Chapter 6 – Part 1

Before heading out in the carriage, Kristin gathered all the jewels hidden in her room.

Lenci was puzzled by Kristin’s actions.

She wondered if Sharon Boutique, which she had only heard about, required so many jewels to buy a dress.

After Kristin got into the carriage, she spoke to her.

“Are you curious why I brought all the jewels with me? Lenci, we need to visit Sharon Boutique, but we also need to check out the Oakley region. There’s something I need to find out.”

“Oakley? You mean the infamous mining region?”

“That’s right. You know it well.”

“I don’t know why you’re going there, but earlier, Lady Rose seemed to be investigating something too.”

As expected.

Cindy must have shared information about the mines with Rose, it was likely that Rose would also send someone to investigate the Oakley mines.

Kristin suspected that the surveillance on her would only increase from now on.

However, Rose did not have the financial means to buy a mine unless she stole someone else’s property.

Although she was a Viscountess, she did not have the same riches as other nobles. All the money she obtained went straight into investing in Elena.

Elena’s future was Rose’s future.

She didn’t want to lose anything ever again, so she gathered all the accessories that could be converted into money.

“Cindy seems to have reported all our conversations to Mother.”

With this in mind, Kristin decided to seek Lenci’s help.

Kristin calmly spoke to Lenci.

“Lenci, I need your help today. When we return to the mansion after going out, just say that we went to look at dresses as usual.”

“Do you think Lady Rose will believe me?”

After all, Rose would likely suspect today’s outing.

* * *

The reason Kristin chose to stop by the Sharon Boutique was to leave evidence that she had gone there to browse dresses.

Sharon Boutique, run by Beatrice Charlotte, was the best dress shop in the empire.

Furthermore, it was certain that Elena was also preparing a new dress for her upcoming debut party.

Most of the dowry that Kristin had received from Raphael had been invested into Elena – this was Rose’s investment for her daughter.

Rose, who only cared about her daughter, would likely start making serious moves after Elena’s debut party.

However, instead of closely monitoring her suspicious stepdaughter, Rose would probably devote herself to shopping for at least a few days.

Therefore, Kristin had to visit the mining owner in the Oakley region, no matter what happened today.

Kristin smiled at Lenci, who was looking at her with a worried expression.

“Don’t worry so much. It’ll be fine.”

“But, My Lady, I’m so happy to see you becoming more confident, yet I also worry that you might get hurt because of the Viscountess and Lady Elena. I haven’t been able to sleep properly for days.”

Kristin held Lenci’s hand and continued.

“I know how much you’ve been worrying about me, Lenci. But I have to move, to protect myself.”

* * *

“We have arrived at the Sharon Boutique.”

As the carriage driver’s whip stopped, the carriage that had been racing along finally came to a halt in front of the Sharon Boutique.

It had been years since Kristin had last been there, and she felt a rush of emotions. All this time, how she had longed to meet Beatrice Charlotte again.

Kristin grasped the carriage driver’s hand as she slowly stepped down from the carriage.

“Please wait out front for a moment. We’ll head to the Oakley region after we’re done here.”

“Yes, My Lady. I’ll be waiting outside.”

The coachman greeted Kristin, and she responded kindly.

“All right, I’ll be back soon.”

“My Lady, please go inside.”

Lenci opened the front door of Sharon Boutique for Kristin.

Inside, Kristin could see young noblewomen browsing dresses, likely preparing for the upcoming debut party.

Each of them was engrossed in selecting dresses handed to them by the staff, but when Kristin entered, they were startled and began casting sharp glances her way.

One of the young ladies spoke to a staff member.

“I forgot my purse. I’ll come back another time.”

She then hurriedly ran out.

It was clear they were avoiding Kristin due to the rumors of her unstable state of mind.

“Lady Kristin is here? Really?”

“We should leave too.”

Before even trying on their prepared dresses or getting their measurements taken, all the young ladies fled Sharon Boutique.

Their behavior was a direct snub to Kristin.

Kristin found this amusing. It wasn’t necessary to go to such lengths to avoid her.

At that moment, Beatrice approached Kristin and Lenci. With an expression of disbelief, Beatrice tightly grasped Kristin’s hand and spoke.

“Kristin, is it you? I can hardly believe it!”

“Ever since the wedding was ruined, I’ve been so worried about you. I’ve missed you so much after not seeing you for years since Elesia’s death.”

Beatrice Charlotte’s face was filled with emotion as she saw her friend’s daughter after such a long time.

But Kristin could not feel joyful about it. She wanted to ask why Beatrice had not replied to the letters she had sent, and why she had cut off contact when Kristin had missed her so much.

She knew Beatrice must have had her reasons, but Kristin couldn’t help feeling saddened.

As if sensing Kristin’s feelings, Beatrice’s next words were unexpected.

“Kristin, why didn’t you reply to any of the letters I sent? After Elesia passed away, I wanted to take care of you. But every time I went to the mansion, Viscount Vernon turned me away. Do you know what Lady Rose told me?”

Kristin finally learned about the past she hadn’t known.

She couldn’t understand why they had treated Beatrice, a friend of the previous viscountess, so rudely.

“Lady Rose said you hated me, and that I shouldn’t visit or send letters anymore. She said my presence would have a negative influence on you.”

Kristin was stunned and outraged by these words but spoke calmly to Beatrice.

“So, you didn’t purposely ignore my letters to cut ties with me?”

“Of course not. Why would I ever dislike you? Why would I hurt someone as dear to me as you, Kristin?”

Taking a deep breath, Kristin turned to Beatrice Charlotte.

“I’m sorry to come to you after so long, but I have a problem and I need your help. Please.”

“Did Viscount Vernon and Lady Rose throw you out? Is it because of the broken engagement and the ruined wedding?”

Kristin nodded, her eyes reflecting the urgency of her situation.

Beatrice stroked Kristin’s gaunt face with a look of sorrow before assuming a determined expression as she retrieved an envelope from her bag.

The writing on the envelope indicated that it contained documents related to an account under Beatrice Charlotte’s name.

“Kristin, don’t be startled by what I’m about to say. And Rosa?”

“Yes, My Lady”

“If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I am with an important guest. I need to speak with Kristin in the VIP room. Prepare some tea. Kristin always liked jasmine tea, right? Bring some jasmine tea.”

Jasmine tea was one of Kristin’s favorite teas from childhood. Beatrice had not forgotten Kristin’s preferences.

“My Lady, what is it you wish to tell me?”

“Come this way first.”

Beatrice gestured for Kristin and Lenci to follow her.

“I was so worried after what happened at the wedding. Kristin, you were the first in the empire to break off an engagement on the wedding day. I was afraid you would be punished for it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you worry. Honestly, I thought that you no longer wanted to be associated with the Edith family, since they were falling apart. But I missed the old days.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke.

Beatrice handed Kristin a handkerchief and responded.

“I’m sorry. It was my fault. I should have taken care of you, no matter what.”

She then took a document from the envelope and continued.

“You’ll be surprised to know what Elesia left in my name. What I want to tell you is that Elesia’s death wasn’t just a result of her illness.”

“What?”

Kristin was shocked by the lady’s words, something she had never imagined.

“We couldn’t meet before, but now I must tell you: Elesia’s death seems to have been intentionally arranged by someone. She may have even sensed it coming.”

Kristin’s hands began to tremble as she listened to Beatrice.

It had been a full six years. Why had she been kept in the dark all this time?

The reason she was prevented from meeting Beatrice, the reason her letters were blocked – Kristin desperately wanted to know the truth.

“Please, tell me the truth about my mother’s death. I’ve never doubted it before. My stepmother came to the Edith estate after my mother passed away. My mother fell ill that year from a lung condition.”

Kristin despised her stepmother but couldn’t bring herself to believe that someone would kill just to take another’s place.

She hoped it wasn’t true.

Kristin silently pleaded ‘Please, let it not be that bad.’

If her stepmother or Elena were involved in her mother’s death, it would be a traumatizing revelation.

Kristin hoped it was someone else.