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Chapter 18
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t an impossible idea.
Duke Valendorf was, as the loan sharks had said, a man with “no blood or tears.”
But was it really possible?
A noble duke… a murderer… and no one knows about it?
“In a country at war, all manner of things are tolerated, Miss Vanessa. Most of the western region of the Empire is under Valendorf’s control, and his private army rivals even the Crown Prince’s. Punishing him would mean a major loss of military power. That is precisely why the Imperial family is desperate to keep the two of us apart.”
If that was true, it was horrifying.
Perhaps Mason was in even greater danger than she had thought.
Duke Valendorf had recently left capital life and returned to his country estate in the outskirts.
Since that suspicious letter, there had been no news of Mason at all. Letters went unanswered. When she sent people to inquire, they were not even allowed into the Duke’s estate.
Elisia insisted Mason would never have written such a letter.
“You know a lot of high-ranking people, right, Unnie? Please… I’m really worried about Mason…”
If she wanted to meet Mason—or at least confirm whether he was safe—there was no choice but to go to Valendorf’s estate.
And the only way in… was by invitation.
The problem is: from whom?
Hosting social events was typically the duty of noblewomen. But the Duke was unmarried and had no fiancée.
There was only one suitable person.
Marchioness Polina Morozov.
Before marriage, she was Polina Valendorf—the Duke’s elder sister.
I didn’t want to see her again so soon.
Vanessa sighed.
Polina was not someone easy to deal with. If she wanted to reunite with her estranged younger brother who had left the estate long ago… she would need something appealing enough to tempt her.
“I did say I would help, Miss Vanessa. But I still don’t think this is a good plan. Duke Valendorf is… a dangerous man. There must be a way to rescue Mason Frost without you going there personally.”
Phileus said this while placing a knight in front of Vanessa’s queen.
“Maybe. I’m just trying every possible method. Right now, acting myself is the fastest option.”
Vanessa knocked over his knight.
Phileus then began lining up his pieces in a neat row.
“Just tell me honestly, Your Grace.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t know the rules of chess, do you?”
Holding a king and a queen in both hands, Phileus smiled.
“Was it obvious? Miss Vanessa is very perceptive.”
No, you just weren’t trying at all…
Phileus stretched.
“I’m hungry. Shall we go down and eat first? May I join you for more games in the future?”
“I thought you didn’t like it?”
“If you mean chess, I’m not particularly interested. But I quite like watching you hold the pieces.”
“The chess pieces?”
“Yes. Watching you knock them down… it looks like a conqueror. One day, I’d like it if you would conquer and trample me as well.”
Nicola made a strange sound—half cough, half scream—and quickly fled the room.
“…That was very suggestive, Your Grace.”
“What part of it?”
“You meant it in a pure sense, right…?”
“Is there another interpretation of my words?”
“It depends on perspective…”
“Perspective,” he repeated thoughtfully.
Then he nodded, opened the door for her, and said:
“I’ll be more careful in the future. So there is no room for misunderstanding.”
He looked oddly pleased.
Polina Morozov had lost her husband two years after marriage.
She was pregnant at the time and gave birth to a posthumous son.
The blond child bore no resemblance to the Morozov Marquis.
Polina quickly became the center of gossip, but no one dared to confront her directly. Her string of lovers were all discreet.
Polina always obtained what she wanted. She had the ability to do so.
Except for one thing.
Vanessa had already noticed the common trait among her lovers: all of them were blond, tall, and somewhat sharp-looking handsome men.
And from her gaze in her previous life, Vanessa had already suspected it.
All of Polina’s lovers resembled Conrad—just a little.
“Miss, the Valendorf family… they’re a collateral branch of the Imperial family, right?”
Nicola asked while carefully brushing Vanessa’s hair.
“Yes. But even as a branch family, they hold considerable influence. The Duke’s great-grandmother once acted as regent, ruling as Empress Dowager for a long time.”
Because of that, Sairan still remained wary of mixing blood with the Valendorfs.
And that was the only reason Polina had never been able to obtain Conrad.
Vanessa looked at herself in the mirror.
Today, she had to stand out more than anyone else.
Everyone would gather where Conrad was—imperial beauties included.
“Oh, Miss, could you check the right drawer?”
When she opened it, she found something unexpected.
A long dagger shaped like an awl. The handle was carved from wood in a spiral pattern.
“It’s pretty, right? The Duke left it this morning. He said pistols take time to master, so this would be better for emergencies. Of course, he hopes it never has to be used.”
“Why is he so worried about just going to a ball? And Abel is coming with me anyway.”
“He’s still on edge because of what happened with those thugs on Feroz Street. Please just accept it, Miss. Don’t overthink it. If you ever need to use it… Abel would be as good as dead.”
Vanessa wore a pure white muslin dress.
This season’s dresses had high waists and narrow skirts. The fabric was thin and light, revealing the curves of her waist and hips. The deep neckline exposed her shoulders and collarbone.
Behind her, Nicola covered her mouth, twisting in delight.
“Oh, Miss… your proportions, your bone structure—you were simply born with everything. I’ve served many ladies, but dressing you gives me more satisfaction than ever before.”
“You talk too much.”
“It’s not flattery! Whoever started this season’s fashion clearly designed it for you!”
Since when did I become your lady…
Vanessa crossed her arms and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her wavy wine-colored hair and pistachio-green eyes were the same as always—but somehow, she felt unfamiliar.
Her impression seemed different.
Wasn’t I supposed to look colder than this?
“Nicola… don’t you think my eyes look a bit dull lately?”
Nicola clenched her fists.
“I will not forgive anyone who says that about my lady! Dull?! These pure, enchanting eyes are one of a kind!”
“Alright, alright.”
Nicola quickly brought out a jewelry box.
“It’s just… the Duke is rather thoughtless, isn’t he? His first gift to you is a dagger. He could’ve given something big and sparkling. Though I doubt he’d ever think of something like that.”
“Yeah. It’s kind of funny when you imagine it.”
Vanessa couldn’t picture Phileus giving jewelry at all. He only gave instructions for the dresses delivered weekly, without ever involving himself.
Come to think of it… he had never once complimented her dresses.
No, wait.
Vanessa suddenly realized something.
He’s never once commented on my appearance.
Except for joking about whether her “beautiful tongue would be cut off or not”… he had never once said—
That she was beautiful.
Well, that’s not exactly something one is entitled to expect… I’m getting a bit self-conscious, aren’t I?
Vanessa felt slightly embarrassed at herself.
