My Bratty Wife
Chapter 137 - Hundred And Thirty Seven

Chapter 137: Chapter Hundred And Thirty Seven

Suzy wandered into the kitchen, her mind occupied with a burning question. Mrs. Madelyn, the oldest and most respected worker in the castle, seemed like the perfect person to ask. As she entered, she saw the kitchen bustling and Mrs. Madelyn overseeing the preparations for dinner.

"Your Grace, what brings you here?" Mrs. Madelyn asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Suzy smiled, "I was a bit bored and wanted to see how the people who prepare my delicious meals are doing."

Mrs. Madelyn blushed, a rare sight on her usually stoic face. "Oh, stop teasing an old woman, child," she chuckled. "What would His Grace say if he saw you here? It’s not proper for you to come here often."

Suzy giggled. "Would you prefer I visit you in your quarters then?" she teased.

Mrs. Madelyn’s eyes widened. "No, no, child. That would be even worse. His Grace wouldn’t approve."

Suzy smiled knowingly. "Then permit my frequent visits here," she declared.

Mrs. Madelyn softened, a warm smile spreading across her face. "It’s been a long time since someone cared about the workers. After the Duchess’s passing, His Grace simply pays our wages and nothing more."

Suzy listened, her heart heavy.

Mrs. Madelyn nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You know, he has changed a lot since marrying you. I think you’ve filled the void his mother left. He seems to care more now."

Suzy’s expression softened. "I see," she murmured. She hopped onto a freshly cleaned table, her skirts swishing around her legs. Mrs. Madelyn’s eyes widened in alarm. "Child, let me get you a chair. You’ll ruin your dress!" she exclaimed.

Suzy grinned. "I cleaned it before sitting down, Mrs. Madelyn."

Mrs. Madelyn sighed, shaking her head. "You’re such a stubborn one."

Suzy pouted playfully. "I get that a lot."

Mrs. Madelyn chuckled, her stern expression softening. "Now, what’s on your mind, Your Grace?"

Suzy pondered a moment before asking, "Why do Evan and Byron seem to dislike each other so much? I don’t see Evan acting that way towards Ryan."

Mrs. Madelyn hesitated, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Well, they don’t exactly consider each other family," she replied cautiously.

Suzy’s brow furrowed. "How so? What do you mean?"

Mrs. Madelyn took a deep breath. "Lord Byron was born out of a...a less conventional union. His mother was not a noblewoman. Duke Charles brought him home, and young Ryan was overjoyed to have a brother. But Duchess Leah...well, she was not pleased. There was a terrible argument between them. I’d never seen the Duchess so angry."

Suzy listened intently, her mind racing. "So, did she accept Byron?"

"At first, no," Mrs. Madelyn confirmed.

"But over time, she came to love him as her own but she never truly forgave the Duke."

Suzy was silent, processing the information.

"Do you know the room you’re staying in? It’s a result of that argument," Mrs. Madelyn continued. "Duchess Leah wanted a private space, away from her husband. That started the tradition of separate room and distant seating arrangements at the dining table."

Silence.

"The entire family and most nobles belittles him over time, but he didn’t care, he was always carefree as far as his new brother and mother cares deeply about him. It was a long and difficult journey, though trying not to make those negative get to him. Even after her passing, some members of the Blackwood family still don’t fully accept Lord Byron, including Lord Evan. They see him as an outsider, a stain on their noble lineage."

Suzy felt a pang of sympathy for Byron. "Poor Byron," she murmured.

Mrs. Madelyn nodded sadly. "He’s a good man, despite his troubled past. But the weight of prejudice is heavy on his shoulders."

Suzy turned to Mrs. Madelyn. "What about Duke Charles? What was his opinion on all this?"

Mrs. Madelyn sighed. "He was only concerned with training His Grace to be the next Duke. He sidelined Lord Byron, leaving him under the Duchess’s care. Whenever she was tending to the garden, feeding the birds, or simply taking a stroll, Lord Byron was always by her side. His Grace, too, would often sneak away from his studies to join them, bringing a smile to our faces."

Suzy nodded, understanding. "The two boys would have been greatly affected after her death and I’m sure that’s why it hit Ryan the hardest because she was his mother."

Mrs. Madelyn shook her head. "No, it was Lord Byron who was most affected. He lost not one, but two mothers. Yet, he remained strong for His Grace’s sake."

Suzy was surprised. "Oh, I see. What caused her death?"

Before Mrs. Madelyn could answer, they heard the hurried footsteps of Doris.

"Milady!" she exclaimed, her face pale.

Suzy’s heart pounded as she jumped off the table. "What’s wrong, Doris?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"His Grace went for a ride and returned injured," Doris replied, her voice trembling.

Suzy’s eyes widened in shock. "Where is he?" she demanded.

"He’s in his chambers. Dr. Abernathy is on his way," Doris explained.

Suzy rushed towards Ryan’s chambers, Doris following closely behind. "Slow down, Milady," Doris cautioned. "You might fall and injure yourself."

Ignoring Doris’s plea, Suzy rushed towards Ryan’s chambers, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

She burst into Ryan’s room, finding him seated in an armchair and Davis attempting to tend his injured arm. The sight of Ryan’s pale face and the bloodstained cloth sent a shiver down her spine.

"Duchess?" Ryan’s voice was weak, his eyes heavy.

Suzy ignored him, her gaze fixed on Davis. "What happened?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

Davis bowed his head, his expression filled with remorse. "It’s my fault, Your Grace. I didn’t secure the saddle properly. Please forgive me."

Suzy remained silent for a moment, her anger simmering. Then, she uttered a single word, "Leave." Her voice cold.

Davis nodded, his face etched with shame. He quickly left the room, closing the door behind him.

As soon as the door closed, Suzy turned her attention back to Ryan.