The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 263

Could he really take this at face value?

If he accepted Duchess Bayern’s proposal, not only would his daughter’s honor be more or less restored, it would also be a great help in reestablishing her place in high society.

But when he thought about what his daughter had gone through because of the Duchess…

He had been a foolish father who had nearly married her off without even knowing that the second son of the Beverley Viscountcy was such a vile man.

Even so, he couldn’t readily trust or forgive the Duchess.

And besides, she had lived all this time having completely forgotten what she had done to his daughter.

Yet the reality that he couldn’t reject the hand of salvation offered by the very one who had caused the harm left Count Bernard’s heart in turmoil.

“Let me read it too.”

As Sophia leaned forward and rose on her toes, he handed her the letter.

“…Will you accept the Duchess’s invitation?”

After swallowing a groan and asking, he watched as Sophia, having finished reading the letter, hesitated for a moment before nodding.

To be honest, it wasn’t that she wasn’t afraid of people’s gossip.

Not long ago, she had broken off her engagement with a tear-streaked face, so unpleasant rumors were probably spreading thickly like smoke.

But if she remained still like this, her situation would only sink endlessly, as if trapped in a swamp.

“Let’s make it clear to Aunt that day. So that she’ll never propose a match like that to me again.”

So for Sophia, there was no reason not to take the hand Duchess Bayern had extended.

* * *

A few days later.

The lingering cold that had stubbornly tormented Ash finally left him.

Having regained his condition, he adjusted his hair and clothes while looking in the mirror, then frowned.

‘My face looks a bit worn.’

He had barely eaten for several days because he had no appetite. Was that the reason?

He looked as though he had lost weight, and his features appeared sharper.

“Honey, are you ready?”

While he was rubbing under his chin with a displeased look, he turned at Nina’s call.

She stood by the door, fully prepared to go out.

“…Won’t you feel stifled dressed like that?”

Nina was completely bundled up.

A winter dress, a white sable fur cape, earmuffs, and gloves.

No matter how he looked at it, it was excessive for early winter.

“Not at all, it’s perfect. You caught a cold just a few days ago, are you really okay dressed like that?”

“I’m fine. I don’t usually feel the cold much.”

“Must be nice.”

Ash let out a small laugh as he looked at her, who had pouted slightly with an envious expression.

For a moment, he found it newly surprising that she was sensitive to the cold.

‘…That’s strange.’

He suddenly tilted his head at a subtle sense of incongruity.

Had his wife always been this sensitive to the cold?

When they had camped, when they had spent nights at the hunting lodge.

It had been cold then, so perhaps that made sense…

But originally, his wife hadn’t layered up this much even in midwinter.

She used to say heavy clothing made her look bulky. Even last year, hadn’t she endured in late autumn dresses, except for a winter coat?

And she had never worn earmuffs when going out, saying they ruined her hair.

He paused, feeling as though he was overlooking something important, but when he saw her standing there with an innocent, guileless gaze, the sense of discomfort vanished as if washed away.

“If the weather is too cold, you may stay home. I can go on the inspection alone.”

After hearing rumors that illegal drugs were circulating in the nearby territory, he had shortened the inspection intervals that had once been more relaxed.

He had given strict instructions to the guard unit and informants, but once drugs seeped in, they took root like mold.

It was a problem that couldn’t be neglected even for a moment.

But that wasn’t the only purpose of today’s inspection.

“If we’re going to hold a charity party, I need to see the condition of the territory too.”

Before a disaster occurred or before a severe cold wave arrived, if a great noble house with significant influence over a region, it was customary to hold a charity party.

Part of the donations raised through the charity party would be offered to the imperial family, and the rest would be used for the region.

Because the effect of enhancing the family’s reputation and strengthening its influence over the surrounding area was greater than expected.

It meant that the time was approaching for House Bayern to hold a charity party, just like House Lambert.

‘A charity party…’

Suddenly, something from around this time last year came to mind.

“…You touched the charity funds because you didn’t have money to spend? Are you in your right mind right now?”

“What’s the problem? Isn’t it more meaningful to use it to maintain my dignity than to donate it to beggars? Instead, look at this dress. Doesn’t it suit me?”

“I’m so dumbfounded I have nothing to say.”

“You’re making such a big deal over spending a little money? If you had given me a more generous allowance, this wouldn’t have happened!”