Chapter 9
“The difference between you and the Duke’s family is that I have nothing, Cati. Nothing at all. No possessions, no achievements, not even strength.”
My sister assessed herself with a cruelty that cut like a knife. If it weren’t for the Marquis Pedro’s family, even though our Rills family was small compared to the Duke’s, it would have been enough to support her.
But having lost everything, the reality was that my sister was nothing but a shell of herself.
I felt my heart ache and pulled her into a tight hug. She returned it just as tightly.
“If I were to marry the Duke in this state, everything around me would just become unhappy.”
“Sis…”
“That’s why I can’t marry the Duke.”
She patted my back, small but firm, and spoke clearly.
“I will never let you become unhappy because of me.”
I lifted my head from her embrace. Her face carried guilt as she said those words to me.
She reached out and gently cupped my cheek.
Her cold fingers touched my warm skin. Hands that had always been warm now felt as if dipped in ice water.
“I’m sorry, Cati. Honestly… I’ve worried about this from the very beginning.”
I understood what she meant.
If she married the Duke and became Duchess, as the prince’s governess did today, there would be people who would relish tearing her down, and I would be the first target.
Because I am an illegitimate child, considered a disgrace in noble society.
Today had only amplified her worries. That I could be attacked for who I am, and that her happiness could be affected as a result.
I was grateful for her concern, but it also hurt my heart. If I hadn’t existed, she wouldn’t have had to push away the marriage with the Duke out of worry.
‘It’s not my sister making me unhappy. It’s me making her unhappy.’
Even as a beloved younger sister, my illegitimacy had always been a thorn around her ankle. Realizing it again made me clench my teeth.
‘I won’t be a burden to my sister in this life.’
I looked up at her beautiful face, silver hair flowing naturally, a small and delicate frame. Glenn Valuga had left her bruised and battered in the past, and I vowed I would not let history repeat itself.
I wanted to ensure she would never face the same unhappiness because of me.
‘It’s better if I stay in the Rills household alone.’
It was far better than dragging her into a similar cycle of misfortune. I resolved that if necessary, I would stay with the Rills family while sending my sister to the Duke’s household.
Leaning back into her embrace, I felt her arms wrap around me gently.
“Still, don’t worry too much. After you reject the Duke’s proposal, you can find a new fiancé.”
She spoke with a hopeful, positive tone, perhaps trying to lighten the somber mood in the carriage.
A new fiancé.
“Someone other than the Duke?”
“Yes, there are a few more who have proposed to me.”
“Who?”
I had never seen a man better than the Duke in my memory, but I asked just in case.
She began listing the names with a face that was pure and innocent:
“Count Smith, for one.”
He was a mama’s boy who slept in the same bed as his mother, abandoning his wife.
“Then there’s Viscount Perfa.”
He was caught spying for a foreign country and would be executed next year.
“Also, Young Master Zerno.”
No! That man was the insane fellow who had stalked her for three months after she rejected him!
“…Those are all of them?”
“No, there are quite a few more. Should I continue?”
“No, no. That’s fine.”
Even if there were others, none seemed likely to surpass the Duke, and my sister needed protection from the Marquis Pedro’s family first.
‘No matter what, my sister must marry the Duke.’
I had to act before she rejected his proposal.
Three days had passed since our visit to the Duke’s residence.
The days were surprisingly peaceful, except for my own anxiety. I kept watch for any letters my sister might send to the Duke, devising ways to prevent her from rejecting the proposal.
Finally, I came to a conclusion.
‘I can’t do this alone anymore. I need someone to help me.’
The time limit was tight, and at six years old, my options were extremely limited. I needed an adult ally who could help push my sister toward marrying the Duke.
The first person who came to mind was Claire.
She was my sister’s personal maid and one of the few in the Rills household who treated me kindly. While some followed my sister without regard for me, Claire was loyal to both of us.
She was perfect as an ally.
“Claire, are you busy right now?”
“No, little lady. What’s the matter?”
“Come here for a moment.”
I quickly grabbed Claire as she wandered near my sister’s room, making sure no one else saw us. I led her into my room, clutching her skirts.
She looked confused but followed obediently.
“My sister says she won’t marry the Duke.”
Claire’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in shock.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. It happened after we visited the Duke’s residence.”
“Why would she say that?”
I couldn’t exactly say it was because of me, so I was about to explain vaguely, saying the Duke’s household might be overwhelming.
Before I could, Claire muttered to herself:
“Because she said she likes the Duke but isn’t sure if it’s romantic?”
My sister has feelings for the Duke?
He was undeniably handsome, powerful, and wealthy, but I didn’t think my sister would feel attraction.
‘Well… anyone would be drawn to that face.’
His expression was a little cold and stern, but even in my eighteen years of life, I had never seen a man as handsome as the Duke.
Still, I was intrigued.
“She has feelings for the Duke?”
“It seems she has a small affection for him. The romantic letters, the public proposal…”
“Public proposal? She liked that?”
“Yes. Isn’t it kind of a dream for young ladies just coming of age?”
I was astonished. That’s her idea of a romantic dream? I would probably hate a public proposal.
But it couldn’t be helped; the Duke had met her in that exact moment and place.
Seeing my confused expression, Claire chuckled, crouching to meet my gaze.
“It’s in the romance novels we’ve been reading too. The male lead proposes to the female lead in front of everyone—it’s thrilling, really.”
“You read romance novels too?”
“Of course. You love them so much. Though some are a bit too mature for little ladies like you.”
I realized my sister secretly enjoyed romance novels. I had always seen her as more of a motherly figure and had forgotten she was a newly adult girl.
Hearing this gave me a vague idea of how to prevent her from rejecting the Duke. If I could help turn her faint affection into romantic feeling, perhaps she would choose to marry him—not for me, but for herself.
A marriage built on love would surely be happier. Unlike her past marriage to Glenn Valuga, which had been purely for my sake.
“Claire, do the novels have helpers who assist the protagonists in their love?”
“Of course! With all the trials and tribulations, there are always supporters who help the couple.”
“Really? Then let’s become those helpers ourselves.”
“…What?”
I grabbed her hands, bringing her face close.
“We’re going to help the Duke and my sister!”
Claire looked surprised, but gradually a smile spread, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.
It was a tempting idea, after all. Being about the same age as my sister, Claire had her own sense of romance from the novels.
I pressed on to reinforce the plan.
“Like in fairy tales—the mistreated child marrying the prince. You know, like that?”
“Of course I know.”
“Let’s make my sister the fairy-tale princess!”
Claire’s eyes lit up, fully excited.
“Our novels have similar stories—a prince and a commoner. Perfect, right?”
“Exactly! Let’s do it!”
“Yes!”
Before long, we were holding each other’s hands tightly. I looked at excited Claire and brought up something serious.
“I think my sister will be happiest marrying the Duke. That way, Marquis Pedro can’t bother her.”
Like the past, when she married Glenn Valuga.
“Little lady…”
Claire’s face softened, full of sympathy. She had witnessed my sister’s marriage to Glenn Valuga and knew the heartbreak it caused.
“So let’s work together to make her happy, Claire.”
“I understand, little lady.”
“This must be kept a secret from my sister, understood?”
Claire flinched but nodded firmly.
“I’ll make sure she never finds out.”
“Good. Thank you, Claire.”
We shook hands, mine covering her work-worn hands, sealing our alliance.
I had successfully gained my first ally. Having someone who knew my sister’s every move was reassuring.
I took a letter from the nightstand and handed it to Claire.
“For our first mission, could you deliver this?”
“To whom?”
“To the Duke.”
Claire looked at me like a wild horse suddenly untethered.
We were racing against time, and the Duke was the second adult I needed. Having secured the first, it was only natural to move on to the second.
‘They always say three people make the perfect team.’
Who said that? I did.
