Upon The Scandal With My Rival

“Why am I…?”

‘There’s no way… Right?’

“Is it…?”

Ashed’s hand, wiping his hair, halted. A very uncomfortable look fell upon me.

“Your Ladyship. Don’t even think that I did anything to you. It’s disgusting just to imagine.”

“. . .”

‘You have a thing for making people awkward. I didn’t think of it as a good thing! I rolled my eyes, grumbling inside. I couldn’t tell if anything had happened last night, but everything remained the same as yesterday, from my clothes to my shoes. And other than a hangover, I had no unusual, uncomfortable feeling in my body. I lay down on the bed with a relieved expression. The soft and comfortable texture of the blanket felt pleasing.

“So, have your suspicions eased now?” He asked with a still dissatisfied look. I nodded my head. “Then you should go back now.”

“I’m sorry for doubting you, but where exactly am I?”

“The Astrea’s residence.”

“Astrea’s… As in the duke’s residence?”

“…In my bedroom.”

Silence filled the space. I quietly got out of bed. Despite the warmth, I couldn’t keep lying on the bed, knowing it was Ashed’s.

“Why am I in Astrea’s residence?” I asked while rearranging the blanket. For some reason, the wrinkled sheets bothered me.

“After the party, I was on my way to the office and met her ladyship and His Grace in the garden. And then His Highness pushed you towards me.”

‘Pushed?’ I recalled Orgon by my side yesterday. He told me to stop drinking with a fed-up expression, then—

‘Orgon, this punk.’ Surely he must have come up with some scenario to somehow connect us; Orgon had always shown a keen interest in my marriage.

“Why didn’t you send me home in a carriage?”

“I was planning to, but then your ladyship didn’t want to let go of my clothes. You didn’t want to go home, and you didn’t want to sleep in the guest room either. Haaa…” 

In that short sigh, I felt the torment of the past night. Why did I make such a scene after drinking so much? And in front of Ashed, of all people.

“I apologize.”

“Your ladyship doesn’t look like herself when she’s drunk.”

“. . .”

“It might be a good idea to cut down on drinking. Quitting altogether isn’t a bad idea either.”

“…I admit I was disrespectful to My Lord last night, but that’s too much meddling.”

“Your Ladyship, you’re quite good at speaking, even in situations like this. I know you dislike me, but it would be better to hide your emotions a bit.”

“…Yes.”

‘I’m not sure if it’ll work.’ 

The atmosphere felt awkward at the end of our brief conversation. It meant my cue to leave.

“I’ll take my leave now.” My head was pounding from the hangover, and I felt like going to bed. I suppressed my desire to lay down again and straightened my disheveled, short pink hair and wrinkled dress.

“I’ll prepare the carriage.”

He didn’t insist on me staying, and I didn’t even try to refuse his kindness. It was a grossly business-like exchange.

However, sadly, there was only one carriage within the duke’s residence, with the family crest engraved on it. I shook my hand as I looked at the large carriage.

“I’d rather take a transportation wagon.”

The rattling might make me feel extremely nauseous, but it seemed like the better option. He, looking back and forth between me and the carriage, nodded. Ashed was the only member of the duke’s family. The duke’s residence was quite close to the palace, and he often commuted on foot, so there wasn’t any suitable carriage. If he were like any other noble, he might have filled the stable with carriages out of vanity, but from Ashed, I wouldn’t hope that much.

In the end, we walked to the main gate to find a transportation carriage. Taking in the dewy air somewhat calmed my nervous stomach. 

I rode the carriage to Duke Mellys’ townhouse. As someone living in the palace staff quarters, I had to visit the townhouse whenever the Mellys couple came to the capital. Today happened to be that day. I let out a deep sigh as my sister’s voice, which had already started to reach my ears, grew closer and more irritating.

After passing through the bustling city, the carriage finally stopped at the entrance to the duke’s residence. I told the coachman to receive his payment from the butler and walked through the garden to finally open the mansion’s door. Unexpectedly, I came face to face with my sister in the hallway.

“You…” My sister’s widened eyes quickly turned into glaring eyes. She approached me—

Thwack!

And she slapped me in the arm.

“Ah! What are you doing?” I quickly backed away, as she seemed ready to strike again, and rubbed my arm. Her hands were small but incredibly strong.

“You reek of alcohol!”

“Of course. That’s because I drank.” I responded shamelessly. My sister clicked her tongue and examined my body.

“Proud of yourself, huh? Where have you been?”

“At…”

“At?”

‘At Duke Astrea’s residence,’ I could say so, but the words didn’t come out. I had done nothing wrong, but it sounded a bit strange to say I had slept there. I was just glad I hadn’t come in the duke’s family carriage. As I remained silent, my sister’s eyes grew fiercer.

“Who were you with in the garden yesterday?”

“The garden?”

I wondered who until I remembered Ashed mentioning that I had been with Orgon.

“Who else? Surely Orgon.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t His Highness.”

‘If not him, then it must have been Ashed.’ But I didn’t answer and simply walked past my sister as if bothered.

“Why are you so nosy today, of all days?” My body felt heavy from the hangover, and everything was annoying. I just wanted to lie down in bed.

“Huh? Who were you with?”

“Dunno.”

“Then, from where are you coming back?”

“. . .” No matter what, I could never tell.

As I remained silent, my sister impatiently stomped her foot as if to express her frustration.

“Fine! I won’t tell you if something happens, either!”

“Fine.” I shrugged, uninterested in her threats.

My sister, who had been glaring at me, sighed in resignation.

“You’re not planning to come home anytime soon, are you?”

“Nope.”

My sister pouted her lips, showing a disappointed expression, but there was nothing she could do. After she got married, I couldn’t feel comfortable in that home, which gave off the feeling of a comfy family. I had always been somewhat indifferent to my family, but after regaining the memories of my past life, I didn’t know how to approach them. I broke off the setting of not liking my family, but regardless, whether it was the current me or the previous me, I was still me. So, changing the already-established feelings in my heart into a more amiable disposition was not an easy task. However, despite my reasons, my older sister thought I had left home because I was uncomfortable with Lord Ruhel’s presence. It was a long misunderstanding to clear up, so I just pretended not to know. Swallowing my reasons once again, I awkwardly comforted my sister.

“I’m just too lazy to commute. And I have so much work to do.”

Of course, I wasn’t talking about the grieving center, but my brazen words made my sister click her tongue.

“Phill does all the work, and you pretend to be busy.”

“Why wouldn’t I work? Didn’t Phill spread those rumors?”

I playfully replied to my sister’s words, and the atmosphere eased a bit

It seemed she had no intention of pursuing the matter any further, so I said quietly.

“Can I go to sleep now?”

“Tut-tut. Go wash up and then sleep. You’re dirty.”

I avoided my sister’s nagging and closed the door, immediately lying on the bed. I didn’t feel too uncomfortable in my room. Before long, I drifted off to sleep.

 

*       *       *  

 

Why do holidays pass by so quickly?

Even after taking a two-day break, I still felt tired due to the accumulated fatigue.

“I want to quit my job.” As I wriggled around in annoyance at the thought of preparing for work, the desire to quit surged within me. All my enthusiasm disappeared the day I regained the memories of my past life. It felt like I had been hit by thunder. I’m looking for the motivation to run away. But I’m not fervently hoping for it.

“Milady.”

Knock. Knock. The maid, Kiryn, opened the door.

“Please have your meal. The Duke said she’ll scold me if you don’t go down.”

“Ugh… I’ll be there soon.”

It was already the third time she had called for me. My sister wouldn’t scold Kiryn, but if I dwelled any longer, my sister might come herself, so I got up.

I roughly put on some clothes and headed to the dining room, where my sister and Lord Ruhel were already seated. She looked at me disapprovingly, while Lord Ruhel greeted me with a gentle smile.

“You came quickly.”

“I’m not a morning person. Did you sleep well, Lord Ruhel?”

“Yes. Did Shaterian sleep well?”

“Well, I always do.”

As I sat down, the maids brought out the food. The time to go to work was approaching, but I wasn’t the type to rush.

‘If I’m late, I’m late. And if not, I’m then not.’ With that mindset, I leisurely enjoyed the salad and dried fruits.

“Come to think of it, Terry.”

“Mh?”

Munch. Munch.

My mouth was filled with the freshness of the vegetables and the savory taste of ricotta cheese made from salty milk. The dried fruits left a sweet aftertaste.

“I heard rumors that you’re dating Duke Astrea. Is it true?” My sister asked as she put a small piece of cut meat into her mouth.

In reaction to the nonchalant tone, as if she were commenting on the weather, I paused midway, trying to stuff my mouth with salad.

‘What kind of rumors are spreading?’

“What…?” I asked in disbelief.

My sister, dipping asparagus in oil and pepper, said, 

“There are rumors that you’re dating Duke Astrea. It’s all over the capital already.”

 

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Kinda makes me sad how she refers to her brother-in-law as ‘lord’ as if she wants to keep her distance. Also, it was fun how Ashed treated Terry as ‘her ladyship’ but spoke utterly informally. LMAO