Chapter 20: A Happy Ending Isn’t Easy to Get
The brief moment of hope quickly faded, and soon, Mio’s life hit a red light.
“Tonight, it seems the two of you will have to dine together.”
Mio had come down to the dining room, only to find that Geoffrey, the one who had invited her, was out on urgent business. She had come determined to fully display her charm, but in front of her was only an irritating expression.
Why on earth do I have to eat with Lavinia?
Her appetite completely vanished, and she felt an overwhelming desire to return to her room. Yet seeing Lavinia, dressed as if for a grand ball, lifting her chin arrogantly, Mio felt a surge of competitive pride.
Do you think I’ll lose?
Mio mirrored the gesture, lifting her own chin and smiling politely at her rival.
“Miss Lavinia, your dress is absolutely beautiful.”
Lavinia, flustered by the compliment, bit her lip tightly. She had assumed she would be dining alone with Geoffrey.
Then why do I have to sit next to this… girl?
The lace and ribbons sticking out from her chair were crushed into comical shapes, and her tightly cinched waist made it difficult to breathe. She elegantly removed her gloves and replied to Mio.
“Thank you for the compliment, Mio.”
“You don’t look well. Are you alright?”
“I’m naturally pale. Thank you for your concern.”
Mio felt a wave of nausea at Lavinia’s polite and seemingly kind demeanor. She wanted to scream at someone who couldn’t see Lavinia’s two-faced nature.
Don’t be fooled by that angelic face!
Despite the tense standoff, the dinner table was perfectly set.
The appetizer arrived: grilled scallops with a creamy cheese sauce. The dish looked so tempting that Mio couldn’t help but sniff the air.
It smells so rich…
She swallowed a bite, and it melted on her tongue. Not an exaggeration—the food disappeared as if melting into nothing. Looking around in disbelief, she met Lavinia’s eyes as the latter cut her scallops into small pieces. Lavinia’s gaze swept over her like she was looking at a savage.
“You have quite an appetite, Mio. By tomorrow morning, your waist might have expanded and your dress shrunk.”
Though it sounded like concern, she was actually mocking Mio’s hearty eating. Mio, unfazed, smiled gently.
“It melts in my mouth.”
They continued eating quietly for a while until Lavinia lowered her eyes and addressed Mio.
“This is how one dresses when accepting a dinner invitation.”
Still slicing her scallops, Lavinia critiqued Mio’s attire. Mio ignored her and waited for the next course.
Acting all high and mighty, unaware it’s pointless…
Anyway, Geoffrey wasn’t someone who could be seduced with fancy attire.
His heart is as solid as stone.
Lavinia, oblivious, seemed almost pitiful. A new dish arrived, breaking Mio from her thoughts.
“Corn soup and thinly sliced beef.”
Mio had no interest in the corn soup. Looking at the plate of beef, her face reflected her disappointment.
There’s hardly any meat. Do nobles really get full on this?
Her complaint was brief. The paper-thin beef stuck to her tongue, and before she could chew, it had already slid down her throat, leaving her craving more.
“I’ll have a glass of wine, please.”
Lavinia, irritated by Mio’s voracious eating, pouted. She had no idea where this intruding girl had come from, but she was infuriatingly noticeable.
How dare she sit at the same table as me…
Lavinia decided to assert her authority while Geoffrey was absent.
I need to show her that no matter how much she acts up, she’s still beneath me.
Looking up at the ceiling of the Caspian estate, which would be her future home, Lavinia smiled triumphantly.
Soon, the main course—tenderloin steak—was served. Still hungry, Mio skewered a chunk with her fork and tore into it. As she focused on eating, she noticed the untouched dishes Lavinia had left: the scallops, the thinly sliced beef, and even the steak.
“Are you really leaving that?”
“Who could eat all this? Maintaining a slim waist is quite demanding…”
Lavinia seemed unconcerned about her diet. But Mio had no intention of being unjustly dominated again.
Seems like she’s about to try something tricky with me…
She noticed Lavinia’s peculiar smile directed at her.
Mio smiled warmly and spoke.
“If you don’t mind, may I eat a bit more?”
“…What?”
Rising abruptly, she approached Lavinia with casual confidence.
“It would be a waste to leave it, wouldn’t it?”
Mio grabbed the remaining steak with her hands. Lavinia’s face turned pale.
“Eating someone else’s food is a vulgar act.”
“This is a public place—are you sure that’s appropriate, Miss Lavinia?”
As Mio squeezed the rare steak, the blood trickled onto the table. Lavinia shuddered at the gruesome sight.
“Don’t come closer! Stay away!”
“If it’s alright, may I eat it? Since it’s not mine, I want to get permission first.”
Shaking the steak, Mio left Lavinia speechless.
“You barbarian…!”
Mio licked her lips with her tongue, causing Lavinia to scream. Two maids rushed over in a panic. Lavinia, looking as if she might faint, leaned on them as she left the dining room, while Mio plopped back into her seat.
“Finally, I can eat in peace.”
Surveying the empty dining room, Mio’s face broke into a satisfied smile.
The Caspian estate was an excellent workplace for the staff. The Duke had little interest in the castle, and as long as one kept an eye on the butler and head maid Lauren, life was easy. Beth looked at the polished mahogany table with a satisfied expression.
Could there be a more perfect workplace than this?
Recently, however, the Caspian estate had become somewhat chaotic due to the arrival of a new guest.
I just don’t understand it.
Mio didn’t seem like the daughter of a prestigious family. Most of the household staff felt fond of her. She was a rare guest, and for some reason, she seemed physically uncomfortable. But not everyone shared the same opinion. Beth was particularly wary of the unfamiliar guest.
Judging by her feigning illness to stay in the estate, she must be scheming against the Duke.
A maid had reportedly seen Mio lounging on the Duke’s bed.
Disgusting!
Beth herself secretly harbored ambitions upon hearing of the Duke’s return. She had intended to sneak into his bedroom as soon as he returned. It was natural for a noble to take an interest in a maid. Even if the child was illegitimate, she thought she could quit her maid duties afterward.
What am I lacking?
She was supposed to serve Mio, yet this girl could spend time with the Duke.
Do you think mahogany furniture suits you?
Irritated, Beth subtly caused trouble while serving Mio in her room.
Her hair is a mess.
Brushing through Mio’s smooth and luscious hair, she tried to take out her frustration. She expected Mio to cry from pain, but Mio simply closed her eyes and smiled.
Doesn’t it hurt?
Pretending to apply powder to her face, Beth pinched her cheek hard.
I have to be extra firm since the lady must hide her illness.
Mio’s expression did not change. Realizing her efforts were futile, Beth prepared cold water while Lauren was out.
They say washing only with hot water isn’t good for your health.
Even at Beth’s shameless remark, Mio nodded.
It must have been hard bringing this. Thank you.
When she had secretly tried to seduce the Duke, she was clever, and now she was pretending to be virtuous—it was laughable.
She won’t be bathing over there, right?
Even Beth had never submerged herself in such cold water.
…?
Mio entered the tub, leaned back, and closed her eyes. Soon, she even let out a soft snore. Watching Mio calmly rest in cold water, Beth was shocked.
She really isn’t ordinary.
Realizing she couldn’t handle her with sheer strength alone, Beth clung to the new guest, Lavinia.
As a lady of the Veil family, she’s on par with the Duke.
Beth vigorously massaged Lavinia’s hands and feet, noticing her eyelashes twitch.
“Miss, are you awake?”
Lavinia opened her eyes with effort, taking in her surroundings. She remembered being excited about meeting the Duke for dinner and spending over three hours preparing, but she couldn’t recall why she was lying here.
“What happened?”
Clutching her fragile hair and speaking irritably, she was supported by Beth, who quickly propped a cushion beneath her head.
“That cunning girl threatened you, causing you to faint.”
Lavinia had already been uncomfortable from her tightly cinched waist. Watching Mio eat so gluttonously had nearly made her vomit.
“…This doesn’t belong here.”
Unable to sit upright, Lavinia’s lips trembled. She would leave nothing in her path when she eventually ran the Caspian estate.
“Miss, drink some water first.”
Beth helped Lavinia sit up and quickly brought her some water. She sipped lightly, her anger so intense that tears streamed down her face.
In our Veil estate, such shameless people would be tied up and thoroughly beaten!
In her estate, anyone who displeased her was caught and disciplined. They didn’t do that now because of Geoffrey.
Because that girl is quite close to him.
Of course, she knew Geoffrey’s actions weren’t motivated by affection. Though the Duke appeared cold, leaving the incompetent Samuel by his side proved he wasn’t entirely heartless.
It’s like caring for a lame horse.
Through Samuel’s letters, she had learned that the Duke had never paid attention to anyone.
This is something only I can know.
Lavinia, born with beauty and family status, had never thought she could lose to anyone.
“I think… I need to give that girl a sharp lesson.”
“I will follow your orders, Miss.”
Watching Lavinia prepare to strike, Beth became excited as well.
