Chapter 6

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Glen Peltra, who had been the head butler at the Duke's mansion in the capital for many years, moved to the estate's villa with Paula, the new Duchess. As a result, Aaron Peltra, Glen's son, came from the estate's manor house.

Aaron, in his forties, was a man who couldn't rest until everything was done properly. However, with the sudden change of the Duke's head, the hurried marriage to the princess from the neighboring country, and many other tasks, he was having dizzying days. He had just managed to prepare everything at the last minute and welcome Princess Katheina, and he was hoping to take a deep breath of relief...

"Madam... This isn't a dream, is it?"

When Aaron, handed the Daily paper from Castelhemi, read the newspaper article, he couldn't help but cover his face with both hands and felt like crying.

Butler Aaron knew that the master and mistress were still in a white marriage. He hadn't leaked it himself, but someone in the mansion must have.

"Aaron, I've always been impressed with the education in the Lahtavaara Duke's household, which ensures that no rumors are ever leaked. After all, they've managed to suppress the scandals of Lady Yuliana all this time, haven't they?"

Of course, the scandals were suppressed because Yuliana had limited her social activities to the Duke's family and foster children. However, it's often said that you can't put a lock on people's mouths, and suppressing a scandal so that it doesn't become a rumor is no easy task.

If information was leaked immediately after the princess from the neighboring country married into the Duke's household...

"I think it's more likely that someone outside the Duke's household is involved."

"Do you mean... you suspect that Princess Katheina herself leaked the scandal?"

"I'm not sure. In any case, I'm going to have a tea party with Princess Katheina today, so I need you to prepare it urgently."

Katheina and Niklas's marriage was entirely a political one, aimed at strengthening the ties between the two countries to ensure the success of a major project to lay a railway from the Kingdom of Lulea to the Kingdom of Lahti.

So far, only the tabloids have scooped the Duke's household scandal, but from tomorrow, other newspapers will likely follow suit. Katheina, who is a year younger than Castelhemi, would be in trouble if she became fodder for the media right after her marriage. That's why Castelhemi thought it was important to have a discussion, including future plans.

The tea party was set up on a terrace overlooking a garden where autumn roses like Iceberg, Bolero, and Blue Moon Matilda were in full bloom, and a light lunch was also arranged. When Princess Katheina, accompanied by several maids, smiled at Castelhemi and performed a beautiful curtsey, she said:

"I'm delighted to be invited. I also wanted to speak with you today, Lady Castelhemi."

Since Katheina spoke in Imperial language, not Lulea or Lahti, Castelhemi, also performing a curtsey, replied:

"Perhaps your attendants don't understand Imperial language? I thought you might speak it since you were involved in locomotive development."

"Yes, that's right. I thought you would speak Imperial language, and you do, fluently."

"Yes, I've been there for over a year for work."

Castelhemi had traveled to the Empire to negotiate after discovering a genius in the estate. The Kingdom of Lulea must have investigated such details.

"Princess Katheina, Lady Castelhemi, standing here isn't quite right. Please, have a seat."

Butler Aaron, speaking fluently in Imperial language, urged them to sit down, but Katheina's three maids, who couldn't understand the language, looked confused, their eyes darting back and forth.

Katheina had brought about ten Luleans, including her guards, to the Duke's household, and three of them were her personal maids.

While the Duke's household maids stood a little away from the table, Katheina, sitting down, said:

"I'm sorry, but I think the leak to the newspaper came from the maids I brought with me today."

After whispering something to Butler Aaron, he smiled and left the room. After watching him go, Katheina's gaze returned to the table.

"Oh! You've prepared cucumber sandwiches!"

The King of Lulea, who often worked outside, had invented sandwiches to make it easier to eat on the go. In the Lulea style, thinly sliced cucumbers and mustard-cooked chicken are sandwiched together.

Two cake stands were prepared on the table, filled with colorful bite-sized fruit tarts, traditional baked goods, sandwiches, macarons, and fruits.

"It's a good time for lunch, so I've also prepared sandwiches. They may not taste as good as those from your homeland, but the Duke's household pastry chef is quite skilled. I hope you enjoy them."

"Oh... hehehe..."

At first, Katheina smiled happily, but then she lowered her head and sighed deeply.

"I was told it would be better to properly consummate the marriage on the first night, but I guess it was a mistake not to."

As she watched the dejected Katheina, a sense of guilt spread through Castelhemi's chest.

Castelhemi's marriage to Oliver was also a political one, but Oliver refused to look at her from the first meeting, boycotted the first night, and left the isolated bride alone.

He had grown up with Yuliana since childhood and couldn't forget her. The entire Duke's household doted on Yuliana, and the servants were considerate of her.

Although she hadn't married out of choice, Castelhemi was clearly seen as an enemy by Yuliana. It was easy to imagine that the entire Duke's household would take an aggressive stance toward her, so she decided to act quickly.

"Princess Katheina, I'm truly sorry. It's all my fault."

Using the powerful word "polyandry," Castelhemi attacked the Duke's household. While it was to protect herself, it was still an inappropriate act for a bride.

By using rumors to create the image of a woman shared by many men, she made people think, "Disgusting!" As a result, Katheina and Niklas's first night was canceled, and a special doctor was even called.

"I got carried away with the rumors because the Duke's brothers and Lady Yuliana seemed so close. I thought it was funny!"

In reality, the Duke's two brothers weren't that close to Yuliana. Whether it's true or not, they said they hadn't even kissed. If that's the case, the salacious image was undoubtedly due to Castelhemi's actions.

"Lady Castelhemi! I must admit, I found it interesting too! I was impressed by what you did!"

Katheina smiled and said:

"Lord Niklas tells me many things frankly. It's his fault for doing things that make you imagine such things! Besides, they were very popular with women, so they did have a period of playing around outside! A medical examination is absolutely necessary!"

The conversation then turned to a paper on the effects of sexually transmitted diseases on women, including infertility and birth defects, and the more Castelhemi talked with Katheina, the more she grew to like her.

I'll update daily! I hope this can be a refreshing break from the hot days, even if they are making me feel exhausted. If you enjoy it, please:

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