Chapter 16

Chapter 16

She had no idea that a connection between the dead nanny and Count Hopewell could be found here.

The nanny’s lover was the Empress’ knight, and Isabella, brought by Count Hopewell, was the Empress’s prospective daughter-in-law.

‘Everything has the Empress at the center.’

She could feel a shiver in her spine.

“I was worried about what to do because you left like that last time, but I’m glad I can see you here.”

Isabella’s strangely smiling face looked happy.

“I never thought I’d see you here.”

Kathleen replied casually.

“Where is the Crown Prince?”

Isabella’s expression softened slightly at those words. It was proof that he didn’t come with her. From that look, Kathleen knew that Peter was sincere.

– I’m not going to get married anyway.

Isabella had stayed at the Empress’ palace for a while now, and she had yet to hear of her engagement, apparently because of Peter’s refusal.

“His Highness suddenly had an urgent matter to attend, and I escorted Lady Winston.”

Count Hopewell intervened.

“He was very sorry, and he asked me to take care of Lady Winston several times.”

“His Highness still needs to pay more attention to academics rather than attending social gatherings.”

Isabella also added her words. Her tone sounded like her fiance, who was five years younger than her, needed protecting.

“Okay. I hope to see him next time.”

Count Hopewell smiled broadly at the ceremonial greeting.

“It is fortunate that His Highness is not here. Wasn’t it possible to ask the Duke of Walten like this because of that?”

“Okay, what is the request?”

Apparently, they were just about to have a full-fledged conversation when she came back. As she felt the story was going to be long, Kathleen regretted not staying longer in the break room.

“Can I ask the Duchess for help with the herbs of the Carmine Mountains that I just described?”

“My wife’s help?”

Alexis looked at Kathleen for a moment with a puzzled look.

“That’s unexpected. What’s going on?”

“Older sister has the ability she inherited from her mother. It’s a skill that takes away the warmth of living things and freezes them.”

Isabella intervened.

“She made a mistake at the Empress’s Palace tea party, but of course, it was only because she couldn’t control that ability.”

Kathleen bit her lips tightly. She felt miserable when the secrets that she had been hiding in her chest were revealed in an unexpected situation.

Most people knew that Kathleen’s unusual appearance was due to her foreign blood, which she inherited from her mother. However, no one dared to speak of it out loud, especially in a formal setting like this.

She glanced at Alexis. He had a look on his face and she was unsure what he was thinking.

“As you know, there is always a blizzard in the Carmine Mountains, so herbs grow accustomed to that environment which makes it difficult to transport to the Capital. Most of the time even if they found herbs, the drastic temperature change during transport to the capital damages them. If we can get help from Madame, we might find a solution.”

Count Hopewell’s sly smile didn’t show the arrogance Kathleen knew. It was a complete nobleman’s mask.

“I understand the Count’s intention very well.”

Alexis said.

“But it’s hard to accept that offer.”

“That, sir. If the distribution of medicinal herbs is revitalized, it will surely help the Imperial Family. I heard that many of the poor who have lost their livelihoods in the earthquake and are heading to the Capital are getting sick, and it is very frustrating.”

“Yes, it would definitely help if herbs from the Carmine Mountains were circulated in the Capital.”

He cut him off and pulled Kathleen’s waist with one of his arms. She flinched as his hand wrapped around her waist softly.

“But I can’t make my wife suffer.”

Count Hopewell’s face was perplexed by his demeanor. At the same time, there was a slight crack in Isabella’s smile.

“Besides, the Carmine Mountains are so close to the border, how could I send my wife to such a distant place?”

“The Carmine Mountains are also close to Winston’s estate.”

Isabella intervened.

“I don’t think it would be difficult to stay near her hometown.”

“Young lady Winston.”

Alexis looked down at Isabella and said slowly.

“Perhaps because the young lady is not even engaged yet, so you don’t know, but it’s not that simple for a couple.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you think I will be comfortable without my wife?”

Everyone was at a loss for words. The Duke’s blatant display of affection in a public place did not look very noble.

However, not one person who was there could call out the Duke of Walten out loud.

“My wife’s wishes are important, too.”

At Alexis’ words, Count Hopewell looked at Kathleen. His eyes were desperate for consent.

“Well.”

Kathleen took a step back.

“It’s so sudden, so I will need time.”

She didn’t know exactly what her husband meant, but she was reluctant to reveal her curse-like ability. She moderately expressed her refusal because it was against etiquette to be direct.

“Oh, what a shame. If you do that, sister’s abilities will be buried.”

But Isabella didn’t seem willing to let her go. She didn’t seem to want to just bury Kathleen’s faults.

“There are many people who call sister’s ability a curse. It’s a great way to clear up such misunderstandings, but it’s a shame.”

It was Isabella, and no one else, that often accused Kathleen of a cursed bloodline. Before her marriage, she kept her secrets as it would undermine the Winston family’s prestige, but now that it didn’t matter, her mouth seemed to be itching to go crazy.

“That.”

“Young lady Winston, you’d better stop there.”

He tried to stop Isabella from spouting all kinds of stigma at this place. Alexis said coldly.

“A person who will soon become a member of the Imperial Family uses her mouth so lightly.”

“…….What?”

“Whether as Lady Winston or as the future Crown Princess, such an attitude is a disqualification. Kathleen’s matters are not something to be talked about lightly.”

In an instant, Isabella, who had been criticized, turned red.

“I made a mistake in wanting to help sister. I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

“You should not apologize to me.”

Alexis pointed his chin at Kathleen. Isabella clenched her teeth and said.

“I’m sorry, sister.”

“You need to practice keeping secrets a little more.”

After Kathleen’s brief reply, Alexis leaned down and whispered sweetly.

“The music is starting. Shall we dance to a song?”

“That’s fine.”

It was an obvious request to leave. Feeling that Isabella and Count Hopewell’s eyes were on their backs, Kathleen moved to the center of the floor as he led.

“The Count uses tricks. He has other intentions.”

“You knew?”

Kathleen, whose steps were turning lightly, asked in surprise.

“The work of Count Hopewell and Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Otherwise, there is no reason to escort Lady Winston.”

“Ah.”

“It sounds like you’ve known about their relationship.”

At Alexis’ sharp words, Kathleen realized her mistake. Hearing it herself, her remarks sounded suspicious enough.

“No. I just found out.”

How could she say that Count Hopewell is actually the one who would kill him and take the Duke’s seat?

Even if she told him she would be treated like a madwoman. Count Hopewell had a very good reputation for being active in the relief projects for the poor. It was clear that the herbal medicine story earlier was also in relation to that.

“By the way, I didn’t know that the Duke was also interested in medicinal herbs.”

“Me? No way?”

“Or is it relief work for the poor?”

“I’m not interested in both.”

Alexis said, grabbing her waist and lifting and releasing her, matching the fast, upbeat melody.

“That’s the Imperial Family’s duty.”

“Yes… it is. Then, if Count Hopewell asks again, I will certainly decline.”

“No.”

Alexis, who grabbed Kathleen’s fingertips and pulled her closer, lowered his voice.

“It would be better to wait a little while before accepting.”

“Accept?”

“Yes. Externally, we would say that it’s a visit to the Winston estate.”

Kathleen narrowed her eyebrows slowly.

“Is the Count’s request too difficult to do with your abilities?”

Alexis asked.

“No. It’s not like that.”

Kathleen answered, feeling confused.

“Is the Duke okay with it?”

“What?”

“Isabella is not lying. I have such a curse-like ability… I haven’t been able to control it yet, so the last time I visited the Imperial Palace, there was an accident.”

It had been well hidden in the Duke’s residence, so Alexis did not know about it. He heard the secret of his wife from someone who could be suspected of being the Empress’ limb, so she couldn’t understand his calm demeanor.

“Sorry for hiding it.”

But Alexis had a face that said it didn’t matter.

“It’s not a bad thing for you to break the Empress’ teacup.”

“Did you know?”

“Just as the Empress’ has ears in my house, I also have mine in the Imperial Palace.”

“That’s right…”

“Anyway, accept Count Hopewell’s offer.”

She almost asked if the reason for her going to the distant Carmine Mountains was to have someone else enter the Duke’s residence in the meantime.

But Kathleen managed to swallow her words.

“It’s going to be a rough road, so you have to prepare thoroughly. We’ll cancel all appointments and leave as soon as possible.”

In the northern part, the terrain was generally not flat. She was hesitant because she remembered that she needed to rest in the early stages of pregnancy.

“I don’t have other appointments. But there are a lot of things that bother me about going alone, so it’s unreasonable to leave right away.”

“I said I was going to cancel my schedule.”

“Are you saying you’re going with me?”

Without realizing it, her voice rose. The music just ended.

He bent his knees to bow to her and held out his hand again.

“I just happened to have a business near the Carmine Mountains. I think that would be a good excuse.”

Also.

It wasn’t something he said out of concern. This time, it was just that he needed her as a tool.

But he said something unexpected.

“However, when we come back from this job, I’ll grant you one thing you want.”

“Really?”

There was no such compensation in the terms of the original contract. Kathleen was in a position to leave for the Carmine Mountains at his behest, even if by force.

“Yes. Anything.”

Seeing her husband waiting for her with her indifferent face, Kathleen held him with trembling hands.

“You promise.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes as long as it’s not asking me to die or divorce you.”

At the end of those words, Alexis beckoned, and the news of the Duke and Duchess of Walten leaving the banquet echoed through the hall. As they returned to the Duke’s residence, Kathleen had to press her fluttering chest with unexpected hopes.

‘I have to ask you to accept this child.’

If she uses his promise as an excuse, he might be angry at first, but in the end he won’t hurt the child.

She was determined to return back to the North with that one hope.

Kathleen gently stroked her flat stomach. Alexis’ gaze, which only looked out the dark window, never reached her until they arrived at the Duke’s residence, but it was okay.