CHAPTER 56……………………………
. The Young Ladies
In truth, the Grand Madam already knew about a few of the girls who had bullied Mariana — she had heard hints about them from other mothers who had sent their daughters to the academy.
She hadn’t looked into the matter more closely because she didn’t want to reopen Mariana’s old wounds.
“Josh told you this? But he was just a child back then — could he really remember so much? What if he’s mistaken?”
At the Grand Madam’s question, the head maid shook her head.
“He was a clever boy, even from a young age. Wasn’t that why you sent him along with Miss Mariana to the academy, Madam?”
“No, I…”
The Grand Madam paused, drawing in a deep breath.
Her heart ached anew at the memory of Mariana’s suffering.
“I only thought he was a suitable choice. He was polite, Mariana liked him, and he was quick-witted — never one to clash with others.”
“He matured early.”
“I should’ve asked Josh sooner,” the Grand Madam murmured, fiddling with the note in her hand.
It wasn’t as though the idea of asking Josh had never crossed her mind. But she had thought — what could a child possibly know? And besides, she’d worried that if she asked too soon, the boy might go around gossiping without meaning to.
“To think I was less perceptive than a child who’s barely been in this household long.”
Her tone was tinged with sorrow.
When it came to Mariana, she had to admit — she’d been careless in many ways.
It was an excuse, but at the time, there had been a war on. With the Duke of Side away at the front, their household had lived every day as if walking on thin ice.
She’d been tormented by nightmares of her son’s death — one night he was shot, another he fell from a galloping horse.
The fear that one day those dreams might come true, that she might receive word of Joseph’s death at the front, had kept her from even the smallest social calls.
“Everyone was struggling then, Madam. Please don’t blame yourself too much. But… I did notice something odd.”
Changing the subject, the head maid gestured toward the note.
“Look here, Madam — doesn’t this strike you as strange?”
“Now that you mention it…”
The Grand Madam frowned as she traced each name on the list with her finger.
Whether it was the Marquess of Crow’s trading company or one of Hildegard’s followers — in the end, all the arrows pointed toward Hildegard.
“…Surely not. It must be coincidence. Sienna’s daughter wouldn’t do such a thing.”
There had been reasons behind the incident at the last ball, when Joseph had changed partners — but this?
At her words, the head maid only looked grimly at the note.
“You said Anze gave you this note, didn’t you? Then perhaps that girl knows more… or maybe Josh does.”
A few days later, when the Grand Madam caught sight of Mariana and Anze bickering, she exchanged a knowing glance with the head maid.
It seemed this wasn’t the right time to press the matter.
“Bring them all in.”
The head maid left with a smile for the curious Mariana and soon returned, followed by several servants carrying small boxes. They set them on the table and quietly withdrew.
“You remember the charity auction from a while ago? The Grand Madam purchased these there — for you and Miss Anze. Would you like to see them?”
Rubbing her hands in excitement, the head maid opened the boxes one by one.
Each time a lid lifted, jewels of dazzling colors caught the light, leaving Anze speechless.
The jewelry she had received at the last ball had been beautiful — but this was on another level entirely.
And now… they were for her? Anze stared at the Grand Madam, stunned.
“Th-this… is for me?”
Surely it was a joke, or she had misheard.
But the Grand Madam smiled and nodded.
“Jewels bought at auction have a beauty you can’t find in modern shops. The designs are old-fashioned, yes — but you won’t easily find gems of such size and quality these days. They fetch high prices, and collectors are desperate to get their hands on them.”
“At the last charity auction, Madam bought nearly all the pieces,” the head maid added. “The Marchioness of Asher, who’s preparing for her daughter’s wedding, begged her to spare one, but Madam said she couldn’t — she has two daughters, after all.”
Two daughters?
Before Anze could voice her confusion, the head maid extended both hands toward Mariana and Anze.
The Grand Madam lifted her chin with a graceful, noble air.
“These are treasures fit only for royalty. Which one do you like best, my dear? Go ahead — choose.”
Anze’s breath caught. She could afford small trinkets with tiny gems, perhaps — but these…
Hesitantly, she reached toward a necklace made of finely twisted gold strands, its pendant a large black diamond.
“You like that one?”
Startled, Anze quickly withdrew her hand and shook her head.
“No, I just thought it was… beautiful.”
Ignoring her protest, the Grand Madam lifted the necklace and fastened it around Anze’s neck.
“A black diamond — you have good taste. They’re found only deep underground, and even then, rarely. Most are cloudy with impurities, but this one… it’s clear and bright, just like your eyes. I thought of you the moment I saw it.”
“But something like this must be terribly expensive…”
Anze wanted to accept only what she could rightfully bear. The necklace felt heavy, as if it might one day tighten around her throat. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to refuse the Grand Madam’s kindness.
“It’s nothing compared to all you’ve done for us. Mariana, which one would you like?”
Mariana chose a delicate bracelet adorned with pink diamonds, and the Grand Madam smiled in satisfaction before turning to the head maid.
“I stopped by the dressmaker’s last week — I needed a gown for the Marchioness’s daughter’s wedding. While I was there, I ordered a few dresses for you girls as well. I didn’t ask your opinions, so I hope you’ll forgive me — I chose purely according to my own taste.”
But contrary to her modest words, the dresses the maids brought in were all exquisite.
“Madame Charles was boasting about her new apprentice — apparently, his craftsmanship is remarkable. All these dresses were made by him. Do you like them? Since they were practice pieces, they were reasonably priced.”
“Reasonably priced” eased Anze’s conscience a little as she examined the gowns.
They were different in tone from Madame Charles’s usual flamboyant designs.
Though they were also made of chiffon for spring, instead of soft pinks or pale yellows, the apprentice favored subtle, silvery-gray fabrics embroidered with elegant patterns.
Mariana, who preferred bright colors, shook her head.
“I don’t think these suit me. I’ll wear the dress I already chose. But thank you, Mother.”
“Is that so? Then Anze shall have these.”
All of them? Even at “reasonable” prices, gowns weren’t exactly cheap.
Before Anze could protest, the Grand Madam instructed the head maid,
“Have them adjusted to Anze’s measurements. And when is the Crow Marquess’s tea party?”
“I heard it’s next week, Madam.”
“Then we’ll have plenty of time to prepare shoes and other accessories.”
“Of course.”
The head maid bowed.
The Grand Madam walked to the window. Outside, the tree branches once hung with tiny blossoms were now turning a deep, fresh green.
“To tell the truth, it still doesn’t feel real that Joseph is back and the war is over. But oddly enough, after spending money so freely these past few days, I think I finally believe it — the war really is over.”
Was it just Anze’s imagination, or did the Grand Madam’s upright figure look somehow solemn against the light?
While she tilted her head slightly, the Grand Madam turned and smiled.
“It’s time those reckless fools remembered what kind of family the Sides are.”
