Chapter: 5
“What is the matter?”
Allen’s strong hand tightened around his teacup.
“You know, Duke, about the customs of the West,”
Ludiana continued, her expression somber, almost solemn.
“Children who cannot become heirs are nothing more than commodities on the marriage market. And even then, to Nurnberg—the center of power—they are hardly necessary. If they sell well, fine; if not, it doesn’t matter at all.”
Her voice carried a quiet sadness as she added,
“For Nurnberg, the status of the heir is more important than the legitimate wife who bore such a daughter. Soon, my mother will be abandoned.”
Ludiana lifted her lowered head and glared sharply in the direction of the Nurnberg estate beyond the terrace.
“But ordinarily, heirs are registered under the legitimate wife, aren’t they?”
The customs between the West and the East were vastly different. She had long understood that, compared to the relatively free East, the West was especially conservative toward women…
Could it really be that they would abandon the legitimate wife?
Even if a government wife existed, dismissing the legitimate spouse was almost unheard of, no matter how strict the West was. A sneer crossed Ludiana’s face—a look that no teenage girl should have.
“Hah… My biological father doesn’t want the heir to grow up under a stepmother. And if he loses my mother, there would be no need to divide his assets.”
“…….”
To an outside observer, it might appear that a teenage girl was simply asking an adult for help. Yet Allen felt as if he were dealing with a merchant negotiating a serious transaction.
“Roseline…”
At that moment, his chest burned. Rage surged at Jonas Nurnberg, who treated Roseline—his most precious person, still dear to him—with such disregard.
She still cares about her mother…
Ludiana watched Allen’s reactions closely: the tension in his slightly parted lips, the veins rising in his clenched fists. He was restraining his anger, though it was surely aimed at Nurnberg, not her.
Yet even for a duke, taking responsibility for a woman from another house carried immense burdens. Both his logic and his emotions had to be persuaded.
I’ve persuaded his heart; now I need to convince his mind.
“If you save us, I will tell you the solution to the epidemic that has begun spreading in the East.”
Allen’s sharp jaw tightened, and his eyes widened. He looked almost innocent, hardly fitting a man in his thirties.
“…Jonas Nurnberg, is it?”
A sharp light blazed in his eyes.
“I know about the epidemic, but he doesn’t know the solution.”
He might know, but he wouldn’t act. Ludiana muttered softly to herself.
In truth, the epidemic in the East was still minor, so most in the West were unaware. She knew because she had foreknowledge of the future. Eventually, the epidemic would cause massive casualties in the East, and Allen Pianus would struggle to find a solution. Years later, the remedy would be discovered, but only after countless lives were lost.
“It will spread rapidly soon.”
Ludiana spoke calmly, though her eyes shone brightly.
“…….”
Allen fell silent, lost in thought. He had come intending to see Roseline one last time. He had no desire to covet a woman who was now married, but the rumors of how Jonas Nurnberg treated his legitimate wife troubled him.
But…
Unexpectedly, right before him stood her daughter—so lovely and clever, even resembling her mother. Every word from her small, resolute lips filled Allen with surprise, shock, and anger all at once. He took a sip of tea to calm himself.
So the rumors of mistreatment were true…
Once he had steadied himself, he noticed her attire. It was humble, unbefitting the fame of the Nurnberg family. Everything Ludiana wore corroborated her words.
Seeing Ludiana, who so closely resembled Roseline, dressed in such plain, humble clothing, pained Allen’s heart. At the same time, his expression hardened. If her words were true, he could not leave Roseline in Nurnberg’s hands.
“Understood. I will help.”
“Thank you.”
I did it!
Ludiana restrained the urge to jump in excitement.
“Does Miss Nurnberg have a plan?”
It was a question unusual for a young teenage girl, yet they paid no mind.
“Yes. After the coronation, I will persuade my mother to demand a divorce. Please help us then.”
“Is divorce even possible?”
Nurnberg had absorbed Roseline’s pre-marriage family, Loembek, becoming the dominant power in the West. But if a divorce occurred, Nurnberg would lose any claim over Loembek’s businesses.
“…There is no property more precious than life itself.”
Of course, Ludiana had no intention of foolishly giving everything away.
“My father would have no objection to a divorce as long as he retains business rights.”
Typically, even if the heir was important, daughters were cherished and carefully raised to maximize their marriage prospects. But to Jonas Nurnberg, ensuring the heir grew up unharmed mattered more than any marriage market advantage. Thus, internal family matters were left to the heir’s mother, Lea Werther, as she saw fit.
“Hah! Jonas Nurnberg…”
Veins bulged across Allen’s jaw and forehead.
“And I will personally repay any expenses incurred in taking care of us.”
Ludiana bowed deeply from her waist.
“…You needn’t worry about that.”
A faint quiver touched the corner of Allen’s mouth.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“I will lend you my family’s carriage.”
“No, Duke. I’ve already drawn too much attention.”
Though unavoidable in meeting Allen, many nobles at the clubhouse had already seen Ludiana and Allen together. She had never participated in social gatherings, so they would not know who she was.
Better to be cautious than reckless…
“And besides, we cannot ride to Nurnberg in the Pianus carriage.”
Ludiana gave a reassuring smile and followed the staff’s guidance to the carriage she had summoned in advance, leaving the clubhouse.
Allen watched the carriage depart and surveyed the area.
“I arranged the meeting so it would appear natural, so no scandal would touch Roseline…”
Yet that very arrangement now complicated matters. For an adult duke and countess to ‘accidentally’ meet at the clubhouse and join together was common. But with a teenage girl involved, the situation became delicate.
Entering a clubhouse for adult nobles implied that someone had invited her.
“Mother, I have something to tell you.”
Returning to the estate, Ludiana hurried toward the annex. To avoid drawing attention, she had gotten off the carriage a short distance away and walked to the estate. She had nearly been stopped by a guard, but another guard who recognized her allowed her to enter the annex.
“Ludi, where have you been to get your clothes like this?”
“Duke Allen Pianus,” Ludiana said, “I went to see Duke Allen Pianus.”
Roseline froze mid-step, her posture stiffening in concern.
“What… did you say?”
“Duke Allen Pianus,” Ludiana repeated, pulling two letters from her bosom.
“I opened one already. I’m sorry.”
“How… you…?”
Roseline could not believe the name of her former lover came from her beloved daughter’s mouth. Though she had been forced into a marriage she did not want, she had tried to remain devoted to her household. Since Ludiana was born, she had tried not to think of him. Yet the name she had always kept in her heart came out of Ludiana’s lips, freezing her mind.
“Mother, I cannot live like this.”
Ludiana looked at Irene, who was sleeping soundly on the bed. The twelve-year-old girl was small and thin even for her age. Ludiana herself had been similarly slight.
“That’s why I met Duke Allen Pianus. He will save us.”
The room fell silent, almost enough to hear Ludiana’s swallow. Roseline’s gaze wavered violently. Ludiana spoke even more firmly.
“Please grant a divorce, Mother.”
She emphasized the word “divorce.” Ludiana’s eyes blazed with a light that pierced Roseline’s heart, the same heart that had always carried guilt and regret toward her children.
