Chapter 11
“She asked for me to come downstairs?”
“Y-Yes, Miss!”
Diane tilted her head.
The moment she heard that one of the guests wanted to see her, hope blossomed inside her.
Maybe Aunt has finally decided to introduce me properly to Southern noble society!
Now that things have turned out this way, she’s probably planning to find me a good marriage!
Sneaking into social gatherings here and there…
And making an official debut with her family’s recognition…
Those were two completely different things.
The hope inside her grew larger and larger.
Over the past several days, she’d completely stopped worrying that her fraud would be exposed.
The silence had made her careless.
After all…
The Duchess wasn’t even acknowledged by House Beredan.
There was no way she’d be participating in noble society.
And that cold, battle-obsessed Duke certainly wouldn’t involve himself in gatherings for noblewomen.
Hayden was still far too young.
So…
This seemed like the perfect opportunity to make her own debut.
She was a little older than most debutantes…
But that could be overlooked.
Perhaps her experience as the Duke’s nanny would even help her find a husband.
Besides…
No one knew that House Beredan’s former nanny was Countess Yotley’s niece.
What if we simply reveal it ourselves?
Countess Yotley was highly respected among the noblewomen.
She might even be able to arrange an excellent marriage.
Before any unpleasant rumors spread…
She just needed to get married first.
“What are you standing there for?”
“Hurry and help me get dressed.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Humming cheerfully, Diane changed into the finest dress she owned.
It was one of the few things she’d managed to keep after being thrown out of House Beredan.
If she impressed the ladies today…
She might marry into a wealthy family…
Spend money freely…
And live as an elegant noblewoman.
Just like when she’d been the Duke’s nanny.
With light, excited footsteps…
Diane descended to the first floor.
During those few moments…
Her dreams, hopes, and fantasies had only continued to grow.
Then…
She stepped into the conservatory.
The first thing she saw…
Was Roana.
Wearing that famous sapphire necklace.
Then she noticed Countess Yotley beside her…
Head lowered…
Her face ashen.
Wh-Why is she here?!
Diane instinctively took a step backward.
“Oh my.”
Roana smiled gently.
“What a familiar face.”
Several noblewomen immediately joined the conversation.
“So Your Grace already knows Countess Yotley’s niece?”
“Come to think of it…”
“I’ve seen her somewhere before as well.”
“She does look familiar…”
“Oh!”
“Isn’t she young Master Hayden’s nanny?”
“My goodness.”
“So she really is related to Countess Yotley.”
“To think your niece was caring for young Master Hayden.”
“But then…”
“Why were we told she was here recovering from an illness?”
“Come.”
“Please have a seat, Miss Diane.”
Roana spoke with perfect elegance.
The woman who had once shouted back and forth with Diane over Hayden…
Had completely disappeared.
Diane glanced behind her.
Several maids stood there silently…
Blocking her escape.
“Hurry.”
Roana’s voice turned cold.
In that instant…
Diane understood.
This wasn’t a pleasant garden party.
It was the very pit of hell Roana had prepared for her.
Diane clenched her teeth.
“I-I think I’d better return upstairs.”
“I’m still not feeling well…”
“Even if you’re unwell, you can receive treatment here.”
Roana smiled.
“Or…”
“Do you think I’m overstepping my authority again?”
The atmosphere inside the conservatory froze instantly.
That wasn’t something a mere fallen noblewoman should ever say to the Duchess.
The noblewomen immediately began murmuring in criticism.
“W-When did I ever say that?!”
“So you’re calling me a liar?”
“I’m sure that can’t be true.”
Roana deliberately brushed her fingers near the necklace around her throat.
It was almost as if she were saying—
Look at this necklace.
Cheres entrusted it to me.
This is how much House Beredan acknowledges me.
That couldn’t be right.
The Duke and Duchess were supposed to hate each other like cats and dogs.
They barely even looked at one another.
Everyone knew they hadn’t held a wedding.
They hadn’t even shared a wedding night.
You disgusting woman…!
The problem…
Was that this wasn’t the right atmosphere to reveal any of that.
If she spoke now…
Everyone would simply believe Diane was lying.
“And to think…”
“Countess Yotley’s niece was the nanny assigned to our Hayden.”
“The woman who starved him…”
“Who stole the money meant for his baby supplies…”
“And spent it on jewelry until she was finally caught and dismissed.”
Roana emphasized every word before turning calmly toward Countess Yotley.
“Were you aware of any of this, Countess?”
In this situation…
Countess Yotley had only one possible answer.
“…I-I had no idea.”
“Aunt!!”
“Silence!”
“How dare you still speak after committing something so disgraceful!”
Countess Yotley signaled the maids.
They immediately covered Diane’s mouth.
Watching that little performance…
Roana smiled quietly.
Mission complete.
Mrs. Urein’s advice echoed in my memory.
“Don’t dirty your own hands, Your Grace.”
“Place the sword in Countess Yotley’s hands instead.”
“She’ll abandon her niece without hesitation if it means protecting herself.”
Mrs. Urein’s private lessons had been incredibly effective.
Exactly as she’d predicted…
Countess Yotley discarded her own niece without the slightest hesitation.
While Diane screamed like a trapped animal in the maids’ grasp…
Countess Yotley publicly scolded her.
“Have you completely lost your mind?”
“How could you dare show your face after committing such disgraceful acts?”
“So this is what you’ve been doing since coming to the South?”
“I was actually proud when I heard you’d found employment!”
“But instead you’ve dragged my own name through the mud!”
“You wretched child!”
“Your Grace…”
“I sincerely apologize.”
“I failed to raise her properly…”
“…You truly knew nothing?”
“Not even a little?”
“I heard Countess Yotley is someone who always knows what’s happening around her.”
I intentionally let the last sentence trail off.
That alone…
Was enough.
The noblewomen immediately turned on Countess Yotley.
One after another…
They condemned her.
Me…
The same person who used to be bullied and manipulated at home…
Actually managed to turn public opinion like this.
It looked as though both Countess Yotley’s family…
And Diane…
Would be completely ostracized from noble society.
Hayden, my bright little boy.
I got revenge for you.
I returned to the mansion feeling like a victorious general returning from war.
Tonight…
I was going to eat twice as much as usual.
I’d earned it.
Dinner that evening was just as satisfying as ever.
Even better…
There wasn’t anyone trying to interrupt my meal.
Absolute happiness.
“I wish Cheres could’ve seen your face today.”
“What a shame.”
“It was incredibly satisfying.”
“I doubt Countess Yotley will ever be able to hold her head high in Southern society again.”
“If it were me…”
“I would’ve emigrated.”
“…It’s all thanks to you.”
“I’ll be able to sever House Beredan’s ties with Countess Yotley without any unnecessary complications.”
“There won’t be any backlash.”
“And I intend to recover every last thing they stole.”
“I only did what I could, Cheres.”
Come on…
Recognize how capable I am.
Whatever you ask me to do…
I can handle it.
I smiled brightly at Cheres.
“I’m glad I was able to help.”
So…
If you ever need my help again…
Please don’t hesitate to ask.
I’m a fully prepared worker.
That was the message I tried my hardest to convey.
I wasn’t sure whether he understood it.
Cheres let out a long breath.
“I owe you an apology.”
“…For what?”
“For what I said before.”
“I told you not to do anything.”
“I said you didn’t have to fulfill any duties as the Duchess.”
Looking directly at her, Cheres spoke with complete sincerity.
“I hurt you with promises I couldn’t even keep myself.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
…Wait.
He’s apologizing just like that?
Even after everything he’d gone through…
Hayden still grew up to become the righteous male lead instead of falling into darkness.
Now I understood why.
He took after his father.
Cheres really was that kind of person.
How could someone be so genuinely upright?
