FIH | CH 06

Chapter 6

At those words, Kersian fell silent and looked at Haela as if searching for something.

Her gaze toward him wasn’t dazed as usual, nor was she chattering noisily.

The reason she was acting so strangely today was likely because of what happened on the wedding day.

He had clearly explained himself and comforted her, so he expected Haela to comply and accept it quickly, as she always did.

However, he felt as if there were thorns hidden in her words.

“Of course. By the way, you are dressed quite simply today, but I didn’t know such clothes would suit you so well.”

“There’s no reason to be dressed up elaborately when I’m only staying at home.”

At her calm reply, Kersian narrowed his eyes.

She was usually a woman who tried her hardest to look good for him, blushing and smiling broadly at a single word of praise.

Today, Haela was wearing a calm sky-blue dress.

She wore no flashy jewelry or makeup, but she looked pure and mature, exuding an atmosphere she never had before.

However, hearing her words now, that appearance was irritating to his eyes.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back, so there’s no need to wait.”

“I understand. Have a safe trip.”

After that conversation, Haela strolled through the garden for a while.

Staying in her room only made her mind more troubled.

It was spring, so it wasn’t very cold, and the budding green leaves and colorful flowers were a joy to see.

The spring sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and the garden scenery was like a painting.

Being able to enjoy all of this again brought back many emotions.

In the past, she had been innocent and assumed life here would be similar to the Imperial Palace.

She thought she would live comfortably under the protection of a kind Kersian.

However, he did not protect her, and people watched her with fiery eyes, trying to find her flaws.

She had to suffer the sadness of losing many precious people here. As the days went by, she withdrew, eventually stopping her social life and staying quietly at home.

Even though she knew she was becoming a laughingstock, she only avoided people out of fear.

Kersian didn’t scold her, but he looked at her with pathetic eyes.

His kindness vanished as time passed, and later, he wouldn’t even deal with her.

In the past, she thought it was natural for Kersian to be disappointed in her because she acted so pathetically.

But she didn’t think that way anymore.

She now regretted why she had lived so suppressed.

This morning, she requested a meeting with Uriel.

Her head was still complicated, but she had no intention of letting things slide like before.

She would correct things one by one.

As she was about to enter the mansion, she saw someone approaching.

It was Count Betia.

He looked younger than in her memory.

Right, there was him too.

The man before her had contributed greatly to the rebellion and was involved in her father’s death.

Remembering everything he had done in her previous life, her vision seemed to turn red.

She gripped her reason and clenched her fists so hard that blood almost pooled in the palms marked by her nails.

Count Betia saw her and gave a light nod as a greeting.

As he tried to pass by, Haela called out to him.

“Count.”

“Yes, Princess. Do you have business with me?”

Even in her previous life, the people of the Betia family called her “Princess” instead of “Duchess.”

It was a sign that they could not accept her as a member of the Duchy.

While it was a familiar title, the fact that she wasn’t being recognized used to make her feel sorrowful, but now, it was actually comfortable to hear.

“I should be the one asking that. Since an unknown guest is in my house and I haven’t received a greeting or a reason, I thought I should ask.”

At those words, Count Betia raised an eyebrow.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at Haela.

His cold expression and searching gaze usually made people shrink back.

However, she faced him with an indifferent face and asked.

“So, why are you here?”

“I have matters regarding the territory to report to His Grace.”

“I understand that the daughter of Count Betia is currently in the mansion; why did you come separately?”

“Is that so?”

“Does that mean you didn’t know?”

Count Betia’s eyes narrowed.

Haela seemed calm even though she already knew Uriel was at the mansion.

It was strange that she, who was so weak-hearted she collapsed just from seeing Uriel at the wedding, now seemed perfectly fine.

“I had a guess. Uriel and His Grace have been special, like siblings, since they were young, so it’s not strange for her to be here.”

“I wondered if she cared about public eyes since she came so quietly, but I guess that was my misunderstanding. If that’s the case, I can save the trouble of keeping people’s mouths shut.”

Hearing her voice mixed with ridicule, Count Betia’s brow furrowed.

Haela didn’t care and smiled.

“Even though an unmarried young lady is staying at a strange man’s house, it seems the Count isn’t worried about his daughter’s reputation being damaged. Is that how the Betia family teaches their children?”

The mistress of a great noble might be treated well to her face, but she was often pointed at behind her back.

However, most mistresses were not of very high status, so they weren’t hit hard by public evaluation.

Unlike them, Uriel was the legitimate daughter of a great family.

If it became known that she spent the night at the Duke’s mansion, her honor would hit rock bottom, and it would be hard for her to find a marriage partner.

The family would also be ridiculed.

“Your words seem a bit excessive,” Count Betia said with a stiff face.

The image of the Princess he had heard about was soft and innocent, and seeing her in person, she looked incredibly weak.

But now, she looked like a venomous autumn snake.

With harsh words that didn’t match her age and a bold attitude.

Another woman being with her new husband was something a normal woman would be ashamed of and avoid, but because she was a young girl, she spoke of it without shame.

“Are my words excessive? Or are the actions of the Count’s daughter excessive?”

“Regarding that day, His Grace has already explained…”

“It’s actually perfect, as I’ve already called for the young lady because I have something to say. Let’s stop by and have a conversation.”

Haela cut off Count Betia and walked ahead.

He looked at her back and had no choice but to follow.

***

Uriel was sitting leaning back on a comfortable sofa, drinking tea.

Her relaxed appearance made her look like the owner of the house.

“When is the Princess coming after calling for someone?”

“She will come if you wait,” Marlin replied stiffly.

Uriel glared at her.

The newly appointed head maid (Marlin) held the status of a Marchioness.

Even so, Uriel felt she was no different from the mistress of the Duchy, so the maid should show her respect and courtesy.

“I heard you followed the Princess here, but it seems you haven’t adapted yet. I am no different from the people of the Duchy, but if you act like this toward outsiders, I’m worried others will speak ill of you.”

Uriel’s smile was arrogant, and her tone was condescending.

Marlin replied coldly.

“I was scolded by His Grace yesterday for accidentally calling her ‘Princess.’ He told me to call her ‘Madam’ from now on, not ‘Princess.’”

She openly mentioned that Haela was the mistress of the mansion.

Offended but unable to argue, Uriel set down her teacup with a loud clack.

“If she’s going to be even later, I’ll go rest in my room, so come call me again when she arrives.”

Just as she was about to stand up, Haela walked in.

Unlike Uriel, who was elaborately dressed, she was in somewhat comfortable attire.

She wore a calm sky-blue tunic dress, and her necklace and bracelet were not flashy.

In contrast, Uriel wore a dress with deep colors and elaborate embroidery.

The design, which revealed her chest and shoulders and tightly cinched her waist, was very seductive, emphasizing her full chest and slender waist.

One was flashy, and one was pure.

Uriel’s seductive appearance looked somewhat noisy and frivolous compared to the gentle Haela.

And Haela seemed to draw more attention now than on the wedding day.

Because it hadn’t been long since she rose from her sickbed, her face was pale and bloodless.

Since she didn’t wear a foolish smile full of happiness, nor did she look shocked and helpless by the unexpected situation, her cold and haughty impression revealed an elegant and wealthy aura.

The atmosphere was like a different person from the wedding day. The fabric of her clothes was so smooth that it shone whenever light reflected off it, making it look as if she had a golden halo.

In terms of appearance alone, Uriel was more feminine and beautiful, but with the two of them together, even though Haela was younger, she looked like the main wife while Uriel looked like a concubine.

When Haela was in the capital, it was said that Kersian gave her all sorts of gifts to win her heart.

Starting from accessories like hats, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, to dresses and even a flower garden.

Could that top-grade aquamarine necklace and bracelet she was wearing now also be his gifts?

Uriel looked at Haela with eyes reddened by jealousy.

Then, one more person followed her in.

Uriel’s eyes widened when she discovered Count Betia.

“Young lady of the Betia family, I heard you arrived around yesterday evening, and now I finally see your face.”

Haela said as she took her seat.