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Chapter 24
She intended to leave everything behind eventually, no matter what gifts she received—
But this gift was an exception.
“Thank you.”
To others, it might just be a single book, but to Pricia, it became a precious treasure.
Seeing her so touched that she was on the verge of tears, the Duke offered a light smile, as if it were no big deal.
“You’ll be busy from now on, so I figured you deserved at least that much of a reward.”
“Busy…? What do you mean?”
“An invitation has arrived from the imperial family.”
As soon as she saw the paper he handed her, the smile vanished from Pricia’s face.
So this was why he gave her such a grand gift—of course, nothing in this world comes free.
“I told you. I need you.”
Looking at the invitation addressed to the Duke and Duchess of Cromford, Pricia briefly sank into thought.
She thought her role would end with the wedding, but it turned out the harsh training was just the prelude for her debut into high society.
The Empress invited high-ranking nobles—marquises and above—twice a year to the palace to promote social ties.
Those protected by unbreachable walls of status would gather here to exchange information about alliances and business, thereby securing their positions.
Among these people, the most interesting topic lately was none other than the sudden marriage of the Duke of Cromford.
“It must have been disappointing for Her Majesty. She put so much effort into arranging a marriage for the princess.”
“I know, right? And of all people, he married a Deblanc.”
The cause behind this unprecedented and disgraceful turn of events had now become common knowledge.
“There they are.”
Having secretly dated someone in private, the Duke of Cromford had even gone so far as to use ruthless methods to bring down Marquis Gondaire at her request.
The Emperor, who had hoped to make him his son-in-law, had no choice but to accept the Duke’s wishes once he learned the man was already deeply involved with someone.
Had it been during a succession dispute, things might have been different. But the Duke had already solidified his hold on the title of Cromford, and not even the Emperor could easily overturn his will.
And now, the once mysterious lover—Pricia Deblanc—had finally taken the Cromford name and made her official debut in high society.
“No one even knew she existed since her younger sister was always in the spotlight.”
“Still, she’s just as beautiful as her sister.”
Thanks to the secret makeup techniques developed within the Cromford household, at the very least, no one could say she didn’t belong.
As whispers spread around them, Pricia cautiously glanced up at the Duke beside her.
“Your gaze is burning, Madame Cromford.”
“I’m just curious how far your plans really go.”
Marrying someone like Pricia—just that one unpredictable variable—had allowed the Duke to get everything he wanted.
Her cold, calculating husband now smiled cheerfully and wrapped his arm around her waist, as if none of it were a big deal.
“We’re here to work today. I need you to do it well.”
“Of course. I’ll earn my keep.”
Putting on a show of leaning sweetly against him as if they were enjoying a blissful honeymoon—
Sometimes, a single gesture has more power than a hundred words when it comes to establishing authority and keeping the imperial family from interfering.
“Wine goes well with things like this.”
Holding a piece of salted chocolate, he offered to feed it to her himself.
“You don’t have to go that far…”
“Come on, say ah—”
Even if this display was for the benefit of the onlookers, wasn’t this a bit much?
But there was no stopping the Duke once he was in this mode.
With no other choice, she opened her mouth and took the chocolate he fed her, then sipped her wine.
“It’s good.”
“I thought you’d like it, my lady.”
He smiled calmly and then gestured with his eyes, asking her to return the favor.
It was too late to turn back now. Pricia had no choice but to play the role of the affectionate newlywed wife.
She picked up a piece of chocolate and fed it to him, and he, in turn, caught her fingers in his mouth and lightly licked the tips as if savoring them.
“Sweet.”
His gaze was so dreamy that her heart involuntarily began to pound.
She quickly pulled her hand back, but the elderly ladies watching them couldn’t stop cooing over the newlyweds.
“Oh my, how sweet!”
“We had a time like that too, didn’t we?”
Today, the Duke was acting particularly warm and gentle, entirely different from his usual stern self.
Normally, she’d have told him not to overdo it—but since he got Alster’s autograph for her, she decided to let him do as he pleased just for today.
“You really liked the autograph, didn’t you?”
“Of course! Tell him I absolutely loved Volume 1 and I’m dying for Volume 2.”
The Duke would never know that she even resolved not to end this marriage too badly, just in case she could still stay in touch with the author afterward.
“I thought writers like that were a dime a dozen. I don’t see what’s so special.”
“You wouldn’t. You have everything. That book brought me so much comfort.”
When she first realized she’d fallen into a strange world, her feelings had been a chaotic mix of resentment, loneliness, and anger.
She was grateful to have met Rose and Lily here—but they couldn’t erase that deep-rooted loneliness.
“That author is a benefactor to me and my sisters. So, thank you for the autograph, but please give me a heads-up next time.”
She had wanted to show the book to Rose and Lily too. When she thought it had disappeared, she nearly fainted.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Oh, and ask him to write a big juicy side story too.”
“You’re getting more demanding, I see.”
“That’s just your imagination.”
She hadn’t expected him to catch on so quickly when she tried to push things a step further.
To those unaware of the details, the Cromford couple now looked like a naturally affectionate pair.
Feeling relieved that her mission seemed to be going well—
“Long time no see, you two.”
The Emperor’s eldest daughter. The Duchess of Dussel.
Princess Royal Hyacinth had arrived, the woman who ruled over high society in place of the Empress.
It wasn’t until after the wedding that Pricia learned how powerful the princess truly was.
It was likely that this was the reason she’d tried to blackmail the Duke.
Though horrified when she first witnessed the princess simultaneously proposing and threatening the Duke, the truth was that the princess knew his secret and used it as leverage to demand marriage.
But the Duke rejected her proposal without concern for the threat.
And the only witness to that rejection… was Pricia Deblanc.
“Pricia Deblanc Cromford greets Your Highness.”
“No need for such formality—we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Despite how unpleasant their first meeting had been, the princess offered a sweet smile and reached out her hand.
“I’m so glad the Duchess of Cromford is around my age. I’d love to become friends. Would you mind joining me for a short walk?”
“That’s…”
The look on her face said she had a lot to ask, and the Duke’s brow furrowed deeply.
Reading his mood and seeing he was about to refuse her flatly, Pricia quickly stepped forward and grabbed the princess’s hand.
“O-of course! I’d be delighted. Right, darling?”
She’d never once called him ‘darling’ since they married, but now it had come to this.
Forcing a smile so hard that the corners of her mouth twitched, she figured it would be better for both of them if the princess wasn’t humiliated again in public.
Standing in front of her, throwing herself into the line of fire to prevent just that, the Duke still looked clearly displeased.
“We’re newlyweds, you see. I don’t enjoy her leaving my sight, even for a moment.”
“Jealousy is unattractive, you know. You wouldn’t want your beloved wife to be isolated without any friends, would you?”
If that happened, the one caught in the middle—between two clashing whales—would be Pricia, and she’d be the one to suffer the most.
She couldn’t help but admire the princess’s boldness to provoke the Duke so openly.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Pricia.”
“You can wait for me, can’t you?”
Raising her hand for show, Pricia stood on her toes and lightly ruffled his bangs.
The ability to invade this man’s private space so casually was one of the few privileges granted to a wife.
She felt a bit guilty for treating him like a little brother, but he quickly caught on and accepted her hand obediently.
“If you say so, then I suppose I have no choice.”
Then he leaned in close to whisper into her ear.
“But I have one condition.”
He pointed silently at his cheek.
No way. He couldn’t possibly mean that.
She tried to deny it, but he only stared stubbornly, expression stern and lips sealed in protest, until she relented.
“Everyone’s watching. No way.”
“Then prepare two more signed first editions of Volume 1.”
“I love you, darling!”
Pricia, who had been whispering a desperate refusal just moments earlier, suddenly caved and sold her soul to literature.
It was frightening how easily the words “I love you” came out.
Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
If she could get two signed copies of the new edition, Rose and Lily could have one each without fighting.
Though she felt thoroughly blackmailed, the Duke looked pleased, placing his hand right over the spot she kissed with a satisfied smile.
“Come back soon. Otherwise…”
‘I don’t know what I might do.’
Even without hearing it aloud, she could now read his lips and guess what kind of chaos he might unleash.
If she didn’t handle this well, who would end up suffering next after Marquis Gondaire?
“Well then, shall we talk?”
With the smiling princess in front of her, there was no room left to retreat.
“I’ll be back.”
She looked so wistful that it made Pricia wonder if he’d once been an actor.
Leaving him behind, she bravely walked into the lion’s den alone.
