The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 56

“For me?”

 

Grace widened her eyes in surprise.

 

“Yes. For becoming the partner of His Grace the Duke, who everyone thought would remain a bachelor. There were so many strange rumors going around the capital. I was quite worried.”

 

“Haha…”

 

Grace ended it with a laugh. The rumors about the “Monster Duke” were something she had long forgotten.

 

“But more than anything, when I visited this time, I felt like His Grace—that is, our nephew—had changed.”

 

Changed? Grace tilted her head curiously.

 

“He’s not a bad person, but perhaps because he went off to war from a young age, he always felt a bit distant.”

 

“……”

 

“But this time, he seemed… softer somehow. I wondered why that was, and I think I found the answer after seeing how he treats you. The way he looks at you is incredibly gentle.”

 

The way Frederick looks at me? Grace didn’t know, but the Marchioness’s eyes were filled with certainty.

 

“Just from his expression, you can feel his affection. He even looked more relaxed while talking with the former Duke. I think you’re the reason for that change.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Grace blinked in a daze. Hearing that Frederick had changed because of her left her both stunned and happy.

 

‘If I really have that kind of influence…’

 

Just imagining it being true made her happy. When they had a deep conversation, she had sensed Frederick’s loneliness and wanted to help him change. But she had thought it was something she couldn’t do—until the Marchioness’s words gave her hope.

 

“Shall we go out into the village this afternoon? Since you’re here, it’d be nice to look around.”

 

“Yes, I’d love to!”

 

Grace responded brightly to the Marchioness’s suggestion. The only village she had seen properly so far was the one in the Winstaine estate. She was excited at the thought of exploring a new village.

 

“Looking at you, I can see why His Grace changed. You seem like someone who brings light and warmth.”

 

“Me…? Oh no, I don’t think so.”

 

Grace didn’t know how to handle the constant compliments. The Marchioness smiled gently at her shy reaction.

 

“That’s why he can’t help but love you. People who’ve lived long can see these things clearly.”

 

Frederick loves me…? Could he really love her? Grace still couldn’t be sure. Love was a much stronger emotion than simply liking someone.

 

“I just have a feeling that thanks to you, you two will become a very happy couple.”

 

“I-I think that’s too much praise. I haven’t really done anything.”

 

“……”

 

“Oh, and we don’t have children yet.”

 

“Hm? Why mention that? You can just have them later.”

 

The Marchioness looked genuinely puzzled.

 

“Do you want to have children soon?”

 

“Ah, uh, it’s just…”

 

Grace trailed off, flustered. She had spoken without thinking, reminded of the women who said a woman’s duty was to bear children.

 

“Well, it’s perfectly fine to want that. But there’s no need to rush.”

 

The Marchioness took Grace’s hand in hers.

 

“In my case, I didn’t have a child until seven years after getting married.”

 

Grace couldn’t hide her surprise. She recalled all the stressful and harsh stories she’d heard during tea time about women who couldn’t conceive.

 

“I was very worried, too. I felt guilty in front of my husband’s parents and afraid my husband might stop treating me well.”

 

“I see…”

 

“But my family said my peace of mind was the most important and waited for me. Maybe thanks to that, after the first child was born, the second followed soon after.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Compared to the terrifying stories shared during tea time, the Marchioness’s story felt warm and reassuring—like there had never been a problem at all.

 

“You’re still very young. There’s nothing to worry about.”

 

“Yes, okay…”

 

“I doubt our dear nephew would pressure you, would he?”

 

“Oh, no! Not at all. He’s never done that…”

 

If anything, Grace had been more troubled about why Frederick wasn’t rushing.

 

“His Grace probably has his own thoughts. So there’s no need to feel anxious.”

 

“Yes…”

 

Was I just overreacting?

 

Maybe she had let the intense and shocking stories from tea time affect her too deeply and linked them to Frederick all on her own.

 

“Of course, if you two have a child, I’ll be thrilled. You must show them to me when the time comes.”

 

“Of course. I will.”

 

Grace smiled back comfortably.

 

 

“They grow a lot of fruit here. The place we’re passing now is the largest orchard.”

 

The Marchioness of Sertil pointed outside the carriage window.

 

Just as she said, the marquisate was full of fruit trees. No matter where you looked, there were huge trees loaded with fruit.

 

No wonder the dining table was always filled with a variety of exotic fruits—they were in a fruit-producing region.

 

“The orchard is enormous…”

 

“The weather is warm here, so fruit grows best. The ones that store well are sold to other regions. It’s the main source of income for this estate. Over there is where they grow crops.”

 

She pointed to a field covered in lush green leaves. Grace pressed close to the window, watching the growing crops with interest.

 

“Please take us to Madame Fleur’s salon.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

The coachman answered politely and drove off. Salon? Grace looked at the Marchioness with curiosity.

 

“There’s something I want to check out first,” the Marchioness explained.

 

The carriage that had been running along the edge of the fields soon entered a bustling marketplace.

 

“There are so many people here.”

 

Grace had thought the Winstaine estate was busy, but the Sertil marquisate was on another level. She could now feel how quiet the north really was.

 

“There are more people living here than you’d expect for the estate’s size. During harvest season or festivals, the markets get absolutely packed. I hardly leave the castle during those times.”

 

“Ah, I see…”

 

Grace nodded at her explanation.

 

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of a shop. Grace stepped down with the Marchioness.

 

The Marchioness opened the wooden door, and a small bell rang above it.

 

Grace looked around inside. Dresses, shoes, hats—all sorts of items were on display. Soon, a woman with her long orange hair tied up came running out from the counter. She greeted the Marchioness with a deep bow.

 

“Hello, ma’am!”

 

“It’s been a while, Madame Fleur. Have you been well?”

 

“Oh yes, always! Thanks to you, everything’s been peaceful.”

 

As she cheerfully replied, Madame Fleur turned her gaze to Grace.

 

“And this is…”

 

“The Duchess of Winstaine. She’s visiting from the Winstaine estate.”

 

“Hello, Duchess!”

 

Madame Fleur greeted Grace with a clear, cheerful voice. Grace responded with a small nod.

 

“What can I help you with today, ma’am?”

 

“I was wondering if you had any hats that would suit the Duchess.”

 

A hat? All of a sudden? Grace looked at the Marchioness with confusion, but she didn’t offer any further explanation.

 

“Of course. Just a moment.”

 

Madame Fleur briefly disappeared and returned with two hats—an ivory one with a red feather and a brown one with a blue ribbon. Both had wide brims.

 

“Let me help you try them on.”

 

They’re pretty, but… why all of a sudden?

 

Grace, still unsure what was going on, took the ivory hat with the red feather and put it on.

 

“Please look in the mirror.”

 

Grace did as she was told and looked into the mirror. The ivory hat with its bright red feather contrasted beautifully with her red hair, giving her a fresh and youthful appearance.

 

“How do you like it?”

 

“I think it looks nice.”

 

“Try this one too.”

 

Madame Fleur offered the brown hat with the blue ribbon. Grace put that one on as well.

 

This time, the muted colors gave her a more mature and elegant look.

 

“Oh my, both are lovely. They both suit you so well.”

 

The Marchioness smiled warmly.

 

“Please wrap them both up separately and charge everything to me.”