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chapter 8
Riel cautiously stepped into the reception room.
“What is it?”
“I’m planning to go out tomorrow. I want to visit my sisters and Daisy.”
“Do as you wish. Make sure to take a guard with you.”
“I will.”
“Duke! I’ve found it and brought it immediately.”
Yuriela, opening the door to return to her room, came face-to-face with Victor, who had returned with the ring.
“Ah, I didn’t realize you were here, Milady.”
“I came suddenly. Oh, perfect timing. I’m planning to go out tomorrow. Since I’m just going to my sisters’ house, I think one guard will be enough.”
Victor naturally hid the ring behind his back.
“Understood. I’ll prepare everything.”
“Thank you. I’ll be off then.”
Yuriela left the study as if nothing had happened.
“It was only for a brief moment, but you won’t misunderstand or anything after seeing the ring, right?”
“I suppose not. Besides, even if they did, what would really change?”
Victor looked at the Duke of Baraota as if to ask what he meant.
“They’ll think it’s a relationship based on a contract anyway, so seeing something like that won’t make them think anything. It might even be for the better. They might not even suspect it’s a ring given by the Crown Prince.”
Victor, who knew that the marriage between the two had been based on a contract, thought to himself:
‘Just a while ago, I didn’t even suspect the Crown Prince and Milady. Well, if rumors spread that the Crown Prince and the Duchess of Baraota are having an affair, that would be a big problem. Especially since this marriage was a disguise to avoid the eyes of the royal family, its purpose would be compromised.’
“Put the ring in the storage as you said.”
“Understood.”
‘That ring was definitely Erica Medina’s.’
Even though it was just a fleeting moment, Yuriela had seen the ring in Victor’s hand.
‘Erica Medina’s ring…’
Yuriela remembered the ring clearly. It was the day when, for some reason, Erica Medina had approached her first at a hunting competition she hadn’t particularly wanted to attend.
“Duchess of Baraota, if you don’t mind, why don’t you join us for some tea?”
As usual, Yuriela had refused and tried to walk away, but the suddenly appearing Empress insisted she join, so she had no choice but to have tea with them.
“But Miss Medina, you’re wearing a ring I haven’t seen before. Did you receive it as a gift from His Highness, the Crown Prince?”
“Oh, this?”
Erica Medina proudly showed the ring to everyone.
“It wasn’t from the Crown Prince, but from another important person.”
“Ah, then it must be from the Marquis.”
“No, it’s from a dear friend of mine. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Yuriela felt as if Erica Medina had looked at her when saying the word “friend.”
‘No, that can’t be. That’s impossible. She definitely said they’re not involved.’
Just as she was comforting herself with that thought,
“She’s a very precious friend I’ve known since childhood. I received it on my birthday long ago, and this is the first time I’ve worn it. But doesn’t it look like a wedding ring? I was so surprised when I first received it.”
Seeing Erica Medina speak directly to her, Yuriela had to acknowledge that the ring had been intended for the Duke of Baraota.
‘They’ve only been married to me for a day, and yet he was already choosing a ring for Erica Medina. Of course, Ray couldn’t have fallen for me at first sight. That statement from that day… it was just words.’
Yuriela thought bitterly as she moved on.
The next morning came.
Yuriela, unable to sleep properly because the ring she had seen in the study kept circling in her mind, sat slumped in her chair with a tired face.
‘Even if I try to forget, it doesn’t work.’
Yuriela knew that Erica Medina didn’t truly love the Duke of Baraota or hadn’t forgotten him. She simply loved the title of being the Crown Prince’s fiancée while receiving the Duke’s affection.
“Are you anxious?”
“Huh? What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“Are you worried that Reitz might return to me?”
On the day she had shown off the ring, Erica Medina had spoken to Yuriela when she had merely intended to show her face and return to the Duke’s residence.
“I don’t believe in rumors.”
“Really? That’s the kind of mindset I’d expect from a duchess. Impressive. If it were me, I’d be anxious, day by day, with my blood running dry.”
Erica Medina said this, giving a teasing smile.
“Is that so? But Miss Medina, you are the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Someone like you wouldn’t do anything with the Duke, would you?”
“That’s true.”
Yuriela thought Erica Medina was deliberately provoking her and tried to go her own way.
“Oh, leaving already? As expected of the Blue Hydrangea.”
Despite Erica Medina’s provocation, Yuriela maintained her composure.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Don’t be so quick. I want to get along well with the Duchess.”
“Excuse me?”
Yuriela thought it was ridiculous. In this world, no woman could get along with her husband’s former fiancée.
“You don’t believe me, huh? I’m serious right now.”
“Miss Medina, please maintain boundaries.”
“I’m really serious. I like the Duchess.”
Erica Medina smiled as she spoke.
“Thanks to your nickname, Blue Hydrangea, I shine even more.”
“Why would you say something like that to me?”
“I know too. I know whom my beloved fiancée has in her heart.”
Only then did Yuriela realize why Erica Medina had provoked her. It was because the Crown Prince had sent her a jewel along with a letter.
“…I don’t know why you think that, but I have no feelings for His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“I know. That’s why we can talk so peacefully, isn’t it?”
Though the atmosphere was far from peaceful, Erica Medina said it nonetheless.
“I also have no feelings for the Duke of Baraota. This engagement wasn’t based on love, and the fact that he visited the royal family for me was just out of a sense of responsibility.”
“Then why, knowing all the rumors circulating in society, do you allow them to continue?”
“The rumor that the Duke still has lingering feelings for me? I’m not allowing it. I’m the one who made it up.”
“You’re the one who made up the rumor?”
Erica Medina nodded nonchalantly.
“If you think I’m doing this because of the Crown Prince….”
Erica Medina suddenly burst into laughter at Yuriela’s words.
“Do you think I spread rumors out of jealousy? No, I just like the story. A woman who is both the Crown Prince’s fiancée and receives the Duke’s affection. Doesn’t it sound special?”
Yuriela thought she’d rather understand it if it were out of jealousy.
“Judging by your expression, you don’t understand what I mean. Well, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t speak to be understood. Just remain the Blue Hydrangea as you are. That way, people can continue believing that Reitz Baraota misses me. Then I won’t interfere whether the Crown Prince loves you or not.”
“That won’t happen. So please, stop such rumors here.”
“I don’t want to. Anyway, it’s true that my fiancée loves the Duchess. So why not let this slide? After all, she seduced a man with a fiancée.”
Yuriela was left speechless at that absurd logic.
‘Seduced a man with a fiancée? I never once gave the Crown Prince an opening. I don’t even know when he developed feelings for me.’
“I only came to tell the Duchess not to worry, but this is turning into a fight. I’ll go back to the party. Anyway, I have no real interest in the Duke, so rest assured.”
Before Yuriela could respond, Erica Medina returned to the party.
‘Still, that conversation made me realize that Erica Medina and Reitz aren’t involved… No one would give such a ring to someone they’re not involved with. Even if not Erica Medina… Reitz must have been sincere.’
Yuriela exhaled deeply, troubled.
‘No. Don’t be depressed. Even if Reitz truly loved Erica Medina, that’s in the past. Now I should focus on protecting this Duke’s residence.’
Yuriela shook her head vigorously to shake off negative thoughts. At that moment, Madel entered the room with tea.
“Milady, an invitation has arrived from the Vitale Marquis family.”
Upon hearing this, Yuriela sprang up from her seat.
“I thought it would take a few more days, but it arrived sooner than expected.”
She took the letter from Madel.
[To the Duchess of Baraota,
We have received the letter you sent.
We would like to discuss the matter in detail, so please feel free to visit the Vitale Marquis residence at any time.]
Reading the letter, Yuriela’s lips curved into a smile.
“Madel, we must go out immediately.”
“Ah, then I’ll inform the butler. Please wait a moment.”
“It’s not urgent, so take your time.”
As Madel left the room, Yuriela took a deep breath and steadied her mind.
‘Alright, let’s proceed calmly as planned. I can do this.’
