YIDW Chapter 35

Chapter 35 – The reason I don’t read the extras

[Edric Ryan Felton, secret meeting with stage actress Yurianna Barnes at Gauss’s villa!]

[The Duke of Felton presents a diamond necklace worth hundreds of gold to clarinetist Hanna Bisson.]

[Who is the beautiful woman who accompanied the Duke of Felton on his business trip to the Kingdom of Lucin?]

Mellie, who was in front of the ten-day extras that Oz had brought, often thought of the scandalous articles about Edric that she would see in the extras gossip column.

That was why she no longer read the extras.

Of course, the extras weren’t the only things that bothered her.

The countless tempting gazes directed at him, the women who made alluring gestures even when their husbands were right next to them, the gifts that never seemed to diminish.

Maybe this was the price she would have to pay for having a man who was too much for her… … .

Phew-.

Mellie took a deep breath and picked up one of the extras

It was Edric from the beginning.

It was an article about the success or failure of his new business and the problems it had. It was accompanied by sharp criticism that it would not be easy to succeed this time due to his aggressive approach.

Mellie felt uncomfortable as if she was being criticized.

‘He will definitely do well this time too.’

Mellie hoped that he would succeed and flatten the nose of the reporter who wrote this special edition, and turned to the next page.

Mellie’s eyes, which had been carefully reading the article, suddenly hardened.

[Edric Felton, opera singer Clara Martina, and a private meeting at the Polman Restaurant.]

This time, it was Clara Martina.

Mellie thought of her often singing at banquets. Her beautiful appearance, voluptuous figure, and bold clothes with deep slits on the sides. And her long, slender legs that were precariously visible between them. She was said to be desperate for men to take her as their lover. All sorts of gifts given to her by noblemen were often auctioned off.

If such a woman were to seduce Edric, would he still not raise an eyebrow?

“Me too. I have such strange thoughts.” It’s not like I don’t know what kind of man he is, but I can’t help but think this way.

It’s all because of the extra edition. No matter how strong a person’s faith is, their hearts are shaken by the lies that flash before their eyes. And the more credible they are, the more so.

Mellie closed the extra edition.

“I need to move my body at times like this.”

She got up and went outside. She had planned to take a walk, but changed her mind when she saw the lobby bustling with preparations for the banquet.

Ada was leading the newly hired external staff. Mellie, who had been impressed by Ada’s clear and concise instructions, soon approached her.

“I’ll help you too, Mother.”

Ada turned to Mellie and said kindly.

“It’s okay. You go in and rest.”

“But I don’t feel comfortable resting alone. Please let me help you too.”

At that moment, two strong male attendants carrying a large marble statue crossed the lobby. Ada pushed Mellie aside and said,

“I’m afraid you might get hurt if you stay here. What if there’s a baby in your stomach?”

“… … .”

Mellie’s face turned pale at those words.

She had already received the results of the pregnancy test she had requested three days ago in the morning. This time, as expected, it was negative.

“I’m okay. It’s okay to get hurt a little.”

Ada immediately understood what he meant. She said with a pitiful face.

“I guess it’s not like that this time either.”

“Yes… … .”

Mellie answered in a crawling voice

“It’s okay. The baby will come someday. Let’s wait until next month.”

Ada said as she held Mellie’s hand in a gentle voice.

Mellie’s eyes stung. She could laugh at Edric’s coldness, but she was weak when it came to affection.

She wiped her tears and quickly spoke cheerfully.

“Then I’ll help you out now.”

“No. What work can you do? Just go in and rest. By the way, isn’t it time for you to take your medicine?”

“Ah… .”

Was it already that time? While Mellie was counting on her fingers, Ada called Anna, who was on duty.

“Anna, get your little lady some medicine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Anna politely bowed and disappeared into the kitchen. Ada held Mellie’s hand tightly again with a kind face.

“I think we’ll have to change the medicine or increase the dosage soon. You might develop a tolerance if you take it for too long, after all.”

“Thank you, mother.”

“Thank you. Isn’t it natural for me to take care of my daughter-in-law?”

Mellie trusted her.

Mellie was too kind to dare doubt, and Ada before her eyes was too kind.

***

For generations, the Duke of Felton had held banquets in an old-fashioned way.

However, Edric tried something different this time, just like last time.

He encouraged his invited guests to use cars instead of carriages, and sent his cars to those who didn’t have them.

This was in line with his new industry, a measure to popularize automobiles that had been developed long ago but were not yet commercialized.

His plan was a great success.

When they saw the cars lined up for the banquet, each one showing off their shiny appearance, the nobles who had criticized them for being disgraceful and only the nouveau riche drove around began to bring in cars one by one.

Edric also harmonized the atmosphere of the banquet hall with a sophisticated modern and antique style.

Instead of the chandelier that required replacement of candles, he used model light bulbs in the chandelier so that the light would last long, and he also took care to ensure that the past and present coexisted without any sense of incongruity.

Edric said to those who looked on with admiration,

“Melissa helped me a lot.”

Then, the awe of the people was now directed to Mellie. Instead of telling the truth that she had done nothing, Mellie memorized the script that Edric had given her in advance.

“I don’t know what to do with myself for praising my humble skills.”

Then, he added explanations so that people could better appreciate the decorations.

“This marble statue was made with a mythical motif… … .”

“This object is accompanied by dahlias, which symbolize wisdom… … .”

Of course, all of this was prepared by Edric, and Mellie simply memorized his explanations, but the ladies who didn’t know the situation nodded their heads, thinking that Mellie had become much more sophisticated than before. Mellie felt her pride slipping through her fingers like sand every day.

However, in front of this magnificent banquet, her pride felt insignificant.

If she had hosted it alone, would she have been able to create such a beautiful banquet?

Maybe in ten years, she might be able to, but Edric wouldn’t turn a blind eye to ten failures for one successful event.

Therefore, she would have no choice but to continue memorizing the script.

“You have a good eye, Duchess.”

“That’s too much praise.”

Mellie responded to the compliments with a fairly skillful performance.

Suddenly, the music changed to a cheerful tone, and the center of the banquet hall became empty. It was time for the ball to begin.

The men and women paired up and walked into the middle of the empty hall. A quick-witted and quick-moving noblewoman approached Edric and hesitantly asked for a dance. Edric gladly accepted the woman’s shy request. And behind her, Mellie’s eyes caught the attention of countless women waiting for their turn.

Edric… … .

At the banquet, he seemed like everyone’s lover.

Everyone wanted to dance with him, talk to him, and get his attention. And he didn’t hesitate to politely respond to such wishes.

At such times, Mellie thought that maybe she shouldn’t have married him.

If she had been just a guest at the banquet, she could have easily gotten the chance to dance with him, make eye contact, and have a small conversation. It was ironic that such an opportunity, which is so easy for others, was so hard to obtain when you become a family member. She was staring blankly at the people for a while.

“If it’s okay with you, may I ask you to dance?”

Mellie flinched, startled by the hand suddenly thrust out in front of her.

“Oh, I’m sorry to startle you, Duchess.”

“No.”

Mellie looked up at the slender man with brown hair and blue-gray eyes.

It was Count Ludens, whom she had seen once or twice at banquets.

He had a serious and kind impression, but… … .

“I’m sorry, but I have a bad ankle.”

Mellie bent her knees and politely declined.

Count Ludens then took the hand he had brought up and said, awkwardly stroking his hair.

“Ah… … No, I should be the one who is sorry. Then.”

He smiled awkwardly and left to find another dance partner.

“I’m sorry.”

Mellie hadn’t danced with anyone since she had stepped on Duke Claudius’s foot at a ball a few years ago.

Duke Claudius’s screams, which echoed like the howls of an animal, and the accusing stares of the people pouring down on me.

That day was traumatic for Mellie.

It must have been even more so because it was her first ball, after a miscarriage and a weak mind.

She didn’t want to ruin another party like that.

Mellie quietly retreated to one side of the hall and watched the dancers. She thought she had tried to stay out of sight, but somehow a few more people found out and asked her to dance.

“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well today. I would appreciate it if you could give me another chance next time.”

Mellie politely declined them all.

And when no one came anymore, she thought she could rest for a while.

“Please, please, could you stop being so stubborn?”