After the Wicked Wife Leaves

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Translated by: Sienna

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

‘It’s something that could have been done so easily; Erich intentionally avoided doing it all this time. How much did he ignore me?’

Of course, there was still that arrogant fellow who continued to ignore me. However, if what Sardin saw was correct, then Xenon was different because he didn’t serve Erich as his master.

‘Anyway, how can I divert his suspicions and throw him into confusion?’

“Madam?”

The maid’s voice interrupted my reverie, and I opened my mouth with an indifferent expression.

“Anything is fine except for seafood. I’d prefer a large quantity. Include sandwiches too, and make sure the dessert has plums in it.”

“Yes, understood. I will have it prepared in the dining room.”

I laughed at the obviousness of her words.

‘The moment I go down to the dining room, the servants, including the head chef, will try to look good at me.’

Although it’s disgusting, I didn’t mind that. However, the problem is that they are likely to pay attention to my actions and try to catch my attention.

‘This could disrupt my plans. I should avoid drawing attention for now.’

“No, I’ll eat in my room. Send it upstairs.”

“Yes, understood.”

Although there was a hint of disappointment, she replied obediently and left the room.

Then Sardin also bowed his head.

“Then I will take my leave as well.”

I shook my head.

“No, stay.”

“But it might disturb your meal… I understand.”

Did Sardin think I was glaring at him? He simply nodded in agreement.

‘Perhaps deep down, he’s cursing me as a wicked master who won’t even let him eat.’

However, it couldn’t be helped. Not only me, as his current master, but Sardin’s actions were also likely to be noticed at this point.

‘If Sardin hovers around Xenon, naturally they will assume it was at my behest.’

Currently, Xenon is on edge, trying to identify any suspicious individuals to identify the culprit. Particularly, he will be watching Sardin and my surroundings closely.

‘It would be great if there were someone who could agitate him without being openly affiliated with me… The problem is finding such a person.’

Knock—

“Madam, I have brought your meal.”

Although I had asked the maid to run errands just a while ago, the voice outside the door was a man.

‘Usually, once a servant is given a task, they continue until it’s completed… but the change…’

It meant that the person outside had some business with me, perhaps seeking favors or trying to see if there’s something to be gained by flattering me.

‘Or maybe it’s related to Xenon’s schemes.’

Temporarily setting aside my concerns, I opened my mouth.

“Come in.”

Soon, the door opened, revealing a trolley with numerous plates covered by a silver dome.

“Madam, good afternoon.”

Confirming his identity, I narrowed my eyes.

‘Landon.’

He, still like a thorn in my side, was smiling foolishly at me.

“Today’s main course is a veal steak with goose liver, especially favored by the madam.”

Even so, he had a keen eye; it seems he really knows what I like.

“As an appetizer, we have prepared a sandwich, and for the soup before the main course, we have a tomato soup…”

“I don’t think food descriptions are what you want to talk about, ex-butler.”

At my call, Landon changed his expression and nodded.

“Yes, indeed, it seems that the madam knows my inner thoughts.”

“Of course, since your intentions in coming to me are so transparent. Is this about the conditions for you to return to being the butler?”

“Yes, I apologize… that’s correct.”

At that, I laughed coldly, sarcastically criticizing his impudence.

“It looks like you’ve forgotten the reason you were dismissed from being the butler is because you treated me with negligence.”

Perhaps due to my words hitting the mark, Landon’s face turned pale.

“I’m certainly at fault for that. However… if you grant my request, it will also be beneficial for you, madam.”

“Beneficial? What would I gain by helping you?”

Landon pursed his lips at my question, then stared at me.

“It means that you will gain a true ally, madam.”

Curious about what he was going to say, I listened, but at that moment, I burst into laughter.

“Hah, that’s a good one! You, who ostracized me more than anyone else, is going to be my ally?”

If it were the old me, I might have believed those words.

The old me had longed to become the ‘Duchess Blant’ to the point where my eyes turned, but I struggled with the fact that I had no allies in this mansion.

However, Landon had too many disqualifications to become my ally.

I glared at him coldly and said, “The order has changed.”

“What? If it’s about the order…”

Landon asked dumbfoundedly, and I glared at him and said arrogantly.

“If you truly want to be my ally, show sincerity first.”

Upon hearing my words, Landon’s expression turned serious, and he asked cautiously,

“Madam, what do you mean by sincerity?”

“Well, that’s for you to figure out.”

In response to my answer, Landon let out a sigh, finished setting the table, and then bowed his head.

“I will engrave your words in my heart, madam.”

I scoffed at his gesture, thinking,

‘No need to take it to heart. By sincere, I mean I’ll use you when I need you.’

The problem was that using Landon carried too many risks.

‘If I reveal any of my true intentions, he’ll likely feel repulsed. He’s Erich’s loyal servant, and he doesn’t trust me.’

While contemplating how to use Landon, the enticing smell of food stimulated my senses, and I said to Sardin, “Sit.”

“Yes?”

I chuckled at Sardine’s questioning expression, as if he didn’t understand my words.

“There’s plenty of food; let’s eat together.”

His eyes widened in surprise at my suggestion.

“How dare I do such a thing…”

His expression looked as if he had seen a ghost.

‘No, why is having a meal together such a big deal?’

Feeling irritated for some reason, I snapped at Sardine.

“Stop the nonsense and eat. You’re not getting any decent food in the dining room anyway.”

“How can I…”

Despite Sardine being more skilled than most knights and being a trusted aide to me as the Duchess, in the end, he was still a slave.

It was clear how the fallen nobles or the free servants in this mansion would treat him.

“And you’ve been wanting that fried pheasant leg since earlier.”

As if hitting the nail on the head, he cleared his throat and blushed.

“If you say so, Master, I’ll gratefully eat. But I won’t forget my humble position.”

Unable to argue with his stubborn words, I handed him the plate.

“Take these and eat.”

“Uh, isn’t this a steak?”

As if asking why he was given the main course, I frowned.

“I didn’t feel like having something heavy today. So you eat.”

Perhaps he didn’t want what I offered, Sardin frowned.

“Thank you.”

Honestly, when he frowned, I thought about saying something.

‘Well, he said thank you, so I guess I’ll put up with it.’

Instead, Sardin took the plate, went to the corner, squatted on the floor, and began to eat.

‘Why does he have to eat so uncomfortably?’

After a moment, I looked at the appetizing sandwich.

‘I’ll eat first.’

Just as I was about to take a bite of the appetizing sandwich, the door suddenly swung open, and someone barged in.

“You!”

Seeing the Blant matriarch address me so bluntly, I furrowed my brow and tried to stand up.

At that moment, Landon entered and intervened.

“Madam, this is not appropriate!”

Although he showed courage, he soon received a slap in return.

“Landon, how dare you block me in this house?”

“I-I apologize, but the duchess seems to be having her meal…”

“Duchess? How dare you address someone in such a way in front of me…”

At that moment, I interrupted.

“Madam, what brings you here to my room?”

The matriarch glared at Landon, seemingly still angry.

“You must be in a hurry if you didn’t even knock, so why don’t you dismiss the servants and speak to me?”

The matriarch clicked her tongue upon seeing Sardin rising from the floor.

“Tsk, these lowly individuals…”

She soon took a seat in the empty chair opposite me.

“I need to talk to you for a minute.”

“Sure, go ahead. But keep it short; I’m in the middle of a meal.”

In other words, I wanted her to get straight to the point.

She twitched her eyebrows once more, appearing irritated by my behavior, but she soon calmed down and spoke.

“I heard the Empress give you a jade mine. Is that true?”

To know something I haven’t disclosed to anyone yet, I thought of Medelin and raised the corner of my mouth.

‘Well, she sure does have a light mouth.’

“Yeah, you’re right.”

She then smiled and said to me,

“Hand over that mine to me. I know a place where I can trade it for a good price.”

While it was better than my biological mother’s words, it was still shameless.

‘Looks like she wants to include my personal property in the deal with Medelin…’

Given the matriarch’s personality, whether I refuse outright or try to make excuses, I’d likely end up as a disobedient daughter-in-law.

Therefore, I opted for a different approach—to handle matters with the glow of someone she couldn’t easily dismiss or disobey.