“Another failure...”
I walked down the hallway, furrowing my eyebrows.
I tried to show sympathy for Victor, but it didn't work as I had hoped.
When I used it on Ethan, the result was lukewarm, but I thought it would work with Victor. After all, I knew Victor was kind-hearted and easily swayed by emotions.
I even used the best combination of teary eyes and a sad smile...maybe I missed some details?
Since playing the role of a damsel in distress was not one of my strengths, my self-confidence was somewhat shaken.
Maybe I should practice this more. Anyway…
It occurred to me that, since he's such a good person, Victor might think he's helping by trying to keep Ethan and I together.
Anyway, if Victor doesn't help me, it will be difficult to get support from anyone else. Convincing Ethan on my own seemed impossible.
So my only remaining option is...
Honestly, I wanted to keep this as a last resort. But right now, I couldn't think of any other way.
I will keep that in mind now and try to think of other solutions. To do this…
***
“Lift house arrest?”
I nodded, looking at Ethan.
"Yes. It's been almost two months since I was locked in this palace. If I stay isolated any longer, people will start to get suspicious."
Just asking to lift the house arrest might prompt Ethan to refuse again, claiming that his doubts about me had not yet been dispelled.
So, I decided to take a different approach.
No matter how much I asked him to trust me, without any concrete evidence to back up my claims, it would just seem like an emotional pretext—something Ethan hates. Making a practical argument was the perfect solution.
Ethan announced that he had no intention of divorcing me because of social scandals.
Whether he realized it or not, this was proof that he no longer suspected me of betrayal.
He also expressed his desire for me to continue as Duchess Dumont. If that is the case, there is no need to keep me under house arrest any longer.
“Okay, I'll do that,” Ethan agreed.
As expected, I smiled brightly, “Thank you.”
“You mentioned we were going to discuss the rumors, right? We can start with that,” Ethan said, picking up one of the white envelopes from the corner of his desk and handing it to me.
Inside the envelope was an invitation to a party, decorated with a gold frame.
The date was a week from now. The recipients are Ethan Dumont and Camille Dumont, and the sender is Viscount Maurice Rochefort.
“We'll get this together,” Ethan said.
"Together? You mean you're going too?" I asked in surprise.
In the original story, Ethan was known to rarely attend social events unless invited by the royal family.
When he accompanied Elodie to her first concert, everyone was amazed.
“Yes. Is there something strange about this?” Ethan asked, his face expressionless.
“Well, it's unusual...” I admitted.
“I owe Vicomte Rochefort a small business favor. It is a good opportunity to settle the matter. As you mentioned, it is an opportunity to refute the rumors about us. We have to prove that our relationship is solid.”
“Strong…we never had a solid relationship,” I muttered to myself.
"What did you say?" Ethan asked as he turned to look at me.
“Nothing,” I answered with a careless smile.
“But you don't have to go. I can handle it on my own.”
Ethan looked at me silently.
“Why? Do you think I can’t talk?”
Ethan shook his head, "No, I'd better accompany you this time. Like I said, I'm indebted to Viscount Rochefort."
It was clear that he had no intention of changing his mind.
“Okay, I understand,” I agreed, even though I was terrified inside.
'a party? In just one week?'
I did not expect to attend any social events as Duchess Dumont.
My original plan was to dispel the suspicion of infidelity, then divorce Ethan and leave the palace.
Although I could understand the details of the house with Mary's help, high society was a completely different matter.
Etiquette could be learned from books and others' directions, but remembering everyone's names was the real challenge.
I knew most of the characters from the original story, but there were undoubtedly many others that weren't mentioned.
Even the host of the party, Viscount Rochefort, was a name she heard for the first time.
It's one thing to adapt while acting, but I can't do that to every person I meet at a party.
If I was alone, it might be manageable, but with Ethan by my side, he would surely notice any misstep.
That's why I suggested to him not to come, and to let me handle the matter alone. Unfortunately, that didn't work.
In reincarnation romance stories, the heroine usually retains memories of the original body... Why is my situation such a difficult situation?
Of course, complaining won't change anything.
I had to find a way to adapt, as I have done so far.
***
That night, I stayed up late, sacrificing sleep to come up with a plan. As soon as the sun rose the next day, I delivered two letters to Mary.
“Can you give it to Victor on my behalf? The names of the recipients are written on the envelopes, so please make sure it reaches the right people, as I ordered.”
“Sure, ma'am...but didn't you sleep well last night? You have dark circles under your eyes,” Mary said, her eyes wide with concern like a squirrel's.
"It's not something makeup can't hide. And if you notice things like that, you should pretend you don't see them."
"I'm sorry. I was just worried. Sleeping well is one of the few things... Oh my God," Mary put her hand to her mouth, realizing her slip of the tongue.
I narrowed my eyes.
"You've been a bit uncomfortable lately, haven't you? It's getting colder. How about you try living on the street with just a pack of your belongings?"
"What? No, ma'am. I'm fine. I'll take her to the butler right away!" Mary stammered, and quickly left the room.
The letters she entrusted to Mary contained the same message: “I would like to meet you urgently. Please make a convenient appointment.”
One of them was Viscount Rochefort, the host of the party I would be attending with Ethan a week later. The other was Viscountess Grandbert.
***
"My God, I'm truly surprised. I never imagined that the Duchess Dumont would visit such a humble place…" Viscount Rochefort said, folding his hands.
He was a thin man in his forties, with a thin mustache that added to his somewhat condescending smile.
“I wanted to confirm a few things before the concert this week.”
"The party? You mean you'll come to my party, Duchess?" He asked, his eyes widening.
"Yes. Didn't Ethan mention that?" I tilted my head a little.
Viscount Rochefort's little eyes doubled in size.
“The Duke is coming too?!”
He looked astonished. He seemed to have sent the invitation without expecting it to be accepted.
It made sense, especially since I had been detained at the palace recently, and Ethan rarely attended such events.
Viscount Rochefort clenched his fists nervously.
“If I had known, I would have prepared better... No, it's not too late. I can still-”
"Viscount Rochefort? Do you hear me?" I interrupted him.
“Ah, yes, of course, Duchess. My apologies,” he stammered.
"Anyway, I have a request. Is that okay?"
“Of course, anything you need,” he replied eagerly.
“I'd like to see your list of prom guests for this week. Not only those who have confirmed attendance, but also the list of people you've sent invitations to.”
Viscount Rochefort blinked in surprise, as he had not expected such a request.
“Guest list?”
“Yes, is it difficult?”
"No, not at all. I'll get it right away," he said, summoning his secretary to bring the list.