IVHMH 12

Chapter 12

Gustavo’s mother, Ligenne, had sent word to visit the mansion. Though phrased politely, it was nothing short of an order.

Having dealt with her in the past, Elisha knew exactly what kind of person she was.

Ligenne’s letter only reached Elisha’s hands after Ada had screened it.

The person who delivered the letter was Leticia.

“Did Lady Verato’s mother summon you?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll go with you.”

The intent behind the offer was obvious, but Elisha didn’t mind. It wasn’t a bad idea, so she agreed to go together.

Leticia went to her room to change, and came out dressed even more splendidly than Elisha.

“You look beautiful.”

Leticia glanced at her for approval, so Elisha offered a word of praise to reassure her.

It would be ideal if Leticia somehow managed to win Gustavo’s heart and break off the engagement.

But that was a mere fleeting hope she quickly dismissed.

A man who once aimed for the position of crown prince wouldn’t be satisfied with someone like Leticia.

He might be attracted to her eye-catching, voluptuous figure, but he would never prioritize that over wealth and power.

If anything, she’d rank no higher than dessert…

Ligenne was giddy with excitement as she prepared to receive Elisha.

Though she had snagged a nobleman and her son had gained noble status, she herself remained a commoner.

She still went by her maiden name, Ligenne Montel.

Gustavo was able to take the Verato surname because his father had acknowledged him, but Ligenne remained a commoner.

“If my son is a noble, then so am I! I can’t stand people treating me like I’m still a commoner!”

The maid styling Ligenne’s hair flinched at her harsh tone.

Serving such a moody and picky mistress was no easy task.

Watching her reflection in the mirror, Ligenne said with satisfaction:

“Once the Duke’s daughter starts bowing to me, no one will dare look down on me again.”

When the maid announced that the carriage from House Mares had arrived, Ligenne hurriedly went out to greet them.

“Welcome, Elisha. I’ve been waiting.”

Ligenne rushed to embrace her, but Elisha stopped her with a raised hand and gave a polite bow.

“Are you Madam Montel?”

Ligenne’s eyes, previously curved in a gentle smile, immediately narrowed.

She hated being called Montel and always introduced herself as Madam Verato.

“That’s no way to address your future mother-in-law. Call me Mother from now on.”

“It’s rude to speak informally when we’ve just met, Madam Montel.”

Knowing she hated it, Elisha deliberately added “Madam Montel” to her words.

Ligenne’s face turned red and then pale with rage.

She couldn’t say more. Elisha was not yet under her control.

“If you don’t plan to talk out here, we should head inside. That’s proper etiquette, after all.”

“Fine. Let’s talk inside!”

Ligenne turned sharply and entered the house.

Leticia, who had been trying to find the right moment to greet her, missed her chance.

“I have something to discuss privately. The guest accompanying you will have to wait in the parlor.”

“That’s fine. Leticia, wait in the drawing room.”

“…Okay.”

Leticia followed the maid without having made any impression on Ligenne.

“Let’s speak in the upstairs parlor.”

“Very well.”

Elisha replied with an innocent smile, pretending to know nothing.

The so-called upstairs parlor was nothing more than a small, dark room.

With only a tiny window near the ceiling, it felt like a prison cell.

Ligenne had often used it during Elisha’s previous life to try and crush her spirit.

“This is the room. Go on in.”

At the door, Ligenne pushed Elisha inside first. It was a place she knew all too well, having been there shortly before her regression.

There were two chairs and a small tea table.

Elisha sat in her usual seat.

“So, why did you summon me, Madam Montel?”

“Do noble daughters not learn manners these days? Calling your future mother-in-law ‘Madam Montel’?”

Ligenne leaned over Elisha menacingly, eyes blazing.

Elisha found her childish behavior laughable.

“You’re laughing? Is my word funny to you?”

“You seem to be mistaken, Madam Montel.”

Elisha rose from her seat to face her.

No matter how fierce her glare, Elisha had no reason to fear her.

“You talk of manners, but clearly lack them yourself. A commoner daring to speak so rudely to a noble lady? How uncouth.”

“Wh-What did you say? I’m your future mother-in-law!”

“That remains to be seen. As of now, you’re not. Isn’t that right, Miss Ligenne?”

“What? No daughter-in-law speaks to her mother-in-law like that! I must fix your attitude!”

Ligenne trembled with barely contained fury.

Who was she to talk about correcting someone’s behavior?

Elisha brought her face close to hers.

“Do you think there could be a noble daughter with a commoner for a mother-in-law, Ligenne?”

“You… you think you’ll get away with this?”

“I know full well that commoners never get away with speaking rudely to nobles.”

“……!”

She had purposely targeted Ligenne’s greatest insecurity—her social status.

From the moment she left her house, Elisha had planned to push Ligenne to her emotional limits.

“Listen well, Ligenne Montel. You think you’ve achieved something just because you had a child with a nobleman? That’s a delusion. Just because your son is a noble doesn’t make you one.”

“If Gustavo hears you speaking like this, do you think he’ll let it slide?”

“I’m only stating facts. If you can’t understand that, you’re dumber than I thought. How did someone like you even become a noble’s mistress?”

“You—!”

“Oh, right. Mistresses don’t need brains. Just a body will do.”

“You little—!”

Ligenne screamed a curse and lunged at Elisha. She had held back more than usual today.

During their marriage, Ligenne constantly picked fights. Today, Elisha had decided to finally return the favor.

“I’ll teach you a lesson today!”

Ligenne grabbed Elisha by the hair.

“Kyahhh!”

Elisha screamed as loud as she could, scratching Ligenne’s hands furiously.

Heavy footsteps thudded outside, and the door burst open.

“Mother! What on earth are you doing?!”

Gustavo rushed in and forcefully pulled Ligenne’s hand away.

“Listen to me! Do you know how rude she was—”

“I’m thoroughly disappointed in you, Lord Verato.”

Elisha cut in coldly, her gaze sharp.

He had always sided with Ligenne.

He probably still did in his heart, but they weren’t married yet. He couldn’t afford to mistreat Elisha now.

“Enough, Mother.”

“You’re taking her side over your own mother’s?!”

“Your mother chooses such inappropriate words, Lord Verato.”

Elisha ignored Ligenne entirely and addressed Gustavo.

He had seen everything—Ligenne’s violence and foul language.

“Return to your room at once.”

“Look at my hand! That girl did this to me!”

Ligenne tried to appeal to her son, but it only made him angrier.

“I said, leave!”

His voice cracked like thunder in the small room.

Ligenne and the maids all flinched.

Only Elisha remained composed.

“Gustavo, listen to me—”

“I said get out!”

When she continued to argue, Gustavo grabbed her hand and dragged her out.

As she was pulled away, she glared resentfully at Elisha.

Elisha gave her a sweet smile in return.

In her previous life, Ligenne had summoned her endlessly to torment her even before the marriage. After today, she probably wouldn’t dare again.

“Shall I fix your hair for you?”

A maid asked timidly after Ligenne had left.

“Would you?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

The maid gave a shy smile and left the room.

She would quit in a few months, unable to endure Ligenne’s bullying.

Thanks to the maid’s help, Elisha fixed her hair and went downstairs.

She headed toward the parlor where Leticia waited. The door was slightly ajar.

Through the gap, she saw Leticia and Gustavo facing each other like new lovers.

Like a pair evaluating each other for mating.

Elisha smirked.

A man blinded by desire and a woman giddy with excitement—it was almost entertaining.

If they’d kiss right now, I’d even applaud. But I can’t expect that much from cautious Gustavo.

Not wanting to waste time, she walked in.

“It’s time to go, Leticia.”

“R-Right, we should go.”

Leticia looked regretful as she tore her eyes away from Gustavo.

It was Elisha’s hope to give them all the time together they wanted.

Without checking to see if Leticia followed, she walked out.

Even if they exchanged furtive glances behind her back, she didn’t care.

Ligenne ground her teeth. She had hoped to establish dominance but ended up humiliated.

Gustavo had never treated her so harshly before.

As soon as Elisha left, she stormed into Gustavo’s room.

His eyes blazed when he saw her.

“What on earth were you thinking?”

“Why do you get angry without even hearing my side? She was so insolent—called me ‘Madam Montel,’ even ‘Miss Ligenne!’ She said I wasn’t a noble!”

“But you’re not, Mother.”

“What?! How can you say that to your own mother? Without me, you wouldn’t even have noble blood!”

“If you were a noble, I wouldn’t have been born a bastard.”

“You—!”

Ligenne was struck speechless by his blunt words.

“Is this all because of Elisha? Is she more important than your own mother?”

“I’ll soon have the Mares Duchy in my hands. Just wait until then. It’s not like you can give me a title.”

Faced with a truth she couldn’t deny, Ligenne fell silent.

She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t refute that Elisha could offer something she never could.