CHAPTER 34………………………………………………
It wasn’t entirely unexpected.
If the head maid of the Cassius household was loyal, she would have reported my actions to Riena immediately.
Liandro spoke with a displeased expression.
“I don’t know what words you used to sway her, but the head maid defended you. Apparently, she claimed she had ordered someone to draw an indecent picture and asked for forgiveness from Riena for committing such disrespect.”
And he still believed that.
The head maid was apparently even more naive than I thought. But that logic wouldn’t work on the Cassius family.
“Do you realize how shocked and distressed Riena was when she heard that news? She became gloomy, saying she didn’t know her sister-in-law disliked her so much.”
Thinking of his younger sister, Liandro spoke passionately, emotions welling up.
“My father was also furious. Even if you return late and beg for forgiveness, he will never accept it.”
Good. If he refuses, that’s fine by me—just sign the divorce papers already.
“Riena, however, tried to restrain him. She asked for just one chance for you. She must be hurt herself, yet she’s such a kind child.”
That Riena… really!
“Fortunately, my father is currently preoccupied with other matters, so his anger toward you has subsided a lot. It’s a perfect opportunity—go ask for forgiveness quickly.”
Wait… making the formidable Duke of Cassius flustered? That piqued my interest.
“Why is he preoccupied?”
“Circumstances…”
“What circumstances?”
“It’s not something I can discuss with others.”
“Seriously? Only a wife when it’s convenient, treated as an outsider when it’s not. That’s why I want a divorce.”
Liandro frowned, seemingly stung, but finally spoke.
“The head butler has disappeared.”
“What?”
“He vanished without notice, leaving only a resignation letter on his office desk. No one’s at his residence either.”
“Even his son?”
“Son? Oh, right. He did have a son, around Riena’s age.”
The man’s face tightened, recalling how Joshua had expressed feelings toward Riena.
“What do we care? For some time, there’s been no news from him. Leaving his elderly father behind, he lives recklessly wherever he pleases.”
“…You really do speak carelessly.”
“What did you say?”
“You’re truly a bad person.”
“Do you think I’m just assuming? If his relationship with his son had been good, the head butler wouldn’t have said nothing. Good news or bad, he would have told us—he was like family.”
There’s a saying that only victims remember the past, while perpetrators forget completely. That was exactly the case here.
If the head butler and the Cassius family truly treated each other like family, would the duke have ever pointed a blade at Joshua? Wouldn’t he have wondered about a son he never heard from even once?
Liandro and Rehaim had nothing to say. In the novel, there’s a scene where Joshua, scared after being flirted with by their younger siblings, is growled at by them.
I shook my head in dismay.
“Enough. Talking about it won’t do me any good.”
I wanted to shatter that arrogant illusion, but I held back. That was a matter for Joshua and the head butler.
“You suddenly blame me. Anyway, the issue is that the head butler has disappeared.”
“Perhaps he got fed up with the Cassius family and left.”
“Does that make sense? He spent the most time with the duke and earned his deep trust—maybe even more than his own blood relatives.”
“So where did he go?”
“My father suspects that the duke’s enemies may have kidnapped him, to learn our family’s weaknesses.”
Of course, he would want to believe that.
‘The head butler didn’t ignore my words.’
That thought made my heart warm. He had tried to change.
Whether the head butler would truly side with me remained uncertain, but the fact that he had walked out on Cassius was delightful enough.
Especially imagining the duke making mistaken assumptions right now—it was satisfying.
‘If the head butler testifies for us in court, the betrayal alone would make him grab his own neck.’
I barely restrained a smile at the thought. Knowing the butler’s disappearance was good news for me made it all the more amusing.
“Anyway, let’s go back. Don’t even attempt to extract information from our side. Even if you tried, it wouldn’t work.”
It wasn’t for nothing that Sharon had spent a fortune selecting trustworthy personnel and reinforcing security.
“Why would I commit such vile acts? Victory will go to me anyway.”
That statement was believable. Mind you, I trusted Liandro’s arrogance, not his conscience.
Thanks to Riena, the Cassius family had grown overwhelmingly confident in all matters.
All mistakes and failures stem from carelessness. Let’s see how far they can go smiling.
But as expected, Liandro didn’t seem willing to leave quietly.
“Hah. As expected, you won’t be persuaded. You’ll have to come with me for a bit.”
“And why should I trust you to follow?”
“How unpleasant. I’m no criminal. I’m not asking you to go far. I’ve arranged a table at the Crystal Branch Hotel restaurant just ahead.”
“I have nothing to discuss with them.”
“You can talk with someone else, not me.”
The man’s expression carried an inexplicable calmness.
“Countess Wallace has come to the capital. She’s waiting for you at the restaurant.”
Countess Wallace, Idel Wallace’s mother, was Liandro’s move.
I thought, Finally.
‘I was wondering why they hadn’t brought her sooner.’
Idel’s family, enjoying the benefits of Cassius, would obviously oppose the divorce, making their opposition the greatest obstacle.
Of course, this was in the context of me truly being Idel Wallace.
“The Countess has come up from her estate to meet you personally. Let’s go.”
Judging by Liandro’s smug expression, he assumed meeting the Countess would break my resolve.
Indeed, Idel was a filial daughter, known even in the neighborhood. Her diaries clearly showed her sacrificing herself for her family.
No wonder a noble girl had to work like a maid. Lacking funds to hire enough staff, even the arduous chores fell to Idel.
‘And the rest of the family wouldn’t lift a finger!’
Even now, it makes me shiver. Right after possession, I was disoriented, yet I was scolded severely for failing to do household chores efficiently.
While they treated their daughter poorly, their only son was pampered, given a generous allowance despite the family’s meager means.
Fed up with household work, I quit, only to be pursued by them in a deadly struggle. If Liandro hadn’t shown up with marriage talks, I might have been thrown out barehanded.
Villains straight out of a painting—wicked, but polite in public.
“You’re not planning to ignore your mother who came all this way, are you?”
Liandro seemed to believe in the goodness of those people. Probably, he never cared much about my family dynamics anyway.
I paused to think. Crystal Branch was part of Duke Luciano’s business—Cassius couldn’t act recklessly there.
Alright. Decision made.
“Let’s go. Lead the way.”
Before completely cutting ties, I intended to confront them at least once. There were things left unsaid… and above all, seeing that expectant look on his face made me determined to shatter it.
As we walked toward the Crystal Branch Hotel, Liandro glanced at Vineta beside me.
“Who’s this?”
“Can’t you tell? She’s my bodyguard.”
Despite my curt tone, a smile appeared on his face.
“Looks like that arrogant one from before has been dismissed. Good.”
No need to correct the misunderstanding, though his smiling face annoyed me.
“Look over there. Isn’t that Liandro Cassius?”
“The one divorcing that woman?”
“Yes. Then the woman beside him…?”
Entering the hotel restaurant, all eyes naturally turned. Nobles recognized Liandro, a famous figure and recent hot topic.
It must have been awkward for him, but if I demanded a secluded place, I would have refused.
Still, the room where Countess Wallace waited was a separate private space within the restaurant.
“Idel! My goodness, how long has it been!”
As she tried to hug me, Vineta blocked her.
“And you are?”
The lady’s face, with bright pink hair, frowned sharply.
“I’m her bodyguard. You may not approach within a certain distance.”
“I think there’s a misunderstanding. I’m her mother.”
“No exceptions. You must ask Idel’s permission to approach.”
“What kind of permission is needed just to hug your daughter?”
“No exceptions. Ask for permission.”
The Countess’s haughty expression darkened again.
In contrast, my admiration for Vineta grew. Liandro interjected.
“Hey, you. Stay out of family matters…”
“You should stay out yourself.”
“Ma’am!”
Stopping him from saying something rude, Liandro’s eyes narrowed.
“Viscount, don’t worry. The bodyguard is just doing her job too diligently.”
The Countess noticed Liandro’s gaze and laughed, waving her fan.
“Isn’t it enough if Idel allows it? You can hug her a little, right, Idel?”
Her gaze, unlike when looking at Liandro, was sharp and reproachful—impatient with the bold bodyguard.
“No.”
“…What?”
The Countess blinked rapidly, shocked by my unexpected answer.
“No. Do not approach me.”
“Ma’am! That’s harsh toward your mother.”
“Of course it is. From now on, I will speak even more harshly.”
Liandro and Countess Wallace could argue about the divorce all they liked, but I had my own words to say.
“From today, I sever all ties with you, Countess Wallace, and the Wallace family.”
“Idel, what are you—”
“I do not wish to be involved with the Wallaces in any way. Do not visit or contact me.”
“If there are grievances you have with us—”
“I will not lend you a single penny. I have no reason to pay off your debts.”
“Enough, stop.”
“Of course, you have no right to command me.”
“Shut up!”
A furious cry erupted. The mask of the noblewoman finally shattered.
