The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 28

Just like when they had approached her so casually earlier, the girls turned out to be quite the chatterboxes. With a hint of righteous energy, they seemed to get fired up by Sasha’s slight hesitation. Their anger began to spill out in whispered voices, their words filled with quiet intensity.

“If she’s the Empress now, with her status and all eyes on her, shouldn’t she be trying to hide her feelings?”

“She thinks she’s keeping them to herself just because she hasn’t said it outright, but from the outside, it’s obvious. It just looks like she wants everyone to see how she feels.”

“And now the Duke is married. Did you see her earlier? That was pure jealousy. It was like she wanted all the noblewomen here to know she’s jealous of the Duchess of Ignote.”

Sasha quietly took this in. At the very least, she now knew that the Empress did not only act that way around her. Other people saw it too, and instead of pitying her, they felt anger.

Still, it did not feel like the right time to add her own thoughts. She started to open her mouth, but then pressed her lips together and gently bit her lower lip.

That restrained reaction only fueled Lada and Rosehill more, like well-dried wood catching fire.

“To someone who doesn’t know the situation, it would look like the Emperor tore two star-crossed lovers apart. How tragic.”

Finally, the words Sasha had been hoping to hear were spoken out loud.

Was Lada just naturally talkative and good at gathering information? Or was it one of those secrets that high-ranking nobles all seemed to know but never spoke of directly?

If the Empress had been acting so openly all this time, even someone as unaware as Sasha might have eventually picked up on it.

“Imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for Duke Kyler. He was so popular, and yet no one dared bring up marriage. That probably explains it.”

“There’s even a rumor that he rushed into marriage because of it.”

Rosehill said that last part and quickly glanced at Sasha, likely aware that her words could be taken the wrong way. Whether it was rushed or not, it was clear this had not been a typical love story. Still, there was probably some truth to the idea.

Sasha simply offered a small, subtle smile. There was no need to confirm or deny anything.

“Don’t worry, Duchess. There is hardly anyone in the Empire who doesn’t know the truth. Some even say that the Empress hides her feelings poorly, pretending no one will misunderstand when in reality, she’s showing everything.”

“I thought maybe I was just imagining things, but the way she treated me earlier… it made me feel a bit uneasy.”

Sasha gave them a soft, sorrowful smile, her eyebrows forming a slight arch. To them, she was the poor young woman unjustly resented by the Empress. If she could not oppose the Empress directly, then perhaps public sympathy was the next best thing. It would help people see her as someone deserving of respect.

The more the Empress tried to harm her, the more justified Sasha would become in the eyes of others.

“Have you ever seen the Empress when she is near the Duke? She looks so heartbroken.”

“I honestly don’t understand what the Emperor sees in her…”

The Empress was still moving from table to table, speaking with the guests. At every table where she was not present, conversations like these filled the space.

As Sasha looked around, she noticed many women briefly meeting her gaze. She could not quite tell if their expressions showed curiosity, caution, or disapproval.

Those who supported the Empress or admired Kyler would likely dislike her. But those like Lada and Rosehill, who did not understand the Empress’s emotions, probably felt more sympathetic. Did they like her, or simply pity her?

“Duchess, you really are beautiful. Maybe it runs in the family. You are Lady Ivern’s sister, after all.”

It seemed people in noble society picked up on gossip incredibly fast. Sasha had expected it, but it still felt like her entire life was being exposed on her very first day.

“That is too kind of you. I grew up away from all this and never learned to manage my appearance properly. I am not someone who can be compared to Lady Ivern.”

When Sasha responded humbly, Lada and Rosehill looked at her with eyes that nearly welled up with tears. Rosehill, who sat closer, reached out and gently took Sasha’s hand in both of hers.

“I heard you were very ill. Just imagining you watching your younger sister grow up, loved and admired, while you were too sick to attend gatherings… your body and your heart must have suffered.”

“Yes, truly. To be hidden away because you were that unwell… I can’t even imagine what that must have felt like.”

As their conversation continued, Sasha began to realize something. These two young women had incredibly quick and deep empathy.

In the span of a few minutes, they had turned her into a hidden and fragile daughter, sheltered from the world due to illness, now sitting before them after surviving great hardship. They even seemed to mourn the pain she must have felt while watching her beautiful sister shine in society. Their reactions were so genuine that Sasha nearly laughed.

They really did not seem like bad people.

“But now, I am so happy. Duke Kyler loves me, and I believe everything I went through was meant to lead me to him.”

Sasha was not lying. In a place where every word could be repeated or twisted, she had to speak carefully. Even if she adjusted the way she said things, she made sure that every word she spoke was still the truth.

Oh, but to say I am loved is not really true. It is only that… how I choose to feel about it.

Among the many opinions that start and end by describing Kyler Ignote as intimidating, I have never truly felt that way. He has always taken care of me, ensuring I lacked nothing.

Even on nights spent together as part of our agreement, he never treated me harshly. There were moments when things became intense, but that was never out of recklessness…

“Oh! Duchess, are you feeling unwell? Your cheeks are so red, as if you have a fever.”

Rosehill, sitting nearby, was the first to notice the change and looked at me with genuine concern. My thoughts halted as I placed a cool hand on my reddened cheek.

“No, I am fine. I am not sick at all. Thank you for worrying about me.”

I replied in a soft voice, offering a small, gentle smile. Rosehill and Lada exhaled in relief, their eyes sparkling as they looked at me.

I remembered how earlier I had seen the young noblewomen in the hall shining with admiration as they listened to the Empress. They had looked at her with longing though I doubt they could ever feel that toward me. Instead, they found my story rather intriguing.

After all, not many have such a history. Besides, I am the woman who now confidently sits at the side of that celebrated Kyler Ignote.

The conversation at the gathering continued over dinner and tea. The noblewomen formed a line just to greet me. Regardless of how they had regarded me when I first appeared, I was now the Duchess of Ignote, the wife of the Empire’s most talked-about man.

I even surprised everyone by calling most of the noblewomen by name. Those who had once taken me lightly began to view me with cautious respect.

I offered congratulations to both the new debutantes and the young ladies who had already become duchesses.

“Thank you. I will do my best to honor my family and the Empire as a proper duchess and will participate in these gatherings with dignity. I look forward to knowing all of you.”

Just like everyone else, I presented myself with a courteous greeting, even though I had not really planned to attend many of these events.

“Will you really join us again? We attend almost every time.”

At those words, Lada and Rosehill brightened, their eyes sparkling with excitement. The light farewell I had meant to give had turned into a promise for them.

Since the Empress would not be there next time and Elina probably would not appear either, they reasoned there was nothing wrong in coming back.

“Alright then. See you next time.”

Before long, the gathering was drawing to a close. One by one, people began leaving, and the formal structure of the event slowly faded away. Even those chatting lively just moments before naturally gathered their belongings and rose from their seats.

“Duchess, are you not leaving?”

“Oh my! Could it be… is Duke Kyler coming for you?”

Rosehill suddenly burst out, and her remark drew the attention of those around us. At the mention of Kyler, everyone seemed eager expecting that I might confirm what they already hoped to hear.

“Unfortunately, the Duke is busy today.”

I managed a faint, apologetic smile. Although it seemed gentle and delicate, it also gave me the air of a refined young lady.

I wondered what stories were forming in their minds as we exchanged glances. One by one, the noblewomen nodded in silent agreement and set off on their own.

I soon stood up from my seat as well.

I planned to visit the restroom before leaving. Moving in the opposite direction from the departing group, I went inside briefly and then came out again. Just as my pace quickened because I knew someone awaited me outside, a pair of feet suddenly blocked my way.

Startled, I looked up instinctively. When I saw who was in my path, my brows drew together in a slight frown.

Before me stood someone I had hoped never to encounter again, a girl with lustrous, golden-blonde hair reminiscent of the style of Lady Ivern. I had thought that after what had happened, she would avoid me at all costs.

“Hello, sister. So, you now show up at events like these, too.”

I couldn’t help but be taken aback as I met Elina’s mocking smile. I expected her to say something biting or to scold me, but this time she seemed unusually calm and composed.

That unexpected calmness unsettled me.

“Well, it is natural for noblewomen and duchesses to meet at gatherings. I suppose we will be seeing each other more often from now on.”

I met her gaze steadily. Only then did I notice her eyes flare with anger.

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