~Chapter 106~
In the Duke’s mansion, inside Riden’s office.
She sipped iced tea from a sparkling crystal glass.
It had already been about a month since the social season began. The weather had become warmer.
The wind was still cool, so cold drinks were a little early, but the sunlight at noon was already chasing after summer quickly.
“Ah… so refreshing.”
The cool tea sliding down her throat felt truly pleasant.
Riden closed the book she was reading and stretched her arms wide.
She remembered the words Glen had told her a week ago.
“I always respect you, my lady… but today, I respect you even more.”
At that time, Glen had secretly waved his hand in relief behind Mari, who was angrily packing her bags, then came to Riden and praised her.
“Should have done this earlier.”
Before kicking Mari out of the count’s mansion, Riden still felt uneasy even while staying at the Duke’s estate. But now, everything felt clean and refreshed.
‘Still, I must see her.’
Because it wasn’t enough to only get rid of her manager. In the end, she had to completely get rid of Madam Kim Si-eom and all four members of that family.
She already had a plan to do that.
Just then, Victoria entered and announced Mari’s arrival.
“My lady, Lady Hern has arrived and is waiting in the drawing room. Shall I bring her to your office?”
“Yes, and prepare some refreshments too.”
“Yes.”
While waiting for Mari, Riden thought to herself.
‘To lure Kim Si-eom, the only way is shamanism.’
In her past life, Kim Si-eom had been obsessed with shamans.
She contacted four or five different shamans regularly, went to fortune tellers whenever something happened, and even held rituals so often that people were tired of it.
Of course, no matter how much money she gave to shamans, Hwang Byeong-min never won a woman’s heart for marriage, and Hwang Sung-min’s café only did well as a neighborhood café—it never grew into a palace-like one.
Still, Kim Si-eom completely believed in shamanism.
To her eyes, whether it was a shaman claiming to speak with spirits or priests who served gods—it was the same. All were people to whom she had to give money.
And since Damian’s job was being a priest, to Kim Si-eom, it was no different than her second son joining a medieval shaman cult.
‘There’s no way Kim Si-eom wouldn’t be interested in the church.’
She must already be trying to use her son to exercise influence inside it.
Knock, knock.
While Riden was lost in thought, a knock sounded on the door.
“Come in.”
“I’ll bring the refreshments soon.”
Victoria entered with Mari following behind, her face tense.
Mari didn’t know why Riden had called her to the Duke’s mansion, and so she didn’t know how to act.
“Mari, welcome. I’m glad you came.”
Riden greeted her brightly on purpose.
Her warm smile and gestures looked like she was truly welcoming Mari.
Finally, Mari lowered her restless eyes and bowed politely.
“…Thank you for inviting me to the Duke’s mansion. I was surprised to receive your letter.”
Once she had been casual and bold, but now she was frozen stiff after being scolded once. Riden gently led her to a seat.
“Why are you standing? Sit down.”
“Yes.”
An awkward silence filled the room, but then Victoria entered with the tea.
“I remembered you liked Darjeeling tea, so I prepared it. It has a richer aroma than what you drank at the count’s estate. Please, enjoy.”
As she sipped, Mari kept glancing at Riden. Finally, she spoke.
“The tea smells really good. But the tea you served me at the count’s estate was also nice…”
“Is that so? I hoped your stay at the count’s estate left you with good memories. I’m glad it did.”
Mari quickly added words.
“Of course. It was wonderful. Riden, you were also my very first friend…”
As she spoke, she watched Riden carefully, as if wanting her words confirmed.
But Riden just smiled and smoothly changed the subject.
“By the way, lately a strange rumor has been spreading… I wonder if it reached you.”
At the word rumor, Mari’s expression turned fierce.
She set her teacup down loudly and raised her voice.
“What rumor? Do you mean that disgusting talk that I’m involved with some countryside knight? Do you believe that?!”
For about a week, one strange rumor had spread through society like fog.
It said that one of the debutantes this season had secretly lived with a country knight and deceived everyone by still making her debut.
Flushed with anger, Mari fanned her red face.
“It’s only because I’m popular. Jealous people spread bad rumors. Honestly, are they insane? To block someone’s path with such lies… ha.”
Riden calmly sipped her tea, hiding a smile.
‘Yes. That was me.’
And it wasn’t even a lie—because she was really keeping that knight.
A week ago, Riden had spread that rumor herself.
Through the servants, she leaked it, and soon the story took over society.
Many names were mentioned at first, but in the end, people pointed to Mari Hern.
“Wouldn’t it be her? Look at her usual behavior…”
Because of that, all the young men Mari had been dating quickly abandoned her.
‘This way, it’s easier to control you.’
Riden pretended to sympathize, nodding.
“I’m angry too. Mari isn’t like that at all. People are too quick to spread lies just for amusement.”
Mari’s eyes widened at her unexpectedly kind words.
“Really? You believe me too, Riden?”
Riden frowned slightly, as if she completely understood her.
“Don’t worry, Mari. I was angry about you hitting my maid, but that’s a separate matter. I won’t believe such a dirty rumor. You’re just popular, and that made people jealous.”
It was the first time Mari had heard someone sincerely defend her about this rumor. She looked touched.
“I still don’t know how to prove my innocence… but since you believe me, I feel stronger.”
Her voice even brightened.
“Then, can I return to the count’s mansion—”
“How is your life at the Florence viscount’s estate?”
Riden cut her off. Mari bit her lip.
Riden casually ate a cookie and continued.
“Don’t mention returning to the count’s mansion, Mari. I sincerely hope you live well at the viscount’s estate.”
Really, I hope you live well there… especially with the viscount.
She had heard that the viscount still hadn’t found a marriage partner and rarely left his house.
“At the viscount’s estate…”
Mari couldn’t answer for a long time.
‘All this just because I slapped a maid?’
The viscountess constantly glared at her, and the viscount himself looked her over with disgusting eyes whenever they met.
She wanted to say she wished to return, but Riden had rejected it coldly.
She didn’t know how to respond.
While she hesitated, Victoria’s voice came from outside.
“My lady.”
When Riden allowed it, Victoria stepped inside.
“The Viscountess Florence has arrived. Shall I bring her in?”
“Bring her in.”
Mari shot up to her feet.
“The viscountess?!”
“I invited her. It’s for your sake, so don’t be surprised. Sit down.”
