Episode 28

“Sir Hanger! Sir Hanger! Please come quickly! Lady Hanger isn’t feeling well!”

At those words, Marcus Hanger felt genuinely frightened. Just moments ago, Elouise had been pushing him away playfully, and now they were saying she was ill? It startled him.

On the divided boat, he was first surprised when the duchess smiled kindly at him, and even more flustered when she started talking to him. He couldn’t deny a small thought—“Finally.” At last, the results of his fake marriage with Elouise were beginning to sow.

But for some reason, he couldn’t focus. It started when he saw Elouise in Logan’s arms, boarding the boat. He had never hated Logan. Logan, who had stayed by his side since before adulthood, had been annoying at times but never harmful.

And yet, witnessing Logan lift Elouise caused Marcus to feel as though something inside him had flipped. What was that? He frowned, but his lovely wife didn’t allow him the chance to examine the feeling. Instead, she waved at him with an easygoing smile.

So no matter how much the duchess tried to converse with him, Marcus’s mind was elsewhere—confused, distracted. Even with a beautiful woman smiling before him, his thoughts were completely absorbed by the other boat, the one running parallel to his, where Elouise sat. When their eyes met and she waved from across the water, only then did he feel a sense of peace return.

It was a beautiful scene.

The blue sky, the lake, the glittering sunlight through the trees. And Elouise, smiling and waving in the midst of it all.

So when someone said she was unwell, Marcus jumped from the bow of the boat without hesitation. He didn’t care about his pants getting wet. His nice leather shoes—recently bought—were ruined by the water, but that didn’t matter either.

And then he heard the word: pregnancy. He froze. Pregnant? Him and Elouise? That was absurd. Impossible. He laughed, but a small unease lingered. What if it wasn’t pregnancy, but something more serious? Fortunately, Elouise soon reassured him—it was just seasickness.

As he helped her sit against a tree stump and joked with her, Marcus kept an eye on her complexion. Seasickness wasn’t something that passed quickly. Sure enough, her face still appeared pale, though she tried to smile.

Ah, such a gentle woman.

Marcus was genuinely impressed by Eloise’s thoughtfulness. Even though she couldn’t be feeling better so soon, she still giggled softly, and it brightened his mood like sunshine breaking through clouds.

“Oh no… You’re going to be uncomfortable all day.”

When she fretted, touching his damp pant leg, Marcus replied without thinking.

“Well, it just shows how much I…”

Then he snapped back to his senses as if splashed with cold water. He immediately shut his mouth. Eloise blinked up at him.

“Marcus?”

No, it's nothing. He hadn’t fully grasped his feelings, but he didn’t bother to examine them. Instead, he told himself it was inappropriate to dwell on his emotions while she was unwell.

Yes. It’s because she’s sick. That’s all. He was only worried…

He didn’t stop to consider why he was worried. Or what strange spark still lingered on the hands that had held her.

Later, he would regret that—more than almost anything else.

---

The peaceful lunch on the island had come to a wrap. During the meal, some ladies had offered Elouise advice about pregnancy.

Elouise smiled and reminded everyone that it had only been about a month since their wedding. But one stubborn lady insisted, “Morning sickness can happen very early on, you know!” Marcus and Elouise exchanged amused glances.

“But if you are pregnant, that’s quite serious. There aren’t any decent midwives in Cliff…”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s a resort town, so there aren’t even good doctors for the nobility, let alone midwives. Any woman who discovers she’s pregnant usually returns home.”

Ah, Eloise nodded. Then another lady chimed in.

“Well, at least early on you have the duchess…”

The duchess? Eloise alternated glances between the woman and Duchess Bellona, puzzled. The duchess was lifting a piece of fruit to her mouth with a small fork, but paused at the comment. The woman quickly backpedaled.

“Oh—I only meant the duchess is so kind to all the ladies, I’m sure she’d help. That’s all.”

“Lady Williams.”

The duchess gently called her name. Lady Williams mumbled an apology.

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s nothing.”

Elouise raised her eyebrows. Something had just passed that she didn’t understand. She tried to interpret the exchange, but nothing made sense.

Were they excluding me? But then, why would Lady Williams apologize to the duchess?

Though nothing explicit had happened, there was no reason for Elouise and the duchess to get along—because of Marcus. The other ladies had avoided pairing the two of them together. So why that comment now? Elouise kept wondering, but the duchess waved her hand.

“Let’s all get ready to go. Once the sun sets, it’ll be harder to launch the boats.”

“Shall we?”

At her prompt, everyone slowly rose. Elouise glanced at the duchess—and caught her eye again. For the third time today. And just like before, the duchess looked away immediately.

How bothersome. Elouise didn’t call out to her. If there was something to be said, the duchess could approach herself.

Still, the handkerchief Elouise hadn’t yet returned weighed on her mind.

On the way back, everyone worried over Elouise. She smiled and insisted she was fine, though one woman clasped her hand tightly, urging her to see a doctor. It didn’t feel bad to be cared for.

But when Duchess Bellona called to her, Elouise was taken aback.

Before boarding the boat, the duchess beckoned to Logan and invited Elouise onto her own boat.

“If I’d known earlier, I’d have brought it when I got off. There’s mint on board. If it’s seasickness, chewing some might help.”

Elouise wanted to refuse—but Marcus quickly swept her up in his arms. She gasped, clinging to his neck, and he laughed.

“Do you know how upset I was when Logan took my role earlier?”

“…Not like it’s real anyway.”

She mumbled softly. Marcus bumped his forehead against hers with a soft smile.

“That hurts my feelings. I’m being a very dutiful contract husband, you know.”

“Yes, yes.”

Contract husband. Repeating the term, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She thought about squeezing harder out of spite—but pettiness wasn’t her style.

Marcus smiled brightly and boarded the duchess’s boat with her. To make room, another couple switched to the boat Elouise had just boarded.

As expected, the nausea had passed.

She sat at the very front of the boat, where seasickness was supposedly less severe. Marcus sat beside her the whole time—until someone called out:

“Sir Hanger, come here too!”

They had timed their boat ride to catch the sunset.

The sun began to set at the stern, painting a beautiful scene. Elouise opened her eyes wide in awe.

“Oh my…”

The early summer sunset blazed vividly through the leaves. Reflected in the lake, the light shimmered reddish-brown. The blue hue of the approaching night melded with the warm glow. The summer lake, the wind-blown trees and fields, the rippling water—it all burst with life.

Marcus, too, was in awe. “I didn’t realize this lake was so beautiful. This is my first time seeing its sunset.”

Elouise, gazing at the sky, suddenly found herself staring at the man beside her, the man looking out at the same sunset.

It was breathtaking—not because he was handsome or charming.

Elouise liked this man.

Love, which had never once touched her life, had somehow arrived—and made itself at home. It made her want to cry.

Her first love was a man who loved someone else.

The fading light brushed the man’s cheek, and Elouise watched, full of sorrow.

He loves the Duchess Bellona.

Elouise was smart. She wasn’t oblivious.

She considered the possibility: Could Marcus Hanger love her?

Marcus Hanger never stayed in love for more than two months. Even if Elouise helped him fall for the duchess, he’d be over her in two months.

Would there still be a chance for her afterward?

Possibly.

And that was the most tragic part.

The man was a womanizer. An outrageous one—crazy, even. Their contract even specifically forbade falling in love.

He fell hard and fast, but left just as easily. You couldn’t even call it love. It was like shaving foam.

With good soap and a strong brush, he whipped up a mountain of foam every morning. So much that it spilled from the cup—more than he could ever use. And then he’d apply just a little and leave the rest to collapse.

Elouise had often stared blankly at that foam deflating on the nightstand. What had looked like it could fill the room vanished before you knew it. That was his love.

She never imagined she’d fall in love with such a man.

For her, love was a luxury. Marriage—something she’d long given up on. So love and marriage were like “the queen’s jewels”—beautiful in theory, but unreal.

Still, Elouise believed that even if not marriage, love would someday bloom for her too.

But look at her now. She held a diamond no queen could wear, and was in love with a man she wished had never butt into her life.

Was this the punishment for mocking the sanctity of marriage?

She wondered, perhaps she was being punished—for being blinded by diamonds and getting involved in such madness.

The punishment was falling for that madman.

“Oh, dear God…”

A tear slipped down her cheek before she realized it. Marcus turned and was alarmed.

“What’s wrong, Elouise? Are you hurt?”

“No. I’m fine. It’s just…”

“Then why are you crying? Is it seasickness again? Should I ask the duchess for some mint…”

Marcus fussed over her. But the duchess—she was the last person Elouise wanted to see right now. She shook her head and pointed at the sunset.

“No, really. It’s fine. The sunset was just… so beautiful, it moved me.”

“Oh, El…”

Relieved, Marcus smiled.

“My wife is so sentimental! I didn’t think the view would move you to tears. I almost carried you to a doctor.”

“Aren't your pants wet enough already?”

At her jab, he looked down and made an ‘ah’ face. Elouise teased him.

“They’re white, you know. Totally ruined.”

“It’s fine. I’ll buy another pair.”

“You’re still wearing wet pants. That bothers me.”

“El! You care about me? How touching. I’m moved too—nope, no tears.”

Elouise wrinkled her nose at his silliness and laughed.

That was when someone approached—Duchess Bellona, mint leaves in hand. Eloise’s face stiffened, but the duchess smiled anyway.

“Lady Hanger, I came to check if you’re alright.”

“Oh…”

Why now of all times? Elouise bit her tongue.

The last person she wanted to see was now right in front of her, the moment she realized her feelings. She wanted to tell her to leave—but the duchess was faster.

“Sir Hanger, I’d like to speak to your wife. Would you mind giving us a moment?”

“You’re interrupting our lovely time together.”

Marcus shrugged. The duchess smiled coyly.

“Please?”

“Oh, I wish I’d heard that before we got married!”

He joked again. Eloise felt even more miserable.

They’re really enjoying this.

She rolled her eyes but just felt worse. The duchess continued, unbothered.

“I heard your sarcastic remark. Now, Sir Hanger, please?”

“Gladly.”

Marcus stood and bowed.

Don’t go! Elouise wanted to cry out, but sat still, watching him leave. He moved to the stern with the others. The duchess sat beside her—in Marcus’s spot—and handed over the mint and a candy.

“Chew both. You’ll feel better.”

“…Thank you.”

Elouise accepted them. She didn’t want to drag this out. The duchess watched her, then spoke.

“Considering the timing of your marriage, it’s too early for morning sickness. But if you’d prefer not to see a doctor here, you can come to me.”

It was a continuation of the lunch conversation. Elouise finally understood what Lady Williams had meant.

Does the duchess have a female doctor in her household?

She’d heard of noblewomen hiring female doctors from Dorquin. But Elouise had no desire to owe the duchess anything.

What woman would want to be indebted to the woman her (fake) husband loved?

“Thank you, Duchess. But I’m sure your doctor is for you. If I am pregnant, I’ll return home. There are good doctors in Maine.”

“I see.”

“Yes. But thank you again. Oh, and…”

She wanted to return the handkerchief—but just as she turned, the duchess said:

“Maine might have good doctors—but were they good for Juliet?”

“…What?”

Elouise froze. Juliet’s name had been bothering her since earlier—how the duchess had brought it up.

Now, hearing it again made her sharp.

But the duchess calmly continued.

“I doubt Maine’s doctors knew how to care for a child like Juliet. As far as I know, no one in this country does.”

“…What are you talking about? She’s not sick.”

Elouise replied steadily. The duchess nodded.

“She’s not sick. But she shouldn’t be left as she is, either.”

“What are you implying…?”

Eloise rubbed her temples. She tried to smooth her scowl, but failed.

“I’m not neglecting Juliet. She’s… Actually, why should I discuss my child with you? Duchess, do you realize how rude you’ve been since we met?”

“Yes.”

The duchess nodded immediately. As Elouise stared in disbelief, she continued.

“I’m sorry, Lady Hanger. I didn’t realize how upsetting I was being. I let my urgency get the better of me. I apologize for my rudeness on the first day of spring in Cliff.”

It was an apology Elouise didn’t understand—and didn’t want to.

Just then, with a thud, the boat reached shore. Everyone began to prepare to disembark. The two women instinctively knew their conversation was over. The duchess stood first.

“Before I married, I was a doctor.”

“…What?”

“I think we’ll have a lot to talk about. I’ll invite you soon. Please visit our villa.”

Before Elouise could refuse, the duchess left. Staring blankly after her, Elouise snapped out of it when Marcus approached.

The walk back to the Noskina estate took about an hour. She didn’t speak to Marcus the entire time.

Eventually, desperate to lighten the mood, Marcus joked, “Did the duchess fall for my charms already? Are you worried we’ll hit our goal too soon and miss your final payment? Don’t worry—early completion bonuses exist! My father invented the system!”

She pinched him.

---

Prev || Toc || Next