Chapter 54
“Then, would it be okay if I start tomorrow?”
Hazel asked Stefan with a face brimming with excitement. Although it was I who proposed the upper-class work, it was he who would actually teach her, making it an obvious arrangement.
“The upper-class work will start a week from now.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Miss Hazel, you may leave for now.”
It was easy to guess where Hazel was headed as she quickly rushed out. Unaware that it was a trap I set, she would proudly brag to Rita about her latest accomplishment.
Suppressing a sly smile, I turned to Stefan and asked,
“Why a week from now? Miss Hazel was eager to learn the upper-class work right away…”
“Lord Burke will take a week to arrive in the capital, won’t he?”
Could it be that he’s using my brother out of fear of being discovered by others? It doesn’t concern me at all if he finds out.
I felt inclined to applaud his thoroughness in business and every other matter.
“You are even taking care of my brother’s affairs—Your Grace, I’m moved.”
“But, what will happen to Lord Remington when Lord Leopold arrives? Can he stay alone in Marquisate?”
It was getting ridiculous. Someone might actually believe that he genuinely cares for his brothers-in-law.
“Do not worry about Remington. I plan to send him to the Academy soon.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Stefan smiled faintly at me. I responded with a bright smile in return.
In Merwin Empire, academies exist in every region. Near Marquisate, there is a boarding academy, which he must have thought of.
I have no intention of revealing my plan to bring Remington to the capital’s academy. If Stefan knew, he would surely panic.
***
“Deciding to learn the upper-class work, are you in your right mind?”
“Spending more time with His Grace will surely lead to more opportunities.”
Rita, seemingly convinced by Hazel’s reasoning, remained silent.
‘Since she hardly ever encounters Stefan while staying at the estate, she likely thinks she must follow him around outside to catch his attention.’
Rita was a believer that the world revolved around her. Having endured a great loss at a young age, the world had since become entirely in her favor.
Thus, she never took responsibility for her own mistakes. It was always others who failed to comprehend her profound intentions.
Rita glared at Hazel with disapproval. Not only did she dislike her jet-black hair, but her pale face with glaring golden eyes irritated her even more.
She even dared to compare herself to Rachel, who possessed flawless beauty.
‘And now, she’s boasting about her skills in bed? Ridiculous!’
Before leaving the estate, Susan gave Rita a peculiar warning.
“Mother, be careful of Rachel’s bed skills.”
“Bed skills? She can’t possibly have any…”
“I’m telling you, she does. That’s why even a stoic like brother becomes dazed and exhausted after sleeping with her.”
“That’s absurd…”
With her pride wounded, Rita clenched her fists tightly.
Having lived her life boasting that no one could surpass her in bed skills, Rita had made such declarations many times.
‘Stoic? He was the very embodiment of ice, but I, Rita Edmond, am the one who brought him down.’
Of course, it’s true that a little help from the torrential downpour during late summer helped. The lineage of the Edmond family—whether a curse or legacy—caused the former Duke to crumble into despair during stormy nights, just like Stefan.
‘But he held me. Whether it was due to madness or drunkenness, he embraced me breathlessly.’
Thus, Rita believed Hazel could easily shake Stefan. She shared all her tricks and pushed her into the situation, determined not to let the opportunity slip away.
Yet, Hazel failed. Rita’s high expectations collapsed in an instant when Hazel’s attempt failed. She resented her for ruining her carefully laid plan.
‘It’s your fault. It’s all because of you, devoid of any charm.’
This time, instead of stirring Stefan’s desires, Rita aimed to attack his sense of responsibility.
Since he was already married, there was no reason for him to seek out or even consider other women. His sense of duty had deepened considerably.
Therefore, if a woman was added to his life through drunkenness or weakness, guilt and responsibility would be multiplied.
“Put on this slip and lie down with your legs spread.”
“Why… why?”
“Don’t you want to become the Duchess of Edmond?”
“….”
“I’m telling you the easiest way to become a duchess. Though the shame is temporary, the honor of being a duchess will last forever.”
Speaking in a cryptic manner, Rita pushed her fingers roughly between Hazel’s legs. After briefly moving her fingers recklessly, she pulled them away, leaving a hot, wet trail that stained the slip.
“Now, take this slip to the study and leave it there. That way, you’ll be able to shake Stefan.”
Hazel’s throat tightened with shame and humiliation before she had a chance to refuse.
“Why… why go this far?”
“Why? Don’t you want to be a duchess?”
“… This isn’t how I imagined it.”
“You’ve gotten too comfortable. Whining over ridiculous things now.”
As tears welled up, Hazel’s eyes reddened, and Rita savored her humiliation.
“Embarrassed? As long as we keep quiet, no one will know.”
“….”
“What if your pride takes a hit? You’ll soon be a duchess.”
“This isn’t the way…”
“No, I know my son better. So, go ahead and leave this slip in the study!”
Stefan must have seen the slip Hazel left, and now all that remains is waiting for his reaction.
“How about cutting your hair a bit?”
“Cut… cut my hair?”
“To show your determination to learn the upper-class work, you should make an effort like that.”
Rita was fixated on Stefan’s vulnerability to Rachel, which seemed rooted in appearance. However, since Hazel couldn’t change her hair color or eye color, she suggested trying a similar hairstyle.
“Then… how much should I cut?”
“How about a bob, like Rachel’s?”
“Oh, yes…”
Hazel felt a pang of sorrow and frustration at the thought of cutting her luscious hair. Yet, knowing who held the power over her, she meekly complied.
“I will cut your hair.”
“Do you have any experience in hairdressing, My Lady?”
“Cutting hair with scissors is all it takes.”
Rita’s smile was unsettling as it spread across her face. Hazel, fearing her hair might be cut off along with her head, quickly nodded.
“It is an honor to have you cut my hair, Lady. I trust you.”
“Of course, you should’ve been my daughter-in-law… No, soon enough, I’ll make you the mother of my grandson.”
Hazel needed to play her role perfectly. So, for now, she planned to go along, flattering and enduring.
Rita looked at her in the mirror and gave a soft smile. When Hazel followed suit, she clicked the scissors even more cheerfully, her smile widening.
‘This time, I’ll make sure it’s done right, Hazel. I’m not a very patient person. Even if you look convincing as a puppet, I can’t wait too long.’
A shiver ran down Hazel’s spine at the unsettling sight. She convinced herself that even if her appearance turned grotesque from the scissors in Rita’s hands, surviving the room was the priority.
After a short while, Rita inspected her “creation” and was greatly surprised. Hazel’s hair, carelessly cut, looked like a wild hedgehog.
“Is the style too radical?”
“Ah… no, it’s perfect for upper-class work.”
Hazel smiled brightly when she saw her hair cut much shorter than Rachel’s bob. At least her life had been spared, and that thought filled her mind.
***
The next day, Stefan’s steps toward the Bayton Guild were light and carefree.
The promise he had made to remove Hazel from the estate within a week had become a minor concern, but Rachel had effortlessly resolved the issue.
‘She doesn’t seem to suspect anything about me and Hazel.’
If she had any doubts about an affair, she wouldn’t have entrusted her to me so easily. With that in mind, I agreed to teach Hazel upper-class work, but an unexpected obstacle had emerged.
“Why are you cutting it?”
