The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 70

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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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Chapter 70
“I’ve thought it before, but Tila, you truly don’t fear those in power.”
Tila blinked her deep blue eyes.
“Is there a reason I should?”
“The Empress is the highest authority in this Empire. And….”
Lauren trailed off. In truth, it wasn’t the Empress who weighed on her mind, but someone else’s gaze. Particularly, Ilita Enbail, who had been mentioned moments before, was also a Countess of marquess lineage. She too was a woman of considerable influence in High Society, far more elevated than Lauren or Tila by birth. Lauren had never learned how to remain composed before such people. Perhaps it stemmed from childhood memories.
Though it was only a single memory, Lauren had never forgotten it. But Tila was different. She too had suffered ostracism—far worse than Lauren, who had fled halfway through—yet she paid no mind to Ilita Enbail or the other noble ladies. How had she overcome it? My violet eyes gazed steadily into Tila’s, then fell toward the teacup.
“Power and strength—such things don’t matter.”
Tila spoke gently, but Lauren found herself unable to lift her head. She didn’t want to reveal that she remained bound by that distant past, unable to take even a single step forward.
“I think it’s better to trust yourself than to concern yourself with others’ eyes.”
Tila seemed to have sensed what Lauren wanted to say. Though she had mentioned the Empress as an example, it wasn’t the Empress whom Lauren feared. I slowly lifted my eyes and turned my gaze toward Tila.
She’s perceptive, Lauren thought to herself. Tila’s words were right.
“Do you know? My husband now—he’s someone I chose.”
Tila’s eyes sparkled brilliantly. When she first saw him working at the Harbor in childhood, she thought that with him, she could find happiness. Her parents, steeped in the deeply rooted aristocratic society, had warned her that marriage to a commoner would be difficult, but it seemed Tila’s stubbornness could not be broken.
“And I’m living according to my own will.”
Of course, people had gossiped about her marriage to a commoner, but Tila smiled with a gentle face, saying she never regretted it. There had been hardships, certainly, but she was far happier because of it. And, Tila continued. There was not a trace of hesitation in her eyes as she looked at Lauren.
“After all, those who dislike me will dislike me no matter what I do.”
Tila’s words were flawless. She set down her teacup and smiled softly at Lauren. In the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window, she seemed to shimmer and glow. Did people with unwavering faith in themselves shine like that? Then how must I appear? Lauren lowered her gaze and bit her lip.
Aster had called me a strong person. But in my own estimation, I was anything but strong. I was merely trying to become strong. True strength—perhaps it referred to people like Tila.
Until now, I had been swayed by every glance from others. Perhaps it was wrong from the start to seek everyone’s favor. There was no need to read others’ expressions or anxiously chase their approval. I slowly straightened my posture. As I lifted my head, our eyes met.
“Did I perhaps say something that made you uncomfortable?”
Tila, who had been speaking freely without distinction between what should and shouldn’t be said, now examined Lauren carefully with concern.
“It may sound strange, but I don’t want to be disliked by the Duchess.”
“No. Thank you, Tila. You’ve been a tremendous help.”
Lauren bowed her head and expressed her gratitude to Tila. It was no lie. Her words had made me think that if I had faith in myself, perhaps I needn’t be so excessively concerned with others’ gazes. Of course, considering how I’d lived thus far and my own nature, I couldn’t entirely dismiss such concerns.
Come to think of it, Aster didn’t seem particularly concerned with others’ opinions either.
A faint smile bloomed at the corners of Lauren’s mouth. Tila, who had been watching Lauren’s expression out of fear of being disliked, finally relaxed her eyes and laughed. She then patted her chest in relief. And as if eager to change the subject, she withdrew a book from her bag and extended it to Lauren.
“Here, it’s the book I mentioned last time.”
Right, that’s true. The conversation had wandered for a moment, but the purpose of today’s meeting was the cardigan. Following the Winter Gathering, through discussions with the Empress, it had been decided that flat mass-produced items would be handled by Imperial Business, while hand-knitted pieces with patterns would be released by Flagwind. Today’s meeting was to discuss future business plans. Of course, one or two days wouldn’t be sufficient.
Lauren gazed with interest at what Tila offered. It was a booklet made larger than the catalogs of Aloria Dressmaking Studio. She had expected something like an ordinary book, but while much larger, it was quite thin.
“Knitting is usually done by elderly ladies.”
Ah, I see. Lauren nodded. Vision deteriorates with age. My grandmother had worn thick magnifying glasses to read in her later years, so I understood that much. This booklet for elderly ladies was apparently made with large text and illustrations, yet thin enough not to be burdensome.
With careful hands, Lauren opened the book. Illustrations of needles, stitches, and arrows were drawn throughout. And everywhere, incomprehensible symbols as well. When I briefly studied it, there were terms like garter stitch and stockinette stitch, but such words were nowhere to be found here.
Even as I turned pages and examined the book, I understood nothing. Well, I had always been weak in the “accomplishments” expected of noble ladies—embroidery, instruments, and the like. Knitting would be no different.
“I think it would be better to call someone who actually knows how to knit properly rather than rely on my understanding.”
Lauren smiled wryly and rang the bell. The door to the Reception Room opened, and the one who entered was Anna, Lauren’s maidservant. Instead of her usual black servant’s uniform, she wore a lovely pale green dress. Lauren was pleased with her appearance and smiled slightly.
Anna was skilled at knitting. For Lauren, this was truly fortunate. Without her, Lauren could never have worn the cardigan made for her to the gathering, nor could she have brought gifts for the Empress and Imperial Princess.
That’s why I wanted to call Anna to this meeting especially. I felt I must. I spoke with Jasmine and had her prepare separate clothing for Anna. Anna had questioned whether she really needed to change clothes, but for this occasion, she could not be a servant. She had to be a partner in business. That was the courtesy Lauren owed to Anna.
“Say hello, Tila. This is Anna Stewart, the young lady who made the cardigans for me and Her Majesty.”
Anna was a commoner. To the noble lady Tila, Anna attempted to curtsy, spreading her skirt and bending at the waist. But Tila did not accept her greeting. Rising from her seat, Tila unhesitatingly extended her hand to Anna. It was a handshake, the kind male businessmen exchanged.
* * *
Aster Veil Lilywood glanced at Lauren, who spoke with unbridled enthusiasm. Today, she seemed particularly radiant. Her words danced from topic to topic—Tila Flagwind, knitting, cardigans, sweaters. He’d assumed her good mood stemmed from the business succeeding, but it appeared there was more to it than that.
She’d even sought him out in his office to share a drink, which made him wonder if something momentous had occurred.
If she was in good spirits, then so be it. With that thought, Aster brought the glass to his lips and took a sip. As he lowered the cup, he felt Lauren’s gaze upon him. Her eyes, perhaps reddened from the wine, seemed to gleam with an almost sapphire hue. Without realizing it, his grip on the glass tightened.
“…I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
He’d wondered why she was looking at him so intently, but Lauren suddenly bowed her head low. In a small voice, she apologized to him. He didn’t understand the reason. Aster kept his gaze fixed on her and asked briefly.
“It’s just… everything. You rarely tell me no. I’m sorry for that, and grateful.”
His green eyes, which had been studying Lauren intently, rolled downward to the glass she held. The cup, which had been only half-full, was now empty. Ah, she must be intoxicated. A faint smile played at his lips.
“Is that so.”
“It is. The marriage, the newspaper article. And…”
Lauren murmured, pulling forth memories of everything that had transpired. Counting on her fingers one by one, she eventually arrived at today’s events.
“The Estate was already short-handed, yet you allowed Anna to work with me…”
Aster didn’t respond to her words. Instead, he brought the glass to his lips and closed his eyes tightly. Anna remained at the Estate because of Lilywood. Blaze Lilywood had slaughtered her family, and Aster Veil Lilywood had bound her so she couldn’t escape.
Setting those matters aside, Aster was not a kind master to his servants. He was indifferent. He’d made efforts to be cold. He’d seen things and turned away, pretending not to notice. That stemmed from a deep-seated fear within him—the terror of losing people to whom he’d given his heart a second time.
But Lauren was different. She greeted each person with a smile, treated them with gentle words and sincerity. She understood their work and preferences better than anyone else in the Estate. It was something only Lauren could accomplish. That’s why he’d entrusted Anna to her. No—she wasn’t the only one he’d entrusted to her.
Aster felt a slight envy toward Lauren. She accomplished with such ease what he could not.
Perhaps that’s why he’d quietly nodded when Lauren said she wanted to invite people to the Estate, when she spoke of elevating a servant to the position of her business partner. People would find happiness in being with Lauren. Her violet eyes had sparkled as she spoke of being with others.
Lauren, who had been laughing cheerfully, was now dozing off. Weak to alcohol, she’d wanted to converse with him, and they’d clinked glasses to celebrate the successful beginning. Aster watched Lauren leaning against the chair and lifted the corners of his mouth. Then he was startled by the fact that he was smiling. The sensation of a genuine smile—neither a sneer, nor a bitter laugh, nor a hollow one—felt strangely sweet.
His fingertips touched the corner of his lips. Aster immediately bit down on them.
I don’t deserve the right to smile so sincerely.
Yet the fact that this brought him joy—was it because Lauren had made him taste the flavor of this smile once more? His deep green eyes, moving slowly across her peaceful face with its gentle smile, traced every detail.
Aster, about to call Calvin and order him to carry her to her room, clenched the hand he’d raised toward the bell. This much would be acceptable, wouldn’t it? Simply carrying someone who looked exhausted to her room, to her bed. It wasn’t the first time, after all.
Aster approached Lauren slowly and lifted her into his arms. The woman who filled the Estate with her presence like sunlight was surprisingly small and light. He took a deep breath. A sweet fragrance pierced deep into his lungs.
As he prepared to let Lauren go, another name was added to the list of those who would stand by her side. That would be better for her, and for those who would depart with her. Better than guarding this Estate. Moving carefully so as not to wake Lauren, Aster pondered quietly.

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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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