Chapter 64
Russell Countess followed Ella to the Garcia estate.
Ella led her to a third-floor terrace overlooking the mansion’s garden.
A maid brought tea and then left, leaving them alone. Russell Countess didn’t touch the tea and simply stared at Ella. Ella ran her hand over her other hand on the table, sighing deeply.
“Lady Ella, you brought me here, but why are you just sighing instead of talking?”
Unable to hold back her irritation, Russell Countess snapped at her.
She was already on edge after hearing such strange words.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting. But thinking about how you’ll feel after hearing this, I keep hesitating.”
“Tsk, I’m not as free as you, so just say it.”
“Alright, Countess. I’m sorry for making you wait again.”
Ella finally made up her mind and folded her hands neatly.
“As I said earlier, you’re being deceived by the Duchess. Diana is infertile. She knows it herself.”
“…What?”
Russell Countess’s expression turned cold. She slammed the table and stood up.
“Ha! So you brought me here just to tell me such a ridiculous lie?”
“I wish it were a lie too!”
Ella’s golden eyes welled up with tears. Her small lips trembled.
“…It’s just heartbreaking to see you being deceived by Diana!”
Transparent tears rolled down her cheeks. Russell Countess held her breath as she watched.
She wasn’t someone to trust easily. But the sight of Ella’s tearful, sincere face made her feel frozen in place.
What if it’s true?
A heavy feeling of unease pressed down on her.
Crossing her arms, she asked coldly,
“You must have proof, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“If this turns out to be nothing, you’ll pay for deceiving me twice.”
“If I lied, I should be punished, of course.”
Despite the warning, Ella remained confident. Russell Countess clenched her jaw.
Feeling thirsty, she reached for her teacup but then frowned and withdrew her hand.
“Show me the proof.”
“Please look at these first.”
Ella handed over two sheets of paper.
“What are these?”
Russell Countess examined them.
One was a letter Diana had written to Ella when they were unmarried, filled with casual conversation between close friends.
The other was a written pledge Diana had signed in front of Amanda on her wedding day.
“As you can see, Diana signed a pledge to give up her inheritance and not have an heir. The handwriting is the same in both documents, right?”
“…!”
Russell Countess clenched the paper tightly. Her breath quickened, and she glared at Ella.
“This isn’t proof that the Duchess is infertile. Besides, do you think she would actually keep such a promise?”
“The Duchess takes birth control pills every day in front of her mother’s attendant.”
“W-What?”
Is she out of her mind?
Even when Harold was healthy, she should have been trying to conceive as soon as possible!
Russell Countess felt her blood pressure spike and clutched the back of her neck. Ella continued speaking.
“When I first heard about this from my mother, I thought it was strange. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial for her to have an heir and secure her position?”
Ella’s calm voice caught Russell Countess’s attention.
She agreed—having an heir was the smarter choice.
Watching Ella stroke her arm, Russell Countess recalled that she had suffered greatly because of Diana. Then, Ella suddenly stood up.
“May I introduce someone?”
“Now?”
“He’s important for what comes next.”
“…Do as you like.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Ella left the terrace and returned shortly with a well-dressed man.
“Let me introduce you. This is Jeffrey, the Garcia estate’s physician.”
“Nice to meet you, Countess. I am Jeffrey, and I’ve been serving as the estate’s physician for ten years.”
“Jeffrey, tell the Countess what you told me.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Jeffrey bowed slightly to Russell Countess.
“As I mentioned, I have been devoted to the Garcia family for over ten years. Naturally, I was also responsible for Lady Diana’s medical care before she became the Duchess.”
Russell Countess remained silent.
“The Duchess had irregular menstruation since she first started. At first, I thought it was normal for her age, but even as an adult, she would often skip months. After testing, I discovered she was infertile.”
Russell Countess’s expression hardened.
“She ordered me to keep it a secret, even threatening me… But after hearing what Lady Ella said, I couldn’t stand by and watch any longer.”
Even after Jeffrey finished speaking, Russell Countess said nothing.
But her face was flushed red with anger.
Then, suddenly, she stood up and stormed toward the terrace exit.
Ella quickly grabbed her.
“Countess! Please calm down!”
“Ha! How can I stay calm? That crazy woman deceived me!”
Russell Countess roared in fury.
She thought about all the expensive gifts she had given to Diana, all the effort she had made to please her.
And all along, Diana had been lying.
“That insane woman! She dared to deceive me? Does the Duke know about this? That woman—I’ll kill her!”
“The Duke doesn’t know.”
“Then I will tell him everything and have her thrown out!”
Russell Countess tried to leave again, but Ella stopped her.
“Let me go!”
Russell Countess shook off her hand in frustration, but Ella pleaded with her.
“Countess, please, just wait a moment.”
“Are you telling me to forgive that woman?”
“No! I know how much pain you’re in. How could I say that?”
Ella shook her head vigorously, tears welling up again.
Her desperate denial made Russell Countess calm down slightly.
“I believe Diana must pay for her crimes. She deceived even you, Countess. If we let her go, who knows how many more people she will hurt?”
“No need to say it! She’s already hurt too many people—including me!”
Russell Countess pounded her chest in frustration.
“Exactly. That’s why we shouldn’t just tell the Duke. We need to let everyone know.”
“Are you saying we should report it to the newspapers?”
“That’s one option. But there’s an even better way.”
“…A better way? What is it?”
Russell Countess leaned in, curious.
Ella gently pushed her back into her chair and sat down as well.
“Jeffrey, you may leave now.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Jeffrey blushed as he looked at Ella, then quickly bowed and left.
Ella watched Russell Countess sip her tea, her lips curving into a faint smile.
“How easy.”
That’s why I like this type of person.
They’re emotional—if you spark a fire, it burns, and if you pour oil, it blazes even more.
And once they trust you, they easily believe anything else you say.
It was so convenient to use them however I wanted.
‘That’s why I liked Diana too.’
Diana had been the friend she loved the most.
Ella thought fondly of those times as she sipped her tea.
“The Countess Audrey Russell didn’t attend today.”
At the regular gathering hosted by the Marchioness of Mayer, the only empty seat stood out more than usual.
It wasn’t just me who noticed—other noble ladies also glanced at the empty seat.
“Does anyone know if something happened to the Countess Russell?”
Everyone turned to the noblewoman who had brought Countess Russell to the gatherings. She shook her head.
“I’m not sure. It seems like she’s been attending other gatherings just fine. I’ll try talking to her next time.”
With that, the topic of Countess Russell was set aside, and the conversation naturally moved on to other matters.
I listened to the noble ladies’ chatter while gazing at the empty seat.
‘That’s strange. She’s not someone who would miss this.’
For Countess Russell, this was an important place to build a connection with me.
It truly was unusual.
Time passed, and it was soon time to part ways with the noble ladies.
Just as I was about to leave, the Marchioness of Mayer called out to me.
“Duchess Diana, if you don’t mind, may I borrow a moment of your time?”
She lowered her voice and whispered so that only I could hear.
“It’s about Countess Russell.”
