WRG 12

chapter 12

Duke Baraota silently looked down at Madel with a cold, sunken gaze.

Seeing this, Madel’s legs trembled with worry, wondering if she had done something wrong.

“Uh… Duke? Did I perhaps make a mistake?”

“That letter—what is it?”

The Duke’s eyes moved to the torn piece of stationery in Madel’s hand.

“Oh, this… It’s a letter I received. From a childhood friend. They suddenly asked to borrow money.”

Madel lied. She assumed that the reason Lady Uriella had asked her to tear up the letter immediately was because she didn’t want anyone else to see its contents.

“…I see. Then, you may go.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Madel bowed and quickly returned to her room.

“Haah… I thought I had done something wrong. That scared me so much.”

“Hm? Why? What happened?”

Her roommate, another maid, asked curiously.

“Oh, on the way here, His Grace suddenly called for me.”

“The Duke himself? He hardly speaks first. Ah, but since you serve the Madam closely, maybe he had something to say to you.”

“Yeah.”

“So, what kind of person is Madam? I’ve only been stuck in the kitchen, so I’ve barely seen her.”

Madel hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Hmm… she’s a sad person.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“She often looks as if she’s drowning in sorrow. Even when she’s smiling, sometimes I glance at her and she seems lost in sadness. And she always looks at me with these sorrowful eyes. So…”

“Maybe you’re just imagining things. What could a newlywed bride have to be sad about? The Duke dotes on her so much. Didn’t her whole family even move into one of his mansions? You’re just overthinking. Honestly, I’d love to live as the Duchess even for a single day.”

But Madel was convinced she wasn’t imagining it.

In front of others, Madam manages her expression so of course they wouldn’t notice. But when she’s alone in the carriage with me, or lost in thought, she always looks sorrowful. Just because one is a Duchess doesn’t mean one can always be happy…

Still, she didn’t voice her thoughts.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

“Nothing important. I’m tired. Let’s sleep.”

“Alright.”

Madel blew out the lamp and lay down.

Tomorrow, I’ll prepare Madam’s favorite treats. Maybe that will lift her spirits, even just a little.

Morning came, and Uriella slowly woke from sleep.

She instinctively turned her head.

He’s already gone, it seems.

She remembered that before her regression, this was usually when she spent time with Duke Baraota. The thought made her feel a little gloomy.

Did something happen? Could it be the Crown Prince…?

She grew worried that the Crown Prince might once again be plotting something.

Yes, that must be it. No doubt he’s scheming some filthy trick with the Empress again. I can’t afford to sit here idly.

“Good morning, Madam. You’ve risen early again today.”

“Madel, we must go to Viscount Vitale’s estate at once.”

“Right now? Isn’t it too early? Lady Reina may not even be prepared yet. Wouldn’t it be better to have breakfast first?”

Uriella shook her head firmly.

“It’s fine. Help me prepare to leave immediately.”

“…Understood.”

Madel reluctantly helped Uriella ready herself.

Did something happen to her last night?

“Madel, and after the Vitale estate, there’s one more place I need to stop by.”

“Thank you for coming to the Vitale estate. I am Geno Vitale, the second son of the house. My father and mother are tied up in an important meeting, so I came in their stead.”

Reina nodded awkwardly at Geno’s formal greeting.

“I am Uriella Baraota. Thank you for welcoming us despite the early hour. And as you may already know, this is my elder sister, Reina Longo. Please call her simply Lady Reina.”

Uriella chose her words carefully, mindful of Reina’s dislike for being called by her biological father’s surname, Longo.

“That’s alright with you, isn’t it, Sister?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Very well then. Duchess, Lady Reina, please follow me.”

Geno guided them to an outdoor greenhouse.

“There are so many flowers I’ve never seen before.”

Reina’s eyes lit up with wonder at the blossoms filling the greenhouse.

“My elder brother has a hobby of collecting rare plants. Thanks to him, the greenhouse has become so colorful. Please, take a seat.”

Geno pulled out chairs for them.

“Thank you.”

Uriella sat comfortably, accustomed to such settings, while Reina smiled awkwardly as she sat.

“First, I wish to apologize and express my gratitude to Lady Reina.”

“…Pardon?”

“I was terribly rude. Overcome with my emotions, I acted shamefully before so many eyes.”

Geno bowed his head in apology.

“I’ve already received your apology by letter, so it’s fine. However, I would appreciate it if you refrained from sending me gifts or letters in the future. That’s why I came here today—to say so directly.”

At Reina’s polite refusal, Geno’s face darkened.

“Did I make you feel burdened?”

“Uh, well… that’s not exactly…”

“I heard you have not yet had your coming-of-age ceremony. Is that true?”

Before Reina could fumble further, Uriella calmly intervened.

“It is true.”

“As you may also know, my sister is older than you, and has already been married once.”

“Such things don’t matter. I am utterly sincere. The moment I saw Lady Reina, my heart was stolen away.”

“That may be your feeling, young master. But you don’t truly know my sister yet, do you?”

Uriella’s gentle but firm words made it impossible for Geno to insist further.

“If your feelings for my sister are genuine, then approach her slowly.”

“Slowly…?”

“Yes. It would be best to begin as friends. In that case, my sister won’t refuse.”

Reina gave a small nod to show her agreement with Uriella’s words.

Just then, a maid interrupted.

“Excuse me, but the Viscount has requested to see the Duchess Baraota.”

“Ah, Father must have returned.”

At the maid’s words, Uriella rose quietly.

“Young master, may I entrust my sister to you while I speak with the Viscount?”

“Of course.”

“Sister, I’ll be back soon. Please wait a little.”

Though uneasy at being left alone with Geno, Reina only smiled faintly, unable to refuse outright.

“Could you lead me to the Viscount?”

“Yes, this way.”

Uriella left the greenhouse and headed for the Viscount’s study.

I can do this.

“He is waiting inside. My lord, Duchess Baraota has arrived. I’ll open the door now.”

When the maid opened the door, Viscount Vitale rose to greet her.

“I was unable to attend your wedding, so this is my first time greeting you. I am Viscount Vitale.”

“Uriella Baraota.”

“Please, have a seat. I’ve already dismissed the others.”

“I wish to propose a business venture and seek the Vitale family’s sponsorship.”

Uriella didn’t bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point.

“What form of sponsorship? Money, or manpower?”

“Both. I need initial capital, as well as access to those working in your intelligence network.”

At that, the Viscount’s expression hardened.

“I had my suspicions from your letter… but how do you know of our involvement in the information trade?”

Before her regression, Uriella had once heard from Soren that the Vitale family ran an intelligence network.

“I heard it from an acquaintance. But you needn’t worry—the person is discreet and bears no ill will. It was only mentioned in passing, related to something else he was working on.”

“I can only hope that is true.”

“It is. Otherwise, why would I bring such a proposal to you? I wouldn’t bother seeking help from an intelligence network on the verge of collapse.”

“Then, you say you want to publish a gossip paper. But what would my family gain from such an investment?”

At his blunt question, Uriella let out a small smile.

“With the gossip paper, I will stir up agitation.”

“Agitation… The Duchess speaks rather fearsome words.”

Despite his words, the Viscount’s face remained calm.

“And what exactly would my family gain from such agitation?”

“Surely you already know without me having to say it.”

The Viscount chuckled faintly.

“Haha… still, it’s best to confirm if we truly share the same thoughts, isn’t it?”

“That’s fair.”

Uriella paused, took a sip of tea, and continued.

“The Vitale family’s theater troupe, and all the businesses you’ve invested in—they all depend heavily on society’s favor, don’t they? Especially your recent investment in the pleasure cruise venture. I hear it’s in trouble. A small accident occurred, didn’t it? You invested a great sum—surely it would be a shame to abandon it now.”

“So you claim to have a solution.”

“Have you considered that the accident may have been fabricated?”

The Viscount swallowed hard.

He had noticed irregularities in the incident, but without proof, he’d had no choice but to cut his losses.

“I know the evidence that proves it was fabricated. And I know the culprit as well.”

“With such an impressive information network already at your disposal, why ask for my men?”

“My knowledge is limited. Not enough to fill a gossip paper. And the public isn’t always interested in scandals of that scale. They crave more private, intimate whispers—especially those moving in society’s circles.”

Since Uriella had never been an active presence in high society, she only knew of major incidents she’d heard secondhand from Geno or Soren, or read in the papers. On her own, she couldn’t possibly run a gossip paper.

“First, we need to capture people’s interest. If I simply listed the events I know of, it wouldn’t be gossip—it would be a newspaper.”