TMH Ch#10

What came out of his mouth as a defense for his mother wasn’t even a plea like “Please understand,” but a command: “Understand her.” That alone showed how the Duke had treated Karia all this time.

If he had really wanted to persuade her, using that kind of tone was clearly a mistake.

“Let me ask just two things. Do you know this isn’t the first time the Madam has done something like this?”

“-That’s…”

“Then if I release your mother, will you take the punishment in her place?”

“Madam!”

Rubidov Pandeon couldn’t hide his shock. He wasn’t clueless—he knew about the conflict between his wife and his mother. And he suspected most of the cause came from his mother. She was so stubborn that even he sometimes wanted to avoid her.

But what was he supposed to do about someone who was always like that? He had to run around every day trying to keep the duchy afloat. He didn’t have time to care about every little issue that came up at home.

Shouldn’t a spouse understand at least that much? Hadn’t she been understanding all this time?

“Leave.”

But the verdict that came from his wife’s mouth was cold and final. She didn’t even want to see him speak anymore and bowed her head as she deliberately opened up her work.

“I have a lot to do today.”

Then she began pointing through the ledger with her pen, treating the Duke as if he didn’t exist. Her brow furrowed and her hand flinched now and then as she actually read the contents.

“What’s the reason for this sudden behavior?”

“‘Sudden’?”

“On the day we got married, I asked only one thing of you. I said you don’t need to be a good wife or mother—just don’t cause any unnecessary conflict in the house. Then, we could be friends.”

At the word “friend,” her pen stopped. Karia slowly looked up at him, her eyes utterly devoid of emotion.

He thought her frozen expression came from being flustered. After all, she always smiled at him sweetly.

He believed she had accepted his “proposal” and had lived reasonably. In fact, when she said she wanted to go to the estate alone right after their wedding, he respected her decision. Even when she abandoned the duties of a lady of the house and went off volunteering, he never once complained.

So, without the slightest doubt, he thought his criticism was completely justified.

“I’m disappointed in you, Madam.”

“Hah. Disappointed?”

But instead of reflecting, Karia let out a cold laugh. Not her usual kind smile, but a bitter sneer aimed at him. For a moment, Rubidov felt like his heart had been stabbed.

“Do you really think we’ve been ‘friends’ all this time?”

“-Of course.”

“For the past six years, we’ve never even been on the same side, let alone friends.”

They were not friends—Karia had simply clung to him as the only lifeline in this suffocating house. She blindly followed, hoping one day he would notice her devotion.

They weren’t even husband and wife. If Rubidov had truly seen her as his own, he would have realized how broken she was inside. But he had never cared.

They were simply stuck in a relationship they couldn’t escape, bound by chains that strangled someone without knowing who.

“I was a dog, and you were the moon.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I know you enjoyed it.”

Even if he denied it logically, deep down he knew who had the power in their relationship.

He hadn’t paid her any attention—because he knew she would always be there behind him.

“You lived in a well, never knowing who was the moon and who was the mutt. How pitiful.”

“Madam, how can you use such vulgar language!”

“I wouldn’t be your ‘friend’ even in death. So stop dreaming.”

“Leave.” She issued the command again, this time locking eyes with him. Her sharp gaze made Rubidov look away first.

As he left quickly, just as he had come, Karia curled her lips in a bitter smile.

“Ungrateful man.”

That was all she thought of Rubidov. He held his chin high as if he had sacrificed something precious, without even knowing what he had received.

But when what you took for granted disappears, how long can you remain composed?

Karia was not generous enough to be kind to someone who couldn’t appreciate it. In fact, she was the type to take back even what she had given when faced with ingratitude.

Pandeon could not discard her—but whether she would abandon Pandeon was a different story.

She had made up her mind: it was time to give the precious son, so adored by the Madam, back to her.

—

“Wow. This is a total mess.”

After reading through the household ledgers, Karia was left speechless. The records were filled with expenses for luxury maintenance, jewels, and dresses she had never even touched or seen.

Even if she hadn’t had access to the ledgers until now, this was outrageous. The ledgers were full of signs of embezzlement, without even an attempt to hide them.

Everyone in the house knew she had never indulged in such luxuries, nor had any merchants come by to deliver anything for her.

On top of that, these ledgers were not just viewed by the Madam but also submitted quarterly to Count Ribne, who managed the family’s finances. That meant the Duke’s trusted right-hand man had also read these sloppy accounts.

“So if it was approved, he either turned a blind eye or is part of the scheme.”

Knowing Count Ribne’s personality, the latter seemed unlikely. Hesis Ribne, like the knight captain Jurin Valtos, was a loyal retainer and childhood friend of the Duke.

The three of them shared an unshakable bond of trust. Since the Duke even entrusted him with the key to the treasury despite their constant financial trouble, it was clear how much he trusted him.

So the Count likely turned a blind eye—probably because the Duke always pitied his mother and didn’t want to hear arguments in the house. Karia’s situation probably meant nothing to him.

“Steward.”

“Yes, Madam! Did you call?”

Perhaps due to yesterday’s events, the steward ran in promptly and bowed politely.

“Did the Madam have breakfast?”

“Y-yes! She skipped dinner, but had a decent breakfast this morning.”

“That’s good. It would be bad if an old person skipped too many meals.”

A concern in name only. As far as she knew, the Madam was in excellent health for someone her age.

Karia was merely curious how the “Madam,” now under house arrest, was holding up.

“Madam, it seems she has calmed down now. Perhaps it’s time to forgive—”

“Did she express any intention to apologize to me?”

“Well… not directly, no.”

“Then she must still need more rest.”

Still unaware of the situation, the steward subtly tried to take the Madam’s side. Likely planning to boast about it later if she were released.

But Karia maintained her cold demeanor, as if she had never even asked. The cautious steward wisely stayed silent and bowed deeper.

“And now, we’ll begin inventorying the estate. Call five servants. We’ll start with the dressing room.”

“R-right now? But the inventory is usually done quarterly…”

“What’s the point of an inspection if it’s scheduled in advance? That’s just pretending. Oh, and the internal records—do you still keep past ones? Get me everything from the past six years, starting from when I entered this family. I’ll review them after I return.”

She stood up, ignoring the steward’s protests and pleas.

She didn’t need to look to know the accounts were falsified. But if she wanted to uncover exactly how much had been stolen, she needed solid proof.

And now—while the Madam was locked away—was the perfect time.

Karia walked out, leaving the flustered steward behind.

Just as she stepped into the hallway, someone happened to be walking by.

“Cristan.”

A boy with deep navy-blue hair walked toward her in a disheveled state.

With hair, eyes, and features resembling his father, he slowly looked up at her when she called his name.

“It’s been a while. No, I suppose that sounds strange since we live in the same house. Were you coming back from sword training?”

“……”

Cristan didn’t reply. He briefly glanced at her with his blue eyes, then turned and walked past her. A clear act of disregard.

He was

always like this. Whenever she spoke kindly, he ignored her, leaving her feeling humiliated and ashamed.

But not anymore.

She wasn’t going to let it slide any longer.