Chapter 49
“Lady Angela really is like an angel.”
At Seria’s words, Karina’s entire body trembled.
The wounds Angela had left where no one could see only a few hours earlier throbbed painfully.
But Karina couldn’t let it show.
If anyone finds out… Angela will never forgive me.
Karina and her family were barely surviving day by day. They had no power to withstand the wrath of the Marquess of Bringtini’s daughter.
She’ll destroy us all.
Swallowing her fear, Karina placed the medicine into Seria’s mouth.
Seria obediently opened her tiny mouth like a baby bird and took it.
As she chewed the medicine, she suddenly asked,
“Did the Young Lady of House Windsorice come to the tea party again today?”
“Yes.”
Karina nodded, and Seria’s eyes sparkled.
Even though Seria was too sick to leave the house, Liriette’s story had become famous enough for her to know about it.
A little girl abandoned by her birth mother, only to discover ten years later that her father was the Duke of Windsorice.
It sounded like something straight out of a fairy tale.
“Last time you said the Young Lady brought chocolates she made herself. Did she bring another gift today? What color was her dress? What’s her personality like?”
Just as she had when Karina first met Liriette, Seria bombarded her with questions.
Karina recalled Liriette.
Her round face.
Her clear eyes.
Her shy smile.
Liriette looked endlessly kind and harmless.
It was impossible to imagine that she was the daughter of the mighty Duke of Windsorice, who commanded all the nobles of the North.
Then Karina remembered what Liriette had said to her earlier that day.
“Lady Karina, your red hair is just like roses blooming in May. The color is so rich and beautiful.”
“Your golden eyes are like the full moon shining in the night sky. They’re so bright and radiant.”
Since childhood, Karina had received countless compliments about her appearance.
But never one so pure…
So sincere.
Her cheeks had grown warm, and her heart had fluttered.
But only for a moment.
“You must never become close to Liriette, Karina.”
The instant Angela’s chilling voice echoed in her mind, her entire body turned cold.
You must never get close to the Young Lady of Windsorice.
Never.
Steeling herself, Karina answered in a cold voice,
“Sorry, Seria. I’m not interested in the Young Lady of Windsorice, so I don’t remember anything about her.”
Her little sister pouted in disappointment.
But there was nothing Karina could do.
Liriette attended every one of Angela’s tea parties.
Each time, she met Karina.
But beyond exchanging simple greetings, they hardly spoke.
It wasn’t because Liriette’s feelings had changed.
She still liked Karina very much.
…But Lady Karina hates me.
Having someone you dislike constantly approach you is a heavy burden.
So Liriette restrained herself from speaking to Karina, no matter how much she wanted to.
Meanwhile, Angela remained glued to Liriette’s side.
It didn’t take long before rumors spread.
“The Young Lady of Windsorice and Lady Angela of House Bringtini are inseparable best friends.”
Angela’s parents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Bringtini, were delighted.
“The Young Lady truly adores Angela. She attends every tea party Angela hosts, and even after they’re over, she stays behind to spend time alone with her.”
Liriette’s grandmother, Olivia, also nodded in satisfaction.
“I hope the two girls, who will one day lead Northern high society, continue to share such a warm friendship.”
The nobles smiled contentedly, believing the two greatest noble houses in the North would become even closer because of the girls.
Then one day…
Karina appeared at Angela’s tea party looking completely different.
Her face was pale and gaunt.
Dark circles hung beneath her eyes.
Her hair was tangled and unkempt.
The girls whispered among themselves.
“Hasn’t Karina gotten uglier lately?”
“I know! She used to be so beautiful she looked like a doll. Every time I saw her, I couldn’t help admiring her. Now I just sigh.”
“My mother says a woman’s beauty depends on how well she’s cared for. That’s why ladies of higher rank are always prettier.”
Their cruel comments didn’t stop there.
“What should she do? Her family’s gone, and her face is all she has left. If even that’s ruined, she’ll never marry into a respectable family.”
At that moment, Angela, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
“You don’t need to worry about that. When Karina grows up, I’ll make sure she marries into a good family.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Karina is one of my precious friends.”
Angela suddenly clasped her hands together as if she’d remembered something.
“Oh! Speaking of which, my mother’s distant relative, Count Keltrak, is looking for a young daughter-in-law. He owns several diamond mines, and he doesn’t care about a bride’s family background at all. He only wants someone with a gentle personality. Shall I introduce you to him, Karina?”
Karina was caught completely off guard.
The other girls were equally surprised.
The idea of penniless Karina marrying into such a wealthy count’s family seemed absurd.
But then Angela continued.
“And there’s one thing you should know. Count Keltrak’s son is an idiot. I’ve heard he can’t even take care of his own toileting. That’s why the Count wants him married as quickly as possible. He wants someone to stay by his son’s side and care for him.”
Silence fell over the room.
Then…
The girls burst into laughter.
“That family really is perfect for Karina! She takes such good care of her sick little sister. She’s probably better at nursing someone than most maids.”
“Angela, you should really ask your parents about it. For Karina’s sake.”
Unlike the delighted girls, Karina found nothing amusing.
It was humiliating.
But she couldn’t get angry.
This was Angela’s tea party.
If she ruined the atmosphere…
Angela would never forgive her.
Karina desperately held back her tears, clutching her skirt with trembling hands.
Just then—
“What exactly are you all talking about?”
The clear voice silenced everyone.
They turned toward the doorway.
Liriette stood there.
Her face was unusually stern.
The girls instantly realized something was wrong.
But only for a moment.
Angela approached Liriette with her usual radiant smile and linked arms with her.
“You’re here, Liriette.”
But Liriette had no desire to return the greeting.
She had heard everything before entering the room.
Her face remained cold.
“How can you say something so insulting and cruel while the person you’re talking about is sitting right in front of you?”
Liriette had quietly defended Karina before.
But this was the first time she had openly confronted them.
The girls were stunned.
In the suffocating silence, one of them finally spoke.
“As I said before, Karina and we’ve known each other since we were born. Friends sometimes play little pranks on each other. You’re such a kind person, Lady Liriette, so perhaps you’re simply not used to this sort of atmosphere. But I hope you won’t misunderstand.”
Normally…
Liriette would have forced an awkward smile and let the matter drop.
But she couldn’t.
Because Karina, sitting all alone in the corner, looked as though she might collapse at any moment.
Apparently…
Angela and the others couldn’t see that.
In a quiet voice, Liriette spoke.
“As you said, I haven’t been attending these tea parties for very long. I’ve done my best to respect and understand all of you.”
She paused.
“But today… I’ve finally reached a conclusion.”
“…”
“You don’t consider Lady Karina your friend.”
Her eyes settled on Angela.
Angela immediately understood the unspoken words behind that gaze.
Angela… you too.
For the first time, Angela’s expression twisted.
There was unmistakable disappointment in Liriette’s eyes.
“I’m sorry for the rudeness of leaving immediately after arriving.”
“But I don’t believe this is a situation where I can sit down and drink tea.”
With that…
Liriette turned and walked out of the tea room.
Holding Karina’s hand.
Liriette was smaller than Karina.
Her hands were smaller.
She was weaker.
And yet…
Karina couldn’t say a word.
The pressure radiating from Liriette left her speechless as she was led outside.
Only after they had left the estate did Karina finally shout,
“Let go!”
Liriette immediately released her hand.
In a gentle voice, she said,
“I’m sorry for dragging you out without asking.”
“I just thought… if I didn’t, you’d stay there.”
“…”
It was as though the courageous girl who had stood up to Angela moments earlier had never existed.
Liriette had returned to her usual self.
Gentle.
Soft.
Kind beyond measure.
Karina frowned.
She already knew Liriette liked her.
Whenever their eyes met during tea parties…
Liriette would always smile warmly.
And every time…
Karina deliberately turned away.
She didn’t want Angela to think she was trying to get close to Liriette.
The other girls even mocked her for it, saying she had the nerve to dislike the Young Lady of Windsorice despite not knowing her place.
So she definitely knows I don’t like her…
And yet…
There was nothing in Liriette’s eyes except concern.
Karina spoke with a trembling voice.
“Do you pity me?”
…Or do you want to torment me too?
Do you also need a pretty doll to play with… like Angela does?
She couldn’t bring herself to say those words aloud.
Instead, she bit her lip.
Looking straight at her, Liriette said,
“I’ve thought this ever since I first met you.”
“I wanted to become your friend.”
“…”
“I… like you, Lady Karina.”
