DMTV 33

Chapter 33 One Who Bears Malice (2)

“Marquis, thank you so much for what you did back then!”

Marianne deliberately positioned herself in front of Marquis Bitern as if by coincidence. Seeing her—who wasn’t much younger than Jessica—his gaze softened.

When he recalled the sight of her collapsed before, overlapping with Jessica’s image, the Marquis had been unable to ignore her.

“As a knight, I merely did what I was supposed to do.”

“No, if it hadn’t been for you, Marquis, I might have died on that cold roadside.”

“Miss, please let go of my arm while you speak—”

Though she didn’t look particularly young, Marianne kept clinging to his arm with an innocent expression, leaving the Marquis flustered. Cern watched the scene with clear displeasure, when Jessica’s voice suddenly rang out from afar. Cern reacted first.

“Marquis, over there—”

“What are you doing here, Marquis?”

Before Cern could finish, Saliphe appeared and spoke sharply toward the Marquis. Behind him, Jessica emerged as well, her expression far from pleasant.

Noticing the icy stiffness on her face, Marquis Bitern snapped angrily at Saliphe.

“Your Highness, why are you spending time with my Jessica again?!”

“What’s wrong with spending time with the woman who will soon be my fiancée?”

Despite Saliphe’s nonchalant reply, Jessica’s hardened expression did not change. Trying to conceal the growing coldness, she unfolded her fan and hid her face.

Sensing something ominous in her gaze, the Marquis approached her.

“What were you doing here?”

“Father.”

“Why are you calling me Father again—”

“Who is that woman?”

Jessica’s eyes curved sharply. There was no smile behind the fan, and though the chill in her gaze was unmistakable, the Marquis failed to notice it.

Only Saliphe, who had been watching her from the beginning, read the anger burning in her eyes.

‘Killing intent.’

As a knight, he was sensitive to it—the aura that surfaced when someone truly wished to kill another. That intent was flowing from Jessica.

Cern and the Marquis sensed something similar, both stiffening as they looked at her.

“My dear, why do you look so frightening—”

“Aren’t you going to introduce her?”

“…Ah, right.”

Ignoring his question entirely, she forced the reluctant Marquis to explain the situation. When Jessica heard that he had once saved Marianne, her face froze completely.

Her hand gripping the fan trembled, and she could no longer control her expression.

‘How dare you.’

Even after her return, someone was still targeting her father. The realization that this woman was scheming against her family and position made rage boil up inside her.

The moment she saw Marianne Lussel’s face, she had to clench her fist to stop herself from slapping her. If not for the fan in her hand, she would have struck her.

‘You dare toy with my father?’

Marianne was a woman her father had taken in out of pity as a stepwife. Had he not accepted her, she would’ve been sold off to pay debts. Yet she repaid that kindness by tarnishing his honor, cavorting with other men the moment he died.

“I didn’t think much of him at all.”

Jessica still remembered Marianne’s shrill voice echoing through the ballroom. Marquis Bitern had never once touched Marianne.

After being driven out, Marianne had brought in a so-called adopted heir—one with the same red eyes as hers. Jessica never forgot that.

When she finally gained power as Duchess, she had wanted Marianne punished first—but before that could happen, Marianne Lussel died.

Poisoned by a secret lover who coveted her wealth.

Now, seeing the woman she had longed to strangle standing before her, rage twisted into delight.

A chance for revenge had presented itself.

‘I won’t let you die easily. I’ll torment you slowly, for every humiliation I endured.’

Jessica smiled sweetly as her eyes met Marianne’s. Though her smile was bright, the cold storm raging in her eyes remained.

No—her fury was even deeper than before.

Saliphe, noticing the discord between the joy in her smile and the hatred in her gaze, watched the situation carefully with darkened eyes.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, I am—”

The moment Jessica’s gaze landed on her, Marianne trembled like a helpless bird caught in a predator’s grasp. Yet Jessica was not the only one unmoved by her pitiful display.

The Marquis, upon seeing Jessica, no longer spared Marianne a glance. His attention shifted entirely to Saliphe, who had stepped forward first.

“Your Highness, why are you with my Jessica again?”

“Better than you being with a young lady barely out of girlhood, wouldn’t you say?”

“What are you implying?!”

Fearing Jessica might misunderstand, the Marquis restrained his words. What he had felt for Marianne was not interest—but pity.

Seeing Jessica still smiling, he relaxed, unaware of the vengeance festering deep within her eyes.

“Jessica, this young lady is Marianne of Baron Lussel’s house.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Though a baron’s daughter, she could hardly call herself nobility compared to a marchioness and border margrave like Jessica Bitern.

Jessica greeted her with lofty grace, looking down at Marianne. As her fan traced gentle waves, her refined elegance shone brightly. For a brief moment, jealousy flickered in Marianne’s eyes.

‘I had to wear rags just to pay off my father’s debts…’

To seduce the Marquis, Marianne had worn clothes fit for commoners—per Seila Arteus’s plan.

For a noblewoman to don such worn garments was humiliating enough. But now, to meet Jessica Bitern dressed in a dazzling gown—

‘This wasn’t part of the plan!’

Jessica’s visit to the Moncherto General Store—and Saliphe accompanying her—had never been accounted for.

Ever wary of spies in her household, Jessica had sent a messenger pigeon on the day of the plan. The spy hadn’t had time to inform Darten of Saliphe’s visit.

Darten likely only learned of it now. There was no way Marianne could have known earlier.

“Oh my, but your clothes…”

Jessica looked away as if she’d seen something unsightly. Marianne’s face, already flushed, turned scarlet.

“Jessica.”

“A noble lady’s attire seems rather… indecent.”

“Indecent—what?”

Only then did the Marquis properly look at Marianne’s clothes. He’d thought them shabby, but never indecent. Yet as Jessica pointed out, they were utterly inappropriate for a noble lady.

Her neckline exposed too much, and her skirt was so short her ankles were visible. Seeing her bare white ankles, the Marquis hastily turned away. From behind him, Jessica whispered:

“Father, it would be best if you went ahead. I’ll make sure to escort the noble lady properly.”

“…Very well.”

The Marquis hurried off, so flustered he even forgot Saliphe was with Jessica.

Cern watched him leave, then met Jessica’s meaningful gaze. He nodded slightly in response, and Jessica returned a warning glance.

With the situation cleared, Marianne panicked.

‘This—this can’t happen.’

Today, the Marquis was supposed to hear her story, pity her, and arrange a private meeting at the next banquet.

But Jessica Bitern’s sudden appearance ruined everything.

If she returned like this, Seila would not forgive her. Anxiety gnawed at her.

“Then please take care.”

“You’re just leaving?”

As Jessica turned to go, Marianne’s sharp voice stopped her. She couldn’t bear letting this end without saying something.