Chapter 76

 

“Well, I don’t think he’s the impulsive type. He might want to take his time and observe.”

 

“What are you talking about, Dame Iona? Are you saying you have been waiting this whole time?”

 

“What else should I do but wait?”

 

“Then, if you miss your chance, who will be responsible? Although it seems the Duke is quite smitten with you right now, you can’t be at ease until he formally proposes! You never know when or how a man’s heart will change.”

 

Erna hit the table with an excited face.

 

Overwhelmed by Erna’s forcefulness, Iona was momentarily at a loss for words.

 

Even Claudia, who was sitting next to her, nodded in agreement, as if she couldn’t refute the statement.

 

“I had a feeling you weren’t interested in gathering other suitors... Ah, that’s probably why the Duke doesn’t feel threatened either.”

 

Erna, who sighed in frustration, continued as if admonishing Iona.

 

“Dame Iona, the next time you attend a ball, dance with other gentlemen. If rumors spread about another suitor, the Duke might get restless, right? Nothing stirs up tension like jealousy.”

 

Dance with another gentleman?

 

Iona involuntarily recalled a letter from Richard.

 

Would attending a ball with another man be enough to provoke jealousy?

 

‘Both men probably have other plans. Not that they would be jealous.’

 

She chuckled inwardly at the absurdity of her thoughts.

 

Meanwhile, Claudia and Erna continued their heated discussion.

 

“It is not wrong. I know of cases where men, believed to be on the verge of proposing, backtracked at the last moment. Although I don’t believe the Duke is like that...”

 

“My sister went through that. He confessed his love, acting like he’d bring her the stars, but then suddenly said it wasn’t the right time for marriage. Not long after, he proposed to one of her friends.”

 

“Oh my, isn’t that just too cruel?”

 

“Once it happens, it’s too late. Until the outcome is certain, no one can be sure if they’re ‘that kind of person.’ Can you imagine how shocking it is to see a man who showered you with gifts and flowers, now courting another woman?”

 

It certainly seemed to be more common than Iona had thought.

 

As Claudia and Erna’s voices grew louder, other ladies joined in, sharing their experiences.

 

For the married ones, it usually ended with them boasting about their husbands, but their opinions on past suitors were brutally honest.

 

As Iona listened to various tales of trashy men, her trust in the creature called man began to waver.

 

While she didn’t see Leroy in that light, there was always this underlying fear that he might fancy another woman.

 

Iona opened her mouth with a rare expression of lack of confidence.

 

“Isn’t there another way, aside from jealousy?”

 

“Another way?”

 

“I mean... to make him feel tense.”

 

After hesitating, Iona concluded her words.

 

Erna and Claudia simultaneously covered their mouths and looked at each other.

 

For the first time, they felt a connection. The knight, who had always acted so rigidly, now seemed utterly endearing as she pined like a lovestruck girl.

 

Tossing aside their unused sewing bags, they immediately put their heads together.

 

“Hmm, though we might not know much about the Duke personally, we can certainly share some general romantic advice,” Erna began.

 

“... And I’ll correct any of Erna’s excessive suggestions to keep them sensible,” Claudia added.

 

Together, they formed a surprisingly solid team.

 

Iona pretended not to care, rummaging through her handbag, but she discreetly listened to the two.

 

After much contemplation, Erna began to list potential strategies.

 

“How about remembering his interests and giving him small gifts from time to time?”

 

She had already offered her entire fortune.

 

“Find out what his ideal type is and dress or act accordingly.”

 

Even after being married for over 10 years, she didn’t know what kind of woman he liked.

 

“It’s not a bad thing to have a little skinship. Like, brushing against his arm lightly when you dance.”

 

She had lied about not knowing how to dance, which now eliminated the chance of casual touches.

 

All the methods were difficult for Iona. Either she had already done too much, lacked information, or missed the right moment.

 

Desperately seeking a solution, Iona took out a crumpled handkerchief from her sewing bag.

 

“How about a handmade gift?”

 

Both young women’s eyes twitched as they looked at the item in Iona’s hand.

 

Though they hadn’t known each other for long, seeing that distorted lion design for over a month had already been nerve-wracking.

 

They never imagined that the intended gift would be for the Duke.

 

Instead of Erna, who turned her head away, Claudia cautiously stepped forward.

 

“Have you been practicing at home?”

 

“Whenever I find the time.”

 

Iona proudly replied to the sudden question, mentioning she had plenty of time to refine her sewing skills during the lengthy carriage journey. She then pulled out a practice scrap of fabric from her bag as if offering it for inspection.

 

Claudia peered into the bag with anxious eyes. There it was, one distorted raccoon, two raccoons, no, ten…

 

Without realizing, Claudia reached out and grabbed the fabric.

 

“Well, the gift doesn’t necessarily have to be a handkerchief,” she started, trying to smile.

 

“But usually, don’t you give your lover something you’ve embroidered yourself?”

 

Iona confessed in a clear voice that she’d always wanted to try that at least once.

 

Seeing the genuine look in Iona’s eyes, Claudia couldn’t bring herself to say, ‘Never gift something that could make the recipient suspect malicious intent.’

 

After contemplating for a moment with her eyes closed, Claudia finally made a difficult decision.

 

“Well, Dame Iona.  It’s not that your skills are lacking, but... it’s quite challenging for beginners to match the expertise of a professional. You understand that, right?”

 

“I did think that my work might be somewhat lacking.”

 

Claudia’s eyebrows twitched in an instant.

 

“...Somewhat? Uh... No, no, I’m relieved we’re on the same page. In any case, since it’s a gift, I think it would be best if it were finished more elegantly. Would it be okay if Erna and I helped a bit in completing it? I mean, just a tiny bit.”

 

Iona thought for a moment.

 

The messy, tangled back of the embroidery was already bothering her.

 

Both Claudia and Erna seemed skilled in sewing, perhaps they could enhance the quality of her gift.

 

She hesitated at the idea of resorting to shortcuts, but her desire to give Leroy something better prevailed.

 

Having made up her mind, Iona gave a slight nod.

 

“Then, I’ll be in your help.”

 

“You made a good decision! Dame Iona, please take a short break outside.”

 

Erna, with a cheerful voice as if she had been waiting for this, chimed in.

 

Before Iona could ask why, Claudia continued to urge her.

 

“If you stay and watch, it’ll feel like being under examination and might make us uneasy. How about taking a stroll in the courtyard for about thirty minutes?”

 

Caught in the odd situation where everything seemed to be decided without her input, Iona furrowed her brow.

 

However, the suggestion of taking a walk in the courtyard was indeed a welcome one.

 

She had been wondering how to gracefully excuse herself from the room anyway.

 

“...Then, I’ll step outside for a bit.”

 

Eventually, Iona entrusted them with her handkerchief and obediently rose from her seat.

 

Due to guests crowding the reception room, other areas of the mansion were relatively quiet.

 

At a leisurely pace, Iona crossed the empty hallway and stepped out into the backyard.

 

The high walls of the garden ensured solitude, and as expected, it was peacefully quiet.

 

Still, Iona took the time to check between the bushes to make sure no one was lurking, potentially eavesdropping on her.

 

It wasn’t long before Viviana appeared, opening the back door.

 

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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