Chapter 22
Tap-tap-tap…
Bella slowly opened her eyes to the soft, ticklish sound brushing against her ear.
As she rubbed her blurry eyes a few times, the room gradually came into focus. Her gaze naturally drifted toward the window, drawn by the gentle patter of rain.
Droplets clung to the tightly shut glass, scattered like tiny beads.
So it’s been raining since dawn…
Tap. Tap. Tap-tap-tap.
Closing her eyes again, she quietly enjoyed the sound of raindrops falling.
Somewhere between the steady rain, she could hear the faint chirping of birds, blending together like a calming piece of music. Bella found herself smiling without realizing it.
Come to think of it… when did I fall asleep?
Once the falling rain became clear enough to see with the naked eye, Bella finally sat up in bed.
But the moment she lifted her upper body, a sharp sting jabbed her mind like a needle, followed by a wave of dizziness that made her head spin.
“Ah…”
Worried she might collapse if she pushed through, she stopped moving, closed her eyes again, and held her head with one hand.
Gradually, the dizziness subsided. Struggling to clear the morning fog in her head, Bella finally stepped out of bed.
The sky outside the window was still dim—just before sunrise.
“Maybe I’ve just gotten used to waking up early because of work lately. I didn’t expect to be up this early, though.”
She traced a finger across the inside of the damp window, producing a soft squeak.
Opening it slightly, she peeked outside. Beneath the windowsill, a crimson flower lay soaked in the rain.
“Oh… Are we expecting a guest today?”
In the Crocen Empire, there was a superstition that if a flower fell below your window, a visitor would come that day.
The delicate red petals trembled under the cold raindrops.
That superstition must be real.
Bella decided she would believe in it—at least from today.
“Ma’am! You can’t do this!!”
Because from early morning, the Duke of Dylan’s estate had already been thrown into chaos by an unexpected visitor.
Normally, the study was soundproof, but Bella had left her window open—along with the one in the study—to enjoy the fresh, rain-scented air. As a result, the commotion outside carried clearly into the room.
“I must see the Duchess! Do you think I’ll stand by and let this injustice slide? I’ll inform the social circles, the newspapers—every outlet I can! How could you do this to me after all the time and effort I spent educating Reina and Haldeir? I was appointed directly by the Duke himself!”
“Ma’am, please calm down! Stop!”
Hearing the butler’s flustered voice, Bella sighed. She braced herself and rose reluctantly from her seat.
I thought she was just pushy… but she’s downright shameless.
Who barges into someone else’s estate this early in the morning and storms around like it’s their own home?
Bella prepared herself to meet this unwelcome guest who would soon barge into her study.
She gathered the important documents she’d been organizing, locked them in a drawer, and turned in place to check her simple dress for wrinkles.
There are a few creases, but it’s too dark to notice.
Besides, it’s not like I’m meeting someone who deserves courtesy… so why bother?
“Where is the Duchess right now?!”
“Countess Cassandra! You cannot meet the Duchess without notice!”
“Teacher!”
“M-Madam, please calm down!”
The approaching voices now included not just the butler but also Reina and Haldeir.
I expected her to blow up after reading my letter, but if I’d known she’d make a scene here…
…Still, I don’t regret sending it.
Knock-knock-knock!
“Sigh… come in.”
She finally allowed the door to open, exhaling deeply at the relentless knocking that reached even the study.
Click.
“Ha—good morning, Duchess of Dylan.”
“Madam, I’m so sorry. I tried to stop her, but she insisted—”
“It’s fine, Butler. You may go.”
“But ma’am…”
Bella gave him a reassuring smile.
You’ve done enough this morning. I’ll handle it from here.
Meeting his worried gaze, she nodded firmly. The butler bowed deeply and left the study.
Lowering her gaze, Bella saw Reina and Haldeir quietly slipping into the room after him.
Still in their pajamas with oversized shawls draped over them, they must’ve rushed out after hearing the Countess’s yelling.
Their surprised expressions made Bella wonder—
Have they never seen her act like this? Even after all that time together?
“Duchess.”
“Oh my, what a surprise. Showing up unannounced at this hour… Regardless, it’s been a while, Countess Cassandra.”
“How strange, hearing that from the very person who forced me to show up so early.”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
“Hah. Playing innocent, are we? This letter!”
Countess Cassandra pulled a crumpled envelope from her chest, sealed with the Dylan family crest.
The paper inside was wrinkled from being folded and crushed repeatedly.
She must’ve been furious…
And yet, she still thinks so little of me.
Well, the last time she saw me was before my regression, so she probably assumes she can behave however she wants without consequence.
But just because she was a tutor in the ducal household doesn’t mean she’s my equal.
Perhaps she forgot that, Countess Cassandra.
Let me remind you how you should behave toward me.
“Countess, your behavior is quite rude.”
“…Excuse me?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief, but Bella didn’t stop.
“Does the Count know you’re here? That you’ve come to the Duke’s estate at this hour?”
“What are you implying?”
“And without any prior notice, no less.”
“Hah—”
“If the Count condoned this visit, I’ll be filing a formal complaint. To think someone would act so disrespectfully in the Duke’s home… And to think you’re a teacher of etiquette for Reina and Haldeir. Shameful.”
“I… you can’t be serious—”
“Raising your voice at the Duchess, no less. Did the Duke also give you the authority to speak to me this way just because you were hired to teach?”
There were things Bella had always wanted to say to this woman in her previous life—things that had festered in her chest, left unsaid.
Now, she unleashed them like a torrent on the stunned Countess Cassandra.
Yes. This is what I should’ve said back then.
“Well? Answer me, Countess.”
Stammering, Cassandra paced with her hands on her hips, clearly lost for words.
Finally, she narrowed her eyes and spoke in a lowered voice, attempting composure.
“…Well, I’ll be. I had no idea the Duchess could speak so eloquently.”
“Clearly, you didn’t know me very well.”
“You must’ve been under a lot of stress, holding all this in for so long.”
“Thank you for acknowledging that. It’s frustrating, you know—dealing with people who overstep their bounds and don’t even realize it.”
Cassandra’s face twisted with complex emotions. She was clearly angry, but Bella’s new demeanor caught her off guard, leaving her unsure of how to respond.
“Teacher…”
“Madam…”
It was then that Reina and Haldeir, who had been silently watching, finally spoke up from behind.
The children, who had stayed by the door this entire time, now called out hesitantly.
So they still feel loyal to her even after all this… That must mean their bond with her is stronger than I thought.
They were clearly unsettled by the Countess’s behavior, but still moved toward her nervously.
“Reina, Haldeir. You two should go back to your rooms.”
Knowing the conversation was about to escalate again, Bella tried to usher them away.
Besides, it didn’t look great to have the heirs of a duke wandering around in pajamas.
“Wait a moment, Duchess. Don’t you think Reina and Haldeir have a right to know what’s going on?”
Countess Cassandra stepped between her and the children, blocking Bella’s line of sight.
It was obvious—she wanted to use the children to gain leverage.
“Hm… I’m not sure this is a story fit for young ears.”
“I want to hear it. If Miss Cassandra rushed here in such a hurry, there must be a reason.”
“Y-Yes. There must be.”
As Reina and Haldeir tugged at her dress, the Countess’s confidence returned. She flourished the letter in front of Bella with renewed vigor.
“I was shocked when I received this letter telling me to step down. It was so abrupt!”
Then, Reina pointed to the letter, her memory triggered.
“A letter? Oh! This is about the new etiquette teacher you mentioned a few nights ago during dinner, right?”
“What? A new etiquette teacher?!”
Realizing that she was already being replaced, Cassandra glared at Bella in disbelief.
Reina, now fully invested, began tattling with enthusiasm.
“I even told her to cancel it, but she said the letter had already been sent, so it was too late! That’s why Miss Cassandra came running here like this!”
“You already had a replacement lined up? And you dismissed me without notice? How dare you! I’ll make sure everyone in society hears of this outrageous behavior!”
Now both Reina and Cassandra had joined forces, emboldened, trying to corner Bella.
But the only one not swept up in the frenzy was Haldeir, who quietly glanced at Bella with worried eyes.
Bella said nothing in response. She merely waited.
She had a feeling Reina would keep talking—and soon enough, she’d say exactly what Bella had been waiting for.
Then let’s see how Countess Cassandra reacts.
Will she realize I know about her affair? Or will she keep pretending?
Either way, I’m looking forward to it.
“This is because Miss Cassandra is a problematic teacher! She said you couldn’t leave a teacher like that in charge and made the decision herself!”
“What?!”
There it was—Reina had said it.
Now then, Countess Cassandra… how will you respond?
