Chapter 317
* * *
Itâs cold.
It was a good thing she had been drinking the head maidâs homemade lemon honey tea and Jessieâs ginger tea every single day.
âOtherwise, I mightâve entered the capital sniffling with a runny nose.â
As Nina pulled her coat tighter against the arctic-level cold, Ash opened his arms.
It meant she should hurry into his embrace.
As if by habit, Nina pressed herself right against his waist as he spread his arms.
It was far too cold to maintain the dignity and decorum of a Duchess, and her husbandâs embrace was warm.
He had offered her his arms like this throughout the entire journey.
At first, even the attendants had been startled every time they saw it, but perhaps they had gotten used to it, because now they all simply took it in stride as they unpacked the luggage.
A few even smiled, looking pleased.
âIs this what they call a world of differenceâŚ?â
On the last trip to the capital, she had been worried Ash might leave her behind at the Imperial Palace and stay somewhere else on his own.
Now, there was no need for that kind of worry.
Her husband had somehow turned into an excellent little cling-on.
âThe wind is cold. We should get inside quickly before you catch a cold.â
This was House Bayernâs villa.
When Ash led her inside, the villa servants stiffened as though they couldnât believe what they were seeing.
If they moved, they moved separately.
There had never been an occasion for the Duke and Duchess Bayern to visit the villa âtogetherâ.
And for him to be looking at her with such affectionate eyes, of all things.
Rumors had been going around that their relationship had improved after the Duchess gained distinction, but no one had imagined they had grown this close.
The villa servants followed after them with faces that looked unable to tell whether they were dreaming or awake.
âHow many servants are currently managing the villa?â
As Nina stepped into the drawing room, she turned and asked, and the elderly butler answered respectfully.
âIncluding myself, there are six in total.â
âThe boxes wrapped in silver silk are gift desserts, so store them somewhere cool.â
âYes, Madam.â
âAnd as for the desserts packed in paper boxes, make sure each of you takes one.â
ââŚPardon?â
âItâll soon be the new year, wonât it? Itâs only a small gift, so donât feel burdened by it, just share it with your families.â
âTh-Thank you!â
Nina smiled warmly at the people, who had begun to stir with touched expressions.
The servants and attendants of the ducal residence had already eaten plenty back home.
She had asked the kitchen staff to make them in generous quantities.
Although the servants here had been hired in the capital, so they couldnât really be considered part of House Bayern, one should still be generous when the occasion called for it.
One shouldnât be stingy with food.
Since they had been made bite-sized, as long as a person didnât dislike sweets, most people would be able to eat them without any pressure.
âIt would be nice if they suited Marquis Belmoreâs and Marchioness Lambertâs tastes tooâŚâ
She still hadnât heard any feedback, but judging by peopleâs reactions, it seemed alright to expect a good response.
* * *
The carriage of House Nord came to a stop in front of the Imperial Palace.
Rebecca stepped down from the carriage while holding the hand of an escort knight.
Ordinarily, the husband got out of the carriage first and then escorted his wife.
The fact that she had been escorted by a knight meant she hadnât come with her husband.
Because of Marquis Crewe, no one could speak openly about it, but perhaps because rumors had long circulated that the relationship between Duke and Duchess Nord was no longer what it used to be.
A strange gleam passed through the eyes of the nobles, including the attendants of the Imperial Palace.
ââŚYour Grace, allow me to escort you to a private room.â
âThat wonât be necessary. I came to the palace today to see my maternal grandfather, so escort me to his office.â
âYes, Your Grace.â
If she had her way, she would unpack in the Garnet Room.
Even being in the same space as her husband, who was probably back at the villa drinking himself senseless in that state, was repulsive.
His eyes dulled by months of indulgent living, his skin gone reddish, and the belly fat stretched tight across him.
But unless she meant to announce to the whole world that they slept in separate rooms, she would have to return to the villa.
Rebecca moved forward, biting the inside of her mouth to suppress the anger rising in her.
After her maternal grandfatherâs harsh rebuke, the gulf between husband and wife, which had grown so deep it couldnât be reversed, still couldnât be bridged.
Cajoling and soothing only worked for a day or two.
She had long since grown sick and tired of a husband who drank himself into a stupor with courtesans tucked around him every other day and neglected his official duties.
She had abandoned the thought of persuading her husband or narrowing the distance between them long ago.
For that, her pride was far too high.
Once, she had believed that even if her husband was greedy and incompetent, at least he wouldnât fool around with other women outside.
âLook over there. Your husband is âonce againâ pestering another woman.â
For a brief moment, she felt a brutal sense of defeat at the reality that had turned out just as Nina Bayern had mocked.
Before she knew it, she had arrived at the Minister of Financeâs office.
