I needed to follow through on what I’d declared at the ball. That’s what gave it meaning.

As soon as I woke up, I washed my face and ate with Caromiel. Though it was a salad, today it contained fresh, red-hued salmon.

I was a salmon killer again. While eating deliciously, I pondered how to bring up yesterday’s events.

Should I just blurt it out? That’s when it happened.

“Was there any trouble yesterday?”

Caromiel asked. The usual Annelia would have smiled and said nothing happened, no matter what Jiton said.

“There was.”

But I wasn’t like that.

“Hmm?”

Caromiel set down his fork and looked at me.

“What happened?”

“Do you know what Lord Hanel said to me?”

I explained yesterday’s events in detail. I tattled on everything without leaving out a single thing.

“How dare he!”

Caromiel was furious.

“How long has that bastard been tormenting you!”

“Quite a while.”

He’d been tormenting her continuously since they’d met, but Annelia had been too foolish to say anything until now. At my words, Caromiel bit his lip.

This didn’t feel bad. To have someone share my anger over my troubles. Until now, I’d never had anyone like that by my side. Annelia’s father seemed different from my biological father.

Still, considering the relationship with the Hanel ducal family, he might just let it go. Then I’d just act on my own separately.

But then.

“I’ll send a letter of protest immediately. We’ll file a lawsuit as well.”

He was stepping up directly like this! Annelia’s father was a good father. When his daughter experienced something like this, he got angry for her and protested.

I felt I could trust and rely on someone like him. After all, this would be where I’d return after the divorce.

“Thank you.”

“What’s there to thank! I’m just doing what I should as a father.”

Annelia had never told Caromiel even when she was bullied. No, she didn’t think it was bullying. The tearful girl just cried and smiled brightly again. Thinking about that, forgotten emotions washed over me.

I was getting choked up. I didn’t want to live like that. It wasn’t just that I didn’t want to be a pushover wife—I didn’t want to live foolishly.

The current me wasn’t the previous Annelia. Thinking that, I ate my salad. Delicious salmon entered my mouth. Since I liked all meat, I liked fish too.

I ate deliciously after a long time. Since Caromiel also liked fish, I should suggest we eat it often.

* * *

Jiton wasn’t concerned at all about Annelia getting angry at the ball. He’d been attending parties, laughing while tormenting others, when his father’s sudden summons made him head to the office without much thought.

When he opened the door and entered, Duke Hanel—Jis—looked at him and got angry.

“Is it true you bothered Lady Rosaline?”

“What?”

Annelia’s name suddenly came up. And he recalled the unpleasant incident from a few days ago.

Annelia had dared to raise her voice. 

“The Rosaline family has protested. They say you spoke rudely to Lady Rosaline. And they’re even filing a lawsuit!”

“Nothing serious happened.”

Jiton felt wronged. He couldn’t understand being sued over just those few words.

“We should sue them too.”

“Haa.”

At Jiton’s words, Jis’s temples throbbed. He knew his son had a foul mouth. But not knowing his own fault and acting out like this was unacceptable.

Jis looked at his foolish son.

“Did you also provoke Marquis Charlot?”

Jis slammed his palm on the desk.

“He’s declared he’ll stop dealing with the trading company our family manages. The reason is that you insulted his fiancée. He said it became difficult to do business when our family acted this way after they got engaged to the Rosaline family.”

Only then did Jiton realize this matter was turning serious.

“You’ll be summoned to the palace today.”

“Father.”

“Write a letter of apology.”

At Jis’s words, Jiton rebelled.

“Why should I? They’re just a marquis family!”

“You fool, the Charlot family is different! If we lose business with them, we’ll end up on the streets!”

Jis shouted. Jiton’s complexion paled. If he didn’t apologize, the family would be in danger.

Why were those bastards making such a big deal over something so trivial? Though angry, Jiton bowed his head for now. He knew he shouldn’t anger his father further.

That didn’t mean he’d reflected though. He planned to write a perfunctory apology and be done with it. He thought Annelia would be satisfied with just receiving that.

Right, it was Annelia. Just Annelia—even this was too generous, he thought. She’d surely shed tears of gratitude receiving an apology he’d written himself.

She was that strange woman everyone called kind. But things turned out differently from his expectations.

A few days later, after receiving a letter from the Rosaline ducal family, Jis summoned Jiton again. And Jiton was shocked.

Annelia hadn’t withdrawn the lawsuit.

* * *

Luden and I met at the Rosaline estate after a long time. Since I’d asked Luden for something to file the lawsuit, we’d decided to meet at home.

“This is that list. There were many who suffered at Lord Hanel’s hands.”

Seeing Luden’s list, I smiled brightly. Rumors that I’d filed a lawsuit against Jiton had spread wildly.

I’d deliberately had them spread. Next, I needed to sway public opinion. Everyone knew Jiton was originally trash, but I needed to make it certain.

When I asked him to get a list of people harmed by Jiton, Luden gladly obtained it.

“What will you do with this?”

Luden asked curiously.

“I’ll hold a tea time.”

“Tea time?”

“I need to let people know what Jiton’s conduct has been like all this time.”

At my words, Luden nodded.

“When should I step in?”

“Helping this much is enough.”

At my words, Luden pondered briefly, then firmly grasped my hand. What, what? Why was he acting like this?

“Be careful.”

Luden’s expression was serious. He’d always treated me formally, but today was different.

He really seemed worried. I nodded.

“I won’t overdo it.”

At my words, Luden smiled. But his face seemed slightly flushed?

I touched his forehead.

“Do you have a fever? Your face is slightly flushed.”

“No.”

He quickly released my hand and shook his head like it was nothing.

“I’m also flustered by the heat rising.”

He said that and quickly turned his head. And exhaled deeply.

What, he looked serious!

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He said that and turned his head. His face was expressionless again like before.

The tenderness from moments ago seemed to have completely vanished.

“Then shall we begin?”

I was distracted by the list and didn’t notice his emotions at all.

* * *

With Luden’s help, I sent invitations to people on the list. Saying we’d all suffered because of Jiton, so let’s gather and hold a tea time.

I named the tea time a “Healing Tea Time” and busily prepared. First, I selected the menu and prepared sweet cookies, beverages, and even coffee. Here, coffee wasn’t a common beverage but an expensive one. I’d put that much effort into the tea time.

After finishing all preparations, I looked around. Tables were placed throughout the garden. On the tables were cookies and beverages I’d personally selected carefully. The pink tablecloths matched well with the white teacups, coffee cups, and plates.

I felt like I’d tried cookies from every famous shop to choose those cookies.

“Those were happy days.”

I was happy I could eat cookies. How much I’d struggled to persuade Caromiel, who was so stubborn about food!

Anyway, the tea time preparations were complete. It was about time for guests to arrive, but what if no one came?

While I was worrying, guests entered the garden one by one. I turned around to greet them.

“Welcome.”

They were all trembling with fear. Well, Jiton was a duke’s son. If they got on his bad side, who knew what the Hanel ducal family might do.

But the important thing here was that I was also a duke’s daughter. And I had my future husband, Marquis Charlot. So no matter how angry they got, they couldn’t do anything. Since I was taking the lead, they’d mustered the courage to participate.

Right, when you’ve been wronged, it’s hard to keep it bottled up and suffer alone. I smiled and spoke to my fellow victims.

“Welcome.”

When I greeted them warmly, several voiced their grievances.

“I heard Lady Rosaline filed a lawsuit.”

One lady said.

“It’s nothing major.”

I smiled gently. Wearing a warm smile, I guided the victims to empty seats so they could rest and talk. Then the attendees looked at each other, smiled, and opened up.

Jiton’s behavior had been worse than expected. There were cases where he persistently insulted young girls. Annelia had been bullied less because she was a duke’s daughter.

Everyone was furious about Jiton’s misdeeds. They shared their stories. I also spoke of Jiton’s wrongdoings.

We shared Jiton’s misdeeds with each other and parted. The rumors would probably spread widely, right?

They each left me a word of encouragement before leaving.

“Thank you. For creating this opportunity to talk.”

“I feel relieved.”

“Definitely sue! I hope you get good results.”

“Make him give you a tearful apology without mercy!”

Everyone was of one mind. Seeing that made me feel good too.

As expected, talking it out relieved your heart and healed you. Perhaps because of my efforts, rumors about Jiton’s misdeeds spread extremely widely. My story of suing him in response to his wrongdoings also heated up high society.

Of course, an apology letter Jiton had written himself arrived at the estate. Even my foot could write better than that apology letter. I wasn’t someone who’d just accept such a perfunctory apology.

Well, going to trial was fine too. Even if it went to court, I could ask Father to hire an expensive lawyer. And time was on my side.

Two weeks passed like that, and finally Jiton visited the Rosaline ducal family.

“Lady Rosaline, I’m sorry for everything.”

He came with Duke Hanel.

“Can’t you withdraw the lawsuit? I’ll pay compensation for damages.”

“I don’t need money.”

Answering Duke Hanel’s words, I stared along with Caromiel.

“Do you know how many people suffered because of your son?”

Since his son’s misdeeds had been exposed so blatantly, he couldn’t not know. Those who thought they were no longer alone must have spread all of Jiton’s misdeeds to others. He reaped what he sowed!

“If you grant what I want, I’ll withdraw the lawsuit.”

Then Duke Hanel and Jiton’s faces brightened.

“I’m so heartbroken because of Lord Hanel. I’d like not to see him in the capital for five years. And I’d like Lord Hanel to apologize to everyone he wronged. By visiting them personally.”

He had to bow his head to those he’d looked down on. This would probably come to Jiton as a tremendous humiliation.

Jiton’s face burned red.

“I have to do such a thing!”

“Yes, what you did was worth that much.”

I elegantly drank my tea.

“The rumors have spread, so being stubborn will only hurt you.”

I smiled brightly. Game over!

“I’ll make it so.”

Duke Hanel nodded.

“Please, can’t you ask the Charlot family to resume business?”

At his words, I was flustered.

“What?”

“Hmm?”

When I asked back in confusion, Duke Hanel looked flustered.

“Didn’t the Lady ask them to cut off business…?”

“I never did that.”

Duke Hanel’s expression looked like he would cry.

“…But if Lord Hanel conducts himself properly, I’ll speak to Luden about it.”

At my words, Duke Hanel nodded. Ah, there was one more reason they’d come to apologize to me so desperately.

Luden had stepped in secretly. He hadn’t said anything to me, but when did he do this?

Jiton gritted his teeth. But he couldn’t do anything to me. Those types of people wouldn’t bother you once you showed them you weren’t easy.

Like that, I showed Jiton, who’d looked down on me, the power I possessed.

* * *

After Jiton went around apologizing, feeling fear toward me, I received letters from those who’d been harmed. They were all happy, saying they felt relieved. Like that, I made a name for myself in high society.

And when things were almost wrapped up, I sent Luden a letter. It said I had something to discuss about Duke Hanel, so if he had time, please visit the estate.

I said he could refuse if he was busy, but Luden didn’t refuse and arrived precisely at the appointed time. Today he came in wearing a bright gray suit. I was momentarily mesmerized by his handsome face.

Ah, his face was truly a treasure.

“Luden, welcome.”

I stood up to greet him.

“Yes.”

I’d been busy lately so I hadn’t seen him often. Was this the first time in two weeks?

“It’s been a while.”

Luden said that and drank his tea.

“Did you miss me?”

When I asked playfully, he raised his head. Hmm, why was his expression hardening?

“Ah, that was an unfunny joke, wasn’t it?”

I smiled and observed his expression. Then he exhaled.

“I don’t know if you’re saying it knowingly or just testing.”

“What?”

Luden muttered something incomprehensible, then shrugged his shoulders.

“I was just talking to myself.”

“But I heard you cut off business with the Hanel ducal family.”

Luden spoke without hiding it.

“…I also thought an example was necessary.”

Just having Jiton officially apologize for everything would have been enough for me, but he was using a strangling method.

“How about resuming that business?”

Then Luden looked at me with surprised eyes.

“Don’t you resent them?”

“I do, but.”

I shook my head.

“If Luden acts on my words, I gain power, right?”

“Power?”

“Yes, the power to move the Charlot family, which has the greatest wealth in the empire.”

Then Luden stared at me intently.

“You know how to move people’s hearts.”

“It’s simple, isn’t it?”

At my words, Luden shook his head.

“You’re smart.”

Oh my, was that a compliment?

“And clever.”

“Thank you.”

“So I wonder what your true identity is, but…”

He smiled quietly.

“This incident made me think I could entrust Mother to you.”

Huh? Why was the conversation flowing this way?

“Understanding the hearts of the weak isn’t easy.”

He said that and held out a box to me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a ring passed down through the Charlot family for generations. Given to the lady of the Charlot house.”

At his explanation, I tilted my head. No, why was he giving this already?

“Annelia, I acknowledge you.”

“Luden?”

“I’m giving it to you in advance because you’re my fiancée.”

Ah, I see. It was a sign to do well together going forward. I opened the box. A red ruby was set in the center of the ring. The ruby was incredibly beautiful and large.

“Does it suit me?”

I put the ring on my hand.

“Yes.”

He held out his hand. He was also wearing a ring.

‘Oh my.’ It was a ring that looked exactly like mine.

* * *

Luden talked with Annelia and returned to the estate. Returning to his room, he touched the ring.

Since the debutante, from that night on, he’d thought about Annelia again. He’d wanted to keep denying it, but eventually admitted it. That he’d developed special feelings for Annelia.

So he’d given her the ring. While looking at the ring, he hoped she would think of him.

“Whew.”

He inhaled. Meeting her after so long, she was still beautiful. Very, very terribly so—enough to strangle his heart.

Seeing her made emotions surge. He hadn’t wanted to know feelings like this.

He lay on the bed. He would monitor Jiton. He wouldn’t let him touch even a fingertip of Annelia’s.

“I should resume business with Duke Hanel.”

Since he’d promised her that. He needed to show her she had power, as she’d said.

“Haa.”

The emotions that followed made him even more dumbfounded. He missed her again.