# 35
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Denswell tried to make casual conversation, but the atmosphere at the table remained heavy.
Evelin, who had expected this incident, wasn't too shocked or confused, but seeing Denswell pretending to be unaffected made her feel uncomfortable.
'There is no wife worse than that'
In the original story, Amelia orchestrates incidents like this to get Evelyn into trouble.
Among the dishes Amelia ordered Dunswell to prepare was crab soup. Without realizing his severe allergy to shellfish, Evelyn prepared the banquet, and Dunswell, who was also unaware, ate the soup and collapsed, turning the evening into chaos.
Not only did Dunswell have an allergic reaction and collapse, but he was also bedridden for two days, missing the equestrian competition.
Evelyn tried to explain that it was written in the note Amelia gave her, but there was no proof. Harry, Amelia's confidante, had already dumped her.
Amelia was always planning and communicating her plans in writing, fearing that the words spoken would be altered or overheard.
However, she always destroyed incriminating papers immediately.
Evelyn's baess explanation was met with accusations of trying to shift the blame onto the Duchess.
Although Dunswell was highly respected, he had already been affected by Amelia's almost brainwashing and viewed Evelyn unfavorably. This incident raised doubts about whether Evelyn was fit to become the future Duchess of Leonok.
'That's why evidence matters.'
Contrary to the original story, Evelyn kept the note, preventing Harry from destroying the evidence. Harry had even looked in her room earlier to check if she had torn it up.
The note was very important.
But Evelyn kept the note intact with her, so Harry couldn't find it, and the note that was supposed to ended up disappearing in front of Dunswell.
Evelyn did not miss the twinkle in Dunswell's eyes. For a while, his faith in Amelia was in a fierce battle with doubt.
She hoped that this incident would make Denswell realize what kind of person his wife really was, but Amelia would likely find a way out of the situation.
'However...this is a satisfactory result.'
Her goal was to clear her name regarding the crab soup and warn Dunswell and Dyffryn about Amelia's true nature.
However, Evelyn felt sorry for the now gloomy Dunswell, and encouraged him by telling stories about her grandfather and the former Duke of Leonnok from the original story.
At first, Dunswell responded coolly, but he soon got lost in the nostalgia and actively continued the conversation.
Evelin was relieved to see him like this.
* * *
After the eventful dinner was over Dunswell, very drunk, returned to his bedroom.
Evelyn spoke to Dyffrin.
"You must have been surprised today. You should get some rest."
“The one who was surprised must have been you.”
Evelin, although stunned, smiled tiredly.
“Yes, that's right. I'll be more careful next time.”
Evelin answered calmly, then looked at Devrin. A sudden curiosity arose.
“…why are you looking at me like that?”
“What do you think would have happened if I had not mentioned crab soup before dinner, and the Duke had collapsed due to his allergies?”
Devrin pondered the unexpected question in silence.
'...What would have happened?'
It would have been an awkward situation. If his father had collapsed due to an allergic reaction, it would have had a chain reaction affecting his responsibilities as a master. The impact will extend to residents, staff and administrators.
Duke Leonok's collapse wasn't just someone being bedridden for a few days.
However, he also believed that there was nothing he could do about an incident he knew nothing about.
Maybe it was his fault for not warning her while she was preparing the meal.
Defrin no longer finds such ideas unfamiliar.
“Is it difficult to answer?”
Evelin continued, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment.
“I would advise you to be more careful next time so that something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Defrin did say that if such an incident occurred, it would be her fault. He couldn't say that. He felt an itch in his throat, preventing him from speaking about his true feelings.
“Is that all?”
“Need I say more?”
Despite his curt response, Evelin smiled as if satisfied.
“No, that's enough.”
Evelyn left the dining room saying:
“I'm tired, so I'll go upstairs first.”
Devrin quickly followed her out of the dining room. At the entrance stood the knight escorting Dunswell.
Defrin asked,
“Where is Mr. Harry?”
“Viscount Galpaci is in the bedroom upstairs. He came up first during the meal.”
Devrin nodded.
“Tell him to come to my office.”
“Yes sir.”
Devrin sat in his office, waiting for Harry. Before the minute hand on the clock had moved several times, someone knocked on the door.
“…Mr. Defrin, this is Harry Galpaci.”
“Come in.”
squeak.
The door opened, and Harry entered, looking worried. He was trying to compose himf, but his guilt prevented him from appearing as relaxed as usual.
He approached the desk where Devrin was sitting, and asked,
“Why did you call me?”
“I wanted to ask what happened earlier.”
Harry swallowed dryly and straightened his back.
“You mean crab soup?”
“Yes. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand why my mother would make such a mistake.”
Devrin looked up at Harry.
“Do you know anything about that?”
Under Devrin's piercing gaze, Harry bit his lip slightly. But he couldn't back down now. To do so would destroy not only himf but his children as well.
“…I think it is just a mistake. Considering how much the Duchess cares about Duke Leonok and the Duke’s palace, such suspicions seem inappropriate.”
Harry mustered all his courage to answer Dyffryn, whose mere glance was capable of turning him into an ice statue.
Dyffrin tapped his fingers gently on the desk.
“Well, you're not entirely wrong.”
“Thank you for understanding my honest advice.”
“But, Master Harry.”
At the low call, Harry responded nervously.
"Yes."
“A mistake happens once, but if it happens a second time, it won't end with just suspicion.”
“You can go.”
Harry bowed respectfully and left the office.
Left alone, Dyffrin relaxed his body and leaned back in the comfortable chair.
He felt his mouth constrict, as if he had eaten an unripe fruit, due to unpleasant doubts.
He didn't want to believe that Amelia did this on purpose. But this was just his wish.
He had a hunch that the truth might be close to the dark scenarios he imagined.
Why?
What would his mother gain by hurting his father? If she was planning something big, she would have used a more specific method of sensitivity.
At that moment, Evelin's question flashed in his mind.
“What do you think would have happened if I had not mentioned crab soup before dinner, and the Duke had collapsed due to his allergies?”
In the past, he would have blamed and resented Evelin even more.
He frowned at the thought.
He wondered if his mother would want that.
He knew that his mother did not like Evelin. But to exaggerate to this extent was beyond the scope of understanding.
It was a mystery. There were too many questions and no satisfactory answers, which made him feel suffocated.
However, Defrin decided to put his thoughts aside for the time being.
He couldn't confront his mother about what he insisted was wrong. After all, as Harry said, she had dedicated her life to the House of Duke Leonnok and the Duke himf.
Instead, he told Harry, if such an incident happened again, he would investigate thoroughly to find the cause and assign blame.
Defrin left the office. He saw Merlin heading towards her room after tidying up the dining room.
He had something to ask, Dyffryn called to Merlin.
“Merlin.”
Merlin was surprised by his invitation.
“Yes sir.”
“How is Evelyn’s health these days?”
Wiping her hands on her apron, Merlin responded with a bright face.
"From what I've observed over the past few days, she seems to be much better after taking her medication. The lady also mentioned that she will recover soon."
This news had somewhat alleviated his uncomfortable feelings.
“However, if anything happens, tell me immediately.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Merlin bowed her head. She looked about to leave but hesitated, as if she had something to say.
Noticing this, Defrin spoke first.
“If you have something to say, do it.”
“Uh… I might be going too far, but… I thought it would be good to know.”
Merlin hesitated before continuing.
“Recently, the lady was very happy with the kind way you treated her.”
“I hope your relationship improves... I just want the lady to be happy.”
Dyffrin did not think the maid had overstepped her bounds.
“…Understood. You can go.”
In fact, he found it praiseworthy.