STLECM 28

CHAPTER 28

She suddenly recalled the fortune-telling old woman she met in Lachsen.

Kayan had dismissed the woman as a mere fraud, but Etisha couldn’t forget the prophecy she had heard that day.

“I see a fate you must overcome ahead of you, miss. But… in the end, you’ll overcome that mountain and find happiness, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

Happiness.

Happiness…

Maybe what Etisha was feeling right now was exactly that—happiness.

Blushing, she rubbed her cheeks until they were red, then flopped down on the bed. Her body felt weak, relaxed, and drowsy now.

“Am I… happy?”

When she closed her eyes, Kayan’s face came to her mind naturally.

She had seen his gaze countless times. That look—firm and deeply submerged, like marble sunk beneath a lake.

Etisha still couldn’t read the thoughts hidden in Kayan’s eyes.

“It’d be nice if I could just get to know the Duke a little better…”

But maybe even wishing for that was asking too much.

“Of course it is. That’s such an arrogant thought… I’ll just end up regretting it again later.”

Even if she had wished upon a golden candy for this, she was certain her heart would change again the day Kayan’s real mistress—if he had one—revealed herself.

“Dite might’ve been a smokescreen too. Whether he has a real mistress, or even an illegitimate child… only the Duke would know.”

Etisha’s thoughts began to fade and blur.

She was tired. And sleepy.

“Ah… I think I’m going to fall asleep.”

She turned her heavy head to the side and looked at the empty space next to her. As always, her bed was empty.

“The Duke… he’s late again tonight.”

He must be busy with work.

Before long, Etisha’s eyes gently shut. Her clear blue eyes vanished under her eyelids, and only her steady, soft breathing could be heard.

Etisha had always thought it would be embarrassing to sleep in the same bed as Kayan, but in truth, she had never actually encountered him while fully awake.

That’s because Kayan always worked late into the night.

By the time he entered the bedroom, Etisha would already be asleep. He would quietly lie down beside her without waking her.

And when dawn broke, Kayan would wake up like clockwork before the servants or maids came to rouse him, then leave to begin his day’s work.

So, by the time Etisha awoke, he was already gone. The space next to her in the bed would be neat and empty. Though they shared the same bed, it was as if she slept alone.

They didn’t run into each other. They didn’t even cross paths.

“The Duke…”

Etisha found that comforting—but at the same time, she also felt a small twinge of disappointment.

The Next Day.

Etisha, along with five designers, custom ordered a total of 24 party dresses, 7 riding outfits, 4 hunting outfits, 9 cloaks, 11 gowns, and 8 petticoats.

Shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, and fans would be commissioned on a separate day.

Meanwhile…

At the Hexion Marquess’s estate, a modest tea party was taking place. It was a small gathering with fewer than ten attendees.

“Looks like everyone’s here. I’m simply delighted you accepted my invitation.”

The host, Marquess Hexion, spoke with a smile that could charm anyone.

In front of him was a round tea table, and on top of it were small nameplates placed according to the guests’ seating.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Before the tea was even served, Madame Mongmarde cleared her throat loudly.

The Countess of Mongmarde appeared displeased from the very start. The reason was easy to guess.

“My apologies. I haven’t been feeling well since this morning.”

Next to the nameplate bearing her name was one that read “Dite.”

She looked extremely uncomfortable with Dite sitting beside her and scooted her chair noticeably away.

“What is the Marquess thinking, inviting a commoner to an event like this?”

It was shocking enough that Dite was suddenly attending the tea party, but even more astonishing was that Lady Cyrilese Wintel was seated right beside her.

“If only Lady Cyrilese weren’t here, I’d have kicked that commoner out on the spot.”

But she didn’t dare do such a thing in front of Cyrilese. No matter how common Dite was, she was still the adopted daughter of the former Duchess of Wintel, which meant the Countess had to tread carefully.

“Oh dear, you’re unwell, Madame Mongmarde? Then I’ll have some warm chamomile tea prepared for you.”

The Marquess calmed the Countess with a smooth tone. It seemed to ease her mood slightly.

“Just like at the last banquet—Hexion is overstepping again. Trying to win points with Lady Cyrilese by showing kindness to her foster daughter?”

Or…

Maybe he simply liked Dite.

“Well, I must admit that child is quite pretty. A young marquess might easily be taken with her.”

The Countess forced a smile, thinking of Hexion’s history with women.

She didn’t want to make a scene in front of Cyrilese, and she didn’t want to walk out of the party either, so she endured it.

Soon, at the Marquess’s signal, the maids brought out warm chamomile tea.

“Serve it to Madame Mongmarde.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The maids moved gracefully behind the round table, setting the cup in front of the Countess.

Just then, Dite, who was sitting beside her, “accidentally” swung her arm.

The ruffled cuff of her sleeve hit the teacup, and the freshly poured hot tea spilled across the table, dripping onto the Countess’s dress.

“Aaah! Hot!”

The other ladies rushed to pull out handkerchiefs, but her gown was already soaked.

“What is the meaning of this! How dare you spill tea on me…!”

Thankfully, it was cold in the north. The thick dress had prevented burns, and she only got wet—but it was enough to spark the Countess’s wrath.

“I-I’m so sorry, madam. It was an accident…”

“An accident? Anyone could see it was intentional! Even if it weren’t, spilling tea on a Countess is a punishable offense!”

Already disliking Dite, the Countess seized the opportunity to try to have her thrown out.

“What are you waiting for? Stand up this instant!”

“I truly apologize, madam. It was really an accident. Please, allow me to wipe it for you.”

“Don’t touch me! With those filthy hands!”

The Countess, now fuming, berated Dite viciously.

But in her rage, she overlooked one crucial fact: Lady Cyrilese, Dite’s guardian, was seated right beside her.

“…Madame Mongmarde, your words are rather harsh.”

Cyrilese calmly wiped her mouth with a napkin and raised her head, eyes sharp like an eagle’s.

“How can you call the girl I brought ‘filthy’ when she’s clearly apologizing?”

“But Lady Cyrilese, I saw her knock over the cup on purpose. She clearly bore a grudge against me from the last banquet!”

“Last banquet?”

Cyrilese lowered her gaze as if hearing of it for the first time.

In truth, she had already been informed of what had happened, but her tone remained composed.

“Oh… now that you mention it, I do recall a bit of a disturbance. Some arrogant fool struck Dite across the face, if I remember correctly.”

“W-What?”

“At the Wintel estate, at a banquet I hosted, someone dared to harm the face of the foster daughter I was introducing to society. I considered pressing charges, but barely restrained myself.”

“…”

“You seem to have heard the story too, Madame Mongmarde. Or… did you witness the commotion yourself? Then surely, you must know exactly who the perpetrator was?”

Lady Cyrilese defended Dite—if anything, a little excessively.

The Countess was speechless. She clenched her wet handkerchief tightly.

“…Hoho, Lady Cyrilese, you jest. Who would seriously accept a commoner girl as your daughter just because you introduced her as such? Whatever happened at the banquet, let’s not dwell on the past.”

“What a meaningful piece of advice, Madame Mongmarde. I happen to feel the same way.”

“You truly understand noble dignity and propriety, Lady Cyrilese.”

“You flatter me. I wouldn’t compare to you, madame.”

Cyrilese signaled to the maids, who were cleaning up the spilled tea. They poured her a fresh cup.

“Then, following your advice, let’s consider that day’s events as resolved. Of course, you’ll agree that today’s incident should also be treated the same way, yes?”

“…Y-Yes, of course.”

Cyrilese sipped her tea while the Countess clenched her soggy handkerchief in frustration.

There was nothing more she could do.

“While the noble Madame Mongmarde is well-versed in dignity and decorum, Dite is still just a child. I kept her close to me, away from society, so she hasn’t been properly trained.”

“…”

“As such, it is only right for us elders to be understanding of her mistakes, wouldn’t you agree?”

Cyrilese no longer looked at the Countess. Her words were directed as a warning to the other noble ladies at the table.

Understanding her message, the other women chimed in support.

“Y-Yes, of course, Lady Cyrilese. You’re absolutely right.”

“That is indeed the noble way. Madame Mongmarde must’ve simply misspoken due to her condition.”

“Indeed. Hoho, thanks to both of you, today’s tea party has been quite the enlightening experience.”

With the others stepping in, the confrontation ended completely.

There was no room left for argument.

Though the Countess of Mongmarde had some influence in society, she paled in comparison to Lady Cyrilese. She wasn’t even second in rank.

That alone showed just how powerful and respected Lady Cyrilese truly was.