Chapter 50
Finn and Belle closed their mouths shut. They fully understood the implications of what Stefan had just said.
Rita probably believed she had hidden it thoroughly, but they had known for a long time. They knew that Hazel, whom she had been trying to forcefully tie to Stefan, was actually her hidden niece.
Ironically, Hazel herself had no idea that Rita was her aunt. She simply thought of her as a kind benefactor who had helped her.
“Are you planning to reveal the relationship between Hazel and the Dowager Duchess to her this time?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“If Hazel comes to live in the ducal residence with me, imagine how happy Rita would be. Using that opportunity, I can take hold of Rita and shake Rachel as well. It would be perfect.”
—
In this life, I had always known I would eventually face Hazel Lewin again. But I never imagined it would happen like this.
In the past life, she had timidly stepped inside, led by Rita. But now, she was stepping down from a carriage with Stefan.
When Stefan disappeared without even having breakfast, I thought it was because he was reluctant to part from his sister. I never expected him to show up with such a surprise guest.
“Let me introduce you. This is the Duchess Rachel Edmond, and this is Miss Hazel Lewin, my former fiancée.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Duchess. My name is Hazel Lewin.”
She greeted me politely, her neatly tied black hair framing her golden eyes, which she tried to hide beneath her perfectly cut bangs.
Not one to be outdone, I smiled brightly and extended my hand for a handshake.
“Welcome, Miss Lewin. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you for such a warm welcome, Duchess.”
Judging by the absence of any inner thoughts being projected, it seemed she had been brought here abruptly in this life as well. I let go of her hand quickly, using the handshake as an excuse to gauge her demeanor.
Stefan, apparently displeased with my lack of visible disdain upon seeing Hazel, interjected again.
“It’s nice to see the two of you getting along so naturally. I hope you continue to maintain such harmony.”
Then he turned his gaze to the coachman.
“Bring in Miss Lewin’s luggage.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
As he boldly declared his intention for this absurd cohabitation, I barely managed to suppress a bitter laugh.
At that moment, an agitated voice came from behind me.
“Miss Hazel Lewin? But why are you here at the ducal residence?”
Rita had likely planned to bring Hazel into the ducal residence under the pretense of being depressed after parting with Susan. To that end, she had already moved her from the count’s estate to a nearby inn in the capital.
But thanks to her son, her work had been done for her, and she couldn’t hide her joy.
“His Grace learned of my difficult circumstances and kindly offered me a place to stay at the ducal residence. I am grateful to the Duchess and the Dowager Duchess for welcoming me so warmly.”
It seemed Hazel’s smooth explanation had been coordinated with Stefan beforehand. Pleased by how perfectly things were falling into place, Rita began fussing over Hazel with affection.
“My son has always been such a kind-hearted man, not one to overlook someone in need. Think of this as your own home and feel free to settle in, Miss Lewin.”
“Please, call me Hazel, Dowager Duchess. And feel free to speak comfortably.”
“Well, if you insist.”
“And though it’s late, I’d like to congratulate Lady Edmond on her marriage.”
“My goodness, you’re so polite, unlike some others.”
Rita shot me a sidelong glance that I found thoroughly amusing.
‘Why not just come out and say it directly? What’s with this roundabout behavior?’
As I followed them into the mansion, Stefan’s absurd question stopped me in my tracks.
“Where do you think Miss Lewin’s room should be?”
“Your Grace, why are you asking me that?”
“Because you’re the mistress of the ducal residence. Welcoming guests is part of the mistress’s duty and responsibility.”
His words were so ridiculous that I nearly burst out laughing. Who was the guest here, and who was he asking me to accommodate?
“Do you truly consider me the mistress of this house, Your Grace?”
“Of course.”
“Then this is the first time I’ve seen a mistress not consulted before a guest is invited into her home.”
“In business, unexpected situations often arise.”
“Miss Lewin doesn’t strike me as one of your business partners, though.”
“Business isn’t always about exchanging money, you see.”
“Oh… I see.”
I nodded exaggeratedly and returned an answer to his initial question.
“In that case, I’ll prepare a guest room for Miss Lewin.”
“Do as you see fit, Madam.”
He acted as if he didn’t care where Hazel stayed. As long as she stayed in the ducal residence and occasionally appeared before me, it was enough for him.
‘That would only matter if Hazel actually became a thorn in my side.’
In my previous life, I had been so clueless about how to deal with her sudden appearance that I didn’t even know where to start. It felt as though I had gained yet another sister-in-law, as if two weren’t enough.
But now, I was almost grateful to Stefan for bringing her here himself. I had long planned to use her presence to draw Leopold and Remington into the ducal residence.
Hiding my thoughts from Stefan and Rita, who could never imagine my intentions, I allowed a subtle, secret smile to cross my lips.
Just as I was about to instruct the servants to move Hazel’s belongings to the guest room, Rita spoke up first.
“Move Miss Lewin’s things to Susan’s room. She will be staying there from now on.”
“Yes, Dowager Duchess.”
The servants bustled about, eager not to get on Rita’s bad side.
But to have Hazel stay in Susan’s room? Even Hazel seemed startled by such a bold decision.
“Dowager Duchess, I don’t need such a large room. A small space for me to sleep is more than enough.”
“Don’t feel burdened. Use it freely.”
“But Lady Edmond’s room feels too grand for me.”
“It’s a room without an owner now, so you might as well become its new occupant.”
Rita looked at Hazel with an affectionate gaze, as if she had found a long-lost daughter. The sight was revolting to me, but it seemed to deeply move Hazel.
“Thank you so much, Dowager Duchess.”
Her teary-eyed gratitude was an amusing spectacle. I bit my lip to suppress a laugh, but as Stefan passed by, his expression was stiff.
‘Seems like things aren’t going the way he planned.’
He must have been displeased with Rita’s suggestion. The second floor of the ducal residence housed the family’s bedrooms, and Susan’s room was closest to his study.
If Hazel stayed in Susan’s room, she would likely run into him frequently, given how much time he spent in his study.
‘Could Rita really be hoping for a scandal between Stefan and Hazel?’
It was laughable how little she understood her son. Expecting a scandal from someone as icy as Stefan was pathetic.
‘Let her try. I won’t just sit by and watch.’
—
Hazel quickly filled the void Susan had left behind.
Rita was pleased with her, who could do things Susan never could, and Stella was thrilled to have a kind and attentive “sister.” Even Rachel treated Hazel warmly.
‘Rachel, let’s see how long you can endure this.’
She was scheming to use Hazel to provoke Rachel. No matter how mild-tempered a woman might be, she couldn’t possibly remain tolerant toward someone constantly hovering around her husband.
And if, during this process, her son ended up taking both women, it would be even better. It didn’t matter whose body bore her grandchildren; all that mattered to her was holding them in her arms.
A week after Hazel moved into the ducal residence, Rita began to take action.
“I’ve made a terrible mistake. I should have brought you in as my daughter-in-law, Hazel. You’re so capable and generous—exactly what a duchess should be.”
She heaped praise on her while Rachel sat quietly, making Hazel visibly uncomfortable.
“Your words are too kind, Dowager Duchess.”
“I don’t know what I was thinking, bringing in a friend’s daughter as my daughter-in-law. I feel like I’ve been swindled.”
“Dowager Duchess, the Duchess is right here listening to you.”
It was obvious that Hazel had rehearsed her lines with Rita. Watching her feign concern while stealing glances at Rachel was laughable.
Rachel, who had been silently enduring her insults, finally responded with indifference.
“Mother, there’s no need to regret it. If His Grace wishes, I’m always willing to step down from my position as Duchess.”
“How dare you, you insolent—!”
As Rita exploded with anger, Hazel subtly stepped in to calm her.
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