ILTDAMH |CHAPTER 53

Chapter 53

Please—I beg you. Leave this shop at once.

Lucianne froze at the cold command.

Watching her, Ruan recalled the day at the pottery shop when she had hurled a teapot of scalding water at Marican.

“You’re telling me you’re Mer’s sister? That you were the woman who tried to throw boiling water at her?”

His voice was low, sharp with anger.

Lucianne waved her hands desperately, face twisted into an expression of pitiful regret.

“N-no, Your Grace. You’ve misunderstood. Yes, I was angry with Mer at the time, but I never meant to actually throw it at her. She just… she said such cruel things to me, I lost control. Later, I regretted it deeply. No matter how much she hated me, she was still my only sister. Now… I don’t even know where she is or how she’s living. Mother hasn’t been sleeping or eating well, thinking about her. H-hic…”

“Rosaline, is she really your sister? ‘Cruel words’? In all the months I’ve known you, I’ve never once seen you speak harshly to anyone. What is she talking about? Honestly, I want to march over and slap her myself.”

“Zelda, please. Let’s just hear her out first.”

“Hear her out? Rosaline, she’s twisting the whole story. From her version, you sound like the wicked one.”

“Zelda, hush. Stay here quietly.”

As Zelda fumed, Marican laid a calming hand over her mouth, then slowly stepped forward to stand beside Ruan, fixing her gaze on Lucianne.

“You must have truly loved your sister, young lady—if you’re weeping like this, longing for the one who ran away.”

Lucianne lifted her face at Marican’s gentle words.

Wait… she’s not just some country girl.

She looks so much like Mer. 

If Mer lost some weight and cut her hair, they would be nearly identical.

So that’s it. 

The Duke isn’t captivated by a peasant—he’s keeping this girl because she resembles Mer. 

How pathetic. 

And this country mouse actually believes he cares for her? 

Someone needs to wake her up to reality.

Lucianne’s eyes sharpened as she studied Marican.

“My goodness… you truly do look like Mer. Tell me, Your Grace—are you keeping this woman here simply because she resembles my sister? No wonder. On my way here, I overheard gossip among the women. Even I, her sister, must admit the likeness is uncanny. But look closely—Mer was fuller, with long hair, and her features… well, perhaps less refined, but far kinder. This girl is no replacement.”

Lucianne turned to Marican with feigned pity.

“And you, do you even know who this man is? You must be deluded, thinking the Duke actually cares for you. You’re here only because you remind him of my sister. Nothing more.”

Remind him… of me?

Marican blinked in disbelief.

She doesn’t recognize me?

Is this a joke, Luci? You can’t even recognize your own sister? Yes, I lost weight. Yes, I cut my hair. But twenty years together—and you don’t know my face? Not even my voice? Even the servants of the Ducal house recognized me at once. Even Ruan. And you—my own sister—cannot? Or perhaps you simply refuse to.

With a step forward, Marican asked softly, “Is that truly what you believe? Ruan—tell me. Do I really look so much like this ‘Mer’ she speaks of?”

Ruan’s expression faltered.

“Well… Rosaline, that is—”

He hesitated, trapped. 

Lucianne frowned, scanning Marican from head to toe.

“On second thought… perhaps not so alike after all. My sister was sweeter, prettier, and more lovable. Yes, she had too much appetite and grew heavy, but aside from that she was flawless. Isn’t that so, Your Grace?”

Marican let out a laugh—bitter and hollow.

Ah, sister. You never disappoint. 

For a moment, I almost believed you came here out of genuine concern for me. 

But no—you can’t even see me standing right before you. 

You only ever see what you want to see, hear what you want to hear.

Her voice cooled to steel.

“Do not speak words you’ll regret, young lady. And if you truly loved your sister, if you truly longed for her—you would be searching for her, not her former husband. What is it you’re after here? Could it be you are the one coveting him?”

Lucianne paled, stammering. “N-no, that’s not… Your Grace, you saw it too, didn’t you? She’s vulgar, shameless. Please, stop entertaining her. As for me—I’ve searched endlessly for my sister. Doesn’t my disheveled state prove it? I am a lady of high standing in the capital, but I’ve lowered myself for her sake. Oh, Mer… how I miss you.”

Marican leaned close to her ear, whispering icily.

“Then rejoice, young lady—for the sister you so desperately seek stands before you. How can you not recognize the face of the girl you lived with for twenty years?”

Lucianne’s eyes widened, stumbling back.

Impossible. 

That she could have lost so much weight? 

My sister, who never once resisted food? 

This is a dream.

She stared, horrified, and whispered, “You… you’re really Mer? No, it can’t be. How… how could it be you?”

“Why would I lie, Luci? For a brief moment, I almost believed your tears, almost thought you truly missed me. But no—you didn’t come for me. You came for Ruan.”

Lucianne stammered, “No, no! You’re mistaken. I was searching for you, Mer! Ruan—I only stopped here by chance.”

Marican’s gaze turned glacial.

“Do not call me that. You’ve already erased my name from the family registry. We are strangers now. From this day forward, address me only as Lady Rosaline. And as for you, daughter of Baron Beaunomont—I beg you, leave this shop at once. You are not worth even my anger. Do not appear before me again.”

Lucianne flinched at her sister’s cold fury.

“Didn’t you hear Rosaline? Leave,” Ruan snapped.

“Y-your Grace, I only—”

“My patience wears thin. If you value your life, keep your mouth shut and go.”

Terrified, Lucianne fled, stumbling into her carriage and hastily ordering it to depart from Phenomenon Village.

When she was gone, Marican collapsed, all strength draining from her limbs.

“Mer—no, Rosaline. Are you all right?”

“Yes, Ruan. I’m fine.”

But her trembling body betrayed her words. 

Ruan swept her into his arms.

“Put me down, I said I’m fine.”

“Zelda, please look after the shop,” Ruan called.

Zelda waved them off. “Go. I’ll handle things here. Rosaline, you should rest.”

“…I’m sorry, Zelda.”

“I’m the one who can’t bear this. Enough talk—go. Your Grace, don’t just stand there. Take her home.”

“Thank you, Zelda.”

Ignoring Rosaline ’s weak protests, Ruan carried her out of the shop. 

But as they stepped outside, she caught sight of Lucianne lingering nearby.

“Mer—wait! Talk to me!”

Lucianne’s eyes were wild with denial. 

No, this cannot be my sister. 

Ruan must be deceived by this country girl. 

Mer could never have become her.

Ruan tightened his hold, tucking Rosaline ’s head against his chest.

“She told you to leave. I will not forgive anyone who makes my Rosaline cry—not even her sister.”

Lucianne gasped. “Y-your Grace, please—”

“Be gone. Or you’ll lose your head.”

“Y-yes, Your Grace! I’m going!”

Terrified, Lucianne scrambled into her carriage and fled at last.

When she was gone, Rosaline flushed, suddenly aware she was still held in Ruan’s arms.

“Rosaline, are you truly all right?”

“Of course. The family ties ended at that tea party long ago. I only lost my temper for a moment. Please… put me down now.”

“If you stumble and fall, I’d never forgive myself. I’ll carry you.”

“I said I’m fine. The anger just drained my strength for a bit.”

“That’s exactly why I worry. But remember this, Rosaline —your family is not them. Your family is me, Aunt, and the people of the Ducal house. Those others aren’t worth your anger.”

In his words, the storm in her chest quieted. 

Ruan’s warmth steadied her in a way Lucianne never could.