Chapter 23: Going to a Social Gathering Alone.

It was the morning of the third day after we returned to the capital.

Cedric had left for the academy at dawn, while I stayed at the ducal residence preparing for today’s tea party.
More than a month had passed since the deaths of my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law, and daily life was finally settling again.

No, “settling again” wasn’t quite right.
A completely new daily life had begun.

I was now, undeniably, the Duchess of House Gilbert.
I felt the full weight of that title as I chose my dress.

“How about this one, my lady?”

The maid held up a deep navy gown embroidered with delicate gold thread.
Elegant without being flashy, perfectly suited to a duchess.

“Yes, that will do.”

While the maids helped me change, I thought about the gathering.
Cedric had classes, so I would be attending alone.
To be honest, the idea made me a little gloomy.

(Going to a social event by myself…)

But this was part of a duchess’s duties.
There was no avoiding it.

Hair pinned up, understated jewelry.
The woman in the mirror certainly looked the part of a duchess,
at least on the surface.

When I arrived at the venue, many nobles were already present.
It wasn’t as grand like the last party hosted by the late duke and duchess; the hall was smaller, and most faces were familiar.

Today, with no royalty present, I held the highest rank.
Which also meant I was the center of attention.

“Lady Amelia, it’s been too long.”

The first to approach was Countess Harton, a regular on the social scene, somewhere in her fifties.
Her smile seemed kind, but her eyes held a calculating glint.

“Good afternoon, Countess Harton.”

I returned an equally practiced smile.
I’d long since mastered the perfect noble lady’s expression.

“We were all so sorry about the former Duke and Duchess Gilbert.”

Her face was the picture of concern,
but I could sense the ulterior motive lurking beneath.

“Thank you for your kind words. Though sudden, the succession has been smoothly completed.”

“Oh my, already? In just over a month?”

She sounded surprised,
but it wasn’t pure surprise. There was suspicion mixed in.

“My husband Cedric is quite capable. He managed everything flawlessly while still attending the academy.”

I kept my smile steady.

Then a voice came from another direction.

“But he’s only eighteen, isn’t he? Taking over a ducal house while still a student must be terribly difficult.”

A slightly plump man in his forties grinned at me.

“He is young, yes, but that youth allows him flexibility. The territories are running smoothly.”

I brushed it off lightly.
They didn’t back down.

“I seem to recall, Lady Amelia, that you were… quite popular with gentlemen in the past.”

Countess Harton covered her mouth theatrically.

(Here it comes…)

They were dragging up the old rumors.
The villainess Amelia’s bad reputation still hadn’t died.

“Yes, I’m ashamed of my past behavior. But now, as duchess, I strive to conduct myself without bringing shame to the house.”

I answered calmly.
Losing my temper would be a loss.

If I snapped, the rumors would become “The Duchess of Gilbert has a temper” or “She has a difficult personality,”
and that would reflect badly on Cedric.

(I can’t let anything tarnish my favorite!)

So I kept smiling.
I kept the flawless mask in place.

“But supporting a ducal house is no small feat, is it?”

This time it was a baroness in her late thirties, the type who lived for gossip.

“Especially after the previous lord and lady passed so suddenly… Are you certain everything has truly been settled?”

“There is no cause for worry. My husband has already completed the transition perfectly.”

I straightened proudly, almost boasting about my favorite.

Though calling my favorite “husband” still felt a little strange.

“Paperwork, staff management, territory inspections, everything is proceeding without issue.”

“My, really?”

“Yes. In fact, I consider it fortunate for House Gilbert that someone so young has become duke.”

I pressed on.

“Think about it. Cedric is only eighteen. He can lead the house for decades to come. And he maintains the top rank at the academy while handling ducal duties. You won’t find many heads of house that capable.”

The surrounding nobles fell momentarily silent.
They couldn’t argue,
because Cedric’s excellence was undeniable.

“Moreover,”

I continued,

“A young lord means adaptability to the new era. He isn’t bound by outdated customs and can manage the estate efficiently. In just this past month, he has already improved tax revenue in the territories and earned the trust of the people.”

The previous duke hadn’t exactly been a benevolent ruler.
He had focused only on expanding the domain and increasing revenue for the family.
Cedric had fixed that almost immediately.

“I… I see…”

Countess Harton faltered slightly.

(Heh, take that.)

I felt a small surge of triumph inside.
Getting to brag about how amazing my favorite is? The best feeling ever.

“By the way, how are things in your territories? I’ve heard monster attacks have increased recently.”

I smoothly changed the subject.
The Gilbert house topic was closed.

“Oh, yes, it’s been dreadful…”

Countess Harton took the bait, and from there the conversation drifted to territories, monsters, and capital gossip.
I nodded in all the right places and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

(I managed to get through it, somehow…)

But I was exhausted.
Attending social events alone really was draining.
It would have been so much easier with Cedric beside me.

(I’ll have to get used to it, though.)

If we’re going to divorce someday, I need to be able to stand on my own.
Better to start practicing now.

After chatting a while longer, I excused myself.

“I’ll just step out to freshen up.”

I left the hall and walked down the corridor, taking a deep breath.

(I’m so tired…)

I wanted nothing more than to lean against the wall, but a duchess couldn’t be seen looking that pathetic.

As I walked, I noticed a door slightly ajar.
Voices drifted out, four male nobles deep in conversation.

I meant to pass by, but the words stopped me cold.

“So the Gilbert succession really is complete.”

“Yes, I was shocked. To finish in just over a month.”

They were talking about Cedric.

I slipped into the shadow and listened.

(Eavesdropping is wrong, but…)

I couldn’t help it.

“With the previous duke and duchess dying so suddenly in that accident, and him handling it all at his age, impressive.”

“He’s top of his class at the academy too.”

“Very promising future. House Gilbert is secure.”

They’re praising him…!

I almost did a little victory dance inside.

(Exactly! Cedric is amazing!)

When people recognize how wonderful my favorite is, it makes me happier than if they praised me.

But then,

“Such a shame, though.”

My blood ran cold.

“That he’s already married.”

My shoulders twitched.

“Right? If he were single, I would have offered my daughter in a heartbeat.”

“Same here.”

“A connection to House Gilbert through marriage would be ideal…”

They were fantasizing about marrying their daughters to Cedric.
That much was understandable; marriage was political currency.

“I heard he was forced into marriage at fifteen, wasn’t he?”

My throat tightened.

“Yes, a political marriage.”

“And to a woman five years older with a questionable reputation, no less.”

“Poor boy. When he was just the unfavored second son it was one thing, but now that he’s duke he could have anyone.”

“He must want to be rid of her, don’t you think?”

My chest squeezed painfully.

(…They’re right.)

I had been forced on him too, but Cedric had been only fifteen when he was suddenly married off,
to an older woman with a terrible reputation.
It was only natural people would think that.

“There’s always the option of a second wife. If the first were to step aside…”

They grew excited imagining their daughters in my place.

I quietly walked away.
I couldn’t bear to listen anymore.
My heart hurt too much.

(Maybe… it really is time.)

As I walked the corridor, the thought settled heavily settled.

Those men were right.
In the original game, I was the poisonous wife, the villainess who was executed.
That won’t happen now,
our relationship is good, we’re happy together, and I never embezzled funds, the main reason for the execution ending.

But still,

(If I think about Cedric’s happiness, divorce might be best.)

There must be someone far more suitable for him.
A girl his age, pure, untainted by scandal.
Someone like the game’s heroine.

Someone far better matched than me.

(I’ll talk to him tonight when he gets home.)

The decision sentenceless.)

The decision hurt,
like my heart was being crushed in a vise.

But,

(It’s fine. Being married to my favorite for three whole years is already the greatest reward.)

I told myself.

Normally, marrying your ultimate bias is impossible.
He’s supposed to stay on the other side of the screen.
Getting to be his wife in real life was a miracle.

Three years of eating breakfast together,
waiting for him to come home,
spending nights side by side,
that alone was more happiness than I ever deserved.

(This much is nothing.)

I took a deep breath to steady myself,
painted the perfect smile back on my face,
and returned to the venue,

all while thinking about the conversation we would have tonight,
the one that would end everything.