~Chapter 105~
Riden felt as if all the blood in her body was flowing backward.
In her past life, Mari had committed adultery with her husband behind her back. And now, in this life, she was pulling the same disgusting behavior again, just when Riden wasn’t looking.
“Ah… Young lady?”
Riden, with a blank expression, picked up the slipper she was wearing.
Endure.
For a moment, she wanted to hit Mari just like Mari had hit her maid earlier. But then—what would it mean to become the same kind of person?
She stepped toward Mari, whose eyes had gone wide with shock.
Riden slipped her slipper back on and spoke—not to Mari, but to Glen and the maids.
“This really is your fault.”
Mari, startled at first, relaxed slightly and stepped forward, trying to act friendly.
“Yes, that’s right. When Riden isn’t here, I should—”
But Riden continued, not sparing her a glance.
“When someone pretends to act like the lady of the house, and you still foolishly call her ‘young lady,’ of course this kind of mess will happen.”
“……”
“If you keep acting this stupid even after I’ve said this much, maybe next time I’ll be the one holding the cane.”
“Yes, we understand.”
Glen and the maids bowed deeply and left.
Mari’s face beside Riden turned red as if it might burst.
“Was that maid someone you cherished, Riden? I must have missed the signs.”
“……”
“But even so, saying that in front of servants was a bit much, don’t you think?”
Riden only stared at Mari with a cold, blank face.
Mari, desperate, put on a sorrowful expression.
“Riden… lately I feel like my only friend has changed her heart. You’re the only person I know in the capital…”
“About that, Mari.”
Riden cut her off firmly.
“I already told you. I would take care of you at the count’s estate only until your debutante. I’ve given you plenty of time. Are you ready now?”
Mari pretended not to understand.
“Ready for what?”
“Ready to leave the count’s estate.”
Mari froze, blinking, speechless.
Even at her sad face and pleading tone, Riden did not waver at all.
Flustered, Mari bit her lip. She still thought—surely Riden couldn’t have changed completely.
So she lowered her gaze and acted pitiful again.
“I didn’t want to burden you, Riden. So I went to balls and tried to find a sponsor for a young lady. But with others… it’s so hard to approach. I think until the social season ends, I’ll have to stay at the estate—”
“I knew you’d say that.”
“…What?”
“Even though Mari seems like she gets close to people easily, in truth you’re actually shy, aren’t you?”
Mari quickly welcomed her words.
“Yes, yes, that’s right. Riden really knows me.”
“That’s why I prepared something.”
“…Prepared what?”
“What else?”
Riden lifted her cheeks in a bright smile. For once, it was a genuine laugh.
“You’ve been so busy lately, Mari. So I prepared a new place for you to live.”
It was clear now. In Mari’s gaze, she saw the same old eyes of her past-life manager.
‘She must have wanted to marry Hwang Sung-min and live in my place. That’s why she committed adultery. Since she couldn’t do it then, I’ll let her do it in this life instead.’
“I found you a sponsor. During this social season, that place will be your cozy home.”
Mari’s unease showed.
“Where is it…?”
Riden only curved her lips, refusing to answer.
“It won’t be fun if you know in advance. Just go see it yourself. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
At that, Mari’s carefully controlled expression collapsed.
Her mouth opened and closed in disbelief before she glared at Riden with sharp, displeased eyes.
“Riden, I only worry that others will think badly of you. If I suddenly move out, won’t people think you chased me away?”
Her words sounded like concern, but her expression said otherwise.
It was more like a threat—that if she was sent away, she would spread rumors.
But Riden could see through it easily.
She smirked.
“Thank you for worrying, but no one will slander me.”
“……”
“Because everyone wants to be close to the future duchess. The story will be this: Mari left the estate on her own so she wouldn’t burden me. Or would you rather the story be that you tried to cling to the future duchess, acted wastefully, and got kicked out?”
“……”
“Do you understand now? Right now, I control the rumors, not you. You decide which story benefits you. But afterward, I’ll be the one to decide what spreads.”
“Ah…”
Mari looked completely shaken.
Realizing what she had to do, she quickly rearranged her expression.
She smiled brightly.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. If Riden took the trouble to care for me, then of course I’ll obey. I’ll do as you say.”
Meanwhile, Madam Kim Si-eom was in the Florence viscount’s mansion, snapping irritably at the innocent maids as she prepared to welcome a guest.
“The guest will be here soon—what about the tea?”
“We’ve prepared the royal tea, madam.”
“Are you insane? Serving the most expensive tea to me?”
The maid hurried to correct herself.
“Then I’ll prepare another kind.”
“Haa…” Si-eom sighed heavily.
Today, a guest was coming to stay at the Florence viscount estate.
“Who are we supposed to host?”
“Lady Mari Hern, daughter of Baron Hern.”
‘Mari Hern…’
She remembered her from a ball—pretty, popular with young noblemen. For a moment, Si-eom had wondered who she was.
But after learning the Hern family was poor, she lost interest immediately.
‘Just a beggar dressed as a noble.’
And now she had to bring her into her home.
Still, Sung-min insisted it was necessary for his success. As his mother, how could she refuse?
Just then, Sung-min and Byeong-min entered the drawing room.
“Please take good care of her. Don’t let useless gossip spread.”
Sung-min left for business, leaving only Byeong-min behind.
“The one staying until June is Lady Mari Hern, right?”
“Yes.”
“That woman is really popular.”
At every social club for men, her name came up constantly. Those who had dated her bragged about it, and those who hadn’t wanted to.
Byeong-min himself had never approached her, but he thought:
‘She’s pretty… maybe I should try.’
A grin curved his lips.
“If she stays in our house, shouldn’t she try to please us?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s treat her well too.”
But Madam Si-eom’s eyes flashed.
“Don’t you dare show interest in a worthless girl. Before I get angry.”
“But a viscount’s daughter or a baron’s daughter—aren’t they both nobles, same as us—”
“I told you, we don’t look at anyone lower than a count’s daughter!”
But Byeong-min’s thoughts were different. Just having Mari would be enough for him.
At that moment, a maid entered.
“The guest has arrived. Shall I bring her in?”
Soon, Mari entered the drawing room.
Before Madam Si-eom could even stand, Byeong-min rushed forward.
“Young lady, was your journey tiring?”
Mari lifted her gaze at him with cold eyes—then quickly softened her look.
“No, not at all. Knowing I’d be warmly welcomed here made the journey easy.”
“Is that so? Hahaha, then my welcome must have reached you already.”
“……”
Mari smiled but didn’t answer, so Byeong-min quickly introduced himself.
“I am Mitt Florence, managing the Florence viscount estate.”
“I am Mari Hern of the Hern barony.”
As Mari straightened after a polite bow, Mitt suddenly took her hand and pressed his lips briefly to her hand.
“It’s a short stay, but I’ll do everything to make you feel at home.”
“……!!”
Every hair on her body stood up. Inside, Mari screamed:
‘Why is this so disgusting?!’
