Jaina looked at Violet with a cold, unyielding gaze, making her displeasure clear.

With only a few days left before she crossed into the Empire and was overwhelmed by relentless responsibilities, she had hoped to enjoy what little peace she had left. That was why she had chosen the greenhouse in the annexe.

It was the only place in the harsh northern lands where southern flowers and trees could survive. Even before her regression, it had been one of her favorite retreats.

In the past, she would often spend her days alone, either tucked away in the library with a book or sitting at the tea table in the greenhouse, slowly sipping her tea and gazing out over the artificial lake.

‘Why has this uninvited guest come here?’

Jaina lifted the teacup from the table and took a slow sip; the tea was warm against her lips.

Violet, whose cheeks were flushed with excitement as she watched, stepped closer to the table the moment Jaina set the cup down.

“I heard that you and Lord Cadel—no, His Grace the Grand Duke—are using separate bedrooms.”

Only then did Jaina understand the reason for the color in Violet’s cheeks. She was glad that she and Cadel had slept apart from the outset.

As an unpleasant sensation crept through her lower abdomen, Jaina’s brow twitched faintly. Beaming, Violet took another step towards her.

“You made the right decision. The rainy season will begin soon, and I was quite worried.”

“Worried?”

Jaina tilted her head slightly, her expression one of mild curiosity.

Violet’s eyes curved into a smile as she replied.

“Yes. During the rainy season, His Grace practically lives in my bedroom.”

Then, in an instant, the smile vanished. She looked at Jaina with a sharp, stripped expression.

“If I’m not by His Grace’s side during the rainy season, it becomes a serious problem.”

Despite the blatant provocation, Jaina remained expressionless.

Violet had expected at least a hint of curiosity or a question as to why. When no reaction came, she faltered, clearly feeling unsettled.

“Aren’t you curious about the reason?”

The way she asked was almost laughable, with an air of superiority, as though she would kindly explain if Jaina wanted her to.

Jaina moved with unhurried grace, raising her teacup to her lips for another sip, then meeting Violet’s gaze.

“It’s fine. I already know.”

At her indifferent reply, Violet’s face stiffened instantly.

“You… already know?”

“Yes.”

“Ca—no, did His Grace the Grand Duke tell you himself?”

Violet asked again, flustered.

For a fleeting moment, the jewel-like blue of Jaina’s eyes turned cold.

“Is your hearing poor? Or are you simply not fluent in the imperial tongue?”

“…Pardon?”

“Am I obliged to kindly answer your endless questions?”

Jaina asked, her gaze glacial as it settled on Violet.

“N–No, of course not.”

Violet shook her head quickly. She was, at the very least, quick-witted.

“I dislike having my tea time disturbed. Do remember that.”

Jaina lifted her cup once more, bringing it calmly to her lips.

Violet watched her for a moment longer, then gave a stiff bow and turned away. Jaina glanced sideways at her retreating figure. The anger woven into every rigid step was almost laughable.

Although the ill-fated entanglement that seemed ready to repeat itself left a bitter aftertaste, this life would not be the same as the last one. She would not allow herself to be robbed of her reason by jealousy over Violet again.

She still disliked Violet. That much had not changed. But she had no intention of lashing out recklessly as she once had.

Turning her gaze towards the artificial lake, Jaina took another slow sip of tea. The warm, nutty flavor slid down her throat, gently easing the sharp edge of her irritation. The coldness in her eyes gradually softened, returning them to their usual quiet composure.

In stark contrast, Violet’s face as she left the greenhouse was twisted with barely contained fury.

‘What is this? Don’t tell me Lord Cadel told her everything?’

From the outset, Cadel had never been one to reveal his weaknesses carelessly. Even the estate’s servants were unaware of the true circumstances.

Only Violet, his aide Adil, and the escort knights — who were currently away at the imperial palace — knew about the curse that struck on rainy nights.

‘No. Since he must come to my bedroom on rainy nights, he likely explained the bare minimum to his wife out of obligation.’

There was no way he would have revealed the details of the curse.

Violet gave a small nod to herself, concluding that whatever Jaina knew could only be a fragment of the truth.

Jaina must never learn the truth about the curse. If she were to discover that Cadel had sleep with Violet not out of love, but because the curse had forced him to, there was no telling how she might respond.

‘Still… how insolent she was.’

For someone who was merely a saintess, she carried herself like the cherished daughter of some exalted noble house. It was unbearable to watch.

‘Does she think holding a teacup like that makes her look elegant?’

The sneer that slipped out twisted Violet’s face.

Her steps halted abruptly.

‘How irritating. A mere saintess.’

Firstly, Saintesses had always seemed like nothing more than fortunate fools. Simply because they were born with powers said to be granted by the gods, they lived in comfort in the Grand Sanctuary of the Empire, supported by the taxes of ordinary citizens, untouched by true hardship.

Yes, they travelled to villages plagued by monsters, drove the creatures away, and healed the wounded. But was that not to be expected of those who had been gifted divine power?

And yet, the idea that a naïve girl, blessed with nothing more than luck at birth, could rise to the position of Grand Duchess was unthinkable.

It was a reality that she found utterly intolerable.

‘If only I had been born with divine power…’

She resented the fate that had denied her that blessing.

After all, being born the daughter of Cadel’s wet nurse was not an unfortunate situation. Because of it, she had become Cadel’s special woman.

However, had she possessed divine power, she might have become Grand Duchess.

‘If only divine power were something one could buy by selling one’s soul.’

Biting down on the tender flesh inside her cheek, Violet forced herself to keep walking.

***

“Oh my, of all colors, you chose that one. Wasn’t Lord Cadel uncomfortable at breakfast?”

The next morning.

After finishing her meal, Jaina left the dining hall and was immediately approached by Violet, whose eyes crinkled with laughter as she smiled.

She hadn’t even bothered with a greeting. Jaina could see that she was trying to provoke her, and the corner of her lips curled faintly in response.

For the daughter of a wet nurse to behave so brazenly towards the Grand Duchess could only be because of Cadel.

Jaina’s origins as a commoner likely played their part as well, of course.

“Lord Cadel dislikes the color red. Something unpleasant happened to him when he was young, and it reminds him of that.”

Violet cast a look at Jaina’s crimson dress, as though it were a regrettable choice.

“I should have told you in advance. I feel so sorry for Lord Cadel. He must have been terribly uncomfortable throughout breakfast….”

“There’s no need to worry. He wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”

Jaina replied gently, her smile serene.

Violet’s face stiffened at once.

As Jaina stepped past her, she added, almost as an afterthought—

“On the contrary, he said it suited me quite well.”

“So, you can’t tell the difference between politeness and sincerity? I suppose I should advise Lord Cadel to be more careful about what he says.”

“Since you’ve brought it up, why don’t you also mention the fact that you still call my husband by his first name so casually in my presence? No, perhaps it would be better if I took this opportunity to teach you proper etiquette once more, for your own good.”

Jaina regarded Violet with a look of composed seriousness.

The color that had drained from Violet’s face now returned in a deep flush of anger.

“I meant to say this before but missed the chance—I have called Lord Cadel that since long ago.”

“And because you have done so for a long time, you believe you may continue to do so in front of the Grand Duchess?”

“That’s—!”

“That will do. Your lack of manners is not entirely your fault. I shall discuss this matter separately with my husband.”

Having finished speaking, Jaina turned around to face Amelie, who had been following closely behind her.

Amelie was both her aide and her escort knight, assigned to her by Cadel. Before the regression, they had no connection: Amelie was the daughter of a baron. Cadel had assigned her to Jaina, remarking that despite being female, she could easily defeat most male knights.

From that morning onwards, Amelie had followed Jaina without pause.

“I told you that I would walk through the Grand Ducal estate alone. You were supposed to be attending to your own duties, Amélie.”

“My duty is to protect Your Grace.”

“No monsters are going to appear here….”

“One never knows when or where an enemy may arise.”

Amelie’s gaze shifted to Violet, who was standing behind Jaina. The fury in her eyes as she glared at Jaina was unmistakable. It seemed that the Grand Duchess was on her mind.

Jaina let out a quiet sigh and resumed walking.

“I will be careful!”

Violet’s voice rang out suddenly from behind.

Jaina turned her head.

Violet’s eyes had grown damp; she looked at Jaina as though on the verge of tears.

“I will be careful in Your Grace’s presence.”

“…About what, exactly?”

“…Calling His Grace the Grand Duke by name.”

“That is not something that requires caution only in my presence.”

“…….”

“Very well. It was my husband’s fault for never correcting you until now. If you refrain from it in my presence from this point forward, we shall consider the matter settled.”

Jaina turned once more and continued on her way. Violet muttered her thanks behind her, barely above a whisper. Jaina pretended not to hear.

There was no doubt that today’s argument would reach Cadel’s ears.

In the past, whenever she had reprimanded Violet like this, Jaina had spent the entire day consumed by anxiety, unable to focus on anything. She had been afraid — afraid of incurring Cadel’s displeasure.

‘It’s different now. I am someone the master of this castle cannot do without. That gives me the right to call out that woman’s misconduct.’

As Jaina climbed the stairs to the third floor, she steeled herself. Whatever Cadel said about today’s events, she would not let it hurt her.

If he reprimanded her for reprimanding Violet, she would calmly explain the difference between a servant and a mistress. And if he disapproved of her behavior, she would ask to live in the Empire instead.

They were already sleeping in separate rooms. If she devoted herself to restoring the Empire, which had been laid to waste by dark magic and monsters, it would be a wise choice indeed.

Although teleportation stones made swift travel possible, they were rare and expensive — not something to be used at will. Therefore, leaving the North entirely and taking up residence in the Empire would benefit her in every respect.

‘Still… he disliked red?’

Jaina lowered her gaze to her dress.

“It suits you.”

Those had been Cadel’s words the moment he saw her at breakfast.

He had shown not the slightest sign of discomfort at the sight of her crimson gown.

‘Then why would Violet say such a thing?’

A strange unease began to take root in her thoughts.