Chapter 009
And so, Marissa was chased out of the Duke’s office.
‘Ha, what am I supposed to do now?’
Unable to overcome her anxiety, Marissa gnawed incessantly on her lower lip.
She had managed to patch up the commotion at the garden party well enough.
But in the end, she had failed to escape David’s wrath.
It meant that for the time being, she had to stay flat on the ground, barely daring to breathe.
‘Honestly, why did things have to turn out like this!’
Her insides were boiling.
Marissa headed toward her bedroom with agitated steps.
Judy, who had been waiting restlessly in front of the door, hurried toward her.
“Are you alright, Madam?”
In that instant, Marissa ground her molars.
“Do you even have to ask?!”
SLAP!!
A slender hand struck Judy’s cheek with great force.
“Aaah!”
Judy tumbled to the floor, clutching her cheek.
She had been hit so hard that the metallic taste of blood swirled in her mouth.
Her face contorted into a hideous expression, Marissa stalked toward the fallen Judy.
“Do I look alright to you? Do I?!”
“M-Madam.”
“You brainless girl! Even for a servant, there’s a limit to how poorly you can assist your master!”
Marissa snatched a handful of Judy’s hair and shook it violently.
One wondered where such strength came from in that thin body; it felt as if the hair was being torn out by the roots.
The sharp pain brought sudden tears to Judy’s eyes.
“Madam, please, just once, forgive me……!”
“Forgive? For-gi-ve?!”
Marissa let go of Judy’s hair abruptly, as if discarding something filthy.
“Ha, truly shameless.”
Marissa snorted and sneered.
Then, her face suddenly hardened as she snarled fiercely at Judy.
“You’re the one who told me! You said that girl Elody had confirmed the dress code!”
“Th-that was…….”
“Is this the only way you can handle your work?!”
After venting her temper in such a fashion.
Marissa slumped onto the sofa with a weary face.
She waved her hand dismissively, as if shooing away a bothersome insect.
“In any case, you are to leave for a while.”
“Pardon?”
“With that girl Elody jumping around like that, I can’t keep you in the Duchy, can I?”
Having broached the subject, Marissa narrowed her eyes and threatened Judy.
“Still, it would be best if you didn’t harbor any useless thoughts.”
It had already been five years since she had kept Judy by her side and used her thoroughly.
That meant Judy had learned a great deal about Marissa during that time.
Thus, Marissa once again voiced the threat she had used to bind Judy all this while.
“Think carefully. Who else but me could support those massive hospital bills for your younger sibling?”
The color drained completely from Judy’s face.
Marissa twisted the corner of her lips triumphantly.
“Your sibling’s life is in my hands. Do you understand?!”
“O-Of course.”
Judy hurriedly knelt before Marissa.
She bowed her head and answered fervently.
“I will always offer my loyalty to you, Madam…….”
“Fine, whatever.”
Cutting Judy off mid-sentence, Marissa continued with an indifferent face.
“I’ll call for you again when I need you, so wait until then.”
“I understand, Madam.”
“Be especially careful not to be seen until this matter is settled.”
After giving those repeated instructions, Marissa concluded with a spit-out command.
“If you understand, get out this instant.”
Judy rose quietly and bowed deeply once more.
Then, she backed out of the bedroom.
Marissa, watching her from the corner of her eye, snapped her head away.
“Ha, really…… how pathetic.”
The sneering monologue pierced Judy’s ears.
Biting her lower lip until it nearly bled, Judy carefully closed the door without making a sound.
Through the closing gap of the door, Marissa’s arrogant figure vanished.
* * *
I was leisurely writing in my diary, with all sorts of snacks spread out on my desk.
<Imperial Year 582, March 15th.
Today, the long-awaited garden party was held.
But the problem was, only I and my sister-in-law hadn’t heard about the dress code!
How absurd it was to see everyone else matching in yellow.>
After writing this far with a flowing stroke.
I picked up a cookie and crunched on it.
‘Mmm, delicious.’
Was it because I liked what I was writing in today’s diary?
Even the cookie seemed to hit the spot.
After finishing off every last crumb, I began to move my pen rhythmically again.
<As it turns out, Mother said she had intended to give us the dress code in advance.
But apparently, the waiting maid omitted the contact in the middle.
The misunderstanding was cleared up, but my sister-in-law and I almost became rude people.
But…… is it really a misunderstanding?
If Mother purposefully didn’t share the dress code with only us…….
No way, that couldn’t be it.
Even though I’m not Mother’s biological daughter, there’s no reason to prank us to that extent, is there?>
After writing this much.
I took a refreshing sip of lemonade.
Mmm, very good.
<However, it seems Mother doesn’t like my sister-in-law very much.
I heard that Mother badmouthed my sister-in-law to other noble ladies, saying she couldn’t have a child.
Mother, really—both Brother and Sister-in-law are still young.
Why is she talking about having a child already?>
After finishing the diary entry in a way that was as favorable to Isabel as possible.
I closed the book with a thud.
At the same time, a devious laugh escaped my lips.
“Fufu, fufufu, fufufufufu…….”
All these records would pile up and serve as evidence when the future Isabel requests a divorce.
Is that all?
Everyone who attended this garden party will become witnesses who saw that Isabel was not being treated properly as the Duchess.
Pushing the diary back into the drawer with satisfaction, I suddenly thought of Isabel.
‘Certainly…… Isabel has some grit, too.’
Since her nature is so kind, I thought she couldn’t help being intimidated by Marissa.
‘This is a pleasant occasion. I’m sure Mother will listen to what you have to say.’
‘Mother loves you so much, doesn’t she?’
It was truly perfect cover fire.
Thanks to Isabel pressing her like that, we were able to successfully cut Judy loose.
Furthermore.
‘I heard Brother was furious about this incident.’
Well, it would be a big problem if my value dropped and I became a defective item in the marriage market because of this.
The image of Brother’s smooth face contorting in rage flashed through my mind.
Along with Marissa, who would be flustered in front of him.
‘Ha, this is it!’
I felt as refreshed as if a blockage had been cleared.
To be honest, a commotion of today’s level wouldn’t cause problems for an arranged marriage.
But since they’ve already invested so much in me, they’d want to block even the slightest possibility of a loss.
With Brother’s personality…… well.
‘Wouldn’t the Labantes Duchy want to flaunt that they still cherish me?’
After all, a daughter who is well-treated in her family sells for the highest price.
While I was lost in thought like that.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, a knocking sound rang out.
From beyond the door, a calm voice was heard.
“It’s Isabel. May I come in for a moment?”
What? Isabel?!
Our female lead has graced me with her presence here for once?!
I hurriedly raised my voice.
“Come in!”
Click.
The door opened.
Isabel stepped cautiously into the room.
Then, she gazed at me silently with a complex look in her eyes.
She had the expression of someone with something to say.
