DYWD 09

Chapter : 09

Dining with Melanie felt like sitting on a bed of thorns.

Even as she cautiously watched my reactions, Melanie chatted brightly with Luciano.

“Melanie, I prepared all the dishes you like today.”

Each time Luciano spoke to Melanie with a warmth he never showed me, I paused with my cutlery midair and looked at him.

“Your Grace, why aren’t you eating?”

Seeing my reaction, Melanie asked with an awkward smile.

The words Would you let this slide if it were you? rose to my throat, but I merely smiled instead.

“I’m not very hungry. Please enjoy your meal, Lady Sailor.”

Encouraged by my gentle response, she smiled back and soon changed the subject.

“There will be a banquet at the House of Count Sailor next week, Your Grace. If possible, would you honor us with your presence?”

“Of course I will attend.”

“Thank you, Your Grace! I truly wish to maintain a good relationship with you.”

Her excessive friendliness made me uncomfortable, and before dinner was even over, I left the dining hall.

“Madam, shall we bring your meal to your room?”

Kasya quietly looked after me.

“Prepare some wine and food.”

After changing out of my uncomfortable dress into a simple slip, I drank wine.

“This is strong wine. Please drink in moderation, Madam.”

“I’ll manage. You may leave.”

I dismissed even the maids and drank alone.

Knock, knock.

“Madam, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Holding onto my slightly dizzy senses, I greeted him.

“You’ve been drinking?”

“Only two glasses. Does it bother you?”

“No. I only stopped by because I had something to say.”

“What is it?”

“Does Melanie make you uncomfortable?”

Luciano knew that Estellin and Melanie did not get along in the original story, so he was watching my reaction.

It felt unfamiliar—and oddly pleasant—to have him worry about my feelings for once.

“No, not at all. She’s your friend, isn’t she?”

I said with a loose smile, and Luciano nodded.

“I see. Please rest well.”

After he left, I picked up my wineglass again.

“This is so irritating. Seriously.”

I had been in a good mood just moments ago, but the instant he left, it soured.
Perhaps it was the alcohol—my emotions were all over the place.

But one undeniable truth remained: today, nothing sat right with me.

Luciano had refused my request for a divorce.
Seeing Melanie only reminded me of Rebecca.
And dining with the two of them was unbearably uncomfortable.

That night, I drank until I passed out, so drunk I couldn’t even remember falling asleep.

“Ugh… I don’t remember anything…”

I couldn’t recall a single thing—apparently, I’d drunk far too much.

“Madam, here is some honey water.”

“Thank you…”

I gulped down the honey water Serra handed me.

“I feel like I’m finally alive…”

“There is no scheduled agenda today. Please rest comfortably.”

“All right. You may go.”

Looking outside, I saw Melanie taking a walk alone.

“What? She stayed the night here?”

Startled by this unexpected turn of events, I hurried down the stairs to find the butler.

“Butler.”

“You are awake, Madam.”

“Did Lady Sailor stay the night at the ducal residence?”

“Yes… The Sailor estate is quite far, so whenever Lady Melanie visits, she usually stays the night.”

“Oh, I see. Understood.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Pretending I hadn’t been interested from the start, I turned back into my room.

After changing into an indoor dress, I went to find Melanie.

“Lady Melanie?”

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Thanks to you, I had a very comfortable night.”

Despite everything, Melanie remained calm and unbothered.

“Shall we take a walk together?”

“I’d love to!”

We slowly walked through the garden together.

“Do you hate me, Lady Sailor?”

I asked her during our walk.

“I understand. It’s all in the past now. And given the circumstances, it’s natural you would have misunderstood. I don’t resent you.”

“But I doubted you and my husband—and even harassed you.”

“I believe that could have happened. But as I’ve said before, His Grace and I are only friends. I can say that honestly, without hiding anything.”

“I believe you.”

“I’ve always wanted to be close to you, Your Grace. Ever since you were Lady Celedina, I admired you.”

Melanie smiled like a flower in full bloom.

Watching her bright smile, I felt ashamed for ever doubting her, even for a moment.

“Thank you. I’d like for us to have a good relationship as well.”

Melanie tightly clasped my hand.

“I should be going now. I need to return to the count’s estate.”

“I’ll look forward to the banquet next week, Lady Sailor.”

After bowing to me, Melanie returned to her room.

Yes, the banquet may be bothersome, but there’s no reason to leave a bad impression.

In this world, a good reputation would make life far easier.

That evening, Melanie returned to the Sailor estate.

And after she left, Luciano and I returned to our distant, indifferent relationship.

Just like when I first possessed this body, Luciano deliberately avoided me.

Time passed, and the next time I saw his face was on the day of the Sailor family banquet.

“It’s been a while, Luciano.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Aside from exchanging greetings, we rode in the carriage in silence.

Feeling that I needed to properly apologize for what I hadn’t managed to say before, I spoke up.

“Um… Luciano? Do you remember what I said?”

“As I told you before, divorce is not an option.”

“No, not that.”

Luciano remained silent, as though he didn’t remember.

“The apology I gave before…”

“What exactly are you apologizing for?”

“For insulting the deaths of the former Duke and Duchess, for forcing you into a marriage you didn’t want—everything.”

At my words, Luciano frowned.

“Let’s stop this conversation.”

He turned his head away, clearly unwilling to continue.

Without realizing it, my expression fell.

“Do you think you even have the right to say such things?”

Seeing my reaction, Luciano continued.

“Pardon…?”

“I can understand everything else. But sullying my parents’ deaths is unforgivable.”

I hadn’t expected him to interpret my apology that way.

Caught off guard, I couldn’t respond.

“I never meant to insult them. I truly—!”

“As you said, once this business matter is resolved, I will grant you a divorce. Until then, do not speak of my parents again.”

At that moment, the carriage door opened, and without escorting me, he stepped out first.

“M-Madam, please step down.”

Instead of his hand, I took the coachman’s and entered the banquet hall.

“His Grace the Duke of Winfoste and Her Grace the Duchess have arrived.”

The Sailor family banquet showed careful preparation—likely because it marked Melanie’s return to society.

“We greet Your Grace the Duke and Duchess.”

“It’s been a while, Count Sailor.”

“Indeed, Your Grace.”

Though they belonged to the same imperial faction, the count’s eyes held resentment toward me—or rather, toward Estellin.

Of course he would, after I tormented his precious daughter.

“It is an honor to have you both attend our family banquet.”

“Lady Sailor is an old friend of mine. How could I refuse? But where is she?”

“My daughter is still preparing. She will enter the hall shortly.”

“I see. I’m delighted to see her return to society after so long.”

“You honor us, Your Grace.”

The count addressed only Luciano, completely ignoring me.

Then, an announcement rang out.

“The host of tonight’s banquet, Lady Sailor, enters!”

The doors opened, and Melanie entered, beautifully dressed.

Wearing a yellow gown that perfectly complemented her sky-blue hair, she walked forward, hands trembling slightly with nervousness.

“Thank you all for attending my party. I hope you enjoy your time.”

After smiling and speaking, she approached me. The nobles watched us with keen interest.

I feel like a circus act.

I let out a quiet sigh and met Melanie’s gaze.

“You really came!”

“Of course, Lady Sailor.”

“Thank you so much. The person I most hoped would attend was Your Grace.”

She welcomed me with a radiant smile.

“I hardly know how to respond to such hospitality.”

“Please enjoy yourself, then.”

Taking the arm of her chosen partner, Melanie stepped onto the dance floor.

Watching her with her partner made the cold distance between Luciano and me feel even more pronounced.

“They really are a beautiful couple, aren’t they?”

I said quietly to Luciano.

“What do you mean?”

He looked at me with curiosity.

“Lady Sailor and that young lord.”

Though clearly a political engagement, they looked genuinely happy.

If the original Estellin had known how to give love just a little more… would things between Luciano and her have been different?

Shaking off the pointless thought, I turned away.

“Yes, they truly are beautiful.”

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t hear Luciano’s quiet reply.

“Won’t His Grace and Her Grace dance as well?”

Count Dante, also of the imperial faction, encouraged us.

Luciano and I exchanged awkward looks.

We had just argued in the carriage—now we were supposed to dance hand in hand?

“I—”

Before I could refuse, Luciano spoke first.

“May I have the honor of dancing with my wife?”

“…Of course.”

Taking his hand, I stepped onto the dance floor.

“Why are we dancing?”

I asked quietly.

“There are many eyes on us, Madam.”

“Ah… I suppose.”

Understanding, I said no more.

“Do you dislike it?”

“No. With so many watching, we can’t exactly stop.”

After that, we spoke no further.

“It was an honor, Madam.”

“The honor was mine.”

I left the dance floor and headed toward the lounge.

Just as I was about to enter—

“What? Lady Sailor and His Grace the Duke are involved?”

I heard the voices of young noblewomen.

“Of course! Didn’t you see earlier? The way His Grace looks at the Duchess and the way he looks at Lady Sailor are completely different!”

They laughed among themselves.

I’m allowed to be offended by this, right?