“Nice to meet you.”

Idel exchanged glances with the nobles as she greeted them.

“I regret not being able to greet you at the wedding, but I’m glad we could meet now.”

Attendance at the Duke’s wedding had been limited to the heads of each family, so the younger nobles, not having received invitations, were all meeting for the first time.

Smiles adorned their faces in response to the Duchess’s greeting, but their eyes conveyed a cold scrutiny.

“I also feel like I’m in a dream finally meeting Your Grace. You’ve avoided social events, so I’ve always wondered what kind of person you are.”

“You’re even more beautiful in person!”

“That’s right. It’s no wonder you’ve captured the hearts of two men.”

‘Two men…?’

Idel looked at the noble who mentioned ‘two men’. She was a beauty with dark brown hair and an arrogant demeanor, who had earlier introduced herself as the eldest daughter of the Lipenser family.

“Two men…?”

“Oh, have I been rude? I heard you were previously engaged to Count Shale.”

The Lipenser noble covered her mouth and appeared briefly uncomfortable, but her gaze remained confident.

“You’ve not only captured Count Shale but also Duke Caeron of Elyos! Your Grace, you’re truly something!”

“No offense could possibly be taken. Her Grace has a big heart.”

With a subtle smile, Roselin replied on her behalf.

“And it’s the truth, especially the affection the Duke has for the Duchess, it’s something special.”

“Speaking of which… earlier when you greeted the Emperor, the Duke said he fell for you at first sight. I was quite surprised.”

This time, Katrina joined in. Instantly, Idel felt a thorny gaze filled with jealousy from the nobles.

“He fell for me at first sight…?”

One of the nobles mumbled as if finding it hard to believe. It was a noble from the Desen family, who had harbored a longtime unrequited love for Caeron. She had even hidden in his carriage to catch his eye.

For the first time, she caught his direct gaze. Sitting across from her in the carriage, Caeron glanced at her indifferently.

As his eyes met hers, she started to tremble. Just as her quivering lips were about to introduce herself, a cold voice cut through the air.

At the Duke’s call, Gregory climbed into the carriage and replied. At that moment, he also noticed the trembling noble.

Caeron’s gaze had already shifted back to his paperwork.

Her desperate calls went unheard; Caeron’s gaze never left his papers, even as she was forcibly removed.

The shame of that moment came rushing back, and the Desen noble trembled uncontrollably. She clenched her teeth, holding back her tears.

Her eyes, filled with bottledup resentment, turned to Idel. She hated the Duchess for receiving the affection she herself couldn’t have.

“Your Grace…”

Her voice was tinged with indescribable bitterness.

“I heard you were first engaged to Count Shale and then met the Duke later to break off that engagement!”

Her clenched fists trembled as she continued.

“Did you choose the Duke just because of his status? The Duke seems to genuinely care for you, but I wonder if you feel the same.”

If the Duchess’s feelings for the Duke were insincere… it was something she couldn’t accept. Knowing she was being rude, the Desen noble still launched her pointed question.
‘Conditions…?’

Idel hid her surprise at the mention of the word “conditions” by Lady Decen. The marriage with the Duke was, in fact, a contract where both parties set their own terms.

Externally, the Duke expressed affection for her to conceal the real circumstances of their contractual marriage, but the reality was different.

Idel slowly closed her eyes and reopened them. It was exhausting to have to deceive others by covering up the hidden truth, but it was necessary.

“If you’re asking about my feelings for His Grace, I feel the same way. I sincerely care and think about him.”

“Of course, you would. Lady Decen surely knows this when asking. I’ve heard there are people who question Your Grace’s sincerity because you divorced Count Shale and then married the Duke.”

Katrina echoed Idel’s answer and reassured Lady Decen.

“Lady Decen must be upset that Your Grace is being doubted.”

The House of Decen was closely affiliated with Katrina’s own family. They were taking the initiative to avoid any potential rudeness towards the Duchess.

“The matter with the House of Shale is over. I’d prefer it not be mentioned again.”

Idel drew a firm line. Though they might suspect, she could not discuss the true reasons behind her previous engagement with Count Shale. To do so might demean the House of Fleur.

At Idel’s reaction, Roselin smirked. She’d skillfully let the Ladies know about the Duchess’s divorce with Count Shale. She knew Idel couldn’t reveal the truth.

‘Shall we move on to the next topic?’