I Seducing the Black-Hearted Duke Wasn't Me - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 16
“I suppose we simply accepted it when she became a priestess. But to think it would come to this.”
“I know. And of all people, the Jaherlete Marquis…!”
At this casually dropped bombshell, the eyes of the noblewomen and young ladies gathered in the room began to gleam.
“The Marquis may be skilled at business, but he’s hopeless at High Society. All he knows is commerce.”
“I’m sure he thinks of us as nothing but gossips sipping tea. He has no idea how much information flows through these gatherings.”
“A Grand Duchess from such a man…. The Grand Duchess is practically the apex of High Society itself. Of course, a title isn’t everything, but still. I simply cannot accept it.”
“But what does our acceptance matter? What’s important is His Highness’s wishes.”
……
She was right.
For now they could protest that it wasn’t proper, that it was unacceptable—but once the two of them held their ceremony, the matter would be settled.
By then, those same women gossiping now would smile as if they’d never said a word, their tails wagging.
It was simply the way of High Society.
“Speaking of which, Countess Oscar—I heard you’re acquainted with the Jaherlete Marquis? You were classmates at the Academy, I believe?”
Silvia smiled softly and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Oh, if only the Marquis resembled you even a fraction, it might be different.”
“My thoughts exactly. That’s perhaps the only hopeful aspect—that he has someone like you as a close friend, someone known as the ‘paragon of noblewomen.'”
“But do you think the Marquis will actually try to learn? He’s only skilled at marketplace commerce.”
The women tittered in unison.
Then one of them turned to Silvia, who had remained silent throughout.
“But did you know about this, Countess?”
“I… well, that is…”
Taken aback, Silvia covered her lips with her handkerchief and smiled uncomfortably, lowering her lashes and tilting her head with a delicate gesture.
Every refined movement drew the gaze of the women in the room, their eyes full of admiration.
“No, not at all. I heard nothing about it. Which is why I’m rather flustered now.”
“Goodness. She didn’t even tell her own friend? There’s surely something more to this.”
“Absolutely. It’s far too suspicious. Unless she’s with child, there’s no other explanation.”
“Oh, how scandalous.”
The noblewomen and young ladies began to whisper among themselves. Whatever they fabricated would become scandal regardless.
It was a perfectly ordinary tea party scene.
* * *
Inside the rattling carriage.
Silvia, who had kept her lips pressed firmly shut the entire time, bit down on them now.
“…This can’t be real. Of all people—Erna Jaherlete and Bernstein.”
Even now, heading back to the Mansion, her chest felt heavy. Her breathing grew increasingly shallow, her heart pounding wildly.
‘And what of it? The apex of High Society? Erna Jaherlete is supposed to rank above me now?’
In High Society, of all places?
“Never. That cannot happen.”
Silvia’s eyes hardened with resolve—this much she would never concede.
‘I suspected something was wrong when I encountered His Highness at the Marquis’s residence while visiting about Gerold’s matter.’
When the news broke the next day and reports of their relationship followed, she’d felt she might lose her mind.
‘How dare she!’
In High Society, one’s husband’s standing mattered, and one’s birth family’s standing mattered too—but what mattered most was one’s own capabilities.
In that regard, Silvia prided herself on her bloodied efforts.
How hard she’d worked to become the perfect young lady, the perfect noblewoman—hiding her true nature, appearing gentle yet dignified enough not to be dismissed.
As a result, she’d received a Marriage Proposal from the wealthy Oscar, the Count, and ascended to the position of Countess.
All of this was the fruit of her own labor.
But what of Erna Jaherlete?
‘She hasn’t no head for business, I’ll grant her that, but ultimately she’s merely coasting on her parents’ fortune and title—and now she seeks to claim the position of Grand Duchess without lifting a finger.’
It was unfair.
Erna Jaherlete deserved to struggle more.
With these thoughts, Silvia entered the Mansion.
“Ah, Silvia. You’ve returned. I was waiting for you, as it happens.”
“What is it, dear?”
A dignified man appeared from the second floor. Oscar, the Count, greeted her with a broad smile.
At her husband’s welcome, Silvia’s cheeks flushed slightly as she arranged her expression into one of pleasure.
There were a few things that caught her eye—the creases around his mouth, his hair slightly receding.
Yet from his straightforward gaze and gentle smile emanated a distinctive intellectual charm and refined bearing.
And what did age difference matter, after all?
Thanks to his competence, the Count House’s business was thriving, and Silvia enjoyed a far more comfortable life than she had in her father’s home.
She approached the Count with a soft smile.
“You said you were acquainted with the Jaherlete Marquis, didn’t you?”
“Pardon?”
Erna again?
Silvia smoothly relaxed the muscles twitching at the corners of her mouth.
“Ah, yes. Though…”
“How close were you, exactly?”
“We were roommates at the Academy. Erna—or rather, the Marquis—struggled with mingling, so I always looked after her.”
“Is that so? I see.”
The Count’s lips curled upward sharply.
“Well done. See that you stay by the Marquis’s side in the future as well.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I heard from someone who works at the palace that His Majesty is quite serious about this marriage. If the Marquis truly marries the Grand Duke, the Jaherlete Marquis House will acquire enormous power.”
Though, of course, they command considerable influence even now.
The Count chuckled.
But Silvia’s smile had already vanished.
“Is it… truly such a momentous thing?”
“Of course it is. The sole Grand Duke House of the Empire joining with the wealthiest Marquis House in Orden? Everyone will be scrambling to secure their connections.”
“But… Erna is just Erna, after all.”
At Silvia’s cautious protest, the Count studied her in silence for a moment.
Then he sighed absently and ran a hand through his hair.
“Come to think of it, your father used to regard the Jaherlete Marquis with a curious disdain. I assumed it was merely because she was your friend.”
The Count’s eyes gleamed.
“The Jaherlete Marquis is a remarkable woman. At such a young age, she’s built her enterprises brilliantly and established herself as head of the Marquis House—that’s no trivial feat, I assure you.”
……
“She may be young, but there’s much to learn from her. Business management isn’t something everyone can do……”
“High Society activity isn’t something everyone can do either.”
Silvia, who had been silent, finally spoke as his praise for Erna continued.
“There are so many things to consider, and you must read people, discern their intentions… and the information you gain. Do you know how much knowledge can be acquired through High Society activity? The relationships too.”
“At that level of position, people gather on their own without you lifting a finger. And information can always be bought.”
……
“In any case, I’m counting on you, Silvia. In trade circles, there’s hardly a soul who hasn’t borrowed from the Jaherlete.”
The Jaherlete’s financial power was so formidable that it rivaled even that great Grand Duke House.
“I’m fortunate you’re my wife. I get to enjoy your advantages like everyone else. Haha.”
With that, asking her once more to see to it as he winked playfully, the Count turned and departed.
Utterly oblivious to how Silvia’s heart was burning black with barely contained rage.
‘Erna. Erna. Erna! What on earth is so special about her!’
She struggled to maintain any semblance of composure, but failed.
“Aaaaaahhhhh!”
Back in her room, Silvia hurled the handbag she’d been holding onto the carpet.
The servants, startled by such an unbecoming display from the lady of the house, exchanged nervous glances and hastily withdrew.
Though she had maintained the facade of a perfect noblewoman even within these walls, she had no composure left for such pretense now.
It was all because of Erna Jaherlete.
“I must do something. Otherwise…”
Silvia nibbled at her fingernails, murmuring darkly.
The elegant smile she had worn all this time had long since faded.
How much time passed like that?
“Ah, that’s right.”
Her eyes crescent-shaped with sudden inspiration, Silvia pulled the bell cord at once.
“You there.”
“Yes. Is there something you require?”
Now carefully purging the venom from her voice, she called to the maid in measured, cultivated tones.
“Go at once to the Valentine Count Estate and tell Gerold that I wish to see him now. Ah, and—”
“……?”
“Tell him to bring the Ring when he comes. He’ll understand.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Having given her instructions, Silvia turned away.
A cunning smile played at the corners of her mouth.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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