Chapter 008
A conversation she had previously shared with Elody flickered through Isabel’s mind.
‘We are going to attend the party without paying any mind to the dress code at all.’
Elody had declared so with a confident voice.
An indignant Isabel had snapped back.
‘Then won’t everyone think that I’m being ignored?’
‘Listen to me, in this situation, you are the victim, Sister-in-law. Everyone else was informed of the dress code, yet you, the host of the party, didn’t know?’
‘That’s…….’
‘We just have to let everyone know that this situation, where you are being ignored, is wrong—and that the person who didn’t share the information is the one being rude.’
Elody had explained calmly and composedly throughout.
Who doesn’t know that?
Feeling something hot surging up within her, Isabel had retorted sharply.
‘How exactly are you going to let them know?’
‘Sister-in-law.’
‘I’m like a ghost in this house. No one listens to what I say!’
It was the first time.
The first time Isabel had raised her voice toward Elody.
Belatedly realizing her slip, Isabel had tentatively studied Elody’s reaction.
However, Elody merely faced Isabel with a dignified air.
‘There is someone here, you know. Someone who can raise the issue.’
What?
For a moment, Isabel doubted her own ears.
But Elody’s words were not over yet.
‘Because I won’t be matching the dress code either.’
Isabel’s eyes grew wide.
But it was too early to be surprised.
Because Elody had poured out another bombshell statement.
‘Oh, that’s right. About Judy.’
‘……Judy?’
‘Yes. Hasn’t she been excessively insolent toward you all this time?’
It was the truth.
Judy had monitored and spied on Isabel, reporting even the most trivial matters to Marissa.
Because of that, Isabel hadn’t even been able to breathe properly.
‘So, I was thinking it’s about time we cut Judy loose.’
Elody had concluded with a smile like a little devil.
And currently.
Elody opened her mouth with a somewhat softened voice.
“Well, I don’t believe Mother did this to us on purpose, either.”
Marissa could be seen nodding her head hurriedly.
“Of course, how much do I cherish you two……!”
“However, Mother, you just mentioned that there was an error in communication.”
Elody let out a radiant smile.
“You said you told Judy to deliver the dress code, but she omitted it in the middle.”
“Huh? Th-that’s right?”
Marissa reflexively agreed to those words.
Yet, even in that moment, an intense sense of incongruity crawled down her spine.
Something was strange.
This bizarre feeling, as if she were being led through a cross-examination, what on earth was it…….
At the same time, Elody smoothly concluded her words.
“If that is the case, please hold her responsible for this matter and fire Judy immediately.”
“…….”
Marissa was momentarily struck speechless.
Naturally so, as Judy was a girl who had served as Marissa’s hands and feet for a long time.
If she were to lose Judy, Marissa’s range of action would be significantly reduced.
It would also be difficult to find a maid as trustworthy as Judy again.
“Now, Elody.”
Marissa, having managed to steady her expression, spoke as softly as possible.
“I understand that you’re upset, but hasn’t Judy been very loyal to me until now? To cut her off so easily is……”
“Yes, I understand.”
But Elody showed no sign of being persuaded at all.
Her chilly blue eyes stared straight at Marissa.
“So Mother considers Judy to be more important than me and my sister-in-law.”
“……What?”
“Isn’t that right? Even though we have been disgraced like this, Mother continues to shield only Judy.”
Without giving her a chance to refute, Elody pressed Marissa again.
“My sister-in-law and I have been put to shame.”
“Elody, that is……”
“We were almost subjected to ridiculous misunderstandings, being called rude people who don’t even follow a dress code.”
Elody questioned Marissa sharply as she stood there speechless.
“And yet, Mother, you go so far as to protect that maid until the very end. What on earth is this?”
Meanwhile.
Elody gave a slight nod to Isabel.
It was a prearranged signal.
A signal for Isabel to step in at this point and settle the situation.
‘When I get angry at Mother, you can just step in appropriately and stop me, Sister-in-law.’
‘Pardon? Why would I…….’
‘Well, that way, you’ll be able to save more face, won’t you?’
Elody had let out a playful smile.
‘A capable Duchess who can keep even a troublemaking Princess in check.’
……Is she really being considerate of me even in this regard?
She was seized by complex emotions for a brief moment.
Isabel quickly took the cue and restrained Elody.
“Please calm yourself, Young Lady.”
“Sister-in-law?”
“This is a pleasant occasion. I’m sure Mother will listen to what you have to say.”
Isabel, wearing a faint smile, glanced over at Marissa.
“Mother loves you so much, doesn’t she?”
“…….”
Marissa bit her lower lip hard.
Why was this?
The reason her spine felt chilled as if she had fallen into a trap.
An intense pressure rushed in.
If she answered that she wouldn’t fire Judy here, she would eventually be framed as a mother who doesn’t cherish Elody.
And David would surely try to hold her responsible for the blemish on his sister’s reputation.
Ultimately, Marissa nodded her head, swallowing her pride.
“Fine, I will take responsibility and take care of Judy.”
“If you go that far for the sake of my sister-in-law’s face, Mother…… then I understand.”
At that, Elody backed down obediently.
It was as if her previous outburst of temper had been a lie.
The noble ladies, their eyes wide like startled rabbits, whispered among themselves in low voices.
“The Princess can’t seem to lift a finger against the Duchess?”
“I agree.”
Who was Elody?
As the sole noble lady of the Labantes Duchy, wasn’t she one of the few ladies in the Empire counted for her arrogance?
Elody, who lived for her own pride, hadn’t even treated those below her as human if they weren’t of the ‘same rank.’
To turn such an Elody into a gentle lamb like that?
“Certainly…… it seems the Princess truly acknowledges the Duchess.”
“Well, looking at this party alone, she does seem to be capable.”
The noble ladies looked at Isabel with eyes full of newfound interest.
* * *
BAM!
The Duke of Labantes, David, slammed his desk violently.
Then, he glared at Marissa with narrowed eyes.
“What on earth is the meaning of this?!”
Marissa could only tremble like a mouse before a predator, unable to even open her mouth.
David raised his voice again.
“Didn’t I clearly tell you? Not a single scratch must be made on Elody until she is married!”
How much money and time had been spent on Elody until now?
For Elody to be of maximum benefit to the family, they had to make a fortune through an arranged marriage.
Thus, how much effort had been put into establishing her as the Empire’s best bride-to-be?
And yet, you cause a commotion in this manner?!
“What if Elody’s reputation is ruined because of today’s events?”
“Th-that won’t happen…….”
“Are you sure? I asked if you are sure!!”
David vented his irritation once more.
At that fierce momentum, Marissa froze up completely.
“……I’m sorry, Son.”
A pale Marissa bowed her head repeatedly, almost on the verge of tears.
David let out a heavy, ragged breath and pointed toward the door.
“I don’t even want to see your face, so get out this instant!”
