Home/I ended up having a surprise marriage with the male lead/ch 60

Chapter 60

Back home, Flora took a deep breath.

"Phew, phew."

Then she pulled out the envelope she'd kept safe in her bosom.

With trembling hands, she removed the paper inside—and her face instantly split into a grin.

Crazy.

A check stamped with the emblem of one of the Empire's top three banks.

The endless string of zeros was simply beautiful.

She'd been so nervous the entire way back to the estate.

What if this paper, worth more than her own life, fell from her bosom?

What if someone noticed she was carrying such a fortune?

She'd been on edge the whole time—leaving the ducal residence, riding in the carriage.

In the end, Flora had regretted it deeply on the ride back.

Why didn't I bring a guard?!

Of course, she never could have imagined this would happen—but still.

At least she and the check had arrived home safely.

"Hehe."

Just looking at the beautiful check made her smile.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Flora quickly shoved the check into the drawer.

"Come in."

She eyed the person at the door with a wary gaze.

"What's wrong?"

Samuel asked, bewildered at his sister's expression.

"What do you mean? Why did you come in?"

"Oh, I was wondering if I could borrow your book on magical engineering."

"Ah, it's on the third shelf, far left."

"Thanks."

He took the book and was about to leave—but felt a sharp gaze on his back.

Samuel turned around.

His sister was sitting in the chair, looking at him with a crooked expression.

"Something you want to say?"

"Sigh, never mind."

"What...?"

"What's the point when you're that slow?"

"What?"

His sister was picking a fight with him just for looking for a book.

"Nothing. Just close the door on your way out."

Click.

Samuel closed the door and left the room as she'd asked.

He walked down the hallway, tilting his head. Flora had been unusually prickly today.

Did something happen?

It wasn't like she was having a late-blooming puberty or anything.

Lately, Samuel had been incredibly busy.

He was nearly finished developing the most efficient catalyst for extracting magical energy.

Being in the final stretch, he couldn't tear himself away from his research.

He hadn't even had time to read the newspaper, but he didn't mind at all.

Because something even more welcome than the newspaper arrived every week.

Samuel thought of Emilia's letters, always filled with warm encouragement, written in that round handwriting.

He fiddled with his glasses and thought.

Maybe next time we meet, I'll ask if she'd like to have tea outside the residence.

Of course, it wasn't for any ulterior motive—he just wanted to express his gratitude.

Probably.

As he walked down the hall, he spotted his grandfather.

"Ah, Grandfather, about Flora—she's been acting a little strange today..."

But he trailed off upon seeing his grandfather's expression.

"Tch."

His grandfather clicked his tongue in displeasure.

Worse, he was looking at Samuel with the same pitiful gaze his sister had given him.

"What's wrong? Did something happen at home?"

"It's not the house—it's you, you fool."

The Viscount shook his head at his clueless grandson.

"Ah, never mind. No use scratching a scab now. Just focus on your own work."

With that, the Viscount passed Samuel and went into his study.

Left alone, Samuel scratched his head, wondering what that was all about.

---

The Empress tapped the table nervously with her sharp, long nails.

How disappointed her son must have been, thanks to that Duke of Valen's interference.

Aron, who had been looking forward to a new toy, was furious.

She'd done her best to placate him.

Only after promising to hold a grand hunting competition did he finally cheer up.

Where on earth did the information leak from?!

The Empress gnawed at her lip.

She'd turned her underlings inside out, but still couldn't pinpoint the source.

Once she caught that rat, she wouldn't let them off easily.

She turned her gaze to the man kneeling before her.

"So, any new information about that woman?"

"Not yet. I apologize, Your Majesty."

He bowed his head in shame.

The Empress had ordered her agents to investigate the woman who had become the Duchess of Valen.

But all they'd uncovered was that she'd been the bastard child's tutor.

So the Empress had sent invitations through connected noble ladies and young ladies.

But the Duke had kept the woman hidden, refusing to let her appear anywhere.

Even though news of the marriage had spread through high society some time ago.

I need information about that woman.

Of course, her interest wasn't idle curiosity about the Duchess.

A few days after being humiliated by the Duke at the council, her advisor had told her something.

She couldn't just sit back and do nothing—just as she was brooding, her eyes suddenly lit up.

Ah, right.

She commanded the man who was still waiting.

"Summon Selena at once."

---

Selena gazed out the window.

She could see gardeners mowing the lawn and planting flowers, and maids cleaning moss-covered statues overgrown with shrubs.

All of it felt strangely foreign.

Just then, Lucas's voice came from beside her.

"I never expected my message to the Duke to have this kind of result."

"Neither did I..."

Selena murmured softly.

After sending that letter to the Duke of Valen that day—

Selena had braced herself for whatever punishment her mother might mete out.

But even after the council ended the next day, nothing had happened to her.

No heavy footsteps of knights, no furious visit from her mother.

What happened?

Selena was genuinely bewildered.

Lucas, standing guard beside her, also sensed something odd and brought back news from outside.

"So the Duke announced his marriage at the council?"

"Yes, that's what happened."

Selena and Lucas immediately understood the implications.

"Then the child named as the official heir..."

"It must be that child."

Lucas shrugged in agreement.

When she'd sent the message, she'd only expected the Duke to hide the child somewhere.

But I never imagined he'd resolve it this way...

And the Duke's unconventional solution had another unintended effect.

The fallout hadn't landed on Selena.

It made sense.

For a duke—one of the highest-ranking nobles—to marry a commoner was madness.

No one would have expected him to pull such a stunt the very next day after receiving news.

As a result, Selena had naturally fallen out of suspicion.

And my mother was so drunk she probably doesn't remember clearly anyway.

Either way, it was a stroke of luck for Selena.

And the proof that she wasn't under suspicion was unfolding right before her eyes.

She wants me to host a tea party.

The Empress had summoned Selena and ordered her to hold a tea party.

Selena had never hosted a social gathering like a tea party before.

The Empress was taking advantage of that.

It was customary for noble ladies to attend a tea party hosted by a young lady for the first time, unless they were in mourning.

Especially since Selena was an imperial princess.

Even if her actual circumstances were worse than an ordinary noble lady's.

Those invited had no choice but to attend.

Selena thought of the true purpose of this tea party—the Duchess of Valen—and bit her lip.

Will she be alright?

After all, she was surely just a woman who had gotten caught up in this situation by accident.

Back   Next