Chapter 4:
In the mirror, Rozaline pouted and replied curtly.
“I don’t think we really need to go.”
“Still, as the lady of the house, I should check in on behalf of the lord.”
Before I had even finished speaking, I heard a small scoff from her— the kind of mocking laugh that said, You still haven’t figured out your place, have you?
Pretending not to hear, I rose from my chair and looked at Rozaline with a serious expression.
“Rozaline. You don’t look well—are you sick?”
When I furrowed my brows in concern and examined her face, she stiffened in surprise.
Then, she raised her hand to touch her cheek and suddenly put on the face of a patient.
Hearing such a remark from me, someone versed in medicine, must have made her think she’d come down with some serious illness.
“There are dark circles under your eyes, your complexion isn’t good, and your skin looks damaged. Have you been sleeping well at night?”
“N-now that you mention it, I have been feeling tired lately… and achy… I keep waking up at dawn. Is it serious?”
“I knew it.”
I sighed in pity, quite deliberately.
Then I went straight to the dresser, took out a clear glass bottle filled with liquid, and pressed it into her hands.
Her eyes widened.
“What’s this?”
“Add one spoonful to warm tea—it’ll help relieve fatigue. Drink it every evening after dinner.”
“Ah…”
“I’ve been so busy tending to others that I’ve neglected the person closest to me—Rozaline.”
She looked a bit moved as she glanced between the bottle and me.
“For the medicine to work, you have to take it at the same time every day. And for now, you don’t need to clear my dishes after dinner. You can leave them until morning.”
“But…”
I gently took her hand and continued,
“From tonight, you don’t need to prepare me for bed. Go back to your room early and rest—at least until you’ve recovered.”
“Madam…”
“You have to take care of yourself, Rozaline. You know you’re the only one I can rely on in this castle.”
“…Yes.”
“Don’t forget to take the medicine before bed, alright?”
Her eyes, which usually glared at me with icy disdain, were now surprisingly docile.
“Well then, shall we take a look around the castle?”
“Yes, Madam.”
She folded her hands politely.
Leaving her behind, I stepped out of the room—my lips twitching in satisfaction.
Getting Rozaline—my biggest obstacle—out of the way was no trouble at all.
“I’m tired. My whole body aches. I didn’t sleep well.” Those were practically her catchphrases.
All I’d done was make sure she could sleep soundly tonight so that when I disappeared, she’d wake up feeling refreshed.
The next stop was the stables.
This will be just as easy.
Ever since I’d treated the stable master’s injured foot last time, I had visited daily to check his recovery.
Thanks to that, he had completely let down his guard around me.
He even forgot I was the lord’s wife and spoke to me like a friend.
Through our casual chats, I’d picked up quite a few handy tidbits:
How not to get lost in the forest outside the castle
Which horse was the fastest and most docile
That on the lord’s birthday, his son would be tending the stables instead of him
When I arrived, I saw a rather handsome young man coming out.
“You’re the stable master’s son?”
“Yes, I am.”
He didn’t look particularly diligent, and though he seemed wary, he was also a bit intimidated.
“Your father’s injury is much better now.”
He gave me a polite bow, likely having heard about my help.
“I have a favor to ask…”
Immediately, his guarded look returned.
“Can you go to the apothecary outside the castle tomorrow and get some herbs for me? The other servants are all busy preparing for the lord’s birthday.”
He hesitated awkwardly.
“Well… my father’s hurt, so I have to stay here and watch the stables.”
Just as I’d expected.
I sighed lightly and pressed my hand to my forehead.
“That’s too bad. Marie usually runs errands for me, but this time I need quite a lot, and it would be better if someone went with her. I’d hate to send her alone…”
At the mention of Marie, he perked right up.
Of course. Everyone in the castle knew the two of them had been mooning over each other lately.
“If Madam needs me, what’s the stable compared to that? You even treated my father’s wound.”
“Really? Thank you. Be sure to visit every apothecary if you have to—don’t miss a single herb.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
He already looked excited at the thought of spending the day with Marie.
I could practically see Marie squealing with delight when she heard.
The herb list was already prepared—all rare and hard-to-find items.
This would buy me the time I needed to take a horse and escape tomorrow.
“I’ll be counting on you.”
Before leaving the stables, I approached a brown horse whose face I already knew well—the fastest and gentlest of them all, according to the stable master.
Every time I visited, I stroked its mane, so now it recognized me and greeted me with calm, friendly eyes.
“Alright, my sweet one. You’ll have to do your best tomorrow.”
I whispered in its ear and gently brushed its mane.
After that, I headed to the kitchens, where stacks of ingredients were piled high.
“Is everything ready for the guests?”
The bustling kitchen froze at my appearance, and I heard whispering all around.
“Why’s she here all of a sudden?”
“Has she deluded herself into thinking she’s the real lady of the house?”
“Shh! She’ll hear you.”
“Let her hear.”
Of all people, these kitchen workers knew exactly what my standing was. Their gossip was only natural—Garnet had never involved herself in the castle’s management before.
But I hadn’t come here unaware that I’d be treated this way.
“Well, well. What brings you to such a humble place, Madam?”
A shrill, haughty voice rang out.
Turning, I saw a red-haired woman saunter toward me with her arms crossed.
Just as I’d expected.
“I came to see if preparations for the lord’s birthday were going well. I suppose I’m in the way.”
Her crimson lips curled in a smirk.
“As you can see, everything is perfect. Perhaps you’ve forgotten your role—why don’t you just tend to your medicine cabinet? Leave the running of the castle to me.”
I heard stifled giggles from the kitchen staff.
“That’s good to hear.”
I nodded and was about to turn away, but then acted as if I’d just remembered something.
“Ah, that reminds me.”
The redhead shot me an annoyed glare.
“What now?”
“Not long ago, I treated a soldier guarding the gates. He had quite a few complaints.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Feigning innocence, I continued calmly,
“He said guarding the castle is the hardest job, yet no one acknowledges their efforts. I thought it might be good to show the lord’s generosity by providing them with food and drink at the banquet—just so people don’t think the lady of the house is stingy.”
Her eyes flickered with surprise—of course she’d never even considered them.
But she quickly forced a smile.
“Thank you for the presumptuous advice, but I’d already thought of that. The soldiers will have plenty of meat and drink. There’s no need for you to interfere.”
Hearing exactly what I wanted, I smiled warmly and nodded.
As I walked out, I could still feel her glare burning into my back.
Stare all you like.
At least tomorrow’s strict security outside the castle would loosen up a bit.
Smiling with satisfaction, I spoke to her in my heart:
Even when you’re standing before the duke’s blade, make sure you proudly declare yourself the true lady of this castle.
The next day, guests began arriving from outside.
From my window, I watched the busy crowd below, my palms already sweating with tension.
Today. I have to get out today.
“Madam, the lord asks that you come down.”
Schooling my expression, I descended alone.
Outwardly, I was still the lord’s wife, so I stood in the hall beside Lord Willinger to greet the guests.
“Congratulations on your birthday, my lord.”
“You look more beautiful than ever today, Madam.”
The lord seemed delighted, basking in the glory of hosting such a lavish party.
The red-haired woman, on the other hand, looked sour—clearly annoyed that, despite arranging everything, I was standing beside him.
As I greeted the guests, I kept glancing at the lord, waiting for the right moment. I had to set the stage so he wouldn’t suspect anything later.
“Ah…!”
Suddenly, my legs gave way, and I staggered. The lord’s eyes widened as he grabbed my arm—no, yanked me upright with surprising force.
The pain made my eyes sting with tears.
Outwardly, he put on a concerned expression, but his voice was tight with suppressed anger.
“Madam, what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing… I just felt dizzy.”
Click. Of all days, it had to be today.
I could see the irritation in his eyes as he looked at me like I was pathetic.
Leaning close, he muttered a warning,
“Today is important. Conduct yourself properly.”
“Yes… I’m sorry.”
From afar, I saw the redhead finally smiling, having enjoyed the little scene.
Inside the castle, the mood was steadily building toward its climax.
