‘A celebration for the return of Duke Torpeo.’

As befitting a banquet hosted by the Crown Prince himself, the lavishly decorated banquet hall boasted a grand scale.

As the banquet began and the Crown Prince made his appearance, everyone bowed their heads in respect to his entrance.

“That’s enough. Raise your heads. I’m not the protagonist here.”

The Crown Prince made a late entrance when the banquet was in full swing. As if the main character had arrived.

After the Crown Prince’s grand entrance, the doors of the banquet hall were firmly closed.

“When is His Grace the Duke arriving?”

“The doors are closed. Was he already here?”

People whispered. Because the protagonist of the banquet, Duke Torpeo, had not shown himself at all.

However, no one dared to ask the Crown Prince. Everyone knew his fiery temperament.

It was a time when people were only watching cautiously, worried that sparks might fly unnecessarily on such a good day.

As if aware of everyone’s curiosity, the Crown Prince began to speak.

“The Duke suffered a misfortune during his expedition. I told him to rest comfortably at his mansion as his body is unwell.”

A banquet where the protagonist, the Duke, didn’t receive an invitation. The banquet hall was instantly abuzz.

“An expedition? Did the Duke go on an expedition?”

“That’s right. What a regrettable situation.”

The nobles who were chattering among themselves fell silent at the Crown Prince’s gaze.

At his sharply shining eyes, the nobles began to tremble in fear as if their bodies had been cut.

It wouldn’t have been strange if that mad Crown Prince suddenly drew his sword and slaughtered the nobles.

However, contrary to everyone’s fear, the Crown Prince laughed heartily and spoke in a loud voice.

“But, how could I wait without sharing this joyous news? I hope everyone will congratulate the fact that our empire’s only ducal family will be welcoming a duchess to take charge of their internal affairs.”

“A duchess for the ducal family? Wasn’t the family engaged to the Duke Torpeo a count’s family?”

“Hey, watch your words! How long has it been since the Duke’s engagement was broken! Perhaps he’s newly engaged?”

At the news announced by the Crown Prince, the banquet hall began to buzz with chatter.

He closed his eyes and savored the murmuring as if it were an orchestra, wearing a meaningful smile.

After a brief moment of appreciation, the Crown Prince intentionally clinked his glass against the tray held by the servant beside him.

Trashi opened his mouth after focusing everyone’s attention.

“The royal family almost lost the empire’s only duke. If it weren’t for that commoner woman, that is.”

“The Duke almost died?”

“A commoner woman?”

At the Crown Prince’s words, the nobles began to whisper, unable to contain their curiosity.

“The royal family’s merit in saving the empire’s only duke is so great. Isn’t it a pity to keep her as a mistress just because she’s a commoner?”

“Well, I heard the Duke had taken in a commoner mistress, it must be that woman.”

“No, then… surely not…”

As if anticipating everyone’s whispers, the Crown Prince raised the corner of his mouth crookedly.

“Therefore, the royal family hereby accepts Lady Del as a member of the nobility. From today, I will recognize her as the Duchess.”

Trashi’s words were close to an announcement.

She saved the Duke’s life, so in recognition of that merit, she would be appointed as the Duchess.

The Crown Prince read the shock spreading across the nobles’ faces and raised the corners of his mouth even more.

It was a very satisfactory reaction for him.

“Everyone, enjoy this occasion to celebrate the Duke’s safe return and the welcoming of the Duchess.”

After making the declaration that shocked everyone, the Crown Prince abruptly left the banquet hall.

As the Crown Prince left, two different atmospheres pervaded the social circle.

“A commoner becoming a duchess. Does this make any sense?”

“No matter how much she saved His Grace the Duke, it’s not right for the ducal bloodline to be compromised.”

Those who couldn’t accept a commoner into the noble society. And the noble ladies centered around Duchess Ingrid who were obsessed with gossip.

Marquis Credion was observing everything happening at the banquet from a distance away from the center.

‘That Iron Duke is infatuated with a commoner mistress.’

The corner of Severus’s mouth twisted as he crossed his arms.

He recalled Duke Torpeo whom he had only encountered during hunting competitions or major palace events.

Jet-black hair and red eyes that didn’t allow even a speck of impurity.

Although the Torpeo ducal family had once produced an empress from a prestigious family, it was just a story of the past.

When the empress became the former empress, the ducal family declined. However.

‘But they hadn’t fallen so low as to make a commoner mistress the duchess.’

Even so, Torpeo was still the empire’s only ducal family. If you trace back the ducal lineage, it eventually connects to the imperial family.

The Crown Prince Trashi’s intention to connect such a duke with his mistress must have also included the empress’s influence.

The meeting of noble blood and a commoner.

“It suits them quite well.”

Marquis Credion left the banquet hall without regret, wearing a meaningful expression.

Not imagining for a moment that the commoner mistress was his daughter, Adeline.

Adeline sat on the terrace, taking a deep breath in and out.

The fresh air made her feel as if she was finally waking up.

Moreover, looking at the sunset turning red brought peace to her mind.

Indeed, the words of the ducal family’s physician were not wrong.

“My lady, your body is in poor condition. Even if you have severe morning sickness, you must eat to replenish your strength.”

“But I can’t swallow any food. These days, I’m so sensitive to even small sounds that I can’t sleep.”

As Adeline was withering away day by day, the Duke called a physician for her.

He must have been more worried about the child in her womb than her.

Adeline felt somewhat relieved whenever she met the physician in the suffocating mansion.

There was a comfort as if meeting a psychiatrist.

“You’re under extreme stress. Resting in a natural space could be helpful for you, my lady. How about going on a recuperation trip?”

“Even if I want to go on recuperation, would he let me go?”

“Wouldn’t he? You’re not alone anymore, my lady.”

After the physician left, Adeline was lost in thought for a long time on the terrace.

After repeated examinations by the physician, Adeline had no choice but to accept the fact of her pregnancy.

The pregnancy pulse, which was faintly noticeable at first, had recently become noticeably clear, he said.

Unless he was a quack, there was no way to deny it anymore.

‘Have you really come to me?’

Adeline stroked her belly. Even though it was early, it wasn’t showing yet.

Then she looked down at her arms. She was definitely getting thinner since staying at the Duke’s mansion.

‘This won’t do.’

Feeling that something terrible would happen if she stayed like this, Adeline made up her mind.

If it’s true that she’s pregnant, she must protect this child.

And to protect it, she needed to escape from that man’s sight. From the Duke who always seemed to be choking her.

Adeline stood up abruptly.

“My lady, where are you going?”

Becky, who was with her, approached in surprise. Adeline asked her,

“Where is the Duke now?”

“His Grace should be in his study now, my lady?”

Becky looked at Adeline leaving the bedroom with a puzzled gaze.

It was the first time she had taken the initiative to seek out the Duke.

Adeline hesitated with her hand on the doorknob.

She had come all the way to his study to find him, but now she lacked the courage to enter.

Wasn’t this the Casius she had been trying so hard to avoid?

But she couldn’t continue like this. It might have been fine when she was alone, but if she really was pregnant, it would be hard on the child.

Adeline took a deep breath in front of the study and knocked.

After a brief knock, a voice from inside told her to come in.

Adeline quietly entered the study.

She found the Duke sitting at his desk directly in front of her.

He was indifferent to Adeline. He was just busy signing documents.

‘Did I come at a busy time?’

She slightly regretted not sending a maid to inquire first. Now that she had entered, she felt a bit of regret.

Adeline decided to wait quietly. Standing by the door, she surveyed his surroundings.

Warm afternoon sunlight slanted in through the large windows lining the walls.

The Torpeo territory in the south was warm all year round. Even though it had been long past the beginning of autumn.

“What’s the matter?”

Adeline looked up at the voice that came with the sound of a document folder closing.

“For you to come here personally.”

By now, Casius was making eye contact with her.

He was looking up at her slightly, wearing glasses with thin frames.

So he wears glasses when working. His red eyes, usually sharply shining, seemed a bit gentler behind the glasses.

“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll have tea prepared.”

He nodded towards the sofa in the center of the study. And he was about to pull the bell rope.

“No, it’s not something I need to sit down for.”

He leaned back in his chair, looking at Adeline as if to say go ahead.

Adeline clasped her hands tightly together. Then she slowly opened her lips.

“I’d like to go on a recuperation trip. I heard there’s a villa within the duchy.”

Of course, even though it was within the territory, the villa was at the edge of the vast Torpeo domain.

The villa by the lake was said to be a spectacular sight when the seasons changed, surrounded on all sides by mountains.

She recalled the housekeeper saying it was built by the previous duke for young Casius.

If she went there, she might be free from the numerous eyes watching her, and from Casius as well.

Just thinking about it made her feel like she could live.

“Please allow me to go for just one week.”

She didn’t think she would get permission easily.

If Casius refused, she planned to ask him to send her for the sake of the child in her womb.

As she was waiting for his answer to continue,

The Duke’s lips slowly parted as he stared at her with his arms crossed.

“I allow it, as much as you want. I’ll tell Gwen myself.”

With those words, he turned his gaze back to his documents.

Adeline’s eyes widened.

The permission came too easily.