The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 80

“Madam, a letter has arrived.”

 

A letter? Did Santos send it?

 

Grace took the letter from the maid and, upon seeing the sender, fell into brief thought.

 

“The Duke of Reinhardt?”

 

Why would he send her a letter? There shouldn’t be anything for them to talk about. As she entered her room, Grace tore open the envelope with a paper knife.

 

The letter consisted of two pages and appeared to be written by the Duke of Reinhardt.

 

“It’s been a long time. Is your married life going well? I’ve always been curious about how you were doing, and I’m sorry for writing so late… After you left, I felt so lonely and empty, but hearing that you came to the capital gave me peace of mind. I even saw you at the banquet, though only from afar…”

 

What is this nonsense…?

 

Grace shivered as she read the letter. The fake concern, as if he were genuinely worried about his married daughter, gave her chills.

 

She still remembered the Duke’s expression when he ordered her to marry. The look of relief and satisfaction as if he were finally able to get rid of an eyesore—she could see it vividly even now. So what was all this about?

 

“I would really like to see you. Would you come to the duke’s residence and join me for tea? I’ll wait for your reply.”

 

Should I just ignore it?

 

Honestly, she wanted to rip the letter to shreds, calling it nonsense. But an odd curiosity held her back.

 

He must be plotting something.

 

There had to be a reason why the Duke of Reinhardt was reaching out to her now. What was he thinking?

 

Should I meet him and find out what he’s up to?

 

If she could discover his intentions, maybe she could turn the tables on him.

 

Thinking about everything they had done to her still made her stomach churn with disgust. She had thought she had completely emptied her heart of anything related to the House of Reinhardt after marrying Duke Winstaine, but maybe she wasn’t as detached as she believed.

 

Maybe this was her chance to finally settle the score.

 

It wasn’t so easy to shake off the urge just by labeling the letter nonsense. Instead of tearing it up, Grace put the letter in a drawer.

 

 

* * *

 

“Frederick. I’m going to visit Aris’s family home tomorrow afternoon.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

On a day without training at Panbion, Grace told Frederick she’d be visiting Aris’s house and went out.

 

She figured if she said she was going to the Reinhardt residence, Frederick would find it suspicious or ask why she’d even bother going there.

 

Their relationship had already grown awkward after the whole situation with the Crown Princess’s request, so lying about it pricked her conscience—but she had no choice.

 

She got off in front of the Reinhardt mansion from a public carriage and headed toward the front gate. Just then, the butler came out right on time.

 

“Welcome… Madam.”

 

The butler bowed his head, avoiding eye contact. It seemed he still hadn’t gotten used to the fact that the illegitimate child they had all scorned had returned as a duchess—and that he had to treat her with respect.

 

“Is the Duke in?”

 

“Yes. He is waiting for you in the parlor. Shall I show you the way?”

 

“That won’t be necessary. I know where it is.”

 

Grace declined his offer. The butler gave a stiff nod and disappeared from view.

 

Grace slowly walked through the mansion, looking around. The garden she had lived in for nearly twenty years was exactly the same, as were the servants moving about.

 

“….”

 

She could feel the stares from the staff as she passed by. Though none of them dared approach her directly, they stole glances and exchanged meaningful looks with those beside them.

 

They were clearly shocked by her changed appearance—her clothes, eyes, and demeanor were all different from before. Ignoring their looks, Grace walked down the hall, and then she saw a familiar face—Benjamin.

 

Seeing him made Grace feel like a thorn had pierced her chest.

 

Even if he meant nothing to her now, the memories of what he had done to her came flooding back. He had been the one to physically abuse her the most—more than any of her half-sisters—which made it even more painful to see him.

 

“You… What are you doing here?”

 

Benjamin approached and scowled, ready to pick a fight. Grace tried her best to keep her expression calm.

 

“Your father invited me.”

 

“You’ve gotten cheeky, haven’t you?”

 

Benjamin scoffed in disbelief.

 

“I heard all about you from Diana and Sarah. How you’ve been walking around with your chin up, acting all confident.”

 

“…”

 

“You married well thanks to Father and now you live in luxury, yet you think you’re someone important?”

 

His words were dripping with venom.

 

Benjamin couldn’t accept the change in Grace. He had heard that she joined Panbion and became an Armento, and that she had become famous for her healing powers—but he didn’t want to believe any of it.

 

“Right. The same father who invited me today.”

 

“….”

 

“So, I should probably go see him now.”

 

Not wanting to waste time dealing with Benjamin, Grace kept her tone short and curt.

 

“A lowborn wench acting all proud. Do you think the Crown Princess or Princess would be so friendly with you if they knew your origins? Filthy blood like yours never changes.”

 

“But your father doesn’t seem to mind. You should probably tell that to the one who covered up my background in the first place.”

 

Grace had a point. Benjamin was left speechless, trembling with anger.

 

“Well then, I’ll be going. Doesn’t seem like there’s anything more to say.”

 

Grace brushed past him. Benjamin clenched his teeth as he watched her walk away. When she reached the end of the corridor, Grace opened the door to the parlor and stepped inside.

 

“It’s been a while, Grace. Have you been well? Come, have a seat.”

 

The Duke of Reinhardt greeted her with a smooth smile.

 

“Yes.”

 

Grace gave a short reply and sat down at the table. Tea and refreshments were already prepared.

 

“You look well.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I mentioned this in the letter, but it didn’t feel right not having a proper conversation after you came to the capital. I regretted not speaking to you at the last banquet, so I invited you today to catch up.”

 

“I see.”

 

Is it… going the way I expected?

 

The Duke cautiously studied Grace’s expression. He couldn’t read her at all.

 

It would’ve been easier if she had confronted him, demanding how he dared to summon her after everything he had done.

 

But since she remained calm, it was hard to tell what she was thinking.

 

Still, the fact that she came here means she’s at least willing to talk.

 

The Duke hadn’t expected Grace to respond to his letter at all. He had already planned to tell Vladimir that it couldn’t be helped if she refused, and that he’d just go along with what Vladimir wanted instead.

 

But now that Grace was here, things seemed to be going smoothly.

 

“I hope you can forget any hard feelings from the past—whether from me or your siblings. I do feel sorry about everything.”

 

Hard feelings, huh…

 

Grace barely stopped herself from scoffing.

 

All the contempt, neglect, and abuse—he thought he could patch it over with a flimsy word like regret?

 

She already knew it, but still, he was more despicable than she imagined.

 

So that was his grand apology? That was it?

 

“I hope we can stay in touch more from now on. I’m also curious about your powers. I wondered if it might be due to the Reinhardt bloodline.”

 

Ridiculous. But since she couldn’t reveal the source of her power, Grace remained silent.

 

“Would you be willing to open your heart to us again?”

 

“In my opinion…”

 

Grace slowly opened her mouth.

 

“Your children seem to be the ones holding grudges against me.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Diana and Sarah still seem resentful when they look at me. Their expressions are never pleasant. I wondered if I did something wrong. I just saw Benjamin, and he seems to be harboring some feelings he can’t express too.”

 

“T-that… I’ll talk to the children. Don’t worry about that.”

 

The Duke spoke hurriedly.

 

He’d probably scold them once she left. That gave her a small sense of satisfaction.

 

“Couldn’t you look at them with a bit of kindness?”

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

“Um… well… is there… another title you could use?”

 

The Duke spoke hesitantly.

 

“What title?”

 

“I mean… I’m your father, after all. So… how about calling me that from now on?”

 

“Father?”

 

Grace nearly spat out her tea.

 

Wasn’t this a bit too shameless? Then again, if he weren’t shameless, he wouldn’t have invited her here to say something so absurd as “let’s get along from now on.”

 

“Yes, Father.”