✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Translated by: Alina
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Upon the sudden question from the Duchess, Rone’s face stiffened.
‘Honestly, it’s true. Nobles usually discard broken things to show off their wealth, and with the Princess’s wealth, there wouldn’t have been a need to repair the jewelry.’
However, she knew that speaking her mind outright would surely provoke even the kindest Duchess.
Rone quickly denied, “No, there must be a good reason for it.”
In response, Cornelia chuckled.
“A reason… Yes, truth be told, I felt quite regretful. This beautiful necklace almost went to waste without being worn by anyone. So despite hearing the criticism, I felt I should repair it and wear it myself.”
Honestly, when Cornelia first brought the damaged necklace, Rone was perplexed but also felt a pang of disappointment.
Russell Felton, her sister and owner of Shining Stone, directly oversaw the creation of the finest jewels.
However, Cornelia’s actions and words seemed to dissolve the lingering disappointment in Rone’s heart.
‘To think she had such thoughts…’
Rone nodded at Cornelia and spoke up.
“I don’t think it was regrettable. In fact, I found it very efficient.”
“Efficient?”
Revealing one’s true feelings to a princess at the pinnacle of society was not advisable.
While a warning echoed in her mind to stop there, strangely, she didn’t want to.
Somehow, she was convinced that the princess wouldn’t get angry, and it was also because she seemed somewhat open-minded.
“Yes, sometimes many customers among the nobles simply discard broken or faded jewelry. However, a simple repair could restore it to its original state.
“Ah, like my necklace?”
At the playful response from the princess, Rone smiled.
It was because her expectations were met once again.
After a moment, Rone let out a sigh and continued,
“Yes, so I sometimes felt regretful. Of course, in my position, it is beneficial when esteemed customers easily discard jewelry and make new purchases…”
That’s when it happened.
Bang-
“You, you audacious one!”
With that voice, the matriarch stormed into the reception room.
“I thought you were reflecting for a few days, but you didn’t even come to apologize to me.”
Startled by the sudden appearance, Rone jumped in surprise, and Cornelia stood up and addressed the matriarch.
“Mother, I’m sorry, but right now…”
But the matriarch raised her voice.
“Mother? Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”
Cornelia sighed and nodded.
“Yes, Madam. However, there is a guest here right now.”
“A guest?”
Only then did the matriarch notice Rone’s presence.
Rone hastily rose, lifted her chin, and bowed her head.
“I present myself to the matriarch of Blant.”
The matriarch glanced at Rone, as if assessing her, and then smiled as she saw the luxurious jewelry she was wearing.
“She’s still a young maiden… Which family do you belong to?”
“I am the second daughter of Viscount Felton and the manager of Shining Stone, Rone Felton.”
At that moment, a smirk lingered on the matriarch’s face.
“A guest? Are you now using that title even for a mere merchant?”
With the rise of wealthy commoners and emerging nobles through commerce, their influence in society couldn’t be ignored. However, there were still those who continued to disregard them.
Yet, it was rare to see someone openly and blatantly dismiss them like the matriarch did.
Eventually, the matriarch looked at the bracelets and necklaces on the table and clicked her tongue.
“Huh, did you come here to fix this tacky necklace? And what’s with this bracelet? It looks like a cheap jade bracelet no matter how you look at it.”
Soon, a smirk formed at the corner of the matriarch’s mouth.
“Surely, those aren’t gifts for me?”
While a typical noble might blush at such insults, Cornelia maintained a mask-like expression, showing no emotion.
Rone gritted her teeth.
‘That’s why she treated her daughter-in-law so disrespectfully.’
Though upset, Rone felt powerless to do anything.
Even though Cornelia was a princess in her own right, she couldn’t stand up to her mother-in-law.
‘Perhaps it’s best if I apologize and end this?’
As she pondered this, unexpectedly, Cornelia spoke up.
“Madam, apologize to my guest immediately.”
Caught off guard by Cornelia’s words, Rone widened her eyes.
The matriarch chuckled as if amused.
“Huh? Are you telling me to apologize to a mere commoner merchant?”
“Yes, and not just any ordinary merchant, but the manager of a renowned jewelry store. And in my eyes, the jewelry she brought…”
Before Cornelia could finish her sentence,
“Nevertheless, she is merely a woman from a minor noble family with no significant title.”
Soon, the matriarch turned her gaze towards Rone.
“Rather, it’s that woman who should apologize to me. She brought such pathetic jewelry and ruined my mood, didn’t she?”
Rone clenched her fists in frustration.
‘Annoying, but she’s right. Who would dare oppose the matriarch?’
Soon, she addressed the matriarch.
“The matriarch is correct. I should apologize…”
“No, there’s no need for that.”
Suddenly, Cornelia addressed the matriarch.
“Since the Madam desires an apology from me,”
With a gentle gaze, Cornelia continued,
“I… I thought… you liked rubies. That’s what Medelin told me.”
“Now you’re resorting to lies?”
It wasn’t Cornelia who responded to the question.
“It’s not a lie! The Marquis of Arzen’s young lady chose the ruby necklace!”
After finishing her statement, Rone glared at the matriarch.
Although she couldn’t confront the matriarch directly, at least she could speak the truth as she saw it.
However, instead of believing her words, the matriarch erupted in anger.
“Now you’re conspiring and lying together?”
“It’s not a lie! There are plenty of witnesses besides me. The distinguished guests who overheard our conversation can attest to it.”
No matter how noble she was, she had no choice but to remain silent with many witnesses around.
The matriarch thought of Medelin and pursed her lips.
‘After all the affection and care I showed her, how dare she betray me like this?’
For a moment, the matriarch’s eyes turned fierce.
‘But I can’t agree with those words.’
Admitting her mistake at this point would mean defeat.
Therefore, the matriarch, annoyed, spoke sharply. “Silence! How dare a lowly merchant like you talk back to me?”
“It’s not talking back. I’m just telling the truth.”
“No, even so, this lowly woman…”
The matriarch approached Rone, intending to slap her.
But someone grabbed the matriarch’s wrist.
“You raised your hand at me before, but now you’re trying to do the same to my guest?”
“Let go!”
“I won’t! If I do, you’ll try to hit me again!”
“I said let go!”
It was just an attempt to hit her once. And even that was accidental.
However, Cornelia acted as if the matriarch had been hitting her repeatedly.
“Please don’t hit me. I have a child in my belly!”
Upon hearing this, the matriarch’s expression hardened.
“What? A child…?”
Just a moment ago, she was angry, but in an instant, she felt a rush of blood in her head.
This shouldn’t have happened. Her real son hadn’t even returned yet, and now she has a child?
The matriarch urgently nudged Cornelia.
“That can’t be! You’ve yet to consummate your marriage!”
Cornelia nodded.
“Yes, but you know very little about marital relations. If you doubt it, ask your son.”
The matriarch’s face turned pale upon hearing Cornelia’s words.
‘I first need to confirm the truth with the fake.’
The matriarch glared at Cornelia, appearing displeased as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have.
“I shall take my leave now.”
After the matriarch left, only Rone and Cornelia remained in the reception room.
Observing Cornelia’s demeanor, Rone recalled the scene from earlier.
‘The Matriarch didn’t seem pleased about the Duchess’s pregnancy…’
Even though everyone else knew, Cornelia couldn’t have been unaware.
Cornelia soon covered her face with both hands and choked back tears.
“Duchess…”
Rone wanted to offer comfort, but no words came to mind.
At that moment, Cornelia raised her head with a blank expression.
“I received fine jewelry from you, but today you saw me in such a state. I hope you’ll leave now.”
Rone sighed and bowed her head.
“Yes, understood.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
I watched as Rone’s carriage departed through the window and finally let out the laughter I had been holding back.
‘I must have secured the witnesses; now it’s just a matter of spreading the rumors.’
Given Rone’s character, she wouldn’t voluntarily spread rumors.
However, there was no need to worry about that part.
‘She will handle the rumors as she sees fit. Rone Felton, you just need to confirm it’s true.’
For a moment, I lowered the corners of my mouth.
<That can’t be! You’ve yet to consummate your marriage!>
It was strange, no matter how I thought about it.
While it was true that we hadn’t consummated the marriage, no one knew that we had shared a room.
So why did you speak as if that fact was obvious?
Suddenly, memories from before the regression surfaced.
And with that, a sudden question arose.
‘Could it be that he truly intended to drive me away and marry Medlin?’
I let out a bitter laugh.
‘Well, even if the matriarch said so, Erich is still an accomplice.’
Recalling the family crest stamped on the marriage contract, I gritted my teeth.
