FCHTIB Chapter 10

 

 

 

“I can’t cause a huge commotion just because I don’t want to deal with someone unpleasant. So, it’s really fine.”

 

“I-I see. I understand.”

 

Serge cleared his throat to shift the mood.

 

“True, things could get complicated. But neither my father nor I want you, Lady Railey, to stay at the Dukedom while suppressing your feelings.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Railey was grateful for his words.

 

If she were to explain her circumstances in detail, this kind-hearted Duke might risk everything to help her.

 

However, asking for such a favor from someone she would eventually leave behind as a mere human was simply too selfish.

 

“I’ll try to figure out a way to handle it myself first. If things get truly difficult… maybe then I’ll ask for your help.”

 

“Of course. Feel free to come to me anytime. Should I inform my father as well?”

 

“Oh! No, if it really comes to that, I’ll tell him myself. I don’t want to cause unnecessary worry.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Despite his shyness, Serge’s words were reassuring, and Railey felt her heart warm.

 

“I must be really awkward to be around… Thank you for being considerate.”

 

“……Ah.”

 

Hearing that, Serge bowed his head and lowered his gaze.

 

It was as if the tall walls he always built around himself when dealing with others were crumbling, and even he looked a bit flustered by it.

 

“An-anyway… sorry for interrupting your meal. Please, go ahead and eat.”

 

“Yes. You too, Young Master Serge.”

 

“Y-yes…”

 

After that, they quietly focused on eating, exchanging few words.

 

Still, Railey felt a little closer to her husband than before.

 

Surely, Serge must have felt the same way.

 

‘I must not trouble someone who’s been so kind to me. I need to think about what I can do.’

 

She clenched her small fists with determination.

 

***

 

Over the next few days, by coincidence, both the Duke and Serge were away from Elestine for an inspection.

 

Of course, Railey suspected it wasn’t merely for inspection.

 

‘It’s probably the Duke’s Day of Rest to return to his fox form.’

 

In the original story, beastfolk had long since lost their minds to the madness, to the point where even these Day of Rests were meaningless.

 

But for now, since the demonic energy hadn’t spread that far, they could still suppress their instincts with regular Day of Rests.

 

Naturally, Railey acted oblivious and simply sent them off warmly.

 

Yuan, the aide, stayed behind at the Dukedom to assist Railey, who had been left alone right after her marriage due to her husband and father-in-law’s sudden absence.

 

“If you encounter any trouble or need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

 

“Yes, I will.”

 

“It must be hard enough adjusting to a new place… and now the masters are away too. I’m sure you must feel uneasy. But please, feel at home as if this were your own house.”

 

Railey gave a slight smile at Yuan’s kind words.

 

In truth, she wasn’t particularly anxious about being left alone at the Dukedom.

 

What truly made her uneasy was the unfortunate timing, the arrival of her old nanny, Margaret, just when the masters were gone.

 

‘…It’s fine. I can handle this.’

 

Railey braced herself mentally.

 

 

And so, the next day came.

 

“Young madam, Mrs. Margaret from the Viscount Vitence household has arrived.”

 

As expected, nothing was out of place. Railey deliberately nodded calmly.

 

“…I see. The guest quarters are ready, right?”

 

“Yes. Just as you instructed, we’ve prepared a guest room separate from the annex where you stay, Young madam.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

She headed out toward the great hall.

 

A middle-aged woman, familiar to her eyes, brightened at the sight of her.

 

“Oh my, it’s been just a few days, and here you are, Miss Railey!”

 

“………”

 

Railey thought to herself.

 

If it were the old days, when she didn’t have her past life’s memories, how would she have reacted?

 

 

“Oh dear! You still haven’t learned proper manners, have you?”

 

“I-I’m sorry… I did wrong…”

 

“Lift your skirt! Five strikes on the calves today. Honestly, you should have listened when I spoke nicely…”

 

 

In the past, she would have trembled under Margaret’s sharp gaze, constantly checking herself for even the smallest mistakes, terrified of being punished.

 

But now, it was different.

 

She was Railey Elestine, not a helpless child bound to the Viscount Vitence family.

 

“You’re the one lacking manners, Margaret.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“I am no longer ‘Miss Railey.’ I am Railey Elestine, the Duchess-to-be.”

 

“…..!”

 

“So you ought to address me with proper respect.”

 

Railey spoke with a clear, steady voice that echoed throughout the hall.

 

At that, a fiery glint flashed in Margaret’s eyes—as if furious that a child she had raised dared to speak back.

 

A heavy pressure surged toward Railey, as if trying to overwhelm her.

 

‘I won’t back down!’

 

Though her hands trembled slightly from instinctive fear, Railey ignored it and raised her chin proudly.

 

“And? Your response?”

 

“…Yes, Lady Elestine.”

 

Margaret ground out the words through gritted teeth, her voice so low that it was clear she was forcing herself to say it.

 

“Good. You must be tired from the journey. Please rest well in your quarters.”

 

“…….”

 

Without giving Margaret a chance to say more, Railey turned on her heel.

 

Even though she could feel Margaret’s malevolent gaze stabbing into her back, she ignored it and walked away.

 

‘This is only the beginning…’

 

At last, she had taken the first step to break free from the ghost of her bitter past.

 

***

 

Of course, Railey didn’t think this was the end.

 

Part of the reason she had been so forceful earlier was to establish dominance from the start, but more importantly, she was certain Margaret hadn’t come to the Dukedom without a hidden agenda.

 

In order to ‘legitimately’ drive Margaret out according to her plan, Railey needed to maintain a firm stance.

 

“Young madam, Mrs. Margaret requests an audience.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Railey rose gracefully from her seat and made her way to the drawing room.

 

Margaret greeted her with noticeably more formality than before.

 

“Did you rest well after your journey?”

 

“Yes, thanks to your kind consideration.”

 

Margaret answered with a stiff smile.

 

It was because the maids were lined up behind Railey—Margaret wasn’t foolish enough to act improperly in front of witnesses.

 

“Let’s have dinner together later. But if you’re feeling unwell after the long carriage ride, we can postpone it.”

 

“No, I’m quite alright. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

 

“You may have heard already, but the Duke and the Young Duke are away on inspection. Once they return, I’ll introduce you to them formally.”

 

“Yes. By the way, Young Duchess…”

 

“Hm?”

 

“May I have a private conversation with you?”

 

“Of course. Feel free.”

 

Margaret smiled awkwardly, clearly aware of the maids’ watchful gazes.

 

“I saw the gardens earlier—they’re truly magnificent and beautiful. Would you care to take a walk together? It would be a good opportunity to chat and catch up.”

 

“…….”

 

Railey could have refused, but she allowed it, deliberately provoking Margaret in order to hear her real intentions sooner.

 

Besides, it was safer to talk outdoors than behind closed doors where Margaret might attempt something inappropriate.

 

“Alright. Let’s take a stroll.”

 

Railey nodded, agreeing to the walk.

 

***

 

Once they entered the garden and the sounds of other people faded away, Margaret’s mouth twisted into a mocking smile.

 

“In just a few short days… you’ve changed so much I hardly recognize you.”

 

“What do you mean, hardly recognize?”

 

“After all the years I spent raising you… and now you treat me so coldly? Is your new title as Young Duchess that intoxicating?”

 

“…..….”

 

“You must know it yourself—you’re nowhere near worthy of calling yourself a lady. From your appearance to your manners… nothing about you fits. Sooner or later, you’ll fall out of the Duke’s favor and be cast aside.”

 

Margaret’s tone was the same one she had always used when disciplining Railey, crushing her spirit and planting seeds of anxiety.

 

‘It seems she’s assuming I’ll be cast out… and is leading up to something.’

 

Railey thought coldly.

 

Most likely, Margaret had been sent by the Viscount family with a mission—to pressure Railey into something.

 

Railey chose not to comment on Margaret’s disrespectful tone and simply waited for her to continue.

 

“In the end, the only bond that matters is that between parent and child. When you’re cast aside, the only ones who will embrace you will be the Vitence family.”

 

“…..….”

 

“So, my dear.”

 

Margaret bent closer, her lips curling into an ugly smile, and whispered into Railey’s ear.

 

“While you still have a place here at the Dukedom… why don’t you do something useful for your family?”

 

“…What?”

 

“Not anything major right away, of course. But if you can show some ‘proof’ that you’re still working for your true family’s benefit, the Viscount would be deeply moved.”

 

“Proof…?”

 

“Yes. Like passing along any useful information you might overhear in the Elestine Dukedom…”

 

“For example.”

 

Margaret added in a conspiratorial tone.

 

 

“Details like the budget Elestine plans to use at the upcoming core ruby mine auction in the capital.”

 

“…….!”

 

So this was the real reason she came.

 

Railey instinctively stepped back in horror.

 

Encouraging a daughter—barely more than a child—to spy on her husband’s household and leak confidential information?

 

“And what if… I refuse?”

 

Margaret scoffed, her eyes narrowing menacingly.

 

“You? Refuse? You have no right to say no, girl.”

 

“……”

 

“You must really think you’re the young duke’s wife or something—how ridiculous. Maybe you need to be disciplined properly again to come to your senses.”

 

Margaret raised a hand, a familiar, threatening gesture.

 

Even though Railey knew logically that Margaret wouldn’t dare strike her here, her body instinctively flinched.

 

Fighting against the fear that had been etched into her very bones, Railey shouted.

 

“I’m not pretending! I am the Young Duchess! And for your insolence, I could have you expelled for treason against nobility—!”

 

“You’ll never disobey me.”

 

“What are you—ugh!”

 

Suddenly, a stabbing, excruciating pain pierced Railey’s skull, as if an awl had been driven straight into her brain.

 

It wasn’t a physical blow—it was magic.

 

But Margaret wasn’t supposed to be a mage. How—?

 

The agony was so overwhelming that Railey couldn’t even complete her thoughts.

 

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

 

“See? That’s better. Nice and obedient.”

 

“Hngh… ahh…”

 

“Now, then—”

 

But at that moment—

 

“Grrrrowl! Grrrr!”

 

A sudden, fierce growl tore through the garden.

 

Both Margaret and Railey turned their heads toward the noise.

 

“…Huh?”

 

There, emerging silently from the underbrush, stood a large fox with sleek, jet-black fur, its eyes gleaming fiercely.