Chapter 5 (Part 1)

In the morning, Brienne checked outside the window and saw the weather was quite clear. Hearing a bustling sound, she turned to see someone in a neat black dress placing a silver tray on the table.

The person seemed about her age.

As Brienne tried to get up from the bed, the person turned around. She looked at her with wide eyes, as if seeing a ghost.

Several seconds of silence passed. When Brienne awkwardly lifted the corners of her mouth, the person seemed to come to her senses and stammered.

“Y-you’re awake.”

Brienne nodded. The person straightened her clothes as if calming her startled heart and stood before her.

“Hello, my name is Melin. If there’s anything you need, please feel free to tell me, Madam.”

Madam? We weren’t even married yet.

“Did Cardin tell you to call me Madam?”

“Yes, if it makes you uncomfortable…”

Brienne watched her attentively, looking very cautious. Not wanting to point it out in this situation, she said,

“It’s fine.”

Melin awkwardly lifted the corners of her mouth.

“Is there anything else you need?”

Then Melin suddenly seemed to remember something and stepped aside.

“I’ve prepared breakfast. The Duke said you must have breakfast. And he mentioned he couldn’t see you this morning because of work.”

Cardin seemed busy anyway. He seemed to have a lot of appointments and spent a lot of time with her unnecessarily.

Melin bowed her head politely and stepped back. Brienne immediately got up and sat at the table.

Even when she lived in the cabin or in Peroy, she hadn’t had such well-organized and refined meals. It was as sophisticated and beautiful as something from a high-end restaurant.

Happily tearing a piece of bread, the rich flavor and buttery scent spread softly in her mouth. Her dazed mind seemed to awaken.

While experiencing a new world of flavor for the first time, there was a knock on the door.

“Madam, it’s Melin.”

She swallowed what she was eating and said,

“Come in.”

Melin cautiously opened the door and entered. She quickly approached Brienne and bowed her head.

“Lady Hernes has come to visit.”

“Hernes?”

“She’s the Duke’s mother.”

Melin’s voice trembled slightly. Her mind went blank for a moment.

‘I never thought I’d meet Cardin’s mother.’

Tension rose as Brienne barely asked,

“Why did she come?”

“She said she came to greet you personally.”

To greet me?

Brienne wasn’t even mentally prepared. Yet refusing to meet wasn’t an option. She reluctantly said,

“I’ll come down after finishing breakfast. Please ask her to wait a moment.”

“Yes. And I’ve put the dress you’ll wear in the wardrobe. If you need help putting it on…”

“No, I’ll wear it myself. Thank you.”

Melin bowed and stepped back. The happiness Brienne felt earlier faded. Still, she finished all the sausages and tomato salad in front of her. It had been a long time since she had such delicious food.

After eating heartily, she got up and opened the wardrobe. There were many dresses in the wardrobe. It was hard to decide which dress to wear.

‘I should have asked Melin for help.’

Brienne turned her body and looked at the bell on the side table. Come to think of it, she didn’t know what color or style of dress Cardin’s mother liked.

Thinking she should make a good impression for their first meeting, Brienne pulled the bell. Within minutes, Melin knocked on the door.

“You called?”

“Do you know what kind of dresses the Duke’s mother likes?”

Melin quickly approached. She busily looked through the dresses and said,

“Lady Hernes doesn’t particularly like dresses with lace and prefers those with low saturation.”

Before she knew it, Melin held a neat blue dress. Brienne smiled and took the dress.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll help you change. This dress may look simple, but it’s quite tricky to put on.”

Brienne didn’t say much and left it to Melin. She skillfully helped Brienne put on the dress. Even when she hesitated about where to put her arms, Melin quickly guided her to the right position.

Just as she stood in front of the mirror, Melin quickly searched the cabinet and took out a black box.

“These pearl earrings and necklace will look beautiful on you.”

It was an unexpected accessory. As she admired the brilliant shine, Melin cautiously asked,

“Madam?”

Only then did she smile and say,

“Thank you. But I don’t wear earrings.”

“Even just the necklace will look lovely. I’ll put it on for you.”

Melin carefully placed the necklace around her neck. The atmosphere indeed seemed more lively with the necklace. After thanking Melin once more, she left the room.

* * *

The drawing room of this mansion had an arched open door visible from the upstairs staircase. Brienne looked down once and dusted off her dress. Although she wasn’t seriously considering marriage, the thought of meeting Cardin’s mother made her nervous from her core.

It was even more so because Cardin wasn’t by her side.

The Great Madam, Lady Hernes, Madam Messerode. Melin had briefly told her about her. Although she had many titles, Hernes’s favorite was Lady Hernes.

As soon as Brienne entered the drawing room, one person stood out immediately. Hernes had a very noble impression. Her back wasn’t hunched, and she didn’t lower her head, sitting upright.

The straight posture exuded an aura that seemed to press down on her surroundings. Hernes sat in a chair, appearing so calm that it seemed she had no expression. In other words, she looked indifferent, as if she had no emotions.

Then Hernes turned her gaze. Feeling the sudden attention, Brienne quickly bowed her head.

“Greetings, Lady Hernes. My name is Brienne.”

Recalling the etiquette lessons she received as a child, she bowed her upper body. Strangely, the surroundings seemed to cool. Swallowing nervously, she lifted her head, meeting the eyes that were looking directly at her.

For a moment, the cold atmosphere raised her hackles. She almost regretted not making an excuse to avoid the meeting.

Hernes lifted the corners of her mouth. The cold expression she had seen earlier seemed mistaken as her expression brightened.

“Sit down. I think this will be a long conversation.”

Brienne quickly sat on the opposite chair. Hernes looked around before looking at her.

“Are there no servants here?”

Brienne quickly stood up.

“I’ll make tea…”

“No. A servant should do that.”

At her words, Brienne awkwardly sat back down. Hernes briefly rolled her eyes and instructed the person who came with her. He nodded and left.

Hernes smiled at her. The cold appearance was nowhere to be seen. She strangely resembled Cardin, drawing her attention. Especially the dimple-like feature when she smiled.

“I heard you’re getting married, so I came to see who you are.”

Marriage. Hernes already seemed to assume she was marrying Cardin. Before the situation got more complicated, she spoke up.

“To be precise, I didn’t come here with the intention of marrying Cardin.”

Hernes’s expression subtly hardened. She studied Brienne carefully before slowly speaking.

“Not thinking about marriage? Cardin seems determined.”

Brienne tightly clasped her hands.

“I still think it’s too early for marriage.”

“……”

“I’m not prepared mentally, and above all, I feel inadequate to be by Cardin’s side.”

There wasn’t a single lie. Although Cardin had paid her debt, and she came here as he wished, she didn’t come with the intention of marrying him.

“That’s strange.”

Her soft-spoken words echoed in her ears. Slowly lifting her head, Hernes gave a peculiar smile.

“Then why did you come here?”

“I…”

“Are you planning to become his mistress when he marries someone else?”

For a moment, Brienne’s blood ran cold. A mistress? She didn’t want to be treated like that. If Cardin married, it would be better to disappear from his life. She came here with that thought in mind.

Just as Brienne was about to speak firmly,

“Well, even as a mistress in our family, there’d be plenty to gain.”

The dismissive tone felt like a deep wound in Brienne’s heart. Unable to stay silent, she spoke up.

“I have no intention of becoming Cardin’s mistress, nor do I dare to become Madame Messerode. If Cardin has someone to marry, I plan to leave immediately.”

“Then can you leave now?”

“……”

“There’s already someone who suits Cardin very well.”

Brienne couldn’t answer. She had a good idea of who it might be. With trembling eyes, Hernes smiled. Her smile was similar to Cardin’s.

“Seeing you silent, it doesn’t seem like you really mean it. Isn’t that right?”

“But…”

“Marry Cardin.”

For a moment, Brienne’s eyebrows furrowed. It was contrary to Hernes’s attitude so far. Hernes continued as if it was nothing.

“Looking at Cardin now, even if I try to stop him, or you refuse, he won’t stop.”

“……”

“How can you extinguish a fire that’s already lit? If you say you won’t marry now, the fire will only grow.”

Hernes smiled gently. As if she had anticipated everything. At that moment, a maid hurriedly entered and bowed to Hernes and Brienne.