The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 100

Chapter 100. Invitation (2)

Emilia broke the seal on the envelope, took out the letter, and unfolded it.

[We invite Her Highness the Grand Duchess. Please attend and grace the occasion. Lina Carrion.]

A tea party invitation?

The letter was an invitation to a tea party for noble ladies at the marquess’s estate, and the date and time were written at the bottom.

‘Should I ask Louid….’

Emilia fell into thought with a serious expression. Until now, she had never attended a banquet or any event without Louid.

And a party hosted by Lina. It didn’t appeal to her. But….

It’s my first tea party invitation, and I’m the Grand Duchess, so I should attend at least once.

Even if this life as Grand Duchess will end soon, it would be better for Louid if she did her best while she was still in the position.

“Could you reply that I’ll attend the party?”

“Yes, understood. But if you don’t feel up to it, you don’t have to go.”

Helen, who took the letter, answered with a worried expression.

“No, it’s alright. I think it’ll be fine to attend at least once.”

Emilia decided to step into the unfamiliar world of the nobles.

***

“Her Highness the Grand Duchess fell into the river?”

Asher was startled when he heard the news about the Grand Duchess from Damian a few days earlier.

“How is she now?” Asher asked with a serious expression.

“Fortunately, she regained consciousness. His Highness the Grand Duke performed first aid quickly, so there were no serious issues.”

“Ha… that’s a relief.”

At the news that Emilia was safe, Asher closed his eyes tightly and let out the breath he had been holding.

“She fell into the river while riding a boat with Lady Carrion?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Lady Carrion….

For some time now, he’d felt something unsettling about Lady Carrion. Whenever he saw her at banquets or other social gatherings, something felt off. And hadn’t she been present at the recent fire incident as well? It hadn’t even been in the capital.

It felt like there was something about Lina that he didn’t know, but he couldn’t put his finger on it, leaving him uneasy. And now that Emilia had fallen into the water while with her, it made him think even more strangely.

I need to find out why I feel this way.

“Lucian!”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“From now on, if you see Lady Carrion, observe her every move and report to me. Keep an eye on the people around her as well.”

“Yes, understood.”

Damian answered firmly. He had also found Lady Carrion suspicious since she had fallen into the water together with Emilia, so he welcomed the count’s order.

After Damian left, Asher gazed out the window, deep in thought. If necessary, he decided he would even deploy the count’s knights to follow Lina.

***

In the study of Duke Berthe’s estate in the capital, the duke was drinking tea. Though it was expensive tea, it tasted as bitter as poison to him. Not only the tea, but recently all food had lost its flavor.

Staring at the teacup, he pulled the bell cord and called for his aide.

“Did you call for me, Your Grace?”

“How is Simon doing?”

“I heard he went to recuperate due to health issues last time….”

“I know that. Find out where he is recuperating and how his health is.”

“Yes, understood.”

After the aide left, the duke’s face turned cold.

Simon is the only one who saw Damian’s death, and he said he handled the body alone.

Did Damian really die?

When he first heard that Damian had died, he felt relieved, as if a thorn in his side had been removed. But now that he thought about it, there was no one who witnessed Damian’s death except Simon.

If he were alive, His Majesty would’ve taken him as an adopted son….

The thought that he’d lost the chance for his bloodline to become emperor made anger surge within him every day.

‘I should look into Simon.’

If Damian’s death were true, he planned to find a man who resembled Emilia and tell the Emperor he was the grandson he had hidden away.

As for Simon, he could silence him even if it meant killing him. As for Louid, he could get rid of him by using Emilia.

For over ten years, he had tried every possible method to eliminate the Grand Duke, yet failed. The reason was simple. He had never managed to plant a spy among Louid’s closest aides. Now that Emilia was right by the Grand Duke’s side, things had become much easier.

‘I just need to persuade Emilia.’

A vile smile spread across the duke’s face.

***

At that same time, at the Marquess of Carrion’s estate, the marquess and his aide were having a conversation.

“She’s good at swimming, and she still fell into the river?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I heard she fell in together with Her Highness the Grand Duchess while riding a boat.”

“And the Grand Duchess?”

“I heard His Highness the Grand Duke rescued her, and she has recovered.”

“Hm….”

What a pointless thing to do….

The marquess’s plump cheeks twitched. The moment he heard the report, he instinctively knew it was Lina’s doing.

“Call Lina.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

After the aide left, Lina entered the study a short while later.

“You called for me, Father?”

In Lina’s hands was a tray holding a teacup and refreshments. With a bright smile, she set it down on the sofa table.

“Please have some tea, Father.”

At her words, the marquess strode over and sat across from her.

“Lina, what are you thinking, acting on your own like this? If you’re not careful, you’ll get caught.”

The marquess warned her with a frown. Lina immediately understood what he meant.

“Don’t worry, Father. They won’t think it was something I arranged. Her Highness got on the boat of her own accord,” Lina replied shamelessly.

“Then who do you think they’ll suspect? How can you act so openly like this?”

The marquess shot her a warning look. Causing harm directly when it was just the two of them was practically confessing she was the culprit.

“…Yes.”

Lina answered with a bitter expression. She thought he would praise her, but instead he told her not to do it. That wasn’t acceptable to her.

‘Not step forward? I’m close to succeeding.’

Lina muttered inwardly, convinced she had handled the crisis well this time too.

She found the marquess, who had become more cautious than before, frustrating, but outwardly she pretended to obey.

***

That evening, Louid went to Emilia’s bedroom earlier than usual. In his hand was a bottle of wine.

“Oh? You’re early.”

Emilia was just coming out of the dressing room after changing into a nightgown. Her eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

“Mm, I came across a good wine.”

Louid lifted the bottle in one hand.

“Really?”

At the sight of the wine, Emilia’s expression brightened at once, and she licked her lips.

She’s more excited about the wine than about me.

The corners of Louid’s lips lifted on their own.

“I met Asher at the imperial palace, and he told me to give it to you. He said he couldn’t visit you when you fell into the river, so it’s in place of flowers.”

“Oh my, really? Please tell the count I’m grateful.”

“I will.”

Knock, knock.

A servant entered with wine accompaniments. Louid had given the order in advance. Taking the tray, he personally set the wine and snacks on the small round table.

“Come sit here.”

“Yes.”

The two sat facing each other at the small table.

“Wow, it’s delicious.”

After taking a sip of wine, Emilia exclaimed in admiration.

“I see.”

“I received an invitation from Lady Carrion.”

In the naturally arranged setting, Emilia showed him the invitation Lina had sent.

“Are you going to attend?”

After reading the invitation, Louid asked with a reluctant expression. He already knew the contents of the invitation but pretended not to.

“I think it would be good to attend at least once. And I’ve already replied that I’ll go.”

“I see. It’s not bad to spend time with the young ladies, so go ahead. Just be careful.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The two emptied their glasses while exchanging a brief conversation.

Emilia gradually became drunk. As he watched her while drinking, Louid quietly spoke, “Emilia, after you divorce me, where will you go and what will you do?”

“Hmm… I haven’t thought about that yet?” Emilia, slightly tipsy, narrowed her eyes as she spoke.

You haven’t thought about it yet? What a reckless woman. I knew she was bold, but this is a bit much….

If she has no plan, where does she intend to live after the divorce?

“Then should I prepare it for you? A residence and territory. Somewhere with good scenery.”

Louid probed cautiously, watching her reaction. Deep down, he hoped she would ask him to arrange a place for her.

If he prepared a place for her to live, he would know where she was, and he could use the excuse of inspecting nearby territory to visit her from time to time.

But his expectation was completely shattered by Emilia’s next words.

“No. I’ll take care of that myself. I’ll make sure we can stay in contact. In case there’s ever a reason for us to communicate.”

“…Mm.”

Louid became certain that Emilia had no intention of canceling the divorce. As if angered, the veins on his forehead bulged, and he pressed his lips tightly together. Without a word, he continued sipping his wine.

“Louid, thank you for saving me.”

Watching him fall silent, Emilia curved her eyes into crescents and moved closer.

“Well….”

Louid, who had been shrugging, suddenly stiffened. Her soft, damp lips had touched his.

“Because I’m His Majesty’s niece?”

Emilia wrapped her arms around his neck and acted coquettishly in a way she never usually did. Louid stayed still, pretending not to notice.

‘Do you think this will make me forgive you?’

She probably doesn’t even realize I’m angry. Even I don’t understand myself sometimes.

In the next moment, his dark brows twitched. Emilia was puckering her lips like a small bird and pecking lightly at his neck. Letting out a rough breath, he gripped her waist as if he might crush it.