Chapter 39
When Elsez’s carriage arrived at the Rettenhouse Duke’s estate, the waiting butler opened the carriage door.
“Welcome, Miss.”
The butler greeted her politely but looked somewhat surprised as Elsez stepped down from the carriage.
Unlike her usual visits to Tezet, when she would dress up elaborately, today she wore a tunic and pants—an outfit uncommon for a noble lady.
Elsez handed the gift box she was carrying to the butler, who was staring at her blankly.
“This is…?”
“Madeleines. I thought the Duke might like them.”
Although there were likely many chefs at the Duke’s estate who could make madeleines, Elsez couldn’t resist bringing some since it had been so long since she last saw Tezet.
Tezet had always liked sweet desserts.
When he was first taken from the back alleys as a child, he had been very wary.
Having grown up rough in the alleys, he had different moral standards from others and often got into trouble.
He frequently fought with Cassian and Rasiel, who were a year or two older than him.
The only way to tame the wild, untamed Tezet was with sweet desserts.
“Come to think of it, he’s a little like Leti.”
Even three years ago, as an adult, he liked desserts, so he probably still did. That was why she bought them.
The butler accepted the dessert with a confused expression.
“I don’t think the Duke has mentioned his preferences.”
Tezet was not particularly shy about his tastes, but for Elsez, the two rarely had moments of overlap.
Nevertheless, there was no reason to refuse a gift that would surely please its recipient.
“I will make sure the gift is delivered. The Duke will certainly appreciate it.”
He handed the box of madeleines to a nearby servant and then asked Elsez,
“Shall we go to the greenhouse where you usually wait?”
‘So she always meets him in the greenhouse.’
Elsez nodded instead of answering, guessing correctly.
The butler led her into the mansion.
The Rettenhouse Duke’s estate was far larger and more extravagant than she had imagined.
‘A building second in size only to the Imperial Palace.’
Crossing the mansion and exiting through the back door revealed an equally massive garden.
Given the scale, maintaining such a garden would require enormous resources.
As they entered the innermost part of the well-kept garden, a huge domed greenhouse came into view.
Inside, brightly colored flowering trees and exotic birds with magnificent plumage coexisted as if a tiny foreign land had been transplanted there.
“I will bring the tea shortly. If you need anything, please let the maids know.”
The butler bowed and left, leaving only Elsez and two maids waiting by the entrance.
‘Might as well look around while I wait.’
Elsez, who disliked sitting idly, began exploring the greenhouse.
On her first visit, she was neither a noble nor acquainted with any, so she never had the chance to see such splendid estates.
Although she occasionally visited Martin’s house, it was incomparable to the Rettenhouse estate.
As Elsez explored, she overheard murmuring voices.
“Honestly, seeing her keep coming back even after being stood up, you have to admire her persistence.”
“I know, right? The Duke must be so tired of it. She keeps coming even though he’s obviously trying to avoid her… If it were me, I wouldn’t show up out of embarrassment.”
“Well, what choice does she have? Her family’s bankrupt; the only person she can rely on now is her fiancé, who happens to be the Duke. That’s why she’s clinging like this.”
“Tch, the Duke’s noble pride is getting trampled. Still, I feel sorry for him being harassed like this.”
Though no subject was explicitly mentioned, it was clear who they were talking about.
The maids whispered while glancing at Elsez, seemingly unconcerned about hiding their voices.
Listening, Elsez quickly understood the situation she had been in before she transmigrated.
Tezet had never appeared for tea, yet she had been visiting the Duke’s estate every week, waiting for him.
‘Of course. He never cared about women’s manners or consideration.’
Now it made sense why the estate’s butler had taken her straight to the greenhouse without saying when Tezet would arrive.
The previous Elsez had no choice but to spend time there, knowing Tezet wouldn’t meet her.
She had to maintain the lie that she had met him to outsiders, preserving her pride and position as his fiancée.
‘So even if the maids mocked her, she couldn’t show any reaction.’
If she had raised her voice, Tezet might have heard the unpleasant remarks, which she couldn’t risk.
‘She was so desperate…’
Elsez furrowed her brows. Losing her only father and fighting to survive had made the former Elsez somewhat pitiful.
‘But I have no reason to act like that.’
Appearing refined while crumbling inside achieves nothing.
Just then, a maid approached with a trolley carrying refreshments.
Elsez returned to the table and sat down.
The maid placed an empty teacup in front of her and began pouring tea.
Elsez noticed the maid’s gaze lingering on her.
The maid watched with an intrigued expression, as if anticipating something interesting would happen.
As Elsez noticed, the tea poured over the cup’s rim, spilling.
A faint smile appeared at the maid’s lips.
‘All for the Duke, of course.’
In truth, the maids secretly hoped that the Duke’s pitiful fiancée, who couldn’t even speak up against them, would realize her own lowly position and falter.
“Oh! I’m—sorry—”
Just as she hurried to set the teapot down and offer a half-hearted apology, the table suddenly tipped toward Elsez’s side.
Crash!
The loud noise echoed through the quiet greenhouse.
The maid flinched visibly—not just at the noise, but at Elsez’s deliberate action.
The Elsez they knew had always endured their torment and gossip silently.
Elsez stared at the stunned maid and, after a beat, spoke leisurely:
“I’ve been training my body lately. Now, if someone tries to harm me, I instinctively defend myself.”
The maid trembled, looking at her.
Though Elsez’s lips seemed to hold a faint smile, her words clearly scolded the maid’s intended actions.
Elsez wiped the smile off her face and spoke again.
“Again.”
“…Yes?”
“Pour it again. I can’t drink tea from a broken cup, can I?”
Even sitting down, the maid felt intimidated by Elsez’s gaze.
‘She’s a completely different person…’
Unlike the Elsez from a month ago who would sit stiffly but shrink inwardly, this was someone entirely new.
“I-I’ll bring it right away.”
The maid, subdued by her presence, quickly set the table straight and left.
Moments later, she returned with a pristine teacup.
As the maid began pouring tea again, Elsez spoke.
“Isn’t the tea too strong? I don’t like it bitter.”
“…Ah…”
Though phrased as a question, the intent was clear.
The maid pressed her trembling lips together and left with the teapot.
When she returned, the steaming teapot was back on the trolley.
She poured tea into the cup in front of Elsez, her hands shaking slightly.
‘Being nice isn’t always the answer.’
One must assert their presence, or they’ll be underestimated.
The maid poured the tea properly, still trembling.
Elsez stared coldly at the teacup, then spoke:
“Go fetch the butler.”
The maid tensed at the request but quickly felt reassured.
‘She wouldn’t dare tell the butler. Any fuss here would damage her own image, especially now that the viscount’s reputation is bad.’
The maid fetched the butler.
“You called, Miss?”
Elsez rose from her seat as if she had been waiting for this moment, leaving the poured tea untouched.
“I wanted to speak directly to the Duke, but it seems difficult now. I’d like you to convey my words.”
“What words…?”
With a sweet smile, Elsez said something neither the maid nor the butler could have imagined.
“I want us to break off the engagement.”
