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Chapter 20
It Seems He Loves the Lady
2022.02.08
Estelle’s clear navy eyes trembled. Her long, white eyelashes fluttered. The hand she had placed in his also shook.
“W-Why… why would the Duke…?”
“Why?”
Johann did not answer Estelle’s question kindly.
“Why would the man you married destroy your entire family?”
He slowly observed her reaction. Her heart raced, her expression showed confusion, and the warmth in the hand that had been holding his gently began to fade.
“I… I don’t know. The Duke hasn’t told me anything, so how could I know?”
After bowing her head for a moment, Estelle spoke again.
“Were my parents imprisoned because of some unjust accusation?”
“No.”
Estelle slowly raised her head to meet Johann’s gaze. Her tense shoulders trembled with anxiety.
“They were imprisoned for the crimes they actually committed.”
Even fabricating a rebellion charge against someone is treated as rebellion under the Empire’s laws. It is such a serious crime, especially when an entire noble family, like the Blanchett family, is completely eradicated.
“Then how could I possibly hold a grudge against the Duke?”
A bitter smile formed on Estelle’s lips.
“Even if the Duke destroyed the Libertan family, if it was a just act…”
There was a fragile sadness and subtle hopelessness in Estelle’s voice, impossible to hide. Johann unconsciously clenched the hand that was not holding hers.
‘She’s really a strange woman.’
He had always thought her naive, innocent, and overly trusting of her husband. Anyone would instinctively doubt a stranger slightly, but she did not. That very trust had made Johann want to tempt her, to uncover whatever lay hidden within. Yet now, she was even harder to read.
‘Why does she react so differently from me?’
Her beloved parents’ family had been destroyed by her own husband. Even if Johann hadn’t witnessed the family’s collapse firsthand, he would have sworn revenge. He was a demon who paid back many times over. Yet Estelle looked at him with wide eyes and even dared to ask:
“Did the Duke suffer any harm from the Libertan family? Is that why he destroyed them personally?”
“I wonder.”
“But then I don’t understand… why bring me to this house?”
Unaware that he might be plotting to kill her, her blindly trusting gaze was, oddly enough, endearing. Perhaps the play could be ended early.
‘No. I can’t.’
The reason was simple.
‘I can’t end it like this…’
His gaze fell again on her nape—a thin, delicate neck that could be covered with one hand.
‘I could kill her anytime.’
With a gentle smile, Johann spoke to Estelle.
“Don’t worry so much. Even if the Libertan family fell for rebellion, your situation won’t change.”
“…Why?”
“Because I want you here, in the Blanchett household.”
Johann’s lazy smile deepened.
“So just stay as you are.”
Betty had noticed that the atmosphere in the Blanchett household had changed greatly.
“Betty, tomorrow is the day the Lady visits the Libertan Duke and Duchess, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then give this to her.”
The head chef secretly prepared a new treat for the Lady and handed it to Betty.
“She could eat it anytime, but she’s not someone who asks favors, right?”
“I think the Lady will like it.”
“Yes. Tell her to keep up her spirits.”
Carrying the treat, Betty walked forward. Even those who had disliked the Libertan family no longer held ill will toward Estelle. She was too pure, too innocent, and unlike the Libertan’s reputation.
‘Everyone thought her innocence was annoying…’
Now, everyone began to accept the Lady differently from the Libertans. Actions, even if unspoken, showed it clearly.
‘Even Head Maid Patricia…’
Patricia had been one of the most severe figures in the Blanchett household, along with Erich. Even if Estelle was adopted, she refused to forgive her and would have deliberately tormented her. But now, Patricia seemed to serve Estelle sincerely.
“Betty, make sure to assist the Lady so she is comfortable. Even though I’m in seclusion, there may be children trying to follow me. In those cases, mention my name to make her follow.”
“Is it really okay to use the Head Maid’s name?”
“It’s what the Head Maid should have done for a new Lady anyway. I’m just slow in doing it now.”
Betty was amazed at how much people had changed.
‘But the most astonishing…’
Was the Lord himself. While Lady Estelle was unconscious, Johann had acted strangely frantic.
‘I’ve never seen the Lord so shocked.’
Johann usually controlled his emotions well, so the outpouring of his feelings was surprising. He even stayed by Estelle’s side all night, though she was unconscious and could not know.
‘And his gaze…’
Johann’s expression as he cared for her and held her hand was full of affection.
‘He said not to tell the Lady…’
Worried she might not wake, calling doctors secretly, he didn’t act like someone seeking revenge.
The strange behavior didn’t end there. When Betty hesitated to tell Johann about Estelle, the original Johann would have dismissed her or forced her away. But now, his reaction was different.
“Good work.”
“…Huh?”
“Was the Lady troubled or hurt in any way?”
Instead of punishment, Johann praised Betty.
“Help her stay comfortable by her side.”
He didn’t pry into the secrets Betty held. This was uncharacteristic for the Blanchetts, but not a bad thing.
‘The Lady was abused by the Libertans…’
Betty was glad Estelle’s situation was improving.
‘But if, as Henry Viscount feared, she contracted an incurable disease…’
There were even rumors that Estelle’s fainting might indicate a serious illness, though she dismissed it lightly.
“The Duke also seems to think I’m too fragile. I don’t need such delicate treatment.”
The pureness of Estelle’s smile pained Betty even more—it seemed forced for survival, to endure harshness.
‘Such a kind person…’
Estelle cared more about Betty’s feelings than her own. Betty grew sadder seeing the scars etched into Estelle’s fragile body. Erich, her brother, felt strong opposition as well.
“Was that treat brought for the Lady?”
Erich found Betty after her task. He scolded her sharply.
“I told you not to worry so much about her. Why do you keep ignoring me?”
“Sigh… Brother.”
Betty responded, sighing.
“The Lady might not be the person we thought.”
“Betty… you too?”
Erich glared at her with crossed arms.
“You’re captivated by her. Just because she smiled kindly, you’re falling for her. You’ll be the one hurt.”
“That’s not it. The Lady…”
“Stop.”
The normally harmonious siblings now fought whenever Estelle was mentioned.
“If you’re going to defend her, let’s not see each other again.”
Erich sighed heavily and stormed off. Betty’s chest ached with frustration.
‘The Lady isn’t like that…’
Meanwhile, Estelle’s health deteriorated. She slept longer, became weaker, and sometimes cried or muttered alone.
‘Even if she hides it, it must be hard… She must have cherished parents.’
But unless Estelle spoke first, Betty could not intervene.
Arriving at Estelle’s room, she knocked.
“Lady, the chef made tiramisu for you. Would you like to try some?”
“Come in.”
Seeing the tiramisu, Estelle faintly smiled.
“Tell the chef thank you for me.”
“Yes, I will.”
Betty watched as Estelle ate with tea, then carefully spoke.
“Lady, tomorrow you’re going to see your parents, right?”
“Yes. I’ll go see them.”
“Will it be okay to meet the… I mean, the Libertan Duke and Duchess? It might be difficult…”
“What’s so difficult?”
It was natural for an abused child to want to meet their abusive adoptive family. Yet Betty worried that Estelle’s behavior might provoke misunderstandings with Johann or Erich.
“I want to see them. I should have been in prison with them, but I’m out now.”
“No… Lady, you suffered greatly at the Libertans…” Betty held Estelle’s hand, trembling. She could only ask one question:
“Lady… what do you think of the Lord?”
“That… I don’t know. I want to be a good wife.”
Her pale pink platinum hair seemed almost ephemeral, like a mirage.
“Lady… this may be presumptuous, but…”
“No, speak freely.”
“I think… the Lord loves you.”
“Really?”
Estelle’s expression flickered in surprise before she smiled.
“Does the Duke really love me enough to do this?”
Betty tried to give Estelle faith and comfort. The next day came—the day Estelle would visit the Libertan Duke and Duchess.
It was finally the day to meet them. Betty assisted her. Estelle had waited eagerly, though the anticipation had been exhausting.
‘I didn’t expect Johann to ask such a question…’
Fear made her tremble.
‘Honestly, I don’t care what happens to the Libertans.’
Her blind devotion had disappeared; they now felt like strangers.
‘I just want clues about my curse.’
The curse was tied to her being a fairy, so she could not tell anyone.
‘I can understand Johann’s anxious behavior.’
He hadn’t appeared since she insisted on visiting. That happened occasionally in the original story. But the oddest part was the Blanchett household’s behavior!
“Don’t worry, Lady. Everything will be fine.”
Betty suddenly comforted her with tears.
“Lady, I’ve organized everything so you can carry out the Duchess’s duties comfortably. Please use me as you wish. That’s what a subordinate is for.”
Petricia had even shown a stern but sad expression during her seclusion.
“Lady, stay strong.”
The expanded meal options, the staff’s polite behavior—even Erich’s attitude changed.
“I don’t trust you. But… this is my minimum conscience.”
The man who always quarreled gave her a gift, leaving Betty hesitant to open it.
‘Could this be part of processing the rebellion charge before eliminating me?’
They say even prisoners are treated well before execution.
‘I won’t go to prison with him, will I?’
But Johann did not act as expected upon arriving at the palace prison.
“Am I going alone?”
“You have your guard, Betty.”
Johann had planned to be present but said:
“You might disturb the private time with your parents.”
“Is that okay? The Libertans fell for rebellion…”
“Of course, I don’t like it either. They’re traitors. You could get involved. But since you asked, I’ll make it happen your way. Does that please you?”
“…Yes, it does.”
She could not afford to show her unease and risk losing the chance to meet them.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“If there’s any commotion, I’ll intervene immediately. That’s non-negotiable.”
Before entering with Betty, she turned to look back. Johann waved.
“Don’t forget, I’m here.”
His words sounded strangely meaningful.
From outside came loud noises: the guards moving. The imprisoned Libertan Duke and Duchess reacted. Slowly, their adopted child, Estelle, appeared in the dark cell. Beside her was a brown-haired maid, appearing as if she were now a proper Blanchett Duchess.
‘Or maybe not?’
The important thing: Estelle had come to fulfill their wish—for their rescue.
“Child,”
Roseria clung to Estelle, her voice sweet.
