Chapter 13: Peace Is the Prelude to Misery (Part 4)

“Madame has instructed that you are not to visit again.”  

The Trisha family’s butler spoke with a troubled expression. Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh. It wasn’t anger at being turned away at the door; rather, she felt sorry for having hurt Anna so deeply.  

“Then, please at least deliver this.”  

Elizabeth handed the butler a bouquet of flowers and a letter she had prepared herself. Though she couldn’t explain the situation in detail, the letter and flowers contained her sincerity.  

“Yes, I will do so.”  

The butler took the bouquet and disappeared. Elizabeth, having achieved nothing, could only climb back into the carriage empty-handed.  

Meanwhile, Anna, standing by the window of the mansion, gazed blankly at the departing carriage. Knowing that it was Kiern who had cast a shadow over Elizabeth’s face, Anna felt a pang of sorrow. At that moment, a maid approached and handed her something.  

“Madam, Miss Elizabeth asked me to deliver this to you.”  

“Peonies, huh.”  

The bouquet was filled with peonies, Anna’s favorite flowers. It was a thoughtful gesture, reflecting Elizabeth’s delicate and kind nature. 

How could such a gentle girl end up living as a mistress? 

Anna’s hands trembled again as she let out a deep sigh.  

“Leave it here.”  

“Yes, Madam.”  

After the maid left, Anna opened the letter. As she read, her expression grew darker and darker.  

“This poor child… she really…”

Anna had hoped to hear Elizabeth say she would end things, but the letter offered no such explanation. Instead, Elizabeth merely apologized and said nothing else to defend herself. It was as if she believed her position was natural and fitting, punishing herself in the process.  

“Hah.”  

Anna let out a low groan, rubbing her face repeatedly in frustration. 

What had dragged this child into such a pit? Why did she choose to remain in a place she knew was hell?  

Anna suspected that Kiern might be the reason. Love often drives people to make reckless choices, even when they know the path is forbidden.  

Kiern had changed after Sophia’s death. His once clear and kind blue eyes had grown shadowed, and he had taken on a decadent air. Anna couldn’t help but think that all of this was because of that wretched Duke.  

“If only Sophia hadn’t died.”  

Anna sighed again, sinking into the sofa. She couldn’t even begin to guess where things had gone wrong between Kiern and Elizabeth. The elderly woman thought to herself: 

Kiern had locked his heart away from everyone, yet he couldn’t seem to let go of Elizabeth. If that wasn’t love, then what was it?

Though his methods were twisted, there was still a chance to fix things. An engagement could be broken at any time. Besides, Abigail Prairie was rumored to have a lover of her own.

Anna recalled James Parker, who had been harassing Elizabeth. Known widely as a libertine, his behavior was nothing short of disgraceful. Anna, who had never approved of Kiern associating with such a man, made up her mind.  

No matter how strategic a marriage might be between families, scandals could bring it all crashing down like leaves in the winter wind. Anna believed that she, Anna Trisha, was the only adult left who could speak harsh truths to Kiern.  

Convinced that she alone could mend their fractured relationship, she rose from her seat with a determined expression. Taking out a sheet of paper and a pen, Anna began drafting a letter to Abigail.  

***

It was one of those days when Elizabeth was once again turned away by Anna.  

Summoned by Abigail, Elizabeth was suddenly dragged by maids to the drawing room, where she was forced to kneel before Abigail.  

“What is this…?”  

Before Elizabeth could finish her sentence, Abigail slapped her across the face. The sharp sound echoed as Elizabeth’s head snapped to the side. Stunned by the sudden violence, Elizabeth touched her cheek in disbelief.  

As if slapping her wasn’t enough, Abigail threw something at her face and spoke coldly.  

“Explain yourself.”  

The object Abigail had thrown was a letter. Seeing the neat handwriting, Elizabeth’s eyes widened. It was undoubtedly Anna Trisha’s handwriting. Before Elizabeth could fully grasp the contents of the letter, Abigail’s sharp voice cut through the air.  

“It wasn’t enough to use James; now you resort to having others send vile threats? Were you always this kind of person?”  

“What? What do you mean…?”  

“Don’t bother pretending to be innocent. James already told me everything.”  

“That’s…!”  

Just as Elizabeth was about to refute the absurd accusation, Abigail began berating her with a furious expression.  

“Did you think I wouldn’t realize that you manipulated Lady Trisha into sending me threats? You must have shed a few tears with that pretty face of yours, playing the victim and painting me as the villain.”  

Lady Anna, sending threats?  

Elizabeth was stunned, not only by the false accusation but also by the word “threats,” which didn’t suit Anna at all. Abigail, irritated by Elizabeth’s dumbfounded expression, added more explanation.  

“I don’t know how you found out about James and me, but you’ve made a grave mistake. Did you think I’d be scared into breaking off the engagement, Miss Elizabeth?”  

“What…?”  

“Stop pretending to be clueless! Did you think I wouldn’t find out that you used Anna Trisha to humiliate me?”  

Abigail was fuming, as if barely restraining herself from hitting Elizabeth again. It seemed there had been a massive misunderstanding. Ignoring her swollen cheek, Elizabeth shook her head vigorously.  

“That’s not true! I don’t know what Sir James told you, but…”  

“If it’s not true, then how did Lady Trisha know about what’s going on between the four of us and send such an audacious threat letter?”  

“!!”  

Abigail kicked the letter lying on the floor, growling. She didn’t seem willing to listen to anything Elizabeth had to say. Finally, Elizabeth’s eyes fell on the letter. She didn’t need to read much to understand why Abigail was so enraged.  

“This is…”  

“What? Are you going to deny this too? I’ve already confirmed that you’ve been visiting the Trisha Mansion repeatedly over the past few days.”  

Abigail paced back and forth in front of Elizabeth, clearly unable to contain her anger.  

Elizabeth was at a loss for words in the face of the tangled situation. She had never visited Anna with the intention of threatening Abigail. But given the circumstances, it was understandable that Abigail had misunderstood. It seemed James had orchestrated this misunderstanding.  

Elizabeth quickly read through the letter. On the surface, it seemed similar to the one Anna had sent to Kiern. But upon closer inspection, the tone was entirely different.  

Anna had written the letter as if Abigail were an enemy to be eliminated. Just as Abigail claimed, it was undeniably a threatening letter.  

[Engaging with another while being engaged is improper behavior. Surely you understand that this is a grave sin in the eyes of the divine, Lady Prairie.  

However, tolerating Kiern’s sins and even taking a lover yourself is something I cannot comprehend.  

No matter how filthy a crow may be, can it compare to a swan that willingly dives into the mud? I urge you to cease committing acts that tarnish your dignity.]  

For the devout Anna, the letter might have been a refined expression, but to Abigail, it felt like an unexpected slap to the face. The stern words of the old woman pricked not only Abigail’s conscience but also Elizabeth’s.

[Therefore, the only way for you to cleanse yourself is to break off the engagement. If you quietly call off the engagement, I swear to the divine that I will never speak of this matter again.

However, if you insist on proceeding with the marriage, I, as a servant of the divine, cannot condone this. I will not overlook this matter, and I will ensure that society hears of it. I hope you will make the wise choice to protect your family and yourself from disgrace.]

Anna seemed resolute, unwilling to turn a blind eye to the sins of her friend’s son. Her pride was evident in her refusal to meet Elizabeth, whom she once cherished.

Anna subtly framed Abigail as the villain, as if Abigail were clinging to Kiern and dragging him down with her, all for the sake of the Agaphel family name.

It was an assumption Anna could make because she was unaware of the arrangement between Kiern and Elizabeth.

Anna likely believed that Abigail had forced the engagement by exploiting a promise made with the late Duke.

The Prairie family was not inferior to the Agaphel family. Thus, it was an insulting accusation for Abigail. Even if it were true, Abigail’s anger seemed justified, as she likely decided on the engagement for the sake of her family.

Elizabeth couldn’t lift her head out of shame and humiliation.

Even in this situation, she felt guilty for feeling relieved that Abigail didn’t know about Stella and the former Duke. Abigail spoke sharply to Elizabeth, who couldn’t bring herself to look up.

“Are you still going to act like the victim, like the weaker one? Stop it! No one here is going to be fooled by that deceitful expression!”

Abigail’s anger did not seem to subside easily. Indeed, this was her sore spot. She was more sensitive to public opinion than anyone else. Elizabeth opened her mouth to explain carefully.

“I apologize. I’ll take responsibility for Lady Anna’s actions. But there’s something we need to address…”

However, Abigail dismissed Elizabeth’s words without listening.

“Do you think I called you to receive an apology from you? That means nothing to me!”

Abigail, overwhelmed with anger, threw the vase on the table to the floor. With a crash, the floor was soaked. Despite the threatening scene, all Elizabeth could do was clasp her hands together in prayer.

“There must be some misunderstanding with Lady Anna…”

“Misunderstanding? I’m furious because it’s not a misunderstanding!”

Abigail clenched her fists tightly, trembling. She looked as if her reputation had already plummeted. Elizabeth found the agitated Abigail unfamiliar. It was shocking that the self-assured Abigail was cornered by mere reputation.