76. A Sudden Visit

Psyche thought about what Clint had told her a while ago with a dazed expression.

“The matter with Crown Prince Layton has been settled as if it never happened.”

“Pardon?”

“Please keep it that way.”

She never imagined the emperor would back down so easily. Psyche assumed it was because Clint knew the emperor’s weakness. After all, she had heard the emperor mention a cherished lady that day.

‘Should I consider it fortunate?’

As she pondered if men, like the emperor, could only be satisfied by having multiple women, a voice called her back to reality.

“Madam, have you heard the news?”

“What news…?”

Psyche snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of someone calling her.

Today was the day for the regular tea party at the duke’s residence.

However, Psyche hadn’t been feeling well for a few days, so the guest list was significantly reduced, and only a few ladies were invited to the tea party.

“I heard the Marchioness has returned.”

Lady Selena from Baron Jude’s family glanced at Psyche cautiously.

Selena knew that Psyche did not like Rachel, who had now become the Marchioness, but she had a specific reason for bringing it up.

In the social world, being the first to know new news or gossip was considered a measure of one’s information network.

The news Selena mentioned was known only to a very few nobles, so she brought it up to give Psyche a heads-up.

“Is that so…?”

Psyche frowned.

The news was unwelcome, especially when she was already feeling unwell since morning.

Seeing Psyche’s displeased expression, Selena hastily added, “There are rumors that the Marchioness wishes to meet the Duchess…”

Selena intended to stand on Psyche’s side, but it seemed that her words only agitated Psyche further, causing her to trail off. The other ladies present gave her disapproving looks.

“……”

When Psyche didn’t respond, Helen finally stepped in.

“Lady, do you really not understand the atmosphere?”

With Helen’s scolding, Selena’s face fell even more.

“No, that’s not it! I thought it would be good for the Duchess to know in advance. I didn’t mean to upset anyone!”

“Really, can’t anyone speak properly? Nobles laugh and stab each other in the back all the time, don’t they?”

It was a very Helen-like statement.

When Helen first followed Psyche to the capital, everything seemed new and fascinating to her.

But that curiosity quickly fizzled out like a popped bubble.

The main contributors to changing her perspective were none other than the nobles of the social circles.

Initially, the nobles didn’t welcome Helen’s candid nature, and Helen, in turn, despised their deceitful hearts.

Even when they spoke, they beat around the bush, pretending to smile while secretly belittling others, calling it civilized behavior—something Helen couldn’t comprehend.

At first, Psyche suggested she return to Alistair’s territory as she seemed to have difficulty adapting, but Helen refused and stayed in the capital.

Over time, it seemed Helen made some compromises with her environment, but she never intended to change her habit of speaking her mind openly.

Some found her straightforwardness refreshing, and due to Psyche’s influence as the Duchess, they couldn’t openly disregard Helen.

“Lady! It’s really not like that. Madam, did my words come across that way to you?”

A teary-eyed Selena asked Psyche again.

Psyche, not wanting to engage, finally responded, “Did Rachel Hailston say she wanted to meet me?”

“Yes, she mentioned she had something to tell you and was very eager to meet you.”

“Good heavens, Lady Selena, were you acting as the Marchioness’s pawn?”

Helen asked, wide-eyed, as if she couldn’t believe it. Selena now looked like she might burst into tears.

“That’s enough, Helen.”

Psyche, who was already feeling unwell, didn’t want to escalate the commotion.

And since Selena wasn’t cunning enough to act as Rachel’s pawn, Psyche didn’t take the matter too seriously.

She decided to conclude the conversation.

“She said she wants to meet me?”

Selena nodded sullenly in response to Psyche’s question.

“Then tell her to come to me directly instead of spreading strange rumors behind my back.”

Psyche calmly ended the situation.

Her composed manner seemed to surprise everyone present. They found her newfound poise quite different from her past self, when she seemed to curl up in defense, afraid of being hurt.

It wasn’t just because Psyche was firmly established as the Duchess.

‘If I meet her now….’

The thought of the child she lost still haunted her like a mirage, causing her pain.

She wasn’t confident she could face Rachel without recalling the tragedy of her past. However, with time, the memory had become less excruciating.

Moreover, she had no reason to avoid Rachel. Rachel was the one at fault, so Psyche felt it was right to face her confidently.

Psyche also believed it was necessary to confront the past at some point, possibly even uncovering new truths.

With this new attitude of Psyche, those who had been eager to talk about Rachel started sharing their stories.

“By the way, isn’t it said that the Marquis couple is infertile? She was so promiscuous before marriage. I guess it all catches up with you.”

The talk was not very favorable towards Rachel, perhaps mindful of Psyche.

“Really? I heard she has been more restrained after marriage and is even raising a relative’s orphaned child.”

“Can you imagine the arrogant Rachel Hailston doing that?”

Everyone seemed excited to spread unfavorable gossip about Rachel.

Helen, too, joined in, and the atmosphere became livelier.

However, Psyche, who still felt unwell, wanted to end the gathering.

‘Did I eat something bad? Why do I feel so sick?’

She couldn’t hear any of the conversation about Rachel.

Noticing her unusual silence, the ladies, who were gossiping about Rachel, glanced at her.

Realizing that Psyche wasn’t her usual self, they began to worry.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Alexa, who had been quietly observing, approached Psyche quickly.

After a brief gesture of excuse, she touched Psyche’s forehead.

“It seems you have a slight fever.”

“Oh dear, we’ve been chattering away without noticing. You should rest.”

Everyone present showed concern.

Psyche slowly removed Alexa’s hand and spoke.

“I just feel a bit queasy, perhaps from something I ate this morning.”

“You should rest,” Alexa said firmly.

“Sorry for interrupting your fun.”

Psyche stood up with Alexa’s support.

“Helen, please stay and entertain our guests. I’ll go rest now.”

“Ah, yes! Rest well.”

Helen, who was about to speak casually, corrected herself and smiled awkwardly.

“Rest well, Madam. It was a pleasure today.”

“Please don’t take my words too seriously, Madam. I’ll see you again.”

Still feeling bad about her earlier words, Selena added another remark. Psyche gave a faint smile to show she was fine and left the room.

Hearing Helen’s excited voice fade away, Psyche slowly headed to her bedroom.

“Are you worried about the Marchioness?”

Alexa asked cautiously.

“No, I’ve just felt queasy since morning.”

“I see.”

“Yes, it’s nothing serious. I’ll feel better after some sleep.”

“Shall I inform His Grace?”

Psyche opened her eyes wide at that suggestion.

“There’s no need for that. I’m not seriously ill, just a bit unwell. No need to bother him.”

“Understood.”

Seeing Alexa’s worried expression, Psyche forced a smile.

Upon reaching her room, she changed clothes and lay down on her bed.

“I’m going to sleep soundly, so don’t let anyone in.”

“Yes. Rest well.”

Alexa drew the blackout curtains carefully and left the room.

Psyche fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up, a lot of time had passed.

It seemed like the first time she had slept so long.

Usually, she would wake up early in the morning, but when she opened her eyes, it was already close to noon.

Clint had visited the bedroom while she was asleep.

He hadn’t woken her, seeing how deeply she slept.

“He said he was stopping by the palace today… I’ve slept through the morning…”

Feeling uneasy about missing the morning, she slowly got out of bed and draped a shawl over her shoulders.

Just then,

“Madam, Madam! May I come in?”

A servant’s urgent voice was followed by the door being flung open.

“You haven’t even been told to come in—”

“Madam, there is a guest here.”

It was the head butler.

Psyche frowned.

“A guest?”

“Yes, she identified herself as the Marchioness.”

It was Rachel. She had always been sudden and impolite.

Psyche’s face twisted in annoyance at the thought.