TMET 26

Chapter 26. She Was the Unwelcome Guest 

“Henet, as Damion’s close friend, what do you think?”

The teasing question extended to Henet as well. Without hesitation, he replied,

“It’s true. She’s honest, and she really seems to like Damion.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m telling you, it’s real.”

Henet, who had once been burned by doubting her, defended Ansi with all his might. His sincerity showed, and the members of the club began to chime in, raising their eyebrows.

From the party at the Marquis of Baylis’ estate to the boat ride on the Venues River, and the meals and walks that followed—accounts of Ansi and Damion’s time together began to pour in. The highlight was the conversation between the newlyweds witnessed at the banquet.

Centered around the love-struck groom, the club’s conversation continued without pause.

Damion listened to the stories—sometimes quietly, sometimes joining in—carefully observing the shift in public opinion.

Though the image of Ansi portrayed in those stories wasn’t quite real, Damion was at least certain of one thing: she wasn’t the kind of woman who would bring him harm.

“This one is the madam’s personal seal used for important documents, and this is the simplified Orphe family seal for general paperwork.”

The butler, Nouvel, offered her a case containing two stamps. The left was large and intricately crafted, while the right was small and simple.

Ansi examined them briefly, then nodded politely.

Though deemed important, Ansi—new to her role as mistress—had few important documents to handle. So the left seal wouldn’t see much use.

But the right one was different.

The unassuming Orphe seal for everyday documents was exactly what she needed right now.

Nouvel then handed her a few stiff sheets of paper.

“These are the documents for your personal budget, Madam. It’s about 5,000 lus a month—is that acceptable?”

“That’s quite a lot.”

Nouvel gave a faint smile.

“2,000 lus will be deposited directly to you, and the rest can be withdrawn from the bank at any time using the left seal.”

“Does Damion—my husband—need to approve that?”

“The master wishes for you to live freely. There are no such restrictions.”

“I see. Thank you for the explanation.”

Ansi smiled lightly, hiding her tension.

“It’s nothing, Madam.”

As Nouvel left the room, Ansi’s smile vanished.

Damion de Orphe had no suspicion toward her. If he had, he wouldn’t have handed her a seal and such a large sum of money just days after their marriage.

That naïveté was fortunate for her.

Ansi picked up the smaller seal and examined it. The carved pattern was a simplified version of the Orphe family crest.

After carefully inspecting it, she set it down and closed the case. She planned to first test whether her spending truly wouldn’t reach Damion’s ears before making any real moves.

She called for Simon.

“I’d like to go out.”

“I’ll accompany you, Madam.”

“That’s not nec—”

She started to decline but trailed off.

To be honest, always having an attendant was uncomfortable. She had always preferred solitude, and the habits she’d developed over the past year made her even more inclined to be alone. Any future plans would also require freedom of movement.

But if she pushed people away from the start, it could invite unnecessary suspicion.

Once she’d earned some trust, she could move on her own.

“I want to buy some clothes. Let’s go together.”

“Ah! Should I call someone from a boutique to come here?”

“No, I’d like some fresh air.”

“Of course. Do you have a store in mind?”

“Zerdian or Raul… though I assume they require reservations. Do you know any shops that don’t need one?”

Ansi had visited those boutiques when she was the Countess of Rubelsa. But now that she thought of it, they required reservations at least two weeks in advance.

Simon replied proudly,

“Both of those stores recently received investments from the master. So, you can visit them without a reservation.”

Ansi raised a brow slightly.

He invested in boutiques too?

According to her research, Damion invested in flowers, hotels, yachts, and cars—the modern luxuries adored by socialites.

But Zerdian and Raul were a little different in nature. It puzzled her slightly.

Still, she let the thought go.

Maybe he had eclectic tastes. Maybe he invested in numerous brands—or just happened to like the same styles she did.

Soon, she and Simon left the mansion and boarded a carriage.

Damion’s estate was on Northwedden Street in the north. Following the Venues River from the northeast to the southwest, the bustling city center soon appeared.

The two boutiques were located there.

Ansi visited Zerdian first. As Simon said, she was allowed in without a reservation.

Though the welcome was lukewarm.

“Oh, Countess of Rubelsa…?”

“She’s the Lady of House Orphe.”

Simon corrected her. The designer awkwardly nodded.

Ansi could tell the designer wasn’t happy to see her.

“These days, fabric prices are through the roof. We don’t have a wide selection… would that be alright?”

The designer subtly hinted at rejection. Simon furrowed his brow, ready to protest—

But Ansi spoke first.

“You seem uncomfortable with me wearing your clothes.”

Her quiet gaze made the designer quickly deny it.

“N-no, of course not.”

“It’s true that fabric prices have generally increased, but the imported Bellisan fabrics used by Zerdian have actually dropped in price thanks to relaxed trade laws.”

Ansi stated the facts calmly. Simon, now certain the designer was rejecting Ansi, turned red with anger.

Ansi, however, remained composed.

She understood.

To the designer, having Ansi wear her brand would bring more loss than gain.

Though she had regained some reputation as Lady Orphe, her Rubelsa past still clung to her.

Still, the bitter feeling lingered.

When she used to be a regular customer here, the designer’s face would light up with joy. But now, that same face looked troubled.

That cheerful greeting—“Countess of Rubelsa!”—had turned into a hesitant, “Countess of Rubelsa…?” reminding her of her current status.

She had to try harder.

If she wanted to reclaim her dignity and begin her revenge, she had to rise to a position where she was known not as Rubelsa’s daughter, but as the Lady of House Orphe.

“I’m sorry, but I really do like Zerdian’s clothes. So please show me the fabrics and designs. A month from now, Madam, you may regret today’s reaction.”

“Regret? Oh no, please don’t say such things, Madam!”

The designer, flustered at being called out, forced a friendly smile.

Just then—

Ding. The bell above the door rang.

Ansi turned to the sound, and her eyes widened.

So did the other woman’s, who was smiling brightly as she stepped inside.

“Elise.”

When Ansi called out to her, Elise’s expression hardened. The designer greeted her in a completely different tone.

“Welcome, Lady Baylis! Right this way—”

“Did the Lady Orphe buy clothes here too?”

Elise asked coldly. The designer glanced around nervously.

“Oh… she’s about to. We just got some lovely new fabrics, so please—”

“Then I won’t buy anything.”

“What? Miss, why?”

The designer panicked. Elise glanced at Ansi.

“I don’t want to wear the same brand as the Lady Orphe.”

Ansi’s eyes trembled.

Her direct jab froze the entire room. Both the designer and Simon looked at Ansi in alarm. Elise’s maid, Nina, seemed just as uneasy.

“Nina, handle the cancellation fee and let’s go.”

With that, Elise walked out.

“Miss!”

The boutique fell into a heavy silence. The designer avoided looking directly at Ansi and gave Simon a pleading glance.

“I’ll go bring her back.”

Ansi said, feigning calm.

But inside, her chest throbbed.

Elise really does hate me.

Just like at the Baylis family’s party. Elise had ignored her and taken everyone else away.

But… the unwelcome guest here wasn’t Elise. It was her. If one had to leave, it should be her.

Ansi hurried out.

Among the crowd, Elise was striding forward. Seeing her angry back, Ansi hesitated—but then called again.

“Elise!”

“Don’t come!”

Elise turned abruptly, voice sharp.

She hated her that much. Chasing her now might only make things worse.

“Come back, Elise. I’ll go to a different shop.”

Elise didn’t respond. She didn’t even want to speak to her.