Chapter 5
The color drained from Josephine’s face.
Looking straight at her stunned expression, Kanna continued speaking clearly, one word at a time.
“Why should I have to mortgage my entire day—my own time—to you? And why should I, of all people, have to do that for my mother-in-law, who is merely a guest in my home?”
“…Your home? Did you just call me a guest?”
“Yes.”
“I am the lawful wife of His Grace, Duke Sylvien Valentino. This mansion belongs to the Duke and Duchess of Valentino.”
“As for you, Mother… you should have established your own household long ago.”
Every sentence struck Josephine exactly where it hurt most.
She didn’t want to lose the authority that came with House Valentino.
She wanted to remain the lady of Valentino forever.
But time moved on.
The world changed.
By all rights, Josephine should have handed the estate over to its new mistress.
She simply refused to.
Even knowing people criticized her behind her back, she continued living in the mansion.
Fortunately, her stepson, who cared little for household affairs, never objected.
I am still the mistress of House Valentino!
To cement that fact, she had forced Kanna to greet her three times a day.
It was her way of making absolutely clear who ranked above whom.
Until now, Kanna had obediently accepted the unfair arrangement without ever resisting.
But now…
She had changed.
That worthless daughter-in-law had stabbed directly at Josephine’s sorest wound.
“Kanna Addis…”
“Kanna Valentino, Mother.”
At least for the time being.
She was still a Valentino.
Despite her hoarse voice, Kanna answered firmly.
That correction slashed at Josephine’s pride.
She had reached her limit.
“You there!”
“What are you standing around for?!”
“Continue the whipping immediately!”
There was no need.
Kanna had been standing through sheer force of will.
Her body suddenly swayed violently before collapsing backward.
Thud!
The back of her head struck the carpet.
Seriously…?
If I’d hit the floor wrong, I could’ve died.
Couldn’t someone have caught me…?
Her vision gradually faded into darkness.
Unable to withstand the burning fever spreading through her body, Kanna slowly closed her eyes.
“Do not treat her!”
“Do not give her any medicine until Kanna admits she’s wrong!”
Josephine’s harsh order was the last thing Kanna heard before losing consciousness.
That Night
She’s gone mad.
Even that night, Josephine’s anger hadn’t subsided.
No one changes that much overnight unless they’ve lost their mind.
Kanna Valentino—
No.
Kanna Addis.
The illegitimate daughter whom even House Addis treated like garbage.
Black hair.
Black eyes.
An ominous child who constantly hid her face beneath her bangs to conceal those cursed features.
Bringing that piece of trash into the family had been a mistake from the very beginning.
Josephine had hated the idea from the moment Sylvien announced he would marry Kanna.
But there was nothing she could do.
No one could oppose Sylvien’s decisions.
Still…
That marriage was only meant to avoid marrying the Second Princess.
Everyone knew it was nothing but a sham!
And yet…
That woman dared act like the mistress of the house?
She even dared call Josephine a mere guest?
She has to die.
Josephine had intended to spare Kanna’s life as long as she remained quiet.
Like a mouse.
Invisible.
Silent.
She should never have entered this house in the first place.
If Kanna hadn’t existed…
The Second Princess would have become Sylvien’s wife.
Josephine herself had spent years arranging exactly that outcome.
The princess knew how much effort Josephine had invested.
Surely…
After the marriage…
She would’ve treated Josephine with every honor she deserved.
If only they’d married…
If only Sylvien hadn’t suddenly produced that unexpected card—
Kanna Addis.
Everything should’ve gone according to plan.
Had it happened…
Josephine would’ve become the mother-in-law of a princess.
Connected to the Imperial Family.
Respected by an imperial daughter-in-law.
She would’ve enjoyed prestige in high society for the rest of her life.
Instead…
Her position had become dangerously unstable.
Once, she had ruled the social world as the Duchess of Valentino.
Not anymore.
She still held the title of Countess.
But it was an empty shell.
She possessed no territory.
No meaningful fortune.
Her stepson, Sylvien—
Who wasn’t related to her by blood—
Had granted her nothing except the title itself.
It was proof that he didn’t value her.
And that…
Was where her downfall began.
Without Sylvien’s support…
A noblewoman’s influence faded quickly.
She was becoming a flower whose bloom had already passed.
If only a princess had become my daughter-in-law…
If only I’d been connected to the Imperial Family…
None of this would’ve happened.
Instead…
That worthless stone had stolen the position.
And now she even threatened Josephine’s place as mistress of the mansion.
Josephine let out a cold laugh.
I wish she’d simply die.
A daughter-in-law who only gets in the way of my future.
Kanna’s calves had been shredded.
Now she was burning with fever.
If no one treated her…
She would surely grow weaker and weaker until she died.
Or perhaps she’d be left permanently crippled.
Josephine intended to do absolutely nothing.
After all…
Who would care if Kanna died?
Not her father.
Not her siblings.
Not even her husband, Sylvien.
Just then—
Knock.
A maid’s voice came from outside.
“Madam, His Grace Duke Valentino has come to see you.”
…What?
Josephine sharply inhaled.
Sylvien?
Looking for me?
At this hour?
Why would he do something so unusual?
Normally, her stepson treated her as though she barely existed.
He remained polite whenever they met.
But he almost never sought her out first.
Before she could even answer—
Creak.
The door opened.
Josephine instinctively clenched her fists.
“Sylvien.”
A tall man strode calmly into the room.
The instant she met his icy blue eyes…
She felt as though winter itself had entered with him.
“W-What brings you here?”
Her voice trembled involuntarily.
How could it not?
Very few people could stand before Sylvien Valentino without freezing.
Josephine swallowed.
Silver hair fell loosely across his flawless forehead.
His skin was as white as freshly fallen snow.
Everything about him gleamed with pale brilliance.
He resembled a sculpture carved from pure ice.
He was undeniably beautiful.
Yet…
Even his very breath seemed cold.
Even the faint smile resting on his lips carried no warmth.
It hardly looked like a smile at all.
Why has he come?
Surely…
He didn’t come because of Kanna?
Sylvien said nothing.
Instead, he walked to the sofa and sat down.
Crossing his long legs, he leaned back comfortably.
As though the room naturally belonged to him.
Without saying a word, Josephine sat opposite him.
Then—
“I’ve heard something… rather unusual.”
His low voice was as cold as frozen steel.
A chill ran down Josephine’s spine.
Unusual?
So it really is about Kanna…
What is that girl to him…?
“At Her Highness the Second Princess’s birthday banquet…”
His next words were completely unexpected.
“I heard that you assured everyone I would attend.”
Josephine quietly let out a breath of relief.
Of course.
There was no way he’d come because of that worthless girl.
“That’s right.”
“Princess Lilienne kept saying she’d missed seeing you.”
“So I promised her you would definitely accompany me.”
Sylvien folded his hands neatly over one knee.
Then…
He slowly lifted his gaze.
“…Promised?”
He repeated the word calmly.
As though it were something completely foreign.
Josephine felt the air leave her lungs again.
Those blue eyes…
So impossibly blue.
So sharp that she couldn’t bring herself to meet them.
Like a criminal before her judge…
She lowered her head.
The corners of Sylvien’s lips curved ever so slightly.
“Did you possess the authority to make such a promise?”
“Sylvien…”
“I merely thought Her Highness seemed lonely after not seeing you for so long…”
“In that case…”
“The Countess of Elester may keep Her Highness company.”
“That is the extent of the authority you possess.”
It wasn’t a suggestion.
It was an order.
Immediately afterward, Sylvien rose to his feet.
His business concluded.
Without another word…
He walked out.
Josephine could only clench her fists so tightly they nearly broke.
She couldn’t utter a single word in protest.
