Chapter 7
“Yes, I know earrings don’t suit me.”
I pushed my hair back and turned to look at the Count. He stood there with his arms still crossed, glaring at me.
While pretending to meet his gaze, I quietly counted the maids in my head. Including his mistress, there were twenty of them.
“But look at these. They’re so pretty and delicate… I can’t help but want them.”
I pouted like a child. Not to be cute—Carla’s looks weren’t the kind anyone would call charming—but to make it seem like I had a reason for buying the earrings for the maids.
Then, as if a great idea came to mind, I clapped my hands lightly.
“How about this? The maids can wear them instead of me!”
“For the staff? That’s…”
He frowned. I pushed a little more.
“It’ll look classy! Other noble ladies dress their maids in matching outfits. Earrings could be like a part of their uniform—people would immediately know they’re from our estate.”
This would seem like just another whim of the Countess. And noblewomen were known for their unpredictable fashion ideas. I even laughed like I was joking.
Still, the Count didn’t relax. So I used my secret weapon.
“Then I’ll have the old jewelry cleaned up to see what I can give them…”
I said sweetly. Just the word “cleaning” made the Count flinch. I guess his mistress had made a scene over that before.
I looked over the earrings the merchant had brought. I pointed at the ones I had picked earlier.
“Nineteen more of these, added to the one I already chose.”
I smiled at Bella. She looked delighted—her round eyes made her look like an adorable squirrel.
“Here, you all can share these. The Count is giving you a gift.”
If the maids had any sense, they’d understand my real meaning. They wouldn’t give any earrings to the Count’s mistress. After all, she had made their lives miserable all week.
Sometimes people’s anger gets directed at the wrong person. These earrings were basically my way of letting them vent that anger. Whether it was bullying or just ignoring her, anything would do.
The mistress would feel left out and cling to the Count even more. Then he’d probably buy her her own earrings.
That was exactly what I wanted.
Humans always want someone to blame. I thought about that as I watched Bella organize the jewelry. She seemed more relaxed around me now and occasionally chatted in a cheerful voice.
“You wouldn’t believe how full of herself that woman is.”
Even though I was the one who started all this, the maids had begun to reject the Count’s mistress. Bella too. She had her reasons, even if she wasn’t directly affected.
Bella’s best friend was Charlotte, a kitchen maid. Charlotte’s older sister, Inge, worked in the laundry. So Bella saw the mistress as the one who hurt her friend’s sister.
“She came flaunting those flashy earrings, acting all high and mighty. They sparkled every time she moved!”
I stared blankly at Bella’s words. Her anger wasn’t fair—she hadn’t been hurt herself.
Everyone in the mansion had turned a blind eye to the Count’s affair. None of them even knew I wasn’t the real Carla. So it wasn’t loyalty to her that made them angry.
“Strange, isn’t it?”
Bella flinched at my murmur. I ignored her reaction and kept thinking. Just like the maids’ anger wasn’t fair, neither was mine.
I had nothing to do with Carla. I just got dragged into this mess. Sure, I disliked the Count—but only because he looked down on me. He mocked me for eating too much or not dressing well.
Still, just because I couldn’t punch him in the face didn’t mean I should take it out on his mistress. It felt like guilt, maybe. Could I take revenge on behalf of someone else just because I pitied her?
I shook my head. I felt sorry for the mistress, but that didn’t matter. I had very few ways to hurt the Count, and she was one of them. If Carla and I had suffered, then so should he.
“Bella.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
I looked at the freckle-faced maid.
“Do you remember what the mistress’s earrings looked like?”
“Yes. I just saw them earlier. They were unusual, hanging low.”
“Could you find something similar?”
Bella’s eyes widened. I decided to make this sweet girl my accomplice.
“Please find one for me.”
For a moment, she looked like she felt sorry for me. I didn’t feel like explaining myself. As long as I got what I wanted, I didn’t care what she thought.
Bella nodded, a determined look on her face.
“I’ll definitely find it for you!”
I smiled at her loyalty.
Before long, I had a pair of earrings that looked almost identical to the mistress’s. I already knew exactly how to use them.
I had dozens of ideas in my head. But people never act the way you want—that was the real problem.
I heard footsteps outside. Bella quickly took the earrings and hid them in the drawer. There was a knock, and someone came in.
“My lady.”
It was the housekeeper. Ever since her salary had been cut, she’d been acting very respectful. I suppose letting a man sneak into the lady’s room was unforgivable.
I hadn’t fired her because I didn’t hate her. But to be honest, most people in her position would’ve been fired and blacklisted.
She clearly didn’t respect me, but I couldn’t ruin her livelihood.
“The Count invites you to tea.”
Her voice was polite but cold. Oh great, what now? I forced out the bad words that popped into my head and asked,
“Where?”
“He says he’ll be waiting in the garden.”
I glanced out the window. The sun was too strong for a pleasant tea time. But I nodded.
“Have some snacks prepared. I’ll have my usual tea. Put a lemon in my cup. For the Count…”
I remembered the bitter tea Carla used to drink.
“Make his extra strong.”
The housekeeper bowed and left. I guess she really was just delivering a message.
“Ma’am, should I redo your hair?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll just throw on a shawl.”
It’s not like I wanted to impress my husband. I shrugged and changed into something simple. Out the window, I saw the maids setting up the table and chairs.
I waited until they finished, then headed to the garden. The Count didn’t arrive until the sun had moved away from my seat.
I should’ve brought a book… No, reading in this sun would ruin my eyes. The weather wasn’t too hot, so it wasn’t so bad sitting outside.
The scent of fresh-cut grass made it feel refreshing. If it weren’t for the face walking toward me, I might’ve enjoyed it.
“The tea’s cold.”
That was the first thing out of his mouth. I wanted to throw the tea in his face but held back. The tea wasn’t even that cold.
Instead, I raised my voice and mocked him.
“I didn’t know you liked it hot. I thought you came late on purpose so it would cool down.”
He glared at me. I made an innocent face.
“I’ll make sure they serve it hotter next time.”
His brow furrowed. I gestured to Bella.
“Sweetheart, could you shade the Count with a parasol?”
He glanced at the colorful parasol in Bella’s hand and clicked his tongue. I hoped he recognized it was the one I had recently bought.
When Bella opened the lacy parasol, he waved it off.
Tsk, I had hoped he’d look ridiculous holding it. I sipped my tea to hide my annoyed pout.
“Is that maid yours?”
I stopped mid-sip. Really? He’s pretending not to know Bella now?
“Yes.”
I looked at him like he was the one being strange. He didn’t respond. His lips were tightly shut, and his expression was cold.
There was none of that “reliable husband” or “gentle warmth” from the novels. The man in front of me was nothing but a liar.
