Chapter 8

My body was always honest. The moment food I shouldn’t eat entered, it reacted immediately.

‘Ah…’

I tried to ignore my body’s warning, but it was impossible. Before dessert was even served, I stood up from the table.

“I’m not feeling well… May I be excused?”

Edward frowned, probably displeased by my breach of table manners.

“Go rest.”

But he was the perfect gentleman—he wouldn’t stop someone who was unwell.

I apologized to Lady Kidman as well and stepped out.

“Haa…”

It became harder and harder to breathe.

My vision blurred and I could barely keep my balance.

“My lady!”

Betty, who had been waiting outside, saw me and rushed over.

“Betty…”

I leaned against Betty as she ran up to me.

She supported my staggering body all the way to my bedroom.

“What’s going on, my lady!”

As I lay in bed, Betty hovered anxiously over me.

Though my vision was blurry, I could tell she was crying.

“Did you eat lobster or mango? Why did you eat it?”

“Quiet… Just give me the allergy medicine from Scarlett Castle.”

I quietly held Betty’s hand and asked her. I didn’t want anyone to find out I was sick.

“I’ll call the physician. If you just let it go, it’ll only get worse.”

“It’s an order, Betty. Be quiet and just bring me the medicine…”

Betty bit her lip as she looked at my stubborn face.

But she couldn’t ignore my order, so she reluctantly brought out the allergy medicine.

With a frustrated sigh, Betty stayed by my side as I fought through the reaction.

But as time passed, my condition didn’t improve—it only got worse.

“Shouldn’t we call the physician now? Or at least tell His Grace…”

I shook my head. If Edward found out and looked at me with that pitiful expression, I knew I’d burst into tears.

“Your fever’s getting worse, my lady.”

“Haa… I’m fine.”

Betty let out a trembling breath and wiped my body with a cold towel as I struggled.

I’d taken the medicine, but it would take a while for it to work.

‘Stupid… You shouldn’t have eaten it, Lirie.’

It was the result of pointless pride.

No matter what Edward said, I should have just left the dining room.

It’s not like I was going to die—I just ended up tormenting my body for nothing.

Lying in bed, I let a faint smile cross my lips.

Anyone from Scarlett who saw me would have called me an idiot.

I put a hot hand to my forehead and closed my eyes.

Sleeping was the best way to escape the pain.

***

Whether it was a misfortune or a blessing, my body recovered in two days.

During that time, Edward never once came to my room.

He probably didn’t even know I’d been sick.

After two days of barely eating and lying in bed, my already-thin body had grown even more frail.

Even with makeup, it was impossible to completely hide how drawn I looked.

“My lady, I tried to make you look as lively as possible…”

Betty’s lips drooped, clearly upset by my appearance.

“It’s all right, Betty. Let’s go out now.”

I was still too weak to move easily, but I’d forced myself to put on makeup for the lady of the house.

She was the former Duchess of Winderton—Edward’s mother.

After Edward inherited the title, she’d moved to an estate.

For some reason, she’d announced she was coming to Lubotell today.

“Let’s go down. I don’t want to give her anything to criticize.”

“Yes, my lady.”

With every step, my head throbbed painfully.

But I couldn’t stagger—that would be improper.

I focused as much as I could and made my way forward.

“You’re here.”

“Yes, Your Grace…”

When I reached the first floor, Edward was there.

I didn’t want to get into another confrontation with him.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the lady of the house. Did you enjoy yourself in the bedroom?”

Of course, Edward couldn’t let it go without a dig. I bit my lip.

“…Yes, well.”

Edward sneered, mocking the fact that I’d spent two days in my bedroom.

Hearing it only made my stomach turn.

It’s all right, it’s all right, Lirie.

I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

“Mother will be here soon. Be sure to greet her properly.”

“There’s no need to worry.”

With that, Edward turned his gaze away from me.

He had nothing more to say.

“Lady Eteil has arrived.”

The attendant’s announcement echoed in the quiet room and the door opened.

A beautiful, elegantly dressed woman in her middle years entered.

She had the same blond hair as Edward and was truly stunning.

The aura of a woman who once dominated high society was untouchable.

“It’s been a while, Edward.”

“It’s been a while, Mother.”

Lady Eteil approached gracefully and embraced Edward.

They looked like a loving mother and son.

“So you must be the new Duchess of Winderton. It’s nice to meet you.”

After greeting Edward, Lady Eteil turned to me, her smile warm.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Eteil.”

I bowed my head to Lady Eteil, trying to look calm despite my nerves.

She showed no coldness toward me just because I was from House Scarlett.

I was lost in those ordinary impressions of Lady Eteil when—

“Mother!”

The sharp sound of heels rang out behind me, and soon Lady Kidman, with her clear, bright voice, ran over and embraced Lady Eteil.

They were as close as if they were mother and daughter.

‘What is this…’

I felt envy first, honestly.

She claimed to be just a business partner, but apparently she was also well-acquainted with Lady Eteil.

‘If I hadn’t been from Scarlett, could I have lived like Lady Kidman?’

Watching the two of them shine so brightly, I fidgeted with the hem of my dress, my face threatening to crumble as my head throbbed.

“Mother, it feels like it’s been ages since I saw you!”

Lady Kidman hooked her arm around Lady Eteil’s and spoke with a charming, affectionate voice.

“You look even more beautiful after all this time.”

Lady Eteil couldn’t hide her delight at Lady Kidman’s bright demeanor, so different from Edward’s coldness.

I could only stand by, unable to match her brightness.

“I’ve wanted to see you so much, Mother. I’m glad I could, even like this!”

I could only watch as Lady Kidman acted like Lady Eteil’s daughter-in-law.

“Oh, Sasha… I’ve missed you so much.”

I doubted my ears when I heard Lady Eteil say it.

I tried to remain calm, but my eyes started to tremble.

Cold sweat ran down my back.

A chilling feeling wrapped around my whole body.

‘Sasha…? Did she just say Sasha?’

That name was familiar. It was the one I’d heard the maids mention a few days ago.

She was the only woman Edward kept by his side, the one trusted by all the staff of Winderton Castle.

‘She must be Edward’s lover…’

I couldn’t hide my hollow expression.

So Lady Kidman’s name was Sasha Kidman? Come to think of it, I’d never known her full name.

‘Hello, Duchess. I’m Edward’s business partner and the daughter of the Count of Kidman. Please feel free to call me Lady Kidman.’

When we first met, Lady Kidman never told me her full name.

She just said she was the Count of Kidman’s daughter.

It was my mistake to brush it off, thinking it didn’t matter.

I hadn’t even realized that the Sasha I’d been so anxious about was right beside me all along.

‘Now I understand why she’s so close to Lady Eteil.’

She wasn’t just a business partner.

She was the only woman Edward kept by his side, so of course she was familiar with Lady Eteil.

The hands I hid behind my back trembled.

Still, I opened my mouth, unable to help myself.

“Is Lady Kidman’s name Sasha…?”

I already knew what she’d say, but I wanted to hear it directly.

“Oh my! Didn’t I tell you, Duchess? My name is Sasha Kidman. I’m sorry if it upset you that I told you so late.”

Sasha replied as if nothing were wrong.

I hated her, but I couldn’t bring myself to blame her.

‘It was my own fault for not noticing sooner…’

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek.

I felt so pathetic in that moment.

“…That’s a beautiful name.”

I managed to lift the corners of my trembling lips and said it to Sasha.

“For now, you should have a meal first.”

The chilly atmosphere faded thanks to Edward’s words.

My head was a mess because of Sasha, but I acted as if nothing was wrong and headed to the dining room.

‘It’ll be fine…’