The Duke's Second Lady Chapter 2

Not long after, that evening, everyone in the Duke's household knew that Duke Alaric and Duchess Isolde had quarreled. Consequently, the drunken Duke spent the night in the chambers of a serving girl renowned for her sweet singing. The commotion was said to be quite loud, water being called for late into the night. The next day, it was rumored the Duchess had smashed every ornament in her chambers.

The Duke's action was undoubtedly a harsh slap to her pride. She had always prided herself on possessing the Duke's complete devotion, believing that his stays in other consorts' chambers were always out of necessity. Now, she could no longer deceive herself. For a mere serving girl, the Duke had no political obligation; his presence could only be an act of genuine desire.

As a dutiful steward of the Duke's household, I petitioned His Grace to elevate the status of this beautiful singing girl. The Duke, still feeling a defiant pleasure, deemed it insufficient. He bestowed upon her a personal name, "Lady Melody," and granted her a separate private courtyard. Unsurprisingly, for the next few days, he continued to reside in Lady Melody's chambers.

It was said this greatly angered the Duchess, leading to a heated argument between the two. The Duchess, in front of the Duke, smashed the tokens of affection they had exchanged. And so, the two began a period of cold estrangement.

During this period of estrangement, the Duke frequented the chambers of various consorts. Lady Isolde, consumed by anger, had refused food for three days. The old nursemaid, desperate, took a royal seal to summon a royal physician. No sooner had the physician arrived than the Duke rushed to Lady Isolde’s courtyard. The two, naturally, shared a heartfelt reconciliation. The next day, news of Duke Alaric and Duchess Isolde's renewed harmony spread throughout the estate.

Meanwhile, Lady Melody, the talented singing girl, was pacing my courtyard, anxiously twisting a handkerchief. Seeing me, she hurried forward. "Sister, what should we do? The Duchess will surely beat me to death."

I picked up my teacup, took a sip, and replied nonchalantly, "Why the rush? Once a crack appears in their affections, we will have our opportunity." Though I did not love the Duke, I loved the power that came with managing this household. Perhaps people like me are the villainesses in those romantic ballads. But what choice did we, the obstacles in their love story, have but to survive?

Lady Melody had once been a servant in the Duchess's personal retinue. After the Duke had once praised her singing, the Duchess had her beaten and exiled to the kitchens. Seeing her beauty and discerning her sharp wit, I had lent her a hand.