Chapter 9

I entered the dining room with Lady Eteil.

Of course, Sasha came along as well.

If there was one thing to be thankful for, it was that today’s food was something I could actually eat.

‘Did they prepare it to suit Lady Eteil’s tastes?’

The moment I checked the dishes on the table, I let out a sigh of relief.

I’d gone hungry for days, but today felt different.

“Mother, please try some of this.”

Sasha clung affectionately to Lady Eteil, leading the conversation with ease.

Edward glanced at the two of them enjoying their warm atmosphere and let out a small chuckle before continuing his meal.

“……”

I managed a bitter smile and put a piece of meat in my mouth.

“What was the Duchess’s name again?”

“Lirie—Lirie Winderton, Lady Eteil.”

Perhaps noticing me, Lady Eteil asked with a gentle smile.

It was a clumsy, rushed question, but I had to answer as if nothing was wrong.

“All right, Lirie. You should feel free to call me Mother as well. It feels like a dream, having a daughter-in-law in Winderton Castle.”

“Yes, Mother…”

Lady Eteil was just as graceful and dignified as I’d heard.

Even though my marriage to Edward had been nothing but a shackle on her talented son, she treated me with kindness—that alone was proof.

‘Of course, I don’t believe that face is sincere…’

Nobles are skilled at hiding their true feelings.

“Lirie? Are you close with our Sasha too?”

Our Sasha…

It sounded like she was speaking of someone truly precious.

“Of course, Mother! I’d love to become even closer with the Duchess.”

The one who answered Lady Eteil’s question to me was Sasha herself. I couldn’t look at her so casually, pretending to know nothing.

“…Yes, Mother.”

I bowed my head and answered Lady Eteil in a small voice.

“I see.”

After Lady Eteil finished speaking, no one tried to talk to me again.

Lady Eteil and Sasha, warm and close as family, and even Edward as he watched them—

‘If I weren’t here, it would be perfect.’

I was the one with the Winderton name, not Sasha.

But I was the outsider in this house.

Feeling uncomfortable, I spoke up carefully.

“Mother, I’m not feeling well. May I be excused early?”

It was improper manners, but it was too hard to remain in the same space with them.

“If you’re not well, there’s no helping it. Go upstairs and get plenty of rest.”

“Thank you.”

Without asking for more details, Lady Eteil nodded.

After saying goodbye, I left the dining room.

“Sigh…”

As soon as I stepped out, cheerful, affectionate laughter spilled through the narrowing crack of the door.

‘Do they think I’d be jealous?’

Heading back to my lonely room, I couldn’t help but think of Edward, who had so casually brought Sasha along.

He’d only introduced her as a business partner, when she was so much more.

‘Just a business partner… when she’s actually far more precious to him.’

I resented Edward for it.

But strangely, I also felt sorry for Sasha.

If she was Edward’s lover, then I was the one who’d taken her place.

‘Am I the one who ruined their relationship?’

Even on my way back to my room, my thoughts wouldn’t stop.

I was afraid of what storms Sasha’s presence in Winderton Castle might bring.

‘This feels so strange.’

Even after returning to my room, I was alone.

It was such a contrast to the three of them laughing together in the dining room.

Time passed, and the next day

I was summoned by Lady Eteil and made my way to the garden where she was.

With the sun shining beautifully, Lady Eteil enjoyed her tea, breathing in the scent of the flowers.

“Come here, Lirie.”

As soon as our eyes met, she greeted me with a bright smile.

“Thank you for inviting me, Mother.”

It was uncomfortable, but I smiled and greeted her.

“Come, sit. The scent of the flowers and the tea are simply lovely.”

I’d hoped to just hear the main point and leave, but Lady Eteil was quick to speak.

I had no choice but to sit and take a sip of the tea in front of me.

‘It smells wonderful.’

Just as she said, the fragrant tea filled my mouth with flavor.

“Do you know something?”

“…Yes?”

As the mood softened, Lady Eteil dismissed the servants and spoke.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed, but Edward has a very cold personality.”

I tried not to listen too closely, afraid of what she might say, but as soon as she brought up Edward, I couldn’t help but focus.

“But even with all that coldness, there was one exception. Even I, his mother, could hardly believe Edward had such a side.”

Her words stuck in my ears like icy nails.

I sipped my tea, pretending not to be affected.

“An exception… I wonder what that could be.”

I already knew, but I pretended not to.

I didn’t want to acknowledge Sasha’s presence myself.

“Sasha is such a beautiful and radiant girl. And she’s very clever, too. Not only is she attractive, she has sharp business instincts, which is why Edward cares for her so much.”

“…I’m well aware.”

The subject shifted in a subtle way.

“And Sasha is like a daughter to me as well. So I hope you’ll treat her kindly, Lirie.”

Lady Eteil, behind the mask of a warm mother-in-law, pressed me harder and harder.

Her meaning was clear. I felt stifled.

‘No matter what Sasha does, don’t interfere. That’s what she really means.’

It was a laughable situation.

A mother-in-law warning her daughter-in-law, right to her face.

“If His Grace cherishes her, then I’ll cherish Lady Kidman too, Mother.”

I nodded and gave a faint smile in response to Lady Eteil’s words.

“The Duke of Scarlett raised you well. I’m sure you’ll become a model noblewoman in the Lucenster Empire.”

“You flatter me, Mother.”

Lady Eteil watched me with a sharp gaze.

She looked me over as if searching for my hidden intentions.

‘Time to get up.’

I finished the tea in my cup and started to rise.

“Lirie.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Lady Eteil called my name as she watched.

“Like any parent, I want my son to be happy. That’s a mother’s love. Sasha is a bright girl, and I believe she’s the only one who can make Edward happy. So act in a way that I won’t need to step in myself.”

I couldn’t quite interpret the meaning behind Lady Eteil’s words.

“…What do you mean?”

Was she telling me not to be jealous, or to accept Sasha as a second wife? Either way, what did it matter? Whatever I chose, I’d always be at a disadvantage.

“It’s just what I’m saying. I don’t think you’d want to be at odds with me, either. You have to live under the Winderton name, after all—there’s no need to create unnecessary conflict.”

“I understand, Mother. But don’t worry too much. I’m not so foolish as to stand against you.”

“That’s a relief. I think we’ll get along just fine.”

I gave Lady Eteil a polite farewell and left the garden without a second thought.

Endure it, Lirie.

As the scent of flowers faded behind me, I quickly wiped away the small tears that pooled in my gray-blue eyes.

Even Edward’s own mother couldn’t trust my actions. The woman he kept by his side, even after marriage—

“So envious…”

There was no one around, but instinctively, I lowered my voice.

“This isn’t right.”

I walked, ignoring every lesson in etiquette I’d ever learned.

I didn’t have the composure to care.

That’s why I didn’t even know where I was heading, not even my own feet.

“Oh my, Duchess!”

What stopped me was a clear, bright woman’s voice.

“Who…”

I stopped at the sound behind me and turned to look.

“Sigh.”

The moment I saw who it was, a quiet sigh escaped me. It was so soft no one else would have heard.

Are they trying to wear me down to death?

I was already exhausted after enduring Lady Eteil’s pressure.

And now, the one stopping me was Sasha.

“Lady Kidman, what are you doing here?”

I barely managed to lift the corners of my drooping lips, forcing a gentle smile.

Sasha looked as bright and beautiful as everyone said.

“I should be asking you that! This is the guest house where I’m staying, you know.”

“Ah…”

It was only then that I realized where I had wandered.

My vision went dark.