Chapter 61
The Fall of the Villainess (1)
I’d heard recently that the Dmitri family was paying an enormous amount in compensation for damages.
Of course, the cause of that was Camilla’s failed investment in “gift shares.”
I thought she must be going through a rough time, but…
Camilla’s situation had apparently gone far more disastrously than I had imagined.
Well, in the original story, the noble who invested in that same item suffered severe financial losses after being forced to pay restitution, too.
Moreover, Camilla had even borrowed money from loan sharks to make the investment.
It was obvious that her losses would be far worse than those of the nameless noble from the original.
Camilla’s face was already a mess of sweat and smeared black tears.
Her cheeks quivered as she forced a smile.
“H–honey… but this—this item really is different this time! I studied so hard and investigated everything myself…”
“For the love of god! Stop spouting that nonsense!”
The Count’s roar thundered through the area.
Camilla’s body, sprawled on the ground, flinched instinctively.
It was a reaction that made it clear—she was already used to being treated that way.
But the Count looked down at her with nothing but cold disgust, not a shred of pity in his gaze.
“I’ve truly had enough of you.”
Count Dmitri ground his teeth.
“I swore I would never divorce you… but it seems even my patience has reached its limit.”
“Honey…!”
Camilla desperately clutched at his trouser leg.
But the Count jerked back roughly, brushing off the spot where her hand had touched as though it were filthy.
“Once the Emperor’s birthday celebration ends, I’ll have the divorce papers prepared immediately.”
With that final remark, Count Dmitri climbed into the carriage without a backward glance.
Camilla scrambled up and pounded on the carriage window like a madwoman.
“N–no… this can’t be! Divorce? What are you talking about?”
But the voice that came through the window was chillingly cold.
“Make sure you stay out of my sight until the Imperial banquet.”
“No—no, honey! Plea—”
“Go.”
At the Count’s icy command, the carriage began to move, pushing through the gathered crowd and down the market street.
Left behind, Camilla stood there blankly, watching as her husband’s carriage disappeared from sight.
“This can’t be… how could you do this to me…?”
Her black hair fluttered limply over her pale, lifeless face.
A crowd had gathered around her, murmuring, whispering, watching.
In the past, Camilla’s pride would never have allowed her to endure such humiliation.
But now, she seemed utterly indifferent to the gazes surrounding her.
Things must have gotten really bad for her.
I slowly released Bianca’s hand, still watching the half-dazed Camilla.
Then I gave the child a small smile.
“Bianca, wait here with His Grace for a moment. Cedric, could you keep an eye on her while I step away?”
Cedric silently nodded.
He didn’t need to say anything—I could tell he understood.
I walked past the curious onlookers, my steps unhurried, and approached Camilla.
She hadn’t even noticed me yet, still staring vacantly at the spot where the carriage had disappeared, her jaw trembling.
“Camilla.”
At my quiet call, Camilla slowly turned her head.
“L–Lady… Rebecca…”
When she finally recognized me, her face twisted between humiliation and shame.
I pretended not to notice and crouched down slowly.
“Would you mind lifting your shoe for a moment? Your handkerchief fell at your feet.”
Camilla’s lips quivered. Only then did she seem to realize the eyes upon her.
Her face flushed crimson in an instant.
She hurriedly stepped aside with her head bowed.
“Here, Camilla.”
I brushed the dust off the handkerchief and handed it to her.
Camilla hastily wiped away her tears and forced a faint smile.
“Oh my… it’s been such a long time, Lady Rebecca.”
She smiled as though nothing had happened—like someone trying desperately to mask their misery with a broken mask.
“Are you out for a stroll before heading to the capital?”
“Something like that.”
“Ah… yes, of course…”
Her trembling lips pressed together tightly.
I watched her in silence—until suddenly,
“L–Lady Rebecca!”
Camilla grabbed my arm, her eyes filled with desperate pleading.
“Please… for the sake of our old friendship, could you show me just a little mercy?”
“…What?”
Her expression was impossible to read—was she smiling or crying?
Her face twisted unnaturally as she forced a grotesque smile.
“Just a little! That’s all I need! I’ve found a really promising investment this time—it’s guaranteed to succeed…”
“…”
“I’ll pay you back with interest—every last coin—so please, just a little…!”
“…Camilla.”
I pulled my arm away, coldly.
Her smile vanished instantly.
“I should have mentioned—His Grace the Grand Duke and Lady Bianca are with me today.”
“…What?”
The madness and desperation in her eyes froze as her gaze drifted past me.
Cedric, watching her with undisguised contempt.
Bianca, trembling, staring at her as though at some kind of monster.
Seeing them, Camilla’s eyes wavered helplessly.
“T–the Grand Duke and the young lady… here…”
Abandoned by her husband, humiliated in the dirt, and now seen like this by the Grand Duke’s family—Camilla’s face burned scarlet with shame.
“Th–this isn’t… I didn’t want you to see me like this…”
“We should be going, Camilla.”
“…”
“I heard about your family’s situation… I hope it all works out.”
That was all I could say to her.
I turned back, took Bianca’s hand, and led her away.
After a few steps, I glanced back once more.
Camilla was still standing there, dazed, watching us leave.
Fortunately, the encounter with Camilla didn’t affect Bianca for long.
As we walked down a street lined with women’s boutiques and jewelry shops, her cheerful energy soon returned.
“I think it’s way more fun to look at things in person like this, rather than having designers bring them to the estate!”
“I agree. I’m enjoying this outing with you too, Bianca.”
I patted her head gently and stopped in front of a jewelry shop window.
Cedric stopped beside me.
“Found something you like?”
I nodded.
“That bracelet—it’d suit Bianca perfectly.”
Inside, a row of colorful gemstone bracelets in small sizes for young girls sparkled in the display.
I’d been planning to get Bianca something pretty before we left for the capital anyway.
Who knows, she might run into those snobby capital debutantes again—better to give her some confidence in advance.
And I’d really like to see what kind of parents raise brats like that.
With renewed determination, I grabbed Bianca’s hand.
“Let’s go in, Bianca!”
“Huh? W–why a jewelry shop…?”
“What do you mean, why? It’s our chance to show those provincial capital girls the sophistication of Northern craftsmanship!”
Bianca looked flustered but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips as she followed me inside.
Ding!
The bell above the door chimed, and the shopkeeper turned toward us with a bored look—then gasped.
“Oh my!”
At her exclamation, everyone else in the shop turned to look.
“Lady Rebecca is shopping in person?”
“And His Grace the Grand Duke, too! Is today some special occasion?”
Apparently, the entire Twins family visiting a marketplace shop was quite the spectacle.
The owner hurried forward, her face glowing with excitement.
“To think the illustrious Twin family would grace my humble store—it’s the honor of my lifetime!”
Her eyes sparkled as she quickly spread a catalog before me.
“Even if we don’t have what you’re looking for here, please say the word, my lady! I’ll make sure you get it immediately!”
She clearly thought I was here to buy jewelry for myself.
It wasn’t unreasonable—everyone in the North knew of Rebecca’s legendary taste for luxury.
But I shook my head, smiling politely.
“Not for me. I’m looking for something that would suit our young lady here.”
“For… the young lady?”
The owner blinked in surprise.
I nodded firmly, my eyes blazing with resolve.
“Price doesn’t matter—just make sure it’s the finest quality! Something that can showcase Northern craftsmanship to the entire capital!”
“Northern craftsmanship… to the entire capital…”
The shopkeeper hurriedly scribbled down my words, then straightened up with shining eyes.
“Understood perfectly, my lady! For the upcoming Imperial banquet, I’ll make sure the pride of the North—our Lady Bianca—outshines every young noblewoman in the Empire!”
After Bianca followed the owner to the back of the store, all the remaining eyes in the room turned to me and Cedric.
Great. As if being alone with him isn’t awkward enough—now everyone’s staring, too…
All my energy from earlier was gone, replaced with nervousness.
Then suddenly, I felt warmth in my hand.
“…?”
I looked down, puzzled—Cedric had taken my hand. He gave a casual shrug.
“There are a lot of eyes watching.”
I blinked, startled.
“Wait—you’re not mad at me anymore?”
He didn’t answer, just turned his head toward the display.
Then he nodded toward a necklace studded with large rubies.
“That would suit you.”
The deep red gems matched the color of my eyes perfectly—it was beautiful.
But I shook my head.
“No, I’m fine. I only came in to buy something for Bianca.”
I couldn’t afford to indulge in luxury like I used to.
Not after I emptied my pockets again investing in that welfare foundation… ha…
Still, I resolved that once we reached the capital’s gift exchange market, I’d finally make a proper profit.
I was just thinking that when Cedric suddenly picked up the ruby necklace and stepped closer.
“Lift your hair for me.”
His low, smooth voice brushed against my ear.
I hesitated for a second, then nodded.
Well… it’s not like he’s charging me for it.
As I lifted my hair, Cedric moved closer.
While he fastened the necklace, his breath brushed lightly against my neck—warm, soft, and fleeting.
A strange heat crept up my skin. I squeezed my eyes shut.
Then, his voice, low and heavy, sank beside my ear.
“Rebecca.”
Our faces were close enough for his breath to tickle my skin.
“Do you still think that night… was a mistake?”
