When My Husband Cheated On Me, I… - Chapter 9

The ducal house suffered for a while under the scandal that the family had been propped up by an illegitimate son’s money.

In the end, it was settled when the Imperial Princess, who was Duchess Felterwins’s cousin, publicly declared that the second son was indeed the Duchess’s child and that he had simply been away recuperating due to poor health.

“They say the new Winters Hotel is owned by that second son too.”

Chloe leaned far over the table as if sharing a secret.

“But really, Winters Hotel? Who would name a hotel that? Are you sure it’s not someone related to you?”

“No way.”

“But you know, people don’t often use the word ‘Winter’ for a name.”

Chloe tilted her head as she spoke.

I laughed it off and shook my head. It was true that, because the name was the same as mine, it had caught my eye, but there was no way I could be connected to the Felterwins family.

“They say that man still hasn’t settled on a marriage partner. Everyone’s really curious about who he’ll end up with.”

I found it curious where Chloe managed to hear all these things, but I still listened to her.

As I cut my salmon steak, which was the main course, I met Chloe’s gaze. Her deep brown eyes sparkled.

“The rumor is that he’s extremely unattractive. He doesn’t have a title, and on top of that, he’s supposed to be ugly, so they say he has to make money if he wants to get married. Haven’t you heard anything? You hear a lot of that kind of talk at social gatherings, don’t you?”

I didn’t want to bring up unnecessary gossip, so I shook my head.

As Chloe ate her butter-glazed vegetables, she laughed.

“Whatever the case, if I could just see the face of that infamous second son, I’d have no more wishes left.”

“Right? I am curious too.”

“Then you’ll take me to this ball, right?”

“To the ball?”

The fork with a piece of salmon on it stopped in midair.

Chloe blinked at me with a pitiful expression.

“Who knows, Winter? That Felterwins second son could be my destined one. You have to have a chance to meet someone to fall in love, after all!”

Chloe giggled at her own words.

“Anyway, I can’t go by myself, so please take me! It would be nice if you could introduce me to some people too. Please, Winter, please!”

As a commoner, there were only two ways Chloe could attend a palace ball:

To receive a direct invitation from the palace, which was virtually impossible, or to go as a guest of a noble acquaintance.

In fact, she had already attended countless balls under the Wolfhaze family’s name. The drawback was that she always had to go with us.

I didn’t particularly enjoy balls.

After I started living as the Marchioness, with an even greater need to maintain appearances, I came to dislike them even more.

“I really want to meet a good man and get married this time. Give me a chance, Winter, please? If I find a decent husband, maybe those pathetic fans who send creepy notes won’t stick around anymore!”

As I hesitated, Chloe pleaded with me.

Her repeated stories about stalkers softened my heart.

When I nodded slightly, Chloe cheered out loud.

“Yay! It’s a promise, Winter!”

Chloe beamed, her large eyes crinkling on her pure and clear face, as if she had already forgotten all about the notes left at her door.

“Then let’s go shopping after we eat! We need to pick out a dress and accessories for the ball. It’s the last ball of the season, after all, so we have to wear something beautiful!”

“Alright.”

Not wanting to ruin her good mood, I nodded.

“Let’s go to the department store for the first time in a while. If Hayden has time, it would be nice for the three of us to have a coffee together. That would be fun!”

Listening to Chloe’s excited voice, I took a bite of the sliced salmon. The rich flesh melted softly in my mouth.

I wasn’t particularly looking forward to the ball, but it felt like it would be a familiar and comfortable way to end the day.