Chapter 22
“Why?”
Did I really need a reason?
Kallion hated me to the point of disgust, and I no longer had any kind of loving feelings toward him.
No—that had turned into hate.
Did we really need explanations or excuses between us at this point?
Maybe he sensed something from my expression, because he quickly changed the subject.
“No, you don’t have to say it. If you don’t like me anymore, that’s actually a relief.”
He said it casually and turned away.
It felt forced, unnatural, but I didn’t feel the need to dig into it.
Silence returned, and I quietly continued eating.
Unlike me, Kallion just kept staring at me for a while.
* * *
“Madam, how about this dress?”
Kate asked energetically, her eyes full of excitement.
I smiled lightly.
“It looks fine.”
“But you said the last one looked fine too! Please tell me which one you really like better!”
“Honestly, I don’t really care which dress it is.”
Kate’s face immediately fell.
Ever since she became my personal maid, she had been more passionate than I expected.
Maybe it was because she had been promoted so quickly and wanted to prove herself.
“I think the problem is that you don’t like any of the dresses. I wish we had more time to tailor one properly, but we don’t…”
“That’s not it…”
I just didn’t care much about the banquet.
But she misunderstood and pumped her fist with determination.
“I’ll go find a better one right now! I’ll search every dress shop in the capital if I have to!”
I didn’t really care what I wore, so I awkwardly tried to stop her.
“Actually… the last dress might’ve been the best after all.”
“You’re just saying that! I can tell! Please wait a bit!”
With that, Kate dashed out of the room.
I let out a short laugh. She was impossible to stop sometimes.
But having someone like her by my side in this suffocating mansion didn’t seem so bad.
A short time after she left, there was a knock.
“Madam, it’s Head Maid Vanessa.”
I looked at the door, puzzled, and calmly replied,
“Come in.”
A sharp-looking woman entered the room.
She was from a family that had served the Valdormer estate for generations.
“What is it?”
“I heard you appointed Kate as your personal maid.”
“Yes, I did.”
She hesitated for a moment, then bowed stiffly.
“Kate hasn’t been here very long. I can assign someone more experienced.”
I stared at her.
In my past life, Vanessa never acknowledged me as the lady of the house.
And clearly, she hadn’t changed.
Even if I managed the estate flawlessly, not every servant would open their hearts to me.
After the orphanage incident, some of their hostility had lessened—but the ones loyal to the Valdormers still didn’t trust me.
Vanessa was one of them.
“Thanks, but no need.”
I saw her expression harden.
She probably wanted to put a loyal spy next to me.
But I didn’t want to be watched every moment, not even during my rest.
“What I need isn’t a skilled maid—it’s someone I can trust with my back.”
Vanessa seemed to understand my deeper meaning. Her brow twitched slightly.
But she quickly hid it and bowed.
“Understood, Madam.”
She quietly left the room.
I looked at the door she had gone through for a moment, then turned to the window.
Outside, I saw Kate just leaving the mansion.
At that moment, a group of maids passed by and purposely tripped her.
She fell flat on the ground before she could react.
It was probably because they were jealous of her new position—or because they hated that she served someone from a rival family.
Kate didn’t move at first. I almost stood up instinctively.
But I knew stepping in would only make things worse for her.
Then suddenly, she jumped up, brushed herself off, and walked away like nothing had happened.
She acted as if such things didn’t bother her at all.
The ones who tripped her even looked confused at how calm she was.
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
* * *
The day of the grand Valdormer banquet had arrived—an event every servant had worked hard to prepare.
It was a gathering of the four great noble families: Valdormer, Heister, Silverstel, and Marcelino.
Each family took turns hosting every season. This time, it was Valdormer’s turn.
Even rival families sent someone to represent them out of politeness.
On rare occasions, even a royal family member might show up—but that was rare.
I wore a deep red dress, chosen by Kate to match my eye color, and calmly scanned the banquet hall.
Despite the head butler’s nervousness, everything was perfectly arranged—food, decorations, everything.
Much of the credit went to the Bas Merchant Guild.
I even received a letter from Jared through them recently. It was just a brief greeting, but even that was enough for now.
If we kept in touch, I might eventually find out who was backing him.
Bas was also purchasing the pine bark I requested in large quantities.
Partnering with the guild had definitely been a good decision.
As I quietly admired the successful banquet, someone suddenly stood close beside me.
It was Kallion, dressed in a sharp black tailcoat.
“Smile, Yuliana.”
He said, wearing a fake smile.
I turned to see the middle-aged man staring this way—my father-in-law, the head of the Valdormer family, Darkin.
He had returned from the villa to attend this event.
I calmly smiled and took Kallion’s arm.
“Don’t worry about me. You should focus on yourself.”
He stiffened at my touch, so I added the line proudly.
His lips curled faintly.
“Don’t try to use this event for your own benefit.”
“I thought I already told you—I don’t like you. Didn’t you hear me last time?”
“Yeah, I heard.”
He answered too casually. It made me want to kick his shin.
Why didn’t he get it? Was I not clear enough?
At that moment, I heard a familiar voice.
“Madam, you look so beautiful.”
Layla approached with a sweet smile, wearing a light blue dress.
“And Lord Kallion, as always, you shine today.”
Her words were polite, but had a hidden edge. Kallion simply replied,
“Don’t push yourself. Leave early if you’re tired.”
Layla smiled softly.
“I’m fine. I actually like parties.”
“Just don’t drink too much again.”
“You treat me more like a little sister than a secretary sometimes.”
Listening to their conversation made me nauseous.
How much longer did I have to pretend to be okay standing beside him?
Then, the servant at the entrance raised his voice loudly.
“Lloyd de Silverstel, second son of the Silverstel family, has arrived!”
My expression froze.
Why him?
In the past, the Silverstel eldest son always attended Valdormer banquets.
Why had Lloyd come this time?
I felt Kallion’s eyes on me, likely sensing my reaction.
I tried hard to keep a calm face and act natural.
Soon, Lloyd stepped forward to greet the hosts of the banquet.
Don’t react, Yuliana.
He’s not the man who once loved me. He’s just the second son of Silverstel now.
But I couldn’t meet his eyes. It felt like I’d been caught cheating on both sides.
Lloyd, now standing close, greeted politely.
“Long time no see, Kallion. And…”
He paused and then looked at me with a charming smile.
“It’s been a while, Madam.”
The way he said Madam—the tone, the warmth—was exactly how he used to speak to me when I was his wife in the past life.
My heart dropped.
No, it can’t be. He shouldn’t know who I am. But how…
I could feel Kallion’s suspicious gaze on me as I visibly panicked.
I tried to stay composed and replied calmly,
“Have we met somewhere before?”
Lloyd smiled gently.
With the same beautiful smile he once gave to the woman he loved.
