The Duke’s Fake First Love - Chapter 5

Chapter 3.1

After a short ride, the carriage pulled up before an enormous mansion. I was hauled out, no different than a sack of goods, just like when I had been shoved in.

“Whether you have to plead or throw yourself at the Marquis Rigen, do whatever you must to get yourself into his bedroom.”

Count Bellasi looked me up and down as though he was inspecting merchandise, and let out a disapproving click of his tongue.

“Still, given that you were engaged for over ten years, he probably won’t be entirely merciless.”

The carriage rolled away as the door slammed shut behind me.

A hollow laugh escaped me.

That ridiculous marriage arrangement from earlier flashed through my mind.

‘Someone must have whispered in the emperor’s ear.’

The only person capable of such a thing would be my former fiancé. However, what I couldn’t figure out was why he would do this.

‘I heard he’s already searching for his next fiancée. So what’s the point?’

“M-my lady…”

I snapped out of my thoughts and glanced over. Only then did I realize I wasn’t the only one here. At first, I assumed she was just helping me out of the carriage, but she didn’t get back in afterward.

“I don’t remember seeing you before.”

“Ah, well…”

The maid with brown hair hesitated briefly, then gave me a respectful bow.

“Greetings, my lady! I’m Ase Cello, newly hired as Lady Leonia’s maid!”

Ase introduced herself with a confident greeting, then gave an awkward smile as she scratched her cheek.

“I was supposed to introduce myself after dinner, but, well… things didn’t exactly go as planned.”

Now that I thought about it, I vaguely remembered Alice saying she would get me a new maid.

I managed to put on a gentle tone for Ase, even if it was a little late.

“You must’ve been startled. Sorry for showing you such an unsightly scene right from the start.”

“N-Not at all! Please, just treat me casually!”

Is that so? Well then.

“It might be a bit much to say this when we’ve just met today, but…”

I glanced over my disheveled appearance once before getting to the point.

“Do you happen to have some money?”

“…Pardon? I do, but—”

“Could you lend me a little, then? I’ll make sure to repay you properly.”

Ase hesitated for a moment before quickly nodding.

She seemed to trust that I wouldn’t swindle her out of her money.

‘It’s convenient and all, but I should warn her not to be like this with everyone else.’

In any case, thanks to her, I didn’t have to go around looking like a pauper.

“My lady! I brought the carriage!”

“Really? Thank you.”

Ase guided me to the carriage with a proud expression. But then, her face turned anxious as she suddenly asked.

“But won’t the Count be furious if we return right away?”

“Probably.”

I had no intention of going to the Count’s estate in the first place. If I went now, I would just get thrown out again.

“We’re going to the atelier.”

There was no need to worry about money since I could just charge it to my family’s name.

“I need to have an important conversation, and I can’t go looking like this.”

I was still in a dressing gown meant for staying indoors.

‘My cheek is probably swollen from that slap, and my hair must be a mess. I don’t even have to look to know I look terrible.’

The Count might hope I would go beg for my ex-fiancé’s pity, but I would rather die than meet him looking like this.

“While I’m getting dressed, head to the nearest post office and give them the Count’s name and mine. That’ll make sure the letter gets delivered immediately.”

I handed Ase the letter I’d written while she was off bringing the carriage.

“Are you going to meet Marquis Rigen?”

“No, that man isn’t any help.”

Whether he was the one behind this or not, it wouldn’t change anything.

“I’m going to see His Majesty the Emperor.”

When it came to situations like this, you would only get answers if you went straight to the top.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

When I arrived at the imperial palace, I was given the cold shoulder from the start.

“His Majesty is currently occupied with his audience schedule…”

“He is preparing for an important meeting…”

I hadn’t expected a warm welcome, given that I had sent a letter announcing my visit on the same day.

‘Considering the broken engagement debacle, the emperor must be even more displeased with me.’

In any case, I had no intention of returning until the Count’s rage subsided, so waiting a while didn’t bother me.

‘But I hadn’t expected to be made to wait an entire day.’

I could deal with it, but Ase, who had to wait out in the corridor, was probably miserable.

“His Majesty has granted Lady Leonia an audience.”

Finally, I was granted permission.

I followed the attendant and headed toward the audience chamber.

The massive doors swung open, and I made my way slowly toward the throne in the center of the grand room. It had taken more than ten hours of waiting to finally secure this meeting. Back before the engagement was called off, a letter asking for an audience usually meant I would see him within three or four hours at most. The change was staggering.