It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 86

Joanne was furious after hearing what Susanna said. She couldn’t reveal everything, but since she was also a follower of Young Duke Bianchi, asking for her help wasn’t difficult.

“If the Marquis’s family questions you later, just deny everything. Say you didn’t know anything.”

“Alright!  But still, isn’t Marquis Leroy being too harsh? Why would he put you under house arrest over something like this?”

Since Joanne was the young lady of a count’s family neighboring the Leroy Marquessate, it was easy for Susanna to visit her. After sneaking out using a magic device, she only had to walk next door.

Because of their long-standing friendship, the count’s gatekeeper let Susanna in without hesitation. After listening to Susanna’s story, Joanne not only agreed to bring her along to the Gianni Ducal family’s picnic but also offered to lend her some appropriate clothes.

Susanna had no reason to refuse. She gratefully accepted Joanne’s offer and successfully entered the Gianni Duchy riding in the count’s carriage.

Since she had originally been invited, the servants of the ducal house found nothing strange about her arrival.

Fortunately, the members of the Leroy Marquessate had already gone inside. Using the excuse that she would be uncomfortable if she ran into them, Susanna parted ways with Joanne and quietly slipped into the mansion.

The picnic was planned to take place in the fields and woods behind the manor, but part of the building had been opened for guests needing restrooms and other facilities.

If she ran into any servants, she could simply ask for the location of the restrooms.

‘Now, all I have to do is lure the princess.’

It was widely known that Princess Charlize was close to the Duchess of Gianni—they had been friends since their teenage years.

‘If I call the princess in the duchess’s name, she won’t refuse. To avoid any missteps, I need to get to the duchess first…’

Susanna hid in a building that overlooked the lawn where the picnic was being held. Peering through a window in the hallway, she could see nobles already gathered—some sitting at tables set up by the servants, others standing and chatting.

Light refreshments and drinks were being served, and an area was prepared for casual games.

Susanna searched for Princess Charlize and the Duchess of Gianni. Annoyingly, the two were seated facing each other, clearly enjoying their time together.

Even from a distance, Susanna could tell they were laughing and talking happily. Just watching them stoked her fury, especially when she thought of Young Duke Bianchi, who was now locked away in prison.

‘How can you smile so carelessly?’

Susanna felt an overwhelming urge to rush over and pour tea over the princess’s head. But Charlize was royalty, and nearby were Susanna’s mother and several of her siblings, mingling with other nobles.

‘Just wait until we’re alone, in an empty room.’

Grinding her teeth, Susanna quietly moved away, searching for a suitable room where she could lure the princess and trap her.

Because Princess Charlize had suddenly traveled to a northern castle, she hadn’t been seen in society for some time. Yet, gossip about her never died down.

Stories about Young Duke Bianchi’s sudden disappearance from the capital and the extravagant betrothal gifts prepared by the Tower Lord—who was set to marry her—kept the rumor mill spinning non-stop.

And then, the scandal finally erupted.

The very Young Duke Bianchi who had once broken the princess’s heart by treating her coldly had been caught conspiring to kidnap her.

News that the Tower Lord himself had captured Bianchi spread like wildfire, throwing the entire aristocratic society into chaos.

Because Bianchi had so many followers, young ladies everywhere behaved as if mourning. Although no one dared to defend him after the Emperor declared his actions treasonous, lingering feelings could not be erased so easily.

Of course, there were many who openly despised Bianchi’s despicable behavior—mostly nobles loyal to the Emperor.

‘I wonder if Her Highness visited Young Duke Bianchi in prison?’

‘What must she be feeling right now?’

The questions burned inside them. Ever since returning to the capital, the princess had been so busy preparing for her marriage that she scarcely appeared in public, making people even more desperate to know.

But approaching her directly was out of the question—her status was far too high.

Besides, with the Emperor, who had practically sold his daughter to the Tower Lord, keeping a close eye on things, and with the Tower Lord himself constantly by her side, no one dared even to open their mouths.

Even so, the Duchess of Gianni was not someone known for loose lips.

Because of that, everyone was straining their ears, trying to overhear the conversation between the princess and the duchess. Unfortunately, the only thing the Duchess of Gianni asked about was how well the Tower Lord was treating the princess.

‘Oh-hoho… Look at them, eavesdropping like commoners!’

The Duchess of Gianni was just as curious as everyone else, but anything she truly wanted to ask would be reserved for when she was alone with the princess. She had no intention of saying a single word about it in front of others.

Even she hadn’t been able to question Charlize properly, as the Tower Lord was always nearby. In a place filled with so many people, there was no way she would bring it up.

“It seems it’s about time for today’s main event,” someone announced.

Princess Charlize hadn’t been informed, but it had already been announced that the Gianni Ducal estate’s horseback riding course would be open for the picnic event.

Several young ladies, scheduled to participate in the casual riding matches, followed the maid into the manor. The Duchess of Gianni looked as though she would have loved to join as well but instead stayed behind to entertain the other guests.

Only six young ladies had accepted the duchess’s offer to bring their riding outfits ahead of time. Since the duchess announced that anyone still wanting to join could borrow a riding outfit, one brave girl raised her hand.

She followed another maid into the mansion, while the Duchess of Gianni gracefully instructed the servants to tidy up the space.

Until now, guests had been enjoying conversations and tea while seated on picnic cloths spread across the grass. But now it was time for the horses to take over. Although the riding course was some distance away, dust might blow over, so the duchess ordered tables and chairs to be set up properly.

“There will also be a polo match for the gentlemen this afternoon, so please don’t be disappointed,” she added with a smile.

Since the sun would be stronger in the afternoon, she even planned to have tents erected for shade. As she efficiently guided the atmosphere of the gathering, the Duchess of Gianni glanced at Charlize and smiled warmly.

Though Amelia had only recently married into the ducal family, she fit her role as duchess beautifully.

‘If I had married an ordinary noble, would I have looked like that too?’

Charlize wondered idly. She had never seriously imagined a different life for herself, so she found her current situation satisfactory.

It was as though a new path had opened in a place she once thought hopeless. More than anything, the possibility of becoming a mage—something she had long admired—thrilled her.

However…

“Your Highness, pardon me, but… have you visited Young Duke Bianchi?”

A sudden question shattered her thoughts. Charlize turned to look at the young lady who had spoken, shock flickering across her face. A noblewoman seated near Charlize looked equally horrified.

“Lady Policia! How could you ask such a thing? That’s incredibly rude!”

“But I had to ask! It’s something so important. The Young Duke risked everything for Your Highness…”

“Lady.”

Charlize’s voice, laced with a weary sigh, cut Policia off. The young lady, who had been speaking passionately, blinked at Charlize in surprise.

“Have you just made your debut? Or is it that you lacked proper education? If one is lacking in manners, they should at least have good sense…”

Charlize spoke in a tone of pity, and Lady Policia’s face flushed deep red. In this world, even seeming to romanticize Walter Bianchi—a declared traitor—could endanger one’s entire family.

And to suggest that the victim should go and listen to the excuses of her attacker? It was outrageous.

‘How is that any different from telling a robbery victim to return the shoes they were wearing when they got attacked?’

Lady Policia’s hands trembled with frustration. In her heart, she had believed Young Duke Bianchi was a brave man who had risked everything to save the woman he loved.

“I’ll overlook it this time because you’re young. I won’t inquire into your family’s name,” Charlize said, waving her hand dismissively.

But just as she was about to let it pass, Lady Policia, her face full of injustice, opened her mouth again.

“Young Duke Bianchi truly loves Your Highness—!”

“Lady!!”

The noblewoman who had tried to stop her earlier now cried out in desperation.

Charlize had intended to resolve the issue with just a single warning, but this foolish girl was making the situation spiral out of control.

If this continued, it could easily be seen as Lady Policia’s family siding with the Bianchi house.

And if that happened, not even Charlize would be able to protect her. Everyone present knew that, and a nervous tension swept over the gathering.

Charlize simply clicked her tongue inwardly. Walter’s followers had always been like this—causing trouble with their misplaced loyalty.

“Your Highness could still save the Young Duke! After all, you once chased after him so earnestly! How can you be so cold now?”

It was over.

At the sight of Charlize’s face turning icy cold, everyone realized that Lady Policia’s social life had just come to an end.

Even the young ladies who had secretly shared sympathies with her would now distance themselves. No one would want to associate with someone who spoke out so recklessly in public.

“So, you are saying, Lady, that you sympathize with the ‘traitor’ Young Duke Bianchi—and you dare to speak on his behalf to me?” Charlize asked, extending a hand slightly as if to stop the Duchess of Gianni, who was approaching with barely restrained fury.

The word “traitor” seemed to finally awaken some fear in Lady Policia.

“It was just… he made a mistake in the name of love… to call it ‘treason’ seems a bit—”

“It was His Majesty who declared him a traitor. Are you suggesting that His Majesty’s judgment was wrong?”

“N-No! I would never dare…!”

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