With Anne acting like that, word gradually began to spread among the maids in the mansion that the Grand Duchessâ condition had turned strange. Many times they found her in a daze, unlike before, when she was always neat and dignified.
âSheâs been a little strange since she came back from the capital.â
âI know. What happened? She seems to have left her mind somewhere else.â
Her usual forlorn face was still the same, but her eyes lingered somewhere in the air from time to time. It wasnât even a proper gaze. To anyoneâs eyes, she seemed to have lost her mind.
And their concerns reached the Grand Duke through Ashton.
âMadam seems to have noticed the matter about the Libelois family. Maybe sheâs just staying in the room because sheâs blaming herself for that?â
Ashton spoke to the Grand Dukeâs back, as he stared out the window with his hands behind his back.
His face was tired from working late into the night to quickly solve the Libelois matter for the past few days. However, his appearance was still clean and undisturbed.
âBlaming herselfâ¦â
The Grand Duke, who had been staring at the servants who were diligently polishing the carved statues on the fountain in celebration of spring, turned his body. He leaned back into the chair and stretched one leg up.
His calm hand opened a desk drawer and took out a luxurious box with a high quality bronze finish. Then he opened the lid and took out a long, neatly arranged cigar. Count Brussels gave it as a gift to say thank him for his hard work. It was said to be of the highest quality, and even though it wasnât lit, the spicy scent seduced his nose.
âI ordered it to be handled secretly, but it seems that it reached the Grand Duchessâs ears anyway.â
âForgive me. Rumors hadnât spread to the north yet, so I was caught off guard. It seems that it was not enough to completely block the rumors from leaking out through the nobles.â
As he wasnât being reprimanded for failing to carry out the Grand Dukeâs order properly, Ashton raised his glasses awkwardly.
âItâs not too much.â
It was impossible to completely hide this matter, as it was all about erasing the traces of a family. The Grand Duke also knew that someday news would reach Anneâs ears, but it was faster than he expected.
The Grand Dukeâs sunken eyes looked at the cigars laced with dark brown. He had quit because of her a few hundred years ago, and he never thought that he would become desperate for cigars again because of her.
As his thoughts deepened, the cigar that gave off a faint scent was rolled between the Grand Dukeâs index and middle fingers. As Ashton approached to light it, he shook his head. She used to frown, saying that the smell was disgusting, so even the current Grand Duchess wouldnât be happy with it.
The Grand Duke put down the cigar he was holding back into the box and stashed it roughly into the drawer. He was thorough with other things, but anything related to Anne was difficult. He couldnât find the answer, so he had been secretly keeping a distance from her lately.
âWhat do you plan to do with Her Grace?â
The Grand Duke sighed as he wondered whether it was okay to just leave the matter like this. The Grand Duke felt that he should have said something, but he couldnât undo what had already happened.
He showed patience in her presence and avoided cutting Robertâs throat, but upon his return he immediately did everything he had intended. So Anne wouldnât know exactly what had become of them.
âItâs already been dealt with, so donât let them fool around in front of the Grand Duchess again.â
âYou donât have to worry about that. They should be on board by now. They will never return to the Empire again.â
Contrary to rumors that they disappeared, the Grand Duke moved them somewhere they would never be seen again.
Despite Ashtonâs reply that he would deal with all those who were bothering him, the Grand Dukeâs expression was quite dark.
âAngroanne⦠I just donât know where to start.â
âIâm sorry, but since the Grand Duchess has been hurt, she will need someone elseâs help.â
Ashton pretended not to, but spoke to the Grand Duke, who kept looking outside the window. It was better to bump into her than to avoid her.
âHelp⦠She would feel even more offended if she saw my face now.â
âShouldnât you keep trying? Considering the hardships she suffered here, Your Grace should approach her more.â
âYou have grown up a lot.â
The Grand Dukeâs voice went lower as he spoke to his subordinate, who kept saying what he had to say instead of backing down. However, Ashton did not hesitate to express his opinion.
âIsnât it true that the Grand Duchess had a hard time here?â
It was an undeniable fact. The reason he was frustrated was that every single word Ashton said was correct.
Since the Grand Duke had been so harsh and had harassed her so much, she must have been resentful of him. In addition, there was this incident. Since he did a lot of hateful things, it would take twice as much time to undo them.
The Grand Duke rose from his seat. It was late, but he was going to follow Ashtonâs advice.
* * *