“Oh, was that what was uncomfortable? This mother was too busy disciplining her daughter-in-law to pay attention to that. I’m sorry, Kalyon.”
Evelon cautiously brought up the real reason for her visit.
“You’re not feeling well, are you? The doctor said there was nothing wrong with you, but this mother can tell right away. You’re having a hard time taking on the head of the family position, aren’t you?”
“That’s right. Why don’t you not push yourself and just go to the country villa to rest properly? Leave the family affairs to my aunt and me.”
Izuli quickly grasped the meaning behind those words. Even though Kalyon had returned, they were still greedy for the head of the family position, and it was clear they didn’t want to give it back to him.
There was something that Selly had said when she brought the doctor.
‘I went to see the doctor, and the lady was talking with the two people who left.’
‘She was with those people? Did you happen to hear what they were talking about?’
‘I couldn’t hear exactly, but I think they mentioned something about a successor.’
It was a light conversation that passed by, but it was certainly not something to be taken lightly.
The Dryton Marquisate had a total of five retainers, and to establish a successor, a majority agreement was needed. Evelon’s attempt to sway two of the retainers was quicker than expected.
Ricardo, who had just heard their plans through Izuli, realized what she wanted.
‘Does she want the head of the family position?’
Ricardo glanced at Izuli.
Izuli was shaking her head quickly with her eyes wide open from a short distance away.
Moreover, he couldn’t just go to the countryside like this. He needed to regain his original body.
“Huh? Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take that as agreement…”
“Cough! Cough, cough!”
A violent cough, as if she were spitting out blood, drowned out Evelon’s voice.
“Dear! Are you okay?”
Izuli, who had squeezed her way through their panic, patted Ricardo’s back. The forced cough sounded terrifying, as if it belonged to someone on the verge of death, causing Evelon and Melaria to momentarily forget that they would benefit if he died and instead feel frightened.
“Let’s take a look.”
As the doctor, who had been pulled along with them, approached, the two were completely pushed back. They exchanged glances, realizing that today might not be the right time. Evelon quickly fanned herself and snorted.
“Hmph, you. Take good care of my son. If his condition worsens, you know what that means, right? You won’t even have soup then!”
“Marquise, then I hope you have a good time.”
Once they left, the doctor returned, perplexed by the unexplained cough.
Izuli, having overcome the crisis, sat down on the bed with relief.
“First, you must be in a daze, so rest.”
As she wiped the cold sweat from her brow, Izuli felt completely drained of energy.
Her mind was in turmoil.
‘Now that Kalyon has returned, my plan must be impossible, right?’
It was disappointing. The thought of having to endure harsh treatment in the household again made her sigh.
* * *
“Honestly, there’s not a single thing I like about this!”
As she shouted while striding with heavy steps, someone began to gently massage Evelon’s shoulder.
“Wet nurse.”
Seeing the wrinkled hands, Evelon couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy and patted the hand.
After the previous marquis died, Evelon had long held control over the mansion. Once her temper flared, even the favored Melaria found it difficult to calm her down. However, the presence of her wet nurse, Janna, changed the situation.
“Madam, why are you so angry?”
“Well…”
The truth was that she was angry because she had missed the right opportunity to send Kalyon to the countryside for recovery. Although it was unavoidable due to his violent coughing, getting angry at a fool was like swinging her fists at the air.
“It’s because of that creature!”
Naturally, her anger turned towards the easiest target, Izuli.
“What has that creature done this time?”
“What hasn’t it done? Because it didn’t take proper care of the fool, I had to send back the vassals I hadn’t even been able to persuade yet. Do you know how much money I spent to create that opportunity…!”
Recalling that the emergency funds she had scraped together for that opportunity had gone to waste without any return made her heart feel as if it were being torn apart again.
“Madam, as Melaria said, making Lord Leo the successor isn’t a bad idea.”
“I know, I know very well.”
Evelon genuinely cherished and loved her only grandson. He wasn’t just any grandchild; he was the son she had never given birth to, which made her feelings even more profound.
“But having a bastard inherit the family is something I’ve experienced once already. I can’t let Viola go through such humiliation.”
At least Kalyon’s birth mother was no longer alive, but this bastard was different.
The mistress had been enjoying Count Eden’s favor for over four years, and day by day, the time Melaria and Leo spent at the marquisate was increasing.
This meant that their standing at the count’s estate was diminishing.
“I can’t let Viola walk the same path after she’s gone…”
Evelon exuded a warmth of maternal love that seemed unbelievable, considering she had just hurled curses at Izuli, who had been someone’s precious daughter until moments ago.
Janna’s face briefly displayed sympathy, as if they were the only ones unaware of the ugliness and horror surrounding them.
“Don’t worry, Duchess. We have plenty of time.”
Evelon gradually calmed down at Janna’s gentle words.
She wasn’t wrong.
After enduring that fool for 20 years, waiting a few more months was no problem at all.
“Janna, do you have any good ideas?”
Evelon relied on Janna not just because she had been her nanny since childhood. Perhaps due to her age and experience, Janna was always calm and consistently came up with good plans. Today’s meeting with the vassals was also Janna’s idea.
“Now that it’s known that the marquis has returned safely, people will be paying attention. It might be best to leave things quiet for a while and slowly work out a plan, Madam.”
“You’re right, nurse. I almost forgot that.”
Evelon lightly tapped her forehead.
So much had happened that she nearly let her impatience ruin everything. She knew people were talking a lot about the Dryton marquisate, but the desire to elevate her reputation coexisted within her.
She didn’t want to bear the stigma of being cruel or harsh.
“Still, since I can’t touch the fool, I’ll have to poke at the easy target.”
Evelon’s eyes gleamed darkly.
Janna showed no reaction at the mention of touching Izuli.
If that would soothe Evelon’s anger, it would be a cheap price to pay.
Izuli was nothing more than a living stone, someone she could throw around or kick without concern, as that stone wouldn’t do anything in return anyway.
“Nurse, go and tell the easy target what I said. Starting tomorrow, I’ll resume my morning greetings.”
“Yes. I will convey it well, so please take deep breaths, Duchess.”
Once Evelon had calmed down for sure, Janna left the room after entrusting her to the other maids.
In an instant, she changed from her gentle demeanor, relaxed her hands that had been politely clasped, and straightened her back.
Evelon was the real power in this mansion, but the servants knew better. They understood that Janna, whom Evelon truly relied on, was the one they needed to be most cautious of.
Moreover, Janna’s demeanor was completely different in front of Evelon and behind her back.
“Lady Janna, what brings you here?”
The head maid, who had been leisurely sitting and enjoying her break, hurried over upon spotting Janna.
“Is there something you need?”
“Not at all. The Madam has personally instructed me.”
“Indeed, the Madam trusts you the most. Will I be able to earn such trust in 20 years like you, Lady Janna?”
Receiving flattery with ease, Janna raised her chin.
“Where is the lady?”
“She is in her room. I will guide you, Lady Janna.”
After nodding, she listened to the head maid’s fawning comments until they arrived at the room. As Janna gestured, the head maid quickly knocked on the door.
Before long, the door opened, and Izuli appeared.
“Lady Janna?”
“The Madam has sent for you.”
Since such occurrences were common, Izuli did not feel flustered.
Kneeling respectfully, Janna continued in a high tone.
“Please ensure that starting tomorrow, you greet the Duchess again in the mornings. Also, since you were granted the special privilege of skipping today’s greetings for attending the banquet, come two hours early tomorrow and wait.”
Though the latter part was not the madam’s intent, Janna added it without any hesitation.
“Yes, Lady Janna.”
After contentedly watching the noblewoman kneel and remain obedient, Janna slowly waved her hand.
