CHAPTER 38…………………………………………..
Since then, the Duchess of Devon continued to visit the Mason household steadily.
As she had sent a warning letter about her visit, Edwin didn’t see the need to stop her.
There wasn’t really any reason to forbid it.
Even though she had lost favor, if Edwin were to firmly push away the Duchess of Devon, who had once been his mistress, the Emperor might step in.
Because of that, it was the head maid who had the hardest time.
The Duchess of Devon, learning from the previous incident, didn’t directly touch the head maid but cleverly provoked and harassed her.
Regina didn’t directly intervene when the Duchess clashed with the head maid.
If she stepped in unnecessarily, she could incur the Duchess’s resentment and face retaliation.
Instead, when night came and Edwin came to see her, she confided in him.
“Your aunt doesn’t seem to like the head maid.”
“What? Could it be that you quarreled with Grace again?”
Edwin’s expression instantly hardened.
It was clear that his trust in the Duchess had diminished.
Swallowing a laugh, Regina continued carefully.
“It would have been a relief if you had quarreled… ah… but perhaps it’s not the right thing to say, since she’s your aunt.”
“What does it matter that she’s my aunt? Lizzy, you seem closer to her than to me, don’t you?”
“That’s not it. I just didn’t want it to sound like I was criticizing your family.”
After all, she was family.
Edwin frowned at Regina’s addition.
“If you think that way, Grace, who raised me from childhood, is family too.”
He meant that she should just tell him what had happened.
Regina, seizing the moment, spoke cautiously, pacing her words so as not to completely exhaust Edwin’s patience.
“Since you warned her, your aunt hasn’t quarreled with the head maid.”
At least, as far as I know.
Her gentle addendum implied that things could have happened where she hadn’t seen.
“But it seems she’s been punishing her.”
“Punishing?”
Edwin, pausing, furrowed his brow.
“Tell me more.”
“Well…”
As Edwin listened intently, Regina’s words darkened his expression further.
Seeing his face grow colder, Regina inwardly cheered.
Edwin paid a hefty price for the information.
For the upcoming New Year’s festival, Regina had ordered her dress from the most famous atelier in the capital.
Everyone in the Mason household knew this was a sign of Edwin’s favor toward her.
“Princess, was today’s tea to your liking?”
“I managed to get some perfume from Solton—it’s supposed to have a very rich fragrance.”
“I’ll help you with your bath!”
Perhaps because of this, the number of people eager to flatter Regina quietly increased.
“Um, Princess, is there anything else you need?”
The maid before her was one such person, lingering around Regina with hopes of establishing herself in the Mason household.
“Anything I need?”
“Yes! Please tell me!”
“Well…”
When the maid politely held her hands together, Regina hesitated briefly, then asked what had just come to mind.
“Where did you get that ornament?”
“Huh?”
Regina pointed at the necklace around the maid’s neck.
It didn’t look like something she could have bought with her salary—she was probably from a fallen noble family.
‘It must be a family heirloom.’
Noticing this, Regina smiled gently.
“I’m thinking of asking Eddie to get some more jewelry.”
“Oh…”
“After the New Year’s festival, there’s also the princess’s birthday banquet. We should prepare in advance.”
Understanding what Regina meant, the maid hesitated.
The jewels that Regina had handed to the head maid, claiming Edwin gave them, had all come from Solton.
Edwin had paid handsomely for the information, more than enough to justify the jewels.
He even ordered a dress from the most famous atelier and bought her jewelry generously.
‘Edwin’s favor toward the head maid is bigger than I expected.’
However, facing the Duchess of Devon directly would be burdensome, so someone needed to subtly take care of her.
It seemed Edwin wanted Regina to play that role, but she had no intention of doing so.
‘If their relationship keeps being bad, Edwin will just get tired in the end.’
Edwin was self-centered.
His affection for the nanny who raised him or respect for the Duchess would eventually fade.
‘Someone like him won’t keep feelings for others for long.’
While Regina pondered, the maid also seemed lost in thought.
Regina didn’t rush her.
“I want to be alone. You can leave now.”
“Princess!”
Acknowledging the clear order, the maid bowed.
Then she removed her necklace and offered it to Regina.
“This was left to me by my parents.”
“And?”
“I hope you’ll accept it, Princess…”
Though she spoke confidently, her voice trembled, which meant the necklace wasn’t cheap or fake.
“Oh, how could I take that? It’s better for you to keep it safe.”
“No, Princess. My parents would be happy too.”
Regina remained silent for a moment, gauging her sincerity, then nodded.
“Alright, since you insist, refusing would ignore your sentiment.”
Leona, standing nearby, took the necklace and placed it in a box.
“Thank you. I won’t forget your loyalty.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
Smiling at the deeply bowing maid, Regina finally allowed herself to leave.
“Are you planning to keep her by your side?”
“No, she’ll be sent to the laundry.”
“The laundry? Isn’t it hard work there?”
“Exactly, that’s why she’s going there.”
“So you don’t intend to use her nearby?”
“If she had some sharpness, she could be useful. But if she’s dull and meek, she’ll just mess up the work.”
Regina clicked her tongue.
Then she took the maid’s necklace from the box and threw it in the trash.
“She’ll soon realize that you can’t rely on others to live comfortably.”
Leona stayed silent, watching Regina justify it with a smile.
Indifferent to any objections, Regina reveled in everything going her way and planned her next move.
‘I’ll take down the Duchess of Mason at the New Year’s festival.’
She already knew how to set the trap.
Since Edwin valued reputation, he would never ignore such a trap.
‘Once I take her down, I’ll be the one in control of the Mason household.’
If the Duchess of Devon, Head Maid Grace, and the Duchess of Mason were all pushed back, she would naturally take the lead.
Regina couldn’t wait for the upcoming New Year’s festival.
On the day of the festival, Tricia had to spend the morning preparing herself.
Edwin had unusually requested that she accompany him, so she had to take care with her appearance.
‘What a nuisance.’
With the New Year’s festival already requiring attention, Edwin’s special request meant even more preparation time.
Recently, he had taken Regina to a banquet—had something changed in his feelings?
‘But it doesn’t seem like his favor toward Regina has cooled.’
Tricia’s doubts were quickly resolved.
Regina stopped her as she was about to get into the carriage.
“Your Highness!”
“What is it, Princess?”
Tricia tried not to show her annoyance.
Regardless, Regina was simply radiant.
“You’re going to be my chaperone today? I’m really touched!”
With her hands clasped like a girl dreaming, her eyes shining, Tricia was speechless and looked at Edwin.
“Oh, I forgot to mention it.”
Edwin spoke nonchalantly.
“I want you to be Lizzy’s chaperone. She’s my friend.”
“…What did you say?”
Tricia frowned.
She couldn’t understand what she had just heard.
