# 63
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“Vivi, this letter is from Duke Roger. Was there anything in it for the Grand Duke?”
“For the master? No, there was nothing in it. The letter was only addressed to you, that’s all.”
"truly…?"
I tilted my head as I looked at the message.
Typically, when someone invites a married person, especially for something other than a ladies' salon or tea party, it is customary to invite husband and wife.
However, there was no mention of Ian anywhere in the letter from Duke Roger. In other words, the Duke had invited me alone to his house.
'Of course, it's not like it's completely off limits, so it's not a big deal, but…'
However, it was strange for someone as close to the Emperor as Duke Roger to send such a message. I put the letter down and rolled my eyes.
'Lunch, huh…'
After a few seconds of thought, I shrugged lightly.
'Well, lunch isn't so bad.'
If an unmarried duke and a married duchess dined alone at a state dinner, this could become a topic of conversation.
But lunch was something even friends could enjoy casually.
Although rare, it occasionally occurred among nobles.
After making my decision, I told Vivi.
“Please pack some good stationery.”
❖ ❖ ❖
“I think I'll visit Duke Roger's estate next week.”
I mentioned it casually over breakfast the next day. Ian, who was chopping his food, suddenly stopped.
“…Duke Haydn Roger?”
“Yes, he invited me to lunch.”
“Duke Roger...”
Ian muttered to himf as he took a sip of water, then put the cup down.
“I didn’t think you had any connection to Duke Hayden Roger.”
“Oh, I ran into him recently, and he mentioned that he wanted to invite me for a meal.”
I replied nonchalantly and picked up my fork again.
As I was slowly cutting the tomatoes, I noticed Ian's gaze at me and looked up. He looked at me with narrowed eyes.
'What's up with that expression?'
Although his face showed little emotion, it looked like the word “Dissatisfied” was written in large letters on his forehead.
'Are they not on good terms...?'
As if reading my thoughts, Ian turned around and began chopping his food again.
“I haven’t had a good relationship with Duke Roger since childhood. His family, among the Emperor’s faction, has a particularly hardline attitude.”
"Yes."
A small sound of realization escaped me. Within the empire, there were nobles who supported the emperor, but they were divided into two groups: moderates and extremists.
The moderates simply sought to give more power to the Emperor and his sister the Princess, while the hardliners wanted to exile Ian outside the capital to ensure that he could not interfere in political affairs.
‘And since the former Duke Roger made his son a childhood friend of the Emperor…’
He must have had important connections with Ian, who was once a prince.
“So, when you say you weren't on good terms...”
“Despite His Majesty’s affection for me, my mother threatened the Emperor’s safety several times when he was the Crown Prince.”
Of course, Eliseo had a past where he had narrowly escaped death several times due to the concubine. If Duke Roger had been close to the Emperor since childhood, he would have known it better than anyone else.
“Ah, I haven't thought about it much.”
My knife slowed as I continued slicing the tomatoes.
'Wait, is that why you only invited me?'
Suddenly, it made sense for someone as influential as Duke Hayden Roger to send such a message.
‘But in this case, shouldn’t he also keep his distance from the Grand Duchess…?’
Now that I think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Why is he inviting me? There was nothing to be gained by inviting the Emperor Li faction.
I stared at the half-cut tomatoes, then quietly put down my fork and knife.
“Um… Your Highness.”
"Yes."
“If this bothers you, I can still decline the invitation...”
I stopped talking, and glanced at Ian.
He too had slowed his chopping and was now looking at me intently.
“No, it's just that you said that you're not on good terms with him, and the fact that I was invited alone is a bit annoying. After all, I'm still the Grand Duchess.”
“Should I refuse?”
As she looked at him, his facial expression changed slightly.
“You're still the Grand Duchess, as you say...”
He mumbled something, but the soft music playing in the dining hall drowned out his words.
'What now?' What's the problem this time?'
Finally, he put down his tools and took another sip of water.
After a short pause, he spoke, his reaction slower than usual.
“No, if the Duke invites you, I’m sure he has his reasons. It’s okay to go.”
“Are you sure it's okay?”
"…Yes."
It was a strangely hesitant response.
❖ ❖ ❖
The day I was going to meet Duke Roger had been busy since the morning.
"Ma'am! You can't lose this!"
For some reason, Vivi seemed to think I was going to duel someone.
“It's just a meal.”
“But didn’t you say that Duke Roger is not on good terms with the master? You must show the dignity of the Grand Duchess!”
While she was busy dressing me, insisting that I show my authority, I had nothing left to say.
The dress Vivi chose, saying I needed to show my dignity, was a going-out gown, purple with layers of lace that swung elegantly at the ankles. It was the perfect combination of glamor and solemnity – conveying the message perfectly: “I am a noble woman.”
Fifi finally forced me to wear a hat, and I headed downstairs. The carriage was already waiting for me in front of the lobby. But it wasn't just the cart alone.
'...Why is he here?'
Ian was standing there, hands behind his back. Is he going somewhere? He didn't appear to be properly dressed to go out.
While I hid my confusion, I gracefully descended the stairs.
When Ian noticed my presence, he turned his head towards me. He looked me up and down, from head to toe, before his eyebrows narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable.
“Do you have plans today?” I asked as I descended half the stairs.
He looked up to meet my gaze.
“No,” Ian said, shaking his head slowly, then pausing briefly before continuing, “I'm here to say goodbye.”
"…What?"
I almost tripped on the last step. The main hall was surrounded by awkward silence.
I stood there with my mouth open, my thoughts jumbled, while Ian kept his mouth tightly shut.
'Wait, what was on the breakfast menu today...?'
I seriously considered whether I had eaten something strange, but nothing occurred to me. There was nothing wrong with the food, so why did this happen?
While I was lost in thought, Ian extended his hand.
“I will accompany you to the carriage.”
I stared at his pale, gloved hand before awkwardly placing my hand in his.
Although I had taught him how to accompany someone many times, I never imagined that he would willingly offer to say goodbye to me like this.
'Does it really bother him that I'm meeting a gentleman with whom he doesn't have a good relationship?'
This faint suspicion made me look at him curiously.
Ian noticed my look, turned his head and looked at me.
“Is there something you would like to say?”
“Does this bother you?”
“…There is no reason for me to be concerned about your social activities, even if your companion is Duke Roger.”
If it didn't bother him, why was his explanation so long?
“However...”
He added after a short hesitation
"It would be wise to remain careful. He is an unpredictable person."
Contrary to my impression of him as a polite person, Ian seemed very wary of Duke Roger.
'Maybe it's different than I thought?'
Since Ian had been opposed to him since childhood, it was not surprising that his view of the Duke differed from mine.
'However, it's surprising that he let me go.'
I narrowed my eyes briefly before smiling softly.
“Don't worry, it's just a meal.”
For some reason, Ian didn't answer.
He silently walked me to the carriage, and after a long moment, he slowly released my hand.
“I don't have any work today, so let's have dinner together.”
It sounded like a warning to come back before dinner.