IYGBYD 43

CHAPTER 43……………………………

“Lily, no!”

Eve, who had just finished clearing the dining room table, rushed over in a panic toward Serret and her youngest sister.

Fearing that her little sister Lily might dirty Serret’s clothes, Eve quickly scooped her up.

“I’m so sorry—it’s such a mess here.”

“You look happy, though.”

Serret quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled.

“It’s like hell—but with angels.”

Eve gave a tired smile, handed Lily over to a maid, and led Serret and Hanna to the dining room.

Eve’s house was small—there didn’t seem to be a separate parlor or tea room. She was about to serve tea at the table when—

“No need for tea, Eve. Let’s go out for lunch.”

“Really?”

At Serret’s suggestion, Eve’s face brightened immediately. She said she had been counting down the days until she could move into the duke’s mansion, which made Serret laugh.

When Serret married, Eve was to accompany her as a dressing maid. Serret was glad—one could never have too many allies.

“Before we go out for lunch, there’s something I need to tell you. There’s a particular reason I suggested eating out.”

Serret glanced at Eve and Hanna as she spoke.

“A reason?” Eve blinked.

Serret briefly explained what had happened the day before. Eve’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Oh my goodness!”

“Thanks to Hanna’s quick thinking, everything worked out fine,” Serret said, casting a sidelong glance at her maid. Hanna beamed proudly at the praise.

“We did handle it, but… it feels like a waste to just leave it there.”

“What are you planning to do?” Eve asked.

Serret smiled faintly. “I’m going to spread a rumor.”

Although Yuan had ordered all the servants to keep quiet, Serret had no intention of letting the matter die down.

In her previous life, rumors had spread that she, blinded by jealousy, had falsely accused Lydia. Since it had happened in the ducal household, word had reached even the commoners of the estate, and she had become known as a spiteful duchess consumed by envy. It had been terribly unjust.

This time, she would pay them back in kind.

And besides, rumors like this would only help her later—when it came time for a divorce.

“A rumor?”

“If the words come from Madam Barnet’s mouth, everyone will have heard it before the wedding,” Serret said.

“You’re going to have lunch with her?” Hanna asked in surprise.

“No, that would be too obvious. Madam Barnet needs to overhear us.”

At that, Hanna and Eve exchanged confused glances.

Serret led them to Madam Barnet’s dress shop—but didn’t go inside. Instead, they waited nearby until Madam Barnet and her staff came out for lunch.

Around noon, they emerged, and the three women followed them at a discreet distance.

Madam Barnet’s group entered a restaurant serving Lua cuisine. Serret and her companions waited a bit, then went in too.

Conveniently, the table right behind Madam Barnet’s was empty, so they quickly sat down.

After ordering their food, Serret began her “performance.”

“Yesterday was absolute chaos. There was an incident at the Prektuster duchy,” Serret said, raising her voice just enough—especially when she pronounced “Prektuster.”

Across from her, Hanna winked—Madam Barnet had reacted.

Hanna, seated where she could see Barnet’s table, was on lookout duty.

“Lady Oxenbury was so shocked she couldn’t even eat dinner. The servants haven’t stopped talking about it,” Hanna chimed in smoothly.

A natural actress, Hanna sounded perfectly casual. The real problem was Eve.

“Wha—whaaat hap-pen-ed?” Eve stammered, her face stiff.

Hanna’s eyes went wide at Eve’s terrible acting.

Serret fought to keep a straight face and clearly recounted the events so Madam Barnet could hear every word.

Hanna added her own convincing flourishes throughout.

“Our lady tried to cover it up, saying Miss Elliott just made a mistake, but that’s not true. Our lady put the wedding ring safely in her drawer. A maid even saw Miss Elliott taking it.”

“Hanna, that’s enough. Lydia made a mistake, that’s all. She’s my friend,” Serret said gently.

“You’re too kind, my lady. Even Lady Oxenbury said she was worried about you,” Hanna replied, noticing how Madam Barnet was practically leaning back to hear better.

“E-El-lie… El-li-phant’s… son did… that… un-bu-leef-a-ble,” Eve stuttered, her tone and pronunciation so bizarre that Serret nearly burst out laughing.

She had to bite her lip to keep from giggling—which only made her look like she was crying.

“It’s all right, my lady…” Hanna said tenderly, perfectly in character.

Madam Barnet finally rose from her seat, her expression brimming with curiosity. Even as she gathered her things, she kept glancing sideways at Serret.

Sensing this, Serret kept up her act, sniffling and dabbing at her eyes.

Once Madam Barnet and her group left, Hanna whispered, “My lady! They’re gone!”

Serret dropped her hands and burst into laughter.

“Eve, your acting was terrible!”

Tears of laughter filled her eyes.

“It’s my first time doing something like this,” Eve said, embarrassed.

“Miss Eve, honestly—you had zero emotional connection,” Hanna grumbled.

“I’m sorry, Hanna,” Eve replied with an apologetic smile.

Watching them, Serret’s lips curved into satisfaction. With Madam Barnet’s ears catching every word, the rumor was bound to spread quickly.

Regan, cigar between his lips, frowned at the cards in his hand. Wrong again. How could he lose every single time?

“Hey, did you hear the news?”

He had just folded when Viscount Chesterfield, a notorious gossip in high society, joined the table, looking excited.

“What now?” Regan asked, setting his cigar aside.

“I’m not sure I should say this—with His Grace around and all,” Chesterfield said, eyeing Regan nervously.

“When have you ever held your tongue? The only person you tiptoe around is Yuan.”

“Well, you have to* be careful around the Duke of Prektuster,” Chesterfield said.

“Fine, fine. Out with it already. What’s the rumor this time?”

Everyone at the table leaned in as Chesterfield grinned.

“Our little social butterfly caused quite the scandal.”

“Lydia?” Regan frowned.

“That’s right…”

Chesterfield relayed the story he’d just heard—rapid-fire.

No one wanted to believe it. Lydia didn’t seem like the kind of woman who would do such a thing.

“Where’d you hear that?” Regan asked seriously.

“At the racetrack. Mr. Hans said Lady Elliott stole the future duchess’s wedding ring.”

At that, Regan shot to his feet.

“Where are you going? To see Lady Elliott? Take me with you!” Chesterfield called, grabbing his arm.

He wanted to hear Lydia’s side of it directly—it sounded too unbelievable otherwise.

But Regan shook him off and left in haste. Lydia… touching the couple’s wedding rings? He couldn’t sit still.

He was worried about her—he knew how blindly she adored Yuan.

And he worried for Serret too—the one who had to endure all this.

Regan headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

When he found Lydia in the tearoom, her face was flushed red. Clearly, the rumor had already reached her.

So Regan asked her outright: was it true she had taken the wedding rings?

“Regan!” Lydia cried, her eyes filling with tears.

“I’m only asking for confirmation. No need to shout,” Regan said sternly.

“You don’t believe me, do you? Serret’s framing me!”

“Why would Lady Inohater do that?”

“She’s jealous of me! Because I was Yuan’s first love! She hates me for it. Regan, I don’t want her to hate me. I want us to get along—she’s going to be Yuan’s wife.”

“Lydia, please. Yuan isn’t a toy. He’s not something you can throw a tantrum over to get.”

Regan’s tone softened.

If not for Yuan, Lydia would’ve been an angel. But when it came to him, she became unrecognizable.

Since childhood, she had believed Yuan would always belong to her. His engagement to another woman must have been devastating. Regan understood that much.

He had thought time would help her let go—but instead, her obsession had only grown.

She could only be happy if she had Yuan. Regan couldn’t help but resent him for it. If only Yuan had married Lydia, everyone’s lives would’ve been easier—hers, and Lady Inohater’s.

Lydia frowned. She didn’t like the way Regan was looking at her—like he pitied her.

“Why are you looking at me like that, brother?”

“Lydia…”

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you? Just because our grandmother went mad, you think I will too?”

“I never thought that. I’m just… worried about you.”

“You don’t need to worry, brother. In the end, I’ll be by Yuan’s side.”

She smiled sweetly—but Regan saw it. The glint of madness in her eyes.

His head throbbed. What could he do for this child?

Without another word, Regan stood and left the tearoom.

As he trudged through the palace, a cat crossed his path.

He froze.

A memory flashed—of a cat found dead in a grotesque state. The one that used to follow Yuan everywhere.

Cold dread crept over him. He knew who had done it—and why.

All because the cat had stayed too close to Yuan.

Serret Inohater… the woman who now stood by Yuan’s side.

Regan pictured her bright smile—and the color drained from his face.