Chapter 17 – The Fake Necklace and the Tea Party Trap
I didn’t say the obvious line — “I’ll take revenge.”
There was no need. Tangent and I were too alike for that. Both of us had the same temper: if someone hurts our people, we don’t just sit quietly.
“Anyway,” I asked, “why did you call me?”
“I just wanted to ask… has something happened at the Marquisate?”
Since I couldn’t exactly mention thrift points, I just said I had a bad feeling — like something valuable of mine had gone missing.
“You mean something precious might’ve been stolen? Hmm… that necklace you got recently — is it still safe?”
“Oh, that? I haven’t taken it out since I got it…”
“Then that’s probably it. That’s your most expensive possession, isn’t it? Honestly, that necklace might be worth more than the entire Marquisate at this point.”
We checked the necklace together. After turning it around a few times in my hands, I knew immediately.
“This is fake.”
“How can you tell?”
“There are ways. But the real question is — who took the original?”
“I’ll check the visitor log,” Tangent said quickly.
She came back a few minutes later, frowning.
“This time slot’s blank. It’s like someone deliberately made sure no one was assigned to guard that corridor.”
“Who do you think it was?”
“It’s not a ghost. It’s obvious.”
“The head maid,” we said at the same time.
Only someone like the head maid, Bella, could bribe the guards and alter the records of who came and went.
“Did you investigate her?” I asked.
“Of course. The moment I found out she’s the one who slapped you, I started digging.”
Tangent leaned in closer, whispering.
“She’s behind the maid harassment, too. Childish little power games. What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s obsessed with the Duke,” Tangent said flatly. “She actually brags that once he breaks off your engagement, he’ll make her his wife.”
“She’s digging her own grave,” I muttered.
“What does that mean?”
“It means she’s ruining her life with her own hands. Throwing everything away for a man. If she’d just waited one year, she could’ve had a chance — she’s pretty, competent, and debt-free. Maybe Cartiman would’ve fallen for her.”
Tangent snorted. “Why do people always waste their chances? You’re kind, my lady, and they mistake that for weakness.”
“Yeah. Being quiet doesn’t mean being stupid.”
“People are twisted, that’s why. Who in their right mind dreams of marrying their boss?”
I laughed. “You don’t want to?”
“Of course not! Dating your employer? That’s insane. That only happens in novels!”
Probably in one of my novels, but still — she had a point.
“Alright,” I said, “it’s decided. I’ll let her off for the slap, but not for bullying you or stealing my necklace. That’s too much.”
“Why let her off at all?! You shouldn’t forgive any of it! Look at your poor cheek!” Tangent’s eyes filled with tears.
“But how?” she asked. “This is all just suspicion. I bet she’s already bribed the jewelers. No matter where we go, they’ll all claim the fake one’s real. She’s that kind of woman — thorough and calculating.”
“She’d do that, yes,” I agreed.
“Even if the family likes you, they’ll defend her unless you have proof. Maybe you should tell the Duke — secretly?”
“You know what kind of person Cartiman is.”
He didn’t exactly care about me.
Well… maybe just a little. Enough to keep this contract marriage going, but not enough to take my side against his own servants.
“I’ve known her for years,” he’d once said. “Bella knows how to separate work from emotion. She’d never harm you.”
“See? He trusts her completely.”
“Still, you should try,” Tangent insisted. “Please? For me?”
I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go. But only because you asked.”
I told her to stay in her room — where no one could bother her — and headed to Cartiman’s office.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t there.
“Oh! Madam! Welcome!”
It was his secretary, a nervous-looking man I’d seen before.
“Where’s the Duke?”
“He stepped out for a while. Should I call him? I’ll prepare tea and snacks immediately—”
“No need. Just tell me something.”
I leaned on the desk. “How long have you worked here?”
“Fif-fifteen years.”
“Then you’ll do. Tell me — does Cartiman trust Bella, the head maid?”
“Well, she’s been helping around the estate since before she came of age…”
That was all the answer I needed. But before I could leave, the secretary blurted out—
“She used to be the Duke’s playmate! When he was little, he’d even take her along when he went out.”
“So he must care for her, then?”
“He does like the tea she makes, yes.”
“…Right. That’s all I needed to know. Thanks.”
He looked confused but relieved as I left.
Outside, I touched my cheek. The bruise had faded, but the pain still lingered.
A childhood playmate… and a former fiancée.
If I were him, I’d probably take the side of the one who didn’t constantly give me headaches, too.
Well then, I thought. There’s only one option left.
If I couldn’t expose her, I’d deal with her myself.
***
Meanwhile, Bella was admiring herself in the mirror.
The diamond necklace sparkled brilliantly against her violet hair.
“Perfect,” she whispered. “It suits me perfectly. Even jewels know who their true owner is.”
She couldn’t stop smiling.
No one will ever find out I took it. That dumb Aileen girl doesn’t know the first thing about jewels. She won’t even realize it’s missing.
This isn’t theft, she told herself. It was always meant to be mine.
Still, she couldn’t keep it forever. Eventually, Aileen might notice something was off — but by then, there’d be no evidence left.
Tonight, she planned to sell the real necklace.
A shame, but hiding it here would be suicide.
She’d already received a secret buyer’s note:
“If it’s truly the heirloom of House Asser, I’ll buy it. Bring it behind the Duke’s estate at dawn — my men will be waiting.”
Bella folded the letter neatly and tucked it into her vanity drawer.
Now all she had to do was wait for morning. Everything was going perfectly.
Then came a knock.
“Head Maid! Lady Lilac requests a tea party. She specifically asked for your attention to the setup.”
“I’m busy. You handle it. She won’t know the difference anyway.”
“I would, but she said it’s for two people. I can’t handle that alone — especially if Lord Bender joins. He’ll notice.”
“Tch…”
Lilac had never been great at etiquette or tea service — a side effect of being born a commoner. Her husband, Bender, on the other hand, had been raised as a perfect nobleman. He had sharp eyes for anything improper.
If she slacked off now, she’d get scolded later.
So Bella grudgingly went to the garden, setting up the tea table and utensils herself.
As she arranged the tea set, she heard approaching footsteps.
“Oh?”
It wasn’t Bender and Lilac who arrived.
It was Lilac… with Aileen.
“Head Maid Bella, you’re here too?”
Aileen smiled brightly.
Bella froze. The veins on the back of her hands bulged.
She forced a stiff smile and glanced at Aileen’s chest — where a sparkling fake necklace hung proudly.
Her lips twitched.
She doesn’t even know it’s fake. Idiot.
Yes, that cheap imitation — worth maybe three gold at best — suited her perfectly.
Bella smirked inwardly.
***
Lilac, meanwhile, was in high spirits.
For once, it was Aileen who had suggested the tea.
“Not too much makeup! Don’t draw your brows too thick! No red lipstick — keep it soft and natural! Make yourself look like someone too shy to ask for a refund at a store!”
“Uh… but I usually wear heavier makeup—”
“Not today! Be simple, clumsy, approachable! That girl invited me! This is my chance!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Lilac smiled at her reflection.
She invited me herself.
It felt like watching a wary cat finally curl up in her lap and purr.
Lilac had never been fond of socializing — she’d always kept her distance. Her only real friend had been Aileen’s late mother, Cassia. She’d long thought that one good friend was enough.
But today was different. Today she wanted to be liked. To lower her defenses. To live up to her name — Lilac — soft and fragrant.
“Prepare everything perfectly,” she told the maids. “She likes good food even more than money. Add cinnamon to the pastries.”
She ordered the best tea and asked the chef to bake a fresh cake.
This time, she promised herself, I won’t ruin it. I’ll tell her I’ve been waiting to get closer. I won’t be cold. I’ll be gentle.
And perhaps even the gods smiled on them — because by coincidence, they met halfway to the garden.
“Thank you for making time for me, Lady Lilac,” Aileen said.
“Of course. We’re here — have a seat across from me.”
“Thank you. These flowers are beautiful.”
“The tea from this garden… ahem, yes, it’s very nice.”
Lilac’s voice trembled slightly as she tried to sound casual — approachable. She even smiled like a shy schoolgirl.
“I’m looking forward to this,” Aileen said with a grin.
When Lilac sat down, she noticed the necklace at Aileen’s throat — and beamed.
“Oh, you’re wearing the necklace I gave you!”
“Of course. It was a gift from you — I wanted to show you right away.”
As Aileen spoke, her eyes weren’t on Lilac.
They were on Bella.
