The Runaway Female Lead Doesn't Run Away - Chapter 47

A small greenhouse had been built in the western annex for the Duchess who loved tending to flowers.

On particularly nice days, the Duchess would set up a table in the greenhouse for tea time, but today she was not alone.

The table placed in the center of the greenhouse was filled with fragrant tea and sweet snacks.

As always, it was a peaceful annex with nothing special happening, but for some reason the Duchess’s expression was not good today.

Because of this, Dalia was quietly watching the maid pour tea while nervously observing the Duchess’s mood.

Margaret, who drank a cup of tea with a stiff expression, quietly opened the conversation.

“I heard you were just with Lloyd Hertz.”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

She had vaguely thought the Duchess was angry that she didn’t come see her right away. At the sudden mention of Lloyd, Dalia carefully studied the Duchess’s face to gauge her intentions.

“The Hertz family has been entangled with the Sayer ducal family in terrible scandals since long ago. And this time was no exception…”

Margaret, who had been staring at the table, raised her head.

For a moment, displeasure was glimpsed in the Duchess’s eyes that showed her years of experience.

“The women of the Hertz family are very cunning.”

Sure enough, sharp criticism of the Hertz family continued from the Duchess’s lips as they moved away from her teacup.

“They always pretend to be weak on the outside, but the moment the other person lets their guard down, they stab them in the back. So be careful. They’re not the kind of people you should associate with.”

Margaret’s brow furrowed as if recalling past events.

Dalia, who had finally realized what the Duchess wanted to say, thought to herself.

‘It seems something happened with someone from the Hertz family in the past.’

She had heard that there had been many rumors about the Hertz and Sayer families since long ago.

Though she didn’t know the exact details, it seemed the Duchess had had some friction with someone from the Hertz family in the past. Moreover,

‘I’ve felt this since before, but…’

How much did the Duchess know about the Sayer family’s secret?

Given that she knew mothers die after giving birth to Sayer children, it seemed she wasn’t completely unaware of the curse.

But listening to what she was saying now, it appeared she didn’t know much about the specifics, like the relationship between the Hertz and Sayer families.

‘Well, Clayton tried to deceive me until the end too.’

So she could understand to some extent why the Duchess didn’t know the detailed inner workings of the Sayer family.

Margaret was the third wife of the previous Duke, and by then there was already a strong heir in Clayton, so there was no need to have an heir from Margaret.

After roughly sorting out the situation, Dalia calmly replied.

“I know what you’re worried about, Mother. But today the Duke cleared up all misunderstandings with Lady Hertz.”

Margaret asked again, as if Dalia’s words were unexpected.

“Are you saying Clayton explained his relationship with Hertz to you?”

To this, Dalia smiled brightly.

“Yes. So please don’t worry too much.”

“…That’s better than his father.”

The Duchess’s expression softened, as if she had truly been worried about Dalia. Then, as if remembering something important, she put down her teacup.

“More importantly, I heard there was a big incident at the Imperial Palace. Are you alright?”

“Yes. As you can see, I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief. Come to think of it, I was worried I had called for someone who was ill.”

Realizing belatedly that Dalia had collapsed, the Duchess’s face showed a guilty expression.

It seemed she had summoned her here as soon as she heard the news that Dalia was with Lloyd.

“No, it’s fine. I should have come to see you first before you called for me. Thank you again for helping me attend the birthday banquet.”

The Duchess’s smile deepened at the sincere words of gratitude.

“I’m the one who should be grateful that you say such things. So, how was the Imperial Palace?”

Margaret’s voice became affectionate, as if she had never been in a bad mood.

She gazed at Dalia with expectant eyes, as if curious about what had happened at the Imperial Palace.

“Thanks to your care, it was enjoyable. Her Majesty the Empress was truly wonderful. And also…”

Dalia, recalling what had happened at the Imperial Palace, paused for a moment before carefully speaking.

“I danced with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

At those words, the Duchess’s hand stopped as she was about to eat a piece of fruit.

Alexion was the Duchess’s nephew before he was the Crown Prince.

So, thinking she might be able to learn something about the Crown Prince, Dalia deliberately brought up her encounter with him.

“With the Crown Prince? That’s unexpected. He’s not the type to easily ask others to dance.”

“He seemed like a good person.”

But the Duchess tilted her head at Dalia’s words and continued.

“If that’s how you felt, your judgment is good. Alexion doesn’t have such a kind personality.”

It was a harsh assessment for her nephew.

To this, Dalia was about to ask more about the Crown Prince, but the Duchess seemed to want to change the subject.

“By the way, you haven’t touched your tea. It’s a precious tea from the Eastern Continent.”

“Ah…”

She had been deliberately not drinking it, thinking the caffeine might not be good for the baby. But it seemed to have bothered the Duchess.

However, she couldn’t say she couldn’t drink tea because she was pregnant, so she made an excuse and avoided answering directly.

“I already had a lot earlier today. I’ll try it next time.”

Then she looked at the maid standing beside her.

“Could I have a cup of warm water instead of tea?”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

As she watched the hot water being poured into a new teacup, Dalia lifted her head as if she had just thought of something to ask.

“Ah. I heard there’s a villa owned by the Sayer family in the east. Do you know what kind of place it is?”

“In the east?”

“Yes. The Duke said we should take a break at the villa in the east once preparations are complete. But I don’t know exactly where it is…”

Margaret furrowed her brow, trying to remember, then shook her head at Dalia’s question.

“Well. I’ve been to the summer villa in the north, but I didn’t know there was a villa in the east too.”

But Margaret’s answer was dry.

She had been curious about the villa Clayton had invited her to, so she thought it would be good to ask the Duchess while she was here.

Just as she was feeling disappointed that she hadn’t learned anything, Dalia felt something catch in her throat again, like the food she had eaten earlier, and thumped her chest a couple times.

The Duchess, not missing this, asked,

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“I think the meal from earlier didn’t sit well. But it’s getting better.”

“Then don’t push yourself here. Go back to your room and rest. You must be tired from yesterday’s events too.”

Dalia, who had secretly wanted to rest in her room, nodded, thinking this worked out well.

“Thank you for your consideration. Then I’ll take my leave for now and come see you again before departing for the villa. Well then…”

As Dalia disappeared, the Duchess stared blankly at the empty seat where she had been sitting. The maid, finding this strange, asked,

“Is something wrong?”

“…”

After pondering for a moment, the Duchess asked the maid. Then the Duchess, tilting her head, muttered,

“You said last time, didn’t you? That Dalia left almost all of her soup.”

“Yes. I think she barely had a spoonful. I guess it wasn’t to her taste.”

“Is that so?”

Margaret’s fingers tapped on the table.

“Why do you ask?”

The maid asked curiously at the Duchess’s strange behavior. But Margaret shook her head as if she couldn’t say.

“It’s nothing.”

Nothing was certain yet.

* * *

Returning from the annex, Dalia collapsed onto the bed as soon as she entered the room.

“I’m really exhausted.”

Truly, so many things had happened today. She had only gone out for a light walk.

Getting caught by Clayton while with Lloyd, then the three of them eating together.

And then being summoned by the Duchess to please her. It was a day where even ten bodies wouldn’t have been enough.

Moreover, her own room was in such a mess that she couldn’t even enter it. Even her moments of rest weren’t comfortable.

Dalia stared at the ceiling, recalling the events before coming here.

She had said she would stay in another room because she felt uncomfortable continuing to stay in Clayton’s room, but due to preparations not being ready, she ended up coming to Clayton’s room again.

‘I’ll have to share a bed with Clayton tonight…’

Just thinking about it was awkward.

‘I guess pretending to be asleep when Clayton comes in is one option.’

He wouldn’t be so unscrupulous as to disturb someone sleeping, humanly speaking.

As Dalia pondered how to deal with Clayton, her eyelids gradually grew heavy.

‘I shouldn’t fall asleep already…’

The sun hadn’t even set yet.

She tried her best not to fall asleep, knowing that if she slept now it would be difficult to sleep at night, but it was futile.

Perhaps because so many things had happened today. Unable to resist her increasingly heavy eyelids, Dalia finally drifted off to sleep.