Chapter 7 (Part 2)

As she calmly observed her surroundings, she noticed countless gazes fixed on them. Though people were conversing, many sneaked glances at her and Cardin. Some even openly stared at her.

Foyne. This was the first time she had seen her face-to-face. Unlike the time she saw her at the hotel, Foyne now wore a more subdued outfit, though her striking features made her stand out.

Soon, a crowd gathered around them. It seemed everyone wanted to greet Cardin. Following Hernes’ teachings, she diligently remembered and greeted each of their names.

As before, they all looked surprised, as if they hadn’t expected her to remember. Some even expressed gratitude.

Laughter filled the air, and the previously tense atmosphere relaxed. She felt happy, thinking she had been of some help to Cardin.

At that moment, a man with a thick beard approached. He appeared to be a high-ranking noble holding a key position in the royal palace. He began discussing a business project run by the royal family and sought Cardin’s opinion.

She sipped champagne handed to her by a passing servant, only half-listening. Business had always been an exhausting topic when she was with Kelle. As she took small sips of the champagne, Cardin turned to her.

He gently took her hand and whispered in her ear.

“Don’t drink too much champagne. The champagne served at the royal palace is strong and can get you drunk quickly.”

Contrary to his concern, the champagne tasted delightful. It was cool and fizzy, with a hint of apple flavor, and its sweetness was just to her liking.

Though Cardin occasionally signaled her to stop drinking, the pleasant taste made her reluctant to heed his advice. As Cardin became engrossed in conversation, she continued sipping the champagne, feeling increasingly lightheaded and giddy.

Her face grew warm, and eventually, she handed the champagne glass to a servant and told Cardin.

“I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.”

Cardin, mid-conversation with the royal official, called over a maid nearby.

“Escort her to the restroom.”

The maid nodded quickly and turned to her.

“This way, please.”

Following the maid, she left the banquet hall and walked down a long corridor. Though slightly dizzy, she could still walk steadily.

When they reached a lavish golden door, the maid bowed and stepped back. She entered the restroom and looked around.

It was the most opulent restroom she had ever seen. The golden walls were dazzling, and the marble sink was so polished that the ceiling reflected off its surface.

After washing her hands, she glanced at the mirror, noticing her flushed cheeks. She placed her cool, freshly washed hands on her cheeks.

She hadn’t drunk much champagne, yet her cheeks were red. Perhaps it was because she felt good. For the first time, it seemed the nobles who had always looked down on her were acknowledging her, and she felt she had been of some help to Cardin.

‘If only my body were in better condition, I could be even happier right now.’

She let out a sigh of regret and turned off the faucet. Just then, a wave of dizziness hit, and she gripped the sink for support. The sound of clicking heels echoed, and someone entered.

Turning her head absentmindedly, her face stiffened.

The owner of the footsteps wore a dress that wasn’t particularly extravagant but had strikingly bold makeup. Foyne approached with a smile.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

Not wanting to engage, she tried to walk past, but Foyne spoke.

“I was so surprised when I heard you were marrying Cardin.”

“……”

“I thought it was a lie.”

Feeling provoked by her words, she turned around, and Foyne continued with a smile.

“A daughter of the Hurrick family, who nearly drove the Messerode Bank to bankruptcy? Doesn’t that sound absurd?”

“What are you trying to say?”

Even as she spoke, the dizziness made her lean against the wall. Foyne let out a scoffing laugh.

“I’m saying you don’t belong with Cardin.”

Her heart twisted at those words. Though she had unconsciously thought the same, hearing it aloud felt like being thrown into an abyss.

Foyne stepped closer, the strong scent of roses overwhelming her senses.

“Do you know how much Cardin sacrificed by marrying you? If he had married me, he wouldn’t have had any issues with the dam project or trade ship investments. By marrying you, he chose the hard way.”

She couldn’t respond. Though she had vaguely suspected as much, hearing it explicitly made her chest tighten. It felt like she was once again facing reality’s harsh wall.

Foyne smiled brightly, as if delighted by the impact of her words. Though the expression irritated her, she couldn’t think of a retort.

Recalling the ominous feelings she had or the things Cardin had deliberately withheld from her, she couldn’t entirely dismiss Foyne’s words.

“He even paid off your massive debts. What on earth did you do to make Cardin make such a foolish choice?”

A foolish choice. She bit her lip, struggling to control her emotions. Just moments ago, everything had seemed so happy and perfect, but now her heart churned as if she were about to cry.

“And I heard Cardin’s cousin even filed a lawsuit. If you don’t bear a child, the Messerode family will be handed over to them.”

Foyne smiled at her, almost as if she had already won.

“Although the Messerode family law forbids maintaining mistresses, it seems they don’t prevent illegitimate children.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Her voice trembled. Foyne, unlike her, raised the corners of her lips leisurely.

“Exactly what I said. If you can’t have a child, Cardin will have to have an illegitimate one to continue the Messerode family line.”

Her mouth tasted bitter. She had known that this marriage wouldn’t last forever, but now it felt as if the end was drawing nearer.

Staring at the floor with a hardened expression, a cheerful voice broke through her thoughts.

“My father said he’d welcome it if our bloodline continued within the Messerode family.”

It seemed inevitable that Foyne was the one destined to be with Cardin. Leaning against the wall, she let out a breath, but Foyne’s voice rang out louder.

“Of course, Cardin wouldn’t have an illegitimate child. He’ll divorce you soon and marry me.”

She slowly raised her head.

“When will that happen?”

“When?”

“So I can prepare myself.”

Foyne frowned, looking at her as if she were strange. She spoke honestly.

“I married Cardin knowing that we’d eventually separate.”

Only then did Foyne’s face light up with a wide smile.

“Ah, I heard. Cardin couldn’t give you up through any other means, so he married you, intending to wait until he got tired of you.”

“……”

“But as he keeps making foolish choices, how can I just stand by? Someone has to step in and stop him.”

“So when are you marrying Cardin?”

If she knew in advance, she could leave before that happened. She barely held back her tears as she looked at Foyne. Foyne smirked mockingly.

“Instead of asking when we’re getting married, you should be thinking about separating from Cardin first.”

“……”

“Even Lady Hernes gave me permission. She told me to make sure you and Cardin separate, no matter what.”

“Now?”

“What? Can’t you do it? Are you starting to get greedy now?”

Greedy. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t. Unable to utter a word, Foyne’s gaze sharpened.

“You won’t be able to have a child with Cardin anyway. Don’t even dream of having an illegitimate one.”

“……”

“So step down as soon as possible.”

Foyne brushed past her coldly. In that moment, she felt strange. Foyne spoke as if she already knew she couldn’t conceive.

She quickly shouted.

“How do you know I can’t have children?”

Foyne turned her head and met her gaze. When she didn’t look away, Foyne sneered.

“Lady Hernes told me. She said you wouldn’t be able to conceive.”

Her heart sank.

‘Does Hernes know about my infertility?’

But she didn’t feel as if that secret had been discovered. Hernes had never mentioned anything about pregnancy. 

What on earth was this? Why would Hernes…? 

Then she remembered the tea and pills Hernes had been giving her. The blood-red tea that Hernes herself never drank.

‘Could that tea have been preventing me from conceiving?’

The taste had been bitter, and she had always been reluctant to drink it. 

Could it be?

At that moment, she heard a faint laugh. When she looked up, Foyne spoke with a smirk.

“Cleaning suits you best, both then and now.”

Foyne walked past her lightly. She wanted to retort, but her body felt drained of energy. She barely managed to grip the sink, her breaths coming out in short gasps.

Her head had been spinning for a while now. Her hands gripped the sink tightly, her skin stretched so taut it looked pitiful. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to release her grip. It felt as if the situation with Cardin was a hopeless reality with no solution.

Even Hernes had fed her tea that might have prevented her from conceiving. Though it was just a suspicion, Foyne’s confidence made it seem almost certain.