The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Conversation Between the Knight and the Secretary

Despite tossing and turning several times, unable to fall into a peaceful sleep, he rose from his bed in the middle of the night.

During the summer, the room had been pitch dark, but now the faint glow of the coals burning in the brazier provided a dim light source. He relied on this to light the lamp made of magic stones.

The soft red-tinted light illuminated the room, and Marie let out a sigh of relief.

Peering into the kettle on the brazier, he saw that there was still about half the water left, but it seemed a bit too little to brew tea with confidence.

Wrapping a shawl around his shoulders and carefully picking up the kettle wrapped in cloth, he left the room without making a sound.

Using the remaining hot water in the kettle, he brewed tea, and then went to fetch fresh water to heat up again on the brazier.

The Duke’s mansion also had magic stone stoves, but magic stones were expensive consumables, so he had never thought of brewing tea after dinner. Yet now, he could easily obtain hot water with the brazier.

Once, even being able to have a cup of hot water on a cold night was considered quite luxurious, but now such luxuries were taken for granted.

Thinking about how things had changed, he headed towards the kitchen, where a faint light was already on. It seemed someone else was here at this hour.

“Cedric, my lord.”

“Ah, Marie.”

Apparently, he had also come to the kitchen seeking a cup of tea.

Since they often worked together as Melfina’s secretary and knight escort, it was rare for Cedric and him to be alone like this.

Before coming to the Enkar region, he had no contact with the newly appointed knight and the lady’s maid. In fact, it was just before Melfina arrived at the Duke’s mansion that they had their first meeting, as attendants to the bride.

Despite seeing each other every day for eight months in the Enkar region, he found himself at a loss on what to talk about when Melfina wasn’t around.
“No, there was something I wanted to discuss. He probably couldn’t sleep due to lingering thoughts about what happened earlier today, which is why he came out here to catch his breath.”

“…Does Lady Melfina consider divorcing His Grace?”

Marie was slightly surprised that Cedric initiated the topic.

She had thought this strict and earnest knight would dislike discussing his master behind his back.

Initially, when they first arrived in the Enkar region, if Marie had asked the same question, Cedric would have likely insisted that such concerns should be addressed directly with the person in question. Cedric was known for his strict adherence to protocol and his stern demeanor.

…He has certainly changed a lot.

It seemed like the burden he had been carrying on his shoulders had lightened somewhat, allowing him to breathe a little deeper.

I understand because I’m the same way.

Being around Melfina feels comfortable. When she calls my name, laughs, and tries to share her joy, I feel like I’ve become a slightly more valuable person.

Regardless of lineage or personal circumstances, I feel like I can be here as a human being, just as I am, thanks to her.

“From the way she spoke, I don’t think she’s currently considering any changes. There are benefits to being in a marital relationship with His Grace, and Melfina-sama is not someone who would overlook that.”

When they first arrived here, Marie had thought Melfina was just idly enjoying herself and would eventually return to the capital.

Melfina is the Duchess. She came here as a woman who married into the Duke’s household to support its domestic affairs and bear the Duke’s children. Marie had naturally assumed there was no other path for Melfina.

But now, it’s unthinkable to imagine Enkar Village without Melfina.

He had always wanted to be by her side, watching what she would do next.

He looked forward to becoming even closer to the villagers, laughing together, enjoying life, and thinking positively that whatever happens next with the lord will surely be for the best.

There was a hope he had never felt before.

“As a subject, I hesitate to discuss such matters concerning my lord, but neither of you have a track record of marriage. If either of you strongly considers divorce, it could be possible.”

Cedric said heavily, then fell silent, lost in thought.

There was a difference in their positions between himself, who had already left the Duke’s household to serve Melfina personally, and Cedric. While it wasn’t uncommon for soldiers to change the families they served, becoming a knight was a different matter. Except in extreme circumstances, one generally swore lifelong loyalty to the house they once served.

Cedric, too, would have accepted the Oldrand family’s knighthood with such resolve. A man as faithful to the fundamentals of knighthood as he would naturally find the idea of changing his allegiance deeply troubling.

Regardless of the reality, Melfina was nominally Alexis’s wife, and Cedric was the knight entrusted to protect Alexis. Cedric had never seen any contradiction in always being by Melfina’s side, protecting her.

Until Melfina mentioned the possibility of divorce.

“The Church generally does not recognize divorce, and regardless of the circumstances, it seems the Duke and Lady Melfina are currently living together by mutual agreement. If they were to divorce, it would certainly become gossip in society, and Lady Melfina’s family would likely become involved. I don’t believe either of them desires that.”

Marie replied.

Divorce, especially between high-ranking nobles in a political marriage, was not easily attainable. It would require significant wrongdoing by one party or circumstances so extreme—such as Alexis falling in love with another woman or Melfina being sought after as a wife by someone higher than a duke.

The former was unimaginable. Even their half-brother, who had never accepted Melfina as a wife, would not entertain the thought.

Besides, Alexis was busy with internal affairs in summer and monster subjugations in winter, rarely having contact with women.

As for the latter… Marie couldn’t rule it out entirely.

It was clear from Melfina’s appearance with her blonde hair and green eyes that she had strong royal blood. With her status as the daughter of a marquis and that appearance, there would be no hindrance to a marriage alliance with the royal family.

In fact, the Francesca Kingdom had a prince close in age to Melfina. It’s curious why she wasn’t considered a candidate there.

Perhaps it was due to the rumors surrounding Melfina.

Marie thought it was all nonsense. If one were to talk about suspicious lineage, it would be more about herself, acknowledged as the illegitimate child of the Duke’s household, despite her mother being recognized as the wife of a subject.

In any case, Melfina is currently the lord of the Enkar region. I doubt she will have any dealings with Willhelm, the prince of this country.

“Perhaps that’s why Lady Melfina desired to be the lord of the Enkar region.”

Cedric said, shooting a puzzled glance in my direction. I sighed softly as I sipped on the cooling tea.

“Regardless of whether the Duke would eventually demand a divorce from Lady Melfina, it would have left her nowhere to go, whether in Soarasonne or the capital. Her relationship with her family didn’t seem to be going well, and entering a convent might have been her only option.”

To avoid that fate, she took on the impoverished and desolate Enkar region, a land with little value, to become its lord.

When Melfina left the Duke’s mansion, she believed she had no place in Oldrand. That’s why she sought to create a new place for herself.

And that continues to this day.

Even in the dimly lit kitchen illuminated by the magic stone lamp, I could see Cedric looking devastated and pale.

Though we’re always close, I can’t say we’re particularly close colleagues, but I feel a bit sorry for him nonetheless.

I’m not mean enough to ask him directly, but it’s clear from observing him that he’s smitten with Melfina.

If he were to leave Melfina’s side, it would surely leave a huge void in his heart.

I understand because I’m in the same boat.

Even if the day comes when Melfina decides to divorce Alexis and perhaps leave the Enkar region, Marie intends to remain by Melfina’s side.

She wants to watch over her path, support her, and protect her.

For Cedric, choosing that path will surely be very difficult.

“Well then, I should take my leave soon.”

Marie said.

“Ah, yes.”

Cedric replied.

“…I’m sure Lady Melfina will surprise us again tomorrow.”

Marie added.

Cedric chuckled softly, then after a moment, agreed.

“Yes, indeed.”

Every day spent with Melfina is filled with surprises. It’s Marie and Cedric’s role to witness the various feats she accomplishes and lend a hand.

There’s no better seat in the house than this.

Tomorrow, worrying about a distant future that may or may not come will surely feel foolish.

Marie washed the cups used, refilled the kettle with fresh water, and left the kitchen.

“Good night, Sir Cedric.”

“Ah, see you tomorrow.”

Surely, when morning comes and Melfina smiles and greets them with “good morning”, those anxieties will dissipate.

Returning to her room, Marie placed the kettle on the trivet above the brazier and slipped into bed.

Melfina is in the next room. Thinking of that, Marie gradually lost track of what had been troubling her mind so much, and soon, the secretary fell into a deep sleep.