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Estelle’s clear navy blue eyes trembled significantly. Her long white eyelashes fluttered nervously. The hand that was holding hers also quivered.

“Why… why did the Duke do that?”

“Why do you think?”

John did not kindly answer Estelle’s question.

“Why would the man who married you wipe out your family?”

He slowly observed her reaction. Her heart pounded rapidly, she looked bewildered, and the warmth in her trembling hand that had been gently clasped was faintly fading.

“I don’t know. The Duke hasn’t told me anything, so how could I know?”

After lowering her head briefly, Estelle opened her mouth.

Are my parents being imprisoned due to false charges?

“No.”

Estelle slowly lifted her gaze to meet John’s eyes. Anxiety and tremor could be felt from her hunched shoulders.

“They were probably imprisoned for the crimes they committed.”

Falsely accusing someone of treason and pinning it on them is also considered treason in the empire. Treason is an extremely serious crime. Especially in cases like the Blanchet family, where all the noble houses are completely eradicated and disappear.

“In that case, how could I blame you, Duke?”

A bitter smile was on Estelle’s lips.

“Even if you destroyed the Blanchet family, if it was justified.”

There was an undeniable sadness and fragile despair in Estelle’s words. John unconsciously clenched his fists around his own hand, which was not protecting her.

‘What a strange woman.’

I had always thought she was innocent and naive without thinking much. I also thought she blindly trusted her husband too much. Everyone, even strangers, harbored at least some suspicion. Ironically, that suspicion made John more eager to seduce her and uncover something hidden inside her. But now, it had become more difficult to understand her.

‘Why… why is her reaction so different from mine?’

Her own parents, whom she claimed to love so much, were the ones her husband brought down? Even if John hadn’t witnessed the tragic downfall of the family firsthand, he would have vowed revenge. He was a demon who would repay tenfold, even in death. Yet Estelle, with wide eyes, even asked John:

“Could it be that the Duke suffered some harm at the Libertan family? Did you personally bring about the downfall of the Libertan family?”

“Who’s to say.”

“But then, I don’t understand. Why did you bring me into this house?”

Unaware that he was secretly plotting to kill her, her unwavering trust and hopeful gaze towards him looked almost adorable. It was earlier than expected, but he thought he could end this act now.

No, I can’t.

The reason was simple.

Ending it like this…

His gaze returned to her nape. A thin and delicate neck that one hand could cover completely.

Because I can kill her anytime.

John smiled gently and spoke to Estelle.

“Don’t worry too much. Even if the Libertan family falls due to treason, your situation won’t change.”

“…Why?”

“Because I want you to remain the Lady of Blanchet.”

A languid smile spread across John’s face.

“So, just stay as you are now.”

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

Betty had recently sensed a significant change in the atmosphere of the Blanchet family.

“Betty, tomorrow is the day Lady will meet the Libertan couple, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then, bring this.”

The cook secretly handed Betty a new treat prepared for Lady.

“It’s something she can have anytime, but she doesn’t usually ask us for favors.”

“I think she’ll like it too.”

“Good. Tell her to stay strong.”

Betty took the treat and left. Even those who once disliked the Libertan family no longer hated Estelle that much. She was too pure, too innocent—something uncharacteristic of the typical Libertan.

Everyone thought her innocence was almost bothersome.

Before long, everyone started to accept her presence differently from the Libertan family. Even if they didn’t speak it aloud, their actions clearly showed it.

Patricia, the maid boss, felt the same.

Patricia, along with Erich, was one of the most militant figures in the Blanchet family. Even if she was adopted, she couldn’t forgive Estelle and didn’t want to understand her. She even tried to torment her herself. But now, Patricia seemed to genuinely serve Estelle.

“Betty, assist the Lady in everything so she doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Even if I am in confinement, there will be girls who want to follow me. When that happens, tell them my name so they follow the Lady.”

“Can I really use the maid boss’s name?”

“Of course. It’s what a new maid should do for the Lady. I’m just slow in doing it now.”

Betty was amazed at how much everyone was changing.

But the most surprising of all was…

Certainly, it was the Lady herself. While Estelle was unconscious, John seemed strangely out of his mind.

That was the first time I saw him so shocked.

John, usually good at controlling his emotions, had suddenly burst out with feelings he couldn’t contain. He even came to Estelle’s side at any time and stayed overnight to care for her, even though she was unconscious and wouldn’t recognize him.

And that look in his eyes.

John’s expression, tenderly caring for Estelle and holding her hand, was unbearably poignant.

He told me not to tell her.

The way he was anxiously calling secret doctors, worried she might never wake up, didn’t seem like someone dealing with revenge. And that wasn’t the only strange thing. When Betty overstepped by trying not to tell John about Estelle’s story, John, in his previous manner, would have dismissed Betty from her maid role and thrown her out. He would have at least kept her away from Estelle. John had always ruthlessly eliminated anyone who interfered with his plans. But his reaction was different:

“You’re doing well.”

“…What?”

“Has your lady been having any more trouble or pain?”

Contrary to her worries about harsh punishment, John praised Betty.

“Help her to be comfortable by her side from now on.”

He also didn’t push for the secret Betty was hiding. This was unlike the usual behavior of the Duke of Blanchet. But it wasn’t a bad thing.

Because Lady had been abused at the Libertan family.

Betty was glad to see Estelle’s situation gradually improving.

But what if, as Lord Henry was worried, she’s actually fallen ill with an incurable disease?

There were rumors that Estelle, who collapsed for no reason at the Blanchet estate, might have contracted an incurable illness. Of course, Estelle simply smiled and explained that she was just naturally frail.

“Both the Duke and everyone else seem to think I’m too delicate. I don’t need to be treated so carefully.”

The more pure and innocent Estelle smiled, the more Betty’s heart ached. That sincere smile seemed to be a mask, created just to survive and endure harsh circumstances.

Such a kind person.

Estelle was more considerate of others’ feelings than her own wounds. The more Betty spent time with her, the more she mourned the scars etched into Estelle’s delicate body. Of course, some people had begun to feel even more hostile towards her. That was Erik, Betty’s older brother.

“Are you taking that treat to Lady?”

Erik, returning from his task, spotted Betty. His voice was sharp and annoyed.

“I told you not to worry too much about that woman. Why do you keep ignoring what I say?”

“Haa… Brother.”

Betty sighed and replied.

“Maybe Lady is different from what we think.”

“Betty, are you going to keep doing that?”

Erik crossed his arms and glared at Betty irritably.

“You’re bewitched by that woman. You just smile kindly, but you’ll only get hurt.”

“It’s not like that. It’s just that Lady…”

“Stop it.”

Until now, Betty and Erik rarely argued. But now, whenever Estelle’s name came up, they fought every time.

“If you’re going to defend her, let’s not see each other anymore.”

Finally, Erik sighed deeply and stormed off in anger. Betty pounded her chest in frustration and injustice.

Lady is really not like that…

To make matters worse, Estelle’s health was steadily declining. She didn’t realize it herself, but her stamina was much lower, and her sleep was getting longer. She even started to cry or talk to herself more often when no one was watching.

It’s clear that even pretending to be fine is hard. Even if she hates us, she must still see her parents as precious.

But unless Estelle herself said otherwise, Betty couldn’t say anything. She, too, had judged Estelle hastily and tried to deceive her. Because she was afraid that doing things Estelle didn’t want would be another form of violence. Betty finally arrived at the room where Estelle was.

Knock, knock.

“Lady. The cook made some tiramisu for you. Would you like to try it?”

“Come in.”

As soon as Estelle saw the tiramisu, she faintly smiled.

“Please tell the cook thank you for preparing this.”

“Yes, I will.”

Betty watched as Estelle ate the tiramisu with her tea. Then, she hesitantly spoke.

“Lady. Tomorrow, you’re going to meet your parents.”

“That’s right. I’m going.”

“Are you okay to see the Libertan couple… I mean, the Duke and Duchess tomorrow? It might be hard for you…”

“What’s so hard about it?”

It’s normal for an adopted child who was abused to want to meet their abuser family. But still, Betty felt her heart ache because she thought Estelle’s attitude might only add to John and Erik’s misunderstandings.

“I want to see them because I want to. They’re just outside, even though they should be in prison, I guess they’re just out of place.”

No, that’s not true, Lady. You suffered great abuse at the Libertan estate… How can it be the same? Betty clutched Estelle’s hand and fought tears. She had so many things she wanted to say, but could only ask one:

“Lady. What do you think of Lord John?”

“…”

When the topic turned to John, Estelle’s face slightly stiffened.

“I don’t know either. I just want to be a good wife.”

Her calm platinum hair, a soft pink hue, looked blurry and seemed ready to vanish at any moment. It was like a beautiful mirage.

“Lady. I know it might be presumptuous…”

“No, just relax.”

“Anyway, about Lord John…”

Betty hesitated, then spoke her mind.

“I think he loves you.”

“…Really?”

Estelle, momentarily surprised, smiled shyly.

“Does he really love me, that’s why he’s doing this?”

Betty tried to give Estelle as much trust and comfort as possible. And so, the next day arrived—the day Estelle was going to meet the Libertan couple.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

t was the day to visit the Libertan family. I prepared while being served by Betty. I had been waiting for this day, but honestly, it was somewhat difficult to get through until then.

‘I never thought John would ask such things.’

I was terrified, trembling, wondering if he was already planning to eliminate me.

‘Honestly, I don’t really care what happens to the Libertan family.’

I didn’t know how my feelings had become so easily settled, but my blind love for the Libertan family seemed to have vanished completely. Now, they felt like strangers.

‘I just need to find out my curse, and it will be over.’

Of course, that curse was linked to the fact that I was a fairy. So, unfortunately, I couldn’t tell anyone about it.

‘Honestly, John’s behavior is unsettling but understandable.’

Because he had not appeared at all since I said I would meet the Libertan family. That was common in the original story. But what I found most strange was the behavior of the people at the Blanchet estate!

“It’s okay, Lady. Everything will be fine.”

Suddenly, Betty comforted me, hugging me as she cried.

“I’ve arranged for you to comfortably handle the Duke and Duchess’s affairs. So, please use me as you wish. Subordinates are meant to serve in this way.”

When I visited during my confinement, I saw Patricia, the chief maid, who looked at me with a stoic yet sad expression.

“Lady, stay strong.”

I was also very surprised by the suddenly increased variety of meals and the overly polite attitude of the servants at the Blanchet estate. Even Erik was like that.

“I don’t trust you. But… this is just my minimal conscience.”

That man, who always picked fights, left with a strange expression after giving me a gift. I was afraid it might be cursed and didn’t dare open it.

…Could it be that now he’s pretending to be kind to cover up his plan to eliminate me by handling the treason?

It’s said that even death row inmates are treated the best on the day before their execution.

Am I going to end up in prison with her?

But when John arrived at the palace prison, he didn’t behave at all as I expected.

“Can I go in alone?”

“You have Betty, your guard.”

John, who had thought he would be with the Libertan couple no matter what, was.

“Because your parents might interfere with a cozy time together.”

“Would that be okay? Still, the Libertan family committed treason…”

“Of course, I don’t like you going to see the Libertan couple. They’re traitors. You might get involved wrongly.”

John, pointing out my dangerous situation, placed his hand on my shoulder.

“But it’s your request. I’ll make it happen in the way you most desire. Do you agree?”

“…Yes. I agree.”

If I said I was worried for nothing, I might lose the chance to face the Libertan family altogether.

“I’ll go now.”

“If there’s any trouble, I’ll come right in. I won’t give that up.”

Before entering with Betty, I looked back. John waved his hand.

“Don’t forget I’m here.”

Somehow, his words sounded meaningful.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

Outside, a loud noise was heard. The guards moving. The imprisoned Libertan couple reacted nervously to the commotion. Then, slowly, Estelle, their adopted daughter, appeared in the dark cell. Beside her was a brunette maid, who was supposedly a lady of the Blanchet family. Her well-dressed appearance could easily be mistaken for a proper duchess.

‘Or is that how it’s supposed to be?’

The important thing was that, according to their wish, Estelle had come. To save them!

“Child.”

Roselia leaned toward Estelle with a sweet voice.

~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~

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!!