Chapter 36……………………
“Pardon?”
At Yuhan’s words—that he was in possession of the deed to the estate—Baron Innohater slowly blinked. Tilting his head, he seemed unable to comprehend right away.
Yuhan concisely explained how he had come to hold the document. As the story unfolded, Baron Innohater’s face grew darker by the moment.
“Jeremy, that rascal…”
The baron’s face flushed red, as though ashamed to have shown such a disgrace to his liege.
He had thought his son was quietly studying at university, but instead he had caused a massive scandal.
He never imagined his son, who never cared for profit, would pledge away his title and their home without permission just to take over a textile factory…
The unexpectedness of Jeremy’s actions left Baron Innohater speechless.
Watching the baron’s humiliation, Yuhan continued.
“Of course, it would be right for me to return the deed immediately. But, if you don’t mind, I’d like to hold on to it a little longer.”
Even then, the baron could not meet Yuhan’s eyes. After letting out a heavy sigh, he spoke.
“It no longer belongs to me. Whatever you do with it has nothing to do with me.”
Without even asking Yuhan’s reasons, Baron Innohater accepted his decision.
Yuhan thought to himself that this was very much like the baron, and said,
“This house is your home, my lord. Think of it as me keeping it safe for Serret.”
In truth, it wasn’t for Serret, but for himself. Yet Yuhan couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.
Through the servants, he had learned what Serret had discussed with Lawyer Dellabayne.
In short, after a year of marriage, Serret planned to divorce—taking alimony and a share of assets to clean up Jeremy’s mess.
His first thought upon hearing that had been: All this trouble just for 170,000 lupins? A sum he could easily have given her outright.
That she had married him for money didn’t actually offend him. On the contrary, he was relieved.
It pleased him that she was shrewd enough to make such a calculation. He had worried she was too meek, but this reassured him.
What bothered him was the one year. Just a year? That this foolish woman dreamed of divorcing after a single year irritated him greatly.
The solution didn’t take long. The deed he had secured to force the marriage could also serve to prevent the divorce.
“How much did Jeremy borrow?” the baron asked, looking at Yuhan.
“You needn’t concern yourself.”
“Tell me. Unless you mean to treat me with contempt.”
At his stern tone, Yuhan reluctantly answered.
“170,000 lupins.”
The baron let out a groan and sank back against the sofa. With House Innohater’s finances, it was a crushing sum.
“I am deeply ashamed.”
He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed.
“Think nothing of it. …But please don’t tell Serret. It would only worry her.”
“I won’t. Thank you.”
The baron answered, his face pale.
Though Yuhan felt pity for the old man, he too needed a weapon—one with which to bind Serret Innohater completely to himself.
Serret returned to the ducal residence in the capital after five days. During her stay at the Mosley house, her father had seemed oddly dispirited, which weighed on her mind.
“My lady, Madam Oxenbury is here.”
“Really?”
Hannah entered her room with the news. Rising from the vanity where she had been lost in thought about her father, Serret straightened.
Madam Oxenbury was Yuhan’s aunt. In her previous life, she had helped arrange Serret and Yuhan’s wedding.
She lived in the Brick district near the ducal lands and often visited the ducal residence.
With her naturally gentle temperament, she had always treated Serret and Lydia with equal kindness.
It was Madam Oxenbury who taught Yuhan that a husband must treat his wife well so that the servants would not look down on her. Of course, Yuhan had paid her no heed.
As an elder of House Prectuster, she helped keep order, and when she visited, even the servants did not dare openly disrespect Serret.
Since Serret bore her no ill will, she did not find this meeting uncomfortable.
Hurrying down the stairs, she found Madam Oxenbury being greeted by the butler and head maid, Mrs. Lindsay.
“Auntie.”
Serret approached her with a warm smile. Without thinking, she had called her by the affectionate title she had used in her previous life. Realizing it, she gave an awkward laugh.
“Oh, Serret.”
In truth, they had already met a few times at hunting tournaments, so Madam Oxenbury wasn’t put off by the familiar greeting.
“I like that you call me that.”
“Since the wedding is so close, I suppose my heart ran ahead of me.”
“It’s quite all right. You’ve lifted my spirits.”
“You must be tired from the trip.”
“Not at all. It feels like I’ve come home.”
Her gaze, as it swept the ducal residence, was tinged with nostalgia. After all, this had once been her home.
“You should rest well today.”
“Indeed—I’ll be very busy starting tomorrow.”
Laughing warmly, Madam Oxenbury allowed the butler to escort her upstairs.
After meeting her, the reality of the marriage hit Serret anew. To marry again the man who had killed her… it was sheer madness.
She shook her head and ascended the stairs. There she encountered the butler returning from seeing Madam Oxenbury to her room.
“Dr. Kane will be arriving shortly,” the butler said. Dr. Kane was House Prectuster’s physician, who made regular visits to attend to Yuhan’s health.
“When he arrives, send him to my chambers.”
Since her return from Mosley, Serret was no longer a guest. She spoke with the authority of the lady of the house.
“Yes, madam.”
The butler, too, no longer addressed her as “young lady.” She was now his mistress.
“My lady, why the doctor all of a sudden? Are you ill?” Hannah asked as she followed Serret to her room.
“Not me. You.”
“Me? But I’m perfectly fine.”
Hannah blinked in confusion.
“Just in case.”
In her past life, Hannah had died not long after Serret’s marriage. She had never learned the name of the illness.
It had been a sudden death, and Mosley lacked physicians capable of diagnosing it.
Now that Serret had returned earlier in time, Hannah’s death was still some months away. So she thought it best to have her examined in advance.
“I really am healthy. There’s no need for a checkup,” Hannah insisted, shaking her head.
“Hannah, if you care for me, you’ll do it. That’s an order.”
“My lady…”
Pouting, Hannah’s face fell at Serret’s firm tone.
“If you defy me, how can the servants respect me?”
“…All right, my lady.”
Her words struck home. It’s up to me to uphold my lady’s dignity. Nodding vigorously, Hannah clenched her fist.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
“Yes!”
Hannah rushed to open it wide, revealing the butler with Dr. Kane.
“Welcome, Dr. Kane.”
Serret greeted him with a smile. After a polite bow, the doctor asked seriously,
“Where does it hurt?”
Serret shook her head and pointed at Hannah.
“Not me. Please examine my maid.”
“…Understood.”
The new duchess seems unusual, he thought. Few nobles took such care for a servant’s health.
Setting aside his curiosity, he pulled a stethoscope from his bag.
As he pressed it to her back, Hannah stiffened, holding her breath. Having never once been to a hospital, she was rigid with fear.
“Breathe.”
At his instruction, Hannah exhaled with a loud puff, making Serret stifle a laugh.
He continued with thermometer, blood pressure cuff, and spirometer. Each time, Hannah’s nervousness showed plainly in her darting eyes.
“There’s nothing abnormal,” Dr. Kane concluded.
“Truly?”
Serret narrowed her eyes. Could she really be fine? If she were to die, there should be some symptom by now.
“Yes, she’s in good health.”
“I heard there are tests that require blood samples. Could we do that at a hospital?”
“If you wish, I can draw some blood now and deliver it to the hospital myself.”
“Wh-what?”
Hannah recoiled, shaking her head furiously as Dr. Kane calmly drew out a syringe.
Terrified, she clung to Serret’s arm.
“My lady, I’m healthy! He said so!”
“Hannah, you can’t be sure. Roll up your sleeve.”
“My lady…”
On the verge of tears, Hannah stared at her.
Blood, taken out of me? The thought was horrifying. Her breath came short with fear.
“Now, Hannah.”
“…Fine.”
At Serret’s stern face, Hannah reluctantly obeyed.
The doctor quickly drew her blood. Sniffling, Hannah pressed on the spot afterward.
“I’ll inform you as soon as the results come in.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Serret stroked Hannah’s shoulder as she saw him out.
When they were alone again, she clasped Hannah’s hand firmly.
“Hannah, no matter what happens, I won’t let you die.”
“My lady, how could I die when I’m this healthy!” Hannah whined.
Serret only smiled at her.
She silently vowed to shatter the cruel fate that awaited Hannah, so she could keep complaining like this forever.
Busy days followed. Even though she cut out everything she could, the preparations for the wedding were still endless.
Serret’s dress and Yuhan’s formalwear had to be fitted. The floral decorations for the grand cathedral chosen. The food and wine for the reception selected.
So many decisions to make. She wondered how she had managed all this in her past life.
Back then, the preparations had been exhausting but also joyful. Each choice had filled her with anticipation and happiness.
But now, she muttered “tedious” to herself countless times. Truthfully, she didn’t even want a wedding, but that wasn’t an option.
“Serret will be the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Yuhan, I wish you could see her in the dress already,” Madam Oxenbury said warmly as she sipped her tea.
They had just finalized the design of the wedding cake and were now resting in the tea room.
“I live for that day,” Yuhan replied, wearing his kind nephew’s smile.
“Tomorrow, we’ll order your wedding rings. Be sure to spare a little time in the morning,” she instructed.
“Yes, Aunt.”
Yuhan nodded.
“I must go now. I almost forgot to write Emma a letter.”
“Please send her my regards,” Yuhan said as she rose.
“I will.”
“Rest well,” Serret added, standing.
“You too, my dear.”
With a gentle smile, Madam Oxenbury departed.
Left alone, Yuhan and Serret sat in a silence tinged with tension. Yuhan’s gaze shifted from her blue eyes to her slender fingers.
“For the rings, let’s go with sapphire,” he said.
“To match my eyes?”
Familiar with the thought, Serret gave a soft laugh.
