# 4
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I was lost in thought.
“Hmm.”
“The plan is definitely flawless, but...”
“This is more serious than I thought.”
After observing for a few days, I realized that Ian and Eloise's relationship was really worse than that of strangers.
Aside from breakfast, they never met, and even when they did, conversations were interrupted by Ian Cloud's sharp attitude, and rarely lasted more than three sentences.
At this rate, I could imagine a future where I would be completely ignored, rather than getting any cooperation from him.
This was not the only problem. The entire capital was already buzzing with rumors that the two, despite being a couple, had a worse relationship than strangers.
How did you know this?
Because I heard some commoners talking about their relationship one day when I left the palace under the pretext of a casual outing.
They would say things like they had never shared a bed, that they were complete strangers….
The problem was that none of these rumors were false.
‘…If the public is talking about it, how far have the rumors spread?’
It was so shocking – it was ridiculous.
I had read about this in the novel, but I didn't realize it was that bad.
"Yes."
I remembered a passage from the novel I read a long time ago:
Perhaps it would have been better for the two never to marry. In the end, neither the Grand Duchy of Claude nor the Marchioness of Alfus gained anything from this union. In fact, it was a marriage that made everyone unhappy.
A marriage that made everyone unhappy.
Could there be a more appropriate description of this situation?
I even felt sorry for Marquis Alpheus.
Trading reputation for business – it's just...
“Wait a minute, so they let their reputation deteriorate to this point and just ignored it?”
I couldn't believe how indifferent they were about their marriage.
In a way, they were a perfect couple.
“But I can't give up here.”
I clenched my fist.
You have to know your enemy and know yourf to win a hundred battles.
She immediately called the maid who was said to serve Eloise closest.
Soon, a brown-haired maid entered the room, bowing her head.
“Ma’am, you called me...”
"Yes, I did. So... what's your name?"
“It's Fifi.”
The maid answered without hesitation, showing no sign of surprise. She was not bothered by the fact that the lady who had been serving her for more than two years did not know her name.
'It means that Eloise was equally indifferent.'
What a messy couple.
“Okay, Vivi. Look up.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
The maid raised her head warily, her round brown eyes trembling with tension.
“You've been by my side for the past two years, haven't you?”
"Yes, this is correct."
“Then you should know me better than anyone else.”
The maid lowered her eyes and bowed her head.
“That is very kind of you, ma'am.”
'Too generous?'
She smiled sweetly.
“But I heard something interesting.”
“Interesting…?”
“I heard that the capital is very noisy, and it is all because of me and the Grand Duke.”
“What? What do you mean? I don’t know...”
When I saw her face go blank, I knew this was not a normal situation.
My smile deepened.
“So, tell me about the rumors circulating about me in the capital.”
"What?"
The maid looked up in shock.
“Did you ask something difficult?”
“No, it's not like that...”
The maid's eyes darted around in panic, and her face was filled with confusion.
Well, that's to be expected. Eloise probably never cared what was said behind her back.
As the silence extended and my gaze became increasingly directed, the maid finally forced herf to speak.
“Rumours that might concern you, ma'am, are… not worth worrying about.”
"Why? Is there something I shouldn't hear?"
"N-No! That's not what I meant."
The maid trembled and waved her hands in denial.
“I don't like repeating myf.”
My words, carrying a hint of hardness, caused the maid's expression to freeze.
In the end, she paled even more, and began to speak reluctantly.
“The titles given to you in the capital are...”
“Ice Flower of the Social World, the most noble and beautiful Grand Duchess...”
“Wait, stop here.”
I shook my head and raised my hand to stop the words that were so predictable.
What do you think I summoned her here for? Certainly not to hear such vulgar nonsense.
“Vivi, am I not clear? I asked you to tell me about the rumors about me.”
As I narrowed my eyes, the maid bowed her head again. Her shoulders trembled, and it was as if she wanted nothing more than to leave the room as quickly as possible.
“Ma’am, how can I...”
“Since it seems difficult for you, let me make it easier. I want to hear about the exact rumors regarding me and the Grand Duke.”
“Rumours! I would rather die than talk about them!”
The maid finally collapsed on the floor, trembling in fear.
I sighed quietly and adjusted my posture.
“Fifi.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“I promise I won't punish you, no matter what you say.”
“So, I hope you will tell me. What you are about to say is very important information to me.”
As she continued in a gentle tone, Vivi, who was quietly listening, bit her lip slightly.
“…Are you really not going to punish me?”
“Yes, I promise.”
I responded with the kindest expression I could muster.
“Of course, if you keep silent… I may be so disappointed that I will have to abandon you.”
In other words, if she doesn't want to get fired, she might as well speak up.
Vivi, who clearly understood the meaning, gasped in shock.
“Oh no...”
“So, are you ready to talk now?”
After measuring my expression for a long time, Vivi finally exhaled deeply, realizing that she had no other choice.
“The truth is...”
Her little voice trembled with fear.
“I've heard people say that my lady is nothing more than a symbol of the Grand Duchy. Some even call you the Ghost of the Duchy of Cloud, and also...”
Once I started, the maid kept spreading all kinds of rumors about me. From vulgar nicknames to ridiculous and low-class nicknames that even commoners hesitate to use – there was a great variety.
'If any ordinary noblewoman heard this, she would have fainted on the spot.'
But since I was not a noble, I simply rested my chin on my hand and listened indifferently to what the maid had to say.
“So, it is.”
When the maid finally finished, a satisfied smile formed on my lips.
When the maid saw my smile, she turned pale like a leaf.
“Madam, you have committed a grave sin.”
...Was my smile scary?
I tilted my head and watched the maid bow her head again.
“It's not that. I asked you to answer me, didn't I? You can go now.”
“…Is everything really okay?”
"Yes."
Still looking doubtful, the maid quickly stood up, seemingly relieved, and straightened her back.
“So… I’ll leave now.”
“Oh, wait a minute.”
The maid, who had just started to leave, stopped in her tracks, startled when I called for her to return.
I smiled at her warmly.
“Thanks for telling me, Vivi.”
The maid looked at me, startled for a moment, but quickly recovered and shuddered again as she bowed her head.
“Thank you for your generosity, ma’am.”
"nothing."
“Okay, I'm really leaving now!”
The maid bowed at a 90-degree angle and carefully closed the door behind her as she left.
I stared at the door I came out of for a moment, then relaxed and folded my arms, leaning back on the couch.
It featured a lavish ceiling mural and chandelier.
“Ghost of the Grand Duchy, huh.”
She remembered the stories the maid had shared and smiled.
“Ian Cloud, you are already dead.”