Chapter 41

Marie realized that the surroundings could look different depending on her mindset. When she thought she would leave soon, everything felt bothersome and unfamiliar. But now that she had decided to stay, this annex felt cozy, endearing, and incredibly comfortable.

Thus, through continuous effort—but also naturally following the flow of her consciousness—she was able to hold similar feelings toward Angelica. Of course, Kalik’s affection played a significant role in this. Because she had something to rely on, she could afford to relax.

It had been two days since the day Marie fainted. Angelica Hinsward finally began speaking about her purpose. The young couple’s relationship had grown more solid, and the schemes of the hostess who had invited her had crumbled, so she must have thought the foundation for her work was now laid.

According to her, this was a rare vacation, so it was unclear how much longer she would stay.

By now, Marie had grown quite close to Angelica. It wasn’t just because Kalik had given her confidence. She also realized how crucial Hinsward’s role was in reconciling the two families. And Angelica’s role as well.

Her mission was to act as a “Viola suppressor.” While Angelica was present, everything moved in a reconciliatory mood. Perhaps it was due to concerns about appearances, but it was impossible not to discuss mediation and arbitration after summoning Hinsward. Thus, her mere presence carried weight.

Perhaps aware of this, Angelica had been busily moving between the main house and the annex since that day, conveying messages. Her main task was to determine a suitable date for the families to gather and have an in-depth conversation as soon as possible.

What was amusing, however, was Kalik’s behavior. Though he verbally encouraged them to get along, he had strengthened his surveillance more than ever. He seemed highly on edge, worried that Angelica might torment Marie under his mother’s orders—even though Marie herself said she was fine.

What was puzzling was that he wasn’t wary of Angelica approaching Marie, but rather of her opening her mouth. It was as if he was afraid she might say something foolish.

“You two look good together.”

Marie smiled shyly, feeling embarrassed. She had now grown close enough to Angelica to converse freely. This was possible because she had decided to trust her completely.

The problem arose when Angelica, who thought the same way as Marie, began to casually display her closeness.

Claiming that she needed to know the situation and state of things to mediate, she started speaking in an even more informal tone.

In other words, she began saying things that didn’t need to be said and bringing up things that didn’t need to be heard. Of course, she herself wasn’t aware of this.

Not until she said it.

Angelica, as if she were an old friend, sat next to Marie and recounted Kalik’s childhood. Generally, such stories could be uncomfortable and awkward, but Angelica’s tone was so dry and casual as she shared her memories and impressions that Marie didn’t feel bad.

While they were enjoying the flowers in the gazebo in the garden, worrying about Viola’s unchanging condition, the topic came up during a moment of carelessness.

“Well, it’s fortunate. The past is the past, and the present is the present. Isn’t it enough that things are good now?”

Marie’s laughter, which had been following along, suddenly stopped. She raised her head while tying a knot on a baby’s handkerchief.

Until just a moment ago, the conversation was light enough to half-ignore without issue.

“Uh… the past?”

“Yes, the past. People’s feelings don’t stay still; they change every minute and every second. So even if someone didn’t like someone before, it’s not strange for them to love them now.”

Marie’s expression hardened. She fully understood Angelica’s words and was quick to catch on.

She barely managed to gather her trembling voice and asked cautiously.

“Did someone say they didn’t like someone before…? Who said that?”

In contrast, Angelica, who was momentarily looking down at her damaged nails from gripping a sword, was unaware of the gravity of the situation.

“Oh, Kalik.”

“He did?”

“He didn’t before… uh?”

“Huh?”

“Huh?!”

“Huh…?”

Suddenly, Angelica shut her mouth. She seemed to have realized her slip of the tongue. Kalik had clearly told her not to say anything!

“……”

“……”

The two women’s gazes met. But there was a subtle shift in power. Marie, who had been timid without reason until recently, now held the upper hand.

The reason was Angelica’s unannounced and merciless revelation.

“So he said that?”

“No, no, that’s not…”

“When did he say that?”

Marie was now certain. Angelica’s lack of denial had confirmed it. Could things have been different if she had tried to clean up her mistake, thinking she was doomed?

Her downfall was that she was too shocked to even think of retracting her words.

Her face was so pale.

In the end, Angelica, admitting her recklessness, slowly—very slowly—replied.

“I… don’t know about that.”

“But he remembers now?”

“Ugh.”

Angelica, who had been ruffling her short blonde hair, clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture. Then, curling her back like a shrimp and stretching her neck forward, she pleaded.

“Please keep it a secret!”

She was essentially begging Marie not to tell Kalik that she had said anything.

Angelica’s plea was the gist of it.

But Marie didn’t hear a word. Smiling at the flustered Angelica, who was rambling in panic, she licked her dry lips.

She was now entirely preoccupied with one thought: 

When had his seemingly unremarkable attitude started to change? 

Her mind was filled with that question.

This wasn’t just about catching a lie.

It felt as if pieces that had never fit together were finally falling into place. If the truth had remained hidden, she might have let it go, but now that she knew, she felt she had to discern the subtle differences to understand why Kalik had known the truth but kept quiet.

Watching Marie’s expression harden, Angelica fiddled with the sword at her waist. She felt like performing seppuku—or, if she could, cutting out just the part of time where she had misspoken.

(T/N: Seppuku also called harakiri is a form of Japanese ritualistic suicide by disembowelment.)

But looking on the bright side, overcoming this kind of adversity might make the reconciliation meeting worthwhile.

‘Oh, forget it.’

What’s done is done.

She could only hope people would see it as just another slightly dramatic marriage.

Though she said that, the burden Angelica felt was heavy enough that she surrendered in less than a day. To be precise, before Kalik returned from his two-day business trip to the nearby area, she had already given up after barely lasting a day.

“I’ll explain everything to Father!”

To Viola, who had just managed to pull herself together and come out.

“The past is the past, and now is now!”

To Marie, who was seeing her off with a smileless face.

Angelica said her goodbyes and left Escael as if fleeing. Perhaps she really was running away.

Marie greeted Viola, whom she hadn’t seen in a few days, as warmly as ever. Just as Angelica had said, her relationship with Kalik was no reason to hinder politeness.

Viola, who received Marie’s casual greeting, hesitated slightly as if surprised, then returned a half-hearted greeting and asked her usual question.

“Marie, by any chance…”

Then, hesitating, Viola trailed off. Marie’s heart raced with anticipation, but the question she had in mind wasn’t the one Viola asked.

“Are you… pregnant?”

“……”

Marie blinked blankly before suddenly jumping in surprise.

“What?!”

Her reaction, however, was betrayed by the position of her hands, which caused Viola’s expression to grow serious.

‘Why is she holding her stomach?!’

Of course, it was a reflexive action. The word “pregnant” carried a certain image that made her unconsciously act that way. Marie herself wasn’t even aware of her actions.

“No, Mother! That’s not it!”

“……”

But Viola, who had already misunderstood, wasn’t easily convinced.

“I wasn’t feeling well the other day, that’s all.”

“Why were you unwell?”  

“Digestion… I think it was indigestion, and maybe nerves too…”  

“Why couldn’t you digest properly?”  

“Sorry?”  

If the answer she wanted didn’t come out, it felt like the question would be repeated forever.  

Marie paused for a moment, thinking hard. There was definitely a specific answer Viola wanted. If she couldn’t figure it out, she wouldn’t escape this endless loop.  

Even when she answered honestly, it wasn’t the answer Viola wanted, which is why she kept pressing.  

“Pregnant…”  

It’s not that…  

“Isn’t it?!”  

“Could it be?”  

“Huh?”  

“Sorry?”  

The two women stared at each other with dumbfounded expressions for a long time. Questioning each other with questions. Viola was shocked that her seemingly docile and naïve daughter-in-law had climbed onto the kitchen stove without her noticing, while Marie was flustered by her difficult and uncomfortable mother-in-law suddenly catching her off guard and pressing her.  

But the seemingly endless tension was broken by Natalie’s arrival. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Natalie bravely changed the subject.