The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 50

“Has Her Majesty the Empress decided to make the Duchess her target now?”

It was a risky topic to bring up in the imperial palace, but it was the very subject everyone seemed eager to discuss.

Although the guests were careful, glancing around to check if anyone was listening, the absence of attendants gave them the confidence to speak more freely.

“The matter with Lady Elina is one thing, but how could the Empress be the one to step forward like that?”

A man clicked his tongue in disapproval, and several others nodded in agreement.

“Everyone knows Duke Kyler never cared for marriage. And yet, suddenly he weds. It was clearly because of someone. Does she really need to make her feelings so obvious even now?”

“Exactly. Even if her emotions are understandable, this is not the place to show them. Does she take the position of Empress of the Derma Empire so lightly?”

The Duchy of Medilan, like House Ignote, had long been a powerful influence within the Empire. It was that prestige that had helped Midienna become Empress in the first place, and the Emperor had always treated her kindly. But now, the nobles were beginning to move beyond confusion. They were starting to feel genuine resentment toward her actions.

“Why does His Majesty allow this to go on? It’s already problematic that she holds such feelings, but she doesn’t even try to hide them in public.”

Once the complaints began, they poured out without restraint. Among the murmuring crowd, a noblewoman who had been carefully watching the room finally spoke up.

“If we really think about it, isn’t it strange? She didn’t behave like this before the wedding. Maybe it’s because she feels uneasy about the new Duchess.”

The others furrowed their brows, considering this new angle. Sasha had seemed graceful and strong. She stood her ground in front of the Empress and showed warmth toward Duke Kyler. She had seemed genuine, so what was there to doubt?

“The Marquess of Ivern claimed she had been very sick, but she looks perfectly healthy now, doesn’t she? I’ve had my doubts from the beginning. What if it wasn’t a physical illness… but something else?”

Gasps spread through the room as everyone quietly fell into silence, stunned by the noblewoman in the green dress and her bold suggestion.

“I mean… it’s hard to believe. The Marquess of Ivern never seemed like the kind of man who would hide his own daughter. No matter how sick she may have been, does that really justify keeping her hidden?”

Whispers rippled outward as suspicion began to grow.

Thinking back on the Duchess of Ignote, the idea seemed absurd. Yet when they considered her background, things started to look strange. The Marquess of Ivern rarely appeared in political circles, coming into the capital only when absolutely necessary. He was known more for his kind governance of the region than for influence in court.

So how did a noblewoman no one had ever seen suddenly appear and become the link between Ivern and Ignote? The nobles found themselves confused, unsure of what to believe.

“If that’s the case, then can we really trust anything she says?”

Now they were left with difficult choices. Trusting one side meant doubting the other. As the conversations turned heavier, people began to fall silent again. One by one, they cleared their throats awkwardly and began leaving the banquet hall.

The noblewoman in the green dress bit her lip as she followed her husband out of the room.

“Well done.”

Her husband glanced at her and spoke quietly. She looked up at him, the tension in her expression fading slightly when she saw his calm face. Her tightly pressed lips began to relax.

“Did you see how uneasy everyone became? The suspicion shifted toward the Duchess, even though no one had questioned her before.”

Only after he explained did the woman seem to relax, letting out a shallow breath and nodding slowly.

“Which side is really telling the truth? Why are we the ones being asked to do this?”

Before stepping into the carriage, she spoke without thinking. Her husband narrowed his eyes and glared at her.

Startled by his sharp look, the woman glanced around and quickly lowered her head.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful with my words.”

Only after hearing her apology did the man turn and step up into the carriage. The woman, wearing a wide and heavy skirt, gathered the fabric in one hand and climbed in after him with some effort.

Once the door shut and the carriage began to move, the man looked directly at her.

“I told you not to speak carelessly in public.”

Now scolded properly, the woman in the green dress lowered her head again, her eyes fixed on her toes. Seeing how timid and guilty she looked, the man clicked his tongue and spoke again.

“We’ve been trusted with this task. We need to do it properly if we expect to be paid. That daughter of ours was a good choice. She’s the reason we’ve been able to get close to the Duchess.”

“Yes, of course.”

Her shoulders hunched as she nodded, just as she had earlier when she first joined in the conversation. She glanced around nervously, clearly unsure of herself. Her husband watched her in silence for a moment, then clicked his tongue once more and looked out the window.

“She said she wouldn’t meet again after this.”

“There hasn’t been any mention of that yet.”

“I see. Then keep it going. Act friendly. You don’t need me to spell everything out.”

“I understand.”

The carriage carrying the couple rolled away from the palace, heading toward the capital until it disappeared from view.

After returning from the banquet, Sasha sensed something had subtly changed. She lifted her teacup quietly, took only a small sip, and placed it back down.

The tea looked beautiful. The temperature was just right, and the teacup Rosé had chosen today was delicate and elegant. Sasha truly liked it. But something felt off.

“Kyler, if you keep working like this after coming back, everything I said in front of His Majesty is going to seem like a lie.”

Since their return from the palace, Kyler had been sitting at his desk. Sasha knew he had a lot of paperwork to go through, but she also remembered that Rosé or Pavan could handle it for a day if needed. Kyler had already given them partial authority because he was often away.

She had told the Emperor not to call him to every banquet after returning from monster hunts, hoping he could rest more. But here he was, working again as if nothing had changed, making her words feel meaningless.

He was still holding her hand, drinking tea with his right hand while staying focused on his documents.

No matter how many times Sasha tried to draw his attention, cleared her throat, or even yawned without realizing, Kyler didn’t react.

“Are you tired?”

“I’m not. You are.”

She answered slowly and firmly. Only then did Kyler lift his head. When he saw her lower lip jutting out in frustration, he nearly smiled.

“I thought if I finished this quickly, I could actually rest. I figured you’d only relax once you saw me resting.”

“That may be true, but…”

She had wanted him to rest, yes, but she wanted him to rest now.

“At this point, it feels like I’m forcing someone who isn’t even tired to lie down. Don’t rush just to finish quickly. Go at your usual pace. I won’t say anything more.”

She let go of her earlier insistence. It was starting to feel like she was forcing him to follow her way, and that wasn’t what she wanted.

Kyler looked at both the papers and at Sasha. Then, for a moment, he stared at the hand he was still holding. After thinking for a bit, he gently let go of her hand.

Before she could fully register it, his left hand moved toward the corner of the document on his desk instead of reaching back for her hand.

Sasha suddenly felt a mix of emotions. She stood up, her expression quietly disappointed. It hit her that maybe she had said too much.

She had only wanted to make sure he was alright. But now it felt like she had made a mistake. Thinking back to what she had said in front of the Emperor made her face warm with embarrassment. Hoping it wouldn’t show, she lowered her shoulders and got up from her seat.

“Go ahead and work, then.”

She walked out of the office slowly, dragging her steps. Her mind felt more tired than her body. She thought about going to the back garden to get some fresh air or take a short nap.

Kyler didn’t lift his head until the door closed behind her. Once the door clicked shut, he let out a low sigh. He looked at his hand, then quietly returned to his work.

There were still many documents that needed his attention. He had always believed that certain tasks should be done by him, not left to others, especially when he was present.

He picked up his pen again and signed the next form.

Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shot through his head. It was quick, more of a jolt than anything serious, but it was enough to make him pause.

After a moment, he took a breath and continued. The gaps between these moments were long, so he wanted to finish as much as he could before the next one came.

Just then, Rosé entered the room. She noticed his expression right away. It was rare to see him alone in the office without Sasha nearby. She had seen Sasha walking out through the back garden doors and felt something was wrong.

“Is something the matter, Duke?”

His voice was sharper than usual when he replied.

“What is it?”

Rosé had worked for him long enough to sense the difference in his tone. She knew something was off.

“Is it because Lady Sasha is not here?”

She asked carefully, Kyler slowly lifted his eyes and looked at her. His gaze was calm, but there was something heavy behind it, something quiet and deep.

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