#Side Story 1

—

On a sunny day like any other, warm sunlight poured into the room.

“Why aren’t these women coming yet?”

Melissa bit her finger nervously as she looked out the window, checking the outside.

“Madam. As you instructed, the tea time in the garden has been prepared……”

The butler came to inform her, but Melissa, feeling anxious, cut him off.

“Were the Marchioness and Countess properly contacted? The time has come, so why can’t I see even the nose of a carriage yet?”

She turned to look out the large window strangely.

Though the view extended all the way to the horizon on the distant hill, as she said, not even an ant could be seen on the road.

“They sent replies saying they would visit, so they should arrive soon. They must be slightly delayed on their end.”

Melissa nodded at the butler’s words, as if acknowledging her own impatience.

“Yes. That must be it.”

Looking at the letters from the neighboring noble ladies on her bedside table, she regained her composure.

Both the Marquis’s residence and the Count’s residence were just over the hill, so the ladies’ carriages would appear in the blink of an eye.

There was a reason why Melissa, who was usually always relaxed, was so anxious today.

It was because the ducal couple was scheduled to visit this afternoon.

It had been a long time since she left the capital and stayed in this leisurely countryside villa.

During that time, she heard that Dominic had found Ellin and the two had gone to Castia together.

According to Jeffrey’s letters, which kept her informed about the ducal couple’s recent news, the two seemed to have reconciled.

To confirm if this was true, Ellin had written to her several times.

Saying she wanted to visit and ask for forgiveness if Melissa would allow it.

Melissa had not replied to Ellin’s letters.

It might be childish stubbornness, but she didn’t want to appear to easily forgive her son and daughter-in-law who had deceived her.

And she wanted to show her feelings.

Hoping they would truly realize how shocked and betrayed she had felt then.

‘That way, they won’t dare do such an outrageous thing again.’

Melissa slowly walked over and pulled out other letters from deep in the drawer. They were all from Ellin.

To be honest, her heart had already softened before receiving these letters.

When she heard that Dominic had barely found Ellin and brought her back, she unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

Though she pretended to still be angry because her pride was hurt, she thought it might be enough by now.

‘Being stuck in this countryside is so boring I could die.’

She slightly pulled up her still beautiful lips without a single wrinkle and put the letters back in the drawer.

‘More importantly, why aren’t they coming yet!’

Melissa frowned and looked out the window again.

While staying here after leaving the capital, everything had been satisfactory.

The mild weather, the delicious food from an excellent chef, and the cultured neighbors.

Except for it being a bit dull.

Even that was bearable since the neighboring ladies visited daily to keep her company.

If there was one thing she disliked, it was those cultured ladies’ extraordinary family devotion.

That family love often manifested as boasting, which irritated Melissa.

Loving husbands, harmonious sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren so precious they wouldn’t hurt even if put in their eyes.

In this place with few major events unlike the capital, family stories were the only topics of conversation.

That was the measure of happiness and stability in their lives.

In the capital, Melissa Linderto had been the finest lady with everything she could want.

But here in the countryside, it was different.

She rarely joined the countryside ladies’ conversations to show off, and in fact, had to live somewhat humbled.

Having lost her husband early and with her son and daughter-in-law in that state(?), all she could boast about was her family’s reputation and inexhaustible wealth.

Whenever they boasted about their families, Melissa Linderto could only manage her expression and always wore an awkward, bitter smile.

Still, it was fortunate.

Perhaps because it was the countryside, it was difficult to come across newspapers full of gossip about the ducal couple in crisis.

They seemed unaware of the ducal couple’s scandal, so at least she didn’t have to hide in a mouse hole.

Perhaps that’s why she was secretly overjoyed when she received the letter saying the two had reconciled.

‘If Dominic and Ellin arrive on time.’

She could show those women that she too had a proper son and daughter-in-law.

The thought already brought a satisfied smile to Melissa’s face.

She wondered what expressions those women who enthusiastically boasted about their families would make when they saw Dominic, so handsome their eyes would spin, and Ellin, who was more than adequate anywhere.

How surprised would they be to learn that the painting they proudly hung in their homes, claiming it was by a famous artist, was actually painted by her daughter-in-law?

She couldn’t express how much her mouth had been itching to boast.

The artist who painted that picture is actually my daughter-in-law!

Her heart swelled at the thought of revealing it with a “Ta-da!” today.

Knock knock.

The butler entered, and Melissa turned to the door with curious eyes.

“Madam. Outside, the carriages……”

“They’ve finally arrived?”

Looking out the window, she saw the familiar ladies’ carriages coming one after another.

“But did I invite anyone else?”

The number of carriages heading to the mansion seemed more than expected.

“I should go out and see.”

Melissa elegantly moved her feet while touching her perfectly rolled-up hair.

By the time she reached the entrance, the carriages she had seen from the second floor were already lined up at the front door.

The Countess and Marchioness who lived nearby stepped out of their carriages, fluttering their fans.

Melissa approached them with a subtle smile.

“Welcome, everyone.”

“I hope we’re not too late. We were delayed because we met a pleasant face on the way.”

Melissa smiled at the Marchioness’s words, her eyes crinkling.

“I was just worrying that you might be a bit late. But who is this pleasant face you mention?”

Melissa naturally turned her gaze to the carriages behind them.

A young couple was getting out of the last carriage that had followed.

A tall blonde man was politely escorting a petite woman who looked like a doll as they descended from the carriage.

Melissa immediately knew they were the Marchioness’s son and his wife, but she calmly waited for their introduction.

“These are my children. I completely forgot they were visiting today.”

She had heard that the son and his wife, who had left their child with the Marchioness, visited weekly, but this was the first time seeing their faces.

“Oh, welcome. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Melissa welcomed the couple, and the Countess was about to kindly add an explanation.

“We met them right on the road. When they said they were going to meet the old duchess of Linderto……”

Before the Countess could finish, a bouncy, nightingale-like voice was heard.

“Mother invited us to come along. I hesitated because suddenly joining might be impolite, but I really wanted to meet the old duchess of Linderto. So I took the liberty of coming along. Let me introduce myself. I am Alicia Hampton.”

The young lady of the Hampton family and the Marchioness’s daughter-in-law slightly bent her knee in greeting to Melissa.

Even while observing proper etiquette, her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity toward Melissa Linderto.

They were pretty but somewhat excessive eyes, so full of confidence that they appeared bold.

Melissa slowly nodded with a subtle smile on her lips.

She lightly spread her hands and gave Alicia Hampton a light kiss.

“People from the Hampton Marquis family are always welcome. Please come in. I wondered who our adorable little visitor who comes to our mansion every day resembled, and now I see she’s the spitting image of her grandmother.”

The Marchioness standing beside her laughed at her words.

“When they take back the grandchild I’ve been looking after, the mansion will feel empty.”

Though she made a regretful sound, the Marchioness’s eyes were full of joy and pride, clearly proud of her son and daughter-in-law.

“Excuse me. I am Aiden Hampton.”

Melissa sent a welcoming look to the Hampton heir who belatedly removed his hat in greeting, and lightly clapped her hands.

“Welcome, everyone. Please come in. Warm tea is prepared. Since we’re all gathered, it would be a more enjoyable day if we had dinner together as well.”

As they happily headed to the entrance, Melissa followed behind and thought to herself.

‘The children should arrive in time for dinner.’