Chapter 56
Epilogue
A few months later.
The recent talk of high society was Duke Drexton’s wedding that had taken place not long ago. But the partner was shocking.
“He ditched the princess and married a widow.”
He rejected a young and beautiful princess twice, then seated a widow who had not long ago lost her husband as the Duchess. There was no one in high society who was not surprised by his decision.
“But they say she’s not just any widow.”
“A widow is a widow. What does it mean to not be just a widow?”
“They say she was Duke Drexton’s first love from childhood.”
Now the story became interesting. People began gathering in small groups around Cecile, who had brought up this talk about ‘first love’. The atmosphere was one of wanting to hear more details.
“They say he never married because of that first love. Because he couldn’t forget her. Then he heard the news that she’d been widowed…”
“That’s why he went to find her immediately.”
Gossip turned romantic. The women sharing the story flushed for no reason, thinking how romantic Duke Drexton was. There was also clear envy toward the woman who had monopolized his love for over a decade.
“Do you know what’s even more amazing about Duke Drexton?”
“What is it?”
“They say there was a posthumous child in his first love’s womb.”
“And he married her anyway?”
“It’s not ‘and he married her anyway’!”
Cecile snapped her fan shut. With her curiosity-stirring way of speaking, the people gathered at the party could not pull themselves away.
“It’s precisely ‘because of that’ that he married her. How easy do you think it is for a woman to raise a child alone?”
“But it’s another man’s child…”
“No.”
Cecile lightly waved her fan.
“Duke Drexton said her child was his own.”
It was literally true. The child in Julia’s womb had been conceived with Duke Drexton. But the people there understood it a little differently.
“So because it’s his first love’s child, he’ll accept and raise it as his own even if it’s another man’s?”
Cecile neither affirmed nor denied it. She only offered a meaningful smile.
“How much must he love her.”
An entranced sigh escaped among the women.
“I heard he said he wouldn’t leave alone anyone who spread nonsense that the Duke and Duchess’s child wasn’t his biological child. How truly amazing that man is.”
That was as far as Cecile went before turning and slipping out of the group. At this point, there would be no one left to speak ill of the Duke and Duchess or their child.
Duke Drexton became a saint, and Julia became a woman saved by pure devotion.
Because the story of the Duke’s first love was so dramatic, Julia’s former husband was not mentioned at all and was forgotten. Even the fact that Julia married before completing her mourning period.
A bright smile rose to Cecile’s lips.
“The Duchess had a marriage history, sure, but she’s quite proper. I hear she stubbornly refused Duke Drexton out of conscience.”
“So Duke Drexton pushed through anyway. My, how romantic.”
“Yes, apparently he barely managed to sway her heart.”
“So that’s why they kept the wedding simple?”
“I hear the Duchess said she wanted it modest and quiet.”
“That’s rather wise.”
“Instead, they say they’re going on a fairly long honeymoon.”
Listening to the chatter of those who remained, it really did seem safe to be reassured.
* * *
“Julia.”
Duke Drexton called to her.
“My dear wife.”
Julia turned around.
That was enough.
“I can’t wait to see our child.”
“Just wait a little longer.”
She was now the Duchess of Drexton, his wife. Each time he reminded himself that she was bound to him by marriage and wholly his, a sweet feeling washed over the Duke.
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