In the original work, Betty was a supporting character who led me into the trap set by the black curtain. The biggest problem here is that everything about me gets into the black curtain’s ears.
“But that’s inevitable.”
If I worry about exposing my private life, I won’t be able to gain the black curtain’s trust. Instead, it will only fuel suspicion further.
“Moreover, Betty isn’t particularly bad.”
It would have been the same if any other person had come in. The only people who can come around me are those who harbor a grudge against Libertan, like John.
“If I pay attention to every little thing like that, I’ll just get tired and die.”
Suddenly, I noticed Betty’s hand, which was wounded.
“How did you get hurt?”
As soon as my gaze reached her, Betty quickly hid her hand behind her back.
“It’s a wound from my own mistake.”
“That must have hurt, though.”
“It’s okay. There is no problem in serving the lady.”
It looked painful. But she said she was fine, so I hesitated to step in further.
“Then, after work, you must go get it treated.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Promise me?”
Betty nodded politely and spoke.
“I will prepare the clothes you will change into immediately.”
Only then did I realize that the wedding dress I was wearing, hurriedly put together for appearances, felt uncomfortable.
“I appreciate it.”
Betty quickly returned with dresses that were comfortable for living in the mansion.
“These are the clothes prepared from Blanchet. I’m not sure if they meet your taste, Lady, but if there are any uncomfortable parts, I will reflect on them and prepare better next time.”
“No, I like them enough.”
“Then, until the next time the dress designer comes, I will prepare similar designs.”
As the obedient and polite maid sent by the black curtain, her attitude was very courteous and respectful. It was exemplary enough to be printed in a textbook.
“Then, I will assist you with your clothing.”
“Oh.”
I awkwardly smiled at Betty’s natural gesture as she approached.
“I’d rather do it myself.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not used to being served by someone I don’t know well yet.”
Betty’s brown eyes flickered. After a moment of hesitation, Betty politely stepped back, saying, “Understood. When you change completely, please call me,” and withdrew. I watched Betty close the door completely before changing my clothes.
‘I can’t keep changing alone forever, though.’
I didn’t want to create trouble from the start. After changing, I looked at myself in the mirror to tidy up my appearance. Looking outside the window, it was starting to get evening.
‘In the original, I was alone for a while, right?’
Until the Marquis of Libertan was ruined by treason, I hardly ever saw my husband’s face.
‘But I have to act differently.’
Usually, if you keep seeing someone’s face, you tend to develop some attachment. But if you’re careless, you might just increase your resentment. While I was contemplating this, unexpectedly good news arrived. Betty, who knocked on the door outside, spoke.
“Lady, the master wants to have dinner with you at the upcoming dinner party.”
~·~·* . *^.^* . *·~·~
The office of the Duke of Blanchet. John casually looked at the lily pattern on the desk, left by the Marquis of Libertan. That woman kept circling in his mind almost obsessively. Under the faint light, her platinum hair reflected a faint pink hue, her navy blue eyes looked somewhat different from the Libertan’s, and her gentle smile as she looked at him was mesmerizing.
‘I don’t know much, but I’ll do my best now that we’re married.’
Strangely, he didn’t find that absurd innocence unpleasant.
‘It must be because she grew up loved in Libertan.’
He believed that if he only tried, they could become a good couple. Maybe that’s why that foolish idea sounded somewhat adorable.
‘Her eyes look like a rabbit’s.’
John furrowed his brow, thinking of her as fragile and slender, as if she might break if squeezed too tightly. The more he thought about it, the more a strange, irritating sensation crept in.
“Master. It’s over now.”
His assistant, Erich, entered the study.
“Soon, the Marquis of Libertan will be completely ruined. They will get back the treason charges they falsely accused us of, exactly as they did before.”
“It’s not over yet.”
John declared with a cold voice.
“I understand your joy, but let’s not be complacent. We should be cautious until everything is finished.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Nodding, Erich looked at the lily pattern and spoke.
“By the way, today that woman entered the Blanchet estate, right?”
Estelle Libertan. The adopted daughter of the Marquis of Libertan, notorious for all sorts of evil rumors. Erich, who hated her immensely, naturally disliked that woman.
‘No doubt those rumors aren’t baseless.’
No matter how many rumors there are, nothing truly happens without cause. Rumors about her being jilted twice or mistreating her servants were especially true.
“How did you find her, sir?”
John chuckled as he recalled his wife once more.
“She seemed like a light entertainment, after all.”
It was a silly thought, but somehow, being raised loved in Libertan, and having that kind of pure innocence, didn’t seem so bad.
‘Her eyes are like those of a rabbit, too.’
John frowned, recalling her fragile, delicate appearance. The more he thought about it, the more an uneasy feeling grew.
“Master. It’s over now.”
His aide, Erich, entered the office.
“Soon, the Marquis of Libertan will be completely ruined. They will get back the treason charges they falsely accused us of, exactly as they did before.”
“It’s not over yet.”
John confirmed coldly.
“I understand your joy, but let’s not be complacent. We should be cautious until everything is finished.”
“I will remember that.”
Erich nodded, looking at the lily pattern, then spoke.
“By the way, today that woman entered the Blanchet estate, correct?”
Estelle Libertan. The adopted daughter of the Marquis of Libertan, notorious for all sorts of evil rumors. Erich, who hated her, naturally disliked her.
‘No doubt those rumors aren’t unfounded.’
Even if they’re just rumors, nothing happens without reason. Rumors like her being disowned twice or mistreating servants are even more credible.
“What did you think of her?”
John thought again of his wife and chuckled softly.
“She seemed like a light entertainment, after all.”
It was fortunate that she was useful enough. That plan wouldn’t have gone smoothly otherwise.
Just as the dessert was about to be served—something he’d been looking forward to—an elegant figure appeared quietly through the open door. John walked in gracefully, dressed in black.
The subtle shadow of the candlelight made him seem even more unreal.
‘No, is he so handsome that he seems almost unreal?’
The John sitting across from him tilted his chin and asked.
“How’s the meal? Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s very delicious.”
“Good.”
Finally, the dessert was placed before me. It was a cake made primarily with Eleon fruit. But contrary to my expectations, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
‘Why does it have to be Eleon fruit?’
Eleon fruit was a rare delicacy from the Southern Kingdom. Its addictive bitter taste made it popular among many nobles, but I didn’t particularly like it. To be precise, I couldn’t eat it comfortably. Whenever I ate food containing Eleon fruit, I would get a fever or feel weak. Though it wasn’t serious enough to be life-threatening.
‘Why does the dessert have to feature this fruit?’
Just as I was about to ask for a different dessert, I suddenly realized it wasn’t exactly a coincidence. Eleon fruit was a common ingredient in desserts at the Libertan estate.
‘It’s not just a coincidence.’
John, as meticulous as a black curtain, was probably well-informed. Even if he didn’t know all the internal details, he must have known about the dishes frequently served at the estate.
‘So this…’
My gaze met his, and I saw his red eyes staring fixedly at me with intense focus.
‘He’s testing whether I am the Estelle Libertan he’s been thinking of.’
Perhaps the information he knew included that I liked Eleon fruit desserts. As most people in Libertan thought. John slightly raised his eyebrows and asked.
“Is there a problem?”
“Oh, I was just wondering if I could eat it alone.”
Smiling casually, I cut into the Eleon fruit cake and took a bite.
‘If it looks suspicious now, it could be problematic.’
Because it might also be dealt with when the Libertan estate falls. The subtle bitter taste of Eleon fruit hit my tongue, blending with the sweetness of the cake for a very deep flavor.
‘…It’s quite delicious…’
Unconsciously, I remembered the first time I ate this fruit. Why dishes with Eleon fruit appeared so often at the Libertan estate, and why everyone thought I liked it—that was because Yesstella loved Eleon fruit very much.
‘You are a substitute for our Stella. And you dare to choose your meals at will? Mimicking my daughter’s manners and luxury, and now you refuse that role?’
‘Anyway, eating it won’t kill me.’
Pretending to be Yesstella in front of the Libertan couple, I ate the Eleon fruit very naturally.
“Please tell the chef that the dessert is very delicious.”
At that moment, my hand, holding the fork, suddenly relaxed. The white dress was stained with whipped cream as the fork fell.
‘I was told to maintain my dignity at all times!’
Reactively, I quickly grabbed a napkin and wiped off the cream, turning pale.
“I-I’m sorry. I…”
“Wait.”
John, who had stood up, grabbed my wrist as I was wiping the stain with the napkin. His trembling, uncontrollable hand trembled as he did so.
~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~
Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉
Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
~~~Next Chapter~~~
Next chapter will be released Tomorrow.
See you then!!
