“Miss, the Viscount has just arrived at the manor!”
Dana was panting, having run all the way from the house.
“Is that so? I’m busy today, so tell him to leave.”
“What? What do you mean? You used to count the days until the Viscount’s visits.”
“We’ll be stuck together every day after marriage, won’t we? Tell him I’m busy with herb research. He’ll leave without making a fuss.”
“…”
“And next time, tell him to make an appointment first.”
Dana’s eyes widened as she looked at me, then grabbed my dirt-stained hand.
“Miss… is something wrong? Ever since you fell from the terrace, you’ve been like a different person. I’m really worried.”
“What could be wrong? I’m not sick, and my mind’s perfectly clear, so don’t worry.”
Smiling brightly, I reassured her, and Dana seemed to relax a bit.
“That’s a relief, then. If you ever need help, just say the word. You cured my sister’s illness and helped my family get a home. For you, I’d do anything!”
“Thanks, Dana. I’ve got more work to do in the garden, so I’ll stay here a bit longer. Can you relay my message to the Viscount exactly as I said?”
“Yes, I’ll tell him every word, not a single one missed!”
Dana clenched her fists determinedly and scurried back to the manor.
I finished fertilizing the herb garden, picked up the heavy basket, and sat at the edge of the field to trim the fine roots of the herbs.
After working for a while, I looked up to see the sun dipping toward the western horizon.
Time to call it a day and come back tomorrow.
Stretching refreshed, I tucked the basket under my arm and headed to the manor.
I dropped the basket in the study and was halfway up the stairs when—
“Oh, miss, another gift?”
“Yes, a surprise from him. Over ten dresses by Alonzo, the designer, complete with jewelry and shoes—a full set!”
Rachel’s excited voice made me pause.
“Alonzo? The first designer to be knighted by His Majesty? His dresses are insanely expensive. You must be thrilled!”
“Yes, he said only something of this caliber suits me.”
Rachel emphasized he, humming cheerfully.
I resumed climbing the stairs.
Spotting me, Rachel froze briefly before smiling with narrowed eyes.
“Oh, sister? Why are you so late?”
Her voice was overly enthusiastic, as if she’d been waiting.
I didn’t respond and continued up.
As I walked down the corridor, Rachel’s clear voice followed.
“Sister, did you forget your appointment with Viscount Alex today? I hope the accident on the terrace hasn’t left you… a bit off?”
Her feigned concern was nauseating.
I turned with a leisurely smile.
“As you know, the Viscount never makes appointments. I’m not some pet dog wagging its tail every time he shows up unannounced. Remember, your worth is what you make it.”
Rachel stood stunned, as if slapped, before plastering on a fairy-like smile.
“Aren’t you being a bit too harsh over nothing? Men don’t like domineering women, you know. I was just worried the Viscount might feel neglected. But don’t worry—I kept him plenty entertained while he waited.”
She emphasized plenty with a smug smirk.
I turned to her, smiling slowly.
“Thanks for that. But be more careful next time.”
“Careful? Of what?”
“It’s unbecoming for a maiden to flirt excessively with her future brother-in-law. People might talk.”
“What? Oh, sister, how could you say that?”
Rachel covered her mouth, her large eyes brimming with crocodile tears, like a wounded deer.
“How could you say such a thing? The Viscount and I aren’t strangers—we’re practically family!”
Her maid glared at me with narrowed eyes, as if I were paranoid or delusional.
I gave the scheming pair a relaxed smile.
“By the way, I overheard about the dresses. Was it Viscount Alex who gave them to you?”
“…Yes, he gave them as thanks for agreeing to be a maid of honor. Why?”
Her tearful eyes instantly sharpened.
“It’s not good for such lavish gifts to be exchanged before the wedding. I’ll return them to the Viscount today, so keep that in mind.”
“What? Sister, what are you talking about? Why are you returning my gifts?”
“Your gifts? These are from my future husband. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop acting so frivolous, Rachel.”
My firm words left Rachel speechless, as if ambushed.
“What did you just say? Are you calling me… cheap?”
No longer bothering to act, her eyes gleamed with venom.
Her lake-green eyes flashed with hatred before subsiding, and I smiled brightly.
“Now that you know, work on it. Who knows? You might improve a bit.”
Rachel’s eyes widened rapidly.
I turned and headed to my bedroom.
Hmph.
Glaring at Aselin’s retreating figure, Rachel seethed, barely containing her fury.
Alex was always mine.
You stole him with your clingy antics.
He was mine from the start!
And now you think you can return the things my man gave me?
Rachel was dumbfounded.
Alex only loved her.
In a fairy tale, the heroine would be her, not thick-headed Aselin.
Yet Aselin had stolen everything—jewels, dresses, even her marriage to Alex.
She took everything that was supposed to be mine.
The dresses and jewelry she’d won with her charms felt too precious to lose.
“…”
Rachel glared at Aselin until she disappeared down the corridor.
From the muddy hem of her dress to her sweat-matted hair, Rachel clicked her tongue in disdain.
Abandoning noble grace to do menial garden work and boil herbs, yet daring to covet what’s mine?
I’ll take back what was stolen and repay this humiliation!
Vowing revenge, Rachel ground her teeth.
After a refreshing bath, I sank into bed, the soft blankets enveloping me.
The warm scent of sun-dried linens made me drowsy.
I smiled, brushing my hand over the covers.
Then my fingers caught on something thin, like a thread.
I raised an eyebrow.
What’s this?
Sitting up, I saw two differently colored hairs tangled together.
I pinched them up.
A bright red strand and a blonde one, longer than mine.
They were entwined.
Hah.
A short laugh escaped me.
Things were starting to add up.
Rachel’s sudden compliance.
The mocking glint in her eyes as I entered my bedroom.
The talk of dresses as soon as I climbed the stairs.
It was all planned.
I tossed the hairs onto the table, letting out a bitter chuckle.
Filthy beasts. I warned them subtly, and they still did this?
In my own bed?
A fiery rage boiled up from my core.
I took a deep breath and stood.
I couldn’t sleep in this filthy bed.
Closing my eyes to think, I opened them abruptly seconds later.
In my chemise, I flung open the bedroom door.
