CHAPTER 77………………..
Noella had lingered in the dress shop for quite some time, yet her hands remained light.
It was no wonder—how long had it even been since her sister’s return, and already fashion had changed completely.
Hairstyles, accessories, dresses—everywhere she looked, everything only reminded her of her sister, and it made her blood boil.
“Milady, the carriage is nearly here. I’ll go and check, so please wait here.”
“…Yes, I’ll do that.”
Noella was used to treating others kindly on the surface, regardless of who they were.
She gave the shop clerk a bright smile, then clenched her teeth the moment she turned her head.
‘So irritating.’
It had always been like this, but lately, everything just felt exhausting. What was the point of it all?
The family she thought she might finally grasp for herself had instead been secured even more firmly by her sister, Adelle.
Her father and Caden had always bowed to whatever her sister wanted, and after the wedding, even the servants and other relatives fell right in line.
‘And it’s all because of that man.’
She knew he was impressive, but she hadn’t realized he was that formidable.
The dowry sent from San Fidelio had the entire southern social circle in a frenzy.
Even those who had long grown tired of gold and jewels couldn’t help but marvel at relics said to carry the breath of God.
“If your heart is true, you’ll see it without even searching.”
Yeah, right. What nonsense.
What right did a man have to say such things, when he’d married a woman who believed the world revolved around money?
“….”
A derisive laugh slipped from Noella’s lips. She had wanted to sneer at him even then, but faced with Killian, radiant as if blessed by divine light, she hadn’t been able to.
Her mouth froze, her throat felt strangled.
‘Maybe I should just…’
Noella, who had been weighing various schemes, suddenly shuddered. This time, it wasn’t the man but her sister who was the problem.
“Opportunities don’t come every day, you know?”
That one line, spoken as Adelle set a falcon on her shoulder, had haunted her for days. She was certain she had snapped its neck.
The feeling of life slipping away in her hands had been so vivid. She hadn’t watched until the end—it hadn’t been a pleasant sight—but she was sure it had died.
It had to have.
‘There’s something. There has to be something…’
Sigh…
The more she thought about it, the more tangled her head became. That man, Danjang, was cold as ice, but her sister was utterly inscrutable.
“…Just you wait.”
Grinding her teeth, Noella felt a wave of helplessness she hadn’t experienced in ages.
And yet strangely, she couldn’t summon any will to fight.
It was an instinctive aversion, perhaps.
The sensation of that life she’d crushed writhing again on her shoulder made her skin crawl.
Greed, ambition—none of it mattered anymore. All she wanted was to go far, far away and sort out the chaos in her mind.
“…Ah, if the carriage is ready, then—”
“Noella!”
“…Brother Mertel?”
Step, step.
Lost in thought, she hadn’t even noticed the approaching footsteps until she jolted.
What was he doing here! It was the first time she’d seen him since being dragged away like a dog on Adelle’s engagement day.
“Noella, we need to talk. Do you know how many letters I sent?”
“B-Brother, please, let go of me first—”
“If I let go, when will I see you again! Do you know how many days I’ve been waiting here?”
Mertel’s face was gaunt, but his temper was unchanged as he shouted furiously.
Noella shook her head pitifully, though she knew it was useless. He was far too worked up.
“Adelle stole everything from me. Not just threats—she took it all!”
“T-Then you should take it up with her…”
“It was you who told me to speak up at the engagement! That if I hinted before the crowd that she might be marrying into a fraud, people would react!”
“B-Brother!”
As Mertel raged with bloodshot eyes, Noella covered her mouth.
She glanced around in panic—but having slipped out the back door, no one would stumble upon them unless the staff returned.
Whether that was a blessing or a curse, she couldn’t tell. For now, she just needed to stall.
“What are you saying? I was only worried because nothing was known about my brother-in-law. You were the one who acted rashly.”
“W-What?”
“Please let go. If you let me go now, I won’t make an issue of this. If my sister finds out about your behavior, she’ll be even more furious, so quickly—kyaa!”
“So you were in on it too! Fine then, if you’re part of that family, I’ll—kgh!”
The instant Mertel shook her arm violently, he was sent flying to the ground.
Only when she spotted the shopping bag lying on the street did Noella realize he’d been struck down by it.
“Shame on you! How dare a gentleman behave like this in broad daylight!”
“That’s not—ugh, and who are you supposed to be!”
“Stay back! The staff will be here soon, and I’ll testify to everything I saw—that you tried to assault this young lady. Let’s see how you explain yourself in court!”
Chloe’s sharp voice rang out, and Mertel glared at her as if he wanted to tear her apart.
Already at rock bottom, if he were dragged off by the guards in disgrace, he might even face divorce.
Tch!
Spitting on the ground, Mertel fled in haste. Chloe hurried over to Noella, who had collapsed to the ground, and offered her a hand.
“Are you all right? Good heavens, for such a beautiful lady to suffer such an outrage.”
“N-No, I-I’m fine.”
“Fine? That was truly dangerous.”
“…Thank you.”
With Chloe’s support, Noella stood and looked her over.
She didn’t recognize her, but judging from the luxury she wore from head to toe, she must be the daughter of a wealthy family.
‘…How much did she hear?’
She had planned from the start to feign ignorance with Mertel, so she hadn’t slipped up.
Even if the woman had overheard something, she was a stranger. There’d be no reason to meet again.
Relieved, Noella then noticed the shopping bags from the dress shop strewn across the dirt.
“I’m so sorry! You must have just bought these, but because of me—please, I’ll compensate you at once…”
“No need. I didn’t care for them anyway.”
“…What?”
“They call this the best dress shop in the South, but everything was so gaudy. I only bought them for show, but at least they came in handy.”
Chloe laughed lightly, unconcerned, and Noella’s expression shifted strangely.
Noticing her look, Chloe gave her dress a once-over, as if she had only just realized.
“This is what you should have bought. Where did you find it?”
“T-This? Well…”
“A dress should be at least this fine. Not just following some cheap trend.”
“….”
“Oh, and you have such an exquisite sense of style, my lady.”
Chloe covered her mouth in amazement, unable to take her eyes off Noella. Noella bit her lip, hiding a small smile.
This much is nothing.
Her smile softened, and Chloe suddenly remembered something, exclaiming dramatically:
“Oh right, I heard earlier—you suffered because of your sister, didn’t you?”
“…That…”
Noella feigned hesitation, pretending to be wary. Just how much had she heard?
But Chloe, practiced and sly, erased the last of her defenses with ease.
“My, my. Why is it always the kind-hearted ones who have to suffer?”
