The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.27

As I watched Catherine leave the hall, the Count took my hand.

Reflecting on my impulsive actions, I lowered my head and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Count. Truly.”

I really am. Acting on my own like that and drawing so much attention…

But perhaps because of the attention I’d drawn, I noticed Ada making her way toward me.

“Good day, Grace. Lord Rockwell.”
“Ada.”
“Honestly! That was nerve-wracking. So, was it her? The one you were talking about?”

Ada, unable to hide her curiosity, leaned in toward me.

“What do you mean by ‘her’?”

The Count’s question made Ada and me exchange a glance.

This place was far too public and prone to drawing attention.

Catching Ada’s gaze, I signaled that we should move to a quieter location. Adopting the appearance of casual friends chatting, we relocated to a spot near the terrace by the exit, away from prying ears.

Once there, Ada lowered her voice.

“Lord Rockwell, you’re aware that Grace was previously engaged, correct? Do you know that when her former fiancé broke off their engagement, he brought the woman he was involved with to the scene?”

The Count turned to me, his expression sharpening.

“Ah, yes. I’d heard he had the audacity to bring another woman along when he asked to dissolve the engagement.”

His surprise was entirely justified.

Even by noble standards, dragging the person you’re involved with to such a confrontation is beyond tactless.

Declaring, ‘I’ve found someone better, and I’m marrying her!’ in front of your fiancée? What woman would accept that? Most would likely fly into a rage.

Not even in my past life, where dramas like this were confined to fiction, had I encountered something so absurd.

I still wonder—did he hope for some dramatic showdown? If I had been more combative, would he have gotten the brawl he wanted?

Three years ago, that’s exactly what he did.

“And the woman he brought that day was named Catherine.”

When I said that, the Count fell into thought.

“I’ve asked Ada to look into Lady Catherine. While her name and appearance match, we can’t be certain she’s the same person from three years ago.”

“So that explains your behavior earlier. And? Was it her?”

Ada and the Count both looked at me, their eyes silently pressing for an answer.

“Yes, it was the same person.”

Both of them appeared deep in thought.

And me? I wasn’t sure what to do either.

“So, did she seem to remember you, Grace?” Ada asked tentatively.

“Not at all. It was as if she didn’t recognize me. I remember her clearly, though. But beyond that, something felt… off.”

“Off? How so?”

“She should be fully aware of how much the Crown Prince values her, yet she showed no reaction. Instead, it seemed like she was suppressing anger or hostility—not just toward me, but toward everyone. It’s just a hunch, though; she didn’t say anything to give it away.”

It’s strange, isn’t it?

She’s the kind of woman who could star in a Cinderella story. If this were an otome game, she’d be the heroine.

Yet, she’s not acting the way you’d expect. No attempts to undermine her rivals or even flirt with her targets—whether the Crown Prince or his aides.

She doesn’t even give off the impression of someone from a lower noble family.

With young ladies like Jessica, who came from similar backgrounds, you’d see them flaunting their new status with excitement.

Catherine, however, carries a dark aura.

Maybe it’s just her personality?

Lowering her voice, Ada leaned in further.

“Just between us—Catherine was originally a commoner. She was adopted by a baron’s family, then quickly taken in by a duke’s family as their ward. The baron’s family was connected to Duke Brocklebang.”

“Isn’t that unusual? Was she really a commoner?” I murmured.

It didn’t make sense.

Why would a commoner be adopted?

If Duke Brocklebang wanted a ward, wouldn’t they have chosen a promising girl from among their allied nobility?

“Why Catherine, of all people?”

The Count responded thoughtfully to my muttering.

“Grace, leave it at that. I’ll handle the investigation. Even the Ainsworths would advise you to stop here.”

He spoke as though chastising a child.

When I glanced at Ada, her expression suggested she’d heard similar warnings from her own parents.

I couldn’t help but feel frustrated, but there was nothing more we could do.

Digging into the past of a high-ranking noblewoman, especially one adopted into a duke’s family, was impossible.

Still, there was one avenue left—Claude.

But then again, talking to him was a gamble. Not to mention, meeting with an ex-fiancé when I’m newly engaged? That would be scandalous.

As I looked up at the Count, he smiled warmly.

Sigh… I suppose I have no choice but to obey.

After all, I don’t want to upset him. Losing the favor of someone you care about is terrifying.

And that—wanting to stay on someone’s good side—is a selfish little part of who I am.