5. The In-Laws
At the second-floor window of Duke Kalinos’s mansion, Caitlyn pressed her lips into a thin line as she watched the carriage roll to a stop below. The duke’s fiancée stepped down with practiced grace, but all Caitlyn could see was calculated ambition wrapped in silk.
How dare that shameless woman seduce His Grace?
The rumors painted a clear picture—this creature had latched onto Marquis Berto first, then Duke Reshaniel, collecting powerful men like trophies. Now she’d set her sights on their family, and Caitlyn’s stomach turned at the thought.
I can’t just let this go.
Yet here this woman was, about to marry into the Kalinos family, trying to rise above Caitlyn herself.
Yuliana joined her at the glass, chin propped elegantly on her hand as she studied Giselle with cold calculation. “Weak, insignificant people have no place in our family.”
“Exactly right. If it comes to it, I’ll handle her myself.”
That’s precisely why Yuliana had chosen Caitlyn as head maid—she needed someone willing to eliminate such pathetic obstacles. Yuliana’s gaze swept over the report detailing the Count Florette family’s disgrace and Giselle’s supposed fragility, then rose with fluid grace.
“Discard that trash.”
She’d memorized every humiliating detail—how easily Giselle crumbled, how tears came at the slightest provocation. A smile ghosted across Yuliana’s lips as she glided toward the door.
“Prepare the water for our guest today.”
“Pardon?”
Caitlyn’s disapproving stare lingered on Giselle’s designated seat before she swept the centerpiece away with deliberate malice. The table’s warmth died instantly, leaving only stark, unwelcoming emptiness.
“This luncheon will be unlike any other. Quite ominous indeed.”
* * *
When the duke and I entered the dining room, Count Teren and Madam Yuliana waited like predators sizing up their prey.
“Welcome, Duke Kalinos.”
“Brother! And Lady—”
“Come, have a seat, Son.”
Yuliana didn’t even look at me. In fact, when Count Teren tried to greet me, she deliberately cut him off.
Oh, they’re treating me like I’m invisible from that start.
Count Teren shifted uncomfortably, his easygoing nature clearly at war with the tension crackling through the room. But I nearly laughed out loud.
This is actually perfect. I just have to stay quiet, right?
I settled beside Duke Kalinos with serene composure while Yuliana performed her little theater, addressing only him as if I’d ceased to exist.
“It’s been far too long since we last met.”
Of course, Duke Kalinos wasn’t the type to be pushed around by Madam Yuliana. He cut straight through her pretense, gesturing toward me with unmistakable intent. “This is Lady Giselle Florette, who will become my wife.”
“Greetings, Madam. My name is Giselle.”
Yuliana’s response could have frozen wine in its glass. “You’re here, Duke.”
She didn’t acknowledge my greeting at all. Instead, she whispered to Teren. “Teren, do you remember when you were seven years old?”
“…Mother, excuse me?”
“When you were young, you used to interrupt your elders all the time.”
“Um, I suppose I was rather mischievous…”
Yuliana’s whisper carried ice-cold amusement, her expression anything but maternal. “You were so young… and adorable back then.” Her gaze flicked sideways to me for just an instant.
She’s using the language of high society. By reminiscing about her son’s childhood interruptions, Yuliana was delivering a pointed rebuke for my earlier greeting. And saying ‘You were so young and adorable back then’ implies that if you’re not young, you’re not adorable—a subtle insult. Everyone at the table knew exactly what she meant.
This is kind of interesting, but… I blinked and smiled sweetly. Isn’t that insult a bit weak for someone with such a fearsome reputation?
She was clearly underestimating me. And since I’d never been accused of backing down from a fight, I decided to dive headfirst into her little game. “Wow, what a truly fascinating story! So adorable!”
Yuliana’s eyebrows twitched upward like drawn bowstrings. “Teren. Do you understand?” Another reprimand, delivered with surgical precision.
“So it seems,” I said, looking at Teren with wide-eyed innocence.
Yuliana’s eyebrows climbed higher, her displeasure written in every sharp line of her face.
Even I’m finding myself insufferable. But she couldn’t attack me directly. We weren’t equals—attacking me directly would be beneath her station.
Yuliana watched me with arctic calculation, her smile never wavering as she gave Caitlyn the subtlest of nods. “Let’s eat. Serve our guest a drink—no, just water.”
Caitlyn’s whisper dripped with malicious glee. “Yes. I’ll prepare it ice cold.”
Serving cold water to a lady in high society is basically a prison sentence.
I’d heard the stories—ladies who received Yuliana’s frigid water treatment found their reputations in ruins by the weekend. But honestly? My reputation was already buried six feet under. What was a little more dirt on the grave?
“Oh! I love cold water. That’s perfect.”
Yuliana’s response came a heartbeat too late. “…You like it?”
“Absolutely. I only drink cold water, even in winter. Can’t get enough of it!”
Caitlyn lifted the pitcher, struggling to maintain her composure as she began to pour. The familiar scene unfolded, just like when Madam Mariposa had ‘accidentally’ spilled water on me.
I watched the spout angle toward my face and opened my mouth wide. “Ahhh—!” The stream of water, meant to splash across my face, hit my open mouth dead-on. I gulped it down steadily until the flustered Caitlyn jerked the pitcher back.
When drinking, just open your throat, and it goes straight to your stomach. It was a skill I learned to fill my stomach with water when I was hungry. Who knew it would come in handy now. Bless you, Manager.
“…W-What is this?”
I raised an eyebrow and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, casual as you please. “Hmm? When I saw you pouring water into the air, I assumed it was some charming family tradition—drinking straight from the pitcher. Did I misunderstand something?”
Of course, no such ridiculous tradition existed.
* * *
Everyone stared in stunned silence, except one person.
Duke Kalinos, sitting beside me with his usual stoic expression, began to clap. “Excellent.”
“…?”
His praise came with unwavering seriousness. “Very impressive.”
Teren’s jaw hung open as he muttered barely audibly, “What… what am I even witnessing?”
Yuliana’s cold stare fixed on Teren before she asked in measured tones, “Do you truly enjoy cold water?”
“Yes~”
“You seemed… displeased.” It meant she was telling Giselle to mind her manners.
Giselle met her gaze and cheerfully lifted an empty teacup, placing one hand on the delicate porcelain while the other rested over her heart. Then she mimed sipping with perfect, textbook etiquette.
“I’m simply honored to be treated so graciously! What a privilege to receive such a warm welcome!”
Madam Yuliana’s expression flickered—just for an instant—before she recovered, lifting one corner of her mouth. “You’re quite different from what I’ve heard.”
Giselle beamed at her. “And you’re incredibly kind, Madam!”
At Giselle’s gentle smile, Yuliana turned away completely. Her expression showed she didn’t want to deal with her any further.
The moment Yuliana dismissed Giselle, Caitlyn approached with predatory grace. Her calloused hand brushed against Giselle’s arm—seemingly by accident. The delicate sleeve of Giselle’s dress tore with a sharp ripping sound.
“Ah, my apologies.”
Caitlyn withdrew her arm like nothing had happened while Giselle’s eyes widened in apparent shock.
“My goodness, how could the fabric tear so easily!”
