll be dead before you cross that threshold.”

“Betray Madam? I only spoke the truth.”

A lonely man.

Of all titles unfit for Richard Gwinted, this was at the top.

Taking a deep breath to control his rage, he raised his hand and pointed to the door.

“If I see you again before meeting my wife, I will expel you from this mansion myself.”

“Yes, I’ll tell Madam you said that.”

Did this commoner think nobles were mere fools? He felt like cracking open her head to see. But he swallowed the impulse.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Even as Richard’s displeasure was clear, Bianca peeked back through the closing door and gave a bright smile.

Though Richard ignored her, her smile was so beautiful that even the steward and aide nodded back unconsciously.

After Bianca left, the steward and aide spoke lightly, unusually for them.

“Such a bright and pretty girl… very beautiful.”

“She’s the new maid. A bit too honest, but her concern for the Duke is admirable.”

“Indeed. I’ve never seen any woman act so fearlessly towards His Grace.”

Richard was speechless. Their reaction was too favourable for a maid who insulted his wife and seduced her husband.

If it was because of her looks, he couldn’t understand. She was pretty, but not enough to dull judgement.

Rather, the one who could cloud his mind was his wife, Ancia.