In the following half month, Charles never came to my place again.
I was not in a hurry because I was waiting for an opportunity.
That day was the middle of the month. By convention, the women in the Duke's Manor had to pay their respects to the Duchess.
Therefore, I went to the main courtyard in the Duke's Manor early this morning.
The Duchess was nearly 40 years old, but she looked much younger than her age with a consistent smile on her face. Perhaps it was also because she had been very successful in her entire life and had taken good care of her skin.
However, from the fact that other than the two sons and one daughter she gave birth to, the Duke had no illegitimate children born in the Duke's Manor over the years, I could tell that she was very shrewd and was far from being as kind as she looked.
After I answered several casual greetings from her, such as the question about whether I had become accustomed to life in the Duke's Manor, she changed the topic.
"I heard that Charles hasn't slept with you yet."
"Here it comes!" I sighed inwardly.
"Your Grace, I am sorry about my incompetence. The Earl seems to have his eye on someone else, so he doesn't care about me."
The Duchess gave a cold snort as if scornful of my incompetence or of Charles' so-called love.
I stepped forward, bowing politely and humbly.
"Your Grace, as a loving mother, you kindly arranged for me to take care of the Earl with the hope that he will have someone who understands his feelings. I have been well aware that the honor I get will be closely related to the Earl from the moment I stepped into the Duke's Manor.
"The Earl is my everything and my hope for the future.
"Your Grace, I am willing to share your worries."
The Duchess put down her teacup and eyed me, expressionless.
"Share my worries? What do I have to worry about?"
I touched the ground with my head and closed my eyes slightly, my forehead breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Your Grace, not long after I was luckily accepted into the Duke's Manor, I learned that the Earl had a beloved woman and has proposed to marry her many times, but you rejected it. If this continues, there will gradually be a rift between you and the Earl, which is not what you want.
"Although I only have a mediocre appearance, I am confident of winning a little bit of the Earl's heart if I am allowed a chance.
"Your Grace, I hope I can be a help to you."