The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 54

The morning after the banquet, during breakfast, Marchioness Sertil made an unexpected suggestion to Grace.

 

“There are some families leaving a little later this afternoon.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Why don’t you join the young ladies for some tea? It’ll be fun to socialize with people your age.”

 

“Oh… thank you.”

 

Tea time with unfamiliar noblewomen?

 

Grace was taken aback, but she had no choice but to accept. If they were relatives of Frederick or women from vassal families of Winstaine, then they were people she was obligated to get along with.

 

“Hello…”

 

By the time she arrived at the tea party, many young women were already seated.

 

“So you’re the Duchess.”

 

“Hello, nice to meet you.”

 

All the curious eyes turned toward Grace. Though she felt pressured, she kept a polite smile and found an empty seat.

 

“……”

 

As soon as she sat down, a waiting maid poured her tea.

 

Among the attendees was Valerie, Frederick’s former fiancée. Grace was aware of her presence, but she did her best to avoid looking in her direction as she lifted her teacup.

 

“You have such a tiny waist!”

 

Even before she could take a proper sip, a platinum-haired lady sitting to her left exclaimed with excitement.

 

“I’m Countess Isla Milton.”

 

“Oh… nice to meet you. I’m Grace Winstaine.”

 

“I was just amazed at how slender you are and had to ask—what’s your secret?”

 

“Th-thank you. I don’t really have one, honestly.”

 

Grace gave an awkward smile.

 

“And your skin is so pale and flawless… I’m curious about your skincare routine.”

 

“Oh no, you’re the one with beautiful skin. As for a routine… I don’t really have one.”

 

“Come now, don’t lie. Are you trying to keep it all to yourself?”

 

Countess Milton gave Grace a playful glance.

 

“I-I mean it.”

 

“I’m only teasing! You’re so cute when you’re flustered. Ho ho ho.”

 

Countess Milton burst out laughing. Grace responded with a slightly uncomfortable smile.

 

Is this how it usually goes?

 

Do noblewomen always talk like this during tea time?

 

“Oh, Miss Julia, when did you get that necklace? It’s so pretty!”

 

“Miss Clemence, your hair is gorgeous. What do you use on it?”

 

“Sigh. My dresses don’t fit right lately because of this stubborn belly fat.”

 

The conversation didn’t stray far from there. Tea time was filled with chatter about dresses, jewelry, cosmetics, perfume, and beauty tips.

 

So noblewomen really do care a lot about these things, Grace thought, nodding quietly now and then as she listened.

 

“I saw you holding the Duke’s hand tightly when you returned to the banquet hall yesterday.”

 

While Grace was silently listening, a green-haired noblewoman sitting to her right spoke up. She had introduced herself as Baroness Eugen.

 

“Y-yes…”

 

“You two seem very close. He must treat you well.”

 

“Oh… yes. He’s very kind.”

 

Talking about her husband made Grace a little shy, and she answered with a small, bashful smile.

 

“Do you have any plans for children?”

 

Children? The unexpected question startled Grace, and her smile faded into confusion.

 

“N-no, not yet.”

 

“Sandra, isn’t that a bit of an inappropriate question?”

 

“Well, I was just curious. His Grace is at an age where having an heir would be important.”

 

An heir…

 

Grace had never really talked to Frederick about that. They hadn’t even spent the night together yet. The only physical contact they’d had was holding hands.

 

“I was only wondering if we might hear good news soon. The Countess of Melbourne recently found out she’s pregnant, and she went on and on about how thrilled she was.”

 

“Oh, the Countess of Melbourne? That’s wonderful.”

 

“Yes. She was so stressed for a while. The Countess of Delrne was divorced because she couldn’t have children, and Melbourne said she didn’t want to be thrown out the same way.”

 

Divorced… because she couldn’t have a child?

 

Grace’s eyes widened. The idea of being divorced for not having children was shocking.

 

“She must’ve suffered a lot. It’s good she finally got pregnant.”

 

“Exactly. Even after marriage, not being able to have a baby is a serious issue.”

 

Dorota and a few of the servants had also brought up the topic of children once or twice.

 

‘If the Madam has children one day…’

 

But it had always felt like a distant concern, something for the future. Frederick hadn’t brought it up either.

 

Frederick… never said anything.

 

“But having children is a woman’s duty.”

 

A sharp voice cut through the air. Grace turned her head. It was Valerie.

 

“Isn’t it only natural for the men who provide for us to expect that in return? We eat well, wear fine clothes, and enjoy comfort because of them.”

 

The other women flinched and looked at Valerie, but she remained calm, completely unfazed as she continued.

 

“I don’t see why it’s so hard to understand if a man divorces or takes a mistress because a woman can’t bear children. Carrying on the family line is that important.”

 

“Valerie, don’t you think that’s a little harsh?”

 

“I think it’s even harsher when someone enjoys all the privileges but refuses to fulfill their duties.”

 

Her smiling face looked elegant—but also a little chilling. Her glass-like eyes landed on Grace.

 

“As women, we should be aware that we’re responsible for continuing the family line.”

 

“……”

 

“Just because no one is saying anything now doesn’t mean it’s not a problem.”

 

Not being able to have children… is that really such a serious issue?

 

It felt like the ground was falling away beneath her feet.

 

Frederick’s words suddenly came back to her—how she didn’t need to earn money, how she didn’t have to prove her worth, how she didn’t need to push herself to work just to keep her place as a duchess.

 

But if she couldn’t bear a child… would that mean divorce? Or that he’d need to have a child with another woman?

 

“Well, you have to look at the sky to catch a star. I know a woman who wants a second child, but her husband won’t even touch her. Their firstborn is a girl, so she’s desperate.”

 

“Oh my, he must not be attracted to her anymore.”

 

A blonde-haired lady spoke dramatically, covering her mouth with her hand.

 

“He supposedly refuses her even if she throws herself at him naked.”

 

“Is he seeing someone else, maybe?”

 

“Well, if he’s not into her physically, there’s nothing to be done. But she must be so frustrated—she needs to have a son.”

 

“Then the next child might be born from a mistress.”

 

The conversation was growing more intense. Grace’s lips parted slightly in surprise at the women’s unfiltered talk.

 

“But none of this applies to His Grace, right?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

The sudden question flustered Grace. How was she supposed to answer that? She hadn’t even spent the night with Frederick yet. Should she say it’s the same in their case?

 

But she couldn’t say that here…

 

Caught off guard, Grace found herself glancing at Valerie. Their eyes met, and Valerie gave her a faint smile.

 

“Well, people don’t marry for looks. It happens.”

 

Her soft voice flowed out again.

 

“If a husband isn’t attracted to his wife, then maybe he could have a child with someone who suits his tastes and adopt the child as his own.”

 

“Wow, Valerie. That’s intense.”

 

Her words were even more shocking than before. The women looked visibly surprised.

 

“You don’t get jealous at all, do you?”

 

“We shouldn’t let petty emotions get in the way of fulfilling our duties. I would absolutely go that route.”

 

Valerie’s eyes turned toward Grace again.

 

“Don’t you think so?”

 

Is she asking me? Grace felt as if Valerie were poking at her.

 

“I… I’m not sure.”

 

All Grace could do was avert her eyes and dodge the question. She didn’t want to agree—but if she said no, Valerie would likely press her even harder, and she didn’t want that either.

 

After tea time ended, Grace felt heavy-hearted. The things said inside the room lingered in her mind and wouldn’t go away.

 

“If he’s not into her physically, there’s nothing to be done.”

 

Is that how Frederick feels…?

 

Was she not the kind of woman Frederick was attracted to? Was that why he hadn’t even tried to have a child with her? Like that other man who refused his wife even though she wanted a second child…