Hello, Readers! I am celebrating my birthday with extra chapter updates, so please enjoy this special chapter release of 4 bonus chapters! 🥳

(Lurelia’s Birthday Bonus – Update 4/4 🎉)

♡ To all readers who purchased these chapters before my Birthday: I can’t express this enough – Thank you for your support. (*ˊᗜˋ*)/ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏ ᵞᵒᵘ*

“What do you mean by that, Haren…?”
I gritted my teeth and questioned Haren again.

“It’s true. I heard everything you said to Flaria at the debutante ball. That he was your ideal type. Don’t you remember?”

How am I supposed to know that…?

The Espin of that time and the Espin of now are completely different people.

I clenched my teeth and gave Haren a look that screamed for him to stop.

“It wasn’t me.”

“It was definitely you. I clearly heard it. You said, ‘I want to lean on those broad shoulders. If it’s Grand Duke Holt, he could lift me up in one go,’ didn’t you?”

Haren seemed determined to humiliate me.

While it was something the original owner of this body, Espin, had thought, I felt even more ashamed because I had the same thought when I looked at him.

“Ugh. Let’s drop this topic.”

Travis, trying to stop Haren, caused my face to flush even more.

Haren was the one running his mouth, so why was I the one feeling embarrassed?

‘In the novel, he seemed like someone with a bit more dignity.’

Far from dignity, Haren’s words now felt as light as a feather.

“Yes, haha. So, what’s going to happen to that man?”

“He’ll be charged with harassing a noble and trespassing.”

“And judging from his actions, it seems like he’s committed other crimes too. We’re checking the wanted list to see if he’s involved in anything else. If we find more crimes, he’ll face harsher punishment.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“He could face up to 20 years of sentencing. Once his sentence is over, there will be a restriction order preventing him from entering the capital or the Leon County ever again.”

In this empire, swindlers usually only get a one-year sentence. But because he harassed a noble, he’s looking at 20 years.

While I was glad I wouldn’t have to see Sebastian again, I couldn’t help but feel bitter.

“Is that so? That’s good news. Is that all you wanted to discuss?”

I wanted to send them away as quickly as possible.

“One more thing. Just one last question. Why did you go to the gate terminal that day?”

“What? Oh, that…”

I’m screwed.

I thought I could gloss over it, but Travis sharply pinpointed the most suspicious detail.

‘Think calmly. Stay calm.’

They have no evidence. If they did, that loudmouth Haren would have said something by now.

That means Travis was just probing based on intuition.

“Well, I’ve been feeling quite stifled lately.”

“That’s true. Considering your stepmother and the stalker, you’ve been through a lot, Espin.”

Haren’s timely response made me nod eagerly.

“I wanted to go on a trip, but since my father isn’t here, I couldn’t leave the capital. So, I was riding around in a carriage when I felt like someone was following me. I ran to the gate terminal to escape.”

“Espin, you’ve been through so much. Now that he’s caught, you’ll be able to move around freely.”

“Thank you, Haren.”

Travis nodded. His face was expressionless, making it impossible to read his thoughts.

“Alright. We’ll continue our investigation and inform you of the results. I apologize for the sudden visit; I’m sure it must have startled you.”

Travis gave a polite farewell and stood up.

As I sighed in relief, thinking they were finally leaving—

“Then, I’ll see you again.”

Travis left behind a meaningful remark and departed.

***

While Espin was lost in thought over Travis’s parting words—

“Count, Lady Espin has dismissed all the employees at the capital mansion.”

At the attendant’s words, the Countess of Leon narrowed her eyes as she dined.

“All of them?”

“Yes.”

“Hah, what was she thinking? Rumors spread so quickly among the maids.”

The Countess of Leon, speaking in a sharp tone, subtly glanced at the Count. Seeing him eating in silence, she smiled faintly.

“Well, Rosette needs to have that kind of ruthlessness too. I worry because our Rosette isn’t that tough. Rosette, could you fire employees like that?”

“If I had to, I could. I’m sure Espin had her reasons. She wouldn’t have fired people whose livelihoods depend on their jobs without a reason.”

“What reason could she possibly have for firing everyone? Our family’s reputation is at stake.”

The Countess crossed her arms and turned to the attendant.

“So, what’s this so-called reason?”

“Well, it’s…”

“Don’t tell me there’s no reason? That would disgrace the Leon family!”

“No, there is a reason. The employees at the mansion disrespected the lady.”

The Count, who had been eating slowly, paused.

“That’s just an excuse. She needed a reason to fire them, so she made one up. Who would disrespect her?”

“Exactly. The capital’s employees are all so polite. Maybe Espin just felt that way.”

When the Countess hurriedly added her opinion, Rosette joined in to support her.

“Espin seems to have a bit of a victim complex. I’ve seen people like that before—they think everything is against them. When I go to the capital, I’ll…”

The Count rose from his seat, not listening to the Countess’s words.

“Where are you going, Count? Dear!”

At her calling him “dear,” the Count turned back and replied coldly.

“I told you not to use that term.”

“…….”

The Count turned away and gave an order to the attendant.

“Prepare to leave for the capital immediately.”

“Immediately? Yes, I’ll inform the staff to prepare.”

“What about us? Shouldn’t we prepare too?”

The Count left the room without looking back. It was clear he was leaving and expected them to handle themselves.

“Mother, will everything be alright?”

The Countess slammed her hands on the table, unable to contain her irritation.

“That girl. Why can’t she just stay quiet and stop causing trouble?”

Espin, who had longed for love, was the perfect target to manipulate. When she remarried the Count of Leon, the Countess had devised all her plans.

She intended to slowly alienate Espin from the Count and isolate her within the family. Then, she would find a reason to kick Espin out of the house.

By that time, she would have a child with the Count, and that child would inherit the family’s legacy. She would then live comfortably as the mistress of the Leon family for the rest of her life.

To start her plans, the Countess turned the employees into her allies. In front of them, she subtly belittled Espin. Seeing Espin remain silent, the employees naturally began to look down on her as well.

“But what if she tells her father everything?”

“She won’t. Never.”

They were a foolish father and daughter. They cared for each other but couldn’t express it in words.

The stubborn Count couldn’t show his affection for Espin in front of her.

Having grown up watching the Count’s aloof behavior, Espin thought her father disliked her. Rumors that she had “devoured her mother’s life” only strengthened her belief that the Count didn’t care for her.

“So, are we just going to sit back?”

“Of course not. Let’s head to the capital as well.”

“Alright.”

“Oh, and since the social season is coming up, make sure to prepare outfits for it. You must find a husband this year.”

“Of course. I already have someone in mind.”

“Good. You must claim what you desire. I’ll take care of that Espin girl, so you focus on the social season.”

The Countess’s lips curled into a malicious smile.

It was time to get rid of the eyesore once and for all.