# 19
---
While Evelyn was thinking to herf, the dance music ended, marking the end of the final turn.
The two stopped.
“I think we can stop today.”
Evelin spoke with a smile and was about to turn away from Devrin when she realized that they were still holding each other's hands.
Although Defrin dislikes physical contact, he showed no signs of discomfort during the dance practice, perhaps because it was unavoidable.
As she looked calmly at their intertwined hands, Dyffrin released his grip.
Then, after clearing his throat, he spoke.
“If we practice again, I think you'll be able to dance well enough not to embarrass yourf.”
"Yes, I think so too. It's all thanks to you."
As Evelin smiled brightly and spoke, Dyffrin's face stiffened.
'He really can't take compliments.'
Her naughty side flared up again. Evelin decided to tease him further with more praise.
"I'm so lucky to have married you. There's always so much to learn from you. And lately, you've been so understanding. I'm really lucky to have married someone like you."
“… This is nonsense.”
"I mean it. One day, I think this marriage will be a really good memory."
Evelin looked at Dyffrin with a bright smile.
“Hmm…?”
However, his face was excessively rigid. Unwittingly, Evelin slowly hid her smile as well.
'What is happening…? He didn't like compliments, but it wasn't usually like this.'
She tried to rethink what she said, wondering if she had made a mistake, but she found no problems.
Evelin was puzzled, but Devrin left the room first, saying, “Let’s stop training here today, as you suggested.”
Evelin couldn't shake the sinking feeling on her own and went back to her room. What started as a joke left a harsh atmosphere.
“He seemed to be in a bad mood...”
But Evelin couldn't understand why he suddenly changed, as if he had been doused with cold water.
Defrin remained a mystery to her. Every time this happened, she resented Amelia, the person who made him this way.
Evelyn sighed as she looked up at the dark sky.
***
Sunny afternoon.
The sound of knights training loudly echoed throughout the Leonok Duchy Estate, and the skilled servants moved efficiently, managing the palace.
Sunlight spread under the clear sky, illuminating every corner of the property. In the palace as calm as the weather, Amelia was surrounded by the rose garden that she was personally taking care of.
Putting on gardening gloves, Amelia bent down and cut off the largest, most magnificently blooming rose.
In her hand was a yellow rose, two red roses, and a purple rose.
At that moment, a maid hurriedly walked to the edge of the garden and hesitated.
Amelia, still focused on the roses, gestured with her hand. The hesitant maid quickly approached and bowed her head.
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Has Gilmore arrived?”
“He just arrived.”
Amelia took off her gloves and handed them to the maid. Although her gesture was more like a throw, the experienced maid quickly grabbed the gloves.
While Amelia was surrounded by flowers, she walked to the fourth reception room in the corner of the palace and opened the door, and a young man greeted her with a sly smile.
“It has been a long time coming. Madam Duchess.”
"Sit."
Without further pleasantries, Amelia sat down in front of the man with an expressionless face. The man, who seemed unfazed, began speaking.
“I have some interesting news for you today.”
“You should. Considering how much I pay to your guild every month.”
As Amelia said, the man in front of her was Gilmore, the head of the Fallon Guild, which dealt in classified information.
Unbeknownst to her husband, Amelia was paying this guild every month to collect information from the capital.
“First, about the royal palace. It seems that the tension between Prince Fenris and Prince Noserton has reached its peak. Prince Noston has even secretly ordered an attack on Prince Fenris.”
“Tsk, the prince has no idea.”
"Prince Noserton must have been worried. Prince Fenris is a powerful opponent."
Amelia frowned.
“Noston will not easily lose the position of Crown Prince, given his lineage and Dyffryn’s support, but if there is any sign of that happening, let me know immediately.”
Noston was to become the next emperor. The Duchy of Leonok had supported him for a long time, and he needed to ascend to the throne to repay that. Amelia's eyes flashed briefly.
“Yes, I understand.”
Amelia spoke as she took a sip of tea made from dried roses.
“Is there any news from the Duke’s residence in the capital?”
“I was actually going to talk to you about it. There seems to be chaos in the palace since the new hostess arrived.”
Amelia smiled weakly. Hearing that was like drinking cold water to cool her burning insides.
'Yes, it's time for a rift between them.'
Devrin and Evelyn were an incompatible duo.
Evelyn probably spent every night crying, unloved by her husband. And it won't stop there. Even the house staff wouldn't respect an unloved wife, so how could she bear this humiliation?
Amelia opened her lips, painted red.
“It is normal for the palace to be in chaos after bringing in the wrong daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, that's not it. Since the arrival of the new hostess, half of the maids have been replaced and the palace has been renovated.”
"… What?"
The teacup that Amelia was about to raise to her lips froze in the air.
“She even replaced the head maid. She fired the previous head maid, accusing her of embezzling the family’s money.”
Amelia had to swallow her astonishment.
She wasn't shocked by Patricia's embezzlement, she already knew that.
What surprised her was that Evelyn revealed the embezzlement. Patricia's stubborn nature would not easily show the books of accounts.
“……How did Differin react to that?”
“I'm not sure, but from what I heard from the maids, the two seem to be getting along well these days. They're even planning to attend the royal ball together soon.”
Amelia finally placed the teacup she was holding on the table.
“Attending the royal party together?”
Defrin rarely attends parties.
Defrin attended regular social parties, but parties where he had to dance were among the gatherings he avoided the most. One of the reasons was that he did not have a suitable person to choose as a partner.
But to attend a party with Evelyn.
This was not the picture Amelia expected.
Although they were married due to the late Duke's will, their relationship was supposed to deteriorate over time.
Two years later, they would divorce, allowing him to remarry another woman of her choice.
In this way, the ownership of the Duchy of Leonok would become more consolidated and achieve what it desired.
As Amelia's expression became noticeably cold, Gilmore began to read the room.
“……That’s what I heard, at least.”
Amelia was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
“Gilmore. I will write a letter, and with the letter I will send the maid Patricia to Rachel Benford.”
“You mean Rachel Benford in D.C.?”
"Yes."
Gilmore's eyes turned.
Rachel of the Binford family was one of the most famous individuals. With a beautiful face resembling her famous opera singer mother and the backing of a wealthy marquis, she was practically a flower in the social world.
Upon reading the situation, Gilmore realized who Amelia had originally chosen as her daughter-in-law.
'Rachel Benford is truly the perfect bride.'
Gilmore thought about this, and answered obediently.
"concept."
"You must arrive before the royal ball. Move quickly."
Gilmore bowed his head and left the room first.
Alone, Amelia held her hand tightly.
“Why did it come to this?”
Things had gone wrong the moment she took her eyes off her. This was unbearable for Amelia.
Defrin was always meant to follow the path she charted, and that path was meant for family.
'Because I raised him that way.'
By the time her nails were sinking into her palm, Amelia had regained her composure.
'Well, it doesn't matter anymore.'
She didn't know how Evelin was able to influence Dyfrin, but since she had raised him, she knew him better than anyone else.
If their relationship improves, she will make it bad again.
So, even though things got a little off track, everything would eventually go according to her plan.
'As always.'
A dark gleam flashed in Amelia's black eyes.
* * *
“Walter, take all the dresses from the dressing room.”
Under the sparkling chandelier, Rachel, who looked like a doll with her shiny platinum blonde hair, gave orders to a maid carrying a bunch of luggage.
As Rachel looked around the palace, a frown quickly formed on her forehead.
“Where is the jeweler?”
The maids, who were lined up to welcome the returning lady, exchanged nervous glances. One of the maids hurriedly approached and bowed her head.
“Well, this is...”
“Don't tell me he hasn't arrived yet?”
As the maid hesitated, Rachel's annoying voice came out.
“Did he stop by the Snowville Palace first? I specifically told him to come here as soon as the new items arrive!”
“……I think it may be delayed due to road construction.”
“Did you know that? Did you see it yourf? You idiots! How many times have I told you that I need to look the most beautiful at this party! And you couldn’t even call the jeweler on time!”
Unable to contain her anger, Rachel kicked the maid's leg with her pointed shoe. The maid bit her lips hard, barely suppressing her moans.
Even so, she looked around with sharp eyes, scanning the maids.
“Go and bring him here immediately! If the jeweler is not in front of me within 10 minutes, none of you will survive!”
The person who intervened to stop Rachel was the Marchioness's butler.
“…Mrs. Rachel, there is a guest.”
“Is he a jeweler?”
“Not so, but...”
“Then tell him to come back later!”
“The visitor has brought a letter from the Duchess of Leonok.”
At the mention of Duchess Leonuk, Rachel calmed down as if by magic. Then, after clearing her throat, she spoke in a calm voice.
“Bring him to the drawing room.”
Rachel went into the drawing room and sipped her tea nervously until someone entered the room.
It was Patricia, who had worked as a head maid in the Duke's household before being fired by Evelyn.
Rachel frowned at the sight of Patricia in her decrepit state.
She was expecting a high-ranking guest and had brought a letter from the Duchess, but the visitor looked like a ar.
However, since she came with a letter from the Duchess, Rachel could not treat Patricia indifferently.
To Rachel, Amelia was the second most important person.
“It's an honor to meet you, Miss Rachel.”
Patricia did not look at the beautiful woman in front of her and greeted her.
Rachel. She was a famous princess in the capital. Not because she was of royal blood, but because of the way she was treated.
Even without royal blood, her lustrous golden hair, flawless white skin, and status as the only daughter of the Marquis Benford, who controlled the port with his merchant fleet, made her deserving of such treatment.
There was almost no reason for her not to be treated like a princess.
Even though she had everything, there was one thing she couldn't have.
That was Devrin Leonuk.