68. Peaceful Days

She simply thought they could take what they needed from each other.

Words like trust or confidence were too difficult and distant for Psyche…

She never even considered trusting him.

Thinking that way, she easily concluded that the starting point was completely off.

But what about Clint? What feelings does he have towards me?

Such thoughts naturally followed.

At the same time…

‘Did he really try to kill me?’

Somehow, she wanted to deny that fact.

‘What does it matter if he really tried to kill me?’

Even as she blamed her weakening heart, Clint somehow began to irritate her.

It was a difficult question to contemplate while watching Clint laugh and talk with Kylie in front of her.

But… Didn’t he randomly ask if I disliked murder just now? He’s truly an unpredictable man.

So, she decided to think about Clint once again.

She had never considered trusting someone, trapped in the trauma of her parents’ deaths.

Doubting first was her habit.

Still… Even if not trust, she began to feel that it wouldn’t hurt to know what kind of person he was.

“….”

Only then did Psyche realize she didn’t know him at all.

And she also realized that she hadn’t revealed anything about herself to Clint.

Since she couldn’t readily extend her hand to him thinking he wanted to kill her.

But while staying still, nothing changed, so Psyche resolved to take just one more step forward from where she stood.

It was to give each other a chance to acknowledge one another.

❖ ❖ ❖

Time passed slowly yet quickly.

Kylie left for the Tarun Kingdom with Sandrine, and since then, the relationship between Psyche and Clint seemed to stabilize rapidly.

But the most significant change was in the status of the Duchess.

Using the incident with Sandrine as a stepping stone, she challenged herself in various ways.

It was a breakthrough in breaking the prejudices of the nobles who believed that women should stay at home.

Of course, there was overwhelming support from the Duke.

She actually ventured into trade and made substantial profits, sometimes accompanying Clint on visits to other countries to mingle with nobles there.

Of course, it didn’t always yield good results, but mostly, it was satisfactory.

As Psyche’s reputation soared, there were rumors of jealousy among those who envied her.

Among the noblewomen, the most frequent comments were about how improper it was for women to meddle in men’s affairs, and among the men, it was about how women who were too assertive were unpleasant to see.

But Psyche didn’t care much, knowing that jealousy was the reason behind it all.

She thought it was just simple fame, and indeed it was.

“Oh, Madam, the shawl you’re wearing today is truly beautiful.”

Psyche had started hosting regular tea parties and inviting noblewomen recently. And today was the day of one such party, and receiving an invitation from her was considered a great honor among the ladies of the nobility.

Almost a hundred percent of those invited to Psyche’s tea parties attended.

“My lady, I heard the Countess loved it… So, while I was considering what to prepare for today’s party, I prepared this shawl for the winter next year.”

Psyche smiled gracefully.

“Wow, isn’t this fabric hard to come by in the Empire?”

“I heard so, but I couldn’t just give anything to our noble ladies.”

Everyone admired Psyche’s shawl as they each took turns touching it.

Originally, it was said to make friends with wealth.

Since the Duke didn’t interfere much with Psyche’s spending, and she often returned all the profits she made through trade, there was no hesitation in spending.

It was customary for the host of a tea party to give small gifts to those who attended, and Psyche always brought rare items from somewhere and shared them.

Especially jewels that were not available in the Empire or silk-like materials opened the hearts of the ladies, and they enthusiastically poured out information they knew.

Such information was very useful in managing social circles.

Thinking that such things were more valuable than money, Psyche didn’t hesitate to give gifts.

“I hope you’ll wear it when you go out for the hunting expedition next time.”

Lady Selena, the eldest daughter of Viscount Jude who enjoyed speaking, stroked the shawl with a blissful expression. Psyche chuckled.

“I’ve picked out different colors and designs for everyone. Take whichever you like when you leave.”

“Truly, the Madam’s taste is remarkable.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Your enjoyment brings me joy.”

“Goodness, how does the Duchess make everything sound so elegant with just a few words?”

At this, the women laughed and each praised Psyche with a word.

“By the way, I heard that His Majesty and the Duke will also be joining the hunting expedition this time?”

This time, it was the Viscountess sitting opposite Psyche who asked, lowering the tea cup she was drinking.

“Yes, it seems this time it will be on a larger scale.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Oh, then are we doing that again this time?”

Selena’s eyes widened at the word ‘that.’ Seeing everyone curious, she quickly added.

“Remember how the men made a bet on who would catch the biggest animal last time? I heard that His Highness the Prince caught the biggest wolf and won.”

Hearing this, Helen asked.

“So, what did the men bet on?”

The women looked at Selena with excitement.

“Oh… I can’t quite remember, but anyway. If the Duke participates this time, isn’t it obvious that he’ll win the bet?”

Selena quickly turned the topic back to Psyche.

“Oh, really. That makes sense.”

“Yes, indeed. There’s no one who can match the Duke in hunting skills.”

Everyone nodded.

Their praising words weren’t just because Psyche was his wife.

Clint was exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship and martial arts, and rumors abounded about his prowess.

Indeed, before he got married, he had participated in martial arts tournaments and won several times, making him undoubtedly one of the best knights in the empire.

Sometimes, there were jokes among the nobles that if only one Duke was sent, he could subdue the border conflicts.

“By the way, why hasn’t His Highness the Prince married yet?”

The conversation suddenly took a different turn.

But the women quickly adjusted as if they had been talking about it from the beginning.

“Well… Could it be that there’s someone he’s fond of?”

“Goodness, then that person is so lucky.”

“He’s such an affectionate man, isn’t he? Isn’t that right, Duchess?”

“….”

Psyche, who didn’t want to get involved in the topic of the Prince, quietly set down her teacup, feeling the concentrated gaze.

“Well… Ordinarily… Wouldn’t the one destined to be an emperor need to be firm rather than affectionate?”

When such a blunt assessment came from Psyche, who rarely belittled others, the women raised their eyebrows in surprise. Then Psyche quickly added with a smile.

“Oh, but isn’t His Highness the Prince outwardly gentle, yet inwardly strong?”

“Oh, indeed!”

“Absolutely. Sometimes when he looks at you, you can’t help but feel nervous.”

The atmosphere suddenly lightened, and everyone began to praise the Prince’s appearance.

Psyche felt uncomfortable knowing that the Prince still had feelings for her.

Despite knowing full well that she was the Duchess, she sometimes felt audacious, perhaps because he resembled his father.

“Do you know?”

Selena led the conversation again this time.

“….?”

“I heard that Lady Helena, no, I mean, the current Countess Rachel and His Highness the Prince were very close friends.”

“Oh, I’ve heard that too.”

At this, Psyche suddenly felt very tired.

Following Prince Layton, now Rachel’s story. She didn’t want to hear it, so she leaned back and took another sip of her tea.

“And maybe that’s why the Viscountess hasn’t been to the capital for a long time.”

“That’s right. Why did you rush into marriage like that…?”

“I heard you’ll be stopping by during this hunting expedition?”

At Selena’s last words, Psyche almost dropped the teacup she was holding.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Everyone chimed in.

“Yes. His Highness the Prince extended the invitation, so it’s likely.”

At this, Psyche audibly set down the teacup she was drinking from.

Then the conversation abruptly stopped. Everyone looked at Psyche.

“Did you say Rachel Halston is coming to the capital? Lady Jude?”

“Ah… Yes.”

Sensing the sudden change in Psyche’s mood, Selena cautiously continued.

Feeling the tension from Psyche’s speech, where she didn’t attach any honorifics or titles to the name “Rachel Halston,” the women became somewhat uneasy.

Psyche spoke coolly.

“For Rachel Halston to set foot in the capital, she needs to properly apologize to me first. Lady Jude.”

The women, who didn’t know much about the situation between Rachel and Psyche, hesitated and couldn’t follow up with the next words.

That’s when it happened.

“What does that mean?”

A strange man’s voice suddenly entered the room where only women were gathered.

The sound of men’s shoes echoing dryly filled the hall. It was Clint.