Chapter 010
“What you did for me this time…… I am truly grateful.”
After a long hesitation, Isabel finally spoke softly.
‘Wow, this is the first time I’ve heard such kind words from our female lead.’
I stared blankly at Isabel.
Even right up until the end of the garden party, Isabel had been constantly doubting me.
Well, considering what the original Elody had done to her until now, I thought it was unavoidable…….
‘Oh my, I’m moved.’
Just as the tip of my nose was starting to tingle with emotion, Isabel’s gaze met mine with a look of firm determination.
“However, there is one thing I wish to ask.”
“Sure, ask me anything!”
My gallant reply lasted only a moment.
I froze stiff at the question that followed.
“Why are you helping me, Young Lady?”
“……Pardon?”
I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression.
Taking a deep breath, Isabel spoke quickly.
“You used to hate me. You said someone who didn’t fit the noble Duchy had entered the family……”
In that instant, I suddenly realized something.
‘Isabel, you’re nervous.’
Though she was trying her best to remain calm, Isabel was gripping the fabric of her dress tightly.
Her hands were trembling ever so slightly.
‘Isabel is probably terrified just by asking me this question.’
Seeing that, I felt a deep sense of pity for her.
Isabel, who had been bullied so many times that she could no longer purely accept someone’s kindness.
And the person who drove her to that point was…….
‘Me.’
Even if the person who actually bullied her was the Elody from before I possessed her body, I am Elody now.
‘I have to take responsibility.’
For all the pain Isabel has suffered until now.
All of it.
Therefore, I bowed my waist deeply toward Isabel.
“W-What are you doing?”
A startled Isabel even began to stutter.
With my head lowered, I spoke with all my sincerity.
“I want to apologize for being so cruel to you all this time.”
“Young Lady, what on earth is this……”
In this moment, I threw away all thoughts of Isabel’s divorce or my own future.
I don’t expect the wounds Isabel has received to be completely healed by a simple apology like this.
Even so.
“I am truly sorry.”
I finished my words with emphasis.
Those beautiful deep green eyes shook violently, like a lake caught in a storm.
* * *
That evening.
Isabel could not hide her complex expression.
‘Has the Young Lady truly changed?’
They say if someone who has failed ten times does one thing well, you see them in a new light.
Elody was exactly like that.
‘I just want to get along well with you from now on, Sister-in-law.’
‘What? That’s nonsense…….’
‘I know. From your perspective, it must sound like pure gibberish.’
As if apologizing for everything out of the blue wasn’t enough, Elody had continued with a bombshell statement.
‘I’m not asking you to trust me right away. I just…….’
Elody had met Isabel’s gaze with a serious look.
Blue eyes that held no contempt, no mockery, and no ridicule—eyes that were simply transparent.
At the same time, Elody had given a clumsy smile.
‘I wanted to tell you that I will try harder in the future.’
The warmth Elody had shown her over the past few days.
Isabel wanted to believe that at least that warmth wasn’t a lie.
‘Truly…… how foolish.’
Isabel bit her lower lip, feeling pathetic for thinking that way.
* * *
A few days later, in a six-person ward at the National Scope Medical Center.
“……No.”
“…….”
“Noona!”
At the sound of the voice calling her, Judy, who had been dozing by the bedside, snapped awake.
Her young brother was looking at her with a dissatisfied expression.
“Wh-what is it?”
“I want to drink some juice.”
“Is that so? Okay, I’ll go buy some right away.”
Nodding with a forced smile, Judy hurried out of the ward.
At the same time, Judy’s expression darkened gloomily.
‘What on earth should I do now?’
It wasn’t that Judy had leaked information about Isabel to Marissa from the beginning.
However, like clothes getting soaked in a drizzle, Marissa kept making various unreasonable demands.
By the time she realized it, she was spying on every move of the Young Madam and reporting it to the Madam.
In her honest heart, she wanted to stop spying on someone.
But.
‘If the Madam really cuts off the support…….’
Then her brother’s life would be in immediate danger.
Her brother suffered from an incurable disease and could hardly survive without life-sustaining treatment.
In fact, this medical center itself was a place where Judy could never afford to hospitalize her brother with her own pockets.
It was only possible because of Marissa’s support.
‘……What should I do.’
Just as Judy let out a long sigh, she heard a voice that she shouldn’t have heard.
“Hello, Judy.”
Startled, Judy spun around.
Like a bouquet made of various spring flowers, a truly radiant beauty was standing there.
Pink hair that looked as soft as cotton candy.
And those blue eyes that resembled a clear summer sky…….
“P-Princess?!”
No, why on earth was the Princess here?!
Elody took a step forward.
Then, observing Judy’s face, she curled her eyes into a soft smile.
“Your face looks a bit dark. Is something bothering you?”
“…….”
Judy lowered her head to hide her expression.
At the same time, Elody continued gently.
“Or is it because there’s something weighing on your conscience?”
“…….”
Judy clenched her molars tightly.
The relaxed voice pierced her ears like a blade.
“You know, I think I know why you’re having such a hard time.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Judy replied defensively.
As if she had heard something very funny, Elody tilted her head.
“Really? You really don’t know?”
Her vivid blue eyes stared at Judy as if peering through her.
“You’ve been reporting every move of my sister-in-law to Mother all this time. Haven’t you?”
It hit the mark.
Judy’s gaze shook violently.
Elody continued speaking to Judy in a measured pace.
“Honestly, I think your actions until now have been quite malicious.”
Those blunt words sliced through Judy’s heart like a knife.
Judy gripped the hem of her skirt with all her might.
If she didn’t, she felt like she would be caught with her hands shaking uncontrollably.
At the same time, Elody declared firmly.
“However, I also know why you acted that way.”
What?
Judy momentarily doubted her own ears.
Elody asked back casually.
“It was for your brother’s medical bills, wasn’t it?”
“……That is.”
Elody spoke calmly to the bewildered Judy.
“Well, I understand. From your position, it must have been very difficult to refuse Mother’s offer.”
“P-Princess.”
“Your family member’s life was at stake, wasn’t it?”
In that instant, Judy felt something hot surging up from deep within her chest.
It was the first time.
The first time a superior understood and empathized with her position.
Marissa had only used her brother’s illness as a weakness to manipulate her.
She had never once understood Judy’s predicament…….
“However, no matter the circumstances, I don’t think your faults can be covered up.”
Elody’s voice remained calm throughout.
“Also, to take responsibility for the wrongs you’ve committed, you must act accordingly.”
“What does that mean…….”
“How about it? Would you like to try making up for your mistakes?”
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