TCDSS 03

Chapter 03

“Well, a wife should at least act like one.”

Sasha, who had been glaring at the pile of ornate envelopes stacked on one side of the office table, let out a small scoff through her nose before turning away.

It wasn’t in her nature to snoop anyway. It would be better to just ask him directly.

There was nothing more to dig into, and having them around would only bother her, so she was about to leave his office when—

Voices drifted in from outside the door.

Her hand, which had been holding the doorknob, froze.

Listening closely, she recognized the voices of Mini and Sarah, who were in charge of the first floor.

“He came again yesterday, just slept, and left, right?”

Mini’s quick, chirpy voice rang out. Naturally, the topic of their gossip was the master of the house—the Duke.

But… was that something to whisper about like that?

“Exactly. I thought the Duke really had no interest in women…”

“Well, even someone as scary as him probably can’t help certain urges.”

Only then did Sasha realize what they were talking about, and her cheeks flushed instantly. She had thought he was someone completely indifferent to everything in the world, let alone women. Yet he had taken a wife through a contract and only came home to sleep…

Surely he didn’t bring in a wife just for that purpose?

Was that the reason for the contract?

At that moment, someone else joined in.

“I was so excited thinking Lady Elina would be the one to come! I wanted to brag about serving someone said to be like a goddess! But Lady Sasha is her older sister… I saw her coming down from the fourth floor yesterday, and… well…”

Older sister? Ah… so Sasha has a younger sister.

She didn’t know how beautiful this Elina person was, but was she really that stunning? Sasha herself was already incredibly beautiful.

Sasha lightly tapped her cheek with her fingers. The face she had seen in the mirror when she first woke up—honestly, it had been breathtaking.

Objectively speaking, since it wasn’t her original body, she felt like she wouldn’t be overshadowed even standing next to the famous Duke Kyler.

That voice belonged to Nina, who worked on the second floor.

…I’ll remember that.

“No, she just looks a bit messy from afar, but Lady Sasha is actually very beautiful. …So maybe that’s why the Duke comes back every three days?”

“If the noble ladies of the Empire found out, they’d be beating their chests in frustration. There must be countless ladies who’d want even that kind of position.”

Compared to the elegant Rosé, the maids’ gossip was crude, but Sasha listened and nodded along unconsciously—

Then suddenly, she opened the door and stepped out.

“‘He came again yesterday, just slept, and left, right?’”

Connie, seventeen, hurried along behind the group of maids cleaning the first and second floors. But what they were saying sounded completely absurd to her.

Of course, she had heard rumors about Lady Elina, the marquis’s daughter. Not the highest rank in the Empire, but known for her dazzling blonde hair and blue eyes.

They said her blue eyes sparkled deeply, like jewels from the sea.

When she heard that a proposal had been sent to the Ivern Marquis family, Connie had also assumed that Elina would become the lady of the house.

But on the wedding day, while working in the garden, she saw Lady Sasha heading toward the banquet hall—and changed her mind.

She didn’t know how beautiful Lady Elina was, but even without comparison, Lady Sasha was dazzling.

“Did no one else see…?”

The rumored Elina was glamorous, but Lady Sasha—with her soft blonde hair and clear amber eyes—might not be flashy, yet she was by no means lacking in beauty.

“No, she just looks messy from afar, but Lady Sasha is actually very beautiful.”

At Nina’s words, which somehow made the topic even stranger, Sarah tilted her head.

Now that she thought about it… right. Since the wedding, she had never seen Lady Sasha dress up.

Connie knew as well—she had seen Lady Sasha taking walks through the garden.

According to Nina, Sarah, and Mini, she had become the Duke’s wife, a position many noble ladies desired… yet she never boasted to the servants nor indulged in luxury.

Rather…

At that moment—

Bang!

The office door suddenly opened.

The maids froze in shock.

They had been chatting so loudly in the corridor only because this was the Duke’s work area—and the Duke himself had left the mansion that morning.

Whenever he was present, the entire mansion felt frozen, and everyone worked in tense silence. The stable keeper, Uncle Nicol, had once said that the reason people lasted long here was because the Duke was too busy to visit often.

But now the office door had opened.

And standing there—

It was none other than the subject of their gossip.

Lady Sasha.

Her soft blonde hair, a simple white dress like sleepwear—

“K-This is bad…!”

Connie’s mind spun rapidly. Even if the Duke didn’t hear about this, if Head Maid Rosé found out…

But before her panic could fully take hold—

Sasha simply walked past them.

A faint floral scent reached them first.

Even as she passed right in front of Connie, Sasha kept her gaze distant, as if looking beyond them, her expression calm and detached.

She walked silently down the corridor and turned the corner.

Not a single maid dared to speak until she was gone.

“W-What do we do…?”

Nina was the first to break the silence.

“I—I don’t know!”

Sarah and Mini looked pale as they stared at each other.

Only then did Connie regain her senses and glance toward where Sasha had disappeared.

For some reason, the soft rustle of her hair and skirt lingered in her mind.

Sasha had seen their stunned faces when the office door opened.

Four of them, including a small girl trailing behind.

Without even meeting their eyes, she simply walked past.

She headed toward a small garden behind the building, where a fountain stood. Beyond a hedge that marked the boundary of the wide backyard, it was a cozy little space she had discovered a few days ago—and had been visiting often.

It seemed Rosé had noticed.

A tea table and chairs, which hadn’t been there yesterday, were now set up waiting for her.

Thinking about how even the young maids in the house had been gossiping about her so easily during the ten days she had done nothing, Sasha felt her pride sting.

She had once promised herself that if she died, she wouldn’t do anything anymore—a useless vow made to comfort her exhausted self.

She had died, yes—but now she was living a new life.

And this was still her life.

“It’s not like I’m going to die… I can’t keep living like this.”

Gossip was nothing new. No matter how hard she studied or improved her grades, it always followed her. Even when she tried making friends, the result was the same.

“Can’t I just live peacefully for once…?”

“Ugh…”

She let out a deep sigh.

First, she needed someone who could tell her about this place—or someone who could protect her.

“….”

But she got stuck at the very first problem.

Clicking her tongue, she pulled out a chair and sat down, carefully adjusting the wide dress she had only just gotten used to.

Morning sunlight filled the small garden.

In a society with ranks, one must properly maintain those boundaries—especially at higher status.

If she wanted to maintain her position, she had to be treated properly as the Duchess by the staff.

“I thought Lady Elina would come… she’s like a goddess…”

“Haah… what a hassle.”

Earning money was simple—you just had to work hard.

But improving relationships with people? That was never easy.

“Why is life never smooth, no matter where I go?”

It was a complaint she often made, but hearing it in Sasha’s beautiful voice felt strangely new.

There was still so much to get used to.

The mansion room was large and beautiful, fully furnished—but still uncomfortable. It didn’t feel like her room yet.

That was why she wandered around exploring—and found this perfect spot.

Just then—

Soft footsteps approached.

She listened quietly.

They stopped just beyond the hedge.

It seemed someone had come with a purpose.

Rustle—

“L-Lady Sasha… I brought tea.”

A timid young voice.

When she turned, it was Connie holding a tray.

“Yes. Come in.”

Seeing the tray looked heavy for her, Sasha responded quickly.

Connie hurried over and carefully set the tea on the table.

Watching her, Sasha recalled what had happened earlier.

“Connie, what tea is it today?”

Her gentle voice startled Connie, making the teapot clink.

“Ah—yes, Lady Sasha. It’s black tea blended with pear.”

“I see.”

Connie continued arranging things, checking carefully for any discomfort.

“This is the first time you’ve brought tea.”

Sasha said casually, lifting the teacup.

Connie flinched again.

Was speaking to her really that surprising?

Her cheeks flushed pink.

It was so cute that Sasha smiled faintly.

“It looks hot outside. Is garden work okay?”

“Y-You knew…?”

Connie’s eyes widened innocently.

“How old are you, Connie?”

“I’m… seventeen.”

Sasha pressed her lips together. She had thought maybe thirteen or fifteen—but didn’t say it aloud.

“I see. Thank you for the tea. Be careful in the sun while working.”

With a gentle smile, she spoke.

Connie’s shy blush turned into a bright smile.

Unlike the others, this girl hadn’t joined in the gossip—and was instead openly kind.

Somehow, Sasha’s tangled thoughts began to ease.

“Then, Lady Sasha… please rest well.”

As the girl left, Sasha took a sip of tea.

This was just a new beginning.

Just like starting over in university—

Only in a completely different world.

The beginning had been shocking…

But somehow—

It didn’t feel so bad.

She watched the sparkling fountain water and took another sip of her tea.