ILTDAMH |CHAPTER 81

Chapter 81

Mer, You’ll Regret the Words You Just Spoke

Three days earlier, Peter had watched Zelda pack her belongings with a worried expression.

“Zelda, are you sure it’s alright to just leave like this?”

“Don’t worry. If it’s the Rosaline I know, she’ll never pretend not to know me.”

“But… my uncle always said nobles don’t like being close to commoners. And she isn’t just any noble—she’s the Empire’s only Duchess. If you go and act familiar, she might dislike it. Imagine the scandal: a Duchess calling a commoner her sister. That wouldn’t be good for her reputation.”

Zelda hesitated for a moment at his caution, but quickly shook her head.

“Don’t lump my Rosaline in with those arrogant nobles. You saw her yourself—did she ever once lord her title over us while working here?”

“Well… maybe that was just because she wanted Rosaline to like her more. Still, please think about this again.”

“Peter, really, it’s fine. Stop worrying about me and look after Ruan while I’m gone. He’s been wandering around the neighborhood again lately.”

“Don’t worry about Ruan. Just be careful. And… if Lady Rosaline, no—if the Duchess does ignore you, try not to take it too hard, alright?”

“Alright, alright, I get it. Enough nagging. Take care of the teahouse and Ruan for me. I’ll be back soon.”

Even as Zelda walked out the door, Peter’s eyes stayed filled with worry.

***

An hour ago, Zelda finally arrived in the capital after three days by carriage. She headed straight for the tea shop where she often bought supplies.

“Welcome, Zelda. But wait—didn’t you just buy tea not long ago? Don’t tell me you’ve sold it all already?”

George, the kindly older shopkeeper, greeted her with a laugh.

“Of course not. I still have some left. I just came because I had business in the capital.”

“Business? It’s rare for you to have any business here besides buying tea. Interesting.”

George brought her a cup of tea as she sat at a table.

“George, do you know the Canoluf Ducal House?” Zelda asked after a sip.

“Of course. I’m good friends with their chef. Why, I even gave him one of those sandwiches you brought last time. Funny thing—he asked me where you lived. Do you know the ducal family?”

Zelda waved her hands quickly.

“Of course not. How could I know such lofty nobles?”

“True enough. But why ask?”

“I was just curious where the estate is. Is it far from here?”

“Not at all. About an hour by carriage. Though the city’s been rather noisy today.”

“Why’s that?”

“This morning they held a closed trial for the rebels. No verdict yet, but people say they’ll all be sentenced to death.”

Zelda nodded, remembering the newspaper Joseph had brought a few days back.

“It was treason. What else would you expect?”

“And lately, the ducal house you asked about has been the talk of the town.”

“Why?”

“They say the runaway Duchess has returned. Strange man, that Duke—why bring back a wife who ran away?”

At George’s careless criticism, Zelda flared up.

“You don’t even know why she left! If she left, she had her reasons. If the Duke brought her back, then he must have had his reasons too.”

“Whoa, calm down. Anyway, rumor has it the palace ball is coming soon, and that’s where the Duke and Duchess will officially announce their remarriage.”

“Remarriage?” Zelda’s eyes widened. So they’re truly husband and wife again?

She broke into a bright smile. That’s wonderful, Rosalyn.

“Really? I’m so glad I came to the capital. George, I’ll buy all the tea you’ve got—please pack it up. I have somewhere else to be.”

“Somewhere else? You know people in the capital?”

“Of course. My sister lives here. And it seems she’s about to be married.”

“Well then, congratulations! Wait a moment.”

George disappeared to the back and returned with a small box.

“What’s this?”

“Black tea. From the Kingdom of Arknine, famous for it. Rich, rare stuff. If she’s your sister, my best customer’s family, I can at least give you this.”

“George, thank you so much.”

“Haha, just give her my congratulations.”

“I will!”

Holding the precious tea close, Zelda called for a carriage.

“To the Canoluf Ducal House, please!”

***

At the estate gates, Zelda arrived just in time to witness a commotion.

“I told you, I’m the Duchess’s sister! I came here before! Why won’t you let me in?”

“Forgive us, my lady, but the Duke ordered that no member of your family is to enter this house. Please leave at once.”

“How dare you, a mere guard, block a noble? Call Mer out immediately!”

“We’re sorry, my lady, but you must return home.”

The guards exchanged helpless glances as Lucianne caused a scene. One ran inside to fetch the butler.

As Lucianne turned in frustration, her eyes landed on Zelda.

“What are you looking at? Why are you staring at me so rudely?”

Pretty face, rotten temper, Zelda thought, watching the stranger snap at her. But something about the woman seemed oddly familiar.

Where had she seen her before?

Zelda stepped closer, studying her face.

“What? Stop staring at me like that.”

“My lady… haven’t we met before?”

“Me?” Lucianne’s eyes swept her up and down.

“Why would I know a commoner? I don’t.”

As Lucianne turned away, Zelda’s memory clicked.

That’s right. Rosaline’s sister. That hateful woman.

Her blood boiled. So this is the one who abused Rosaline, who never even searched for her after she vanished—and now she dares to show up here, trying to seduce her sister’s husband?

You picked the wrong day to show your face.

Zelda seized a fistful of Lucianne’s hair and yanked.

“Aaagh! What—what are you doing? Let go of me!”

Lucianne shrieked and struggled, but Zelda only tightened her grip, shaking her by the scalp.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment! How dare you torment my sister!”

***

What on earth…?

Marican blinked in shock at the sight of Zelda thrashing Lucianne by the hair while the woman screamed.

Finally, she turned to her knights.

“Why are you just standing there? Break them apart.”

“Madam, couldn’t we let her go just a bit longer? It’s… rather satisfying.”

“Charles!”

At Marican’s sharp tone, the knights rushed to pull the two apart. Even then, Zelda clung to Lucianne’s hair until she was forced off.

“Zelda, when did you come to the capital?” Marican asked, approaching her.

“Rosaline—or should I call you Duchess now?”

“Didn’t we agree to use names?”

“It’s hard, seeing you dressed so grandly. Not like the simple dresses you wore in Phenomenon.”

“Zelda, stop that. Whatever I wear, I’ll always be Rosalyn to you. Come inside.”

As Marican guided her, Lucianne grabbed her arm.

“Mer! I’m your sister! And you’re just going to ignore the fact that a commoner assaulted me?”

Marican shook her off coldly.

“My lady, I already told you last time—we are no longer family.”

“What? You dare deny me? I hear you’re about to remarry the Duke, and suddenly you think you can ignore us? And you, you peasant! You laid hands on a noble’s head—that’s treason! Guards, arrest her immediately!”

The knights glanced uncertainly at Marican.

“If we’re talking of crimes,” Marican said icily, “then what punishment fits a baron’s daughter who storms a duke’s gates, demanding to see a sister she disowned?”

Lucianne faltered.

“I thought you’d come to apologize to us. That’s the least you owe.”

“Apologize? For what? You yourself struck my name from your house records. I have nothing left of Beanonman—everything I left there belongs to you and your mother. Stop coming here.”

“Mer, you’ll regret those words. One day you’ll come crawling back, begging to be added to our family again.”

“Don’t listen to her!” Zelda snapped, lunging again. “Even if I rot in prison, I’ll rip every hair from her head!”

Lucianne backed away, terrified.

“Touch me again and it won’t just be prison—you’ll hang!”

Marican caught Zelda’s trembling hands, soothing her. Then she faced Lucianne.

“Lucianne Beanonman. I’ll say this once more. I am no longer part of your family. If you cause another scene, I will call the guards. And do not call me your sister again. I am the Duchess of Canoluf.”

Duchess? Don’t make me laugh. Without me, you’d never—

Lucianne froze as Zelda glared at her. She stepped back, fixing her hair in haste.

“Mer, you’ll regret the words you just spoke. When you do, I won’t take you back.”

“My choice, my regret. Nothing for you to worry about. Now leave. Charles, prepare tea. Zelda, come inside.”

“Just wait,” Lucianne muttered, retreating.

As she stormed away with her hair in disarray, Zelda walked proudly into the ducal house at Marican’s side.