~Chapter 40~
From afar, Merrick waved cheerfully like he had been waiting for her.
“My lady!”
Riden was happy to see him too—it had only been a few days since she last saw her once future brother-in-law.
Merrick looked at her with a slightly bitter expression.
“You broke off the engagement, and yet you’re looking better and better each day. Instead of calling the family doctor, I should’ve sent you home. How sad…”
Riden felt sorry that the only one who’d been kind to her was now looking so down. She whispered softly:
“My face only looks this healthy thanks to you, Count. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. So please don’t feel bitter.”
Riden even clasped her hands over her chest like her heart hurt for real. Merrick smiled, satisfied.
“I’m glad I at least left a good impression. Shall we go, then?”
As she followed behind Merrick, Riden was once again amazed by the wealth of the duchy. She’d been too distracted last time to notice.
‘Is that a Michelangelo painting?’
‘This one’s by Hildegard von Bingen!’
‘Even Duccio di Buoninsegna?’
She wondered just how much real-world culture the author had built into this fantasy world. One thing was clear: the Kenwolf family was meant to feel overwhelmingly powerful.
Merrick stopped.
“This is the place.”
He opened the door, and bright light poured in from a wide window.
It was a luxurious, beautifully decorated bedroom.
‘Why a bedroom?’
Riden looked at Merrick, confused. He tilted his head kindly and said:
“You can ask my mother for the details when she arrives. I’ll take my leave now.”
Before she could say anything, Merrick disappeared, and the duchess walked in.
This was their second time meeting since the contract was broken.
Riden quickly bowed.
“Nice to see you, Duchess.”
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Riden sat and stared at the empty table between them. The duchess wore a half-mask today.
‘Must be going to a masquerade later tonight.’
Trying to be polite, Riden started conversation:
“You’re wearing a mask? Going to a masquerade, perhaps?”
“Are you curious?”
She wasn’t, but she nodded.
“You haven’t debuted yet, so I suppose everything still excites you. Does it feel uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. I’m perfectly fine.”
The duchess murmured:
“They said it would work… Norman really is the best doctor.”
A short silence passed.
Then the duchess finally spoke.
“First, I must tell you—I’m someone who values connections. We were nearly mother- and daughter-in-law once. I see that as a special connection.”
Riden thought she was lucky it didn’t work out but kept listening.
“It didn’t work out, but I already said I’d support your social debut, didn’t I? I trust you won’t make me a liar. Your answer?”
Riden forced a polite smile. As long as it didn’t mean restarting the engagement, she could accept.
Just then, the duchy’s head maid brought in tea.
Riden reached for her teacup, but—
“So… dear, do you like your bedroom?”
‘Excuse me?’
She froze. Then stammered:
“I’m so sorry, ma’am, but my hearing hasn’t been great lately. C-could you say that one more time?”
The duchess kindly repeated:
“I asked if you liked the bedroom I prepared for you.”
‘Why am I still “dear”? Why do I even have a bedroom here?’
The duchess nodded to herself, then said:
“We’ll need a grace period before canceling the engagement officially—until we find someone else to take your place.”
“But last time you said—!”
“I’m sorry. I am a mother, after all.”
“Dear!”
Riden was stunned but tried not to show it. She asked:
“Why do we need a grace period?”
“As you know, Ethan becomes unstable without you. Until we find someone from the Shiraka Order to replace you, you’ll need to meet Ethan twice a month—intimately.”
Riden thought:
‘But the heroine will be here soon! She’ll come and save Ethan!’
Marie, the real female lead, would soon arrive and take her place. That was how the story was supposed to go.
‘She’ll be here soon. I just have to hold on until then.’
She didn’t want to blame the duchess too much. Any mother would want to help her suffering son.
Riden nodded, almost slipping:
“I’ll do it, um… I’m sorry, Duchess.”
The duchess gently touched Riden’s hand.
“Dear, thank you for not seeing it the wrong way.”
Riden was surprised—the duchess’s eyes, once so cold, now felt warm.
“W-well, I do feel a bit responsible…”
“Do you~?”
Suddenly, the duchess grabbed both of Riden’s hands.
“Then starting today, stay here. Sleep over!”
“W-what?”
“You like the bedroom, right? Of course you do—I decorated it.”
“Wait, Duchess!”
“I have somewhere to be, so I’ll leave now!”
“Duchess!”
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Riden was left alone in her new bedroom, staring at the closed door.
Later…
‘But what if Marie arrives too late?’
If Marie’s debut was delayed, so would her love story with Ethan. And that meant Riden would have to stay longer.
Which would ruin her plan to return peacefully to her own territory after the social season.
Knock knock.
While thinking, someone knocked on the door.
Riden looked up from her thoughts.
“Who is it?”
