CHAPTER 23 – “I… I’m the problem?!”
Countess Cassandra’s eyes widened in disbelief at my words, her expression a mix of shock and indignation.
Of course, she wouldn’t have the faintest idea that I knew about her affair.
“Is what Lady Reyna said true, Duchess?”
“Yes. It’s the truth.”
“What possible problem could I have that warrants such an accusation? If you’re trying to discredit me with baseless claims, I won’t sit quietly and take it.”
“My decision is based solely on confirmed facts. I found your conduct unsuitable for someone in charge of educating children, which is why I sent the letter.”
“That’s incredibly insulting. Then go on—tell me. What exactly is this so-called issue I have?!”
The Countess took a bold step forward, lifting her chin, daring me to speak. Her posture screamed, Go ahead, tell me if you can!
I let out a dry laugh, as if reluctantly giving in.
“Are you sure you want me to say it in front of the children, Countess?”
Despite the obvious, I gave her one last chance to decline. Predictably, she didn’t take it.
“No. I won’t refuse.”
Watching me gesture for Reyna and Haldeir to leave, she scoffed smugly, clearly thinking she had me cornered.
I sighed, shaking my head, then spoke clearly so there would be no misunderstandings.
“How can someone harboring feelings for another man while still married be a proper etiquette teacher?”
“W-What… what did you say?”
“That kind of behavior is disgraceful. A married noble engaging in an affair—aren’t you even the least bit ashamed?”
“N-no… that’s not…”
“…Teacher?”
Cassandra’s face drained of all color. Her lips parted in shock but no words came out. She had clearly not expected the children to witness this.
Only when Haldeir spoke did she seem to realize they had heard everything. Her face turned ghostly pale, like all the blood had abandoned her skin.
“…Lies…”
Reyna, still holding on to the hem of the Countess’s dress, whispered blankly into the air.
Then, with empty eyes, she slightly shook her grip and asked,
“Teacher… that’s not true, right?”
The Countess stiffly lowered her gaze to Reyna.
But it was too late. The look in Reyna’s eyes told her everything—there was no room for denial now.
Her silence, after all, had already confirmed it.
“Teacher…”
“Reyna, Haldeir. Go back to your rooms.”
It was the first thing the Countess had said to them—coldly instructing them to leave.
Too late. The damage was done. She likely hoped to calm things down and explain later, but—
“Teacher… is it true? What she said about you… being in love… the affair… it’s true?”
“That’s not true, darling. Of course not. Now, Reyna, please go back to your room with Haldeir—”
“You always said affairs were terrible things… so why?!”
“I said it’s time for the adults to talk. So—”
Her attempt to smile and gently push Reyna toward the door was met with something else—Reyna’s growing suspicion, her heartbreak finally erupting.
“Is what she said TRUE?!”
“I SAID GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM!!”
Countess Cassandra yanked her dress from Reyna’s grip and screamed, her voice shrill with rage. Her pale face turned red, almost the same color as her hair.
“T-Teacher…”
“Why won’t you listen?! Did I raise you to be this defiant?!”
“…”
“You ignore your teacher’s words, you act out without thinking—how could someone from House Dillian be so utterly graceless?!”
“Stop yelling at Reyna!”
Shocked into silence, Reyna stood frozen. Then Haldeir pulled her close in a protective embrace and shouted at the Countess.
That did it.
As soon as Reyna felt his arms around her, she burst into tears.
“Haldeir. Take Reyna back to her room.”
“…Yes.”
“Huuuuhuhuhu—!”
Clutching Reyna’s hand tightly, Haldeir hurried out of the office. She followed without resistance, tears flowing freely.
The door closed behind them, muffling her sobs.
“How disgraceful. No matter how upset you were, raising your voice like that to a young noble lady… Are you sure you’re qualified to teach?”
“How could you say such a thing in front of Reyna and Haldeir?!”
“I wanted to avoid that. I tried to send them out—twice. But you, Countess, insisted they stay to hear the truth.”
Cassandra trembled, lips pressed tight.
I wanted the children gone for their sake. She had wanted them there because she thought it gave her the upper hand.
And now? She had just burned her last bridge. Reyna and Haldeir were her only chance at staying in this household—and she just screamed at them like they were strangers.
“I can’t believe how easily you can spout such lies without blinking. You’re unbelievable.”
“Then don’t give anyone reason to say such things. Especially if you want to be called an etiquette teacher.”
“I’m innocent! Someone must be framing me! They’re trying to steal my position!”
“I would never confront you without confirming everything first. This decision has been made after due diligence.”
Smoothly delivered.
The word “evidence” made her arms fall limply at her sides.
She must know there’s no fighting this.
“…What evidence?”
None that I have on me.
But I know she and her lover must have it.
“I know about the love letters. I know this… relationship has gone on for about five years.”
At that, her entire body began to tremble.
How does she know?!
That was supposed to be our secret… only we knew!
“And there was a very clever reason why those letters never raised any suspicion all this time, wasn’t there?”
No. No, she couldn’t possibly…
“Even if your marriage wasn’t built on affection, noble couples owe each other fidelity. Countess, no matter how lonely you were, you dared to dishonor the Imperial Family.”
Her eyes widened. Her body faltered.
She knew.
What do I do now? How did she…? Jeanne…
‘That should do it.’
Before she could demand evidence, I gave her enough facts to crush her confidence completely.
If I know this much, she’ll assume I have concrete proof somewhere.
“I don’t want to waste any more time on this. If you resign voluntarily, I’ll let your earlier rudeness slide and keep this quiet.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m giving you a way out. But if you prefer… I could always let society hear about your little affair. You’d be banished in disgrace. Is that what you want?”
“Wh-what?! You call that an option?!”
“I told you—I don’t like wasting time.”
The Countess stood frozen, tears dripping from her bloodshot eyes.
She was calculating. Desperate.
Then, without warning, she dropped to her knees in front of me and began to beg, hands clasped together.
“Duchess Dillian!! I’m sorry! I lost my head and acted disrespectfully! Please forgive me!”
“Please, stand up.”
“I’m so sorry! Just one chance—please, I beg of you!”
If I lose this position, everything I’ve built in high society will vanish. All the influence, the connections—gone. I can’t let that happen!
“Please, Duchess… show me mercy…”
“My final mercy is not spreading what I know. I’ll keep this out of the social circles.”
“Duchess… please… just once…”
“I have nothing more to say. Do you want this to become public? Should we let everyone know about your ‘lover’? I doubt he’d enjoy the scandal—considering how high his position is.”
The moment I mentioned her partner, all the fight drained from her.
She gave up completely.
“No! Please, no! I’ll step down willingly. Just… please don’t do that…”
“Then that’s that. Thank you for your service—if you can call it that. The children’s manners are in a state, after all.”
She jumped up and rushed out of the room.
Soon after, I saw her dashing through the rain, hair soaked, as she left the estate—her crimson hair darkening with each drop.
Just like the flower I found beneath my window this morning.
Click.
I shut the window.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
“You called for me, madam?”
“Ah, yes. Come sit down.”
I motioned for the butler to join me on the sofa in my study.
“You must’ve had a tough time with the Countess this morning.”
“It’s nothing, my lady. I should have informed you sooner—I apologize.”
“You couldn’t have stopped her from barging in. But now that she’s quit as Reyna and Haldeir’s teacher, make sure the knights know not to let her in again.”
“Yes, madam. And also…”
“Yes?”
“It’s about Miss Reyna…”
“Oh.”
Reyna, who had left crying her heart out…
“How are the children? They seemed pretty shaken.”
“She’s still crying, madam.”
“And Haldeir?”
“Hard to say. Miss Reyna’s sobbing is quite loud, but I believe he’s trying to comfort her.”
“I see.”
She’d probably cry all day.
She had never been spoken to like that in her life.
“Shall I fetch them for you, madam?”
“No. I still have things to finish. Haldeir and Anna will take care of her.”
“…Understood.”
Her crying reminded me of another time—when I stood outside her door trying to comfort her through it, after a nasty rumor led to a grounding.
I waited outside her door every day until she was allowed out again.
That must be what the butler remembered.
“Oh, one more thing. Among the invitations on my desk, I’m accepting the one for Baroness Valérie’s tea party. It’s in five days at 3 p.m., so make preparations.”
“Yes, madam.”
Baroness Valérie was one of the few who had ever shown me kindness at a social gathering.
While others whispered that I was a cuckoo who stole the duchess’s nest, she offered me a glass of champagne and kind words.
It’s rare for high-ranking ladies to attend a baroness’s tea party unless they’re close, since the title is so low. But I wouldn’t miss it.
“Oh—wait here. I never sent my reply because of the Countess’s little scene earlier.”
“Yes, madam.”
As I walked to my desk, I waved off the butler from standing and told him to wait while I wrote.
I picked up my pen and wrote my acceptance.
She’s going to be so surprised when she sees my response.
Hehe.
A smile crept across my face.
A duchess, accepting an invitation from a baroness she barely knows? She’ll be floored.
I couldn’t wait to see her.
What gift should I bring?
She loves exotic scents—maybe tea leaves and candles. And she likes madeleines… I’ll stop by the famous Orléans Bakery.
What else?
I could faintly recall her gentle smile—so delicate, despite her sharp demeanor.
I really wanted to see her again.
