The Grand Duchess Escape

As the salon’s servants entered with a knock, the conversation paused momentarily. After they cleared empty plates, placed new dishes, filled the glasses, and left, the nobles continued their conversation.

“I heard that Young Lady Chartus has inherited the family as well.”

“What does that mean? Wasn’t it confirmed that Young Lord Chartus would inherit the marquisate?”

“The House of Loctorin.”

“Loctorin…?”

Each person turned their head at the seemingly familiar name.

“Wasn’t Her Grace’s biological father the heir of Loctorin before marriage?”

“Oh! I remember now. Wasn’t it said that all the successors died due to an unknown disease?”

“That’s right. It seems that the family decided to have her inherit the family line. I also heard that His Excellency will act as her guardian until she comes of age.”

“Goodness, is that even possible?”

The eyes of the gathered nobles widened. The lady who shared the news gently waved her fan, covering her mouth, and replied.

“Of course. His Excellency is someone who can make the impossible happen.”

As she added, the nobles in the room let out a slight gasp.

“I thought the position of the young Lady Chartus had become ambiguous, but now I see it wasn’t at all.”

“Well, Loctorin may not be a highly renowned noble family, but…”

True, the Loctorin was not a particularly distinguished noble family. However, with the Grand Duke’s support, it was a whole different story.

There was no need to look far; Philip Chartus was a perfect example of this. Despite facing difficulties with consecutive failures in his ventures in the past, recently, every business he touched succeeded, and his career and position were rising.

“How old did you say the Young Lady Chartus is this year?”

The eyes of some nobles who had children around the same age sparkled with anticipation. While there was still a long way to go until Mariel would come of age, it was customary for noble betrothals to take place much earlier.

They momentarily paused their conversation as they started making calculations and how they could play their cards.

“By the way, what about Lady Vallouse? What will happen to her?”

The topic shifted as someone mentioned the question, and the conversation resumed once more.

“That’s right. For years, all we’ve heard is talk of their impending marriage.”

“Both of them are not exactly young. They seem to be delaying it for too long.”

“Perhaps there will be good news soon?”

“Will there really be?”

While the Vallouse family might be wealthy, their status was somewhat low for a marquisate. She could have been a mistress or lived with him as a lover, but there were significant barriers to considering marriage.

“Previously, he needed the funds for his business ventures…”

But no one wanted to continue speaking of the obvious, that the situation had changed, and Philip Chartus no longer needed Rebecca Vallouse.

The nobles exchanged meaningful glances. They were more adept at understanding relationships than anyone else. It was not difficult for them to speculate on how things were going to play out in the future.

“It’s a shame.”

The conclusion was simple and clear. 

Everyone agreed without a word.