Chapter 10
The man spoke to me with such kindness, but it felt too much for someone like me. I shook my head.
“No, really… If you don’t believe me, I can even show you the letter Leonie sent me yesterday.”
But the man quietly shook his head.
“No, please believe my words exactly as they are. It truly isn’t your fault. In fact… that’s exactly what I was going to say. First…”
He glanced at me, hesitating, but seemed to realize he couldn’t put this off any longer. He looked like a doctor about to deliver tragic news to a patient’s family.
“Arnold had a secret lover.”
“…Yes, and?”
That’s hardly shocking.
The man’s eyes widened at my reaction, and he raised his voice.
“So you knew? And you still let him be?”
“Well… yeah. So?”
I already knew Arnold was killed by Leonie while meeting his lover, thanks to my memories from the past. So I waited quietly, planning to correct the man’s version of events.
“Our family’s investigation revealed that Arnold went on a trip with his lover… and like an idiot, he drove the carriage drunk and fell off a cliff.”
I was about to object when he quickly added,
“And Arnold died during the day, three days ago—before your sister’s assassination attempt on you. His body was found late, that’s all.”
“What?! Then…!”
“Yes. Arnold’s death had nothing to do with the Bartoli family.”
I slowly repeated his words in my mind and had no choice but to accept that they were true.
But… still, it didn’t feel real.
I stammered,
“But I really did get a letter from Leonie. And she’s the type to follow through when she threatens something.”
“If it’s revenge you’re talking about… I believe this is it.”
He handed me a copy of tomorrow’s Imperial newspaper.
How does he have a paper that’s not out until tomorrow?
But that question disappeared from my mind the moment I read the bold headline on the front page:
[Lady Bartoli’s Fiancé Caught in Affair – Seen Multiple Times – Will the Engagement Hold?]
My heart dropped. The man’s voice echoed in my ears.
“I got this just before it went to print. It seems the future crown princess wanted to humiliate you by exposing your fiancé’s secrets.”
On the surface, the article seemed to criticize Arnold for cheating. Given that I was the daughter of the First Princess and the eldest of the Bartoli family—and that the Glentino house held rights to the throne—our engagement making headlines wasn’t strange.
But for such a private scandal to be on the front page of the Imperial Newspaper? That was clearly intentional. And instead of focusing on Arnold, the headline used my name.
Most people would think Leonie’s goal was this:
1. Shock me by revealing my fiancé’s affair.
2. Ruin my reputation in high society by making it seem like I couldn’t control my fiancé.
But I knew that wasn’t it at all.
First of all, I already knew Arnold was cheating. So this didn’t feel like betrayal.
And second, I didn’t care one bit about what society thought of me. Leonie knew that.
No—the real goal of my twisted sister was this:
To make our father hate me even more. And to hurt me with that.
Honestly, having Arnold exposed as a cheater was worse for me than his death. Because no one would blame me for a fiancé who died—but a fiancé who cheated? That could easily be seen as my fault.
“Leonie, you awful girl.”
My cunning younger sister knew exactly how to hurt me in the most elegant way possible.
Ironically, back in my past life, when she killed Arnold, it was probably her version of mercy. Instead of insulting me, she just sent a warning.
But either way, the duke’s son was right.
My fiancé, Arnold…
“…Really died doing something stupid.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ha… ha ha. All that guilt, regret, and sadness—I want it back.
The man sipped his tea and continued.
“I honestly didn’t want to tell you all this. But if you already knew about Arnold’s cheating, I should’ve just said it earlier. I can’t imagine what wild thoughts you must’ve had when I asked to meet yesterday.”
“I didn’t think anything weird.”
…Well, maybe I did picture what the maids’ uniforms looked like. I pretended like I hadn’t.
Playing with the handle of my teacup, I asked something I’d been wondering.
“Did his lover… die too?”
“Do you want her to?”
What kind of question is that?!
“Of course not! I just wanted to know what happened.”
“She didn’t die. Arnold was the only one in the carriage. But it seems she fled the scene to hide the affair, so our family will be seeking compensation.”
His voice was firm, and it reassured me even more that Arnold’s death wasn’t my fault.
Though I wasn’t sure what kind of compensation he meant.
With the heavy part of the conversation over, I relaxed and even smiled a little.
But Owen ta Glentino now looked a bit tense—odd, since he’d been calm this whole time. It was just a feeling, but I noticed.
“Lady Bartoli.”
Just as he called me, there was a knock at the door. It was the butler.
The man put down his teacup. Though his face stayed calm, I could feel his annoyance.
The butler carefully opened the door.
“What’s so urgent, Colin?”
“Uh… it’s a Code Red, sir.”
Owen sighed lightly and looked at me apologetically.
“I’m very sorry to ask this, but would it be alright if I stepped out for a moment? It won’t take long.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. And while I’m gone—Colin, bring the lady more refreshments.”
“I’m fine!”
I must’ve shouted too loudly—both men looked at me.
“Ah, Your Grace, if it’s alright, why don’t you handle your business here, and I’ll go for a little walk around the mansion?”
I stood up quickly. I’d just had a huge lunch—now snacks too? What am I, a 7-year-old child?
The butler stepped aside with a knowing smile.
Owen looked slightly disappointed as he asked,
“Then… would you like to tour the garden instead? I’ll join you there after I finish.”
The weather was nice, and it sounded like a good idea. Besides, I was full.
I gladly agreed and stood up.
—
When I stepped out, another butler was already waiting.
He must’ve heard the conversation. He politely guided me toward the garden.
His tone was so respectful, I felt like I was the Queen of the Neuden Kingdom or something.
“Since the master won’t be long, I’ll take you to the smallest garden. It’s humble and modest, but if you enjoy it even a little, we’d be honored.”
…That’s what he said as we walked.
So I believed it.
“……”
This is supposed to be the humble, small garden?!
Why is there a pond bigger than my room in the smallest garden?!
There was even a lovely wooden bridge over the water and willow trees swaying gently in the breeze. It looked perfect for a picnic.
The flowers and trees were arranged beautifully—it felt like I could forget all my worries just by being here.
I was truly amazed.
“It’s really wonderful.”
“This was the duchess’s favorite spot. She said it reminded her of the secret hideouts she made as a child.”
Hmm, my childhood secret spot was inside the closet… What kind of secret garden did she have?
There was so much to explore, but I decided to start with a walk along the edge of the garden. I asked the butler to keep some distance so I could enjoy being alone.
As I walked along the path, I reached the edge of the estate where a tall white fence marked the boundary.
Through the fence, I saw the road outside.
A boy wearing a flat cap was happily handing out papers.
“Extra! Extra!”
People passing by stopped to take single-sheet newspapers from him.
Extras like that only happen when something huge occurs—like the Emperor collapsing, or a royal baby being born, or war breaking out.
Just then, one of the papers flew toward me, and I quickly reached out and caught it.
The headline read:
[Today is the birthday of the most beautiful young lady of the Bartoli family, Lady Sophia ta Bartoli]
“…?”
I blinked in disbelief. But no matter how much I rubbed my eyes, the words didn’t change.
Is this a dream? What’s going on?
Then the conversation from earlier in the sitting room flashed through my mind.
Owen had said:
“Send an extra across the empire: Today is the birthday of the most beautiful of the Bartoli sisters, Lady Sophia.”
I thought he was joking and laughed. But then he added,
“I’m completely serious.”
And now, that exact line was printed in the extra. Word for word. In huge letters.
“This is insane!”
So this ridiculous extra is being handed out across the entire empire?! From one end to the other?
Did he seriously just announce my birthday to the whole empire?
Suddenly, a terrible realization hit me.
If that man really doesn’t make empty promises… then does that mean he also meant the part about declaring a national holiday?
And drying up all the peach seeds in the empire?
Was all of it… completely serious?!
“Nooo!!”
There was only one thing I could do.
I turned around and ran back the way I came as fast as I could.
“BUTLER! STOP YOUR CRAZY MASTER!!”
