From Sophia’s point of view, the sudden engagement felt confusing and overwhelming. But the maids, who secretly knew that Sophia had confessed her feelings to the duke, thought she was just shy.
The maids gently kissed the back of Sophia’s hand or held her shoulders to help her sit on the sofa and calm down.
“You don’t need to be shy, my lady. Even if you were the one who started it, no one who saw the duke these past months would dare say he doesn’t love you. He was so devoted. Every day, he held your hand for hours and prayed by your side. He brought in doctors from all over the world just to make sure you were comfortable. Look at you. It’s been more than five months since you collapsed, but you’re still just the same as before!”
“No, I think you’ve even become more beautiful!”
The maids all added something, speaking about how much the duke had cared for her. Just five months ago, they didn’t even know who the duke was, but now they were defending him in front of their lady.
Even Sophia’s father, when she had just woken up, talked more about why the engagement had to happen and defended the duke instead of showing concern or comfort. Her mother had gone to inform the duke right after Sophia regained consciousness.
Sophia suddenly felt like everyone in the household was working for the duke more than for her. The sudden change in everything confused her, and she quickly stood up, pushed away the maids’ hands, opened the door, and stepped into the hallway.
The mansion had light curtains and open windows, letting in the soft spring breeze. Sophia wrapped a thick shawl around her and rushed down the hallway.
She felt that if she stayed any longer, her mother or the maids would surely drag her in front of the duke. So she headed for the front door, planning to hide in the garden maze. Just as she stepped down the stairs—stairs she had used dozens of times—the door opened, and someone entered.
Bright light poured in through the open door. The man didn’t come in with the help of a servant but pushed the door open with his own hand. The first thing Sophia saw was the man’s strong fingers on the door, followed by his forehead under his neatly styled hair and his sharp, chiseled nose.
Sophia stood frozen, staring at the man.
She had seen that beautiful face just last night. Back then, he had looked bored, slouched in his seat, looking down with more arrogance than even the emperor. But now, the man walking in through the door looked like a healthy, lively young man her age.
“Sophia.”
He smiled gently, as if he already knew she would come out. His voice, calling her name, was soft and sweet, like someone truly in love. His gentle attitude shocked Sophia.
She had never imagined the duke could smile like that.
During the year after her debut in society, she had seen him often. But no matter how hard she searched her memories, she only remembered the duke looking cold and distant. He had never once asked a lady to dance, nor had he ever had a private conversation with anyone.
He seemed like a man born only to continue the noble legacy of his family, which had stood since the empire’s founding.
“I…”
I’m not your fiancée.
That’s what Sophia wanted to say.
But at that moment, the man spread his arms as if inviting her in for an embrace, and Sophia, as if drawn by something, forgot she was even on the stairs and stepped toward him. Her legs gave out under her, and she almost fell—but the man caught her.
The natural movement turned into a hug, not just support. Surprised to find herself in a stranger’s—no, the duke’s—arms, Sophia pushed him away. But the man hugged her even tighter.
“You really woke up, Sophia. Of course I believed you would… but still…”
He stepped back a little and looked at her face. His eyes, gently curved with a smile, looked like someone else’s. The duke had always appeared cold and intimidating, with icy eyes and a mocking smile. But now, he was smiling—gently and sweetly.
Sophia couldn’t believe it, but she had no choice but to believe his whispered words.
“I’m really happy.”
His voice was full of pure emotion, with not a trace of a lie.
Still stunned by how different he seemed from the duke she knew, Sophia stood blankly in his arms. But soon she realized she was wearing her nightgown, hugging the duke in the front hall of the count’s estate. She used all her strength to push him away. The duke let her go, smiling.
“Why?”
His attitude seemed to say she had something to say and that’s why she was pulling away. Though he stepped back, he didn’t let her go completely and kept smiling. Sophia looked at his face and saw the same expression from last night—or five months ago—when he had spoken to the emperor with a smile.
“Please let me go.”
She finally came to her senses and spoke. The man let go and took a step back, but Sophia couldn’t seem to walk properly—her legs wouldn’t cooperate.
Could hugging the duke really have made her legs so weak?
Frowning and grabbing the railing, Sophia tried to steady herself. The duke gently took her other hand and escorted her with care.
“See? You can’t even walk properly on your own.”
A smug smile appeared on his lips. Sophia protested sharply.
“I was walking just fine earlier.”
“You just woke up. It’s not good to overdo it. Where were you going dressed like that?”
“To the garden…”
“Why? Were you trying to avoid me?”
The duke led her to the drawing room beside the hall. He opened the door and brought her in, making it feel like he was the master of the house. Sophia sat on a single-seat sofa and looked up at him. He pulled out a chair and sat across from her. Even now, he held one of her hands, acting like a sweet lover.
His face and attitude were so unfamiliar. That duke was looking at her so gently. And she was the one he looked at like that!
Sophia stared at him in a daze, like she was watching a painting. The duke gently brushed her messy hair away from her forehead.
“How are you feeling?”
He asked. Sophia avoided his touch and answered vaguely.
“Fine. It’s hard to believe I was poisoned.”
Her words were pointed. The duke pretended not to notice and replied calmly.
“I’m glad. I was really worried you might be in pain.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why?”
Sophia looked at him with cold eyes. The man kept smiling as he looked back at her.
“Why were you worried about me?”
“Hmm…”
His soft voice held a hint of hesitation. After quietly looking at her, he asked,
“Didn’t you hear? That we’re engaged.”
“I heard. That I confessed to you and even drank poison instead of you. I heard everything.”
“Then why are you pretending not to know? Ah, is that it? You want me to say I love you? That I accepted your feelings? That I love you too…”
“No!”
That’s not what Sophia wanted. She pushed back.
“I don’t believe it.”
The duke closed his mouth and stepped back a little. His smile remained, but it was more distant than before.
His eyes seemed to say, Go on, I’ll let you talk. Sophia felt the weight of his authority, but she didn’t back down.
“I’m not saying you’re lying, but this doesn’t make sense. I know that much.”
“Why not?”
“Because… I didn’t even like you.”
Sophia said firmly. The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment. The duke’s smile disappeared, and he looked down at her with the same unreadable expression she remembered from that night.
“You didn’t like me?”
His voice lost its warmth. Sophia flinched at the sudden change but still nodded.
The duke fell silent, as if thinking about something. Sophia watched him closely, observing every change in him.
She had said she didn’t suspect him of lying—but deep down, she did. Whatever had happened that night, she would never have confessed to him.
But instead of admitting a lie, the duke spoke with an even colder tone.
“Then what was your reason for approaching me?”
“What?”
Sophia was so shocked she answered without thinking. The duke gave a slight smile, as if telling her not to worry—but his words were still cold.
“Did you want to make me owe you something? So you planned it all?”
“What are you saying…? I didn’t! And how could I have known about the poison?”
“Or maybe… you were the one who poisoned it. After all, all I saw was you suddenly collapsing.”
“I said I didn’t do it!”
“You didn’t…?”
The duke frowned, sensing something strange in her firm denial.
“Don’t tell me… you lost your memory?”
