Not long after Peon was essentially banished to Lusenford, Beatrice Ravalley also began visiting Lusenford frequently. She had nowhere else to go due to her family’s declining fortunes.
In Lusenford, she was always a welcome guest. Even more welcome than the Grand Duchess, who was the Emperor’s niece but the daughter of an illegitimate child.
The Lusenford nobles harbored both admiration and hatred for the capital. They secretly liked the vibrant and lively Beatrice. After all, she was the flower of high society.
She loved establishing hierarchies. From a very young age, she always wanted to show that she was superior to Kaela, even though Kaela was the Grand Duchess.
The Lusenford nobles joined in, and if Kaela tried to retaliate by asserting her authority as Grand Duchess, they would immediately run to Peon. Beatrice had a powerful spell called “taboo” on her side.
“Peon and I are so close, you know.”
Beatrice shot back at Kaela’s words without batting an eye. For Kaela, who had liked Peon since childhood, just mentioning the special relationship between Beatrice and Peon was enough. It was always Beatrice’s victory.
Kaela recalled the widespread rumors that Beatrice had cried in front of Peon because of her.
More precisely, it spread as “The Grand Duchess made Lady Ravalley cry.” She remembered the cold of Lusenford, where every action was restricted and it was hard to breathe.
“I’m worried because he suddenly said he’s getting married. You know, that cold, insensitive boy – will he be okay? As you know, he never understood your feelings.”
On such occasions, Peon never called for Kaela separately or took any action. He just consistently left her alone. He did nothing, and the nobles and people within Lusenford took care of things on their own.
“Well, I suppose it’s good. After all that persistent effort, you’re finally getting rewarded?”
Peon consistently referred to her as the Grand Duchess, even though she wasn’t properly treated as one.
Kaela was convinced that this was the only form of attack from a man who showed no emotions. Isn’t it an insult to call someone the Grand Duchess when they’re not truly treated as one?
“As Peon’s closest friend, I’m just worried. Don’t take it personally.”
This implies, “You’re not that narrow-minded, are you?” after thoroughly scratching at one’s insecurities.
Beatrice gave an eye smile. It felt like everything around her lit up. It was as if a spark of light appeared in the middle of the palace corridor where people were coming and going. The gazes of people who had been quietly watching were all drawn to Beatrice.
Kaela knew well how powerful Beatrice’s beauty and aura were.
If it weren’t for that, Beatrice would have just been from a fading noble family on the verge of disappearing. It was already impressive that she had managed to hang on this far. Kaela sincerely thought Beatrice was remarkable.
“I understand completely. I’m not taking it personally.”
So she had to just accept what Beatrice said as truth. Because it was true. Who was Kaela to come between Peon and Beatrice?
She should just think, they must really like each other and be happy. What else could she do? Compared to Beatrice, she was ugly and charmless, a stiff log that her husband had never even glanced at.
“I can see how special you think Peon is.”
So there’s nothing more foolish than trying to be sharp with Beatrice here. Anyone can see that it’s natural for the Grand Duke of Lusenford to choose Beatrice. At least, that’s how it was in Lusenford.
“Well, you would know best. You’ve been watching us for a very long time, haven’t you?”
Beatrice gave a gentle eye smile. Kaela nodded calmly. Her expression was composed, but inside, a fire was raging.
“That’s right. I know you’re much closer to him than I am. Everyone in Crania knows how carefully you’ve looked after him, and how you grew up together since childhood. As you said, it’s a very special relationship.”
But still. Did she really need to call out the busy new bride in the palace, in a place where many people gather, just to engage in a power struggle?
Before her death, Kaela would have just listened with a smile, nodded kindly, maintained her manners to the fullest, and then returned home feeling upset for no reason.
Back then, not only did she lack tact, but she also wanted to maintain goodwill. That’s how naive Kaela was.
“What a shame that you and the Duchess won’t be able to attend my wedding this time. With such a special relationship, I was hoping you’d come to congratulate us. It’s unfortunate.”
Even if one has goodwill, it doesn’t save lives. So how about malice?
Kaela, who had died and come back, began to cross the lines she had always maintained. What’s the worst that could happen? If she dies, it would be a relief. If she doesn’t, at least she’d have tried something new.
“Sister, please take good care of him for me too. As you said, you know him better than I do.”
How long had Beatrice been deceiving the Grand Duke and communicating with the Emperor?
Kaela could no longer distinguish whether the feeling welling up inside her was jealousy and inferiority, or a sense of injustice.
In the end, she felt so wronged and angry that the Emperor’s spy that Lusenford had tried so hard to identify and point fingers at wasn’t Kaela, but Beatrice.
Blinded by first love and old memories, and trying desperately to maintain his beliefs, Peon had essentially handed over all of Lusenford’s secrets to Beatrice.
And then Beatrice had poisoned Kaela while mockingly pitying her.
Of course, the Beatrice that Kaela remembers has nothing to do with the current Beatrice. Strictly speaking, they are different people. But people don’t change easily. It takes something like death to become a different person.
“I was just thinking how much easier things would be for me thanks to you, sister.”
She hated using the term “sister,” but strangely, it came out smoothly. It was very easy to return exactly what Beatrice had been doing. Seeing her expression change now, calling her “sister” was no big deal.
Yes. Kaela had just said that since she’s too busy to take care of her husband, the mistress should handle it. In fact, this was a political marriage, so it was enough to just stick to the “politics.”
Kaela, never having openly said such mean things before, held onto her racing heart as she spoke.
“Come to Lusenford often. He and I will always welcome you together.”
As the wealthy Princess Ostein and future Grand Duchess, she need not be concerned about her husband’s mistress; she only needs to produce an heir.
Although she extremely disliked fights between wives and mistresses by nature, Kaela was certain she had hit the mark when she saw Beatrice’s eyes instantly harden.
At the same time, she felt self-loathing for doing something she detested, but Kaela decided to be brazen. She had already hit rock bottom.
Yes. She should have done this from the start. She should have spoken her mind freely and fanned the flames to hasten the downfall of the two people who had ruined her.
She shouldn’t have foolishly tried to avoid treating Beatrice as a mistress when she herself was pointed at as the daughter of an illegitimate child, and Peon was called illegitimate as well.
“Give my regards to the Duchess as well.”
“Of course. Certainly.”
Beatrice didn’t lose her smile until the end. She had tried to speak casually to Kaela and upset her, thinking her ridiculous, but even though Kaela was attacked, she didn’t completely break down. She’ll probably prepare better and attack next time. It was predictable.
“And unlike the royal palace, please remember that the doors of Ostein Duchy are always open to the Duchess.”
If you’ve done something wrong, you should come and apologize. Kaela paused after saying “please remember.”
“Let me inform you.”
Do I have to teach you and your mother that you need to come and apologize to me?
The nobles around them opened their eyes wide at Kaela’s strong comeback.
“You two are always welcome at the duchy as well.”
Kaela knew she couldn’t achieve the same effect by mimicking Beatrice’s eye smile, so she just smiled gently. She knew how to smile too.
“I’ll have to excuse myself first due to a busy schedule. See you next time, sister.”
Attacking and belittling someone wasn’t as satisfying or exhilarating as she thought it would be.
The nobles of Lusenford, the people of the palace, the emperor, Beatrice, Duchess of Monde, and everyone else who did this so eagerly – they must be quite healthy, unlike her. They certainly have a lot of energy.
Kaela turned away from Beatrice and smiled bitterly as she saw the tops of the nobles’ heads who were eavesdropping and quickly disappearing.
In a situation where the daughter of an illegitimate child is marrying an illegitimate child, rumors will spread that she treated the flower of high society as a mistress.
Well, when had anything good ever happened to her? It’s always the same old life.
****
Peon was the first to hear the news that Beatrice and Kaela had met at the royal palace and even had a conversation. He closed his eyes tightly upon reading the contents of the conversation sent hurriedly by the spy he had assigned to Beatrice.
‘Where do I even begin to solve this…’
He wanted to go to Kaela right away and apologize again, but that was absolutely not an option.
Looking at the conversation, he was already firmly marked as a man with a mistress in her eyes. If he went now, he’d just look like a fool apologizing on behalf of the mistress to a heartbroken fiancée.
