The Reincarnated Noble Lady is the Infamous Viscount's Heir - I've Accepted a Contract Marriage for Estate Management. - Chapter 1.29

It had been several days since the Earl had suddenly appeared at the Wilcox family townhouse without prior notice.

Until then, he had been sending small bouquets and letters, but now, those had completely ceased.

However, I knew he was still attending social events.

In the Ainsworth Gazette’s society section—run by Ada’s family—there was a large headline that read: “Earl Rockwell Growing Close to the Duke of Brocklebang’s Daughter!?” The article sent young noblewomen into a frenzy of despair.

Even Percival’s brother from the Mayfield family and business associates I had inherited dealings with came to report the gossip.

Seeing the situation, it was my younger sister, Jessica, who raised her voice.

“What’s the meaning of this, Earl!?”

Was she furious? Yes, she certainly was.

She snatched the Ainsworth Gazette from my hands, trembling with anger.

“I’m going to contact Abigail and have him torn apart!”

Whoa, hold on now. That’s a bit extreme.

“Aren’t you upset, Sister? This is blatant infidelity! Just the other day, he visited without any prior notice!”

At Jessica’s words, I instinctively covered my face with one hand, remembering the sudden embrace.

Even in this life, unlike my previous one, I’ve spoken with men and even danced waltzes at evening parties. But an embrace? That had never happened in either lifetime!

Just that hug had left me in a whirlwind of emotions.

And to be told, “Trust me,” while being held? How could I not believe him?

I felt ridiculous for being so easily swayed. My older sisters would surely scold me.

I had doubted the Earl over the waltzes, the surprise proposal, and everything else. Yet, with this incident, I couldn’t bring myself to feel suspicious.

When the Earl said it was for work, I believed him without question… and I was shocked at myself for that.

But does that mean I trust the Earl completely and feel indifferent to all this gossip from others? No, not at all.

I wasn’t angry, but I did feel a little unsettled.

Still…

When someone is as attractive as the Earl, perhaps such work is inevitable. I couldn’t help but feel sympathy. If I were a man and asked to do the same, I’d probably refuse.

Isn’t this essentially a honeytrap assignment?

The Earl is handsome and charismatic.

That phrase of his—“Though I am but a knight…”—might have started as a joke, but it clearly appealed to young noblewomen, so he probably took on similar tasks before.

It’s just speculation, but I think the Earl has been exploited for his appearance more than a few times.

Whether it was by the military’s higher-ups or another noble’s schemes, there may have been situations he couldn’t refuse.

“This is for work. Please trust me.”

Those words made me think even more.

And honestly, my feelings for the Earl are definitely growing stronger.

“Jessica,” I called.

“Yes!” she replied.

“Do you know anything about Lady Catherine, the Duke’s daughter? You were in the same year as her, weren’t you?”

“Since she was a high-ranking noble, I didn’t have many chances to talk with her, so I don’t know much about her personality. But for the Earl to approach Lady Catherine, who has captured the Crown Prince’s heart…”

“So she was already the Duke’s daughter by the time she enrolled in the academy?”

“Yes.”

“And when did the Crown Prince become so captivated by her?”

“It started during one of the tea parties held in the high-ranking nobles’ salon!”

Ah, yes. Those tea parties hosted three times a year by the children of high-ranking nobles at the academy.

Even within the academy, these events were a tradition.

The high-ranking nobles would host, but it was us lower-ranking nobles who did all the preparation.

Those who prepared well would gain the favor of the high-ranking nobles, strengthening familial connections or forming mentorship bonds.

Me? I participated in the preparation of all those salons during my time at the academy.

It was exhausting, but since no one else was experienced, they relied on me. Even when I tried to decline in my second year due to family matters, I was persuaded with promises to help with estate management. So I ended up doing it for three years.

“Was it during your first year, Jessica?” I asked.

“Yes. Lady Catherine was supposed to attend as a high-ranking noble, but she seemed overwhelmed and tried to leave. The Crown Prince saw her and followed her, and ever since then, he’s been infatuated.”

I see.

That sounds like a heroine from an otome game.

Though this isn’t an otome game world, still…

“That’s such a calculated move. So cunning,” I muttered.

Jessica, surprisingly, agreed.

“That’s what the Stanfield Duke’s faction says, anyway,” she added.

“So, what’s your opinion?”

“Well, I wasn’t really interested in the Crown Prince or the politics surrounding him. I spent most of my time with Percy during that year.”

Fair enough.

“But you think Lady Catherine planned it, right? Her manners and demeanor were flawless, rivaling even the daughters of earls and marquesses.”

How did Claude meet someone like her?

Though I hated the thought, I might have to ask Claude directly.

As I was lost in these thoughts, Hans informed me that Percival had arrived.

Jessica and I headed to the study, where Percival stood, pale-faced.

“Percy!” Jessica exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her fiancé’s.

The sight of the young couple was as sweet as ever, but Percival was holding a copy of the Ainsworth Gazette in one hand.

Oh no, you saw it too.

“Lady Grace,” he began.

Yes, yes, I know. You’ve seen that society section.

“I overheard something and wanted to show you this article.”

Yes, I’ve already seen it.

“The society section, right? Betrayal by the Earl! My sister saw it earlier too!” Jessica fumed, still clinging to him.

“No, not that part. Look here,” he said, pointing to a small article at the corner of the page.

Beneath the scandalous headlines about the Earl, there was a smaller piece about a nobleman’s mysterious death.

“The name is withheld, but the deceased found in this mysterious case is Claude Auteret.”