Episode 4
Even if Elodie was one thing, being looked down upon by Isabel would be a big problem.
She needed a cunning move that would flatten Isabel’s nose while giving Elodie no grounds to complain.
‘Ah, that’s it!’
Marisa’s face suddenly lit up.
A method that had secretly circulated in certain social circles when she was young came to mind.
A way to make one specific lady look utterly unreasonable……
“As an elder, it’s only proper to fill in the shortcomings of those below me, isn’t it?”
Marisa twisted the corners of her lips into a slanted smile.
It was a vile grin that no one would believe belonged to an elder caring for a household.
* * *
At that very moment.
I sat at the desk, pen flying busily with a determined face.
Ah, so what am I doing right now?
<Imperial Year 582, February 16.
There was an argument between sister-in-law and Mother over the servants’ clothing.
Sister-in-law suggested issuing new boots and gloves to everyone, but Mother splashed water in her face……>
That’s right.
I was recalling memories and recording every single thing that had happened so far in a diary.
More precisely, compiling evidence of ‘how unreasonably Isabel had been treated in the Lavantes Duke’s household.’
I’d heard that consistent records could be accepted as divorce evidence.
Relying on Elodie’s memories, I continued filling the diary.
<Imperial Year 582, February 19.
I came home after a rare outing to find the house in chaos.
Sister-in-law was collapsed on the floor, her cheek swollen bright red, while Mother was fuming to the top of her head.
I heard Mother slapped sister-in-law.
She had invited other noblewomen for tea, and the flowers decorating the tea table were wilted, embarrassing her.
But was physical violence really necessary?
They looked perfectly fresh to me.
And oppa was a bit too much.
‘A wife should obey her mother-in-law.’
He said that and left for an appointment.
Mother screamed so loudly that I eventually stepped in to quiet things down……>
Having written this far, my mood suddenly sank.
‘Ha, my favorite is so pitiful.’
For reference, Elodie had stopped Marisa, but not out of intent to protect Isabel.
She had simply restrained Marisa because the noise was bothering her ears.
Our Isabel, what to do with how pitiful she is?!
‘Anyway, I wonder if sister-in-law is preparing for the party well?’
I set the pen down for a moment and fell into thought.
Well, she seems to be preparing diligently.
The other day, I peeked in and saw her bustling around the garden where the party would be held.
She was conversing with the gardener, looking very energetic.
‘It would be nice to talk with Isabel again at least once.’
But with all the bad blood so far, I was a bit worried about approaching her.
From Isabel’s perspective, I might be a burden, right?
Just then.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded.
I quickly organized the diary, slid it into the drawer, and raised my voice.
“Come in.”
A maid entered and bowed politely.
“I greet the young lady.”
“Judy?”
I blinked in confusion.
Judy.
Marisa’s personal maid and right-hand woman.
As befitting the confidante of the Duchess Dowager, she behaved impeccably on the surface, but in reality, she reported every single move Isabel made to Marisa.
For reference, Isabel knew this but couldn’t distance herself from Judy.
On the surface, she was a perfectly unproblematic maid.
‘But this type is far more vicious.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
At the same time, Judy politely handed me a letter.
“Here, a letter from the Duchess Dowager to the young lady.”
Ehh, a letter?
To me?
I opened it with a suspicious expression.
Inside the stationery was a neat, lady-like handwriting filling the page.
<Our Elodie, have I upset you recently?>
……Our Elodie?
Since when were we that close?
I couldn’t hide my discomfort as I read on.
<I was quite startled when you suddenly protested to my son about the party hosting.
I thought there had been no issues until now, but it seems I failed to embrace you properly.>
Ugh, I really hate this.
I recoiled inwardly.
She calls me plain ‘Elodie,’ yet meticulously calls oppa ‘my son.’
No matter how desperately she wants to keep her Duchess Dowager title, isn’t this too one-sidedly fawning?
And ‘failed to embrace.’
Objectively, she was the one who acted pettily.
<The reason I sent this letter is to suggest matching a dress code for this garden party.
It’s spring, after all, isn’t it?
How about a bright yellow theme?
Isabel probably won’t think to handle such details.
I’ve already given Isabel a heads-up, so our Elodie needn’t worry.>
Even just this far, it was blatantly obvious: ‘The dress code must not reach Isabel’s ears.’
And the rest was worse.
<Actually, it seems Isabel is a bit uncomfortable with you.
Hosting a party inevitably makes one tense, doesn’t it?
Especially since it’s her first time.
So, how about leaving her alone to handle it until the garden party?
I hope we don’t create unnecessary stress for Isabel.>
She just wants to humiliate Isabel with the dress code, yet pretends to be considerate—absolutely disgusting.
‘If someone overheard, they’d think she’s a mother-in-law who adores Isabel.’
After tormenting her like catching a mouse all this time.
I swallowed the hollow laugh threatening to burst out and quickly skimmed the rest.
There wasn’t much else.
It ended with the usual polite pleasantries.
‘Hmm, what to do?’
After a brief moment of thought, I flashed Judy a beaming eye-smile.
“Judy, will you tell Mother I’ll do as she says?”
Judy’s expression brightened slightly.
As Marisa’s limbs, she probably knew roughly what Marisa was plotting.
I added, feigning ignorance.
“And be sure to tell her I was truly touched by her thoughtfulness.”
“Yes, young lady.”
Judy bowed and left.
Left alone, I narrowed my eyes.
‘Well, I can guess her scheme.’
Her pride must have been severely wounded for not hosting the garden party this time.
She wants to crush Isabel’s spirit somehow.
But since I warned her beforehand not to sabotage Isabel’s party, she’s resorting to another method.
She won’t interfere with the event itself.
Instead, she’ll use the dress code to humiliate Isabel, showing how powerless Isabel is in this family.
And how much influence Marisa herself still holds in the ducal house.
At the same time, my eyes sparkled.
‘This is perfect.’
It’s finally time to meet our female protagonist again.
