How to Survive as the Wife of the Monster Duke - Chapter 209

“I’ll open it.” 

Etra grasped the end of the letter envelope, startling Etra, who had been lost in thought. 

“Oh, I’ll open it.” 

She had heard that there were people who played pranks with letters. Etra accepted the envelope from the blinking mistress. The letter opener sliced through the envelope. 

[You are invited to Dannet’s soiree.] 

“A soiree…” 

Indeed, it was a social event. Ilyn tilted her head slightly and accepted the envelope from Etra. She asked an important question. 

“Did the letter come to this mansion?” 

“No, it did not.” Etra, who had received the letter, shook her head. 

“Delrose, I mean Biflten mansion, is not well-known to the outside world.” 

“Then what is this?” Ilyn held up the letter envelope. 

Etra bowed her head deeply. “It arrived at Milo’s residence.” 

Since she didn’t know the location of the mansion, there was no other way to send a letter. Ilyn nodded briefly. 

“Well then. She placed the envelope on the table. “I won’t reply.” 

Not a refusal, but a complete lack of response? Etra’s eyes widened. Ilyn looked out the window. Truly, this mansion resembled the Biflten mansion, but it was different. It was a mansion decorated in a practical style, in line with Delrose’s aversion to unnecessary extravagance. Ilyn had become accustomed to it, having spent time only in Delrose’s territory during the winter. But it changed when she approached the window. Thin curtains, not found in the winter region, fluttered in the wind. The wind, when it touched, felt like the cold winter wind that could cut the back of your hand, but it carried a warm aura rather than the cold. And the color of that wind was yellow. Sometimes it was tinged with crimson, and in the morning, it sparkled in a pleasant shade of yellow. 

“No, rather than not responding at all, ten days should be fine, Ilyn corrected herself. 

Etra tilted her head slightly. “Mistress, the tea time is a week from now. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to attend on my date.” 

“Of course.” Ilyn smiled mischievously.

“This letter was delivered through the summit.” 

The reason for sending it to the summit was probably because they didn’t know the exact location of Biflten Mansion. If she simply thought that way, it would be right to respond quickly to this letter. As quickly as possible without offending etiquette. If she didn’t want to attend the soiree, it would be best to politely decline. But even though she hadn’t made her debut in high society, Ilyn, who had entertained guests several times in her novels, knew the ways of the nobility.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

As this was a letter addressed to the mistress, it would have surely been swiftly delivered through the Esid Group’s upper management. Etra nodded briefly, acknowledging the assumption. 

“So, that means they saw me as someone connected to the upper ranks,” Ilyin mused, her eyes fixed on the words inscribed on the envelope: 

“Ilyin of Biflten.” It was not the title of a duchess, but rather Ilyin of the Biflten family. She couldn’t help but wonder why they chose such an ambiguous expression instead of referring to her as a duchess. 

“Ah…” 

Ilyin let out a sigh, as if a realization had struck her. It seemed that, like a denizen of winter, she had forgotten the simple truth that was so evident in the sun. To be recognized as duchesses, both Ilyin and Aden would have to venture to the imperial castle and obtain the emperor’s permission. However, neither of them had ever set foot near the imperial castle. That was a required procedure mandated by imperial law.  While there were cases where documentation could serve as a substitute for marriage among nobles of lower rank, this was the marriage of a duke—a far grander affair. Of course, due to the peculiarities of the winter region, the formalities might have been bypassed. It was said that the winter region, instead of warding off monsters, enjoyed a certain degree of “independence.” 

Yet, apart from the fact that some level of autonomy had been granted, little was known about whether the procedure had truly been omitted. In that case, they viewed Ilyin as someone connected to the Biflten duchy, but still as an “unmarried woman.”

And the fact that they chose to send this letter directly to the upper ranks meant that they regarded her as part of their circle. 

“Well, I am proud to be associated with Milo’s upper ranks,” 

Ilyin’s laughter filled the air. She held no disdain for Milo’s summit, unlike the other aristocrats, who regarded such positions with contempt. To her, Ilyin of Delrose was never beneath anyone’s notice.

The same sentiment extended to Milo, the guild owner. He, too, held a special place in Ilyin’s heart, as a cherished member of Delrose.

Yet, if she were to respond to this letter immediately, it would be an admission of her affiliation with the upper echelons. Not that she despised such recognition, but in a society governed by aristocratic norms, who could truly lay claim to such a title?

Furthermore, receiving this correspondence directly amidst rumors of the Beaufort Duke’s involvement with the summit… Ilyin fell into contemplation, realizing the weight of the situation.

She understood that she couldn’t instantly change the perception ingrained in aristocratic society, where merchants were considered inferior. It meant she had to employ a different approach, adjust her strategies.

“If you regret your decision, then invite me once more,” she declared, formulating her response to be sent in ten days. Her intention was to explain her tardiness as a result of being contacted through upper management—a subtle indication of the distance between their circles and the limited knowledge they possessed about her.

Turning to Etra, Ilyin posed a question. “Is there any position where the letter can be received on my behalf?” Uncertain whether she should disclose the location of the mansion in her reply, she sought Etra’s guidance. Etra tilted her head slightly in thought.

“As long as Biflten has initiated their activities in the sun, this place shall serve as their base,” Etra replied, assuring Ilyin that even if the location of the mansion were to be exposed, it wouldn’t pose a significant concern.

“In that case, I shall inform them of this in ten days,” Ilyin affirmed. She was not one to delay matters unnecessarily. She had already prepared the letter in advance, its contents reflecting her deep regret for missing the tea party. Given the considerable distance between the Esid Merchants and the Biflten Mansion, the delivery of the letter had been unavoidably delayed. However, Ilyin expressed her hope for future opportunities, suggesting that if another favorable occasion were to arise, sending the correspondence to her mansion would ensure swifter communication.

And so, with ten days remaining, she sealed the letter, ready to embark on its journey.