“And Zenos……”

Christine’s eyelids fluttered as if the mere memory was exhausting.

“He was the same then as he is now.”

He screamed and cried for her to leave. Werner tried scolding him, but it was useless.

“In the midst of all that, I became pregnant with you. I was overwhelmed just trying to adjust to this place, let alone focus on prenatal care.”

And when Daphne was born after only seven months, they were engulfed in scandal.

The pain still fresh in her mind, Christine sniffled slightly.

“Did you know? Your brothers were delighted when their little sister was born. They came to look at you every day.”

Daphne frowned as if she’d heard something unbelievable.

Unaware of this, Christine was lost in happy memories that had been all too brief.

“Ludwig said he would teach you horseback riding and swordsmanship when you grew up. One day, Zenos brought a butterfly that could fly on its own. That was the first time you laughed out loud.”

Excited, Zenos made nothing but butterflies day and night after that. Even the usually reserved Ludwig skipped lessons to diligently fly butterflies for his little sister.

And Werner used all his power to suppress the scandal. It was the most brilliant time in Christine’s life.

But when the fourth child, Fabian, was born after a full ten months, the scandal resurfaced.

“One day, Zenos threw stones at me while crying. He screamed that I was a wh*re who had seduced his father while pregnant with another man’s child……”

It had been worse than that, but Christine filtered her words somewhat.

“But those weren’t words a young Zenos would use. Later, I discovered who was behind it.”

Daphne, who had been listening quietly, turned to Christine and said:

“……Was it Barbara?”

Christine nodded.

“But there was no proof. Ludwig and Zenos denied it.”

“She could have easily frightened the children into silence.”

“Exactly. I wanted to protest, but it happened right when your engagement was being arranged……”

House Mücke was one of the Empire’s greatest families, alongside the Armin family. Christine didn’t even tell Werner about this for fear of ruining such an advantageous match.

Moreover, around that time, Werner became preoccupied with maritime trade and was frequently away from home.

“After that, our happy home turned into h*ll. I tried to salvage things, but it was useless.”

Since Daphne was still too young to understand, Christine devoted herself to accommodating her two sons, believing they would eventually recognize her sincerity.

Meanwhile, she couldn’t neglect her infant… Christine’s attention was entirely consumed by her three sons.

“But this is how it all turned out.”

She hadn’t satisfied anyone.

Christine’s eyes reddened.

“The day Leonhardt came and left, I felt so ashamed. How could I, as a mother, not have considered my child’s feelings first?”

That incident awakened Christine to the reality she had been avoiding.

“Daphne, I know it’s too late. I won’t ask for forgiveness. But I couldn’t stand by and watch someone harm you. What mother in the world could do that!”

While Daphne and Barbara were meeting, Christine had been standing anxiously outside the door the entire time.

She had been listening to Barbara and Daphne arguing until she couldn’t bear it anymore and rushed in. And there was her daughter, drenched in tea!

The moment she saw that, she completely lost her temper.

When she came to her senses, Barbara was soaking wet, and Daphne had taken the vase from her.

Only then did she realize what she had done.

“I’ll handle this somehow. I can offer compensation or go apologize……”

“No. Don’t.”

“What?”

“I’ll handle it.”

Despite Daphne’s unilateral declaration, Christine couldn’t stop her.

Unlike herself, who was completely intimidated, her daughter seemed remarkably composed. Somehow, Christine felt Daphne would handle it better than she could.

“Really? Then do as you see fit. But if you need help in the future, will you tell me? Your mother……”

She didn’t have the nerve to call herself “mother.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“……I’ll think about it.”

Christine’s change was unexpected, but it didn’t completely win Daphne over. The wounds were too old to disappear with just a piece of sincerity and a single action.

However, for the sake of the family’s security and her revenge, borrowing even a cat’s paw wouldn’t be a bad idea.

And a new anger flared up.

‘Barbara!’

How dare she sow such discord. Daphne ground her teeth.

‘I’ll sink her completely.’

Thanks to her past life, Daphne knew the intimate details of Duke and Duchess Mücke’s relationship.

Duke Gustav was a quiet and dignified person. But he particularly disliked his wife and son. Especially his wife, whom he nearly despised.

‘I can’t miss this opportunity.’

Daphne called for Anton.

After receiving a brief report from the waiting room maid, Anton headed toward Daphne at the maximum speed permitted for a chief chamberlain.

With both the head of the household and the heir away, Anton had been extremely anxious.

He worried that Christine and Daphne would give in to Barbara again, as they always had.

But what was this turn of events?

His insides burned even more as he tried to suppress the urge to run.

Daphne smiled slightly as she watched Anton quickly smooth back a strand of hair that had fallen out of place while he caught his breath.

This was the first time she had seen him like this across both her lives. She tried hard to suppress her laughter for his sake.

“Anton, we cannot let today’s rudeness slide. Please send word to House Mücke.”

From Daphne’s calm voice, Anton read the hidden meaning: ‘We can’t miss such a good opportunity.’

Strictly speaking, our side behaved worse today than Barbara did.

But when we should be groveling, we’re holding our heads high like before. Even Anton, who despised rudeness above all, had been quite angry.

Besides, in disputes without evidence, the side that raises its voice first has the advantage.

Human affairs were the same everywhere. The social world was no different—if anything, it was worse. Therefore, whoever spread the news of today’s events first would win.

Anton looked at Daphne with satisfaction.

‘When did our Miss grow up like this? She’s like an experienced noblewoman who has been through everything.’

Daphne was issuing orders calmly and coolly, and Christine…

It was a bit childish, but refreshing in its own way.

Anton said with determination:

“I will formally protest to the ducal house. And I’ll send someone on the fastest horse to arrive before the Duchess.”

Daphne gently pushed the vase. The empty vase shattered with a loud noise.

“The Duchess was so agitated that she even broke a vase.”

“I tried to help her, but the Duchess was so flustered that she just left. I’ll make sure to tell them that we’re concerned because her clothes are still quite wet.”

Far from being surprised, Anton immediately understood Daphne’s intention and responded.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Anton. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes, Ma… Miss.”

Anton quickly swallowed the word “Madam” that had unconsciously slipped out and turned away.

⁕⁕⁕

Meanwhile, Fred, the chief chamberlain of House Mücke, was deep in worry.

The household atmosphere had been terrible lately.

It was shocking enough that Leonhardt had a new lover, but now there was talk of breaking the engagement.

Gustav was angry every day, and Leonhardt had fallen ill with drinking despite having just ended his relationship.

“He can’t even handle a single glass… What on earth is he thinking?”

Deep wrinkles formed between his brows.

Throughout all this, Barbara had been completely useless. Fred despised the mistress of the house who seemed incapable of anything except giving birth to a son.

‘Such an incompetent woman!’

As someone who had risen to his position solely through ability and effort, Fred could not view her favorably. If the chief chamberlain had such an attitude, the other servants were even worse.

He had considered contacting Anton discreetly. But that principled man would never divulge information about his masters.

Just as Fred was heaving a long sigh, a messenger arrived from the Armin family.

He was excited upon receiving the letter.

‘The angelic Miss Daphne has extended her hand first, as expected.’

How grateful he was.

As luck would have it, Duke Gustav was at the palace, and Barbara had not yet returned. She had undoubtedly gone shopping after her visit.

Therefore, the proper course was to deliver the message directly to Leonhardt.

‘If the young duke handles this well, the matter will be resolved!’

Hoping that the kind-hearted Daphne would become the new mistress of the house, he headed toward Leonhardt’s chambers.