After the Wicked Wife Leaves

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Translated by: Alina

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

“Grand Madam, Medelin. It’s been a while.”

The Grand Madam and Medelin nodded their heads and reciprocated Cornelia’s greeting.

“Yes.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

With that, Cornelia sat down with a smile.

“So, what were you two talking about? Excluding me.”
‘She couldn’t have heard anything, could she?’

As Medelin was about to say something to evade the question, Cornelia spoke firmly, her face stiff.

“From your expressions, it seems like you were discussing something I shouldn’t hear.”

Medelin and the Grand Madam involuntarily swallowed nervously.
Surely not. Even if she heard, she wouldn’t know the details.
That’s what both of them thought. It was because they were skirting the subject the entire time.
However, what made them uneasy was Cornelia’s rigid expression.

‘She might be suspicious after all.’

The Grand Madam and Medelin simultaneously had the same thought as comrades with a common enemy.

‘If we show any suspicious behavior here, she will definitely notice.’
‘We have to handle this delicately.’

As the Grand Madam and Medelin exchanged glances, attempting to communicate silently, just as they were trying to smooth things over— 

“Oh my, why are you all so tense? It was just a joke.”

With laughter, Cornelia’s words came out, and the two of them awkwardly laughed along, thinking,

‘Even if she says that, she might still be suspicious.’
“What’s with the strange behavior?”
“Medelin.”

When Cornelia suddenly called her name, Medelin flinched, forced a smile, and replied.

“Yes?”
“Were you curious, too? About why I called you?”
“Oh, well, yes. As you know, there have been unpleasant rumors circulating between us…”

Medelin mentioned the rumors first, observing Cornelia’s reaction.
Cornelia swiftly responded, her expression remaining unchanged.

“Yes. As you said, I’m aware of them.”

With her expression unchanged, it was impossible to read Cornelia’s thoughts.

‘Although I’m annoyed, the public opinion seems to favor that woman. So I have to swallow my pride and go in first!’

Growing desperate, Medelin spoke up.

“I was worried you might misunderstand me. I wanted to meet and clear up any misunderstandings, but I couldn’t come to this mansion. So I’ve been at a loss. But now that you’ve called me first, you don’t know how relieved I am!”

As soon as those words were out, Cornelia smiled.

“It’s considerate of you to say that. Actually, that’s why I called you.”
“Oh?”

In a calm voice, Cornelia said to the bewildered Medelin,

“As you know, I couldn’t go out either due to the unpleasant rumors.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, there were so many people who pitied me and looked at me with sympathy that it honestly made me uncomfortable.”

Medelin’s brow furrowed slightly at the arrogant tone.

‘Even in a situation where people sympathize with her, instead of being grateful for their support, she still tries to assert her pride.’

Honestly, Medelin was annoyed by the crow’s inability to grasp the situation.
But still, if the crow offered help first, it was advantageous for Medelin.

 

“Yes, thanks to you, things have become much easier for me.”
“Yeah, you must have been exhausted. You’re already pregnant, and you can’t even shop freely.”

At Medelin’s pitiful words, Cornelia smiled.

“As expected, you understand me well. So, are you going to help me clear up any misunderstandings?”
“Of course. We’re cousins, but we’re practically like sisters. But waiting until we have a better public opinion might be better before going out recklessly…”

In response to Medelin’s words, Cornelia rolled her eyes and said,

“Yes, that’s why I plan to host a tea party in three days.”
“A tea party?”
“Yes, inviting our peers and young ladies to show a harmonious appearance might help dispel misunderstandings, don’t you think?”

At this point, Cornelia’s actions were so calculated that they were almost intimidating.

‘Perhaps she’s not trying to reassure me before setting a trap?’

At that moment, Cornelia spoke.

“Then feel free to bring your acquaintances along. That way, you’ll be more comfortable, too.”

In other words, it was okay to bring noble guests from the noble faction.

‘If there are people on my side, it would be difficult for her to pull off any tricks, right?’

The Grand Madam also seemed to think it was fine as she nodded.
Taking Cornelia’s hands, Medelin spoke.

“Thank you for considering this. I hope people can understand us better.”

Looking at Medelin holding her hand, Cornelia nodded.

“Sure, it will definitely be like that.”

But then, Cornelia withdrew her hand as if something had come to mind and said,

“Oh, right, I called this tea time but didn’t prepare any!”

Eventually, Cornelia called a maid.

“Prepare some tea. Please make it with honey for these two and me…”

At that moment, Medelin and the Grand Madam simultaneously spoke up.

“Wait!”
“Yes?”

Medelin instinctively interjected, feeling it was the right time.

“Well, actually, a little while ago, the Grand Madam prepared a surprise gift for you, so we were discussing that.”
“A surprise gift… for me from the Grand Madam?”

Cornelia looked at Grand Madam with a surprised expression.
The Grand Madam felt a momentary annoyance rising but managed to suppress it and speak up.

“Well, even though I am your mother-in-law by name, shouldn’t I give a gift to my pregnant daughter-in-law? So, I prepared some beneficial herbal tea for pregnant women.”

Upon hearing this, Cornelia’s eyes welled up.

“Thank you, Grand Madam.”

The Grand Madam smirked inwardly.

‘So naive and foolish.’

Eventually, the Grand Madam spoke naturally.

“Headmaid, bring it here.”

At her command, the maid waiting outside brought in a box containing the tea.

“Here it is.”

The Grand Madam opened the box and said,

“You should drink it twice a day for a week.”

Cornelia nodded in response.

“Yes, I will drink it properly. Emily, prepare mine with this.”

The maid carried the box of tea and left the drawing room.
After a moment, Cornelia spoke up.

“Grand Madam.”

Cornelia hesitated for a moment, blushing as she spoke.

“A few days ago, I thought you were disgusted with me because of what happened between us… So, I was thrilled when you suggested tea time first. And I didn’t expect a gift, so thank you very much.”

Her genuine and dignified demeanor had been evident since Cornelia first entered the household.
Feeling her mood soften, the grand madam thought,

‘I’ll forgive you for your rude and foolish actions. But… you’ll lose your child due to your mistakes…’

No matter how much she repented, the Grand Madam believed Cornelia should face consequences for her wrongdoing.

‘Still, our time together won’t be long. After losing the child, I will treat you well at first, then divorce you from the fake.’

With her thoughts settled, the Grand Madam smiled at Cornelia and said,

“Let’s try to resolve misunderstandings and get along from now on.”

At that moment,
Knock-knock.

“I have brought the tea.”

In response to the maid’s voice from outside the door, Cornelia raised her voice to reply.

“Yes, please bring it in.”

Soon, three cups were placed in front of them.
The Grand Madam focused intently on Cornelia to see if she would drink the tea.
After a moment, Cornelia took a sip of the tea and smiled.

“The aroma of the tea is really nice! I’ll make sure to have it with me for every tea time from now on.”

Seeing her innocent expression, the Grand Madam smiled inwardly.

“I wonder what kind of expression the fake bastard will make when he finds out that that bxtch miscarried his baby.”

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Snap!

While marching, Erich frowned when he realized the belt holding the sword sheath was worn out and broken.

‘Weird. It was fine until this morning… Why now?’

At that moment, strangely, Cornelia came to mind.
Anxiety spread from his fingertips to his entire body.

‘If something happened to her…’
“My lord?”

At the call of his lieutenant, Erich handed over the broken belt and said,

“It’s nothing.”

Yes, it should be nothing.
After all, he had left many knights to guard Cornelia.
With that thought in mind, Erich turned back towards the north.

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

After tea, I spoke to the Grand Madam and Medelin.

“Grand Madam, it was delightful. And, Medelin, I’ll see you in three days.”

In response to my words, they smiled and nodded as if they genuinely cherished me.

“Yeah, let’s have tea together again sometime.”
“Yes, see you then!”

As they all left, I furrowed my brows.

“It was truly exhausting. To be in the company of such repulsive individuals.”

I immediately headed to my room and instructed the maid.

“Bring water to my room to wash my hands. Also, prepare some cold water to rinse my mouth.”

Upon returning to my room, Sardin was waiting.

“Is everything ready?”
“It’s perfect. But, master, are you really okay?”

Instead of answering, I simply nodded.
If I endure a little longer, I can live happily with my child.
With that thought, I was able to smile.