Lucia ch 16 The Ducal Couple (4)
translated by: iseuli
edited by: lili; my friend Ms. Anonymous; and Mr. Anonymous who tried his best but gave up.
He grasped Lucia's chin and intimately kissed her lips. Her lips parted slightly as he slid his warm tongue in. Their breath grew hectic as their kiss deepened. His technique was mind-numbing.
Lucia's vision blurred from the rising heat inside her. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Hugo as their intense kissing went on. While seated, he hoisted Lucia up onto the table with ease, all while continuing to kiss her.
Within the quiet dining room, the only thing that could be heard was the sound of their lips and breaths. He swallowed her plum like lips while taking over the inside of her mouth. His kiss caused a stir throughout her whole body. Her weak arms that held onto his shoulders trembled.
After their enduring kiss ended, he lightly pecked her swollen lips. He trailed his pecks down to her neck while firmly taking hold of her breast beneath her clothes. He took this opportunity to separate her legs apart with his knee, but that caused Lucia great shock and she pushed him away with all her strength using both hands.
"You're planning to do it he- here?"
He didn't have such plans, but when Hugo saw how flustered she was, he wanted to continue teasing her.
"I can't?"
"No!"
"Why not? If your reasoning is logical, I'll let you go."
"It's not proper to do these sorts of things in a place where we di- dine!"
He momentarily stopped painting his kisses across her neck and laughed.
"How about somewhere else then? How does the hallway sound?"
"Never!"
"How about the garden? I want to try doing it outside."
"Are you crazy?"
Upon a new found reaction from her, he tried his best to muffle his laughter and casually continued to question her.
"Why not?"
"People will see!"
"Will it be fine as long as nobody can see? Why don't I send everyone in this castle out, then it will be fine to do it outside or in the hallway, right?"
"Uue…"
Her face was flushed red as she bit her lips. If nobody was there? It shouldn't matter then. It wasn't like it was her first time and she had done all sorts of things in the bedroom. What would it matter if the location was different?
She learned thoroughly in the past month that there were countless different ways of being intimate with one another. At first, she wanted to die because she felt so embarrassed, but she could now understand why people strove for sex with such passion. It didn't mean that she was willing to roll in bed with any stranger, but they were a married couple. Whatever they did in their own time in the bedroom shouldn't matter to anybody.
Hugo waited expectantly for her shocked expression. But when she actually seriously thought over the matter, it felt like she had punched him in the face.
She would always stir him in strange ways; no matter how much he tried to endure she would tickle his raging heat in unique ways. He wanted to throw aside his responsibilities and shut himself in alone with her and satisfy this sexual hunger to his heart's desire.
The main problem was that her stamina could not hold a candle to his. Why was this woman so small? Why was she so frail? Why was she so weak? It felt like she would break if he tried to hold her any tighter. He would feel disgusted at himself if he actually hurt her.
She learned fast but she was innocent. He pleasured her with his various bedside skills, not once did she express dislike or disdain towards him. She was sometimes shocked or embarrassed, but she worked hard in her own way.
'Good. Let's try some things later tonight.'
As he fantasized about different things he could feel his lower half heating up and becoming firm.
"Anyway… I don't want to do it here…."
The lady had spoken so it can't be helped. He lightly kissed her lip and helped her to come down from the table. His lower half was screaming to be released but he endured. Time to time, he would be amazed at his own patience.
If it were any other of his past woman, he would not heed their opinions and take them right there. All those woman would reject him with their lips, but in truth they thought so otherwise.
He didn't rape women, but at the same time he never took any of the past women's opinions seriously. All the women only cared for his wealth or bodily pleasures.
At this moment however, Hugo was getting to know Lucia. When she said no, she truly meant it. What she hoped for was not simple bodily pleasures. He wished to respect her wishes.
Would his wife understand all of his deep thoughts? From the look of her innocent smile while coming down from the table, she probably had no idea.
"You're going to take a walk today, right?"
Lucia made sure to take light walks after dinner. He decided to momentarily delay his piling responsibilities. He wished to be with her a little longer. He also needed to cool his heating body.
"Yes."
"Let's go together. Would I be intruding?"
"No, of course not! I would love it."
Lucia rejoiced, responding instantly. It would be the first time walking with him. She brightly smiled without hiding any of her joy, he coughed lightly and slightly looked away. He had no idea she would become so happy.
***
The summer had yet to arrive so the evening had a cool gentle breeze. While Lucia walked alongside him, she snuck glances at him. He slowed down his pace to hers and it made her heart thump.
She couldn't work up her courage to ask him to walk with her all this time, but she had wanted to do this for quite awhile. It was as if they were a real couple instead of a couple who was brought together through a contract.
"I'm planning to plant flowers through the garden this year. It's my first time doing anything like this so it will probably look a little tacky."
"Would it look tacky if we planted just flowers?"
"Of course. Properly designing a nice garden requires profound sense. A proper balance is necessary for a beautiful garden. It's very difficult to recruit a talented gardener or designer. Most have already been hired by different families."
"All I need to do is steal them."
"That's not so easy. Do you think if a different noble family offered Jerome a higher wage, he would gladly go over?"
"…fair enough."
Lucia felt high spirited so she ended up chattering more than normal. He enjoyed listening to her voice and also felt quite happy. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to walk together with her like this at times when he wasn't so busy with work.
"It's dark now so you can't tell, but a nice shade casts down there so I enjoy my tea there every morning. I heard that the tree had been planted when this castle was built and it's over a hundred years old."
"Is that so…?"
Hugo admired the grand tree like it was the first time he saw it. He had grown up in this place but it was the first time he heard of it. There was never a moment that this tree required his attention.
"What a nice tree. Our first time should be over there."
"Say again?"
"I've decided our first time in this garden would be below that tree."
"…."
Her jaws dropped open, it was too dark to see but her face is most probably flushed red. Her pale complexion was unique that it glowed red very easily. She sped up her walking pace to walk to escape him, this made his lips curl up. He held her wrist and led her under the tree that she spoke of just now.
While she fumbled along, he leaned her against the tree and drew close to her. He lightly nipped her earlobe and spoke in a hushed low voice.
"If you don't stay still, I'll really do it."
He felt happy when she let him do as he pleased. Lucia could only escape after he kissed her to the point that all her breath was sucked out of her.
***
He could not serve the Ducal couple through the whole dinner so Jerome had stepped out of the dining room early on. That moment, a maid approached him.
"Sir Fabian is here. I'm not sure when His Grace would head to his office so I asked him to wait in the receiving room."
"You've done well."
He received the waiting Fabian with a light hug. Fabian had just come down from the capital. The Duke had overdone his hunting so he was left the job to sweet talk the Emperor with a grand bribe.
Would the Emperor feel pity for his people? Fabian could bet his neck that it would not be the case. It was a bet with his own self, but the bribe had been really extravagant. Fabian never bet his own neck on something that was not definite.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted. I want to hurry and report to His Grace so I can go to sleep. Has he finished dining?"
Fabian was not simply complaining, his face was riddled with dark circles and exhaustion.
"I shall report for you so you can just go to sleep. I'm not sure when His Grace will come down."
"Why? Hasn't he come down yet after seeing that I'm here?"
"The two of them are together at this moment so their conversations will probably take awhile."
"The two of them? Who?"
Jerome tsked hearing his dull-headed brother's words.
"Who else but Her Grace?"
"Her Grace? He had dinner with madam? Hoo. What's this now?"
"His Grace have dinner with madam almost every night."
"…"
Usually all you could see is bright intelligence from Fabian, but at this moment he looked nothing but dumb.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Since when?"
"Ever since His Grace had returned here."
Fabian continued to ask whether this was real and Jerome continued to patiently answer that it was so. It wasn't so surprising to see Fabian's reaction. If Jerome had not seen with his own eyes, he would also have a hard time believing this.
"When did His Grace's taste….. No, this isn't a matter of taste. From your words, it's not 'just' dinner that they share together every night."
"Let's stop here."
"Wow. So it's really true. For real. Oh my god. I can't believe this. He had not shared the same bed more than thrice with one women, kek…"
Fabian felt a sharp pain all of a sudden on his stomach and bent over hugging his stomach. Jerome who had flew a punch at his brother gritted his teeth and spoke in a low voice.
"Shut your mouth. There are many ears here. What is this about thrice? How dare you spout such nonsense."
"I'm speaking figuratively. I'm just exaggerating to express what a gre~at man he is. His life is every man's romance."
"Oh? Let me deliver your exact words to Alice."
Once his wife's name was mentioned, Fabian's face paled.
"N..no. That's not what I mean, that's what others tell me. Don't tell Alice strange things. While we're on this topic, how dare you speak of your elder brother wife's name directly?"
"Elder brother wife's name? Don't you mean sister-in-law?"
"You only become an adult after marriage. Therefore I'm your elder brother."
They would fight over this whenever they met because the two were twin brothers.
"Hmm… I see. How ironic."
Ever since the Duke took the position at 18, the two served as aids by his side so they knew every woman of the duke. The Duke never had to seduce women because the women endlessly chased after him for his power and wealth.
Though there were countless women, no female could capture the Duke's heart. To the Duke, women were nothing but bedside partners. He would enjoy the women as he pleased, when they became clingy or annoying he threw them away without hesitation. Of course it was the two brother's job to take care of the women who could not throw away their lingering attachments for the young duke.
"Nothing is set in stone yet. That woman also lasted over a year easily. He might just be enjoying the honeymoon phase of this. It's most likely the case. Huuaaa. I need to sleep now. Please report that I will be here to meet him tomorrow morning."
This time, it was different. Jerome didn't go out of his way to explain. Time would explain everything.
The duke maintained a relationship with Countess for over a year, but the duke wasn't meeting with just her through all that time. The duke had never focused on one female every single day like this.
***
The next day, Countess Corzan visited the estate. She was an elder lady with snowy white hair who was just a little taller and slimmer than Lucia. She was known as a beauty in her youth and had aged with beautiful grace.
"I greet Her Grace the Duchess. My name is Michelle."
"It's an honor to meet you, Madam Michelle. I hope I haven't caused you too much trouble with this sudden request for your presence."
Michelle's eyebrows rose in surprise and then slightly furrowed. Honestly, Michelle's mood hasn't been the best since this request. Formally, they had inquired whether she could become a mentor for the Duke's wife. However underneath at face value, this was not a request but the Duke's one-sided command.
Michelle took much pride in her honor. The force to move her wasn't power or riches. Even so, there was no way she could ignore the Duke's orders because of her own selfish wishes.
Another problem was that her son was the duke's vassal. She was the Taran Duke's senior in age; she couldn't generously gloss over this event by simply laughing it over. There were no benefits would she have stubbornly rejected his request purely to protect her pride so she decided to comply without complaint. But, this did not erase the fact that her pride had been badly trampled on. Strangely though, being welcomed in such a polite fashion by the duchess had erased all her frustrations that had remained in her heart.
"It's my honor that I'll be able to offer my wisdom to Your Grace."
"I'm so grateful for your words. I'm afraid I have many shortcomings so I worry that I will be troubling you very much. Please, this way."
They took their seats in the receiving room while the maids swiftly prepared tea. Lucia admired Michelle who was drinking her tea. It was the first time she knew anyone could look so graceful drinking tea. Each movement of her body had a purpose and grace.
"I haven't properly learned much of anything. I felt I wasn't educated enough to shoulder the responsibilities of a Duchess. Thus, I requested for His Grace's opinions and he mentioned you, Madam Michelle. Hence I formally requested for you. I've heard that you have many responsibilities and I apologize if I'm troubling you too much with this. Ah, please tell me if my words or behavior are out of line."
Michelle's jaw which had been clamped tight while she gritted her teeth was now replaced by a soft smile.
"The essence of etiquette is your consideration for others. One should learn to approach others with honesty. In order to do so one must learn how to convey these feelings, this is the principles of etiquette. Your Grace, you already have these two qualities I have nothing more to teach you."
"You speak too highly of me."
Lucia's face flushed red. Michelle gazed upon the young pretty girl before her and let out a delighted laughter. She heard that the duchess had been a princess and assumed the duchess to be haughty and arrogant. She assumed the other try to take the initiative to gain the upper hand by informing the other of the importance of a person's rank.
Michelle had never thought the Duke of Taran to be anyone amazing. She didn't wish her children or grandchildren to see the duke as their role model at all. A competent person does not equate to a great person.
The duke was arrogant, domineering, and thought little of human relations. But, she had to admit that he had a good eye for discovering talent in others. He also had a good eye for woman.
'The Duke seemed to have found a very wonderful wife.'
She had met with thousands of people by now and she could quickly judge a person with a quick glance. The duchess was an innocent and kind hearted person.
Many whispered that the duke would marry a femme fatale but they didn't know what they were talking about. The duke was a cold hearted man who didn't move unless he could gain something in the end. When she heard of his marriage, she already assumed he would have chosen a woman who would not be of too much bother.
Michelle knew that this might be overstepping her rank, but she planned to relay one message to the duke.
'Please give your love to Her Grace. If it's not possible to love her with a passion, at least do not cast her aside and throw her away. If the lady of the house is not comfortable, the whole family will shake.'
A wife who doesn't have a husband's love will feel restless, in order for her to maintain her power she will form many dangerous thorns to protect herself. With the lady of the house behaving in this way, the whole household will not have a moment of peace. A man who doesn't feel peaceful in his own home will remain outside and this vicious cycle will never end.
Michelle hoped her predictions would be very wrong. The Duchess did not display any anxiety or depression. She looked like a female who was well loved by her husband.
"Had it been two months since you've married?"
"Yes."
"Then it should be about time when you start participating in activities outside of the castle. A good starting point is to hold some tea parties."
"How big should the scale of these parties be?"
"This is only the first tea party so a small one should suffice. It should be ten people or less with the attendance of the wives of the duke's vassals. The head butler should know who to invite. The duke's butler is very competent."
Lucia nodded her head. Jerome is definitely a capable person.
"I still feel I'm not competent enough to meet too many people. Is it required that I hold a grand ball?"
"Just because you're the Duke's wife does not mean you have to become the center power of the high society. To start off with, one must have a good aptitude with these social parties. However, it's not proper that you don't attend any of these parties. Just make an appearance every now and then and it should be enough. Why don't you hold female-only tea parties or garden parties about twice a month? You could regularly invite about 10 people and time to time you can increase the attendees to 30."
Countess Corzan's lessons were generally through basic conversations. Their conversation continued for two hours, through these lessons Lucia was able to learn interesting and important truths. Lucia honestly admired the Countess who talked eloquently without letting the listener feel fatigued.
At the same time, Michelle's heart was also moved by the other. She was surprised by Lucia gentle nature that didn't contain an ounce of hate.
"Your Grace, shall I introduce you to my niece? She would be a nice conversation companion. Her conduct may not be the most graceful, but she is a straight forward bright girl. This child will be helpful to brighten up the slower days when things get boring."
"I would be grateful."
Lucia spoke with a smile, but Michelle was able to notice her brief hesitation.
"It seems I have suggested something that would make Your Grace feel uncomfortable."
"… Honestly, I do not wish for a friend whose job is to cheer me up like his."
"Hohoho, Your Grace is so straight forward. Kate is, ah, my niece's name is Kate. If she had such skills to read your mood and cheer you up accordingly, I wouldn't have anything more to wish for. But she causes too much trouble."
"Trouble?"
"Not too long ago, her friend's fiancé cheated and she publicly humiliated him for being so deceitful. Oh my word, she dug a hole and filled it with horse manure and pushed him into it."
"Oh my gosh!"
"Whenever someone says her name, my heart freezes in fear because I'm afraid they would tell me more horrible news."
"But still, it seems you love your niece very much."
Michelle showed a beaming smile. Her eyes were filled with love and affection as she spoke of Kate.
"She sounds like a charming young lady. It would be nice to meet her sometime in the future."
"She would become a great consultant for Your Grace. Her hobby is to listening to stories of her female peers who are in pain due to love."
"I'm already married."
"Marriage is not the end, but only the beginning. How long had you dated His Grace before you married?"
"Date..?"
Thinking back, there hadn't been a time when they could really date at all. On their first meeting, she had asked for his hand in marriage. On their second meeting, they already agreed on a contract and were finalizing the deal. On their third meeting, she had been caught doing laundry and was scolded by him. Then, they had signed their official marriage documents.
"Um… I met with His Grace about three times."
The tea cup in Michelle's hand momentarily paused and slowly she let it down onto the table.
"Would it be okay to tell you the general public opinion of His Grace? It may be a bit risky to share this information because it may be slandering. It's just I feel it's a shame that you had agreed to the marriage before seriously getting to know His Grace."
"Please tell me. I shall not keep your words in my heart, I promise."
"Would it be alright to hear Your Grace's thoughts of His Grace?"
"Honest…ly?"
"Yes. Honestly."
"Um… It's not that he is… unpredictable but, he does as he pleases. He's very clear on what he wants and doesn't want. Once he turns his back, he will not look back. He is indifferent and cold hearted."
"It seems I spoke too soon. You know of His Grace very well."
Outwardly, there could be no better man than the Duke of Taran. He's the handsome and young ruler of every woman's fantasies. The Duke had been away from the northern territories and the attention towards him had decreased, but back then his popularity had peaked to the heavens. This had been before the duke had succeeded his current position.
All the unmarried noble ladies of the northern territories had thrown their bodies at him hoping to seduced the young future duke. They all mistook that he would fall for them over a single night of hot passion. It had been quick for these ladies to wake up from their fantasies. Either the girl would quit due to too much heartache or their affection would grow to true love and he would cast the girl aside without a second thought.
Amongst the many young ladies Michelle mentored, she had seen many shed tears due to love sickness. Due to this, even though Michelle had not once talked to the Duke in person, Michelle understood the histories of his many flings and cold hearted nature.
It had been over two months since they had married. It would have been the time when the female party would still be holding onto false hopes and fantasies. Surprisingly, the Duchess understood the Duke's true personally very well. This was evidenced that the duchess was not head over heels for her husband. Michelle felt surprised and cheerful for it.
"You are amazing. Your Grace had not lost hold of yourself. Being a female is sometimes such a sad thing. Many give their hearts away and overly depend on the other party. Once the other party disappears, it becomes unbearable to even stand alone and sometimes they would fall apart."
Lucia awkwardly laughed and nodded her head. She had been complimented but she didn't feel very good about it. The reason Lucia was able to keep a hold of herself was because she had given everything up all from the beginning.
"Even so, it is not a good idea to distance yourself from your husband too much. It's important to maintain a suitable distance."
"A suitable distance…."
Lucia nodded her head.
"I shall ask you a rude question. About how many times would His Grace visit your bed chambers at night?"
"Huh? Ah…."
Lucia's face became bright red.
"He visits… every night."
Michelle's eyes drew slightly wider but she continued on with an indifferent expression with a short 'I see.' This was a very interesting piece of information. The person who had fallen first was the Duke. If Michelle had been alone, she would have burst out laughing.
The duchess who had seemed innocent looked different somehow. Men usually lust for things they couldn't obtain, it seems the Duchess maintains that perfect distance making the Duke burn in lust.
"How should I … maintain the perfect distance?"
"I shall explain slowly."
Michelle mumbled under her breath.
'I have nothing more I could teach Your Grace.'
She could now easily see the future of the ducal couple, as time flows the duchess would continue to win more and more affection from the duke. This was only possible because Michelle had been the consultant for countless men and woman. There was just one mystery that Michelle could not solve.
'How did this young lady make the duke fall for her so hard…?'
Of course it would be impossible for the Countess to guess that the duke would have fallen head over heels for his wife's devilishly sexy body. Rather, it's not simply a matter of falling head over heels, he had fallen so deep that it had gotten to the point that he could not be saved.
Following this day, Michelle decided to regularly visit Lucia. And Lucia had selected a date to open her first tea party on the following week.
***
"Your Grace."
The maid was careful with her words all the while blushing ever so slightly.
"Is it possible for you… to be pregnant?"
"Pregnant?
Lucia furrowed her brows due to these nonsensical words.
"It had been over two months since your last menstruation. Why don't we get a doctor's diagnosis for this just to be safe?"
The most important part of a maid's job was to overlook their master's health. For the master to show irregular symptoms for over two months was serious and called for her own intervention.
It would have been discovered faster if a single particular maid attended to her. But every few days the maids tending to her would change in rotations. Everyone assumed that her days of menstruation had passed when another maid had served for her. They remained strict with their duty and discussed to one another of this topic and discovered that nobody had noticed of any signs of menstruation. All the maids felt all the blood in their body go cold.
The most reasonable answer to this would be that she was pregnant. Everyone in this castle was aware how passionate these two people were for one another.
"It is not so. It's nothing like that so you don't have to put your mind to this anymore."
Lucia answered without an ounce of anger in her voice.
"But Your Grace, I highly recommend for your health that we call for a doctor…"
"I already said I was fine. I know my own body the best."
"…Yes, Madam."
The maid said no more, but she did not give up here. If her master was pregnant and something happens to the baby, she would not be let off with a simple light punishment. She was too anxious and went to Jerome to consult more on this topic.
"Your Grace. I've heard words from the maids and it seems there is a problem with your health."
The moment Jerome spoke, an expression of great anger briefly passed Lucia's face. She shortly made eye contact with the maid standing behind Jerome. Lucia was not glaring at all, but she felt great fear at this moment. This was the first time Jerome had seen this side of Lucia and treaded forward carefully.
"Your Grace, had the doctor ever caused discomfort to you in the past?"
"Not at all. Let me tell you again, I'm not pregnant and nothing is wrong with my body. His Grace is already aware of all this."
Jerome fell silent and chose his words with caution.
"But Your Grace, if something is wrong with your health none of us would be able to take responsibility for the end results for his Grace. Would it be alright to re-confirm this fact with His Grace?"
On their first meeting, she already told him that she has a body unable to bear a child. He asked whether she could prove it and following this conversation he showed no interest in it at all. It would be a surprise if he would call her a liar after all this time while saying she could be pregnant.
"It's not a lie. His Grace is aware of this fact. But I will tell him again."
"How can I confirm that madam would tell this to His Grace?"
Jerome had always been very obedient and kind to Lucia all this time, but in the end he was no pushover himself. It was impossible for a person to perfectly look over the whole castle has a head butler by just being a good person.
"… I shall tell His Grace when you're present Jerome. It should be fine like this, right?"
"Yes, Madam. I'm sorry for causing your discomfort."
"You're only doing your job as the head butler. But that child."
Lucia's eyes pinned down to the maid once more.
"You didn't come consult this with me a second time and immediately went to the head butler. I do not wish for the people around me to surveil my life in this way. Send her out of the house after today."
"…Yes. Madam."
The maid's face lost all color while she looked down to the ground, while Jerome bowed with a strict and honest expression. The maid had messed up her order of priorities. The maid had held the butler higher than her master. She was scared to hold any responsibility but she had acted too rashly.
He had thought Lucia was only kind and gentle, but she was very clear in her likes and dislikes that her personality even seemed a bit cold. It seems the two were a match made in heaven. He felt satisfied and pride seeing this side of his master, by now the butler had almost completely become her loyal dog.
< — Ducal Couple — > (5)
TN: All the thanks has been overwhelming! I'm glad you like it, I tried not to let down the author by translating to the best of my capability! Part 2 should not take too long. Like halfway but i gotta go do homework XD. If there are any mistakes, just comment and I'll fix em~
"I have not learnt very much. There are many things I lack to fulfill my duties as the Duchess so I asked the Duke to tell me about you. After which, I asked him to ask you. I've heard you are a very busy person, but if there are any interruption in the schedule, I ask you to please understand. Ah, if my words or actions are not polite, please tell me." [Lucia]
A smile appeared on Michelle's tightly closed mouth.
"For manners, Madam doesn't have more to learn. The essence of courtesy is consideration for the other party. To learn how to sincerely treat the other person, and learning how to express it, is manners. Madam already has those two things down, what else can I add?"
"You flatter me."
Lucia's face was tinged red. Michelle felt as though Lucia were her beautiful granddaughter and laughed heartily. She had thought that Lucia would be very arrogant since she was a princess.
She knew the duke was not really calling her for teaching but because Michelle was in a great position in the social circle, to let the Duchess get a head start.
Michelle had never thought of the Duke of Taran as a good person. She didn't want her son or her grandchild having the Duke as a role model. A competent man but not a good person. The duke was arrogant, unyielding, and regarded interaction with people as trivial.
Still, she had to acknowledge his eyes for people was outstanding. But now she sees that his wife's eyes were also impressive.
'The Duke found a good wife'
Some thought that because of the Duke's extravagant tastes in women in the past, he would marry a remarkable beauty but they didn't know what they were saying. The Duke was a very cold man and would not move without benefit.
So for a wife, he probably thought to pick someone who was good at listening, hassle-free, and suited his level. Michelle thought that, one day when she gets to see the Duke, ignoring the consequences, she would definitely tell him.
'Show affection to the Duchess'.
Even if it is not romantic love, at least, to not throw away his existing feelings. A woman who receives no affection would feel anxious about her place and becomes nervous (1). So with only their pride alive and they become full of thorns and increasingly picky.
Many people overlook the fact that if the mistress of the house is not comfortable, eventually the household will be shaken.
Michelle had to admit that her predictions were wrong. She had seen a lot of people and could tell at a glance what type of person they were. The Duchess was an innocent and clean person. She couldn't see any anxiety or depression. It was the appearance of a woman who received plenty of affection.
"I believe you've been married for about two months." [Countess]
"Yes."
"Then, it is around the time to start activities outside. Starting with a light tea party would be good."
"What size would be good?"
"Since it is the start, it is okay to start small. Invite around 10 people, mainly wives of Duke's vassals. You can ask the head butler whom to invite. The Duke's head butler is competent."
Lucia nodded her head. Jerome was definitely competent.
"Actually, I have a lot of people to meet. Do I have to open something like a ball?" [Lucia]
"Just because you are the Duke's wife does not mean you have to be a socialite. In fact, social activities and aptitude must match. You can't not do it all, but it has to be done moderately. Around twice a month, throw a tea party or a garden party, inviting only women. It's also good idea to sometimes increase the number from 10 to 30 people. "
Countess Corzan's way of teaching was to give good advice while conversing. In a conversation that spanned nearly two hours, Lucia learned what she did not know and got to understand interesting facts.
Lucia sincerely admired the Countess who spoke elegantly without getting boring and skillfully used the Chinese language. It was the same for Michelle whose heart was moved. The more they continued to talk, the more Michelle was attracted to Lucia's mild and ill-will lacking personality (2).
It was pretty hard to find someone with such a character. Michelle was in a good mood because she had found a good friend, disregarding the age differences.
"If Madam needs someone to talk to, I would like to introduce you to my niece. Her conduct is not elegant, but her character is bright and not lavish. She will be a great help to the madam in finding enjoyment in your northern life. " [Countess]
"I'm grateful but I am already adjusting well to my life here and I don't need a friend who will be checking my mood."
"Ho-ho. Madam is very honest. Kate is, ah, her name is Kate. Kate does not possess the courtesy to try and please her friends. If Kate does not like Madam, she will not become friends with you. "
"I'm interested. I'm willing to meet her. She sounds like a charming lady. "
"She is a person with many merits and demerits. When her friend's fiancé cheated on her friend and deceived her, she did not hesitate to embarrass him. If someone tells me her name, my head hurts to know what incident she's caused again. "
"But you love your niece." [Lucia]
Michelle smiled brightly. Her eyes were filled with affection for her niece.
"Because she's a lovable child. But I am worried that there is no brave man that will marry her. Even though she hasn't married, she attends to and counsels young girls who are in love. She can become a good counselor for the madam. "
"But I'm already married."
"Marriage is not the end, it is the beginning. Before marriage, had you been in a relationship for some time with his Grace?"
"Relationship…?"
When Lucia thought about it, there was no relationship reason for meeting with him. As soon as they met, she proposed. At the second meeting, they signed a contract. At the third meeting, she was doing laundry then she got caught and got told off on something similar. Then she signed the marriage certificate.
"Umm…before marriage, I met with his Grace, three times."
Michelle's hand that was holding the teacup paused for a moment and she put down the cup.
"Can you tell me how his Grace treats you in the house? Actually, for me to talk about this would be considerable risk. It might be taken as slander against your husband to you, the Hostess. But Madam seems to have married his Grace without knowing him very well, it's a little sad."
"Tell me please. I promise not to keep it in mind." [Lucia] (3)
"Well, first of all, could Madam describe to me what kind of person his Grace, the duke is?"
"Honest…right?"
"Yes. Honestly."
"Umm. He is… not fickle… but he acts as he pleases. Once he concludes and ends something. He turns his head and would never look back. He is an indifferent and cold person."
"This. I said something pointless. Madam knows him very well."
The Taran Duke's outer shell alone was the best thing about him. His stunning looks and body were the manifestations of women's fantasies.
In fact, there were no single northern girls who had actually seen the duke once and not fallen into a one sided love, even though the duke never hit on them.
Daring girls actually threw their bodies at the Duke. Usually, the duke responded to their temptation. Then, women fall into the illusion that he would soon fall for them. It didn't take long for the illusion to break.
When the woman first gets hurt or falls for him and begins to want a little affection, the duke would throw them away with no hesitation. Many of the ladies Michelle had taught were so hurt and would cry in front of her.
Thanks to that, even though Michelle had never properly spoken to the Duke of Taran, she knew more than anyone else about the Duke's bedroom matters.
Translator's Corner:
(1). Her place as in her place as his wife. It literally said her 'seat' but I think place fit better.
(2). This sentence threw me off so much. It said she was "반했다" (banhaessda) which I thought translates to she was against it and I was like…whaa? So I went digging and found that it actually had TWO meanings. Learning new things everything. Also I was somewhat confusing it with "반대했다" (bandaehaessda) which is what means against. They sound too similar.
(3). I couldn't make this flow well but basically, Lucia is telling the Duchess that she can speak her mind, and she wouldn't take it to heart.
< — Ducal Couple — > (5)
TN: I think the raws I'm following are a bit different. There's a division right at the start of ch 17 part 1 like this: < — 공작부부 — >
Which essentially means a new ducal couple part so… yea. Imma just follow it, sorry if the numbering throws you off. I did wonder why they weren't as long. This must be why.
The Ducal couple had been married for about two months.
It was the time where one could not abandon dreams and expectations of a honeymoon. However, the Duchess seems to have accurately figured out his Grace. It was evidence that she had not completely fallen for her husband. Michelle was surprised and pleased about that.
"Excellent. your Grace is not forgetting about herself. A woman is a truly sad existence. When they give their hearts, they have the tendency to excessively depend on the recipient. When the person disappears, they cannot stand alone and collapse, abandoned."
Lucia smiled awkwardly and nodded her head. She was being praised but did not feel happy about it. Lucia could not forget about herself because she had given up everything in the first place.
"But, you should not excessively keep your husband at a distance. Maintaining the right distance is very important." [Countess]
"Maintaining the right distance…" [Lucia]
Lucia nodded her head.
"I'll ask a rude question. How many times a week does his Grace visit your bedroom?"
"Yes? Ah…"
Lucia's face went red. "He comes…everyday"
Michelle's eyes grew slightly but assumed an air of indifference and replied, is that so. She had found out a very interesting fact. On the contrary, the one being left out was the Duke. If Michelle were alone, she would have burst out laughing. The Duchess who appeared innocent suddenly looked different.
Men always want what they cannot get and the Duchess was maintaining the perfect distance to make the Duke want more.
"Keeping the right distance… how do you do that?" [Lucia]
"I'll tell you, little by little."
Michelle murmured inwardly, 'It doesn't seems like there's anything more to teach the Madam. '
It was obvious to her as more time passes between ducal couple, the emphasis in the relationship would gradually shift towards the Duchess. This was a speculation from Michelle who had consulted and personally watched over many men and women relationships.
But there was one mystery that Michelle could not solve.
'Just what charm of this person shook the Duke?' The Duchess, of course, had no way to know that the Duke had completely fallen for his wife's body. It was to the extent that he couldn't get it out of his mind.
Countess Corzan, afterwards, decided to visit them regularly. And, after about a week, Lucia decided to throw her first tea party.
"Mistress." A maid with a flushed expression spoke carefully "By any chance…is it possible that you are pregnant?"
"Pregnant?"
Lucia knitted her brows at those ridiculous words.
"You have not had your period for more than two months. There is no way to know so how do you feel about having a checkup?" [Maid]
The most important work of the maidservants was looking after the health of their masters. It wasn't until after two months had passed that they discovered something was seriously strange with their mistress' body and needed to be looked into.
If a specific maid continuously attended to Lucia, then it would have been noticed faster. However, the maids took turns over several days to serve her and kept assuming a different maid had waited on Lucia when she had her period.
Even then, they naturally did not forget to perform their jobs and when they got together and conversed, they realized none of them had seen Lucia menstruating.
At that moment, all the maid were frightened. The first thing they were suspicious of was pregnancy. There was no one in Roam that didn't know that the ducal couple's relationship was passionate.
"No. It's nothing like that so don't worry about it."
Lucia, with her eyes showing no excitement, replied coldly.
"But Mistress. Still, seeing a doctor…"
"It is nothing like that. I know my own body very well." [Lucia]
"…Yes. Mistress."
The maid withdrew but did not give up. If be any chance, the Mistress was pregnant and in that state, she was unaware and something went wrong with the baby, the maids would be firmly dealt with.
She could not stop being anxious and quickly went to inform Jerome.
"Mistress. I listened to the maids and there seems to be a problem with your health."
The moment Jerome arrived and began to speak, annoyance lightly flitted across Lucia's face then it passed. Her eyes stopped for a moment on the maid that was standing behind Jerome. It was not a menacing glare but the maid couldn't help but shrink.
Somehow, since it was Jerome's first time seeing the mistress like this, he became nervous and started cautiously.
"Mistress, has the doctor ever made you feel uncomfortable?"
"It's not like that. I'll say this again, I'm not pregnant nor do I have any health problems. This is something his Grace already knows."
Jerome fell silent for a moment, considering what to say.
"But Mistress, if by any chance a problem is found with you, we will not be able to avoid responsibility for it. May I confirm again with his Grace about this fact?"
From the beginning, she had already said she couldn't get pregnant. He had only asked if she could prove it and afterwards showed no interest. It would be too surprising if he were to say that she was lying all this time and the truth was she could become pregnant.
"My words are not lies however I will tell him again."
"May I confirm afterwards that Mistress has told him?"
These days, Jerome had been pretty meek around Lucia, but he was never an easy person. If he was only a good person, there was no way he could be the head butler at such a young age.
"…I'll inform him when you are there. Is that good enough?"
"Yes, Mistress. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable."
"You are just doing your job as the head butler. But that child."
Lucia's gaze once again fixed onto the maid.
"I was definitely clear on what I said yet you ran to the butler without asking me twice. I don't want to have someone who is keeping tabs on my movement by my side. Please send her out today."
"Yes…Mistress."
The maid's face went black and she dropped her head while Jerome bowed his head with an earnest expression. He had thought she was a simple and nice person, but she knew just when to start and when to end that she seems a bit cold.
It seemed like the two of them were matches made in heaven. The butler who felt satisfied and full just seeing this new part of master was one step closer to being master-lover.
< — Ducal Couple — > (6)
TN: I don't know if I've said this but I'm reading this novel as I translate. This part was just so interesting, I finished it! I don't do audio books (and this is in Korean…), sadly, it just doesn't work for me.
A few days passed by and Jerome continuously hung around Lucia.
"Your Grace, I don't about other things but about whether you are pregnant or not, it's be good to be sure."
Eventually, Lucia agreed to receive treatment from Anna.
"It is not pregnancy."
In contrast to Lucia who accept it naturally when Anna raised her head and said this, Jerome had a slightly disappointed expression. But before Lucia could raise her head and see this, he quickly hid it. He didn't want to take the chance of let his disappointment hurt her.
"Did her Grace have any symptoms that made you suspect pregnancy?"
Since Anna was suddenly called to verify if Lucia was pregnant, she was a bit suspicious. If Lucia was truly suspected of pregnancy and Anna couldn't verify it, she would be slightly worried about her ability as her primary doctor.
Jerome made a promise with Lucia. After they verified if it was pregnancy or not, he wouldn't mention things about the state of her body and the task of informing the duke about the situation would be left to Lucia.
"No, Anna. Her Grace seemed more tired these days so…"
"In my opinion as a doctor, there's a different reason as to why her Grace is tiring easily. A woman's body is not steel. Head Butler, let me speak to his Grace once. Anytime is fine. Her Grace is already needing restorative medicine at such a young and energetic age. After I finish working, I take a break from work. This is just the same thing."
Anna was only giving her opinions as a doctor, however the more she spoke, the stranger the mood became. Jerome stared at the air uncomfortably while Lucia looked down.
"Isn't your Grace having a hard time? Please pass my words onto the Duke."
It wasn't like she was having a hard time but Lucia's face was currently dyed red and she couldn't say it. Especially not with the current mood in the room.
'I like him coming to my room everyday'
She couldn't say it at all.
"If it is hard for the head butler to say then, I can tell him myself" [Anna]
"Ah, no. I…will tell him. So…to what extent..?"
"Five days. And with a day of rest."
"…Yes."
Even though Anna could sense the embarrassment in the air, she remained brazen. If a doctor was talking about a patient's condition and got embarrassed, they wouldn't be able to treat them properly.
After they all left and Lucia was alone, she went to the bedroom, opened the big windows and went onto the balcony. A tender breeze gently passed by her.
Just for an instant, when Anna announced that she wasn't pregnant, Jerome's voice lost its energy.
Lucia felt a bit bad. In her dreams, she was 15 when she started menstruating. No one was around to teach her that those were the signs of becoming a woman. Usually, the inns taught those things but in the palace there were no inns and the palace maids did not care if it was not their business.
The orphan-like young princess, to the palace maids, was not a master that they had to serve but a burden they had to take care of. Whenever she had menstrual blood on the bed, the maids would have increasingly annoyed expressions as they changed the bed sheets.
After entering the palace, Lucia had lost almost all of her youthful cheerfulness. She became more timid and spoke fewer words. The young Lucia of that time did not learn how to call the people under her or act majestic and with dignity.
'I might die soon'
The fact that she was continually losing blood from her body was horrifying to her. She became extremely obsessed with her fears.
'I have to stop the blood. Then…medicine. I have to take medicine…'
Drug that stops bleeding. At that time, an herb accurately appeared in her mind. It was an herb called mugwort. Mugwort was a very common herb with three leaves. It could be seen growing here and there, and even in the palace it could be seen growing around.
When mugwort was boiled hard, dried, ground and then sprinkled onto the wound, it would have a hemostatic effect. It was an emergency medicine that the common people used for first aid when they could not find or afford a doctor. Its effect was incomparable to a doctor's work but it sufficed.
Lucia had learnt first-hand that it had the ability to stop bleeding. In the past, she, with the village children had run around the neighborhood, digging up grass here and there. She had fallen and scrapped her knee and it was sprinkled on her injury. At that time she had thought it was fascinating the way the blood had stopped flowing after a while.
Hence, Lucia started taking the mugwort herb from the garden. She didn't know how to make it for eating so she just ate it raw. She simply thought that because the blood was flowing from her body, it made sense to eat it.
Surprisingly, the effect was immediate. Her period did not come.
So, the next month when she bled again, she took it and in that way, continuously for half a year, after which she completely stopped bleeding. At the time, she had no idea what had happened to her. She didn't even know the word infertility itself.
Later, while she was married to Count Martin, she found out the truth of her body.
'Thank goodness.'
That was the first thought that came to her. The moment she learnt that was no chance of her giving birth to a child for the Count, she felt as though she had stopped walking towards the edge of a cliff and her heart felt completely at ease.
After the marriage with the count ended and Lucia became free again, she started to look at her body. Apart from her abnormal infertility, there was nothing wrong with her body.
But for a woman, she knew it was a fatal problem to have hence, she started to look for a cure. Every doctor that visited her shook their head. They all said that mugwort was poisonous herb that should have never been eaten.
"I'm not sure if the infertility is rooted…oh, you ate it? Just why would you do such a thing…"
Even then, usually, the doctors couldn't understand Lucia's symptoms. Therefore, she was rather amazed when she found out a new fact.
It was rare but there were competent doctors who had seen symptoms similar to Lucia's before.
"I have seen a woman who stopped menstruating because she ate something unknown during menstruation, however this is the first time I have seen someone in a long term infertile state from eating something…but have you gotten married?
Pregnancy can happen even if your period is irregular. It may not be infertility."
But her period was not irregular; it never occurred. However, she had never tried to have a child before so couldn't answer with certainty as to whether or not she was pregnant.
Then a more knowledgeable doctor came along and gave Lucia new information.
"A long time ago, when we lost the war and women were caught by the enemies, there was a story that they would eat mugwort on purpose to avoid having children for the enemy. It seems that they thought that if the menstrual cycle was stopped then naturally, it would serve as a form of birth control but it has been proven that mugwort has no effect on contraception."
The doctor's answer was pretty ambiguous. Lucia did not give up and in her spare time asked about any skilled doctors then visited them. But time had continued on and she was growing older.
She was about to give up. She was old enough and there was no discomfort in her life without her fertility so she was going to act like nothing had happened. Then one day, a wandering doctor chanced upon the town she lived in.
At first, none of the villagers believed the dirty old man's claims that he was a doctor. However, as the doctor remained in the village and gave treatment, more people began to see the positive effect and were swayed to believing him.
Lucia went to visit the doctor since she had nothing to lose. The doctor was temporarily staying at a room that someone in the village had left, and just like when he first arrived, he was dressed shabbily.
However as they conversed, an image different from his outward appearance was revealed. His expression and manner of speaking were gentle and somewhat dignified.
"Did you really eat the mugwort herb? And then your menstruation stopped?"
When she told other doctors about her symptoms, they would look at her as some kind of rare animal which made her embarrassed but this doctor was different. He was both surprised and intrigued.
"Why? When? And to what extent did you eat it?"
Because he had a different reaction from all the doctors she had met till now, she grabbed onto one last hope and answered all his questions diligently.
"From my first menstruation onwards…" [Lucia]
Right after she said that, the doctor's eyes strangely lit up.
"By any chance, are you a virgin?"
"No. I've been married before so I'm not a young maiden."
Truthfully, she was pretty much like a virgin but she didn't want to tell the doctor things to that extent.
The doctor was somewhat disappointed and gave a bitter laugh.
"In my eyes, you are a very young lady."
"Is my condition infertility?"
"Yes."
It was the same answer that all the previous doctors had given her but she was desperate.
"Can it…be treated?"
The doctor chuckled and guaranteed her treatment that no one else had been able to do.
"You are lucky person. This is a treatment method passed down in only my family."
So he gave her a prescription containing various drugs to be mixed together. She didn't write it down but took a book out of her bag, tore a page from it and gave it to him.
"Since it is a secret method passed down in your family, is it ok to give me this?"
"In any case, it's not something I need anymore."
The doctor's expression as he said this seemed a little sad.
"I…Can I really get better? They all said mugwort herb is a poison."
It wasn't that she didn't believe the doctor's prescription but that she had gone through hardship to get it treated and yet here he was, giving her a simple solution. The situation itself was a bit unbelievable.
"Poison…yes, it is known as such. This is an exclusive but I'll tell you something special. Mugwort has a surprising effect. It doesn't just do something simple like stopping blood flow. If you eat it, it completely purifies the body. That is the reason why menstruation stops. But the human body itself is a mass of impurity, there is nothing good to forcibly purify. The effect of the herb is just that strong that such side effects occur but it does not harm your body. And apart from not having your period, you haven't gotten sick anywhere else, right?"
"Yes."
"And truthfully, to become infertile from eating mugwort, you have to have been eating it for a long time, like from your first period onwards. Just like you. If you haven't been taking it for that long, even if your menstruation stops for a while, there are no other symptoms.
And infertility definitely will not happen. But, people treat it as a poison because of its only symptom, which is to stop menstrual flow. Anyways, because it is not poison, if you weaken the effect of the herb, your body will return to its original state. If you regularly take your medicine, it will surely get better. I hope for you to have a pretty child and become a happy parent. "
Not too long after, the doctor left the village. Unlike when the doctor first came to the village, the villagers were truly sorry to see him go.
Lucia went ahead and bought herbs that had been prescribed by the doctor.
"Why are buying these two herbs together? Surely, you aren't planning on mixing them together? If you eat them together, you'll have a huge problem!"
The prescription combinations that the doctor gave her didn't seem to be one that complied with commonsense. However, Lucia didn't think she could get worse and she was curious anyways so she followed his directions and started to make the medicine.
As long as no abnormality happens, once a month, steadily take the medicine until menstruation starts again; how to eat and how frequent was easy to know. She did wonder if it would actually work but then she shook her head and chose to believe it.
A lot of time passed and suddenly one day, her menstruation restarted.
***
Now the Lucia who had seen all this in a dream was not embarrassed like her 15 year old self from the dream. She already knew that she wasn't sick and was not going to die.
However the 15 year old Lucia was mentally unstable for a reason different from the one in the dream. She had thought that she could change anything in the present since she knew the future however there was nothing that a young princess, locked up in a palace room could do.
It felt like a prophecy that the coming future would be exactly like the dream. The thought of getting married to the count at 21 again was extremely sickening and she couldn't bear it. Her fears reached its climax as soon as her menstruation started.
'I do not want to give birth to that bastard's child.'
She already knew that getting pregnant was surprisingly not very easy. There were many married couples that had no children. Moreover, considering Count Matin's sexual capability there was almost no possibility of her getting pregnant. However, she didn't want to let the slightest possibility remain.
So, she chose to make herself infertile. The doctor she met in the dream had told her that the mugwort herb was not poisonous and the treatment method that she had received remained in her memory. Since she could treat at any time with the medicine, there was not really any worry if she was currently infertile.
Lucia could cure her infertility at any moment but she had already told Hugo that she could not get pregnant and would not suddenly tell him that she could.
'At that time… I had thought I would get divorced…'
When she proposed marriage, she had thought that they would live together for a few years then he would ask for a divorce or after a reasonable amount of time, she would ask herself. However,
'I won't do something like divorce.'
Even if he did not mention the family tradition, he was the kind of person that would not proceed with the divorce process because it was annoying. She didn't know if there was another woman who loved him to death and wanted to marry him by all means but it didn't look like that was possible.
'I already said I wouldn't regret this…I made up my mind to endure.'
There was going to be no child in her life. The moment she signed the marriage certificate, she was already prepared.
[I hope for you to have a pretty child and become a happy parent.]
It would seem that whether it was the dream or the present, the doctor's wish would not be fulfilled. Lucia dug into her memories for the doctor's name.
"Philip."
Right. That was his name.
***
It was afternoon and as usual, Jerome brought tea and quietly entered the Duke's office. Because it was obvious who was coming in, Hugo didn't take his eyes of his documents. But as Jerome didn't go back and kept standing by the desk, Hugo raised his head.
When the Duke's eyes left the documents and faced him, Jerome opened his mouth.
"Your Grace, Madam is planning to have a tea party tomorrow."
"Yes. I've heard."
"Since it is her Grace's first time, what do you think of sending a congratulatory gift?"
"Gift?"
He gave a low 'hmm' and mumbled, lowering his pen and sitting more comfortably in his chair.
"A gift, huh." [Hugo]
"Yes. Her Grace will be extremely pleased."
Now that he thought about it, he didn't have anything to give her. He was not the type to easily know when to give gifts but if he was told to get this and that, he could. But she didn't tell him what to get and he didn't know what she would like and couldn't think of what to give her.
Is it enough to make the budget plentiful?
She didn't ask him to give her anything but as it was her first time debuting in the northern social circles, it was enough reason. If she receives a gift that she could never imagine, would she like it?
When he thought of her sparkling eyes as she expressed her thanks, his mood somehow grew merrier.
What would be good? Jewelry? Or maybe…jewelry? If that didn't work…then jewelry? Jewelry was the only thing that he could think of. He was sure that women like jewelry however strangely, he wasn't too sure that Lucia liked them.
While his worries were deepening, Jerome was patiently waiting for his master's answer. Jerome's ear picked up the sound of a soft knock at the door. In order not to disrupt his master's thought, Jerome left quietly then came back after a while.
"Your Grace, Sir Philip has arrived and is outside. He said he hasn't returned in Roam in a long time and wants to give his greetings to your Grace."
Translator's Corner:
*Honestly, it's either mugwort or wormwood. The problem is according to google those two PROMOTE menstruation…but the author is King. LOL.
*I was also too invested to stop translating so u get the full chap. May not happen again ha-ha.
*This was edited sparsely. Was about to miss my bus. Tell me if u see mistakes.
< — Ducal Couple — > (7)
TN: Weee finally had time to translate. Part 2 should be coming in a few hrs or if I sleep off, tmrw. Currently working on it.
For generations, Philip had been the Taran Family's doctor and was absent from Roam since Hugo had left the estate for a long time. Nobody knew exactly where he went.
He'd said he would be travelling around for a bit and left but there had been no news for years. Philip had no friends or family so his absence didn't have much effect and no one was really curious about it. The Duke was very healthy and had never even been ill before. Also, for formality sake, as a noble, one did not receive regular check-ups from doctors.
Since Hugo became the Duke, the doctor hadn't had anything to do. Apart from greeting Philip a few times, Jerome had not really had a conversation with him. He had heard Philip was the also primary doctor of the deceased Duke even so that doctor… he was definitely a family doctor but he was a bit unique in that he was also a Baron.
Jerome believed the man had a lot of guts because he'd served dukes for generation but apart from that, he didn't feel the need to pay attention the doctor's matters. However, the moment the name Philip left his mouth, his master's face which had been somewhat relaxed, froze. Seeing his master's red eyes gleam, Jerome felt suspicious. Wasn't Philip simply a family doctor?
For a short moment, he searched his memories thoroughly but there was no clue regarding Philip and his master's relationship. He then came to the realization that his master and Philip had actually treated each other like they were air and this would be the first time Philip had personally come to meet the Duke. On paper, he was the primary doctor but the duke being the duke, he had never needed to receive any treatment.
"Let him in. Do not let anyone onto the second floor until I say so."
His voice was cold and murderous intent lingered in the air. Feeling his master's anger, Jerome nervously followed the Duke's orders without question.
"Yes, Your Grace."
Jerome left and after a while, an old man with half whitish and grey hair walked in. The man walked quietly to the front of the desk where Hugo was sitting then bent his waist to make polite bow.
For a second, Hugo didn't say anything, just stared piercingly at the old man then he spoke in an even and unfeeling voice.
"It's been a while, old man."
Philip was not displeased with the title that showed no respect and gave a faint smile.
"Yes, long time no see. After all this time, you've become a grown man."
Despite being only a doctor, the man was confident and showed no servility to the noble personage in front of him. His voice was calm but inside deep emotion surfaced as he faced Hugo.
His gaze was like that of a grandfather watching his grandchild that has done well. However, Hugo's eyes stayed frozen.
"I heard you went on a trip." [Hugo]
"I have returned."
"Too bad, you must have had a good time wandering around. Since you've said your greetings, get lost. In the future, don't do such things like greeting me. I'm saying you shouldn't show your face in front of me again."
As though he were reading off a book, Hugo's voice was arid but the contents were harsh. Philip's complexion remained unchanged as he heard the ferocity in Hugo's words. Rather, he seems a little relieved.
"You are still the same as before." [Philip]
"My nature's never change."
"Young master's nature is outstanding. You didn't reap this old man's life after all."
Hugo laughed sardonically.
"Don't misunderstand. The reason I let you live is because I owe you the debt of a life. That stupid kid had said he's protect his life's savior."
For a moment, yearning surfaced on Philip's face but it disappeared the next second.
"…Young master Hugo was a good-natured person. That's why he wasn't fit to be the master of Taran." [Philip]
'Young master Hugo'
Just for a short moment when those words left Philip's mouth, Hugo's gaze softened.
"That's true. Because of that devilish child, I'm taking care of this dirty seat."
"Young master Hugh…"
"If you call me by that name one more time, I'll rip out your mouth."
Hugo's countenance changed viciously and he roared at Philip. Like that of a wild beast before it pounces on its food, he wanted to standup immediately and bite off Philip's neck but was barely holding himself back.
Facing Hugo's fiery anger, Philip merely had a sad expression.
"That person sacrificed himself for the young master's sake."
"I never asked for that."
Hugo gloomily ground his teeth.
The Hugh who was more beast and animal-like met Hugo when he was on a vacation. The moment when Hugh went on a vacation, the devil became a human. That the owner of Taran would become Hugo was most suitable. Only he could cleanse Taran that was smeared with dirt and filth.
Hugh was always surrounded by enemies and had done many evil deeds to keep his life but he actually did not know why he had to live or the meaning of living. However, Hugh finally found a reason to live and that there was something more precious than his own life. That only brother would have to live and climb unto seat, the one called the devil should not be Hugh. (1).
"Young master Hugo wished more than anyone else for the young master to be on that seat. Anyways, you two are of the blood of Taran. Naturally, young master has the right to be master of Taran."
"That devil died that night in the west tower. I'm…the one right here now is Hugo."
"Yes, it is the young master. When will you accept the fact that you are now the master?"
"I won't be here forever. I will hand it over to that child when he's old enough."
Philip gave a small sigh.
"Young master Damian is still young."
"That's why I'm waiting, isn't it? I'm waiting and bearing this sickening and tiring place."
Hugo responded while gritting his teeth.
"Young master Hugo's seat is one full of weariness. So it's a nobler seat."
Hugo stared at Philip for a moment then spoke coolly.
"Well, I've always known that old man is good at keeping his head. That day, if you had blabbered on just like today's, I would have pulled out your neck and thrown it away. At that time, like a dumb person, you kept your mouth shut and knelt down. Did you know that I killed everyone who knows of what happened that day except from you, old man?"
For the first time since entering the room, Philip's expression stiffened.
"… You left no traces."
"Yes. I was disgusted and couldn't stand their sight. So, old man will be the last. Hurry up with your filth. Once old man disappears, it will no longer reek."
"The deceased Duke made the inevitable choice for the family…"
"Choice?"
Hugo slammed the desk violently with both hands and bolted upright. He moved forward and his red pupils were like a blazing fire as he looked at Philip…no, someone he could see beyond Philip, with rising anger. His rage was like a furnace that would overflow at any moment.
"That old fool sold his one of his son to mercenaries as a slave to be worked then instead of embracing the son he chose, he tried again to switch them."
He chose Hugo, threw away Hugh. However, as years passed, the duke changed his mind and this time abandoned Hugo and chose Hugh. For the reason that Hugo's personality was too mild. For the first time, Hugh clung to someone and pleaded. Not for his own sake but for another's.
[If I obediently become your successor, don't touch him] (2).
He did everything that was asked of him. He studied earnestly and exteriorly assumed Hugo's appearance. The coarse way of speaking was thrown away and he changed into a noble and self-restrained personage. He was like a reared beast and fell nicely at the feet of the duke. However, he did not know.
That for the same reason, for his brother, Hugo had gladly thrown away everything he'd learned until yesterday from the venerable Confucius. It was Hugo who first noticed that the Duke had tied strings to both of them and held sway over them in his hands and that was the beginning of the tragedy.
Hugo realized that as long as he existed and the duke who would use him to the end existed, they could never be free.
Translator's Corner:
1. There's a bit of confusion and disconnect for me while translating this paragraph and the previous one. Hope it came across well.
2. He means don't touch Hugo.
*If you're confused, the current Hugo was formerly Hugh and the former Hugo…. to be continue LOL
< — Ducal Couple — > (7)
TN: Here you go~ 19 is actually shorter than I expected. To make it flow better I added the ending of part 1 here.
Hugo had realized that as long as he existed and the duke who would use him to the end existed, they could never be free.
And on the day he left to Roam, Hugo brutally and thoroughly murdered the Duke and anyone with him, then by his side, slit his throat and died.
"He was someone who couldn't catch and kill a bug so the one who drove him to do such a cruel thing was that old fool. It was to the extent that I had nothing to say. What choice? That was not choice just ugly greed." [Hugo]
"Young Master."
"Stop calling me young master. I am the Lord of Taran and the Duke. Are you still living in the world from 10 years ago?"
The tall and firm wall around him did not show any gaps. Philip sighed. For a long time now, he was unable to end his feelings and he'd thought that now that the young master was an adult maybe he would understand. It was a fruitless expectation.
Would the Taran bloodline end this way? Is it right for such a noble lineage to end this way? He wondered if his father's dying words were karmic. Originally, there was no precedent in which twins were born into the Taran lineage. Maybe the unusual occurrence was a warning.
"I heard you were married." [Philip]
"So?"
"That person must not give you a child."
"Then it can't be any better."
"Do you understand what the Madame wants?"
"This is just a warning but don't you dare try approaching my wife."
Hugo fiercely bared his teeth. Surprise flashed through Philip's eyes.
"Then young master Damian needs a bride. Otherwise, the bloodline of Taran…"
"Shut up! you prattle on about such dirty acts pretty well."
People had no idea of when the Taran family started or why it took up residence in the desolate North. They did not know why the Taran family, with so much strength under its belt, would live quietly as servants to the King.
The one and only purpose of the Taran Family. The truth that only the head of the Taran family from generation to generation and a select few knew.
It was the preservation of the Taran bloodline. And to achieve that purpose, they found the safest and most secure position for their plan. It was a land that did not appeal to the greedy or desirous and was a place that not everyone could handle. The north was a place made for Taran.
Now the only remaining people who knew of this truth was Hugo and the old man in front of him. Hugo had grabbed and killed everyone who knew, leaving no stone unturned. The old man wouldn't have been able to avoid death if it wasn't for the fact that he'd saved his brother's life in the past.
"Did you know this? You guys are savages and I point at those bastards in the north who can't help but leech off my sister." [Hugo] (1).
"You must not judge it by the moral standards of an outsider. The Taran bloodline…"
"I've said you should shut up about that. I don't want to hear shit about those nonsense bloodlines. Normally, women do not hurt their children! More like monsters, what noble lineage!"
Philip slowly closed his eyes with a heavy expression then reopened them.
"…you still say such words. Then…is young master Hugo a monster? What of young master Damian?"
"…"
"Though the deceased Duke chose such an excessive method…"
Hugo smirked then sneered coldly.
"That jerk of a father…no, stop. I think my mouth will grow filthier."
"The Taran bloodline must continue…"
"That damned obsession. Such dirty acts will end with me! Hey, you crazy old man. I don't think things like God exist but you should thank God that your neck is still in place. If you touch my bottom line one more time, I won't owe you anything. Wherever you live, whether it is Roam or anywhere else, just like you've been until now, don't let me see you, just shove yourself somewhere. This is my last warning. Get out. Right now. If you show up around my wife, I will rip out your heart."
Philip looked at Hugo for a long time without saying anything, then he bowed his head, turned around and left the office.
Hearing the sound of the door closing, Hugo rose and in a pose of pushing against the desk, tried to adjust his breathing. His clenched fist was shaking violently. Kill him! He wanted to kill that bastard right now! Rip his heart out, break his neck and throw him into the most miserable place in the world then throw him to the beasts to eat!
The thing inside of him screamed viciously, threatening to break out. His whole body seemed like it was boiling and his red eyes darkened even more looking like blood.
After a long time, his breathing slowed to a more comfortable pace. It would be difficult for the monster inside him to come out now.
He was Hugo. Hugo would never abandon the prestige of his place as the Duke. It would be easy to kill the old man. But he couldn't. It would have been better if the life debt was for his own life, then he couldn't care less about it.
When Hugo had completely calmed down, he called for Jerome.
"You said you brought a female doctor from the capital, right? As my wife's primary doctor?"
"Yes, Your Grace. Shall I call her?"
"You don't need to do that. That old…no, Do not let Philip get close to or even approach my wife."
He knew that Philip had nothing to do with her as of now but he hated the fact that Philip was anywhere around her. He didn't want her to be hurt by Philip saying unnecessary words. He'd hate that. He didn't want to see those amber eyes sad.
"I understand. Do you want me to place surveillance where they wouldn't notice?"
"As long as he doesn't enter the Roam residence otherwise leave it alone."
"Would it be okay to inform her Grace?"
If he told her not to do something, strangely, it was her nature to become curious about it. He didn't want to make her conscious of Philip.
"…No. Let them meet naturally. Don't let her have questions."
"I will do as you have asked."
For a second, Jerome's thoughts went to the events that took place in the western pagoda. There was no workers left in the mansion that had personally seen the events that took place. Except one person. And that one person was Philip, the family doctor. He didn't know why those thoughts suddenly came to mind but he thought to somewhat tell his master of it.
"Your Grace, the other day, her Grace had asked why the west tower was locked."
Hugo's eyes immediately sharpened.
"So?"
"I told her truthfully what I knew. I told her the former duke and duchess died, and that your Grace's twin brother… my apologies. I had judged that it was okay for the Madame to know. I was thoughtless."
"…No. It is something she'll learn of anyways. What did she say after she heard that?"
"She were a little surprised, but she was more worried about your Grace."
"…"
Hugo stood up from his seat.
"I will be going out for a horse ride so don't prepare dinner. I may be quite late."
Jerome bowed in answer to the duke and waited as the duke went past him and out then he lifted his head with a grim expression.
'What of a gift for her Grace…'
It was definitely not the right mood to ask. On the surface, the Duke was no different from usual but after Philip went in and came out, he felt like the atmosphere had become pricklier. He immersed himself in his thoughts for a bit then shook his head. It was not the right behavior of a steward to dig into matter which his master hadn't told him to.
"Then…as a present for her Grace…how does a flower sound?"
Translator's Corner:
(1.) It says Hugo has a sister for sure but… >.> the wording is throwing me off, I wish Koreans used more commas.