Instead of the Heroine, I Married the Male Lead

 

Philome turned to look at Sophia.

When their eyes met, Sophia shrank her shoulders and nodded.

Philome pressed her throbbing temples firmly. 

She had vaguely noticed it since the time the Countess grabbed Sophia by the hair. If it had been the usual Sophia, she would have rushed to Philome and revealed the truth as soon as she saw the Countess. 

 

“Tell me.”

“…The Duke asked me to keep it a secret from you. I also thought it would be better if you didn’t know that the Countess Bonita was using you. I’m truly sorry.”

“Sophia, I know you care about me a lot, but if you really cared about me, you should have told me. You shouldn’t have made me oblivious.”

 

Knowing Sophia hadn’t hidden anything with ill intentions, Philome couldn’t scold her further.

 

“I’m really sorry, Miss. It won’t happen again; I’ll tell you everything. The only reason your Uncle Hans and I haven’t divorced is because he’s very… at night.”

“Don’t tell me that!”

 

Philome urgently covered Sophia’s mouth. 

Sophia sniffled like a guilty puppy, tears welling up in her eyes. Her hair was tousled, making her look like a poodle. Philome sighed lightly at the sight.

 

“Is your head okay?”

“Yes… My hair is sturdy, so only a few strands were pulled out. I’m really sorry, Miss.”

“As long as it doesn’t happen again, you can leave now. I need some time to think.”

“Yes, I’ll bring your dinner here.”

 

After sending Sophia away, Philome sat heavily in a chair.

 

‘First of all, ……Kaien was giving money to my family.’

 

There couldn’t have been any other reason. 

It was a simple way to pacify troublesome family members. Looking back, her family hadn’t sent anyone specifically to see her.

In order to talk family-to-family, they would have had to meet Philome, but they didn’t.

Perhaps Kaien prevented it with money.

 

“Ah, I’m such a nuisance…”

 

And so much so.

 

“Embarrassing…….”

 

It’s so embarrassing that I can’t bear it.

Philome covered her face with both hands, trying to cool down the rising heat. 

It was fortunate that Kaien was not around. If he were in the mansion, Philome wouldn’t have had the courage to face him right now. 

 

‘I’ll talk to him when he returns.’

 

Philomena let out a deep sigh as she rubbed her dry face.

Despite her exhaustion, she was certain sleep wouldn’t come easily. 

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

I was right.

The following day, I remained sick in bed, eventually taking medication and resting for a day.

Luckily, it was a mild illness, so I was able to get up the next day without any trouble. Then, I realized it had been quite a while since I last visited Harnen.

 

“Sophia. Want to go get some fruit juice?” 

“…… Again? Miss, please rest!” 

 

Although Sophia got up unwillingly, she followed me as I headed to the dressing room. 

We rode the carriage and got off at the familiar square.

My head was still spinning, so I walked a bit and was about to enter when a familiar voice rang out.

 

“Madam, please leave.”

“What?”

 

I turned my head at the sound and saw the Madame of Beaute Salon. We were standing in front of her shop.

And in front of her was a very, very familiar woman.

 

“Do you know who I am? I am the mother of the future Duchess of Wintbell!”

“Miss, let’s go to the fruit juice shop.” 

 

Sophia blocked my path.

 

“Come on, I’m thirsty.”

“Sophia, but she’s the mother who raised me.”

“Miss, have you forgotten how Madam treated you? And she even extorted money from you using your name! No matter how you look at it, that’s just too much…”

“I should really show her who’s boss.”

“Miss, you’re too softhearted… huh?”

 

I passed by Sophia and went to my mother and Madame.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

The expressions on both of their faces were polar opposites. 

Madame bit her lip and bowed her head, while my mother’s expression brightened as if she had just found a diamond.

 

“Philome!”

 

My mother approached me and clung to my arm.

Then she raised an eyebrow.

 

“Philome, teach those rude people some manners, will you? Huh?”

 

She looked shameless, as if she had no memory of what had happened two days ago.

 

“I’ll ask again, what is the matter?”

 

At my words, Madame bowed her waist.

 

“…I’m sorry, Lady Philome. We have repeatedly told customers that our salon operates by reservation, but Countess Bonita’s wishes were so adamant that we had to ask other customers for their understanding and allow her in. However, after Countess Bonita selected jewelry worth 3,000 gold, she insisted we put on the account of the Duke of Wintbell.” 

“Ahem! Hmph!”

 

My mother cleared her throat.

 

“When I asked her if she had the Duke of Wintbell’s permission, she said, Lady Philome is the Duke of Wintbell’s fiance, what could be the problem? I told her that the rules of our salon require that there be a letter of guarantee, but Countess Bonita kept making a scene.”

 

As Madame finished speaking, I muttered softly.

 

“This is really… the worst.”

“Isn’t it? I can’t tell if they want to make money or not. I, the mother of the future Duchess, offered to try on their dresses and yet they’re being so stubborn and uncooperative!”

 

My mother glanced up and down at Madame.

Madame lowered her head even further.

 

“I’m truly sorry, Lady Philome. I’ll immediately have the clothes delivered to the Countess’s estate.”

“Ha, what’s the point of bowing now? Can spilled water be gathered again? At least give me a ring or a necklace.”

“Of course, I’ll make sure to include those as well.”

“That’s enough.”

“Oh… Philome? What’s that supposed to mean? Hahaha, no, Madame. Just take care of it.”

“That’s enough, Countess Bonita.”

“Ph-Philome? Are you talking to me like that?”

 

I roughly shook off my mother’s grip on my right arm.

 

“Oh my!”

 

My mother stepped back, her face full of surprise.

I turned my gaze toward Madame.

 

“Madame, I’m really sorry about this. I’ll compensate for everything.”

 

Whether surprised by the sudden turn of events or by the content of my words, Madame blinked for a moment before bowing her waist.

 

“No, milady.”

“I should have warned you in advance to prevent any harm to you, Madame…”

 

I briefly glanced at my mother.

 

“I knew about it, but I didn’t know Countess Bonita would be so unreasonable.”

“Oh, my goodness, Philome! What’s gotten into you to talk to your mother like this?” 

“Countess Bonita.”

 

I looked Mother straight in the eye.

 

“As you say, I am the future duchess, and you are only a countess.”

 

This place has a clear social hierarchy.

It’s not uncommon for a child to outrank his or her parents after marriage, and the parents are expected to address their child with honorifics.

 

“Can’t you at least listen to what I have to say when I’m speaking to you with respect and using honorifics?”

“Philome… you, you…”

“If you don’t want to show respect, then just stay in the count’s mansion. Why do you keep coming out? I don’t want to see you, Countess Bonita.”

 

My mother’s body shuddered.

She looked at me with a pale, horrified face. 

 

“How did I raise someone as ungrateful as you… huh?!”

“Being a mistress isn’t something to be proud of, Countess.”

 

I made sure to use the title “Countess Bonita” for almost every word.

Hoping mother would realize my position sooner rather than later.

But as expected…

 

“…… you ungrateful bitch.”

 

My mother remained oblivious to my concerns.

Smack!

 

“Ah, Milady!”

“Miss!”

 

It hurts even more after not experiencing it for so long.

I staggered, clutching my cheek.

I felt a tingling sensation, and when I pulled my hand away, my palm was stained with blood. My blood was dripping from my mother’s ring.

Perhaps acting on impulse, Mother had a briefly startled expression, before grinning bitterly, as if delighted.

 

“How dare you disrespect the one who raised you? Do you need another beating like before to come to your senses?”

“Miss, please, let me apply pressure.”

 

Sophia urgently took out a handkerchief and pressed it against my cheek.

 

“This servant dares to interrupt when the Madam is speaking!”

 

Angered, my mother grabbed Sophia’s hair.

As my mother forcefully grabbed Sophia’s curly hair, I shouted desperately.

 

“Don’t touch her!”

“Ha, is this rag more important than your mother?”

“Why are you doing this when you’re not even my real mother? Are you not satisfied with taking money?”

 

She always disliked being called “mother,” but now she felt absurdly frustrated wanting to be treated like one in this situation.

 

“This is it!”

 

My mother again raised her hand with the ring.

I closed my eyes for a moment, expecting pain, but when I opened them, there was a large figure standing in front of me.

 

“D, Duke Wintbell…”

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

TL/N: Sorry for the long wait. Regular updates will start now. (2-3 chapters a week)