It wasn’t exactly a surprising story. Lady Avery badmouthed me everywhere likely because she didn’t want to become the target herself.

After all, aside from me, she was one of the highest-ranking individuals in society. She was beautiful yet plagued by a major flaw—being single with a reputation for having a difficult personality. She fit the description of society’s favorite prey, so it made sense. Dale leaned in and whispered.

“Besides, she’s been acting strange lately. Not too long ago, she even cut her hair, probably because she wanted to imitate you.”

“What?”

I was taken aback.

“It’s even shorter than yours. I can’t imagine what she’s thinking.”

I felt a strange sensation. My friends seemed upset that Lady Avery, who once insulted me, was now mimicking me. But I saw it a little differently. Whatever Lady Avery’s real motives, she had effectively pushed my hairstyle into a trend. As more people started copying it, no one would bother questioning why I’d cut my hair in the first place. I smirked.

“Even Lady Avery can be useful sometimes.”

My friends looked at me in confusion before one or two of them murmured, “Ah,” in understanding. Joyce, who still didn’t get it, looked puzzled and asked.

“What? How does she help?”

Lily and Sophia explained on my behalf.

“Think about it, Joy.ce Now people will be busy gossiping about Lady Avery for following Liv instead of criticizing Liv’s hairstyle like last time.”

“Other people might end up copying it too,” Joyce added with a twinkle in her eye.

“Then maybe I should cut my hair too?”

“What?”

“Honestly, I’ve envied how light and easy it looks.”

Joyce giggled, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Why not?”

“Go ahead. You weren’t planning on joining society events for a while anyway.”

“My in-laws would probably have a fit if I cut my hair,” she said, looking genuinely amused, which could very well be her real motive. Watching her, the rest of us laughed as if we couldn’t help it. It was a pleasant afternoon. When it was time for everyone to leave, I personally escorted them out. Just then, a thought crossed my mind, and I stopped Lily just as she was about to get into her carriage.

“Lily.”

She looked back at me, puzzled. I swallowed. Would asking something like this seem petty? Normally, I would have let it go, but thinking that tomorrow might be my last day made me unwilling to leave things unsettled. Even though I’d already called her over, I hesitated for a while before finally asking.

“How’s your youngest?”

“Oh…”

“I wanted to congratulate you too.”

Why didn’t you tell me? Do you know how I felt, finding out only later that my friend had a baby? Didn’t you think of me as a friend? My heart was heavy, but I couldn’t voice any of this for fear that I might start crying. Lily took my hand and spoke.

“Liv, I’m sorry. I…”

Suppressing tears, I managed to reply in a strained voice.

“I was hurt.”

“…I see.”

Lily let out a sigh and clasped my hand tightly, whispering softly.

“I was afraid it would sound like bragging if I mentioned it. I worried you might be longing for a child yourself. It didn’t matter as much for the second child, but by the third, I started feeling sensitive about it…”

“….”

“I didn’t even tell Joyce about it, not as an excuse, but…”

That was a bit of a relief.

“It was thoughtless of me. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

I tried to appear indifferent and nodded, though a bit of resentment lingered. Lily, with a sorrowful expression, spoke.

“I used to think you’d changed. But you hadn’t. You kept being understanding and patient. How could I not see that?”

She hugged me tightly. After holding me for a while, she whispered so quietly that only I could hear.

“Don’t do that anymore. Don’t hold back your feelings, don’t keep giving in. Life’s too precious for that, you know?”

“Yes.”

Seeing her tear-streaked smile reassured me. The resentment melted away like snow, leaving only warmth and nostalgia for our childhood, tickling my heart. In a way, I found myself thinking that this condition of mine wasn’t entirely bad after all. This bittersweet generosity, afforded only to someone who might not live much longer, was surprisingly sweet.

***

“My lady, she’s here.”

Jane, who had gone to fetch tea, returned with a bright face. I put down what I was doing, feeling a surge of excitement.

“Really?”

“Yes, she should be coming to the lobby now.”

“Where’s Joyce?”

“She’s likely out on a walk.”

“Please ask her to come in.”

I immediately rang the bell, and when Vanon came in, I asked him to prepare some refreshments for the reception room before going to the lobby. There, a young woman with a weary expression, carrying her travel bag, stood nervously.

“Miss Nilsson?”

“Duchess.”

As soon as she saw me, Miss Nilsson dropped to her knees in a deep bow.

“You have been so kind. My lady, she…”

“She’s out walking in the garden but should be back soon. Why don’t you wait in the parlor?”

“Oh… Duchess, I’m truly grateful, but may I wait here?”

“As you wish.”

The moment I gave my permission, Miss Nilsson immediately looked past the open front door. In the distance, she noticed Joyce walking under a parasol, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Su!”

Joyce dropped her parasol, lifted her skirt, and ran toward her like a child. Miss Nilsson quickly descended the steps, worried Joyce might fall, showing how devoted she was—even while pregnant.

“Su, how did you get here? I missed you.”

“The Duchess was kind enough to call for me.”

“Where have you been? I heard you’d gone to the countryside.”

Miss Nilsson shook her head quietly, and the two embraced, shedding tears. A lady’s maid, the person closest to a young lady during her debut and even after marriage, was bound to be missed when forcibly separated. I seated them together on the parlor sofa as they tried to dry their tears. Looking at Joyce’s growing belly, Miss Nilsson’s eyes glistened with tears.

“I should have been here to care for you.”

“Oh, Su, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

I handed them both handkerchiefs. After wiping away her tears, Miss Nilsson began to speak.

“After the baroness dismissed me, she told me to go to the countryside, but I’d sent all my wages home, so I didn’t have travel expenses. I couldn’t find work as a maid without a recommendation letter, so I saved money working in a factory, but prices were higher than expected, and I struggled to get by.”

I know what that’s like. There’s even a saying that people in the slums spend all their earnings for the year on firewood for winter.

“But I was so lucky to see my lady again. The Duchess somehow found me.”

Joyce, blowing her nose loudly, turned to me with a bow.

“Liv… thank you so much.”

I’d managed to locate her thanks to Ian’s reinforced search efforts. Since detailed records were kept for anyone who left the capital, we found that Miss Nilsson was still here. Since she had no references or local connections, I guessed she might be working in a factory and asked Vanon to start the search there. It hadn’t taken long.

“Be sure to thank our steward as well; Vanon worked hard on this.”

“Did he really?”

At that moment, Vanon entered with a trolley bearing cold tea and desserts as I’d requested. Overcome with gratitude, Joyce threw her arms around him, surprising him, though he quickly caught on and patted her back. Joyce, somewhat calmed, gulped down the tea without concern for decorum. Miss Nilsson, moved by the sight, remarked.

“She always drank only hot tea, even in the summer. The baby must feel the heat.”

“It’s the opposite of me.”

“It might be a boy.”

“Really?”

Is that an old wives’ tale? Joyce looked almost giddy at the thought it might be a boy.

“Joyce, what if it’s a girl? I’m worried she’ll resent you for wishing otherwise.”

“I’d be a little disappointed, but if it’s a girl, I’ll just divorce and live with you.”

“Really?”

“If it’s a girl, I’d have no reason to stay. If it’s a boy, I’d hold on until he could inherit the Molly title and estate.”

I stifled a laugh. She wouldn’t resent a girl, then. Joyce continued excitedly.

“If it’s a girl, I’ll marry her off to Prince Benedict and tell her never to acknowledge the Molly family’s greetings.”

Has she even asked Prince Benedict? When I stayed silent, Joyce shot me a look.

“Just now, you thought that was ridiculous, didn’t you? But I’m not just spouting nonsense. This has real potential. Because if it’s a girl, you’d be her godmother, and her godfather certainly wouldn’t be any of the Molly or Louis’s friends, which leaves no choice but Duke Kappel.”

Normally, I’d have thought it was ridiculous, but now… somehow, it seemed possible. I even thought Ian might really make it happen.

“So Duke Kappel would be my daughter’s guardian. If Her Majesty the Empress has a daughter, then there’s a strong chance my daughter could serve as her lady-in-waiting.”

Since you saved the Empress, Her Majesty would likely feel pity for a girl of humble origin with no suitable match and take her on as a maid of honor. And as she grows close to Prince Benedict, love would blossom.”

“You’ve been so absorbed in romance novels lately, you should try writing them.”

“Do you think so?”

Of course, reality is much harsher. Even if the two fell in love, Cade wouldn’t stand by idly. But novels are always better the more they indulge in fantasy. Joyce seemed inspired by my suggestion and even started writing. I cheered her on wholeheartedly.