MHR 09

Chapter 9

After finishing my bath, I dressed simply.

Wearing a light linen dress with my hair let down, I headed toward the dining room with a light step.

I was even humming to myself as I entered—then suddenly felt as if the room had gone dark. I blinked several times in disbelief.

“Damon? What brings you here at this hour?”

“In my house, in my dining room, eating with my wife— is that really such a surprising thing?”

“…Not at all. I was simply surprised because I didn’t expect to dine with you. Perhaps the goddess has blessed me today.”

Without the slightest hesitation, I lied smoothly.

“Did you explain the doll design properly? If you’re going to make a doll that resembles me, I’d prefer it wearing armor.”

Thinking how impressively imaginative his misunderstanding was, I turned my gaze to the butler standing nearby.

“Gosling? Begin serving dinner.”

At my command, the butler rang a small silver bell.

Soon, servants entered one after another carrying silver trays filled with food.

Once the perfectly arranged banquet was laid out, Damon rested his chin on one hand, looking faintly bewildered.

“Do you always dine like this?”

“Is something not to your liking?”

“I only ask because it feels overly formal.”

“It’s called order and structure.”

Clarissa had been born in Duke Rackton’s domain and grown up helping with household affairs. She was practically an expert in managing a home.

Right after their marriage, Clarissa had rolled up her sleeves and tried to improve the household—but her efforts had only enraged Damon.

“Clarissa! Why is my house turning into something like the duke’s mansion? Don’t change anything, understand?”

Damon couldn’t stand even the slightest resemblance between his home and Duke Rackton’s.

In the end, Clarissa withdrew from household management. As a result, order and structure collapsed, and things grew messier over time.

Then I appeared.

I began reorganizing everything in my own way.

“There won’t be a single thing similar to Rackton’s banquets. So please, enjoy the meal.”

At my words, Damon reluctantly began eating.

I focused hard on not making eye contact with him, chewing my food mechanically.

I tried my best not to think about how much worse food tasted when eating with Damon instead of alone.

That was the only way to keep my mind at peace.

Don’t think of this as eating in discomfort. I’m the lady of Middletown.

As the meal was nearly finished, Damon finally spoke.

“Since we’re almost done, I should explain why I joined you for dinner. Millan.”

Even though dessert hadn’t even been served, Damon called his personal attendant, apparently already planning to leave.

Millan approached me holding a silver tray. On it lay a white envelope.

“An invitation has arrived, milady.”

“It bears the imperial seal? Good heavens. His Highness Prince Valentin has invited me to a tea party at the palace?”

“Decline it.”

So that was why Damon had so generously deigned to dine with me.

My face reddened as if I’d just been insulted. It felt like that humiliating sensation you get when a boyfriend who’s already lost interest agrees to eat with you—only to ask for something selfish afterward.

What Damon wanted was for me not to meet the Crown Prince—but the unpleasantness I felt was far deeper than that.

Already in a foul mood to the point I could barely taste my food, I pushed back my chair.

I wanted to leave the dining room immediately.

But Damon stood up first.

“Now that you understand, I’ll be going. I’m busy.”

He left the room.

Left alone, I sat frozen for a while.

“M-milady… the dessert…”

“Bring it, Gosling.”

If I didn’t eat the delicious dessert, only I would lose.

And even if I didn’t want to go, if the imperial carriage came to fetch me, there would be no choice anyway.

Who would dare turn away a royal carriage?

“Also, Gosling. Please summon a tailor. I’ll need a dress made.”

After all, I would need something appropriate to wear to an imperial tea party.

Just imagining Damon’s twisted expression when he later heard I’d gone made the pudding taste delightfully sweet.

Finally, the day of the imperial tea party arrived.

Just as I expected, the imperial carriage appeared at the mansion right on time.

Before climbing aboard, fully dressed and prepared, I gave instructions to the butler.

“Gosling? It’s unlikely, but if my husband returns and asks for me, tell him that His Highness sent a carriage and I had no choice but to attend the tea party. Now, I’ll be on my way.”

Lightly stepping into the carriage, I headed toward the palace.

Soon, we passed through the palace gates.

“Welcome, Baroness Craig.”

As I stepped down from the carriage, Valentin himself extended his hand to me.

Not only had he invited me—he’d sent a carriage and even come out to greet me personally.

He must still be very grateful for what happened with the wolves.

After all, if I hadn’t driven them away, he might have been gravely injured after falling from his horse.

And if I hadn’t properly splinted his leg, the injury could have worsened.

“I greet His Highness, the small sun of the empire.”

Taking his hand, I gracefully stepped down.

“You look dazzlingly beautiful today. Why have you hidden your beauty until now?”

Wearing a white dress threaded with gold, I had thought I looked rather radiant—but hearing Valentin praise me made me oddly proud.

“Your compliment is too generous, Your Highness.”

“I’m only speaking the truth. Shall we walk? I came to personally show you the palace gardens.”

“It would be my honor.”

I followed his lead, busy turning my head this way and that to admire the palace.

Everything is so grand and glittering.

As I eagerly took in the splendid scenery, Valentin spoke.

“How have you been? I’ve been worried you might still be shedding tears because of the indifferent Baron Craig.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“I scolded him, you know. It’s unfortunate when someone fails to appreciate what’s precious simply because it’s close to them. Has he become even a little kinder to you?”

Though he likely knew the answer, Valentin looked at me with a hint of expectation.

It was almost as if he wanted me to admit how unhappy my marriage was.

Putting on the expression of a tragic heroine, I answered softly.

“Your Highness, I don’t expect my husband to love me. His heart belongs to him alone. I don’t think I should force him to give it to me.”

Of course, my heart belonged to me as well.

It was precious—something Damon had no right to wound or destroy.

I needed to protect it. And there was only one way to do that.

“I believe continuing to beg for his affection would only torment him. So… I intend to divorce him at the right time.”

“If your husband were anyone but Damon Craig, I would say that is the correct decision.”

Valentin seemed truly regretful—as if divorce would be wise for my happiness, but disastrous for Damon.

“Your Highness, my husband is still popular enough to receive love letters. More young ladies fall for him every day. There are even rumors he has a mistress.”

“A mistress?”

Valentin looked genuinely shocked.

Then he sighed and gazed at me with pity.

“So that’s why you went all the way into the deep forest to bring him food. You were trying your best.”

“Yes, Your Highness. But I’ve realized it’s useless to cling to him any longer.”

Please tell Damon to divorce me already.

I dabbed my eyes with a handkerchief.

“Then how about using me—for the last time?”

At his unexpected suggestion, I lifted my sorrowful gaze.

Valentin’s gray-blue eyes were warm.

“As you know, Baron Craig is possessive. He lives complacently, thinking his beautiful and clever wife already belongs to him.”

“….”

“But if he learned I’ve taken an interest in you, what do you think he would do?”

“He wouldn’t care who I meet.”

“I disagree. I believe he would explode with jealousy and shower you with affection to keep you.”

“I doubt it…”

A bitter smile slipped out before I could stop it. I couldn’t imagine Damon ever acting like that.

“You’ve changed, haven’t you?”

Valentin saw right through my act.

“I’ve only… given up.”

“Let’s say that’s true. It’s unfortunate for the Baron—but I welcome your change of heart.”

His sharp perception sent a chill down my spine.

“I need you. More precisely, I need your abilities.”

“My ability to speak with animals? What would you do with that?”

“I have many enemies. It’s as if the very walls eavesdrop on me—everything I do is reported to the Empress.”

“Are you saying the Empress is acting against you?”

“If she were open about it, I could confront her. Instead, she chips away at my position in secret. It’s exhausting. And I am not someone who only receives favors—I repay them.”

Getting involved in imperial politics was troublesome.

But having Valentin on my side meant power.

I could become a hidden power behind the throne.

His firm gaze suggested this was no mere request.

“If my humble ability can be of use to you, it would be an honor…”

I let my words trail off, making it clear I had conditions.

“Is something troubling you?”

“I would need Your Highness to trust me completely. Even if I relay what the Empress’s pets say, there’s no way to verify it.”

“You mean like being swayed by a mistress’s words?”

“….”

“I refuse to be swayed. But if it’s your words, I will listen.”

His gaze was steady and resolute.

How lonely must he have been to place such trust in someone he met only days ago?

Surrounded by enemies, he must have felt utterly alone.

Perhaps I reminded him of his late mother, the former Empress—a tragic woman who only wanted her husband’s love.

If so, this was my chance.

“Your Highness, you said you would listen to me. Then may I commit one small act of rudeness and ask you to hear me out?”