FWTR Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Cutting Off Ties?

“Hmm. Do I need your permission?”

“Isn’t that obvious? This is Melody’s house.”

Melody frowned at Liliana’s mocking tone, her expression filled with scorn.

“Did you just laugh at me? Who do you think you are?”

“Did I laugh? I don’t quite remember.”

Liliana’s slow, deliberate provocation made Melody clench her fists.

“If I did, I sincerely apologize. But you know I couldn’t help but laugh, right? You were the one who made it funny, so how can you be mad at me for laughing?”

“Liliana Gannet. Are you enjoying this?”

“Yes. I’m having so much fun. Melody, I’m curious about something. Can I ask you a question?”

“Don’t ask!”

“I’m going to anyway. You’re seventeen, not seven. So why do you still refer to yourself as ‘Melody’?”

It was an old habit of Melody’s—she had done it for so long that no one really paid attention to it anymore. But now that Liliana pointed it out so directly, it was oddly satisfying.

“And another thing. I came here as Estelle’s guest. Whether I stay the night or move in permanently, the only person who gets to allow that is Estelle. So why would I need your permission?”

Liliana didn’t bother to sugarcoat her words, perfectly aggravating Melody. Estelle almost wanted to thank her.

‘Judging by Melody’s reaction, she’s reaching her limit.’

However, Estelle was concerned that the two might end up physically fighting like last time.

“Liliana.”

Liliana met Estelle’s gaze and smirked.

‘Is she telling me not to interfere because she’s not done yet?’

Liliana whispered for Estelle not to worry, so Estelle decided to wait and watch.

She then gestured toward Countess Charel, who had been looking uncomfortable.

The countess’s face brightened instantly as she moved to stand beside Estelle.

‘She looks like Riri…’

It wasn’t nice to compare someone to a dog, but Estelle could almost see a wagging tail behind Countess Charel. She pressed her lips together to keep herself from laughing.

At first, Countess Charel had seemed purely calculating, but now Estelle realized that wasn’t entirely true.

“You think you can act like this just because you became friends with my sister? Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“She’s my sister, and she cares about me the most. If I tell her to, she’ll cut ties with you immediately.”

Estelle barely managed to stop herself from laughing out loud.

Once, that had been true—she had cherished Melody and avoided interacting with anyone she disliked.

‘But she must know my attitude has changed recently. So how can she be so confident?’

She had still treated Melody kindly, but she had drawn boundaries. Even Melody seemed to understand that, as she no longer visited as freely or interfered as much as before.

‘Or does she think I’m still appeasing her?’

It was strange and fascinating to see her act so sure of herself.

“Oh my, how terrifying. Is it true, Estelle? Are you going to abandon me?”

Liliana dramatically wiped away nonexistent tears.

Countess Charel looked down, struggling to contain her laughter.

‘She’s barely holding it in.’

Estelle took a deep breath to keep a straight face as well.

“Of course not, Liliana.”

“Estelle!”

Melody’s face turned red as she yelled.

“Liliana, Countess Charel, why don’t you go ahead to the garden? I’ll be there soon.”

“I wanted to stay, but if Estelle says so, I suppose I have no choice.”

Liliana sighed, clearly wanting to tease Melody more, but shrugged and walked off.

Countess Charel gave Estelle a quick glance before quietly following her to the garden.

Now, only Estelle and Melody remained in the drawing room.

“How could you do that to me in front of Countess Charel? You should have taken my side! And why didn’t you say anything when she was mocking me? You heard everything!”

Melody threw a tantrum, her voice full of frustration.

‘Should I just pacify her and leave? Or…’

There was something she had said earlier that had really bothered Estelle—something she wanted to make absolutely clear.

“Melody. Do you really think I would cut ties with Liliana just for you?”

“Estelle…?”

“And even after hearing you say that, you think I should have taken your side? The one who disregarded my dignity was you.”

When Estelle refused to comfort her, Melody’s sadness spilled over, and she began to cry.

“I was just angry! You’re my big sister, but you keep hanging around people who dislike me and treat me badly…”

“Stop crying and talk properly.”

Hiccupping, Melody grabbed at the hem of Estelle’s dress, but Estelle stepped back and pulled away, feeling a wave of disgust rise in her.

“Sister, did I do something wrong? Why are you acting like this lately? If I apologize, will you tell me what it is?”

Since her tantrum wasn’t working, was she now trying to play for sympathy?

‘I should take this opportunity to make her quiet down for a while.’

Estelle gently smoothed down Melody’s hair before cupping a handful of it in her palm. She barely resisted the urge to yank it out.

“Yes. I’m upset because you did something wrong. But, Melody, I don’t want to have to tell you what it is just to get an apology from you.”

No matter how much she thought about it, Melody would never understand.

‘I can’t exactly tell you that you killed me, Melody.’

She had no idea what she had done.

“Then…?”

“You have to figure it out yourself and apologize for it.”

Of course, it was impossible for her to figure it out. But even if—by some miracle—she did and came to apologize, it wouldn’t matter. Estelle had no intention of forgiving her.

Estelle’s gaze dropped to Melody’s ankle.

“Oh, by the way, how’s your ankle? I heard from my eldest brother that you were limping on your right ankle, too. What happened? I thought only your left one was injured.”

Eldest brother. Right ankle.

‘I heard he thought she was faking it and left her to deal with it herself.’

Melody bit her lip and reached out toward Estelle, mistaking her words for genuine concern instead of veiled mockery.

“Sister. It hurts. My ankle aches.”

“Then rest here for a bit and go up slowly. Don’t run.”

“Sister! Are you really just going to leave me here?”

“There are guests waiting for me in the garden. If you can’t get upstairs on your own, call your maid.”

Even after Liliana had called her a seven-year-old, she was still referring to herself as ‘Melody’ instead of ‘I’.

‘I suppose old habits don’t change easily, but still…’

As she left the drawing room, Estelle pulled out a handkerchief.

She marveled at Melody’s utter lack of shame as she wiped her hands.

—

“You’re late, Estelle. I really thought you were going to abandon me,” Liliana pouted as Estelle entered the garden.

Sitting beside her, Countess Charel let out a light laugh.

“Liliana, I’m not blaming you, but you shouldn’t provoke Melody like that. What if she had grabbed your hair again?”

Estelle’s voice was calm as she gave her advice. Not only was it bad for Liliana’s reputation, but if Melody lost her temper again, she might leave scratch marks on her.

“Oh my, Liliana! Did she actually pull your hair?” Countess Charel teased, clutching her stomach in laughter.

“I would have just grabbed hers back,” Liliana scoffed. “And I was planning to hold back. I was only going to tease her a little. But it was infuriating to see her acting so rude to Estelle.”

She shot a glare in the direction of the drawing room.

“No matter how much she dislikes me, I came here as her sister’s guest. How does it make sense for her to treat me that way? That just means she doesn’t respect Estelle! ‘What? One word from her, and Estelle would cut ties with me?’”

“Exactly. It’s well-known in high society that you and Lady Melody don’t get along, and since we debuted in the same year, I know the situation well. Still, if it were me, I would have endured it. I wouldn’t want to cause trouble for the lady of the house,” Countess Charel added.

Even as she spoke, Liliana was visibly trembling with frustration, and Countess Charel nodded in agreement.

“Thank you, both of you. I must have shown you an unpleasant scene. I feel a bit bad about it.”

Had anyone ever taken Estelle’s side when Melody tormented her?

This was the first time she had experienced something like this. It left an odd, ticklish feeling in her chest.

“Why would you feel bad, Estelle? Just say thank you. You didn’t do anything wrong. No, actually, you did! Who let her grow up with such terrible manners? If she were my sister, I wouldn’t have let it slide!”

“I won’t let it happen again.”

“Let’s change the topic. Otherwise, I might get sick from anger,” Liliana huffed.

Estelle felt her mood slowly lifting.

“Oh, Lady Estelle, about the Tarshan Mine investment… Do you mind if I join in?” Countess Charel asked smoothly, shifting the conversation.

“I don’t mind, but we agreed to split the profits equally. There’s no need for you to do that, is there?”

“It’s not about the money… I just want to tell Olivia about it. To keep her from getting involved in those childish schemes to exclude you.”

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