《The Stepmother Loves Harems》


 Chapter 1

    This marriage was a fraud from the beginning.


    ¡°My true love is Sharchen.¡±


    It was their wedding night. It was also the first time she saw him face to face since their wedding. Her husband¡¯s first words were shocking.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Sharchen your adopted daughter?¡±


    ¡°It was an unavoidable measure to protect her life from the attacks of the family. She will be the hostess of this house when father dies. Everyone in this baronial family already knows that.¡±


    ¡°Then, what about me?¡±


    ¡°You are¡­.¡±


    Eliana looked into her husband¡¯s eyes. He said without wavering.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡±


    With that final denial of her own existence, he left the room. Eliana sat up in bed, too shocked to continue.


    Karman Hunter. A beautiful man with a cold, ascetic face, he had earned his baronetcy at an early age. He had his own abilities, but the most important reason was that he was the heir to the Hunter family, the opening merit of the Concino nation. When such a man divorced three times, people didn¡¯t understand why.


    And when he had a fourth opportunity to go to the home of Eliana, a fallen family in the countryside. She didn¡¯t know why he, of all people, had proposed to her. There was no artifice in the house of Eliana, no trace, only the name Rose. She was a noblewoman only in words, and she had lived her life like a commoner.


    Should she have said no when her father said he was uncomfortable about this? Eliana was taken aback by the secret here that she could not have imagined.


    This was a man who had adopted the woman he loved to protect her from her own parents. (*Eliana¡¯s husband adopted his lover as his daughter to protect her)


    This was the seat of the man¡¯s wife in name only. This was an obvious fraudulent marriage. But Eliana had nowhere to go.


    Eliana¡¯s family was very poor. It was extremely poor. Eliana was an accomplished tutor for the noble girls, but she had four younger siblings. Her father was ill, her mother nursed him, and there were barely enough hours in the day to take care of the house.


    All the profits of the house came from Eliana. The family was struggling to make ends meet, so her younger siblings thought about growing up and earning money, rather than studying and dreaming about the future they wanted to be.


    Eliana¡¯s eyes widened when she heard that her second sister, Gaia, had secretly saved money by delivering newspapers.


    <I want a harp. But Harps are too expensive. It¡¯s hard for you.>


    Gaia¡¯s voice, crying and speaking, was still vivid in Eliana¡¯s ears.


    This marriage was not a simple marriage. The reason Eliana accepted the suspicious proposal was to help Gaia and her siblings with their studies.


    It was to fulfill a dream that she had not been able to fulfill. At the same time, the marriage was to buy medicine to cure her father¡¯s illness. It was also a marriage for her mother, whose knees were beginning to hurt.


    It was also a marriage to the Hunter family, not to any other family. The status of the Rose family would naturally increase if they were associated with a powerful man, and this was also advantageous when it came time for her younger siblings to marry.


    They would have far more choices than they did now. As long as Eliana remained in the Hunter family. There was no reason to refuse. Maybe that was why Karman had chosen her, Eliana thought. There was no way she was going to back down.


    It was not an option. She had to survive this fraudulent marriage. Eliana thought she could do it. It was the Rose family, a poor noble family on the outskirts of the city. It was Eliana, the eldest daughter, who fed the family. While everyone else lived their aristocratic life, she lived like a lone underdog and glued the family together.


    She became so smart that she knew everything, and gave extracurricular lessons at a low price to those who wanted to study. She wrote books on behalf of the nobility. She did whatever it took to make money. A brilliant mind, there was nothing she wouldn¡¯t do. It¡¯s just not all that clear.


    ¡®How will I survive?¡¯


    Eliana spent the rest of the night dwelling on that thought. In the morning, after looking at her maidservant, Eliana realized once again the situation she was in. It was a servant girl who had just turned 17. Generally, it was common practice for a formally married lady to have a maidservant affixed to her, or an older servant with experience.


    However, this was a blatant disregard. Lujan, the servant girl, couldn¡¯t hide her displeasure of being assigned to Eliana.


    Eliana knew that look. She has a keen intuition. This girl must have been one of the closest people to Sharchen. The girl who would report everything that happens to Sharchen.


    The price must be money. Of course, when Sharchen became a baroness, Lujan couldn¡¯t take the position. Because she (Lujan) was a servant of the former baroness.


    Lujan must be frustrated. That¡¯s why they proposed a reasonable amount of money. Eliana thought about it.


    ¡°Lujan.¡±


    ¡°Yes, madam.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s my adopted daughter. I have to take good care of her, so it¡¯s only natural that I see her face. I was too busy at the wedding to say hello. She wasn¡¯t at the after party.¡±


    But Lady Sharchen was someone whom not anyone can meet¡­


    Lujan slumped in a panic.


    ¡°She¡¯s not someone whom anyone can meet¡­¡±


    The words meant that Eliana was nothing. It was just like her husband Karman had said yesterday. Eliana had no intention of meeting Sharchen.


    She was just curious about Lujan¡¯s reaction when she told her about it. It was hard to be sure just by guessing whether Lujaun was Sharchen¡¯s person or not.


    ¡°Lujan.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget that I¡¯m the only Baroness, I¡¯m not just anyone.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Go and deliver it clearly to Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean. It¡¯s just because Lady Sharchen is frail and especially cherished by the Baron.¡±


    ¡°Where is the library of this mansion?¡±


    ¡°What? The library? Why?¡±


    ¡°Where can a poor Baroness who has no power and is treated like nothing even by a maid be? I¡¯m sure everyone in society knows, right? That Sharchen is the next Baroness. So I have no choice but to go to the library where people don¡¯t visit.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Ma¡¯am. If you¡¯re offended, have mercy¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m going to live quietly and lowly until I survive this house. So don¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Be sure to tell your Master.¡±


    Eliana squeezed Lujan¡¯s right shoulder with her second finger, twice. It was a mimicry of a scene she had seen in some novels. Eliana had never had any real use for servants, so she did not know how to treat them.


    However, she managed to imitate them by using what she had seen while tutoring and what she had read in books. And so it seemed to work for this young maid Lujan.


    Lujan guided Eliana to the library with the irritation gone from her face and her shoulders hunched.


    On the way to the library, Eliana saw a group of old maids giggling at her. They openly ignored her, greeting her with only a raised head in her direction. Lujan was neither in a position nor of age to tell them anything.


    Then again, the young maid didn¡¯t have the will to do so. She was only interested in Eliana¡¯s complexion. Eliana responded with a bigger smile as the people in the house did.


    ¡°This Baroness doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°No way. The Baron must have told her everything on the first wedding night. He went straight to Lady Sharchen¡¯s room yesterday, too.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s expression did not falter at the sound of deafening noise. Then she opened the library. It was a tightly closed place with no signs of human¡¯s touch. Lujan disappeared quickly at Eliana¡¯s gesture to leave.


    The word ¡°blinake¡± was so appropriate. Looking at the dusty library, Eliana clicked her tongue. It was impossible to see a proper place of a noble family with dust in the library. Eliana opened the window.


    It didn¡¯t look like it would be enough to just brush away the piles of dust. After a few moments of pondering, she tore off her inner skirt and gave the long desk a quick wipe down. Then she pulled out some old books that contained everything about the Hunter family, from their history to their relationships.


    The good thing about being a Baroness was that she had access to these books. This was because the library of the mansion was a space reserved for the people of the family. Eliana took out more than twenty thick books and slammed the desk with both hands.


    ¡°I¡¯ll study how to beat these people.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t just go on being the fourth wife of a tragic love. Eliana had thought it was her only chance to establish the Rose family.


    She wouldn¡¯t let that opportunity go down the drain. Surely. Eliana¡¯s torn underskirt flew out the window by the wind. Eliana started reading through the first book without even knowing it. She did so with such vigor that she meticulously read through the book page by page.


    The determined and hardworking Eliana Rose remained unchanged even when she became a Baroness.


    * *


    Karman strolled through the garden and listened to the report the butler was giving him. It was a report of the Baroness¡¯ movements.


    ¡°The Baroness went to the library as soon as she woke up. They said that she smiled brightly to all the people like a crazy person.¡±


    ¡°The library?¡±


    Karman looked at the library that no one had paid any attention to before. An open window clearly indicated that someone had been there. A ripped piece of cloth flew out of the open window. The rag suddenly blew and stuck to Pepe the butler¡¯s face.


    ¡°Oh, my. What is this?¡±


    It was an expensive fabric that the servants could not use. The butler spread the cloth to show Karman as if it belonged to the Baroness.


    The butler was also one of the people who cared for and loved Sharchen. In fact, there was no one in the baronial household who disliked Sharchen. Because she was a beloved person. Because she was the Baron¡¯s woman who was ready to become the center of power.

 Chapter 2

    Karman looked at the fabric full of dust. Perhaps the woman had already started reading books after wiping the dusty library.


    But what books? There were only historical, political and social books. Karman looked at the open window and moved forward.


    ¡°Baron, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Library¡±


    ¡°Huh? Why¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s different from the previous wives. I¡¯ll have to check if she¡¯s a threat to Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you are right. You are wise.¡±


    The butler, as if ignorant of such a deep meaning, led his fat body and followed Karman. With his characteristic cold face, Karman crossed the garden stairs and headed for the library.


    The woman who has been stuck in the library since day one. Eliana Rose, she was different from the last three Baronesses. Among the nobles with only a name, she was the most shabby and poor. That was why he chose her. He hoped she would live quietly and give her position to Sharchen.


    Could it be that he made the wrong choice?


    Karman developed an interest in Eliana Rose the day after they got married. She was an unusual woman.


    ****


    The more Eliana read the book, the more excited she became. The longing for knowledge she had not been able to access had always been ingrained in Eliana. The more difficult and complex the content, the more interesting it was for her.


    Rolling up the cumbersome dress sleeves, she passionately absorbed the information the book had to offer.


    It was also fun to open this book and that book and put together information. In an instant the table was dizzy. Even though the dust from the books rose up over her nose and head, Eliana didn¡¯t care. She just waved it away with her hands and then continued reading the book.


    Just as she was about to fall in love with a new book, the huge door of the library opened. Both doors opened with a thud, and dust fell. Eliana, who was in the innermost part of the library, looked disgustedly at the dust falling like hail.


    ¡°Hey, what is this? Come on and get the mop. Who is the maid in charge of the library?¡±


    The man who was talking with his fat body shaking was Karman¡¯s henchman, butler Pepe.


    Eliana got up and greeted Karman.


    ¡°What are you doing here? Eliana.¡±


    ¡°I was reading a book.¡±


    ¡°Yesterday, I must have told you¡­ ¡­ ¡±


    ¡°You said I was nothing. I¡¯m just in the library, like the dust that fell over there. After all, they were all busy talking and staring at me. If I stay here, no one will come.¡±


    Eliana continued with a pitiful expression on her face. But contrary to that expression, the desk was too serious. The history of the Hunter family, the network of relations between the country of Contino, and the books of neighboring countries, were also open.


    ¡°Do you speak Ter?¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t read.¡±


    ¡°No. You are lying. If you don¡¯t know Ter properly, you won¡¯t even open it.¡±


    Karman pointed exactly to the book. Eliana thought that he was quick, and closed the book with a clapping sound.


    ¡°So I was just about to close it.¡±


    ¡°Eliana Rose. You¡­¡­ .¡±


    ¡°It is nothing. I know. I know my place very well.¡±


    She was a 180 degree change from yesterday¡¯s dazed expression. She nodded as if admitting to him that she was nothing more than a scarecrow.


    ¡°Baron. I¡¯ll read the books carefully and put them back in their place without damage. So stop paying attention to the dusty Baroness and go do your business.¡±


    ¡°No, ma¡¯am! What¡¯s with the tone of the Baroness! Seriously!¡±


    The butler rushed over and shouted at Eliana. Then Eliana hardened her expression.


    She looked at the butler coldly.


    ¡°Then can a butler point a finger at the Baroness?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ Madam¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you think, Baron? No matter how small your wife is, shouldn¡¯t they refrain from doing this kind of thing? Anyone who visits will think that I am the maid, not the Baroness. There can¡¯t be rumors outside that you¡¯re close to your foster daughter yet, right?¡±


    ¡°Those who already know know.¡±


    Karman responded to her witty words with a hard face. Eliana folded her eyes and continued with a smile.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t those acquaintances talk? Maybe it¡¯s because it shouldn¡¯t be revealed publicly. Isn¡¯t that the reason I¡¯m sitting here?¡±


    ¡°Are you threatening me now?¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re completely mistaken. I¡¯m a Baroness with no money or power, just a name. You¡¯re the owner of this family. Who can threaten whom?¡±


    ¡°You have a talent for pissing me off.¡±


    Karman said with a frown. Then Eliana nodded her head and continued.


    ¡°Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. I¡¯ll be more careful.¡±


    ¡°How can you not lose a word to the Baron? You know who owns this place¡­..!¡±


    ¡°Pepe, that¡¯s enough. She¡¯s not even worth talking to anymore.¡±


    Karman turned around and left the library. Eliana sighed as the library door slammed shut once more. He had an arrogant expression and attitude as if he had never seen anyone talking back to him.


    Eliana didn¡¯t think he was worthy of the future head of the Hunter family.


    Apart from adopting his lover as a foster daughter to protect her, the status of this baron who had gone through multiple divorces, the financial resources consumed, and the abnormal structure of power that revolved around Sharchen.


    There were too many things that were left unattended even though they knew it was clearly wrong.


    ¡°Love, yes, this is good.¡±


    Eliana clicked her tongue. It was just a game for those who were full. Eliana was not interested in love. Her interests were fame, power, and money. Although she acted proudly in front of Karman, she was actually a cornered rat. Strategies for how to survive would be in these books.


    She lit her eyes and began to read the books again. The library door was not opened until evening.


    ****


    The reason Eliana left the library was purely because she was hungry. She didn¡¯t want to even take a step towards the dining room for her private meal. Of course, no one was looking for her, so there was no problem.


    She walked with three books in her arms, thinking that she should bring a plate full of something. The structure of the mansion was not as difficult as she thought. Eliana had memorized all the structures of the mansion in the book around lunchtime.


    She also realized that her residence originally was not the Baroness¡¯s room. It was a space reserved for children. Perhaps the formal Baroness¡¯s room was where Sharchen was staying.


    ¡°If you are determined to water people, they have no choice but to run away.¡±


    Eliana remembered the Baron¡¯s ex-wives who had divorced him as if running away. No matter how much she thought about it, even the woman named Sharchen was not normal. She might have been wanting to keep the position of the Baroness vacant.


    Then it was more of a problem. Eliana opened her door, undecided whether to bow low to Sharchen, who was trying to kick her out, or just to slam her head in.


    ¡°Ah, madam!¡±


    Lujan greeted Eliana with a pale face. At the table for guests sat Sharchen, who had dazzling blonde hair and a pretty appearance. Sharchen found Eliana and greeted her with courtesy.


    ¡°I came here because you wanted to see me, Madam.¡±


    The elegant tone of voice did not suit her because she imitated an old noblewoman. Eliana put the books on the bed and answered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know when I¡¯m going to leave, but I wanted to treat you like my real daughter while I was here, so I told Lujan to deliver my message. Thank you for coming here first.¡±


    Eliana lowered her eyebrows, mimicking a regal face. Sharchen¡¯s smiling lips hardened at the word ¡®real daughter¡¯.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear from the Baron?¡± (Sharchen)


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I was told to live quietly until the terrible ending of him marrying his foster daughter and living a good life. I heard it very well.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°I¡¯m not his foster daughter.¡± (Sharchen)


    ¡°Sharchen. You are a foster daughter.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m the Baroness.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re tired, will you go back? I heard your body is weak. Lujan, see her off. Bring me something to eat on the way back, and I¡¯m going to give you a hint, so please don¡¯t do stupid things like using poison.¡± (Eliana)


    Sharchen¡¯s small body trembled. Her face was bright red. Eliana realized at once that she was transparent and jealous, and that she had a personality that was no different from that of a child.


    For such a woman, there was no chance of winning even if Eliana crawled. In the end, only her head tingled.


    When Eliana stepped aside slightly to get out of the way, Sharchen suddenly slapped herself hard on the cheek. Her lips were bleeding and her body fell to the floor.


    Eliana watched what she was doing quietly, trying to show that she was surprised but not surprised.


    ¡°Stepmother called me, and hit me like this.¡± (Sharchen)


    ¡°Ha¡­.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°I will try not to tell the Baron about this, but since he loves me so much, rumors may spread. Lujan, you must never speak of this.¡± (Sharchen)


    ¡°Yes? Yes¡­.Lady Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°The reputation of a great Baroness shouldn¡¯t be ruined in the social world.¡±


    Sharchen said with a smile on her face.

 Chapter 3

    She meant to spread this rumor to the social world where she hadn¡¯t even stepped her foot in yet? Did the former Barons¡¯ wives suffer like this?


    No, it wouldn¡¯t have been that way. Many of them couldn¡¯t overcome their pride.


    This was a cheap trick that Sharchen used because they were commoners. As Sharchen dusted her dress and stood up to leave the room without further ado, Eliana grabbed her wrist.


    ¡°What is it? Arghhhh!¡±


    Eliana slapped Sharchen on the cheek. It was the same cheek that Sharchen had slapped herself earlier.


    ¡°Now ¡­ did you just hit me?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t let rumors get the better of you, Sharchen. Lujan, go and tell the people properly. Tell them that the stepmother has appeared. And bring me my food. I¡¯m really hungry.¡±


    Lujan looked at the two of them and quickly left the room. Eliana threw off Sharchen¡¯s arm and headed for the bed, which was cluttered with books.


    ¡°Do you think Karman will stay still? I¡¯m going to tell him to kill you!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see. The stepmother who bullied her daughter and died. Then the daughter becomes a Baroness later, a lot of interesting rumors will spread.¡±


    Sharchen¡¯s eyes wavered wildly as Eliana took advantage of the ruse she had created.


    ¡°I¡¯ll never let this go.¡±


    ¡°Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Call me Lady Sharchen! I¡¯m the hostess of this mansion!¡±


    ¡°Sharchen. If you don¡¯t want to call me mother, shut up and leave. Go to Baron Karman and show him your swollen cheeks.¡±


    Sharchen stomped her feet in anger.


    ¡°What did you talk about with him in the library? How did you get him to go that far?¡± (Sharchen)


    Eliana swallowed the laugh ¡®aha¡¯ and looked at Sharchen. There was a reason she had come here. Eliana smiled gently and continued speaking.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to ask your beloved Baron.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Oh, do you know who the maid in charge of repairs is? My underskirt was ripped. Very roughly, I might add.¡±


    As Eliana lifted the hem of her dress to show her, Sharchen¡¯s face flashed red. Eventually, she left Eliana¡¯s room, closing the door with a bang.


    Eliana stared at the door where Sharchen had left. Depending on Karman¡¯s reaction, Sharchen could be a difficult opponent or an easy one. She opened the book and waited for Karman¡¯s visit.


    ***


    ¡°Eliana!¡±


    Eliana¡¯s door flung wide open. She was lying on her bed reading the relations of the nobles of Contino. Eliana covered the book and stood up. She was in her nightgown.


    ¡°You came quickly. I thought I¡¯d see you tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°Did you dare raise your hand to my Sharchen and think it was safe?¡±


    ¡°You think I hit Sharchen? Your Sharchen?¡±


    ¡°Sharchen came to me, sobbing. Her cheeks are swollen, and your maid has testified. Don¡¯t even think of excusing yourself.¡±


    Karman spoke in a fast tone. He was angry. But Eliana sighed and said with an expression that said, ¡®I can¡¯t help it.¡¯


    ¡°She slapped herself, and now you¡¯re asking me why I slapped your adopted daughter. I didn¡¯t do anything. My servant ran off to gossip and I was here with Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°And you told her the dirty lies about me too!¡±


    ¡°What happened between me and the Baron? I only asked her if she knew who the maid in charge of repairs was because my underskirt was torn. She was the one who persistently asked me what had happened in the library. I told her to ask the Baron as nothing had happened.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe anything you say, Eliana. You are nothing but a cunning woman who is trying to make me and Sharchen fall out.¡±


    Eliana looked at him as he was angry like a storm. He was completely blinded by a woman and couldn¡¯t control his reason. The future of this Hunter family, where he was the landlord, was not good. Eliana thought inwardly and continued speaking.


    ¡°What can I do if you don¡¯t believe me?  Starting tomorrow, I¡¯ll be known as a vicious stepmother in society. That¡¯s what she wants. Your Sharchen said that.¡±


    ¡°Drop the nonsense that defiles her.¡±


    ¡°Watch. It¡¯ll be as I told you.¡±


    Karman¡¯s eyes wavered for a moment at Eliana¡¯s confident words. He thought she wasn¡¯t an idiot.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you deserve for what you¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°What have I done? Why would I do such a thing when I am trying to survive here for the maximum length and breadth, filling my back pocket to feed my own poor family? You don¡¯t think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, do you?¡±


    ¡°Really, you don¡¯t lose a word. You¡¯re driving me crazy!¡±


    Karman stomped his feet in anger. Eliana then lowered her voice and spoke seriously.


    ¡°While I was gone, Sharchen was sitting in my room drinking tea. Normally, it wouldn¡¯t be like that. But this girl, my servant, welcomed her with her head bowed before her.¡±


    Karman turned and looked at Eliana.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a bad stepmother. I don¡¯t want to confront Sharchen because I am not foolish enough to fight a battle I cannot win. Isn¡¯t she the wife of this house who is already using the Baroness¡¯s room?¡±


    ¡°This is the Baroness¡¯s room.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t originally.¡±


    Karman¡¯s eyes wavered once more. It was true. Sharchen was so shocked and sickened by the news of Karman¡¯s engagement. Karman had then offered her the Baroness¡¯s room with the promise of eternal love. Saying that she would be the Baroness and everyone in the house must know that.


    And all the women who married him didn¡¯t even have a Baroness¡¯s room.


    They didn¡¯t know that. They just asked for a divorce, saying their status was lower than Sharchen.


    Karman¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Is that why you went to the library?¡±


    ¡°Huh. ¡­¡­ I can¡¯t even get comfortable in my own room. I didn¡¯t even go out to eat because eyes followed me everywhere I went. And there was no one to give me directions.¡±


    Eliana said in a wistful voice. It was as if she was a very pitiful person. She lowered her eyebrows and sighed.


    ¡°If I were to accidentally open your office or Sharchen¡¯s room and enter, there¡¯s no one to help me. So I just learned the way a bit. As I did so, I realized that amazing fact.¡±


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t ever see Sharchen again. Don¡¯t even go near Sharchen, and don¡¯t mention her. Otherwise, all you have left is a broken marriage.¡±


    Karman forbade any contact with Sharchen instead of saying he didn¡¯t believe Eliana. Eliana nodded. It was what she wanted it to be.


    ¡°But can you do it?¡± (Eliana)


    She chuckled and changed her way of speaking. It was as if she were a person who wore many masks. Karman¡¯s brows narrowed further.


    ¡°What do you mean again?¡±


    ¡°¡­Your fourth divorce.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°There will be another stir in the social circles. Why would the perfect Karman Hunter marry such a vicious woman? It is obvious that there is a problem.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    ¡°Rumors like this have been circulating, and now the head of the house will be here in person.¡±


    ¡°You really are a witch who I¡¯m sick of.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re very smart and quick with your calculations. You have scolded me enough, please leave. Please keep Sharchen away from me. I don¡¯t want to see that show again.¡±


    Eliana turned around with a yawn, as if she was tired. Karman let out an exasperated growl.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. I believe in Sharchen.¡±


    Eliana thought the words were like Karman¡¯s own brainwashing. He liked to think so. His lover couldn¡¯t be sneaky and jealous.


    But the stale past should have made this point clear to him. He had just been ignoring it¡­


    Eliana sat on the bed and continued to talk as she lifted the book again. It seemed that she didn¡¯t care if Karman would leave or not.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know when you got that idea. You don¡¯t believe in anyone. You only trust Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even think it was something that would ruin you.¡±


    Karman turned and approached Eliana. He stood there angrily, his hand headed to the sword he was wearing.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to kill me? This house is really messed up. Your adopted daughter came here and hurt herself. Now, my husband is going to kill me.¡±


    ¡°Please, shut your mouth. Do I have to cut off your tongue in order for you to stop talking?¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll stop.¡±


    Eliana fell silent. Karman stomped his feet angrily and walked out of the room.


    Eliana looked at the slammed door and shook her head. Perhaps if only the existence of Sharchen would disappear, his firearms might return again.


    But the existence was too old and solid. Even after all this had shaken him, he still believed in her, unable to acknowledge the fact.


    ¡°There is no hope. There is no hope.¡±


    This man was not the one who shed light on her way. Eliana felt that the one to declare the break up should be her, not him.


    She had to get out. In this mess of a house. She fixated obsessively on the page that contained one of the many families. It was the family that was Karman¡¯s first target.


    It was the one named Helen, the only woman out of all of Karman¡¯s wives that he had not yet approved of. Helen, it was reported, loved Karman with all her heart. She even refused to accept marriage proposals from anyone else.


    In fact, after the divorce, there were many proposals, but she didn¡¯t budge an inch. Instead, she hid in her house and never showed up at social gatherings.


    Helen Hutt.


    Eliana touched the name lightly.

 Chapter 4

    The most famous person in the Hutt family was Gillian. He was a naval officer and an instructor who had grown up brilliantly. Above all, Gillian was famous for cherishing his sister Helen very much.


    So he couldn¡¯t look at Karman with friendly eyes, who had given his sister a deep wound. Things between the two families were no better than they had been since the divorce.


    Gillian was the new landlord of the Hutt family, and he was unmarried. Eliana decided to grab the key to turn this game over with that man¡¯s heart. Of course, it was only the first key.


    She had to get close to another man and woman to get to him, a man of power. That was the key to get out of this Hunter family. Eliana¡¯s plan was concrete and simple.


    If she was going to be branded a stepmother anyway, she would push that path to the end.


    A wicked oman. A dangerous woman. But at the same time, an attractive woman at that. Eliana had seen stories about men who were attracted to witches. It was a desire for taboos. Envy and longing for an object enough to commit all that was forbidden. Eliana decided to actively exploit this psychology.


    Make every man fall in love with her, except her husband.


    That was Eliana¡¯s strategy. She was beautiful, but she didn¡¯t believe in her looks, she believed in her knowledge. She made sure she only chose people whom she could use strategically and put them in her pocket.


    The first of these people was Gillian. Eliana looked further into Gillian¡¯s family.


    The way to get to him was simple. Make a connection with Helen, the wounded woman. Eliana lay in bed, thinking of different ways to approach Helen.


    Tomorrow morning she was going to be a terrible stepmother. Rumors were as easy to blow as snowballs. Eliana was not afraid of it, in fact she was expecting it. It would be the starting point of all her plans.


    ***


    ¡°She dared to grab Lady Sharchen¡¯s hair and slap her cheeks? Isn¡¯t that crazy?¡±


    ¡°Poor Lady Sharchen. A handful of her hair fell out.¡±


    ¡°Her cheeks were all swollen. How many times did she hit her?¡±


    Eliana stared at the gossiping maids as she passed by. The maids scattered like cattle.


    Lujan, who was next to her, was busy watching Eliana¡¯s mood. Lujan didn¡¯t leave Eliana¡¯s side, as if she had received some form of instruction from Sharchen. Every move Eliana made was being watched. Eliana turned and faced Lujan right away as soon as the door of the library was closed and they were alone. The distance between Eliana and Lujan was no more than thirty centimeters.


    ¡°You.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll fire you? You wish I¡¯d rather do it, right?¡±


    Lujan¡¯s eyes shook. She was shaking. It was becoming more and more apparent as time went on that Eliana was not normal. Eliana smiled with satisfaction and continued to speak, watching Lujan¡¯s trembling eyes.


    ¡°No. Did you receive an order to report my every move to Sharchen?


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Lujan couldn¡¯t hide her surprise.  ¡®How did you know?¡¯ Her eyes seemed to say.


    Eliana smiled even more brightly and went through the bookshelves.


    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of fabric piled up at the workshop, right?¡± Dark, dull, but shiny women¡¯s fabrics. Things that are stuck in the corner because they are not Sharchen¡¯s cup of tea.¡±


    There were many people who actually paid for expensive fabrics in order to look good to Karman, the next head of the Hunter family. Many of those fabrics were for noble ladies, but they were not used very often. But no one cared.


    For generations, the ladies of the Hunter family had worn bright clothes that represented purity, and so did Sharchen.


    She especially added bright red and ivory dresses to her pale, white skin to emphasize her pure and soft appearance. It was the opposite direction Eliana tried to choose. Lujan opened her eyes wide as if completely unaware of such a fact.


    ¡°What? No¡­ the workshop is mainly used by the guards¡­and¡­.¡±


    It seemed that no one had tried making dresses on their own in this place where the money was full.


    Eliana clicked her tongue inwardly. She had made a few dresses. When she was a child, her mother made money from sewing, and she helped her with that, as well as the fact that her own clothes were often torn and worn. Her skills were excellent.


    She was going to try to use that skill to the fullest.


    ¡±I¡¯m sure there is. Bring them in, the darker and more mysterious the color, the better. And make sure you buy dresses that resemble those colors.¡±


    ¡°This¡­ this is¡­ where the maids come and go¡­¡±


    ¡°If a maid comes to a bar, does that make the dress store a bar? If it¡¯s not like that, buy it there. The amount allocated to me is not large.¡±


    The previous wives were adorned with money and dresses they brought from their own homes, but it was different for Eliana.


    From start to finish, everything had to be new, to make her look like a vicious stepmother.


    ¡°If you choose a precious dress that Sharchen wears, you¡¯ll live with a single punishment. So go ahead and choose the dress that will hide you the best. That¡¯s what you should do today when you report to Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If you understand, go. I want it before dinner.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes ¡­¡±


    Eliana waved Lujan out of the library. She opened the window wide and stretched as if the strategy was starting then. Then she began to take out her books again.


    Today she had to dig more into Helen¡¯s family line and look for past costumes to see the designs. It would have been clumsy to copy the dresses of the now-popular aristocratic women.


    ¡®Fashion comes and goes.¡¯


    She had to be the center of the conversation. Her plan was to rise to the seat of such a woman whom they could neither vomit nor swallow like a hot potato.


    Eliana filled the beautiful, long desk with a bunch of books. Then she began to read without rest.


    Her eyes shone with curiosity and intellectual exploration. Like a worn fingerprint, she slipped through the thin pages again and again.


    ***


    Before Lujan returned, Eliana left the Baron¡¯s mansion and stopped by a cosmetics maker at the entrance of the market. She felt someone following her, but she didn¡¯t care.


    The store sold cosmetics made of various powders ground into different colors to be applied to the face. Eliana gave the store owner the formula she had found in the library.


    ¡°Beautiful lady, you have skin that looks great with light makeup. You have sharp features too, so if you use a strong color combination¡­¡±


    Eliana smiled brightly to the owner of the cosmetic store, who hesitated to say that she would look like a bar maid if she used such a strong color combination.


    ¡°Keep doing what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    She put the extra money on the table.


    The cosmetics that Sharchen used were from the hands of a famous person, and it was much more expensive. But this place that Eliana visited was a place anyone could come to. It was cheap but the quality was not bad.


    There were only a limited number of raw materials for cosmetics. The only difference was who mixed them well and how they were packaged. It was only the reputation of the manufacturer that made the difference between selling expensive and selling cheap. Eliana was well aware of such a fa?ade.


    When the owner got the money, he opened a copper barrel without a word and started blending the fine powder. The colored powder, made by grinding shells and dried berries, was mixed on an iron plate. It was like magic powder. Eliana¡¯s eyes glowed again as she looked at it.


    ***


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious that there¡¯s something wrong with the Baroness! She has spent all her money in the liquor store for women and comes and goes places without permission, and manufactures cheap cosmetics. It is degrading to the Hunter family! My god, Lady Sharchen!! I can¡¯t even put this in my mouth!¡±


    The butler used an exaggerated expression to make a snide remark about Eliana. Karman was sitting in his office and working. He was looking at the documents with a hard expression on his face, unfazed by the butler¡¯s words, but in fact his mind was in a turmoil he had never experienced before.


    Eliana was right. Not only the mansion, but even other nobles who were not supposed to know what happened in this house, sent letters to Sharchen saying that they were worried about Eliana being her stepmother.


    They were comforting flowers, roses, and many letters. In the social world, Sharchen was loved like a little bird. She was kind to everyone she met, choosing only the loveliest words to say. She looked much younger than her age, which helped to make him feel like he had to protect her.


    That was why there were more people who believed Sharchen¡¯s words than Eliana¡¯s, who had yet to make a single appearance at a party.


    What Eliana did turned into a big mess. Rumors had spread that Sharchen could not get up because she was kicked and slapped dozens of times. But Sharchen didn¡¯t correct anything. She stayed still as if she wanted the rumor to grow bigger.


    Karman was on Sharchen¡¯s side. He was her man, who had to look at everything from her point of view. But he was helpless in the face of the truth, which Eliana spat out as violently as if she had a knife in her hand. It was as if something had gone through his hidden dentition and he was powerless. What the hell kind of woman was she?


    Karman didn¡¯t like Eliana, but at the same time he was curious. She stood out in a completely unpredictable way.


    ¡°Leave it alone for now.¡±


    ¡°Baron!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s only been here less than half a month. You may watch her a little longer. If I break the marriage again this time, my father will really come.¡±


    The butler felt a chill run down his spine at the word ¡®Father¡¯ that came from the Baron¡¯s mouth. As the landlord of the Hunter family, his father was a fearsome man to anyone. When the butler fell silent, Karman asked.


    ¡°Where is Eliana now?¡±


    ¡°¡­She¡¯s gone to the library again.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Karman looked out the window with complicated eyes. He was looking at the library where Eliana was. The butler glanced at where Karman¡¯s gaze was going.

 Chapter 5

    Eliana started preparing a dress for the party. This was the first social party in a long time.


    At social parties held in various shapes and sizes, nobles showed off each other¡¯s wealth and sophistication.


    It was an important setting where people sometimes made profitable deals with each family, and even talked about marriage.


    Above all, this party was held by the prestigious Count Othelli with royal support, so the party was quite large.


    Eliana looked at the dress book and checked out the dress designs that looked good. She needed a dress that could show off her narrow waist and voluptuous chest a little more. It was a sexy and alluring charm that was different from Sharchen¡¯s thin and delicate image.


    ¡®I don¡¯t have to be scared. I¡¯m going to do something more flashy.¡¯


    Whenever Eliana tried to withdraw herself, she looked at the pictures, trying to calm herself down.


    The slim line dress that was popular these days did not fit Eliana. The top fell smoothly to reveal neatness, and the skirt was spread like overlapping petals. In particular, frills and romantic embroidery used to add elegance to the bottom, which spread more splendidly as it went down.


    It emphasized a person¡¯s personality by adding their own likes, such as a stiff collar around the neck or a little revealing of the collarbone. Usually, the chest opened in a V-shape, and the skirt flared out in an A-shape.


    Eliana wanted to pursue a style that was different from that. She looked at the designs carefully and circled the dress she was going to wear several times. A corset made of solid whalebone and fins was to be tightened at the waist to reveal a little more voluptuous chest, and a pannier would exaggerate the hips.


    In particular, she was thinking of raising her hair high and using colorful flowers.


    Eliana smiled as she looked at the old attire lavishly embroidered with feathers and flowers. The person who led the trend would dominate the aristocratic society. And Eliana was confident of that.


    Aristocratic women were already getting tired of the current styles, but were unable to look for alternatives.


    The textile trader who was close to her was a person with bright ears and a light mouth. Eliana closed the book, thinking that she would not waste the precious hints she got from him.


    ***


    Eliana looked at the clothes that Lujan had bought and chose a purple dress. She ripped off all the mesh and put the dress on the mannequin and added her designs to make the dress look more lewd. Then, she put the corset she had obtained from the textile merchant on the waist. The black-dyed whale bones and fins took on a dark and fascinating color.


    Eliana stretched out the black frill endlessly, added it to the place where the mesh was torn off, and inflated the hips by using the pannier imported from the neighboring country of Conter. Purple ribbons were stacked in layers to decorate the end of the waist.


    Eliana¡¯s hands were fast. Lujan did not watch her fix the dress, but waited outside the dressing room. Eliana kept working on the dresses one after another, as if she had forgotten that Lujan was there.


    Wrong rumors circulated that the Baroness, who had been in the library for days, did not know what was going on in the room now. But Eliana pretended not to care and continued to do her job. The source of the rumors must have been Lujan or Sharchen. It was a positive sign that they were curious what she was doing.


    Eliana quickly filled the dressing room. In fact, she was fast when it came to sewing. Party dresses, home dresses, evening dresses, etc¡­she changed the shape a little bit according to need, but the fact that it was gorgeous didn¡¯t change anyway.


    All week, Eliana only worked on her dresses. Then she tried out the accessories, and repeated putting makeup and erasing them several times. It had to be perfect from first appearance. Lujan pretended to tell her what to eat at every meal and secretly snuck her head in, but she couldn¡¯t fully see what Eliana was doing.


    After all preparations had been made, Eliana called Lujan into the dressing room. The clock signaled that dinner was coming soon.


    ¡°Lujan.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Baroness.¡±


    ¡°Go tell them I¡¯ll be having dinner with them tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Did I say something I shouldn¡¯t say?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    Lujan left the room in a hurry, and Eliana sighed. Then she picked out a green dress from among the dresses she had made. Although the material was soft and luxurious, it was a dress with a fabric that was stuck in the workshop because of the color.


    The original design was very ordinary, but when the fabric was wrapped along that line, it became magically elegant. The square-shaped neckline that raised up to the collarbone would make Eliana look more mature.


    Eliana wore the green dress without Lujan¡¯s help. The chest was pulled together to emphasize her slender waist and voluptuous breasts, and the corset was pulled as tight as she could. Eliana, who reflected in the full-length mirror, felt like she was looking at a stranger.


    She raised her hair high, as seen in the book. A very small amount of beeswax was melted to fix the hair, and the face was painted with colorful cosmetics. Literally, it was more like painting than applying. The lips were painted red, the eyebrows darker, and the eyelids a little deeper and more seductive.


    Eliana thought she was wearing a mask. Lastly, she put on her gloves and picked up a fan. The cheap fans sold on the market were painted green and black frills were added. The fairly luxurious appearance made it impossible to know it was the cheap fan of the past.


    From head to toe, for a week of hard work, she looked quite satisfied.


    ¡°Oh my!¡±


    Lujan couldn¡¯t hide her surprise as soon as she returned to the dressing room. While she was visiting the kitchen and Sharchen¡¯s room, Eliana had become a completely different person.


    The dresses worn by the housewives were old-fashioned looked new and fresh, and on her face, she could feel a gentle energy that she had never seen in any other woman. The rich and beautiful curly hair that was firmly fixed high made her look even more gorgeous. His lips were as dark as poison.


    Eliana smiled broadly and said to Lujan.


    ¡°How was Sharchen¡¯s reaction when she heard that the stepmother suddenly will appear at the dinner table?¡±


    ¡°I, I didn¡¯t go to Lady Sharchen. Just in the kitchen¡­¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I told you not to lie.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not¡­.¡±


    Eliana turned around, as if she had no regrets, and checked her well painted face once more. It was time for dinner to begin.


    After the final inspection, Eliana passed Lujan and grabbed her by the shoulder and whispered in her ear.


    ¡°After the first social party is over, I¡¯m going to fire you.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Tell Sharchen that.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you said you won¡¯t fire me¡­¡±


    ¡°I changed my mind.¡±


    Eliana spoke lightly and started walking. Lujan looked around the dressing room. The old clothes and fabrics she had brought disappeared, and there were only gorgeous and beautiful dresses.


    They were clothes she had never seen before. No noble lady ever wore this style of clothing. It was like looking at a dark, dense, glittering black pearl.


    Lujan  stood there and thought she might be a unlucky maid caught by a very scary person. To a much scarier witch than she thought.


    ****


    It was Eliana who was late for dinner. As Eliana half-covered her face with a fan and walked down the stairs, Karman¡¯s gaze turned to her.


    He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of her. Everything had changed, from her hair, her fan, her hands, to her clothes. She said she bought the peasant¡¯s clothes, but it didn¡¯t seem like that. Rather, it was closer to the style of aristocratic ladies that was popular 100 years ago. It was a glamor that no one was looking for these days.


    However, all she had spent was the unused fabrics left in the workshop and some money.


    A very small amount of money that would not even mark a nail on the property was given to her.


    As she lowered the fan, her alluring face was revealed. When Karman couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Eliana, Sharchen cleared her throat.


    ¡°I see the Baroness.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Ignoring Sharchen¡¯s greeting lightly, Eliana turned her gaze to Karman.


    ¡°Baron.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Can I continue to attend dinner in the future? Even though I¡¯m a wicked stepmother, I feel that if I just stay away like this, only empty rumors will be spread. It doesn¡¯t seem right for a Baroness to stand by and watch the noisy atmosphere of the household.¡±


    She spoke in a common-sense but sharp tone. In the meantime, not attending the dinner was to give Sharchen peace of mind and a little debt to Karman.


    From now on, she would attend all dinners and see Sharchen and Karman every day. However, she was not interested in their relationship. She just wanted to establish her position in this family.


    A witch-like, dangerous stepmother, but a person who was guarding the Baroness¡¯s seat, who should not be treated recklessly.


    ¡°Baron¡­¡±


    Sharchen called Karman as if telling not to allow it. The thin, shaky voice sounded weak. Karman¡¯s gaze turned to Sharchen and then to Eliana again.


    He had no reason to reject Eliana¡¯s suggestion. Even though he recognized Sharchen as his only woman, the reality was different. On the surface, as it was intertwined with the system of marriage, there were actions he had to do to a minimum


    ¡°Do whatever you want.¡±


    Karman spat out the best answer he could give.


    ¡°Baron. Then I¡¯ll miss the dinner. The Baroness will be uncomfortable with me.¡± (Sharchen)


    Sharchen indirectly expressed her disappointment at Karman¡¯s words. Eliana spoke to Sharchen.


    ¡°Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. Rather, it would be better to be closer together. Then the rumors will disappear.¡±


    Eliana said lovingly, raising the corners of her lips and smiling. Sharchen tightened her hands that held the knife and fork. And then she spoke.


    ¡°If the Baroness wants, I¡¯ll have to do it. I¡¯m not in the position to refuse.¡± (Sharchen)


    ¡°If you think so, you should. I¡¯m glad you know your place well.¡± (Eliana)


    At Eliana¡¯s words, Sharchen clenched her teeth.


    ¡°Please refrain from being rude to Sharchen, madam.¡± (Karman)


    ¡°Am I rude? I just wanted to make her grow up to be a better kid¡­I¡¯m sorry if I was rude, Sharchen,¡± said Eliana, without losing her smile the whole time.

 Chapter 6

    ***


    ***


    Sharchen¡¯s face hardened coldly. It was clear she was angry, but she didn¡¯t say any more. She seemed to realize that even if she spoke more, Karman would not listen to her wishes.


    ¡®I¡¯m glad you¡¯re not a stupid kid.¡¯


    Eliana thought so again and started eating. After calming down for a while, Sharchen told Karman a story that only the two of them knew.


    ¡°Baron, may I ask you a favor?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Anything.¡±


    ¡°Can I go back to the rose garden I went to last time? It¡¯s so beautiful that I keep thinking about it.¡±


    ¡°Anytime, if you wish.¡±


    ¡°Then I go there and stop by the lake. I want to ride a horse again.¡±


    ¡°You might get hurt.¡±


    ¡°We can ride it together.¡±


    Seeing Sharchen smiling brightly and showing affection, Eliana showed no expression or reaction. Maybe Sharchen said it on purpose because Eliana¡¯s last name was Rose. If Sharchen was trying to provoke her, Eliana thought she¡¯d be better off ignoring it.


    As she savored the food, Eliana acted like she was eating alone. The more Sharchen went on, the more she took out her memories with Karman and bragged about it.


    Karman looked at Eliana briefly in response to Sharchen¡¯s chatter.


    After a light meal, Eliana wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked at Sharchen.


    ¡°Oh, thank you for allowing me to eat, Sharchen. I was worried Lujan was rude to visit you, but thanks to you, I had a delicious meal.¡±


    ¡°Did you tell her to ask for permission to eat?¡±


    Karman asked Sharchen. Then Eliana smiled softly and got up from her seat. Sharchen said, raising her eyebrows straight away.


    ¡°How can I make that decision? The Baroness is saying things to get me in trouble again.¡±


    ¡°Well. Believe what you want to believe. Then I¡¯ll leave first.¡±


    Eliana walked away. The rift between Sharchen and the Baron was necessary for the next step in her plans.


    As she climbed the stairs step by step, she enjoyed the silence of the dining room. Stepmother Eliana Rose¡¯s plans had only just begun.


    ***


    Eliana Rose¡¯s name began to spread in social circles.


    The Baroness wearing her peasant¡¯s clothes was like a hot potato. From the vulgar rumor that she enchanted the Baron, that she was a witch who made poison and performed black magic.


    Eliana didn¡¯t stop the rumors from spreading.


    The rumor must have reached Karman¡¯s ex-wife, Helen, as well as her brother, Gillian. They had to feel that she was different from the other ex-wives. Eliana needed it to get them on her side.


    As the date of her first social party was set, Eliana spent more and more time in the library.


    She would stay in the library alone even when everyone else was asleep. She had to memorize what the women liked and hated. However, there were too many ladies, and the relationship between the families was complicated. It was only after spending days and nights in the library that Eliana could feel things organized in her head.


    ¡°Oh, madam.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Lujan.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what the Baroness is doing in the library, Sharchen¡¯s maid told me to come and ask¡­¡­If you prepare poison or anything like that.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to kill her?¡±


    ¡°What? Oh no!¡±


    ¡°All the books I study are from this baron¡¯s family. There are some herbal medicine books here, but there is no recipe for poison, so please rest assured. Of course, I¡¯m also terrified of poisoning from Sharchen¡¯s side, so let me know about that as well.¡±


    Lujan¡¯s face turned white at Eliana¡¯s pouring words, and she nodded her head again and again. After the last time Eliana said she was going to fire her, Lujan had become a little more hesitant.


    Lujan did not leave immediately, hesitating in his place, and then continued.


    ¡°Ah, madam.¡±


    ¡°Do you have more to say?¡±


    Lujan suddenly fell low on the floor, trembling like an aspen, and continued speaking.


    ¡°Ah, please don¡¯t fire me!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Sincerely, now with all my heart, I will serve you, Baroness. Please take me with you! Lady Sharchen will abandon me!¡±


    Lujan pleaded with tears in her eyes. Eliana stared at the top of her head. It didn¡¯t matter whether her tears were sincere or not. She was someone who couldn¡¯t be on her side from the beginning. Eliana didn¡¯t need someone who sticks like a bat to the side that has the slightest bit of victory.


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    Lujan looked up at Eliana with tears in her eyes at Eliana¡¯s words.


    ¡°Madam! Please have mercy on me!¡±


    ¡°Bring proof, Lujan, that I can trust your allegiance.¡±


    Eliana didn¡¯t intend to trust her completely, but she smiled brightly, thinking Lujan could be put to good use.


    Lujan looked at Eliana anxiously. As if such a reaction was not expected at all. Eliana was reading all of her confusion.


    ¡°Yes, I will.¡±


    Said Lujan. Eliana didn¡¯t think she was speaking the truth. A person who once became a spy has no choice but to remain a spy forever. Even if she was sincere now, Sharchen would not let her off easily.


    ¡°Then go find something to prove. I¡¯ll finish reading the books and go back to my room.¡±


    ¡°I, I will pick you up.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a lot of time?¡±


    Eliana¡¯s face, with heavy makeup, was cold and scary. Lujan immediately bowed her head and walked out of the library with quick steps. Eliana was planning to bring Benny, the maid of the Rose family, whom she has been living with for a long time, as her maid.


    Benny was a maid, but she was also a member of the Rose family. When she was no longer able to pay a maid¡¯s salary, Benny did not leave the family. She shared poverty with the people of the Rose family and was loyal. No one in the family, including Eliana, thought of her as a simple maid. Eliana started doing various things and was able to pay her salary even a little bit, but she didn¡¯t clear all her sorry feelings.


    By inviting Benny to become her maid in the Hunter family this time, Eliana wanted to give her who had suffered hardship a luxury, and a trustworthy servant for herself.


    At first, Eliana couldn¡¯t take anything with her due to the tension of having to adjust to this house. But now it was different. She had to suck up everything that could be sucked in, and throw away the things she didn¡¯t need at once. Only then could she live.


    Eliana took a book on herbal medicine and a book called The History of the Witches. Thirty minutes from now, the guards guarding the library change. He was exactly who Eliana was looking for.


    He was born into a poor family and worked diligently. However, due to poor family circumstances, he could not stand out from his superiors, so he stayed only as a guard.


    Information circulating among the Baron¡¯s guards and maids could be obtained quickly by going to the labor market. Just pocketed a little money and all the information came out. Eliana has often made such a deal in order not to offend the noble ladies.


    Therefore, it was easy for her to receive high-quality information about the Hunter family and their servants. She chose him to be planted within the guards. This was because he held a weapon that could shake the hearts of desperate and good people.


    Thirty minutes passed, and when a sound was heard outside the library, Eliana picked up two books and opened the door. The guard saluted consciously, and Eliana dropped the book, pretending it was a mistake. She could see the guard¡¯s eyes fluttering at the title of the book, ¡ºThe History of the Witches¡».


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, can you pick up my book? As you can see, my dress is uncomfortable.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He closed the cover of the book and handed it to Eliana. At that moment, Eliana pulled him tight. The distance between the two quickly grew closer.


    Eliana pulled him straight into the library. The guard was in a state of panic.


    Tick, the door was closed.


    ¡°Listen to me from now on. I¡¯m going to ask you to bring these two books and go to my room. Then, surely, the people will ask what happened.  Then you tell them it¡¯s hard to say. Yes? I have to make it a little more earnest.¡±


    ¡°Huh, madam.¡±


    ¡°Shh.¡±


    ¡°Even if they give you money, don¡¯t tell them anything. Say the Baroness told you not to never say anything. And if you like the amount of money, tell them, the Baroness seems to be studying witches and herbs.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to gossip that I like you. Then there will be a person who regularly gives you money to dig up my information. You can make money that way.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say that?¡±


    ¡°I heard that some of the soldiers who work for the Baron are caring for their sick parents in difficult circumstances.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    The guard, Joseph, said nothing. It was true that his family was difficult, and his parents were also ill. His eyes shook.


    ¡°I know because my father was ill too, and I had lived a life without a paycheck. Use me, guard Joseph. I need your rumors¡­.¡±


    ¡°But, in what way¡­¡­ !¡±


    ¡°For now, just take the books. I will explain it step by step later.¡±


    After hesitating, Joseph accepted the book Eliana had given him. It seemed he had accepted the temptation she threw.


    ¡°I give you information, you make money. I want it that way.¡±


    ¡°Then what should I do¡­ ¡­ .¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll tell me what they asked you.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°And will you love me?¡±


    Eliana Rose smiled beautifully and opened the door to the library. The guard¡¯s face turned a little red. Eliana did not care about it and started walking with firm steps. There was certainly no woman of her type in the realm within 100km of this place.


    The guard may have fallen for her charm, which was completely different from the women he had ever met. It would be better if he was sincere. Because the truth would be easier to use.


    Just like Karman Hunter who abused Eliana¡¯s sincerity for his love. But those who were involved with her would not suffer losses. Eliana had no intention of robbing the poor. Her goal was for those who had more.


    Eliana continued walking, thinking of Gillian. The guard didn¡¯t say anything.


    He led Eliana to her room. Then he handed her the books and disappeared. Whether he will do what she said or not will be known tomorrow at this hour.


    However, Eliana was sure that he would have no choice but to hold the hand she reached out. She knew. The feeling of a person who has to earn a living alone in a poor family.


    She looked out the window, thinking of her family. It was tiring to live day to day with endless head rolling. But Eliana also couldn¡¯t shake her hand. The hand of the witch-like baroness she had created.

 Chapter 7

    ****


    ***


    Early in the morning, Benny arrived at the Baron¡¯s mansion. After formal procedures, she became the maid of the new residence.


    It had been a long time since they had seen each other, but neither Eliana nor Benny were fussed.


    They kept their manners.


    On the contrary, the person who did not follow the rules was Lujan, who had the lowest rank among them.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± (Lujan)


    ¡°I am the Baroness¡¯s first maid!¡± (Benny)


    Lujan seemed angry at the thought that her place had been taken away. Benny didn¡¯t respond to her aggressive words and just stared at Eliana. Eliana said calmly while stroking her fine hair that fell to one side.


    ¡°Lujan, Benny is my maid. She¡¯s your boss too. Be polite.¡±


    ¡°But the maid¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Go to Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    Lujan bit her lip.


    ¡°So I can¡¯t choose a maid? You¡¯re not my maid. Even Karman Hunter didn¡¯t refuse my request.¡±


    ¡°Madam, but¡­but I am the first maid assigned to you!¡± (Lujan)


    ¡°Lower your voice in front of me. Aren¡¯t you still receiving a maid¡¯s salary? From now on, you must obey Benny¡¯s words. Benny is my hand from today.¡±


    Eliana said without wavering.As if the script had already been written, Benny was calm.


    Lujan, who was anxious, suddenly dropped to her knees and lay flat on the floor and spoke urgently.


    ¡°The loyalty you mentioned before, I will prove it now. Guard Joseph is selling Baroness Eliana¡¯s information for money. All the conversations he had with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh my¡­¡±


    Eliana had a gloomy expression on her face as if she didn¡¯t know anything.


    ¡°That¡¯s some bad news.¡±


    Eliana looked at Benny with a worried expression. Benny was one of the few who could tell the difference between Eliana¡¯s fake expression and her real expression. After checking all the signs Eliana gave, Benny lowered her eyes and said:


    ¡°I will find out for myself. Madam.¡±


    ¡°This is the information I was talking about!¡±


    ¡°Do not get too close to Lujan who has this information, madam. She seems to be a dangerous person. Her manners need to be re-educated.¡± (Benny)


    ¡°What?!¡±


    Lujan raised her upper body and shouted. Benny just stared at her coldly without any reaction. Eliana continued to speak, pressing her temples as if she had a headache.


    ¡°No, Benny. Rezan is proving her loyalty to me now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she can ask as many people as she wants for this information.¡± (Benny)


    ¡°No! Such information is not easy to find. That b*tch is lying! I didn¡¯t ask anyone!¡± (Lujan)


    Lujan couldn¡¯t contain her anger and cursed. However, when the slang word ¡®b*tch¡¯ came out of her mouth, Eliana¡¯s expression turned cold.


    ¡°What b*tch are you talking about in front of me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, madam, it¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Who the hell is yelling and talking back to the maid I¡¯ve chosen?¡±


    Eliana said nothing wrong. Lujan was now committing a great sin. She knelt on the floor again, biting her lips in anger. She was completely defeated in the power struggle.


    ¡°Madam, please forgive my rudeness. I will bring more information than this to prove my abilities and loyalty. Your maid will never be able to find information.¡± (Lujan)


    At Lujan¡¯s beg, Eliana put on a languid expression. No matter what Lujan did, Eliana would not believe her. But the information she brought was valuable. It was still usable.


    After reading Eliana¡¯s expression, Benny continued to speak as if she wasn¡¯t satisfied.


    ¡°Get out of here, madam. She is a dangerous person.¡± (Benny)


    ¡°Benny, forgive her one time. Lujan took care of me before you came.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    ¡°Lujan. Bring me some information that will convince not only me but also the maid, Benny. Then you will always be my first maid. With Benny, you will be the only ones I trust.¡±


    ¡°I will keep that in mind.¡±


    Lujan got up, bowed to the two of them, and quickly left the room. Eliana still did not erase her fake expression and let out a languid voice.


    ¡°Benny. Can you fix my hair a little? It¡¯s been so hard because I¡¯ve been doing it all by myself.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madam.¡±


    ¡°The dressing room is over there.¡±


    Eliana gestured and stood up, and Benny followed her. There was still a possibility that Lujan or Sharchen¡¯s maids were watching or eavesdropping through the crack in the door.


    Eliana threw away her fake expression as soon as she arrived in the enclosed dressing room.


    ¡°Benny!¡±


    ¡°Ellie!¡±


    The two cheered and hugged each other tightly. Eliana and Benny were not just a master and a maid. They were the only friends who shared the pain of the past.


    ¡°Do you know how surprised I was to receive the letter? Baron Karman, is he crazy? It¡¯s so disgusting.¡±


    ¡°Benny. Thank you so much for coming. This place is like a battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will be a gun and a sword fighting for you.¡±


    ¡°Benny, my dear Benny. I¡¯m so sorry I called you to the battlefield.¡±


    Eliana could not hide her sincere apology. But she needed Benny. At the same time, she thought that Benny would also need this position. Although her family¡¯s financial situation had improved a little, it was not enough to pay Benny¡¯s salary generously. Benny continued speaking as if she knew everything.


    ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that you¡¯re doing this because you want to give me a higher salary?¡±


    ¡°No. I really needed a side like Benny.¡±


    In fact, Eliana was getting tired. In a situation where she had to deceive everyone and believe only in herself. It was a lonely fight. But with Benny, they could win. Benny was smart and quick-witted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The moment you brought me, abandoned on the street, to be your maid even in difficult circumstances, I decided to be loyal to the Rose family. It has not changed even now.¡±


    At Benny¡¯s words, Eliana cried and hugged her again. However, Eliana quickly wiped away the tears. There was no time to cry. With Benny joining, the plan had to go faster.


    Eliana headed to the library just in time for the shift of the guards. She left Benny at the secure entrance and took Joseph into the library.


    She asked as soon as the library door closed.


    ¡°How much did you get?¡±


    ¡°I got 200 Dion.¡±


    ¡°Not enough. Next time, double the number.¡±


    ¡°Double?¡±


    Guard Joseph said as if he felt bad for receiving 200 Dion. 200 Dion was equivalent to Joseph¡¯s full salary. If he received double, it would be a month¡¯s pay. But Eliana continued speaking without blinking an eye.


    ¡°Of course. If you are a man favored by a Baroness.¡±


    Eliana said, scanning his cheek. Joseph¡¯s cheeks turned red. Eliana continued, resting her head on his shoulder.


    ¡°Favored?¡±


    ¡°It should be exaggerated like that.¡±


    Eliana grabbed Joseph¡¯s hand and went to the window. Then she put her hand on Joseph¡¯s hard armor.


    ¡°Baroness!¡±


    ¡°At this time, the Baron is going for a walk. He¡¯s going to see us very well right here. But what can he say to me? He can¡¯t. Because he has Sharchen. But he will be curious about what I am doing.¡±


    Joseph¡¯s ears turned red. Eliana had a lovely expression on her face, but what she spoke was like a viper. They were all planned.


    ¡°I¡¯m already in the midst of an obscene rumor that I¡¯m a seducer. If you don¡¯t want to get involved with me like this, leave me right now.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Okay, I like it.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Well. Do I have to tell you everything?¡±


    Looking at his red cheeks, Eliana said as she leaned on Joseph¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°How much do you know about Gillian?¡±


    ¡°Are you talking about Gillian Hutt?¡±


    Eliana looked at him and smiled. Then, Joseph turned his blushing face and spoke.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything other than that he hates people in this mansion terribly. If he met someone belonging to the Hunter¡¯s family at the tavern, he would punch them. He is popular with other knights because of his friendly personality.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t much information from what Eliana already knew.


    It was information that did not improve much from what Eliana knew. But it was satisfactory enough to check once more.


    Eliana turned her body toward the window as she took her hand away from him. She smiled brightly as if she was happy, and said softly.


    ¡°Spread the words that I¡¯m curious about Gillian. And that I want to know about him desperately.¡±


    ¡°But, he¡¯s Helen Hutt¡¯s older brother.¡± (*Helen is Baron Karman¡¯s ex-wife.)


    ¡°Do I not know that?¡±


    Eliana spoke as she made eye contact with Karman Hunter, who was standing still in the garden. She had a bright smile that he had never seen before. She smiled, not paying attention to eye contact, then turned around and closed the window.


    Joseph looked confused, as if he had no idea why she was acting like this.


    Eliana walked past him like that.


    ¡°Madam, what are you doing this for?¡±


    Eliana recalled the moment she was doing this for.


    There was only one answer. Poverty.


    Eliana just hated being poor. She continued without turning around.


    ¡°I have the same reason as you.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I also have sick parents and younger siblings. It¡¯s hard to support them with a normal life. Poverty is hard to get out of. So that¡¯s why. To live.¡±


    Eliana half turned her head. Joseph didn¡¯t say anything. She spoke slowly.


    ¡°Is it better not to tell anyone about this? Well, everyone knows.¡±


    Eliana walked away gently. She had something to discuss with Benny. As she approached the door, there was a thump. Joseph knelt on one knee and bowed to Eliana.


    ¡°¡­I will do my best. For the Baroness and myself¡­.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°To be freed from poverty.¡±


    Eliana looked at him and smiled gracefully. There was a sympathy known only to those who had long been oppressed by poverty. It was a tighter bond than expected. As Eliana looked at the top of his head, she realized that she was beginning to have her own allies in this Baron¡¯s residence.

 Chapter 8

    ***


    ****


    ¡°What are you thinking? What the hell are you thinking!!¡±


    Sharchen took the comb from the maid who was tidying her hair and threw it on the floor angrily. Eliana was different from Karman¡¯s former wives. There seemed to be a plan. But Sharchen¡¯s head couldn¡¯t quite comprehend it.


    ¡°Cheap! Low! Dirty! Rusty!¡±


    Sharchen purposely cursed Eliana¡¯s flashy outfit, which never left her head. I wanted to. Otherwise, she thought she would admit first with her mouth that Eliana was beautiful.


    The fabric was one she had seen before. Obviously, it was a dull color that could make jackets for soldiers.


    But how did it become such a rich and beautiful dress? The waist was tight and the chest was full. The skirt that spread wide under the cute hips looked lovely. It was a completely different style from what was popular in the social world.


    Of course, it was Sharchen¡¯s innocence that dominated the social world today. Everyone was inferior in order to look pure, thinner, and whiter. Light-colored lace and frills were standard. Hair ornaments were also tied together, tied in half, or pulled down to one side and braided very thinly. But Eliana broke them all.


    The fine-grained hair was raised in abundance, and colorful decorations were inserted. And her makeup. It was clear and colorful unlike the makeup method that made the ladies as transparent and white as possible. It was a color that anyone could see first. Yet, it was neither too much nor vulgar.


    ¡°D*mn it, d*mn it!¡±


    Sharchen stepped on her hairbrush. It was excruciating to see Eliana at every supper. Karman¡¯s gaze also paused at Eliana at times. It was something he had never done to his previous wives because.


    ¡°How could this be?¡±


    Karman Hunter¡¯s gaze, his touch, and everything he had belonged to Sharchen. He had never once trembled. But this time it was different. Sharchen could feel that Karman was shaken.


    ¡°What did Lujan report?¡±


    She sharpened her eyes and looked at her maid, May. May lowered her eyes and replied familiarly.


    ¡°Lujan said the Baroness enjoys secret meetings with Guard Joseph at the library. Besides, she knew Lujan was a spy, so she hired a new maid. The new maid is a person brought from her parents¡¯ home. And she is getting rid of Lujan.¡±


    ¡°Lujan, you stupid b*tch! She should have acted without being obvious!¡±


    ¡°She said that if she proves her loyalty, she can stay with the Baroness. But if Lujan can¡¯t prove it, she¡¯ll be fired after the social party.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think she will come back to me, do you?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I think you should give her a slightly bigger severance pay to keep her silent.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still useful, but how do you get that stupid b*tch to stick with Eliana? Prove what! D*mn it!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Bring a dressmaker. I need a new dress to feel better.¡±


    ¡°Lady, you are spending too much this month.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! May! Have you forgotten who I am? I¡¯m going to be the hostess of this baron¡¯s house. What did Karman say about my money?¡±


    ¡°No. There isn¡¯t, but¡­ the difference with the Baroness is too stark.¡±


    Slap! The maid narrowed her shoulders at the sound of friction that cut through the air. Maid May¡¯s head turned. With red marks on her cheek.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call that woman ¡®Baroness¡¯. The Baroness is me!¡±


    Sharchen said hysterically. She should have been by Karman¡¯s side earlier. However, her family did not accept Sharchen, who had no roots, and even tried to kill her.


    In order to survive, she went through the adoption process and entered Karman¡¯s family register, but Sharchen never thought of herself as his foster daughter. She was a Baroness from beginning to end. Karman¡¯s wife, who would become the hostess of this family.


    Sharchen snorted, but May continued to speak in an unshakable tone.


    ¡°I made a mistake. I¡¯m sorry, madam.¡±


    ¡°Call the dressmaker right now! She will adorn it with the finest pearls and jewels. She will make a dress that no one else has!¡±


    Sharchen roared loudly as if stimulated by Eliana. All the maids in Sharchen¡¯s room knew her true appearance and shut their mouths in fear.


    The ones who did not belong to Sharchen only thought that she was kind and lovely. They were also envious of the maids assigned to Sharchen. May, the maid, was by far the subject of envy. In reality, May was the person who had to see the hysterical aspect of Sharchen the most.


    May bowed down to Sharchen and left the room. Then straight away, she headed to Karman Hunter¡¯s office.


    Sharchen didn¡¯t know. May, who entered this barony before her, was Karman¡¯s person.


    ***


    ¡°What about Sharchen?¡±


    ¡°I think Eliana Rose could be a good stimulus. Lady Sharchen is emotionally aroused right now, but I¡¯m sure there will be more realizations in the future.¡±


    ¡°Your face? Did Sharchen do that?¡±


    ¡°It was my fault. I called Eliana Rose ¡®Baroness¡¯ in front of Lady Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Was that a mistake?¡±


    ¡°It was a mistake.¡±


    May said sternly. She had always been on Sharchen¡¯s side. It wasn¡¯t for emotional reasons. It was because it was the way she could keep this position as the head maid. Even though Karman seemed to want something objective, he wanted someone who would be on Sharchen¡¯s side. May knew it well. Karman sighed as he looked at the red swelling on May¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°Did she tell you to bring a dressmaker again?¡±


    ¡°It looks like she doesn¡¯t like the dress she¡¯s going to wear to the social party.¡±


    ¡°Do whatever Sharchen wants. Then she¡¯ll get her reason back a little faster.¡±


    Karman continued, as if giving up a bit. May replied yes and left his office quickly.


    ¡°It¡¯s all because of the Baroness. If she keeps stimulating that gentle Sharchen, this is bound to happen! Even today! She even did such a shameful thing in the library!¡± (Karman)


    ¡°Pepe.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Baron.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s noisy.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    Karman looked outside after shutting his chattering lips. Eliana Rose smiled brightly and held the guard¡¯s arm. She leaned her head against him as if she was happy. She definitely saw Karman, but she didn¡¯t seem too concerned.


    Even if the husband himself saw the scene clearly. At her over confidence, Karman was at a loss for words. Why did he feel stuffy? Karman couldn¡¯t understand his own feelings.


    At each dinner, Eliana wore a different dress. Although she liked dressing up, Eliana spent only a small amount, less than 1/10 of what Sharchen spent.


    Eliana was living the life of a perfect baroness without him, making dresses and going to and from the library every day with Benny, her personal maid. The other wives did not. Everyone wanted Karman¡¯s love, disassembled, or grieved. But Eliana Rose was different. It was only one day that she was embarrassed. It was the first night of their wedding.


    Pepe, the butler, who had left the office without noticing, sneaked back inside.


    ¡°That¡­ Baron.¡±


    ¡°I said it was noisy.¡±


    ¡°I think you should listen to this.¡±


    Karman looked at Pepe, the butler. He continued with his lips curled slightly in contrast to his fat body.


    ¡°They say the Baroness is interested in Gillian Hutt.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Karman slammed the desk and stood up. Gillian Hutt was his enemy. He was also the older brother of his ex-wife, Helen.


    ¡°Where do you get that information?¡±


    ¡°Information I bought with money from Guard Joseph.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    Karman was dumbfounded. Did Eliana know that the man she was so happy with and held hands sold her information for money?


    Eliana Rose was as stupid as smart. Maybe he should tell her this, Karman thought. No, she deserved it because she was evil.


    Karman sat back on the chair. Then he didn¡¯t say anything. Gillian Hutt, why? What does she want with him? Doubts towards Eliana did not diminish. It only increased day by day.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do some more research.¡±


    ¡°Yes. All right. Baron.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t stand still and watch the woman who kept making him curious. Karman thought something was changing inside of him, but he tried to ignore it.


    It was just a simple curiosity, Karman thought so and kept his gaze outside. He just looked at the empty garden where no one was passing by, and the face of Eliana Rose, who was smiling brightly, came to his mind.


    ***


    While Sharchen and Karman were concentrating on her, Eliana was writing a letter. The letter, written in a polite handwriting, was to Helen Hutt.


    It was an ardent sentiment about how devastated she was when she joined the baron family, and how much traces Helen left behind had helped her.


    In fact, all Helen had left behind was a diary of her love for Karman, a few accessories, and the plants she had grown. Eliana did a great job in collecting the traces.


    Helen Hutt was a gentle, innocent woman. A woman best suited to the term ¡®good wife¡¯. Even though she had already been married once, men still wanted her because of her grace. But she didn¡¯t accept anyone else because of her love for Karman.


    Eliana thought it was foolish, but at the same time, Helen was truly pitiful. All the women used and abandoned in this stupid role play. Eliana had no desire to become such a passing supporting character. This letter will probably be read first by Gillian Hutt. A letter from the barony to his beloved sister. He wouldn¡¯t deliver it to Helen.


    Because of this, from the beginning, this letter was written for both Gillian and Helen.


    The end of the letter was an invitation. It was almost like an appeal to come to this social party as a stepping stone for Helen to step into the social world again. It also contained the ardent desire to repay the favor.


    Eliana put the letter in an envelope and poured red sealing wax. Then she pressed it down with a stamp bearing the seal of the baron¡¯s family. The Hunter family pattern was clearly engraved on the red wax. Eliana Rose looked at the seal and smiled.


    ¡°Ha.¡±


    Eliana hummed, blowing once over the hardening wax.

 Chapter 9

    ****


    ****


    ¡°What? Where did the letter come from?!¡±


    The Hutt opened their eyes at Gillian¡¯s shout. The cause was a letter that came for his beloved sister Helen.


    Gillian Hutt, who was staring at the red wax with the Hunter family seal, opened the letter as if torn. Helen, the recipient, was just standing by her brother¡¯s side.


    ¡°Dear Helen? You crazy playboy.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ brother. It was not Baron Karman who sent it, but the new Baroness.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s the eldest daughter of the Rose family on the outskirts. Her name is Eliana Rose, and it hasn¡¯t been long since the wedding was held.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡±


    Jillian, who has an ambitious personality, exclaimed ¡®ha¡¯ and flicked through the letter. Like Helen, Eliana was informed of the great news on the first night of her wedding with Karman, and was being treated as a vicious stepmother and living a difficult life. She was receiving great comfort from the diary and traces left by Helen, and she said that she wanted to meet Helen once at a social party.


    Gillian had heard rumors about the stepmother Eliana. Did they say that Eliana slapped Sharchen on the cheek or grabbed her by the hair from the first day?


    In any case, Gillian remembered laughing, saying, ¡®A strong woman came in and I¡¯m satisfied.¡¯


    But she too was hurt like Helen. Gillian, unable to read any more of Eliana¡¯s desperate letter, handed it over to Helen. Helen held onto the letter without a word.


    Helen hadn¡¯t been able to socialize much since her divorce from Karman. Her personality, which used to be an introvert, got worse after the divorce, and Helen herself couldn¡¯t give up her love for Karman.


    Helen read the three-page letter slowly. Then, after holding the letter for a while, she hesitated. Gillian looked at her like that and said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she from the Hunter family anyway? Ignore it. It¡¯s enough for my beloved sister to suffer from that once.¡±


    ¡°No. Brother, I¡­.¡±


    ¡°I want to meet this person. Miss Eliana Rose.¡±


    ¡°You mean going to the social party?¡±


    Helen hesitated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I want to meet her.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean you want to go?¡±


    Helen nodded her head. It had been a very long time. Gillian was happy inwardly. It was heartbreaking to see his sister keep spending time alone in one room of the mansion.


    ¡°Butler! Ask the dressmaker to bring all the fashionable dresses!¡±


    ¡°Oh, my brother. I have a dress.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t fashion matter in the social world? I heard that women in particular compete fiercely with it. I can¡¯t let my sister¡¯s special outing look shabby.¡±


    Gillian smiled brightly after a long time and tapped Helen on the bridge of her nose very gently. Helen smiled a little at the sight of Gillian, whom she also loved dearly.


    Gillian left the Hutt mansion after ordering the butler and maids something. He was going to the naval ship where he worked. Gillian smiled broadly. With a smile, he said to the aide who was beside him.


    ¡°Investigate everything you know about Eliana Rose. Everything from the past to the present.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    He was a man who had spent many years on the battlefield and had long witnessed the political nature  inside and outside of the royal palace. Whatever Eliana Rose meant, she was still a member of the Hunter family.


    Thinking that he should not let go of the vigilance, Gillian headed to work.


    ***


    The postman came with a reply from Helen. Benny took the reply and headed to Eliana¡¯s room. While passing the hallway, a woman in the same outfit as her caught Benny. It was Sharchen¡¯s maid, May.


    ¡°The greeting is late. I¡¯m Lady Sharchen¡¯s maid, May. I¡¯m in charge of the maids of this mansion.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Benny gave a brief reply and walked past her. May was taken aback by Benny¡¯s unexpected behavior and grabbed her wrist.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that Lady Sharhen¡¯s maid touched me carelessly. Are you picking a fight with me?¡± (Benny)


    ¡°Don¡¯t think too highly of yourself. All mail that comes to this mansion goes through the butler or me. But, it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen that letter.¡±


    May was proud to take Helen¡¯s letter from her. But Benny didn¡¯t flinch. She was the one who, along with Eliana, took care of the Rose family.The two had been through bad days and good days together.


    And when she came here, she decided to be Eliana¡¯s gun and sword. From a long time ago, Eliana has been working hard so that the maid, Benny, could be proud wherever she was. Now it was her turn.


    Besides, Benny has now risen to one more level. She was, no matter what anyone said, the personal maid of Baroness Eliana. She said while looking straight at May.


    ¡°I am the same maid as you. I¡¯m taking orders directly from the Baroness. This letter was inspected by me, the head of the maids. So it¡¯s like the butler and you inspected. There is no need for more inspection.¡±


    ¡°This is the house that acknowledges the existence of Lady Sharchen. I don¡¯t know about other places, but you need to follow the rules of this house. If you can¡¯t do that, I have no choice but to go to the Baron.¡±


    ¡°Whether family or not, does it change the fact that Lady Sharchen is the adopted daughter of the Baron and Lady Eliana is the Baroness? Go ahead and tell the Baron. So he could hear that his noble Sharchen was angry because she couldn¡¯t take one letter away from the Baroness. I will tell the Baroness as well.¡±


    Benny spoke, displeased, and then turned around. Then she headed straight to the Baroness¡¯s room. The maid, May, unable to contain her anger, shook her head and turned around. Behind the pillar, Lujan was hiding.


    ¡°Bring that letter to Lady Sharchen at all costs. Otherwise I will kill you.¡±


    ¡°I, how can I¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever you can!¡±


    May turned around and headed to Sharchen¡¯s room. Lujan just stood there crying.


    ****


    Hearing the commotion with May, Eliana quietly nodded her head. Benny was right. If it had been Eliana, she would have done the same. However, depending on the content, the letter may have to be sent to Sharchen.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Benny asked as if she didn¡¯t understand. Eliana shrugged her shoulders and continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m nothing in this family.¡±


    If Sharchen continued to lose to Eliana, Sharchen might ask Karman to make her Baroness at all cost.


    Eliana still couldn¡¯t figure out when it would be. But it was impossible to keep going strong.


    Eliana opened the letter, waiting for the storm to come. Inside, there were two letters made of thick parchment.


    One from Helen and one from Gillian. Helen began with a thank you for the letter and expressed her intention to participate in the social gathering with elegant sentences. The letter was quite long and dense, resembling her delicate personality.


    On the other hand, Gillian politely wrote, ¡®I don¡¯t know what your intentions are, but if you let my sister get involved in a dirty operation, I won¡¯t let it go¡¯. It was clear that he was angry about everything, only the handwriting was neat.


    He must have heard rumors about Eliana. A vicious stepmother, a strange and sensual outfit, and even a scandal of playing with the guards. Eliana burned Gillian¡¯s letter. Then she put Helen¡¯s letter into the envelope.


    ¡°If May asks for a letter one more time, give this to her.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Okay.¡±


    ¡°Maybe give it to her sooner.¡±


    When Eliana said that, Benny also had a somber expression on her face. The structure of this house was definitely strange. To the extent that Benny was at a loss for words at May¡¯s arrogance. She felt pity for Eliana, who was caught up in a strange love game. But she looked thoughtful as she read Gillian¡¯s letter.


    With a squeaking sound, Lujan, unknown where she had been, appeared through the door. Eliana and Benny¡¯s eyes turned to her. As Lujan¡¯s lips opened, Eliana¡¯s gaze turned to Benny.


    When Lujan came out of the Baroness¡¯s room again, there was a letter in her hand. A letter clearly stamped with the Hutt family seal. But that wasn¡¯t the only thing. Lujan shoved the letter into her pocket and headed to Sharchen¡¯s room. As a double agent, she took a deep breath.


    ***


    When it was time for dinner, the three met at the table. Sharchen secretly glared at Eliana, but Eliana just savored the food, ignoring her gaze.


    Karman wiped his mouth with a napkin as he was eating between the two women without a word.


    ¡°It was a mistake to invite Helen Hutt to a social party. I want to cancel it. Eliana, what do you think?¡±


    As Karman spoke quietly, Sharchen put a small smile on her lips.


    ¡°You would know if you read the letter. You can¡¯t change the story that has already happened.¡±


    ¡°You mean you did it knowing I was going to object?¡±


    ¡°I am nothing in this house. A letter to a friend I want to interact with has to go through Sharchen¡¯s maid.¡±


    ¡°Eliana!¡±


    When Karman made a loud noise, Eliana looked at Karman without averting her eyes.


    Karman continued speaking while looking into her round eyes.


    ¡°You always say you¡¯re nothing, but you¡¯re a pony without the reins doing whatever it wants. If you are more careless than this¡­.¡±


    ¡°What if I do?¡±


    ¡°I have no choice but to cut off support for the Rose family.¡±


    Eliana bit her molars at the unexpected words. It was her weakest point. Eliana stood up, trying to control her expression. Then she bowed deeply toward Sharchen.

 Chapter 10

    ***


    ****


    ¡°I, Eliana Rose, have done a great disrespect to Lady Sharchen and Baron Karman Hunter. I apologize deeply, so please take back your words.¡±


    It was like kneeling. But it was Karman Hunter¡¯s face that became redder. It was as if Eliana had acknowledged her ignorance in front of all the servants. He was just trying to scare her a little, but with Eliana¡¯s response, everything became sincere. Eliana was now a woman who had given up her pride to protect her family and bowed down.


    Now she wasn¡¯t a Baroness, she was just the eldest daughter of the poor Rose family. Sharchen opened her eyes wide, not knowing what to do.


    ¡°What are you doing in front of everyone? Get up.¡±


    As Karman Hunter shouted, Eliana slowly straightened her back and said with a dry expression.


    ¡°In front of this place where not only Sharchen, but also the servants and the guards are present, you said that you would cut my family¡¯s support¡­.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Is it just for you to see me like this?¡±


    As Eliana spoke, Karman shook his head.


    ¡°¡­ That¡¯s a misunderstanding. Don¡¯t make a fuss with unnecessary actions.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Eliana sat back down at the table without speaking back as usual. Sharchen noticed the tension between the two of them and continued.


    ¡°I am not familiar with this situation. It¡¯s so frustrating.¡±


    She spoke as if she didn¡¯t understand anything. However, she could not hide her joy in the fact that Eliana¡¯s momentum had diminished. Sharchen wanted to flatten her nose at this point. So that something like this wouldn¡¯t happen again. However, she also had to protect the image of a good Sharchen.


    ¡°Baron, why don¡¯t you tell me about the promise you made to me next? I don¡¯t know if the Baroness will be offended¡­.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Karman stopped moving at Sharchen¡¯s beautiful voice. On the surface, it looked as if Eliana was subdued by Karman¡¯s power, but on the inside, it was completely different. Eliana Rose was not losing at all.


    Karman didn¡¯t want to lose like this. He didn¡¯t even want Sharchen, whom he loved, to be wary.


    Eliana had already taken her hands off the tableware and sat quietly with her head bowed. It was as if she was willing to endure all the power that Karman wielded with the lifeline of her family. The expressions of the guards standing behind her were not good. Because they are all commoners, they couldn¡¯t help but sympathize more with Eliana emotionally.


    ¡®You¡¯re really not an ordinary woman.¡¯


    Karman was so impressed with Eliana Rose¡¯s ability to control the situation in an instant. And at the same time, when he made her an enemy, he had a hunch that his damage would not stop at this level.


    ¡®You¡¯re a dangerously attractive woman. Eliana Rose.¡¯


    As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he pinched his knee hard. He had to pull himself together. His woman was only Sharchen. Recalling that fact, Karman spoke coldly to Eliana.


    ¡°No. You don¡¯t have to.¡±


    ¡°Baron.¡±


    Sharchen called him with a troubled voice. However, the call rather contained an instigation that seemed to encourage him to speak quickly.


    ¡°At this social party, I will enter with Sharchen.¡±


    Eliana looked up and looked at Karman. It was a look that he didn¡¯t expect. There seemed to be tears in her eyes. Sharchen continued as if nailing the last nail.


    ¡°Madam, I hope there is no misunderstanding. I hope you are not too sad. It¡¯s not because I¡¯m special. We always have been like that, and always will be. So I hope Madam understands generously. I hope you don¡¯t get mad at me.¡±


    Sharchen was pretending to be reasonable, but it was a kind of show off. She felt a strong desire to show that Karman was her man. Eliana nodded with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°I will obey the will of the Baron. Then can I get up first?¡±


    Karman¡¯s eyes followed Eliana for a long time at her voice mixed with weeping. Then Sharchen continued speaking as if she wanted to block the gaze.


    ¡°Yes Yes. Please go ahead, Madam. The baron and I have a lot to talk about separately.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­.¡±


    Eliana stood up and staggered for a moment. She was dizzy, as if she was shocked. Her navy blue dress fluttered. Today, in a dress with few frills and not flashy, she looked slender.


    As Karman¡¯s body flinched, Eliana¡¯s gaze turned to him. The moment Karman had no choice but to get up, Eliana¡¯s mouth opened.


    ¡°Joseph.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, can you help me?¡±


    Karman turned his head. Among the guards standing behind him was the guard who had been flirting with Eliana. Karman was in a bad mood, but he couldn¡¯t say anything because he had just attacked her like a bomber. Guard Joseph approached with a serious expression and supported Eliana.


    Eliana climbed the curved staircase, one step at a time, supported by Joseph. She even leaned on Joseph¡¯s shoulder as if she was very dizzy. Karman¡¯s gaze could hardly fell from the two of them.


    ****


    ¡°Thank you, Joseph.¡±


    Arriving at the Baroness¡¯s room, Eliana sat on the sofa and touched her head. Joseph didn¡¯t go back right away, he stood there, and then spoke.


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°If we get past this hurdle and grow further¡­.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I will ensure that such a humiliating incident as it is today will never happen again. I promise you.¡±


    Joseph looked serious as if he had been insulted. Eliana smiled helplessly and told Joseph.


    ¡°I will accept the promise of my dear comrade. I also have no intention of making you stay in the position of a guard. Let¡¯s do our best.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She reached out her hand gently. After hesitating, Joseph knelt down as if swearing allegiance to her and kissed her briefly on the back of her hand. Then he left the room hiding his red cheeks. As Joseph left and the door closed, Eliana cleared her weak expression.


    She knew in advance what had happened at dinner today. It was because it was the news that Lujan had brought to swear allegiance.


    Of course, she knew that every Baroness that had ever passed through the Hunter¡¯s family had not attended the social gatherings with the Baron. Even if it became a gossip, Karman and Sharchen have been using the excuse that they were good friends.


    However, to stop supporting the Rose family had greatly stimulated Eliana. Lujan also said that such a word actually came from Sharchen¡¯s mouth, and that Karman had promised to do what she wanted.


    Eliana trembled, but she couldn¡¯t stay still when she heard the news. So it was a series of acting.


    ¡°How was my performance?¡±


    Eliana asked softly, and Benny said as she took off the hair accessories from Eliana¡¯s hair.


    ¡°It was acting, but it was sad because I felt the sincerity.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing Benny can¡¯t see either.¡±


    ¡°Because we are that desperate.¡±


    When she heard that Karman wanted to stop supporting the Rose family, Benny also had her hands trembling. It was because she knew Eliana¡¯s father and mother, who had barely started treatment properly in return for joining this family.


    Eliana smiled weakly, leaned her head against Benny, and continued.


    ¡°Did you get a reply from Gillian?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Tomorrow at three o¡¯clock at the bookstore near the pier.¡±


    Eliana said with a smile at those words. ¡°What do you think, Benny? Will Gillian accept my proposal?¡±


    Benny replied with a smile similar to hers.


    ¡°If he doesn¡¯t agree, he¡¯s an idiot.¡±


    At Benny¡¯s words, Eliana smiled brighter. Then, vigorously, she got up from her seat. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s pick out a dress for tomorrow¡¯s outing.¡±


    ¡°Look at the navy blue dress I made. Because I really did my best.¡±


    ¡°Shall we see Benny¡¯s skills?¡±


    Eliana smiled like a little girl and entered the dressing room. To prepare a combat suit to capture Gillian Hutt.


    ***


    Eliana arrived at the bookstore earlier than the promised time and bought a few books. They were books about culture written by old ladies, an autobiography, and a book on how to cultivate flowers.


    These were just books that were for pastime, but Eliana wanted to find tips about social gatherings in this book. In short, it was about finding a way to look good.


    Lujan went back to the Baron¡¯s residence first with some books that Eliana had bought. Benny entered the bookstore only a few dozen minutes after Lujan left.


    Eliana was reading a book in the same seat. She didn¡¯t buy some of the most important books. It was because Sharchen would check in the middle anyway. She thought she wouldn¡¯t read it, but Sharchen¡¯s maid, May, might read and tell her the gist of it.


    Eliana left all those possibilities open. About two-thirds of the time she had read the book, a man with a low pitched voice stood next to her and picked up the book.


    ¡°You¡¯re dressed as bizarre as I heard, Mrs. Hunter.¡± (Gillian)


    ¡°I take it as a compliment, Sir Gillian.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°I heard you¡¯re a geek too.¡± (Gillian)


    ¡°Yes, but let me correct one thing.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°What?¡± (Gillian)


    Eliana reached out as if to find another book. Soon, Gillian and Eliana¡¯s faces came closer together. As Gillian tried to lean back, she brushed Gillian¡¯s collar with the back of her hand and said as she picked up a book from the bookshelf right in front of him.


    ¡°I am not Mrs. Hunter.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I am Eliana Rose.¡±


    She escaped like a soft snake, making eye contact with Gillian for a moment. Eliana took the book she picked up as if to calculate it, turned around and continued.


    ¡°Is the coin heads or tails?¡±  (Eliana)


    She had written down a password in the letter which she had sent to Gillian asking for a meeting. The head meant to accept the proposal, and the tail meant to reject the proposal.


    ¡°Check out the book and see.¡± (Gillian)


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Eliana Rose went to the counter and handed over her book. She didn¡¯t pay, but a coin was given to her from the bookstore owner.


    Eliana took the coin in her hand and left the bookstore with Benny. She smiled quietly. The coin was heads.

 Chapter 11

    ***


    ***


    As soon as Eliana arrived at the Baron¡¯s mansion, she ran into Karman Hunter. He had an attitude as if he had been waiting for her.


    ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    ¡°Bookstore.¡±


    Eliana answered indifferently and passed him by. Complete indifference was the answer to a man named Karman Hunter.


    A man who disguised his lover as a foster daughter and changed his wife three times, was a lousy b*stard. It was absurd that such a man would become the new head of the Hunter family.


    Eliana remembered the head of the Hunter family, who would be paying attention to her steps.


    He must have known the existence of Sharchen and was trying to get rid of it. Is he her husband¡¯s enemy?


    Is he on her side? Eliana was choosing the next opponent to reach through Gillian.


    It had to be that person. Eliana was spinning her head like a treadmill and taking her steps when Karman¡¯s voice caught her.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to this party together.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that already?¡±


    ¡°I meant you can¡¯t ride in the same carriage with us, and you can¡¯t enter in the name of the Hunter.¡±


    Eliana was a little perplexed. Those words were tantamount to a declaration that the Hunter family would not officially help her socialize. Eliana lowered her eyebrows and looked at Karman.


    ¡°Karman, it seems you are always interested in insulting me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say nonsense.¡±


    ¡°Did you really have to say that here? Right now, when I came back from going out after enduring loneliness and abandonment in this mansion?¡±


    ¡°You are a woman who knows nothing about loneliness.¡±


    ¡°Who said that? Sharchen?¡±


    ¡°Eliana, don¡¯t use Sharchen¡¯s name recklessly¡­¡±


    ¡°Or is it you? Either way, both of you are cold hearted. I live here alone here with no one on my side. But I don¡¯t know about loneliness?¡±


    Eliana smiled as if she was sad. It was a smile that was half sincere. Karman¡¯s lips flinched and he couldn¡¯t speak.


    Eliana pretended to be as miserable as possible. Some of the guards guarding this place now were guard Joseph¡¯s friends.


    Then she needed to show her pitiful appearance. What moved Josef was his loyalty to the wretched Baroness who was no different from his situation. Eliana knew it was a very useful card for her.


    She opened her mouth, thinking of Joseph rather than Karman or Sharchen.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to stop talking wastefully. Unlike you, I do not want to embarrass you, the face of this mansion.¡±


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t mean to embarrass you.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you going to let your poor wife enter the social world alone? I¡¯m already rumored to be a vicious stepmother, so everyone who loves Sharchen will look down on me.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°The Baron is well aware that the social world is like a battlefield for noble women. If you don¡¯t want to embarrass me by telling me to fight with bare hands like that, then what is it?¡°


    ¡°You¡¯re so good at talking. You pretend to be so desperate and say such nonsense¡­..!!¡±


    Karman said as if it had exploded. With his raised voice, the people inside the mansion had gathered a little more. Among them was Sharchen. She may have been hiding somewhere from the beginning. Eliana continued, barely swallowing a snort.


    ¡°For the Baron, it seems that I am less trustworthy than the dirty and vain rumors.¡±


    ¡°Now, look at your clothes again and tell me.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my clothes? Have you ever gifted me clothes? Have you ever told me what to wear? You just threaten me not to get close to Sharchen!¡±


    Eliana¡¯s voice cut through the air as sharp as a blade. But it also sounded so lonely. Eliana looked directly at Karman with tears in her eyes and continued.


    ¡°You open your ears only to those who slander me and attack me.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°The Baron told me that I¡¯m nothing. I will think of you that way too, so no more.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Eliana looked into the eyes of the guards and the maids one by one with eyes filled with tears. Then, finally, she made eye contact with Sharchen.


    ¡°In front of so many people¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t trample me. Even if the Baron doesn¡¯t, I¡¯m humiliated enough.¡±


    ¡°You are misinterpreting everything I say.¡±


    Sharchen, who was reading Karman¡¯s countenance, opened her mouth.


    ¡°Really, ma¡¯am. Don¡¯t misunderstand the Baron¡¯s words. It was all my fault.¡±


    ¡°Sharchen, it¡¯s not for you to apologize. Eliana was the only one who misunderstood.¡±


    Eliana chuckled, ¡®Ha,¡¯ and smirked. Then she spoke helplessly.


    ¡°Ask your servants. What I¡¯ve been struggling with.¡±


    Eliana said while looking at Karman. Tears in her eyes dripped down her face. There were no fake tears. Eliana was furious. Shewas horribly frustrated with each and every day of the barony that would have to be thoroughly and daily broken if she did not have such a strong heart. Eliana couldn¡¯t turn back. There were sick parents and younger siblings to care for. She will thoroughly trample on this funny love game. Eliana¡¯s tears originated from her determination.


    Karman shuts his mouth as he sees the tears dripping from Eliana¡¯s big eyes. There seemed to be no more words to say.


    Eliana bowed down to greet Karman and uttered her last words.


    ¡°I understand well about the party. Excuse me first.¡±


    As she straightened up, Benny naturally came to her side and supported her.


    This time, Eliana¡¯s body was really shaking. Her legs trembled from anger, and her body had lost its strength. Eliana smiled softly at Benny and headed to the room with a helpless expression. It was the room of a baroness who only existed in name. Sharchen glanced at Eliana with sharp eyes. Eliana walked towards her room without even giving her a glance.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shaken, just go forward. Eliana.¡±


    As Benny whispered quietly, tears fell from the corners of Eliana¡¯s eyes. Those words weren¡¯t just about the steps towards her room now. It also meant the path that Eliana had to take.


    Eliana kept her back straight. She went into the baroness¡¯s room without looking back. The guards and servants left in the hallway could not even whisper carelessly.


    Karman looked only at Eliana¡¯s back until she disappeared completely. Only Sharchen¡¯s eyes were busily moving between Eliana and Karman.


    ***


    As soon as Eliana arrived in the room, she washed off her makeup and changed into a comfortable indoor dress. In the meantime, Benny and Lujan were preparing dinner for her. Eliana had no appetite, but there was only one thing she wanted to eat.


    It was potato soup. Potatoes were good for feeling full and cheap, so they were a common ingredient in the Rose family. However, Benny¡¯s expression didn¡¯t look good whenever she served it as a main dish for the whole family.


    There was a time when the two of them made a promise together while crying, saying that one day they would definitely cook a better dish, such as a big turkey or shiny deer.


    However, contrary to their promise, the family gradually declined, and later, eating potatoes became a luxury. Since then, she had been eating potato soup. But it was too watery to be a soup. A slippery, warm water that smelled just like potatoes. Eliana told  Benny she wanted to eat it.


    Benny, who was quick-witted, brought potato soup along with a pretty nice dinner. It was a soup she made herself. It was much better than what they had eaten in the past, but it was shabby compared to the other dishes served together.


    Eliana performed in front of Lujan and Benny. A sad expression while her hands shook gently.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat.¡±


    ¡°How about some soup?¡±


    ¡°Take everything away. I don¡¯t want to eat it.¡±


    Benny told Lujan to clean up the rest with the other maids, as she will try to make Eliana eat the soup somehow.


    Lujan said she understood and started to carry food away. As she was about to leave after clearing the plates, Eliana said, blinking her long eyelashes slowly.


    ¡°Lujan.¡±


    ¡°Yes, madam.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let today¡¯s events leak out of the mansion. This is my sincerity without any intentions. It¡¯s not helpful to the Sharchen you serve, to the Baron, or to me.¡±


    Lujan¡¯s eyes shook. She had never seen Eliana struggling so much.


    Lujan replied that she understood and left the room. Everything was cleared out but some grapes, some almonds, and some potato soup remained.


    Eliana looked out the window until the door closed, with a pitiful expression on her face. Then, when the sound of footsteps completely disappeared, she started drinking potato soup. It wasn¡¯t the same as in the old days, but the way she ate it with a relaxed and free manner wasn¡¯t at all like a Baroness should.


    She scooped out the soup with a spoon and drank it. The thin soup had the same taste as Benny had made.


    ¡°Eat slowly, Ellie.¡±


    ¡°I was hungry. It would have been nice if we could eat the bread we used to eat together.¡±


    ¡°If we had continued to eat that bread, everyone in the Rose family would have broken their teeth and live only with their gums.¡±


    At Benny¡¯s words, Eliana burst into laughter. The only bread that could be bought at a low price were hard ones. No matter how hot the soup was, the bread didn¡¯t get soft enough, and after eating it, their jaws hurt. Still, even though it was difficult to eat, it was good to be able to eat a little bit.


    To Eliana, the bread and potato soup meant poison. That was the reason she had to survive in this mansion. Eliana, who had somewhat filled her stomach, came to her senses and looked at Benny.


    ¡°Benny.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Spread the rumor that the Baroness enforced strict enforcement on today¡¯s affairs. If necessary it¡¯s okay to scold or punish someone.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to use it in reverse?¡±


    Eliana nodded her head. Then she picked up a large, colorful grape.


    ¡°Originally, if you tell the top not to do it, the bottom ones will want to do more.¡±


    Eliana smiled softly. She knew the psychology well, starting from the bottom. She was even looking forward to it. Rumors of a tragic Baroness will be exaggerated and inflated as if it had wings and spread around the barony.

 Chapter 12

    ***


    ***


    The next day, Eliana deliberately did not leave the room. So was the library. She asked for a cup of hot tea, drank it, and read the book Benny had brought.


    Everything was a show.


    It was a sign that Eliana, who was more flirtatious about everything, was deeply heartbroken at the fact that her first social debut was ruined. However, Eliana expected this as well. Sharchen would not let her and Karman enter together at all costs.


    However, as a king wins the hearts of the people, she needed to win sympathy for the unlucky Baroness from the baron¡¯s servants. Although noble and a stepmother, she was a poor woman trying to get married and live in a family that was no different from a commoner. Eliana was creating such a woman, ¡®Eliana Rose¡¯.


    In fact, Eliana didn¡¯t feel hit at all. Of course, Karman¡¯s behavior was outrageous and angry.


    However, it only served as a valuable foundation for her next action. She will proudly go out of this place. With wealth and honor, she would proudly leave this Hunter family at her feet. She would go so high that anw wouldn¡¯t even make eye contact with them.


    Karman was greatly mistaken. It was just the illusion that everyone will fall for him just because he¡¯s married them. Of course, Helen was deeply in love with him, and although she and other wives were seduced by his appearance, wealth, honor and character. But it was their story.


    Eliana Rose was different. Although Karman Hunter could ignite Eliana¡¯s ambitions, he could not ignite her compassion or heartbreak. To Eliana, Karman was just a husband and someone else¡¯s side. He was no different from an enemy on the battlefield worth defeating.


    Eliana fiddled with the coin Gillian had given her. Both sides of the coin were heads. Eliana laughed out loud at Gillian¡¯s consideration that he had prepared so that she wouldn¡¯t read it wrong.


    ¡°Ellie, did you have any good ideas?¡±


    ¡°No. That blunt navy guy did something pretty cute.¡±


    Eliana said while showing the coin. Benny turned the coin back and forth and grinned.


    ¡°So, how are you going to use this cute naval master?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still a secret. I need to do a little more research. Who should I introduce to the cute guy?¡±


    ¡°Are you really going to go in with them?¡±


    Eliana shook her head. Eliana wasn¡¯t going to enter the social party with Gillian and Helen Hutt. However, she planned to move in the same group after entering. The Baron¡¯s current wife, Eliana Rose, was helping to signal the return of his ex-wife, Helen Hutt, to the social world.


    Now that scandals were spreading all over the streets, if Eliana entered with Gillian, she would be criticized as an unclean woman.


    It was clear that he was going to get pointed. However, if the position was different and the three of them moved together, it would be a different story. And this was all the more so when Eliana was utterly insulted by the Hunter family and rumors were misrepresented that she was sobbing in the hallway.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t cry, but people are exaggerating too much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all good. By the time this rumor hits the streets, I¡¯ll be a woman who has collapsed from crying.¡±


    Eliana spoke as if she didn¡¯t care and turned the page. The book she was reading was ¡°How to deal with poisonous flowers¡±, but what¡¯s inside was something else. It was high-quality information about families that had been attending the parties consistently for several decades.


    Eliana already knew the daughters of many families through learning. And even the tastes and habits of famous wives were memorized. But she needed to learn one more time.


    Some of them were interested in social parties, and some kept their distance from them.


    Those who Eliana needed were close to the socialites. Because through them, she will be able to reach nobles who did not attend parties. Eliana Rose imagined the faces of the royal family she had never seen before. Benny, who was peeling a peach, asked.


    ¡°Can I really go home tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Other than Benny, who can I send? You are the only one who can understand the situation in the family well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m worried about you. I don¡¯t really like that girl named Lujan either. There¡¯s something gloomy about this house. When that happened yesterday, nobody was on our side.¡±


    Benny said as if she was really upset. Their family was poor, but Eliana Rose was now a Baroness, but it seemed even worse.


    Benny let out a long sigh. Eliana took a sip of moderately cooled tea and continued.


    ¡°Benny.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Remember the winter we spent together in the living room?¡±


    ¡°How could I forget that?¡±


    One year there was a terrible drought. The Rose family had an exceptionally difficult winter. The inside of the house was so cold that there was no difference in temperature from the outside, and even the wind blew through the unmaintained cracks here and there.


    The whole family lit a fire with only a small amount of firewood, brought all clothes, blankets, and sheets, and gathered in a circle in the living room. There they ate, slept, and worked there. Otherwise, she couldn¡¯t stand it. It had been a long time since she threw away the face of the noble.


    Eliana felt the cold skin of her younger siblings who were sleeping clinging to her thighs while sewing. It was Benny who filled the seat next to her at that time.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to let that winter happen again. Not to you, to my parents and siblings.¡±


    ¡°Ellie¡­¡±


    ¡°If the price is this kind of pain, I am willing to accept it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to accept it a thousand times.¡± Eliana¡¯s clear eyes lit up. She had the stamina, which had been honed over many years. Poverty had made her stronger and smarter. Benny looked into Eliana¡¯s eyes and just nodded.


    ¡°Yes, I shouldn¡¯t have said that. You are none other than Eliana Rose.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one on my side here, Benny. So please go see my family on my behalf. I¡¯ll prepare a little more in the meantime.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the family. But are you ready?¡±


    ¡°When you come back.¡±


    ¡°When I come back?¡±


    ¡°We are going to visit the Hutt family.¡±


    At Eliana¡¯s words, Benny looked around. Then she continued speaking with her voice lowered.


    ¡°What? Ellie, are you sure? Rather than having a secret meeting like in a bookstore, you are just going to the Hutt? Karman Hunter won¡¯t stand still¡­¡±


    ¡°What will he do if he doesn¡¯t stand still?¡±


    ¡°Ellie.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really¡­.¡±


    Benny laughed as if she couldn¡¯t stop it. Eliana giggled, looked around and continued.


    ¡°I thought it would be great if I could actually meet Helen before the party. But these fools won¡¯t give me a chance. So I have to do it my way.¡±


    Eliana smiled brightly. It was essential to win Helen Hutt¡¯s favor to capture Gillian Hutt¡¯s heart.


    However, there was a limit to communicating through letters. If Karman hadn¡¯t been so harsh on her, she could have created many opportunities, but now efforts were required.


    It was a move that Karman¡¯s former wives had also seen. Of course, they went to get specific advice on whether Sharchen and Karman¡¯s relationship was real and what to do. Eliana needed no advice. Because she knew very well what she had to do in this situation. But if Helen had sympathy for the fourth wife (Eliana), who was more despised than herself, there was nothing more than that. It would be a bonus if Gillian Hutt would be angry about her situation.


    Eliana was contemplating how she could win Helen¡¯s heart and get out of this mansion. Because that was the most important thing.


    Benny looked at Eliana, who was full of interest in the future, smiled and sat down.


    ¡°It would be a good idea to write a letter to the Hutt before I go home.¡±


    ¡°Exactly what I want of you right now.¡±


    ¡°Ellie, promise me one thing.¡±


    ¡°What promise?¡±


    ¡°You will never do anything that puts your life in danger.¡±


    Benny looked at Eliana with serious eyes. Benny knew. Eliana Rose was more than anyone else ready to sacrifice for her family. Even if she would lose her life in the process.


    Eliana was such a great woman. That was why Benny wanted to protect Eliana even more. There was a reason for coming to her side. And seeing the situation in reality, her pain was beyond imagination, and Benny¡¯s worries grew day by day.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Benny, I love my family.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°But I love myself just as much. I would never do anything that would cause Benny to worry. I swear by the name of the Rose.¡±


    The Rose family used the expression ¡®by the name of the Rose¡¯ when swearing with everything. Although they were poor nobles, it was also a sign that they loved and cared for each other.


    After hearing Eliana¡¯s words, Benny sighed and continued.


    ¡°I also swear by the name of the Rose.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I will risk my everything to protect you from death.¡±


    Benny¡¯s promise was firm. Eliana looked at her like that and smiled. Eliana was confident. She will make more people swear allegiance to her in the name of the Rose.

 Chapter 13

    ***


    ***


    Butler Pepe was busy watching Karman. Karman was working as usual.


    He handled the affairs of the Hunter family in the capital. Since Pepe was in charge of the Baron¡¯s internal affairs, Karman only understood what was reported.


    Even so, there was a lot of work. Originally, it was a job that the Baroness should have taken over. But Sharchen did not have the capacity to do so, and he could not give it to Eliana.


    When Karman concentrated on his work, he had a unique atmosphere. But today something was different. The atmosphere around him was strange. It felt kind of awkward. Pepe, who had watched Karman since childhood, could feel it.


    He was now in trouble. It was not known exactly what it was, but it was certain that it was confusing his mind. The fact that Karman hasn¡¯t been able to get over the document he¡¯s grabbed for an hour was the proof.


    Pepe looked at him as he wiped the sweat running down his temple. Karman stopped the pen, which was moving smoothly, and asked.


    ¡°What is she doing now?¡±


    ¡°Are you talking about Lady Sharchen? She¡¯s now taking care of her skin. It¡¯s the day when the professional comes.¡±


    ¡°No. Not Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Someone other than Sharchen¡­ who¡­¡±


    ¡°Eliana. Eliana Rose.¡±


    ¡°Ah! The Baroness. She¡¯s¡­.¡±


    Oops. It was a big deal. Pepe didn¡¯t care what Eliana was doing. It was out of the line of Karman¡¯s interests. In response to the sudden question, Pepe hastily asked the servant to check Eliana¡¯s location. Karman moved the pen again as if nothing had happened.


    ¡°Is she trying to make fun of me? Or do you think that Eliana keeps causing trouble because I have neglected to monitor her? What is it?¡±


    Pepe felt uncomfortable in his stomach. The sausage he had for lunch seemed to be hard to digest as if it were stuck in the intestine.


    The servant who had left Karman¡¯s study in a hurry came back and whispered to Pepe. Pepe refined the crude language he had heard from the servant and reported it to Karman.


    ¡°The Baroness didn¡¯t come out of her room today.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t even go to the library?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She ate all her meals in her room.¡±


    ¡°What did she eat?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    The second time Pepe felt troubled. The Baroness¡¯s meal was not taken care of by Pepe. Not only did Eliana order what she wanted to eat, but unlike the previous wives who were picky, there were no major complaints about what to prepare. Pepe wiped his forehead with a damp handkerchief.


    Karman waved his hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I asked about useless things.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Sharchen, she ate a slice of freshly baked bread, olives, almonds, and milk today. For dessert, she had eclairs airlifted from Conter.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Pepe thought Karman was really strange today. In the past, when Sharchen ate less, he would have said something like supplementing her diet or getting more nutrients, but he didn¡¯t today. He just ended the conversation briefly.


    Pepe was sweating. It just seemed like he was doing something wrong. He thought he should find out about the Baroness¡¯ meals even now, but it was not right to bring it up once more because Karman already said it was useless.


    Pepe couldn¡¯t do this or that, but Karman wasn¡¯t interested at all. He formally covered the document he was looking at. It didn¡¯t catch his eyes at all. He could only remember the moment when Eliana burst into tears as if she was genuinely sad.


    Not going to a social party together.


    Karman didn¡¯t even know how much shame it would give Eliana. Her family didn¡¯t have much money or fame, so if he didn¡¯t come with her, Eliana would stay on the terrace the whole party and return.


    But it had to be. He had to stop Eliana from running rampant any more, and he had to release the heart of Sharchen, who was having a hard time because of the constant intimidation.


    From Karman¡¯s point of view, it was a fair choice. But was it really justified? Karman shook his head, remembering her tear-soaked eyes. Karman wasn¡¯t friendly enough to move his heart at the woman¡¯s tears. The same was true with his three former wives. But Eliana made him feel strange.


    It made him angry but also made him feel sorry for her. It made him look back and think. Karman was displeased. Eliana was nothing. She shouldn¡¯t be anything. Because he had Sharchen.


    But, but, but.


    Karman eventually closed his eyes for a moment.


    He thought it would be quiet if he brought a woman from a poor family as a fake wife. In a pretty cowardly way, Karman didn¡¯t want the house to be noisy anymore. Because his father in the capital would not put up with any more fuss.


    But it was Karman¡¯s wrong calculation. Eliana Rose danced in his head. She was bold, clever, and captivating. It was enough to think it was her who was suited to be the Baroness, not Sharchen.


    But he couldn¡¯t love her. Because he had Sharchen.


    Karman kept trying to draw the line that Eliana was trying to cross over and over more firmly.


    He tried to do better with Sharchen, and he treated Eliana more coldly. But why was his heart so uncomfortable? Karman pressed hard on his chest. Pepe, who had been wary of Karman, opened his  mouth carefully. It was to change this heavy air.


    ¡°That¡­ Lady Sharchen said that she wanted to show the Baron the dress the dressmaker made in the afternoon. What time can you come?¡±


    ¡°Is that today?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Pepe answered excitedly in a high-pitched voice. After all, beautiful things make people feel good. Sharchen, Karman¡¯s true love, was also beautiful. Seeing her in an expensive, beautiful dress would make Karman happy.


    ¡°There are only four dresses in total, so it wouldn¡¯t take long.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    If it was usual, she would have made 10 suits, but now she had reduced it by more than half, saying that it will help the Baron¡¯s wealth. Aren¡¯t you proud of her? She¡¯s ready to become a full-fledged Baroness now.¡±


    Pepe continued chatting. He was sure that Karman would be delighted with the news.


    But Karman didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he asked something else.


    ¡°How many suits did Eliana Rose get?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Should I ask you again?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no.¡­ But the Baroness did not call a dressmaker.¡±


    ¡°Then, what is she going to wear to the party?¡±


    ¡°I heard that she¡¯s going to wear a dress made by the maid. I don¡¯t know the details¡­..¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    Pepe sweated at Karman¡¯s question. What does he mean ¡®what¡¯s happened¡¯? It was a vague question.


    The finances of the baron¡¯s family were being checked by Karman, but with regard to expenditure, Pepe was in full control.


    In this case, Sharchen was no different from an informal hostess, so the amount allotted to her was large. In other words, her luxury was always acceptable. But the scarecrow, Eliana Rose, was different. Most of the small amount set aside for her would be given to her poor family.


    Pepe didn¡¯t even understand why Karman had asked him this question. What is it? Is he asking him to throw more distance that would bother Eliana Rose? Pepe shook his head, sweating profusely. If so, he had something to say.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s the way it is. So have all three of the previous Baronesses. However, since they were all formal families, they prepared themselves so as not to harm the Hunter family. But, as you know, the Rose family is so poor that even if you shake it, you can¡¯t get a single grain of oats, so I¡¯m worried too. Who wouldn¡¯t be in the Hunter family¡­¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Pepe.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Baron.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, isn¡¯t it your job to take care of it even if I don¡¯t tell you in advance?¡±


    ¡°Ah. Baron¡­that¡­ Not that.¡±


    ¡°Call her a dressmaker.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Never forget that she is a Baroness, no matter how her name is.¡±


    ¡°Yes Yes! I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    After Karman finished speaking, he got up. Pepe was sweating and shoved his handkerchief into his pocket and followed him.


    Karman went out to the garden and followed a familiar walking course. Pepe was bewildered, but he followed him, hoping that it would be nothing else. Then he started sweating again where Karman had stopped.


    It was the promenade overlooking the library. The library¡¯s window was closed as tightly as Eliana¡¯s closed heart. Pepe watched carefully as Karman¡¯s gaze touched the closed window and did not fall.


    After a while, Karman¡¯s lips opened.


    ¡°Tell Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Yes Yes!¡±


    ¡°She can wear any dress.¡±


    ¡°Yes? Baron, are you saying¡­..you are not going to choose a dress with Lady Sharchen together?¡±


    ¡°Sharchen is beautiful no matter what she wears. I don¡¯t even have to pick one.¡±


    Karman¡¯s words were firm. Pepe didn¡¯t know how to convey this to Sharchen, and he felt like his hair was turning white. When he imagined Sharchen crying in disappointment, his head went blank. Pepe thought that there might be a major change in the Barony soon.

 Chapter 14

    ***


    ***


    Keng! Bang!


    The sound of something breaking was constantly echoing from Sharchen¡¯s room. Sharchen with her shower robe still on constantly throwing things. The time she spent polishing her delicate skin in the rose-filled bathtub was overshadowed. She was about to tear off every dress the dressmaker had been making all night.


    ¡°Absolutely unacceptable! Eliana Rose and I will wear the same clothes? No! No!¡±


    ¡°Lady Sharchen! Calm down. Lady Sharchen¡­!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t calm down! No!¡±


    Sharchen took the hairdressing scissors that had been taken out to trim her hair and tore her pearl-colored dress to shreds. Beautiful swans lavishly embroidered with gold thread were torn to pieces by the scissors.


    Sharchen cried until her pretty face was a mess and sat down on her seat. Karman was changing. She believed that he was clearly moved by Eliana¡¯s eccentricity. He must have liked her voluminous breasts and urban face. Since he was also a man, he might have been attracted to Eliana in that direction.


    But that shouldn¡¯t be happening. Because Sharchen and Karman had been in a relationship since a long time ago.


    Love began the moment he rescued her from being left alone on the street. He had never had a change of heart before. So the position of the Baroness was hers. That was the reason why Karman did not abandon Sharchen even though Karman¡¯s father, Jerich Hunter, was hard on him.


    It didn¡¯t matter if it was compassion or sympathy. Because there was only one woman who received such love from Karman. But now that feeling was about to split in two. It was for a poor woman who was no better than herself.


    ¡°May.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Lady Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Go and tell Pepe. Sharchen, exhausted from crying, collapsed and fell asleep. She said that the party means nothing to this Sharchen Hunter unless the Baron chooses a dress together!¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will tell him that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all because of that foxy Eliana Rose! All her tears are a show! How dare a witch who won¡¯t bleed if stabbed shake us up?!¡±


    Sharchen couldn¡¯t contain her anger. She couldn¡¯t stand the fact that her relationship with Karman, which was strong no matter what woman came, was overturned by the wicked stepmother. It was unforgivable.


    ¡°Aaaah!!! I won¡¯t let it go. I won¡¯t let it go! Never let a dresser come into her room. Never!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Lady Sharchen.¡±


    Maid May bowed her head and glanced at Lujan in the corner. Before the sparks fell, Lujan quickly left Sharchen¡¯s room.


    After the new Baroness arrived, there had been no quiet day in the house. Poor Lujan¡¯s own life was the same. But maybe victory was already leaning towards Eliana? The moment Baron Karman¡¯s favors ended, Sharchen was in a lowly status no different from Lujan. Sharchen herself seemed to have forgotten that fact too long ago.


    However, all the maids of Sharchen looked up to her, but they had such a feeling in their hearts. If Karman loved someone else, Sharchen¡¯s position would be no different than a maid. If the master, Jerich Hunter, was a little more strict, Sharchen should have been with them doing the laundry piled up in the Baron¡¯s house.


    ¡®Once this happens, I have no choice but to earn the trust of Eliana Rose and survive. Now Sharchen is like a string that has fallen off.¡¯


    Lujan, quick-witted and calculating, headed to Eliana¡¯s room with that in mind.


    ***


    Eliana laughed when she heard of the commotion that occurred while she was reading a book in her room. She couldn¡¯t stop laughing. What kind of fool¡¯s march is this?


    Lujan was bewildered by the way the Baroness, who had been weeping until the previous day, was revived today and smiled. But Eliana continued, wiping her laughing tears as if she didn¡¯t really care.


    ¡°Thanks for making me laugh out loud. Thank you, Lujan.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Madam¡­¡±


    ¡°But unfortunately, the Baron¡¯s heart hasn¡¯t changed. Have you seen the Baron treat me? He just wants to use me to calm his pathetic, young lover. How long do you think Jerich Hunter will keep an eye on this strange Baron?¡±


    ¡°The Lord?¡±


    ¡°He will be keeping an eye on her. If Sharchen doesn¡¯t show her development, he¡¯ll get rid of her somehow. Karman used his brain.¡±


    Eliana came up with a plausible hypothesis. She had a natural talent for imagining and making up stories in this way. Of course, she didn¡¯t know why Karman suddenly became capricious, but this was necessary in front of Lujan, who had sworn loyalty to her. And for Eliana, she needed Lujan.


    Simply put, it was to create an excuse for Lujan to still be attached to Sharchen. The Baron still loved Sharchen, so Lujan must be with


    Sharchen, not Eliana Rose. Lujan must have rolled her head about how to speak in order to please Eliana just before she opened the door. But it was all on Eliana¡¯s palm. Eliana continued to act as if she had given up.


    ¡°It¡¯s pathetic of lovers to think so when they see me suffer.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Tell Sharchen that I¡¯m not going to call the dressmaker. What if the Baron changed his mind and the dress didn¡¯t arrive that day? I don¡¯t want to be humiliated again.¡±


    It was half sincere. Karman was an unreliable person. It wasn¡¯t just that. Eliana had no one of her own but Benny in this house. Guard Joseph was doing his job well, but he was powerless. Eliana knew that it was time for her to curl up as much as she could to leap higher.


    ¡°Is the Baron going to be that naive?¡±


    At Lujan¡¯s question, Eliana turned her attention to the book. ¡®You¡¯re smart¡¯, Eliana thought to herself. But Eliana was one step above Lujan. She continued speaking without blinking an eye.


    ¡°Everyone is naive when it comes to love games. I don¡¯t want to be a victim. The embarrassment is enough from yesterday¡¯s experience. Poor Baroness. They treat her like this on the inside, and call her stepmother on the outside.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Come on, go. You¡¯re the only one who knows the news that Sharchen is most curious about right now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, madam!¡±


    Lujan glanced at her and quickly left Eliana¡¯s room. Eliana still fixed her eyes on the book, and did not even look at Lujan¡¯s back running hurriedly.


    But when the door closed, Eliana closed the book. What was with Karman Hunter¡¯s change of heart? Was it to build up his prestige, which had fallen on the show that day? That being said, it was a cheap effort. However, if he was a person who cared so much about his prestige, he would not have acted like that in the first place.


    ¡°What? Is he regretting it?¡±


    Eliana laughed sarcastically. Karman Hunter looked cold and cold-blooded, but he was soft on the inside. So, he was possessed by Sharchen and was in trouble like this. If he had maintained the relationship with his first married family, his title would have already changed.


    Marriages of nobles were common. Raise titles, inflate wealth, and increase territories. There was no such thing as a tearful love story. Marriage was a kind of transaction, a business. The fact that Karman Hunter had to do business with the Rose family, a poor aristocrat, meant that he had no talent in the marriage business.


    No nobleman had ever prospered without a proper marriage business. Even after the tearful love story, even if Sharchen sat in this seat at the end, or Karman became the head of the Hunter family, the proposition would not change.


    ¡°Anyway, the rich boys were quickly killed off.¡±


    Eliana got up from her seat as if brushing off Karman Hunter¡¯s favor. Stretched out, she stepped into the dressing room. The dress to wear to the social party had already been decided. Design, color, and decoration.


    Eliana saw a dress pictured in an old book. Forty years ago, it was the dress that marked the Duchess of Teneb¡¯s first social debut. At that time, she was the prime minister¡¯s daughter, and she made her debut more splendidly than anyone else by collecting the most fashionable items at the time.


    Everyone knew that she had a gentle and quiet personality, but the record did not. She went quiet after marrying the conservative Duke of Teneb.


    A few years ago, the Duke of Teneb passed away. But no one reached out to a woman who had never even danced with another man in over 30 years of marriage.


    Eliana made her the target of this party. Although the Duchess was not at the center of power, she was the wealthiest woman in the city. Also, there were people who could only be reached by getting close to her. Eliana was looking for a way to instantly get to know the Duchess.


    The first was to wear the Duchess¡¯s dress from 40 years ago. Eliana had to show the woman she admired, remembering her most glamorous and beautiful days.


    Eliana Rose hummed as she traced the embellishments of the gorgeous dress.


    She knew this wouldn¡¯t be enough. The dress only drew attention for a moment. Eliana wanted to be imprinted on her a little more explicitly. Only then would she be able to reach the Duchess¡¯s son.

 Chapter 15

    ***


    ***


    Benny, who had visited Eliana¡¯s parents¡¯ house, brought a lot of good news. Her father¡¯s health has improved a lot, and her second sister Gaia is taking lessons from a famous harpist.


    ¡°I bought a whole turkey on the way. I think it¡¯s the first time the oven has run like that. Ellie, you would have been so happy if you were there too! Everyone missed you.¡±


    Benny continued with an excited voice. Eliana was just happy to hear her say that. She missed seeing the younger siblings who said they wanted to see her with their greasy lips. But it wasn¡¯t the right time yet. Eliana clenched her lips and continued to speak.


    ¡°Did you get a reply from Helen?¡±


    ¡±Yes. She¡¯ll be waiting for you. Gillian has a condition when you meet at the meeting.¡±


    ¡°I expected that. Now, shall we finish wrapping the present we¡¯re going to bring?¡±


    ¡±Present?¡±


    Eliana led Benny to the dressing room. Two dresses were hung in the dressing room. One was a gorgeous dress.


    The dress, with sleeves wide open to the elbows, but the bodice was pleated with lace, were the focus of Eliana¡¯s heart and soul. Similar to that one, a dress made of lighter and more delicate materials was next to it.


    It was like a dress for a chubby woman with a smaller body than Eliana. As soon as Benny saw it, she knew who it was for.


    ¡°Ellie, are you going to give Helen Hutt a home-made party dress? You¡¯re a genius!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it? I thought I was crazy. Do you know where I got this dress from?¡±


    Eliana excitedly continued to talk. Benny, who was looking at a picture of Teneb¡¯s dress 40 years ago, turned to the two dresses and clapped her hands. One was a perfect reproduction, and the other was a reinterpretation to fit the current era. Either way, she couldn¡¯t help but admire her master.


    ¡°That¡¯s why when Baron Hunter offered to send you a dressmaker, you refused.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessarily just that. I don¡¯t know why Karman suddenly changed his mind and offered me a dressmaker¡­I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good intention. It¡¯s just unnecessarily encouraging Sharchen¡¯s madness even more.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Obviously the Baron¡¯s attitude is inconsistent.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t read it that way, even if it was purely intentional. He¡¯s not a good man.¡±


    ¡°Good idea. I can¡¯t forgive a man who put you in such a predicament. Every time I see the faces of those two, I want to rip them apart with my own hands.¡±


    Benny took a deep breath. There was sincerity in her words. Perhaps even more so because she had just visited the happy Rose family.


    She had been watching the hardships Eliana had to go through in order to create such a figure.


    But Eliana liked her sister and friend Benny, who could only think of her. Eliana hugged Benny tightly once and continued.


    ¡°I will definitely get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Ellie.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have a good look at the faces of those people who will be deeply regretted, boldly.¡±


    ¡°Great! What should I do first? I¡¯d better finish Helen Hutt¡¯s dress first, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Eliana said and picked up the needle and thread. Eliana and Benny had quick hands. When it came to sewing, they were natural. They were known for their fast and meticulous finishing. They giggled at each other saying that we should set up a tailor shop. Besides, now it was much less difficult than making it from scratch. They just tear


    apart the clothes they already have and redecorating them.


    Eliana was more concerned as she carefully touched the ruffles and frills. How beautiful Duchess Teneb must have been 40 years ago.


    It was sure to be noticed by everyone at the party. She had no choice but to do so. She was a stepmother who abused Sharchen Hunter, the center of the social circle, and a Baroness on the verge of being abandoned by her husband. Eliana smiled as she thought the whole situation would explode like firecrackers in one place.


    ¡°Benny.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°The life of aristocrats is so fun and ridiculous.¡±


    The reason that she could play them so easily was because Eliana had grasped the virtual image they wanted to have.


    She was a woman who lived climbing up from the floor. The honor and value that the nobles wanted was in vain. But Eliana knew how to make that futile thing, as a way of survival.


    After saying those words, Benny looked at Eliana¡¯s lips for a long time as she withdrew her smile. The bitterness lingered for a while and then disappeared.


    ***


    Eliana finally went to the library after a long time.


    The gatekeeper was Joseph. As soon as Joseph saw Eliana, his eyes fluttered. Everyone must have heard her story. His eyes showed deep sympathy and compassion. Eliana didn¡¯t hate that feeling. Because it was worth using.


    Eliana was wearing the most modest dress among the dresses with her face without makeup on purpose. It was like she¡¯s been badly hurt since Karman Hunter humiliated her like that that day.


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    ¡°Joseph, long time no see.¡±


    ¡°I patrolled the estate for a few days and returned yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Can you come in with me? There are things I want to say separately.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I really wanted to see you.¡±


    Joseph glanced at the other guards standing next to him. But he couldn¡¯t help but move his body at the sight of her pitiful expression.


    Eliana¡¯s current behavior could spread to rumors that the wounded Baroness relieved her stress using a guard.


    But that was what she wanted it to look like. It didn¡¯t matter because it wasn¡¯t true anyway. Eliana was not alone in her body and mind. Her heart was burning with ambition like a flame.


    As the library door closed, Eliana opened the library window as usual. Then she sat on the window-frame and looked at Joseph languidly.


    ¡°What are the rumors about me?¡±


    ¡°That¡­..¡±


    ¡°Tell me honestly. Because there is no one else who can tell me this but Joseph.¡±


    Joseph hesitated and then opened his mouth, without looking at Eliana.


    ¡°The Baroness is going to be a big disgrace at the social party¡­¡­ . There are many people who want to go see it. Some say you¡¯re pitiful.¡±


    ¡°And.¡±


    ¡°And¡­.they say the Baron will kick you out and a fifth wife will come in¡­¡±


    Joseph bit his lip and couldn¡¯t finish his words. However, Eliana continued to speak in a calm voice as she looked outside as if the stories were insignificant.


    ¡°How much of the rumors does Joseph believe?¡±


    ¡°I, I¡­!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    Eliana looked at Joseph with drowsy eyes. Joseph clenched his fists as if in anger.


    ¡°I want to protect Madam.¡±


    ¡°From what?¡±


    ¡°Anything. I will do everything I can. It happened while I was away¡­¡±


    ¡°If you had been there, what could you have done?¡±


    Joseph bowed his head gloomily. Eliana spoke softly.


    ¡°If you thought you couldn¡¯t do anything, you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    ¡°Your existence alone gives me strength. In this house with no one on my side.¡±


    Joseph¡¯s eyes shone with a deeper loyalty. Eliana knew how to win people¡¯s trust.


    She knew it well.


    ¡°Escort me to this party. Joseph.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I need you.¡±


    Instead of a single guard who could be replaced at any time, making him a special person. It was, above all, words that shook the listeners. It was also the case of a high-status person who needed favors from a low-ranking person.


    That¡¯s when you ask someone. It was none other than the emotion that Eliana herself had felt.


    ¡°I will do my best to serve you.¡±


    Joseph knelt down. Eliana nodded lightly and looked outside again. Again, the knowledge gained through body and experience was not wrong.


    Karman Hunter, who was on his walk, was staring at her from below. It was unknown since when he had been watching her.


    Eliana made eye contact with him, gently placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head slightly.


    Then she got off the window and closed the window firmly.


    ¡°Why did you close the window all of a sudden, Madam?¡±


    ¡°The Baron is displeased. He must have seen me while walking.¡±


    Joseph¡¯s eyebrows point downward. He could not hide his blatant disappointment with the Baron he was serving.


    In fact, there was no displeasure in Karman¡¯s gaze. On the contrary, it shone as if he had been waiting for her.


    But the truth didn¡¯t matter to Eliana. She didn¡¯t even want to know.


    As if Joseph had made up his mind, he continued.


    ¡°Even if Madam leaves this barony.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Even if you can¡¯t pay me a penny.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I will become a member of the Rose family.¡±


    Eliana smiled softly and grabbed Joseph by the shoulder.


    ¡°Thank you, Joseph, I am really glad.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If anyone in the future says that I will be kicked out of this barony with nothing in the future, tell them that it is a rumor. I will at least have a loyal knight like you.¡±


    Joseph bit his lip. It was because he knew that the position of a mere guard could not be dreamed of. But Eliana looked straight at him and said,


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you would serve me from a higher place?¡±


    ¡°Yes. but¡­¡­ .¡±


    ¡°I will make you a knight.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°So, do your best to prepare. Become the best knight to protect the Rose family.¡±


    Eliana spoke clearly, and then proceeded one step more upright. Just like a woman who has grown more mature after being trampled and hurt. But in Eliana¡¯s heart, difficult calculations were being made busily. It was a fierce move toward survival.

 Chapter 16

    ****


    ***


    Eliana headed to her room, escorted by Joseph. Joseph was a little serious, knowing that Eliana wasn¡¯t joking.


    ¡°What can I do to help you at the party?¡±


    ¡°Benny will send you some clothes. It¡¯s a light outfit to replace the heavy chain armor, but it¡¯s made of high-quality muslin so it¡¯ll be easy to move around.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Yes, My knight.¡±


    Joseph¡¯s face turned a little red. Eliana¡¯s every word grabbed and shook Joseph.


    Eliana also prepared clothes for Benny and Joseph. It was a declaration that they were her own people. From now on, this mark will be increased, and it was an ambition to conquer and win.


    Eliana stopped walking. Just past the hallway, it was her room. But in the middle of the road were the fat butler Pepe and Karman.


    Joseph greeted them with a firm expression, shielding Eliana from the side they were on.


    Eliana was escorted by Joseph as if it was natural. Of course she bowed slightly to greet Karman, but it was an act of treating him thoroughly like a stranger. Karman looked at the two and continued.


    ¡°Why did you turn down the dressmaker? Are you thinking of tarnishing the Hunter family with your amazing outfits?¡±


    Eliana clicked her tongue inwardly, but went on without making it obvious.


    ¡°I just turned it down because it didn¡¯t fit my place. And how can I represent the Hunter family when I have to go to the banquet alone?¡±


    What Karman did was clearly exclude Eliana from being the Hunter family¡¯s member. At what Eliana pointed out, Karman narrowed his eyes and continued.


    ¡°Does it mean so much to you if I enter with you or not? Even if I don¡¯t introduce you, everyone knows you¡¯re a Baroness of the Hunter family.¡±


    ¡°Does it make you feel better if you say it like it¡¯s nothing?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sarcastic.¡±


    ¡°Then let me be honest. Absolutely. You spit in my face and I have to go to the party.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk back.¡±


    ¡°When you say you will not accompany me to the party in front of so many servants, it means that you abandon me, who is making my late debut at a social party. So who¡¯s dealing with the stepmother and the poor, impotent Baroness? In that banquet hall where I don¡¯t know who is who, I¡¯ll be standing alone and rolling my eyes.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°Watching you and Sharchen laughing and clinking glasses.¡±


    Eliana spoke without a moment to breathe. As if to remind Karman how his fleeting choice trampled on her. Karman spoke, a little embarrassed.


    ¡°¡­ I will make sure you are not alone in the hall. Ask the dressmaker to get you the dress you want. I won¡¯t let you be excluded from the Hunter family.¡±


    ¡®Ha¡¯, Eliana laughed as if it was funny. She had already been an outsider of this family the moment she came here.


    Perhaps the rumor had reached Karman¡¯s ears. He had a big weakness called Sharchen. To protect her, he had been very disrespectful to Eliana, but he would have liked to think that he wasn¡¯t a rude man.


    Nobles usually thought that face was the most important thing. So, these benevolent actions were suddenly shown. But Eliana hated it. She had no intention of dancing to that rhythm.


    ¡°No. I will not wear the clothes belonging to the Baron¡¯s family.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Suddenly the Baron comes here and gives me generosity? Rumors are fast, and I¡¯m sure there¡¯s already a line of luxury people waiting for my humble position.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I intend to live up to that expectation, according to your will.¡±


    ¡°Eliana!¡±


    ¡°I heard that Sharchen collapsed because the Baron didn¡¯t pick out a dress with her.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Go to your lover at a time like this. Isn¡¯t it better than being sympathetic to me for nothing? Joseph, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madam.¡±


    Karman watched Eliana disappear as she was escorted by Joseph, and then closed his eyes. Eliana, wearing exceptionally light makeup, looked like she had been suffering terribly for a few days. They said that she didn¡¯t even eat well, she just stayed in her room¡­ He wondered if she was not feeling well.


    Of course, it was awkward and unfamiliar to him that he was suddenly worried like this. But Karman couldn¡¯t help it either. It was the first impulse he felt in his life.


    Especially when she closed the window as soon as she made eye contact with him. Karman couldn¡¯t stand still there. He was so frustrated that he wanted to ask her right away why she closed the window.


    All of this was probably because she didn¡¯t obey his words.


    Maybe it was because he had done a little wrong to her. Karman thought so.


    But Eliana seemed to have turned completely. The lips, which had originally uttered evil words, were completely frozen. It seemed to have become a mouth that only spit out poison.


    And most of all, the guard next to her bothered him. It was the guard who had bad rumors with Eliana. Why does she keep him by her side even though rumors are circulating? Does she really think it¡¯s okay to be like that?


    Karman took a step with his expressionless face, thinking horrible thoughts. But no one knew the questions swirling within him. All they could see was the appearance of the Baron, angry at his wife¡¯s behavior.


    Rumors that the relationship between the two was getting worse spread rapidly among servants. It was the story of the Baron and his wife, the hottest topic these days. The servants were also arguing that nothing could separate the Baron and Sharchen.


    Sharchen smiled relaxedly, but that smile didn¡¯t last long. She felt it instinctively. The Baron¡¯s interest was slowly leaving her. But she couldn¡¯t quite figure out how to hold onto him again.


    Eliana. Eliana. Sharchen only dreamed of tearing up her name and trampling on it.


    ****


    Eliana and Benny packed up Helen¡¯s dress. It was fortunate to be able to ride in the carriage Gillian sent.


    Eliana wore a wide-brimmed purple hat and thick makeup. The appearance of the Baroness, who had been weak for the past few days, was unbelievably gorgeous. She walked gracefully across the hallway in long lace gloves.


    But she couldn¡¯t walk long and had to stop. Last time it was Karman, this time it was Sharchen who was in her way.


    ¡®This couple is making a fuss in pairs. They are of no help at all.¡¯


    Eliana looked at Sharchen without changing her expression. Sharchen looked at her with venomous eyes and reached out both hands and blocked the door.


    ¡°Madam, don¡¯t make any more scandals. How much more do you plan to damage the Baron¡¯s honor?¡±


    Eliana didn¡¯t answer, just stared at Sharchen. Sharchen bit her lips when Eliana, whom she thought would give a clear answer, did not speak. She (Sharchen) let out the venom she had been holding in her mouth for the past seven days.


    ¡°It¡¯s a meeting between the ex wife and the current wife! It¡¯s ridiculous! Besides, you¡¯re secretly in love with Gillian Hutt, aren¡¯t you? Oh my gosh, that¡¯s really impossible! How long do you think the headmaster would tolerate rumors of the wicked Baroness?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long before the lord comes here.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°But I won¡¯t be leaving this place alone.¡±


    ¡°Eliana Rose!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t disturb you and the Baron. Love? Okay, go ahead. I even refused the dressmaker. But why are you even stopping me from going out?


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Your stepmother is me. So the good and pitiful daughter is out. Even if rumors more than this circulate, I have already become that kind of woman, so what¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡±


    ¡°¡­you are a crazy woman.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Lujan, take Lady Sharchen to her room. If she falls again, the Baron will be worried.¡±


    ¡°What the hell is this!¡±


    Eliana, who had been expressionless the whole time, smiled brightly and approached Sharchen. Then she grabbed her chin.


    ¡°Hey, let go of me!¡±


    ¡°A bad child who does not respect her mother deserves punishment.¡±


    Sharchen shook in Eliana Rose¡¯s green eyes. Eliana said, brushing her chin roughly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll postpone the punishment for later. Until I get back from my outing, write a letter of reflection. My good daughter, Sharchen.¡±


    Sharchen trembled at Eliana¡¯s words. But strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with Eliana doing that to Sharchen. Since Karman adopted Sharchen as his daughter, so Karman¡¯s wife, Eliana, had every right to be Sharchen¡¯s mother.


    ¡°¡­ The Baron will not leave you alone!¡±


    At Sharchen¡¯s threat, Eliana whispered in Sharchen¡¯s ear.


    ¡°So what if he doesn¡¯t leave me alone? What if he falls in love with a promiscuous and immodest woman like me and is anxious to see my dress? Is that good for you?¡±


    ¡°Dirty woman¡­!¡±


    Sharchen covered her ears and moved away from Eliana. Eliana stepped forward as if the obstacle blocking the door had disappeared.


    As she stepped out of the mansion¡¯s gate, the first thing she saw was a gorgeous carriage led by two horses. Eliana looked at the servant who was walking in the distance and greeted her with courtesy.


    Helen Hutt. Gillian Hutt.


    Eliana got into the carriage, remembering their names. Her purpose was clearer than ever.

 Chapter 17

    ***


    ***


    ¡°Baroness Eliana Hunter is here!¡±


    As soon as Eliana and Benny entered the Hutt mansion, a servant shouted with a loud voice.


    The first impression of the mansion was that it smelled of the fresh sea. The first thing she saw when the mansion door opened was a very large model of a battleship. Located in the middle of the hallway of the mansion, this object represented the characteristics of the Hutt family, who had been in the navy for generations.


    Rumors circulated that the next headmaster of the family and naval general, Gillian, would soon be given the title of Viscount. This was because he was in charge of the entire operation to wipe out pirates.The sweep was successful.


    Eliana saw a flag on the bow of the naval model. The marks of the pirates who were famous for their viciousness were stuck together, and it was probably a collection of the predation of the pirates that the Hutts had executed. There was a flag that seemed to have been made relatively recently.


    ¡®There must be a lot of confusion already. I have to hurry.¡¯


    Gillian was on the late side of marriage. It was because he was not interested, and he was sensitive to arranged marriage itself because of his sister¡¯s problems.


    Clank, clank, Eliana looked up at the stairs to the second floor. A small, chubby woman came running and stopped on the stairs. It was because her eyes met Eliana¡¯s.


    Eliana immediately recognized who she was in the bright yellow dress. There was only one woman who was loved the most in this mansion, and who had a soft heart who could not even step out of the house.


    ¡°Helen!¡±


    Eliana called out her name as if she had met an old friend and stretched out her hands. Helen seemed hesitant with a face full of emotion, but slowly approached Eliana. Eliana quickly approached her as soon as she came down the stairs. Then she took her two hands.


    ¡°Oh, Miss Helen. I really, really missed you.¡± ????


    ¡°¡­Have we met?¡± ????


    ¡°No. But we already shared the same room.¡±


    Before Eliana became the Baroness of the Hunter¡¯s mansion, Helen had already stayed in the place called the Baroness¡¯s Room where Eliana is staying right now. Helen seemed surprised by Eliana¡¯s expression, but it was true. In a way, the two of them shared the same room.


    ¡°I, I was really, really surprised. The truth the Baron told me on the first night.¡± (*Karman told every of his wives that Sharchen was his only love on their first night of the wedding)


    Eliana whispered as if it was a top secret. Helen nodded as if she knew what it was, and Eliana continued speaking as if she was telling a disturbing story.


    ¡°Well, you know. But I couldn¡¯t tell anyone. This was the only place I could find it. So I wanted to see Miss Helen very, very much.¡±


    Eliana burst into tears as if she remembered the days when she struggled alone. Helen knew what Eliana was saying. Helen herself once was there and met the vicious Sharchen, and the cold Karman. However, they did not get a divorce right away because Helen fell in love with Karman.


    She wanted to fill in the blanks in his heart. An aristocratic girl who grew up receiving only warm love all her life.


    Karman, who seemed to be lacking in some way to Helen, was fascinating.


    But Helen did not succeed in that love. Karman¡¯s coldness injured Helen and left her imprisoned in misery. Helen burst into tears as she remembered the past at Eliana¡¯s few words.


    ¡°Ladies. I think it would be better to tell a deeper story inside.¡±


    Said Gillian, who was standing on the stairs. Gillian remained alert to Eliana. There seemed to be a determination on his face that he would not let Eliana go if her plans were to hurt Helen.


    ¡°Sir Gillian, thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet Miss Helen. Miss Helen, let¡¯s go inside. There are so many things I want to say. And I brought you a present.¡±


    When Eliana spoke boldly, the shy Helen only nodded her head. However, her face was already turned red.


    Gillian glanced at his sister and then looked at Eliana.


    ¡°Today, the Baroness is wearing too much makeup.¡± ????


    ¡°The general is looking at my face too much. Are you sure you¡¯re not interested in me?¡± ????


    ¡°What, what?¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m not Baroness. I said my name is Eliana Rose. Miss Helen knows why we can¡¯t all be Baroness.¡±


    Helen nodded at her words.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, brother. Call her by her first name. I think that¡¯ll make me happy too.¡±


    ¡°I get it, Helen. I¡¯ll do it, if you want. Now, Miss Eliana Rose. Are you ready to go?¡±


    ¡°If only Miss Helen is ready.¡±


    Helen smiled, moving her small lips. Eliana touched Helen¡¯s arm in a friendly way and continued to speak smoothly. As a private tutor for a long time, Eliana was easily enamored with noble girls she had only met for the first time.


    It was just an ability. With her beautiful appearance and friendly tone, they opened the closed door as long as she was gentle with the young girls who were reluctant by strangers. And Helen, a lone, feeble-minded person, was even easier to penetrate deeper.


    ¡°The flowers on this yellow dress are so beautiful. Where did you buy the fabric? Did the dressmaker engrave it?¡±


    ¡°Well, I did it.¡±


    ¡°Oh my gosh. How can it be this good? It¡¯s too delicate.¡±


    It was already known that Helen was interested in embroidery. But Eliana admired it as if she had known it for the first time. As they climbed the stairs, Helen continued.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that difficult. Do you want me to teach you?¡±


    ¡°Teach me? I¡¯d love to. I¡¯m interested in making clothes.¡±


    ¡°Miss Eliana¡¯s clothes are beautiful. I don¡¯t know what people are saying. It¡¯s unique.¡± ¡°


    ¡°Miss Helen is the first person to look at me and say I¡¯m beautiful, not like a pr*stitute.¡±


    Helen blushed as if it was a word she had never heard in her entire life. Gillian turned around  and warned Eliana.


    ¡°Miss Eliana, I hope you will be more careful about your language in front of Helen.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m from a poor aristocrat, so I talk like this. Because of this, Karman hates me even more. Men don¡¯t like the way I talk.¡±


    ¡°Who, who said they didn¡¯t like it?¡±


    ¡°Oh, then, does Lord Gillian like the way I talk?¡±


    ¡°You really are a mean woman who only makes fun of people¡­¡­¡±


    When Gillian couldn¡¯t do this or that, Helen burst out laughing.


    Gillian watched Helen¡¯s laugh out loud. It had been a long time since he saw her laugh.


    Helen couldn¡¯t stop the burst of laughter and laughed a little more before shaking her hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Miss Eliana is the first woman who makes my brother so embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, Helen?¡±


    ¡°Oh my God, Lord Gillian. I wish we had met just one season sooner.¡± (Eliana) ????


    ¡°Well, what do you mean? Madam, be quiet¡­!¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t  you hear about me? Silence is a bit far from me. Can you make me a good friend like this, Miss Helen?¡±


    Eliana looked at Helen with a playful expression on her face. Helen laughed as she looked at Eliana, who had the eyes of a ten-year-old girl.


    For Helen, who was always alone at home, Eliana was a different stimulus. And she was also the only person who came to visit her, who had stepped away from society.


    Helen nodded, and Eliana looked at Gillian as if to say ¡®Look at this¡¯. Gillian laughed and shook his head in disbelief.


    ¡°Helen, be careful. Miss Eliana is not an ordinary bettor.¡±


    ¡°If you want to be friends with the Hutt family, who can defeat pirates in one shot, shouldn¡¯t it be an extraordinary bet?¡±


    Gillian cleared his throat loudly at the sudden compliment. Eliana turned her head again and spoke to Helen.


    ¡°The plant Helen left behind, I am taking good care of it. It also grew a bit taller. I want the flowers to bloom, but I don¡¯t know how it will turn out.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t throw it away?¡±


    ¡°No! My only friends at the Baron¡¯s mansion are my maid Benny and the plant.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you what happens when a flower blooms. Brother, let¡¯s go to our garden.¡±


    ¡°Miss Eliana, you must be very lucky today. The garden that Helen carefully cultivated is not for everyone to see.¡±


    Gillian said with a smirk. But he also felt his mood improved a bit.


    Standing behind them, Benny snorted at Eliana¡¯s rust-free sociability.


    Eliana used to melt any hard ladies in an hour. That was how she got a job and made a living from it. Livelihood friendliness. It was a lot more terrifying than she thought.


    Eliana headed to the garden, constantly touching Helen¡¯s interests. Even without the subject of ¡°Karman Hunter,¡± which connected the two, stories overflowed.


    Helen opened her shy lips more and more often, and the number of words increased.


    And Gillian¡¯s lips, watching them, continued to rise.


    ¡°Come on. We have a lot of interesting stories to share.¡± (Eliana)


    Eliana said with a bright smile.


    ¡°If it¡¯s not funny, I won¡¯t let it go.¡± (Gillian)


    ¡°So you¡¯re not going to let a married woman go?¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°Miss Eliana!¡± (Gillian)


    ¡°Just kidding.¡± (Eliana)


    When Eliana teased Gillian, Helen burst out laughing again. Eliana followed her and wished inwardly.


    ¡®I hope I can talk about my secret plan sooner.¡¯


    ***


    **Gillian and Eliana is a good match ????

 Chapter 18

    ***


    ***


    The conversation between the three of them was enjoyable. The main subjects were Gillian¡¯s hot saga and Helen¡¯s plants.


    Eliana was good at encouraging nobles to talk about their hobbies. Even if they answered a few words with a very interesting look, their mouths moved nonstop.


    As they continued the conversation, Gillian¡¯s men appeared. They said that his superior had called Gillian for urgent business. As he got up from his seat, he spoke sternly to Eliana. However, his tone of voice and how he called her were much softer than at the beginning.


    ¡°If you talk nonsense to Helen just because I¡¯m not here, I won¡¯t let you go, Eliana.¡±


    ¡°Who would dare to speak nonsense to Gillian Hutt¡¯s sister after hearing that saga?¡±


    Gillian couldn¡¯t hide the rising corner of his lips and left first. Eliana opened the gift she had brought after Gillian was completely out of the mansion.


    ¡°Oh my gosh. This¡­¡±


    ¡°I made it myself.¡±


    ¡°Eliana. It¡¯s so beautiful. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen a dress like this.¡±


    For Helen, who was interested in embroidery, the skillful Benny engraved colorful flowers. Helen rejoiced as she stroked the flower embroidery. Only then did Eliana bring out the main point she wanted to say.


    ¡°Helen.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°This dress is inspired by the clothes the Duchess of Teneb wore when she debuted in the social world 40 years ago.¡±


    ¡°The Duchess of Teneb? I can¡¯t even imagine that that gentle woman would wear such a fancy dress.¡±


    ¡°Before she married the Duke of Teneb, she was very interested in these things. Do you still like flowers?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s right. She often gives me flowers. Of course, I haven¡¯t met her in person, but she delivers it through a servant.¡±


    ¡°Because there isn¡¯t only one Duchess who likes Helen.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no.¡±


    Helen blushed. Helen was still considered a good match, despite having been once divorced. The status of the Hutt family was also rising, and there were so many adults who liked Helen. She was an innocent woman who liked plants and embroidery. But Helen still had no intention of remarrying. The very marriage she went through was sad, and Helen was content with her life right now.


    ¡°Do you want to introduce me to the Duchess of Teneb?¡±


    Helen asked with a trembling voice. There had been people who had approached her and made arrangements to be her friends.


    She didn¡¯t want that with Eliana, because she wanted to be real friends. She hoped Eliana wasn¡¯t one of those people.


    Eliana grinned at Helen¡¯s question and continued.


    ¡°Helen is quick-witted.¡±


    Eliana continued to speak brightly at the voice with a hint of disappointment.


    ¡°But you¡¯re a little bit wrong.¡±


    ¡°Wrong?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not Helen that I like to introduce to the Duchess of Teneb, but Gillian.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    The Duchess of Teneb had one son and one daughter. The daughter just debuted in the social world.


    However, she was famous for being beautiful and intelligent. Marriage had not yet been exchanged, but there has been no better place for Gillian¡¯s marriage.


    She would be a person who would open the way for Gillian, who would soon become a Viscount. However, Gillian hated arranged marriages. Because he saw how Helen suffered.


    ¡°My brother doesn¡¯t like arranged marriages. All because of me.¡±


    ¡°Why Helen? It must be because of that d*mn Karman Hunter.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°I really hate him. I hate the fact that Helen gave him your heart. I¡¯m very upset. I don¡¯t know how many women he¡¯s trampled on, including me and Helen!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Helen liked Eliana, who cursed Karman to the point where she felt heartbroken. Although Helen had liked Karman for a long time, she was also disappointed. Eliana was already the fourth wife. Besides, Eliana, who has such a good personality, was suffering from bad rumors in the public.


    Still, Karman, as always, did nothing. Because Helen had a good family, the reason for the divorce was concluded as a breakdown in the dowry negotiations between the families, and it remained a formal marriage that did not even take place on the first night. There were no major flaws in the social world.


    Of course, in reality, it was due to Karman¡¯s outright rejection. Helen was constantly waiting, but she was let go because of Sharchen.


    But Eliana did not have a strong family like Helen. Eliana had nowhere to turn.


    Helen was heartbroken just to think about it. It was a kind of camaraderie. Helen knew how evil Sharchen with that cute face was from her experience.


    Karman was a b*stard. And because of that b*stard, Gillian¡¯s marriage was not going well.


    Helen took a deep breath and continued.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be easy to break my brother¡¯s stubbornness.¡±


    ¡°Then we just need to break his stubbornness.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°We can make him fall in love.¡±


    ¡°Uh, how¡­. No, more than that, didn¡¯t Eliana come here because you like my brother?¡±


    Eliana laughed at the rumors she had spread. Rumors that she was interested in Gillian Hutt had spread through the streets and seemed to have reached Helen¡¯s ears.


    ¡®Joseph does a better job than I thought.¡¯


    Eliana continued to speak with satisfaction.


    ¡°It¡¯s my trick to make Gillian look more attractive. Gillian Hutt, who is rumored to be with a woman, who comes to his house with great interest.¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just because he¡¯s going to be a Viscount, it¡¯s to make him feel rationally attractive. In what ways did he get Eliana Rose¡¯s attention? Perhaps even the Teneb lady would prick her ears.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°But what does Eliana get out of it? It¡¯s just too good for my brother.¡±


    Helen continued speaking as if she did not understand at all.


    ¡°Eliana is only at the center of bad rumors, and she can¡¯t even escape from the Hunter family. My brother will marry that wonderful family, and I will re-enter the social world. But what about Eliana? Who will save Eliana?¡±


    Helen seemed to have opened her heart to Eliana in a short time. Eliana was impressed. Without hiding the expression on her face, Eliana held Helen¡¯s hands tightly.


    ¡°Helen. How can you think of me that way? I¡¯m glad I found you.¡±


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    ¡°As I said before, I don¡¯t do business without profit. No, I can¡¯t. I¡¯m poor.¡±


    ¡°Then what are you going to get?¡±


    ¡°I have a lot to gain. Just being able to socialize with the prestigious Hutt saves me shame. Besides, as long as Gillian¡¯s marriage continues, I can build friendships with the Tenebs and the Hutts.¡±


    Helen nodded her head. It was a great benefit for the Rose family, who was unknown, built friendships with the two prestigious families.


    Moreover, since the Teneb family was famous for its wealth, it would be of direct help to Eliana.


    Helen was slow at counting, but she rolled her head hard. Although they met for a short time, Eliana was smart and nice. She seemed to be well aware of her situation and clearly planning what to do and how to move forward. And above all, she was honest and charming. Helen had never seen a woman who looked good in such thick makeup.


    Her green eyes were as beautiful as emeralds, and the dress she had made herself was so captivating that Helen couldn¡¯t take her eyes off her.


    It wasn¡¯t just the outside charm. Eliana had the ability to pick up and drop Gillian, and was smart enough to talk seriously about Gillian¡¯s military skills.


    ¡®It would be great if Eliana became my brother¡¯s mate..¡­ ¡¯


    Helen imagined Gillian and Eliana together. If the two became close, the three could meet anytime. Laughter would never cease in this garden. Helen had never seen Gillian laugh so much as today.


    ¡°Helen.¡±


    Eliana clasped her hand as if she knew what Helen was thinking.


    ¡°I wish I could be a member of the Hutts, but I can¡¯t be a good match for Gillian¡¯s future. We have once been woven under the name of Karman Hunter. People like gossip more than you think. ¡°


    ¡°Eliana¡­ how did you know what I was thinking?¡±


    ¡°Because I know I¡¯m kind of attractive, right?¡±


    Helen burst out laughing. Eliana, who could even read her own thoughts, was really intelligent and had a sense of humor. Eliana, who laughed after Helen, removed the smile from the corners of her lips and said.


    ¡°Helen, I am.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I want Jedia Teneb.¡± (Eliana)


    Jedia Teneb. Helen blinked at the name. (*Jedia Teneb is the Duchess¡¯s son)


    ¡°Are you going to remarry Jedia Teneb?¡±


    Helen asked Eliana in a surprised voice.

 Chapter 19

    ***


    ***


    ¡°Are you going to remarry Jedia Teneb?¡±


    Helen¡¯s voice trembled for a reason.


    Jedia Teneb. He was the most promising figure in the royal treasury, and the eldest son who was terribly cherished by the Duchess of Teneb. It was Jedia Teneb, who said that there was no marriage if it was not related to the royal family.


    ¡°What if he falls in love with me at first sight and cries and clings desperately to me?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ that could happen.¡±


    Eliana said with a playful expression on her face. Helen sighed in relief when she realized she was joking. Eliana smiled and continued.


    ¡°I am not in a position to decide to divorce. My family receives financial support from the Hunter family.¡±


    ¡°But he¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Yes. He told me that the first night I was nothing.¡±


    Eliana stared into the distance as if she remembered that night. In fact, she didn¡¯t feel any emotions in her heart. She didn¡¯t know Karman was such a crazy man. But in front of Helen, Eliana had to arouse her sympathy.


    After pausing for a while, Eliana opened her eyes and said as if she had escaped from thoughts.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be left with nothing. Even if I can¡¯t become Karman Hunter¡¯s wife, I want to live a good life without being hurt. I want Helen to be like me.¡±


    These words were sincere. Eliana felt sorry for the three women who suffered from their love for Karman. The two other women remarried, but Helen never went anywhere and still had a broken heart.


    Karman Hunter was not responsible for anything. It was like it was unnecessary. He was cowardly and irresponsible from beginning to end. Eliana thought so.


    However, she could not blindly blame him. Because he wouldn¡¯t change.


    So she had to move on her own, more serious and active. She was planning to cross the threshold of one family and stand upright as the head of the Rose family. In the process, it didn¡¯t matter if she was criticized for being wicked and benefited from men.


    She would use them as a springboard to fulfill her ambitions, but she had no desire to marry any of them. Most of all, she didn¡¯t want to divorce because of her problems with Karman. Responsibility for the breakup of this marriage had to be borne entirely by Karman Hunter and Sharchen. At least that was what she hoped for. That way there wouldn¡¯t be a fifth victim. Eliana¡¯s dream was clear and grand. For that, Helen¡¯s help was desperately needed. She looked straight into Helen¡¯s eyes with sincerity.


    ¡°Would you like to join me?¡±


    Helen had a timid personality. She licked her lips and spoke with courage.


    ¡°Can you give me some time to think?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Take all the time you need,¡± said Eliana, trying not to be impatient.


    Helen nodded her head several times and drank her tea.


    Eliana opened her mouth in search of a topic to change the slightly heavier atmosphere.


    ¡°Ah, did the plants that Duchess Teneb gave as a gift grow well?¡±


    ¡°Some of them withered, but I did my best to save some of them. The flowers are really pretty. They are all precious plants from Conter. Ah! I have a flower I want to show you. Wait. I¡¯ll bring it!¡±


    Helen was happy again when talking about plants. Then, she walked first into the gorgeous garden.


    Helen was a much sweeter person than Eliana had imagined. Eliana remembered the day when she was told the same cruel words like Helen experienced. Karman Hunter must have no idea of his crime.


    Eliana swallowed a bitter smile. Then she looked at the beautiful trees and flowers towering high.


    Gillian¡¯s gaze, who returned from service in the army, stayed on Eliana¡¯s profile for a long time. Gillian came to his senses and made a loud noise. Eliana then turned her head to look at Gillian.


    ¡°You came back early.¡±


    ¡°It was no big deal.¡±


    ¡°Helen went to get a flowerpot. I asked to see the precious flowers she received from Duchess Teneb.¡±


    ¡°You seem to have been better off without me.¡±


    ¡°It felt a bit empty. There was no laughter from Sir Gillian.¡±


    Gillian¡¯s gaze stopped again at Eliana Rose¡¯s smiling face. He licked his lips and continued.


    ¡°It seems that your name is really Rose.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­. That¡¯s what it means.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s bland.¡±


    Eliana shut her mouth as if not curious any more and took a bite of the cookie. Gillian¡¯s gaze turned to her plump lips.


    Although it has many thorns, it¡¯s a beauty that dares to be called the queen of flowers. And that was Eliana.


    Her elegant attitudes were seen with every move. Gillian could not feel that she had lived as hard as a commoner. As if she had been born with the fate of a rose.


    ¡°Brother, please hold this.¡±


    Helen¡¯s voice came from inside the garden. Then Gillian looked away from Eliana and hurried toward Helen. Eliana¡¯s eyes, which seemed uninterested, stuck on Gillian¡¯s back.


    ¡°Rose.¡±


    After quietly reciting her surname, Eliana grinned. Thinking about the weight of a beautiful but painful name.


    ***


    Eliana got out of the carriage on her way back to the Baron¡¯s residence. She gave Helen a whole bag of presents, so there was no luggage.


    Eliana and Benny walked lightly. It was to stop by the city for a while to buy accessories. It didn¡¯t matter if it was a cheap necklace or earrings. Eliana originally had no valuables, and the more fake it was, the more gorgeous it was.


    ¡°If the price is cheap, I think I can pick up a few more. The butler said I could spend more to prepare for the party.¡±


    ¡°You never know when you will be capricious, but shall we use it to the fullest when we have it?¡±


    Benny laughed at Eliana¡¯s smile.


    Butler Pepe had a particularly salty side to Eliana. She thought it would be the same for this social party, but as Karman gave him some instructions, he greatly increased the budget. Of course, even that was a far short amount compared to Sharchen, who used expensive clothes.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather have pearls for earrings. Other gems are too fancy.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I think so too. It¡¯s better to buy other jewelry, mainly small ones and make your dress sparkle. I don¡¯t think the big ones can be cut precisely.¡±


    ¡°So please, Benny. I wish I could see it in person.¡±


    Eliana couldn¡¯t get into the fake jewelry store. It was because Eliana¡¯s outfit was too beautiful and drew attention. People already knew that the woman wearing this outfit and makeup was the Hunter¡¯s new stepmother and Baron¡¯s wife already.


    Eliana thought of Karman, who would run rampant on the road, figuring out that she had gone in and out of a fake jewelry store. She felt like she was going crazy thinking about it. Benny also waved her hands as if she was tired just thinking about it and continued.


    ¡°Because it is unavoidable. I¡¯ll choose well.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll trust Benny¡¯s eyes. Then I¡¯ll wait for you in front of the fountain.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t know if people will let me in, so I¡¯ll go around. If there¡¯s anyone who tries to flirt with you, kick him. You know where I¡¯m talking about, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure of that.¡±


    Eliana and Benny looked at each other and laughed. The fake jeweler was right inside the alley. Eliana broke up with Benny before entering the square. As if they weren¡¯t together.


    Eliana went to the front of the fountain, opened a fan, and half covered her face. It was fortunate that it was sunny. Eliana enjoyed the feeling of freedom she felt after a long time while looking at the clear sky.


    The wide Baron¡¯s mansion was like a narrow cage to Eliana. She was barely breathing, but it would be a lie if she said she wasn¡¯t stuffy. It was cramped like a corset tightening Eliana¡¯s body.


    Eliana exhaled ¡®whoo¡¯ and watched the fountain where the water was dripping coolly.


    She once saw when tourists went to this fountain to toss their coins and made wishes. Late at night, she was in desperate need of coins and she fumbled around the cold fountain without a single lamp. It was a period when Eliana was still young to become a tutor and her learning was short.


    Recalling the red frozen hands, Eliana felt that a lot of time had passed. As she looked down at her hands covered in black gloves, a rumbling sound was heard from the right side of the square. A blonde man was being kicked out of the bar. He was pushed hard and rolled to the center of the square, but he quickly got up and sat down like a roly poly.


    ¡°Why are they hitting him?¡±


    ¡°He lost the game.¡±


    ¡°You must have cheated. You gambler b*stard!¡±


    ¡°How do you trick chess?¡±


    ¡°You must have moved without me seeing you!¡±


    ¡°I have more than ten eyes to see, and they are all your gang!¡±


    ¡°So what! I will never give you money!¡±


    The man¡¯s rich blonde hair fluttered in the wind. His disarray hair was a subtle color between light brown and blonde. He was a young man who seemed to be the coolest person in the world just by looking at his back.


    Eliana tried to take her eyes off him for fear of getting caught up in something, but for a moment something caught her eyes.


    It was a clearly engraved pattern on the back of the man¡¯s neck. The man quickly straightened his clothes, but it was after Eliana had already seen the mark. It was none other than a pattern representing the royalty of the neighboring country of Conter.

 Chapter 20

    ***


    Eliana hurriedly walked towards the crowd that was about to strike a fist. She then spoke towards the man who was sitting alone on the floor.


    ¡°Duke Oliver!¡±  (Eliana)


    ¡°¡­ Duke?¡± (The gambler)


    ¡°Oh dear. Karman should have told you to come to the residence right away, but were you hanging out with these gangsters again?¡± (Eliana)


    The blond man sitting there blinked blankly.  Eliana winked at him and turned around.


    Her thick makeup and splendid attire showed that she was a noble.  Not to mention that she was also the lady at the center of the chastity gossip.


    Above all, the name ¡®Karman¡¯ came out of her mouth.  It was obviously the name of Baron Hunter, and the fact that the baron¡¯s new wife was wearing bizarre clothes was already a well-known part of the writing circles.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?  This is Duke Oliver from Conter at the invitation of the Baron.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°¡­  It¡¯s none of your business, Madam. He cheated on the chessboard¡­ .¡± (The gambler)


    Eliana¡¯s loud voice crushed the gambler who came out of the bar. She took the chess piece he was holding in his hand, and slammed it to the floor.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it my business?  Who decides that?  Haven¡¯t you heard of my dirty personality?¡±


    When Eliana spoke harshly, the gambler was terrified. He was a large man. But Eliana shoved him in the face without hesitation in the slightest.


    ¡°Why? Do you want to slap me too?  I¡¯ll cut off that hand right now!¡±


    The onlookers gathered one by one at the sound of her snake-like, venomous voice. The blond man sitting on the floor got up from his seat and spoke.


    ¡°Baroness, he was just a playmate.  Don¡¯t be so angry. He¡¯s not a bad person.¡±


    The blond man quickly joined Eliana¡¯s performance. He seemed sensible. She leaned her body slightly towards him and spoke in a completely different tone.


    ¡°If the Duke says so, then I will back down.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t say you were a Duke! You just called yourself a minstrel.¡­!¡±


    Smack!


    Eliana slapped the shouting gambler on the cheek. The onlookers murmured at the sound of breaking through the air.  Her small hand didn¡¯t do much damage, but her actions had a huge impact.


    ¡°I told you to watch your language, didn¡¯t I? Were you so anxious to have your tongue cut off?¡±


    The gambler couldn¡¯t say anything and just huffed. No matter if she was a baroness, she was hated by the baron, and she came from a poor family, she could try to do something about this. But Eliana decided to trust the Hunter family¡¯s name a little more and be brazen.


    Because this blond man was worth the risk.


    ¡°Well, so what if you¡¯re a Baroness?  Why all of a sudden hit someone in the face? Someone who is despised by the Baron!¡±


    As soon as the raised his hand roughly, someone grabbed his hand. It was Joseph, a guard wearing chain armor.


    ¡°Baroness, I am late.  When I heard the news that you had come to the square, I ran right away.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Joseph. I shouldn¡¯t have made a scene. I came to pick up Duke Oliver from Conter, and this happened. When Gillian said he would see me off, I should have let him. If that was the case, no one would have cursed me, saying that I was a disrespectful b*tch!¡±


    Eliana¡¯s every word was terrifying. It was as if the rumored villain really existed.  The gambler¡¯s lips quivered.


    ¡°¡­ Sorry, sorry, sorry. I didn¡¯t recognize you. I¡¯m sorry. The bet money is here. Everything is here.  I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    The gambler handed his money to Joseph and ran away in a hurry.  Eliana put her hand on her waist and looked around her with sharp eyes.


    ¡°Do you see anything interesting here?  Why are there so many people? I don¡¯t like crowds.¡±


    Eliana smiled brightly and the people quickly dispersed at her words. Joseph gestured to people to go away.


    ¡°Madam!¡±


    Benny ran from the other side of the square. It looked like she had bought all the needed accessories.  Eliana brushed her sore hand several times, the hand she used to slap the man.


    ¡°Madam, what¡¯s going on here? Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the mansion first. There are still many people here. Come with me, Duke Oliver.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s put the thank-you off a little bit longer.¡±


    The four of them headed towards the Baron¡¯s residence at the same time.  Eliana was courteous as if she was dealing with a real Duke, but the conversation didn¡¯t flow.  Benny and Joseph quietly followed after them.  When they reached the area a little away the square, the blond man stopped walking first.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we say goodbye now? It¡¯s also quite far from the square.¡±


    Benny glared at the handsome man with her mouth open, and snuggled close to Eliana. Then she spoke quickly.


    ¡°Madam, what the hell happened in that brief time? Who the hell is this man?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who he is. I just named him Duke Oliver.¡±


    As Eliana laughed, the blonde man laughed along and spoke to her.


    ¡°I like it.  Duke Oliver. I am just a bard who has never been given such a dignified position.¡±


    The man greeted Eliana politely. In response to his bow, Eliana bent her knees slightly. Then she picked up the money pouch that was in Joseph¡¯s hand and threw it at him. The man grabbed the pouch with his quick hand.


    Eliana spoke softly.  It was a voice that had changed 180 degrees from before.


    ¡°The people of Contino are different from the people of Conter. They are also quick-tempered and hot-tempered. This is not uncommon, so you better be careful in the future.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for saving me, Baroness.  I¡¯ve only heard of rumors, but seeing you in real life, you¡¯re even hotter. You¡¯re a great actor too.¡±


    ¡°That show it is.  What¡¯s your real name, Oliver?¡±


    ¡°The name of a poet who stays for a while and leaves. Don¡¯t you mind remembering it.¡±


    The man smiled brightly and said so.


    He was tall with a handsome face.  His face was smooth, but looking at his rough hands, he was a trained swordsman.  The reason his body looked slim was because his clothes were much larger than his size. But the body line that was exposed whenever the wind blew was firm.


    ¡°It seems that poets these days write poetry with swords.¡±


    When Eliana pointed it out sharply, the man pretended not to know and tilted his head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know because I don¡¯t carry a sword.  It seems that such a bizarre thing is fashionable in the country of Contino.  See you later.  Thank you, Mrs. Hunter.¡±


    ¡°Eliana Rose.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°My name is Eliana Rose. I am not Mrs. Hunter, or Baroness.¡±


    Eliana said so and approached him and gave him a friendly hug.


    The man froze in embarrassment, but she whispered in his ear as she hugged him lightly as if to say goodbye.


    ¡°Let¡¯s meet again.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Prince.¡±


    Eliana whispered only enough for him to hear, then walked away.  She then smiled as if she hadn¡¯t said anything, then said.


    ¡°Next time, come to the Baron¡¯s mansion.  When it comes to chess, I¡¯ve never lost to anyone.  It¡¯ll be fun to play together, Oliver.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t go because I¡¯m afraid of you. How did you know?¡±


    The man asked with a look as if he had taken a big blow. Eliana spoke with a smirk.


    ¡°You were too sloppy to ask how I knew.¡±


    Eliana tapped her neck with her fan*. The man smiled brightly like a boy and pulled his collar tightly together. (*the man had a engraved pattern on his neck that belonged to the royal family. So Eliana tapped her neck, she meant to tell him that she saw his pattern, so she knew who he was.)


    ¡°I was thinking of getting some clothes when I win money on the chess board, but I met you before that.¡±


    ¡°It would be better to buy clothes with a high collar. I think it would look good on your long neck.  Benny, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Are you going like this?  Aren¡¯t you going to ask me more?¡±


    The man said as if confused.


    A royalty from Conter. Eliana didn¡¯t know why he came here, but he was trying to completely hide his identity.  Eliana tried to match his rhythm, but she wanted a promise of the next meeting.


    The upcoming social party was bigger than any other recent parties. If this man disguised as a bard was also up to something, he was sure to attend.  It wasn¡¯t too late to tell the story then.


    Eliana made eye contact with the man who was standing there with a grin. His golden eyes, similar to the color of his hair, were large and beautiful. Eliana spoke without averting his eyes, which resembled a shining jewel.


    ¡°I don¡¯t talk to men who don¡¯t even give me their names.  Because I am the ¡®woman of the rumor¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not normal.¡±


    ¡°I will take it as a compliment. Then, goodbye.¡±


    Eliana turned away. Then Joseph and Benny followed her.  As the three of them moved a little further away, the man shouted loudly.


    ¡°Yul!¡±


    ¡°¡­.¡±


    ¡°I believe you will find out my name with just that. Then see you next time.¡±


    ¡°¡­ .¡±


    ¡°Eliana Rose.¡±


    The man named Yul smiled brightly. There was malice or ruse on his face. But Eliana could feel it.  She and him would help each other achieve their goals.  Perhaps he felt it too. It was as if they knew each other¡¯s heart.


    Eliana answered by bowing her head slightly, then turned around completely. The pace of returning to the Baron¡¯s residence was getting faster and faster.


    Yul.


    She couldn¡¯t stand it. Because she was dying to know who that one letter clue pointed to.

 Chapter 21

    ***


    When she arrived at the Baron¡¯s mansion, as usual, there was no one to greet her. Eliana made her way to her room, escorted by Joseph.


    Joseph almost had a heart attack from the moment he saw her in the square.


    He was horrified to find her in danger. He knew he should have accompanied her all the way to Hart Street. He even resented his co-workers for not changing his work hours.


    But he also felt good in the short time he was there. It was him, not Karman, who saved her. He liked his strong body, which was more solid and intimidating than that of those other guys.


    But his mood fell further with the presence of the man named Duke Oliver. Every time Eliana smiled at the Duke, he (Joseph) felt as if his heart would be ripped out of his chest.


    ¡®What¡¯s wrong with me?¡¯


    Joseph thumped his chest for no reason. Benny , who was walking beside him, called out to Joseph.


    ¡°Did you have a stomach ache? Go and drink some water. I will be by the madam¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for today. If you hadn¡¯t made it in time, madam would have been in real trouble.¡±


    ¡°I did what I had to do.¡±


    But be careful next time. Don¡¯t let madam get involved in any more useless rumors.¡±


    Useless rumors. The words seemed to pierce Joseph¡¯s chest like arrows. It was ridiculous to call it a scandal involving a Baroness and a mere guard.


    He knew it himself. But, who wouldn¡¯t want to covet her? Karman Hunter was a fool.


    But were the other men fools, too? It had to be different. Just looking at this Duke Oliver, he was different. He certainly knew Eliana¡¯s charms. They had a secret conversation. Joseph dared not ask, but it was clear that it was not the kind of talk he would like.


    Joseph arrived at Eliana¡¯s room, not hiding his depressed expression. Eliana, who did not care what the two had talked about, turned and looked at Joseph.


    ¡°Joseph.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for coming to pick me up. Without you today, I might have been beaten to death by some man in the square. I tried to help a man I¡¯ve never met before.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s outrageous. Please don¡¯t talk about dying.¡±


    ¡°I know it sounds awful, but I have a good sense of reality.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I would like you to be my personal escort. I will double your salary from what it is now. I will say this directly to the Baron.¡±


    ¡°Oh, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°I need my people. Today I realize it more keenly than ever. And I want my people to eat well and live well beside me. With your current salary, it would have been difficult for you to endure the convenience of your family¡¯s finances, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Joseph¡¯s face turned red. Eliana knew Joseph¡¯s situation too well without saying it. But it was not to be shown as a weakness. It was to empathize with a sadness that only those who had experienced it knew.


    When Joseph¡¯s lips quivered with inability to answer, Eliana continued.


    ¡°I need you. And I told you. How much I think of you.¡±


    The words sounded suspicious if anyone had overheard them, but the content was extremely plain. He would become a knight of the Rose family. She intended to raise Joseph to that level.


    Guardsmen and baronesses don¡¯t suit each other, but don¡¯t knights and ladies suit each other? Joseph¡¯s thoughts touched on that for a moment. There could not have been a more pronounced motive for him.


    ¡°I will obey the Lady¡¯s words¡­¡±


    ¡°In the matter of today, Joseph will not participate in defending or inflating me, but will maintain silence. It will be better for you. I will tell you why later.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in, Benny. Too much work today, I¡¯m exhausted.¡±


    The door to the room opened and the hem of her gorgeous dress disappeared. Joseph watched the door close with a bow. He pressed his chest once more. His heart, which he couldn¡¯t get out, beat a little louder.


    ***


    Eliana headed to the library as soon as morning came. It was because of Yul from Conter kingdom.


    She had to know him. Maybe he could be more useful to her than the Tenebs, maybe he was someone she would have to pretend not to know next time.


    It was all up to her to decide whether he would be an enemy or an ally.


    On her way to the library, Eliana felt that the servants were more polite than usual. Perhaps the commotion in the square yesterday had already gotten the word out. The repercussions were a little worse, but it was necessary anyway.


    Rumors usually gain credibility from the fact that someone saw it in person. When it was not an outrageous rumor, but an actual incident, it was somehow acceptable to add to it as if it were a condiment.


    The only surprise was the fact that Karman did not call her. Perhaps he did not get the information or he had been discussing with Sharchen what punishment Eliana should receive.


    ¡®I feel sorry for the Hunter family too. I can¡¯t believe that such an indecisive man would be the next headmaster.¡¯


    If she were Karman, she would have called her in at dawn to start her courtesy education all over again from the basics. She would torture her for days, from the level of a seven-year-old child who has to be protected to the level of a baroness. That was to prove that this was such a dangerous matter.


    Eliana thought he would at least summon her, and she had thought of a suitable response. But there was no word from him. Eliana shook her head.


    Eliana hated men without ambition. Unless he was going to stay on the baron¡¯s throne forever and die, he had to get greedy, form a knighthood, go to war or enter the political center. Instead of staying low and quietly waiting for his father to die in order to care publicly for one woman whom he loved so much.


    She felt disappointed. There was no such dumbness in dumbness. At first, he seemed strong like he was a pillar, but now even that seemed to be shaking.


    He was an unattractive man.


    Eliana Rose assessed Karman dispassionately. Even Eliana¡¯s father who had worked hard all his life to realize his ambitions, even when he was ill.


    Weak as he was, he strove to impart as much diverse knowledge as possible to his children. It was because of such efforts by her father that all the children of the Rose family, who had no tutor, had a love for learning and became wise enough to teach others.


    Although her father could not avoid poverty in his generation, he hoped to leave behind even the tiniest seed from which the next generation of Roses could revive. Eliana loved the efforts of her father. She knew very well that it was such persistence that made her the person she was today.


    As soon as Eliana arrived at the library, she opened the window quickly. Ambition. Eliana loved it. At first it was something she started because she was afraid of being kicked out without a penny. But something inside Eliana began to growl more and more. Climbing to higher ground, the Rose family that no one else could dare to touch. When it flickered like a dream, Eliana could not resist the thrill.


    She looked out the window, taking big deep breaths. Then she found all the books about the Conter and spread them out on the desk. The Hunter family library was truly a treasure warehouse. The more she dug, the more precious gems she found.


    Eliana loved this gold-like information she had found with her own hands more than the beautiful diamond pin on Sharchen¡¯s hair. Because it would make itself into a diamond.


    ¡°Yul, yul, yul.¡±


    Eliana looked up the name of the royalty on the hint of one word the man left. Not long after the search began, the name was identified in a document dealing with international affairs.


    ¡°Ulysses Mill.¡±


    The fifth candidate for the throne of the Conter Kingdom, but the document did not go into depth.


    It was also relatively recent, so it was not in depth. It was also because it did not focus on Ulysses as the heir to the throne. It was only a brief assessment that he was popular in social circles because he was naturally humorous and kind to everyone.


    Meanwhile, the first and second Prince continued to fight their bloody battles every time. They were busy starting wars they didn¡¯t have to start and accumulating achievements, trying to get as much as they could in the eyes of the wise king. This was because the King of Conter did not announce who was the heir to the throne yet.


    Originally, the first Prince had to be appointed as his successor, but the second Prince¡¯s military skills were superior. However, the first Prince was equally as hardworking. They were both born soldiers and war enthusiasts.


    The third Prince, unlike the first and second, showed off his political side. He sat on his butt in the Ministry of Justice, which enacted new laws and enforced them. He watched, learned and expressed his opinions on practical matters and tried to get in the king¡¯s eyes.


    The fourth Prince married a Princess from the country of Contino and tried to stand out in diplomacy, but he removed himself from the royal authority because he fell in love with the princess. He made the decision in advance because he was afraid his own family would be hurt by his brothers¡¯ bloody fight.


    Because his brothers had been so tumultuous, there was very little information about Ulysses Mill. In a way, they didn¡¯t even seem to know that he was named as a candidate for the throne.


    The country of Conter could place up to five heirs to the throne, and the current king had put up five candidates out of thirteen Princes and Princesses. The remaining eight were either princesses without the right of succession or unqualified from the start.


    Ulysses Mill was briefly mentioned in the report as the fifth heir to the throne because of his cleverness. However, he, like the fourth Prince, had no interest in the kingship and was outgoing, so he did not seem to attract much attention in the Conter country.


    Eliana saw a page with a portrait of Ulysses Mill. Even the mole on his nose was in the same position.


    ¡°Ulysses Mill.¡±


    Eliana smiled as she spat out the name of a secret Prince¡¯s name to whom nothing had been revealed.

 Chapter 22

    ***


    ****


    The door to the top room, an old inn, opened. As soon as the door opened, the knight Melburn and Turis jumped out of their seats.


    ¡°Prince!¡±


    ¡°Where in the world have you been?¡±


    They knew the Prince they served was reckless, but it had been a long time since they had lost track of him like this. Besides, Ulysses was a mess in his clothes and his mouth was ripped open.


    ¡®¡¯Shh, I told you not to call me that. Turis.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Ulysses threw the money he earned from the chess game on the table and threw himself onto a cheap bed.


    ¡°I played a few rounds of chess to check out the atmosphere here.¡±


    ¡°Did you make a bet? It¡¯s terrible. You had never played a game in your life, and whose nose have you pushed to flatten this time?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t press anyone¡¯s nose, and instead the man burst my lips.¡±


    ¡°I bet you teased him by pretending to be nice.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what makes it fun.¡±


    Ulysses laughed with a mischievous expression on his face. He could still smell the perfume of the woman he met today.


    Eliana Rose. She was a famous baroness in the city these days. She was the fourth wife of Karman Hunter, the next headmaster of the Hunter family. So far, so ordinary.


    But rumors made her sound like a witch. They say she was so vicious that she beat her adopted daughter without mercy. Makeup and grooming were said to be overly extravagant, and she would wear the same dresses as the women in the bars.


    But was she really a witch as he had heard?


    She was not. Her physical appearance was different from the other women he had met, but she was beautiful rather than scary. It was a gorgeous beauty. She was so beautiful that he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her like a flower in full bloom.


    But it wasn¡¯t just for her appearance. What caught Ulysses¡¯ attention was when she punched a man. She pretended to be sharp and leopard-like, but her punching motion was poor. It probably hurt her more than the person who got hit.


    She was not good at hitting people, but she didn¡¯t show it.


    Most importantly, she recognized the royal pattern right away. Few people knew that the royal family sign was on the back of the neck and what pattern it was. Especially when it comes to a neighboring country.


    But Eliana intervened, believing in that one sign. She even created a new persona for him, Duke Oliver.


    ¡°It¡¯s crazy. It¡¯s fantastic.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She really is astonishingly clever.¡±


    Ulysses said as he got up in bed. Melburn and Turis could not understand a word he said.


    ¡°How did she do it? If I didn¡¯t play along with her performance, wouldn¡¯t she look weird?¡±


    ¡°What in the world are you talking about? Prince, please get a grip.¡±


    Very occasionally Ulysses became so immersed alone that he blocked out the voices around him, and now was just the right time. When he showed such behavior, Melburn and Turis would sometimes describe it as ¡°he found his prey¡±. A presence had appeared that caught the Prince¡¯s interest.


    Who could it be this time?


    Turis looked at Melburn¡¯s face. Melburn nodded his head and said.


    ¡°Please let us know. Don¡¯t hide it.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Yes!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Find out about the Hunter family!¡±


    ¡°What? Don¡¯t we all already know about the Hunter family, the founding fathers of this country?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. I made a mistake. She¡¯s in the Hunter family! No, no. She¡¯s in the Hunter family, but she doesn¡¯t belong to the Hunter family!¡±


    ¡°Prince, what are you talking about? It doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡±


    ¡°Eliana Rose!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I want to know more about her.¡±


    Ulysses¡¯ golden eyes sparkled. Turis mumbled the name to himself in confusion.


    ¡°El, Eliana Rose? Was there an aristocratic family named Rose?¡±


    Melburn¡¯s expression, however, was not good. He had already heard the name Eliana.


    ¡°She¡¯s a woman of whom the rumors are not good. She¡¯s not quiet. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to get involved.¡±


    ¡°Melburn.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°When I left for this Contino country, the name Eliana Rose was nowhere to be found.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°This is the woman who swallowed up this little city in a short time. She could be poisonous, and I have to be careful, but¡­.¡±


    Ulysses¡¯ eyes lit up like a child¡¯s.


    ¡°It¡¯s fun!¡±


    Turis and Melburn sighed at the same time. This bright-looking Prince could not easily let go of the bait that had come into his eyes.


    This time, however, his opponent was not to be underestimated. It was an opponent that he tried to eat, but she might eat him instead. However,  it seemed that Ulysses¡¯ interest had reached its max.


    Ulysses lay down on the bed again. Humming a tune, he continued.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for me to disguise myself. Who¡¯s better?¡±


    Ulysses thought of his close friends and tried to pick one as if he was picking up finger food.


    ¡°Norton. I like the Norton family. Oliver Norton. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Where did the name Oliver come from? Wouldn¡¯t it be safer to use your best friend Adam Norton¡¯s name as it is?¡±


    ¡°The probability is high that Adam will show up here and there. I¡¯ll be Adam¡¯s little brother. Yes, call me that.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re Adam Norton¡¯s brother, at least you should use the same name¡­..¡±


    ¡°I like Oliver.¡±


    Ulysses chuckled and recited, ¡°Oliver, Oliver, Oliver¡±. He then turned his head and looked at Melburn and Turis.


    ¡°But why is Oliver?¡±


    Melburn and Turis only gave a small sigh as they asked.


    ***


    ¡°All I could remember was the olives I had eaten that morning. But I couldn¡¯t call him olive, so I twitched it a little.¡±


    Eliana answered Benny¡¯s question, ¡°Why did you name him Duke Oliver?¡± Benny spoke happily as she groomed Eliana¡¯s hair.


    ¡°So if what you remembered was bacon or bread, you will name him bacon or bread?¡±


    ¡°Thinking about it, I feel fortunate that olives came to mind.¡±


    Eliana and Benny laughed.


    Today was the last day to do the dress fitting before the banquet. Eliana was wearing a dress made of low quality muslin, mainly worn by commoners. Despite the rough texture of the dress, when Eliana wore it, it looked like a silk dress.


    Eliana looked at the olives on the table as she moved her body freely, not tightened by the corset.


    ¡°Oliver. That¡¯s a good name.¡±


    ¡°It reminds you of him, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Eliana shook her head. Then she picked up an olive and put it in her mouth. Her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked at Benny with a smile. Benny touched Eliana¡¯s cheek and said,


    ¡°When you discover something interesting, you always have this look in your eyes.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t hide anything in front of Benny. I am very excited about what is about to happen. I think we can go higher than I thought we could.¡±


    ¡°Remember the mythical beeswax wings? Don¡¯t get too excited and go up too high just because you can fly freely. The sun will melt all the beeswax.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful, Benny.¡±


    A pfft of laughter spread between them. At the same time, they heard a knock at the door. Benny quickly brought a gown and wrapped Eliana¡¯s body. Then she opened the door.


    The person outside the door was none other than Pepe.


    Pepe, the butler, greeted her with an uncomfortable face. Then he came inside, holding out what he had in his hand.


    ¡°A gift from the Hutt family has arrived.¡±


    ¡°Was it sent by Sir Gillian? Or is it Miss Helen?¡±


    ¡°Sir Gillian Hutt.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the present I¡¯ve been waiting for. Give it to me.¡±


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    As Eliana extended her hand, Pepe¡¯s expression hardened and he said,


    ¡°Don¡¯t stand out too much. Just because the Baron doesn¡¯t make a move doesn¡¯t mean that the Hunter family doesn¡¯t have eyes, does it? If you go further than this, Madam can be in danger.¡±


    Pepe said in a serious tone. Eliana stared at Pepe and smiled.


    ¡°You opened the present in advance, didn¡¯t you, Pepe?¡±


    ¡°The goods arriving at this house must be inspected. I just went through the acceptance inspection procedure. And if the person who sent the gift is someone who is rumored to have a terrible affair with the hostess of the house, I have to be even more sure of it. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Eliana approached him and lifted the gift as if snatching it away. Then she looked him straight in the eye and said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know when you started treating me like a hostess of the house, butler. Do you say the same thing to Sharchen Hunter?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Madam¡­¡±


    ¡°If that had been the case, this house would not have come to this state. Isn¡¯t it strange that I, the baroness, pretend that there is no problem, that there is no crisis, and lives comfortably like the butler?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°This house is already a field of rotting thorns. You, the butler, should know that best. But you tell me not to do shameful things to the family? You¡¯re being arrogant!¡±


    Eliana said, sharp as a blade. Her words were as cold as if it was scratching Pepe¡¯s fat body. Pepe looked at Eliana, sweating instantly.


    ¡°Who dares to teach who?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have never tried to teach you, Madam. I just¡­.¡±


    ¡°You just deliver a message.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    ¡°Tell Karman Hunter. Don¡¯t try to tie me down with this cowardly deed. I have been nothing in this barony from the first night until now.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°He said that to me himself. If he did, he must take responsibility for those words. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    Eliana said, pressing lightly on one of Pepe¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Leave.¡±


    Pepe left the room in a cold sweat at Eliana¡¯s words. Eliana saw the frightened Lujan while the door was closed, but ignored her. Then she opened the gift box in her hands.


    There was a coin and an amazonite necklace. Eliana unfolded a short card attached to the top of the gift case.

 Chapter 23

    ***


    ***


    [Dear Eliana Rose ¨C  Gillian Hutt.]


    Eliana quickly calmed her anger and then gently touched the word ¡°dear.¡± It was the jewelry from Gillian and the coin from Helen.


    Heads up. This meant that they would cooperate with her plan.


    ¡°Oh my. This precious amazonite¡­!¡±


    Amazonite was a green gemstone similar to the color of Eliana¡¯s eyes. Benny sat Eliana in front of the mirror as soon as she saw the necklace. She then lifted her long hair so that her beautiful neck was well revealed. Benny put on gloves and carefully took the necklace and put it on her.


    ¡°Oh, my God, Ellie. It¡¯s so pretty. It¡¯s like stars falling from your eyes. It¡¯s so beautiful.¡±


    Eliana gave a small smile. It was the first jewelry necklace she had ever owned. At best, she tried to cover it up with pearls she had bought from a fake jeweler in a back alley, but Gillian might have realized that before then. Eliana stroked the green gem repeatedly.


    ¡°Amazonite should come in several colors, but how did they find such a perfect translucent green? Except for your husband, they all seem like good men.¡±


    Eliana chuckled and said.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because my husband is so bad.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Benny, this necklace is a token. I cannot retreat again and will only move forward.¡±


    ¡°Of course. This is proof that everything is going well. You can be confident. Now, let¡¯s get all the clothes fitted quickly. We must hurry if you are to be the most eye-catching baroness in the banquet hall.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Eliana got up from her seat. The gown she was wearing was peeled off and the dress, which was almost in the finished stage, began to tighten her body. Eliana took a deep breath and stared at herself in the mirror as she faced all the pressure that was tightening around her.


    ***


    ¡°She¡¯s crazy as a mad wild ox. Already she has questioned my expertise that this barony is a field of rotten thorns! She even told me to get lost!¡±


    Pepe the butler complained to Karman. The moment Gillian Hutt¡¯s gift arrived, Pepe immediately came to Karman with it. If it was just Eliana, it didn¡¯t matter, but if it was about Gillian, who would soon become a Viscount, it was a different story.


    ¡°Yesterday she even got into a fight with some drunken gamblers in the square. I heard that she even hit someone. All the while uttering the name of the Hunter family.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°In the end they say she disappeared with the young blonde duke. This is absolutely the reason for the divorce. She does not fit to be Baroness, Baron. This is a disgrace that will tarnish the great Hunter family!¡±


    Pepe was terribly angry. He could not sit still and could not hold back his shame as he paced back and forth on both sides. Sitting still, Karman looked at Pepe. Pepe¡¯s face was bright red and his hair was drenched with sweat.


    ¡°Was the house in such a mess?¡±


    ¡°What? Not at all! The Hunter family is well-known as a contributor to the founding of the country and has high credibility among the nobles. Finance has always been plentiful, and although divorce¡­ It was a little bit much, but these days nobles would divorce and remarry on a daily basis. And even in the royal family, I believe, cases of divorce have arisen.¡±


    ¡°As for Pepe, you are saying that this family is nothing except for my father¡¯s name.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, sir! That¡¯s not true!¡±


    ¡°Our financial situation is getting worse and worse. Sharchen¡¯s extravagance is getting worse by the day, and the extra expenses are high, but places like the garden and study in the mansion are not being well managed.¡±


    ¡°That¡­.that¡­¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°You must feel like dying of embarrassment and smashing your face in because there is not one thing Eliana said that is wrong.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Butler Pepe.¡±


    Karman continued his words, never admitting that it was his fault. But Pepe was frustrated. It was Baron Karman who stood by and watched it all.


    He had been like a tree that had lost its life force since his big fight with the headmaster over Sharchen¡¯s future. He adopted her as his daughter and moved only to protect her. He had no interest in anything else.


    The fact was that this made Pepe¡¯s job easier. Pepe, who loved to eat, concentrated on bringing in greasy, good food and neglected everything else. He was especially pumped to keep Sharchen in a good mood, and was busy filling the expenses incurred through the Baron¡¯s marriages and divorces.


    Pepe knew that he was not a meticulous or clever butler. But loyalty was the only thing that gave him confidence. If the Baron had truly instructed him to do this or that, he would have followed his instructions.


    ¡®But the Baron who had been silent all this time, blamed me!¡¯


    Pepe was even more angry than when Eliana attacked him with venomous language. He really wanted to hit my nose in the dishwater and die.


    Karman looked tastelessly at Pepe, whose face was turning red and blue, and asked.


    ¡°Did she like it?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°The necklace.¡±


    ¡°¡­. yes. Well, there¡¯s no woman that doesn¡¯t like jewelry. But she was angry at the fact that I checked the gift. No ex- baronesses had ever done that!¡±


    Pepe did not stop attacking Eliana even as he resented Karman inwardly. But Karman¡¯s ears heard no such thing. He could only picture Eliana¡¯s smiling face holding that necklace.


    The necklace resembled Eliana¡¯s green eyes. Karman never thought of presenting such a thing. Even though he knew Eliana had no good accessories.


    It was not because he did not want to buy it for her. It was something he really hadn¡¯t thought of. Sharchen was very vocal when it came to what she wanted. Every time she said, ¡°Please buy me this,¡± or ¡°I want this,¡± Karman would buy her what she wanted.


    He always bought her plenty, so there was no end to the gifts. She had just gotten all new hairpins and bracelets, even a necklace and earrings to wear to this coming up party.


    She wanted too much jewelry because Karman didn¡¯t pick out a dress with her. When Karman pointed it out for the first time, Sharchen cried woefully on the spot. He ended up buying her everything she wanted, but their relationship had just gotten a little more awkward.


    Sharchen tried to please Karman with belated remorse, but Karman was unimpressed and just calm.


    It all started when he told Eliana, who was at the front door that day, that he could not go with her to the party as a member of the family. Sharchen immediately insisted.


    -Prove in front of everyone that I am your woman. That this Sharchen is the real Baroness.


    -Sharchen. Why are you worried? I always entered the party with you anyway. I said it would be the same this time.


    -She is no ordinary woman! She will use any trick she can to get to go to the party. Then I will really be alone.


    -No, I promise you.


    -Promises are not enough. Declare it in front of everyone. It¡¯s not difficult, Karman. I¡¯m your love.


    Lately, the conversation he had with Sharchen has been getting more and more tiring. So when he saw Eliana who just came back from the outing that day, and told her the same fact again.


    He didn¡¯t expect Eliana to even shed tears, as that was what they had originally decided.


    And that the relationship would go completely crazy from then on. Just when he thought they couldn¡¯t get any worse, Gillian¡¯s arrival was a major inflection point.


    That unsociable Gillian Hutt presented her with a necklace along with a card. She would enter wearing it around her neck. If Karman¡¯s prediction was correct, Eliana would enter the banquet with Gillian.


    Bang! Karman slammed hard on the desk. Pepe was so startled that he bit his tongue.


    ¡°Look for a nice necklace.¡±


    ¡°A necklace?¡±


    ¡°I hope it¡¯s nice.¡±


    ¡°Baron, you are not going to give it to Eliana Rose, are you?¡±


    Pepe bit his tongue and jumped up and down with a shortened pronunciation. Karman continued to speak, trying hard to focus on the documents in front of him. The way he spoke was no different than usual.


    ¡°Do I have to watch her appear with a jewel from another man around her neck? I don¡¯t want to be such a pathetic husband.¡±


    ¡°Oh, of course not. I¡¯ll see if I can find a white crystal necklace that is inexpensive.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Find the most beautiful one. I don¡¯t care what the price is.¡±


    Karman squeezed the pen in his hand tighter.


    ¡°Go now.¡±


    ¡°Yes? Yes!¡±


    ¡°And I hope to see early documentation of how to resolve this barony¡¯s problem that Eliana mentioned. Before I step up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes!¡±


    Pepe replied nervously and rushed out of the room. As the door closed, Karman let out a long sigh. His head seemed to ache just thinking about the green necklace sitting on Eliana¡¯s white neck. Such a thing should not have happened.


    This time it didn¡¯t matter if Sharchen objected. Karman seemed absolutely unable to stand it. If possible, he wanted to change his position to one that would be with her. If only that would unravel the tangled threads of this relationship. But for some reason, he had an uneasy feeling that he could not do so.


    Karman finally broke the pen he was holding. He didn¡¯t know what to do with his wavering heart.

 Chapter 24

    ***


    ***


    ¡°Whew!¡±


    Eliana put down the report she was reading. Nowhere was there any accurate information about Ulysses Mill. The master who had taught him as a child had written that he was a near genius in all areas. After that, he lived a life that seemed to be and was not. There was no such presence or absence.


    Even though he participated in wars and made achievements, he did not seek the King¡¯s attention. He just mingled and exchanged the joys of servitude with his own friends. Was it so that his other brothers would not keep him in check? Or was it really just his personality that has no interest in kingship?


    For Eliana, this issue was very important. If it was the former, the more deeply she would be involved, the better, and if it was the latter, she had to cut the appropriate line.


    Eliana¡¯s intuition was that Ulysses had finally revealed his purpose. It seemed that he had come to the country of Contino in an attempt to figure out which diplomatic contacts would be useful to him and to make a move in advance.


    But then, why did he come to this city next to the capital instead of the capital? Eliana was curious. But the report had no answer.


    Eliana took out the modest dress she had worn before her marriage. A muslin scarf was wrapped around her head and an old cape was draped over her shoulders. It was as if she were a poor commoner.


    Eliana stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was unfamiliar with the way she looked, but these were the clothes Eliana had originally worn.


    ¡®Do not forget this moment. Cannot go back.¡¯


    Eliana looked at her reflection and made up her mind. It was better now than it had been then, and it would be better in the future. Would Ulysses Mill be her stepping stone?


    Eliana hurried to get ready and headed to the city¡¯s royal library. It had far more books than the barony and was open to all. Hoping to find a bit of information about Ulysses Mill there, Eliana quickened her steps.


    ***


    ¡°How can there be no information?¡±


    Ulysses was astonished by the tremendous lack of information on the Rose family. Previously, there was no significant information other than the fact that the family was a family of scholars who had produced a full-time professor at the Royal University. Even that was a long time ago, and now there was no information at all.


    The only information he had were the stories about Eliana Rose, but they were all close to rumors. As Ulysses chewed on his apple and worried, Turis bowed down.


    ¡±I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯ll look into it again!¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been to the Royal Library yet. I will visit there right away today, since it is said to hold the largest number of books there.¡±


    At Turis¡¯ words, Melburn also bowed . The two of them had been investigating someone¡¯s background for a long time, but they had never seen a family as empty as this.


    The words ¡°just another penniless aristocrat¡¯s family¡± burned up to his throat, but he didn¡¯t speak out. No matter how easygoing Ulysses was, he was still a Prince.


    Ulysses took another big bite of his apple and said,


    ¡°No. I¡¯ll go to the library. And have a look around outside.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll escort you.¡±


    ¡°You two stand out too much. Turis is too big, and Melburn obviously looks like a knight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    ¡°Ha, you¡¯ll look smaller if you bend your body?¡±


    Ulysses shook his head. The two knights did not look like ordinary people by any means.


    Turis could handle the Claymore, a sword weighing over three kilograms. He was particularly adept at bludgeoning his enemies to death with his sword rather than slashing and stabbing them on the battlefield. His entire body was covered with thick muscles, and no amount of clothing could hide his thick body.


    Melburn was such a knight of courtesy that he usually wore all of his plate armors as well. He now wore the clothes worn by the commoners of the Contino country, but his straight and rigid posture indicated to all that he was no ordinary man.


    The least suspicious of these people was only Ulysses himself. Although his flamboyant hair color could have attracted attention, carrying one of the lute (a small stringed instrument carried mostly by the minstrels) made him look like a playful traveler.


    Ulysses tossed the apple he had eaten into the trash bin and put on his hat and pulled deeply down. It was a brown octagonal hat that was only used by boys delivering newspapers.


    ¡°Off I go!¡±


    ¡°What, Prince¡­no, duke! Duke Norton!¡±


    ¡°Take care of my dear brothers who have been seeking me out.¡±


    Ulysses waved his hand with a bright, boyish smile. Turis and Melburn inevitably bowed and obeyed. Because there was a plan for everything Ulysses did, even his immature behavior.


    ***


    Eliana was certainly glad to come to this library. For she had found a book detailing the situation at the time of Ulysses Mill¡¯s appointment as a candidate for the throne.


    At the time, there was a public opinion in Conter over other ambitious princes, asking why Ulysses was a candidate. However, the Cuthbert family, then head of the royal knighthood, and the Norton family, the Chancellor, strongly supported him. At that time, public opinion glossed over Ulysses¡¯ friendship with the eldest sons of the two families.


    But the book, in effect, said that he should be noted for having already gained the trust of both families, which were the major pillars of military and financial power.


    Ulysses¡¯ next step was to hide that aspect. He deliberately showed up late for the throne nomination ceremony, to fall asleep at parties, and to travel around the country playing his lute. His behavior was completely different from that of his older brothers, who tried to make a mark even if it meant starting a war. Eliana read in detail again the part where his strange behavior was written.


    ¡°Knock. Knock.¡±


    Eliana turned around, startled by the sound of someone tapping her on the shoulder, and the sound of his voice. There was Ulysses, who was in the book Eliana had been reading.


    He was smiling brightly with a mischievous look on his face as he held his lute. Eliana calmed her startled heart and continued speaking.


    ¡°Oliver.¡±


    ¡°We meet again. I didn¡¯t expect to see you again so soon.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Your attire doesn¡¯t match the library at all, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I want to know about the Rose family.¡±


    Ulysses confided frankly, not hiding it in the slightest. Eliana knew he was not playing a trick or being sarcastic. He really wanted to know about the Rose family.


    Eliana smiled and spoke.


    ¡°No one knows them better than I do. Would you like to trade information with me?¡±


    ¡°Only if I have the information you want.¡±


    Ulysses said, sounding intrigued. Eliana smiled more wryly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you have it.¡±


    ¡°How can you be sure?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s about Ulysses Mill.¡±


    Ulysses stopped smiling for a moment. With one letter, ¡°Yul,¡± Eliana quickly found out his real name. He thought she was smart, but he never imagined that she would search the Royal Library.


    ¡®I knew it. A very interesting woman.¡¯


    Ulysses took off his hat. His beautiful blonde hair scattered as it spilled out of the hat.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to come here so suddenly.¡±


    ¡°Life is a series of unexpected things. You¡¯re not going to take back what you said once, right? Oliver.¡±


    Eliana said as she put back the book which she had already read. The library was empty, but their voices were low because of the location. Ulysses shrugged his shoulders, sat down idly by the window, and continued.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll only ask you three questions.¡±


    ¡°Only three things you¡¯re curious about?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then why three?¡±


    ¡°If I tell you more than that, everything will be revealed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wise.¡±


    Eliana did not hear the compliment to herself. Ulysses raised his hand as if to ask a question first.


    ¡°How did the Rose family become poor?¡±


    It was a direct question. Eliana leaned against the bookshelf and answered.


    ¡°We were never wealthy to begin with. We were just barely keeping up with our aristocratic name. We only became poor after the previous headmaster was stripped of his professorship at the Royal University. The 28th generation headmaster was caught trying to reveal the president¡¯s wrongdoings and was fired.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really?¡±


    ¡®After that, the powers at the Royal University began to erase all information about the Rose family. Now my father is the 32nd generation, and no one knows about our family anymore. Thanks to his intelligent brain, he was able to teach private lessons for aristocrats.¡±


    Ulysses nodded at Eliana¡¯s clarification. It was understandable that they were fired trying to reveal the injustice. The dean and the surrounding nobility must have tried to bury the Rose family somehow. Or they might also get hurt.


    As it was, the Rose family was actually buried, but it was great that they were continuing from generation to generation even though they were blocked from living.


    Ulysses held out his hand as if to say it was Eliana¡¯s turn. It was as if she could ask him anything. Eliana made eye contact with Ulysses.


    ¡°Do you want to be king?¡±


    Her question was succinct. But it was a question that gripped and shook Ulysses as a whole. Ulysses looked at Eliana for a moment . There was no sway in Eliana¡¯s eyes. It was as if she already knew the answer. Ulysses spoke plainly, with a smile on his lips.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Eliana simply nodded at Ulysses¡¯ reply. Then she turned her body half sideways and continued talking.


    ¡°Okay. Next question.¡± (*Eliana meant Ulysses can ask the next question)


    ¡°You don¡¯t ask any more questions about me?¡± (Ulysses)


    ¡°Because I already heard the answer I wanted.¡± (Eliana)


    ¡°Refreshing.¡± (Ulysses)


    ¡°Next question?¡±


    ¡°Next question.¡±


    Ulysses¡¯ golden eyes sparkled.

 Chapter 25

    ***


    Ulysses asked in a very joyful voice.


    ¡°Do you want a divorce?¡±


    The question wasn¡¯t, though. Eliana pouted and burst out laughing, and continued to reply quickly.


    ¡°No, not at the moment. I don¡¯t want to be kicked out. Because my poor family is receiving financial assistance.¡±


    ¡°What do you want then?¡±


    ¡°Is that the third question?¡±


    ¡°Eh, no. Let¡¯s pretend I didn¡¯t ask this one.¡±


    ¡°Fine. It¡¯s my turn, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Ah~. I have to get my act together. You really are no ordinary woman.¡±


    Ulysses said, patting his arm. Eliana asked, looking at a book called ¡°The History of the Country of Conter¡±.


    ¡°Who did you come here to join hands with in the country of Contino?¡±


    ¡°Jerik Hunter, Jedia Teneb, Ruth Wynne, and Gillian Hutt. And.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    Ulysses said, pointing at Eliana with his finger.


    ¡°Eliana Rose.¡±


    Eliana burst out laughing. She wasn¡¯t sure if he was telling the truth.


    The three men were all in the same boat: Jerik Hunter, the founder of the kingdom; Jedia Teneb, who was mentioned as the next prime minister; and Gillian Hutt, the next headmaster of the Hutt family, who controlled the seas. These three were also the ones Eliana was after.


    Moreover, if he was to join hands with Ruth Wynne, the most powerful and royal knight in the capital, it would be as good as having ties with all the families that form the foundation of the Contino nation.


    But that was not the case for Eliana. She was simply the eldest daughter of a poor family. She might soon be kicked out from the Hunter family, and she was rumored to be a toxic stepmother. Where did the Prince see her potential?


    Eliana was curious, but decided not to question him about it.


    It was not possible to hear the answer all at once, it was something to know in the future. Ulysses chuckled and spoke again.


    ¡°You can ask the last question first. Because I kept asking first.¡±


    ¡°Okay. What do you think the odds are that you will be king?¡±


    ¡°There are variables in probability. I don¡¯t like them. Now that I have started, I will certainly rise to the occasion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good attitude. So what is Oliver¡¯s last question?¡±


    ¡°Will Eliana Rose be with me?¡±


    Ulysses asked aggressively. As if to spit out the plan right now. Eliana wondered about this man who seemed to see everything inside and nothing outside. Then she felt a strange attraction. But it was too early to make all the decisions based on this alone.


    ¡°There are variables and you don¡¯t like probabilities. But there¡¯s a chance. A chance that Eliana Rose will join you. Turning probability into action would be a possibility I could show you.¡±


    ¡°What possibilities do you want to show me?¡±


    ¡°That has exceeded the number of questions. Find out for yourself. You have been helpful. Then I¡¯ll leave now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t that too harsh? The merchants of Contino will give you extras when you buy their goods, and they often give you a discount.¡±


    Ulysses sulked as if he was about to stomp his feet. Eliana, who was about to leave, stopped for a moment and looked at Ulysses.


    The last time she saw him, he was wearing only a bulky tunic. This time, however, he was wearing a shirt that came up to his neck. No matter how much the wind blew, the pattern on the back of his neck would not be visible. He did as Eliana had advised.


    ¡°It looks good on you. That shirt.¡±


    ¡°The clothes at Contino are cheap and of good quality. Everything is beautiful, so I chose for a while and then bought a safe one. Oh, that¡¯s right.¡±


    Ulysses fumbled in his pocket and took out a hairpin. It was a hairpin in the shape of a red rose. He tried to finely express the vine of the rose, but it looked a little ridiculous, perhaps because he was not good enough at casting. However, Eliana could clearly see the effort he made to apply the color in detail as well.


    ¡°I know it doesn¡¯t look good on you, gorgeous as you are. Still, when I saw the roses, I couldn¡¯t resist buying them.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s beautiful enough.¡±


    Eliana took down her scarf and pinned it in her hair. It was a position that neatly arranged her slightly long bangs. Ulysses stared at Eliana and the well-fitting hairpin for a moment.


    ¡°You look beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Compliments always please a lady.¡±


    ¡°I like you in your flashy appearance, but I also like you now. In fact, if I had to choose the more beautiful one, it would be you right now.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°You know?¡±


    Eliana said as she wrapped her scarf around her head and looked at Ulysses.


    ¡°I know, that¡¯s why I hide it. True beauty is only shown to those who want to see it.¡±


    Ulysses burst out laughing at Eliana¡¯s calm voice. She was a woman who could never be won over by words. However, she was also a person who became more interesting the more she talked. Ulysses continued, turning his head slightly.


    ¡°Then, since I have already seen this figure, there is a good chance that I will be that person of Eliana¡¯s in the future. It¡¯s probable.¡±


    Ulysses said picking up Eliana¡¯s words methodically. Eliana said, not tuning in to Ulysses¡¯ wordplay.


    ¡°That¡¯s how you always seduce women, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°If I could get a beautiful woman, I could at least say these words a hundred times over.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I thought your skills were extraordinary.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t do this to anyone.¡±


    ¡°Well, you never know.¡±


    Eliana moved slightly away from Ulysses as if she was about to disappear shortly. Her scarf swayed lightly with her movement. Eliana stood in a place where she could hide herself among the bookshelves. Then she asked a question.


    ¡°Are you coming to this party? Oliver.¡±


    ¡°I have to go. It¡¯s Eliana Rose¡¯s social debut. We have to celebrate, don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°I knew it. I hope you accomplish what you set out to do that day. I do, and so do you.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t look at me too politically. You are really the decisive reason why I decided to go to the party. I just think you are too beautiful to be found.¡±


    ¡°In that case, look for this.¡±


    Eliana tapped the hairpin. Ulysses sat up, looking flustered, ¡°You¡¯re going to wear that thing I gave you? Oh, it¡¯s just a cheap thing I bought in town.¡±


    Ulysses feared that the dress and jewelry Eliana had prepared would be toned down. Social parties were very important events for aristocratic women. They would prepare everything from dresses to shoes and jewelry months in advance. Ulysses had seen them every year at the royal ball and knew better than anyone the secret battles that took place there.


    But Eliana laughed as if nothing bothered her.


    ¡°Do you know what, Oliver? If the heart of the giver is high quality, then the goods will be high quality, too.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you gave me something cheap.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s eyes looked straight at Ulysses. Everything about her was mesmerizing, from her words to her actions to her expression. Ulysses stopped for a moment, unable to say anything.


    Eliana bent her knees slightly in greeting and then turned herself around. Ulysses took a step late and continued speaking to catch Eliana.


    ¡°Uh, um! Eliana!¡±


    ¡°Do you have more to say?¡±


    ¡°Are you going to leave like this?¡±


    ¡°Because we¡¯re done talking.¡±


    Ulysses laughed dismissively. The woman who had shaken him whole was about to fly away with ease. Even though she was still shaking him. Ulysses said as if to return Eliana¡¯s words.


    ¡°Do you always seduce men like this?¡±


    ¡°The flowers don¡¯t bloom to seduce bees. At least the roses in the Rose family don¡¯t.¡±


    Eliana answered shortly and walked away. There was no further greeting. Ulysses laughed emptily as he listened to the sound of footsteps in the distance without hesitation. He felt as if he had lost his mind. The woman was beautiful, wise, humorous, and ambitious at the same time.


    There was no sign of the evil woman she was rumored to be. Above all, she made Ulysses very interested. She was so interesting that he didn¡¯t want to be away from her for even a moment. They could talk all night and would never get bored.


    He had never met such an intelligent and attractive woman. Ulysses thought it might be natural that his heart should be pounding.


    ¡®Karman Hunter is no different from a blind man. I can¡¯t believe he can¡¯t see such an attractive woman.¡¯


    Ulysses clicked his tongue heartily. Eliana seemed to think that she would be kicked out of the Hunter household at any moment. Ulysses couldn¡¯t wait for that day. The day when Eliana would be completely free of the Hunter family and he would have his chance.


    Ulysses tossed his hat up, received it with one hand, and left the library. So the purpose of his visit to the library had been accomplished beyond his expectations.


    He played his lute as he walked down the street outside the library. He hummed and gazed at the Hunter family mansion in the distance. She drew him to her, and in the direction she drew him there was a goal.


    ¡°Charming and wonderful.¡±


    Ulysses could not hide his smile. His steps remained even lighter. He moved forward, singing a song. The children, who had been playing in triplicate in the square, gathered around when he was humming. A lute-playing minstrel accompanied by the children crossed the square. No one blocked his path.

 Chapter 26

    ****


    ¡°Madame, the Baron has sent you a gift.¡±


    Lujan, who had not shown up for several days, poked her face in. Benny approached first to check the item instead of Eliana.


    ¡°The gift is a necklace.¡±


    Eliana gasped and exited the dressing room with a ¡°huh¡± in her voice. Surely the Baron must have gotten it because he was jealous of the necklace Gillian had sent.


    There was something very duplicitous about Karman¡¯s behavior. While he put her away as she was nothing, he was very offended when he was excluded from anything related to her or when another man¡¯s name was mentioned. And he gave this notice without directly informing her of his intentions.


    The same was true of the gifts he gave her. In Gillian¡¯s case, he was from a different family, but Karman and her lived in the same house.


    ¡®Is it such a blow to his pride to give me a gift? Or is it to make Sharchen look good?¡¯


    It was the same as if it looked like neither. Eliana couldn¡¯t figure out why he was so indecisive. The necklace, made of finely crafted white quartz crystal, was objectively very beautiful. However, Eliana¡¯s gaze down at the necklace was not good.


    ¡°Not a single card. Was there no word conveyed by the Baron?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to select the guards himself¡­¡­..¡­.He said you were not authorized to pick a guard, but the butler!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a load of crap.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    Eliana shot back a harsh curse. She was nervous because not a single day was quiet. The people in this mansion seemed to study every day only on how to irritate her.


    Eliana handed Benny the entire case of the necklace from Lujan¡¯s hand. Then she made eye contact with Lujan.


    ¡°Lujan. I heard you¡¯ve decided to become the Baron¡¯s maid?¡±


    ¡°No, I ¡­¡­. I just lost my way.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t fired you yet. But you didn¡¯t show up for a few days.¡±


    ¡°But, ma¡¯am. Lady Sharchen wouldn¡¯t even let me in the room, and you told me to go to Lady Sharchen¡¯s place, and I¡­..¡±


    ¡°So you went to the Baron. You found a new nesting place quickly, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true¡­¡­.¡±


    Lujan was speechless and bit her lip. Even she felt it lacked logic. Perhaps it was Pepe who took advantage of Lujan who was going back and forth between the two of Sharchen and Eliana, and made her work under the Baron.


    Since that day, Pepe has been busy running away when he sees the hem of Eliana¡¯s dress in the hallway. It would have been difficult for him to deliver such a necklace.


    And Lujan, who could effortlessly come in and out of this room under such circumstances and could stand Sharchen¡¯s eyes, was someone Pepe needed. Eliana wanted to pull her tongue at Lujan¡¯s attitude, thinking she had caught the butler¡¯s eye and changed her position like a bat.


    ¡°That would be better for you. More than me or the fickle Sharchen who might fall out of this mansion at any time. Lujan, I¡¯ll officially fire you.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am ¡­¡­!¡±


    ¡°Benny, from now on Lujan belongs to the Baron and his butler. She cannot enter my room without Benny¡¯s permission.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Lujan, take this necklace back with you. Tell the Baron that I will visit him personally after lunch.¡±


    ¡°You want me to take it back?¡±


    Do you think I¡¯ll accept it? It is outrageous. How do I know if there is poison on here?¡±


    ¡°Well, it can¡¯t be. This white crystal necklace is the most valuable product the butler had worked so hard to obtain.¡±


    ¡°Those are Pepe¡¯s words. I don¡¯t believe the butler¡¯s words. Take it back with you. And tell them exactly what I said. If they ask for more reasons, tell them to wait.¡±


    ¡°The Baron¡­ You want me to tell him to wait?¡±


    Yes. If he¡¯s so curious, he should take that heavy butt off the chair and come in here.¡±


    As Eliana turned around, Benny gave the necklace to Lujan and escorted her out of the room.


    Eliana headed straight for the dressing room. The dressing room was too far back to eavesdrop from outside the room.


    ¡°Ellie. That looked like a very expensive necklace. By the way, what is the Baron up to?¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t want me to wear the necklace Gillian gave me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The Baron doesn¡¯t feel good when I¡¯m happy about a necklace another man gave me.¡±


    Karman¡¯s method was clumsy. As if marking his territory, he tried to control it and no one could touch his. It was probably for this same reason that he refused to have Joseph as her bodyguard.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with feeling bad? It¡¯s really ridiculous. Doesn¡¯t he even think about what he has done? He¡¯s that way with his foster child!¡±


    Benny shouted angrily on Eliana¡¯s behalf. Eliana wondered how she could stop Karman from behaving this way. Kalman¡¯s mysterious possessiveness only created jealousy and spontaneous behavior in Sharchen and hindered Eliana¡¯s own future.


    ¡°Ellie. What are you going to do? It¡¯s only a matter of time before Sharchen hears about it, and that will surely cause a great deal of trouble.¡±


    ¡°I have to talk to him before she makes a big deal out of it. I¡¯ll be in trouble if she does anything weird, and at least I can¡¯t be kicked out before the party.¡±


    Eliana chose a dark navy blue dress. The dress was unique, not revealing, and meek. The deep open square neckline clearly showed off the neckline. However, it was modest compared to the clothes Eliana has been wearing lately.


    The dress itself was good enough without a corset or pannier. Eliana deliberately chose that dress. She didn¡¯t feel the need to put a lot of effort into the dress.


    ¡°Ellie, it¡¯s a battle dress, is that okay?¡±


    ¡°There is nothing like this dress to shout at you. And this is enough combat clothing.¡±


    Eliana pointed to an amazonite necklace in the middle of the dressing room. Benny raised Eliana¡¯s long hair high as if she understood. The necklace could be seen clearly from all angles with the hair raised high.


    Eliana looked carefully at her reflection in the mirror and inserted a hairpin that she had removed for some time. Karman had misjudged her. While he was behaving foolishly, Eliana already had the weapons of Gillian Hutt and Ulysses Mill in her hands. She hasn¡¯t been swept away yet, but it wasn¡¯t like the first night when she was hit with nothing.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Sharchen going to visit you?¡±


    ¡°She will visit the Baron, not me. I refused the necklace and it would be embarrassing for her to come to me and rough me up.¡±


    ¡°What will you explain to the Baron?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The important thing is that there¡¯s a crack between the two.¡±


    ¡°Is it because of you?¡±


    Eliana shook her head.


    ¡°I am merely an excuse that appeared at the right time. Their relationship had been fading before I came. He made her a foster daughter to protect the woman he loved? He should¡¯ve known when he made that ridiculous choice and replaced three wives. No guts, no ambition.¡±


    Eliana said with all her might. Even if Karman was here, she would have said it like that. Eliana went through the notes she had been making in and out of the library. Every time she discovered a problem with the mansion, she would write it down.


    Normally, from the moment she became a baroness, she should have received the right of leadership to manage the mansion, but Karman did not allow it. Pepe was incompetent and lazy, and Sharchen was not interested. Karman was just a rich man¡¯s son who did not even know what was wrong.


    He looked like an uneventful little boy, as if he had been thrown outside without learning everything about the world. But he was the man who would become the next head of the Hunter family, and a Baron. It was time to get his act together.


    In fact, the document was not for Karman. It was a proposal she had prepared to propose to Jerik Hunter, whom she would meet one day. It was a proposal for improvement that would rightly wake up the perishing mansion, and it was also an indicator of Eliana¡¯s wisdom.


    However, Eliana realized that Kalman was more foolish than she thought. At this rate, the barony was going to collapse before she could see Jerik Hunter¡¯s face. Anyway,


    Maybe Sharchen would realize she was scammed, or Karman could be blinded by possessiveness and attack Gillian and be humiliated. Eliana could see dozens of possible paths to ruin.


    The Rose family has not yet received enough aid. Gaia had already started taking classes, and it would be some time before Gillian, Ulysses, and the rest of the people had full confidence in her. At least until then, she could not fail.


    Eliana left the room straight away with the document. In the hallway she saw Pepe, the butler, rushing toward her room. As soon as Pepe spotted Eliana, he turned white and shuddered. As he did so, he started talking.


    ¡°Madam, the Baron has an afternoon schedule, and now, ah, you are coming?¡±


    ¡°I was just about to go, thank goodness. What about Sharchen?¡±


    ¡°Why Lady Sharchen. ¡­.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess she hasn¡¯t heard anything yet. Maybe it¡¯s a relief. While I¡¯m talking to the Baron, keep her out of the Baron¡¯s room.¡±


    ¡°But with Lady Sharchen¡¯s insistence¡­..¡±


    ¡°Say the Baron¡¯s name. Permission is granted by me. And the butler must come with me.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    Eliana continued, her mouth agape.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be kicked out naked for not being present and not knowing why.¡±


    Pepe¡¯s face went even whiter. Eliana stepped into the Baron¡¯s room, unconcerned. Eliana¡¯s necklace glistened in the sunlight streaming in through the window.

 Chapter 27

    ¡°Come inside, Madam.¡±


    Pepe, who looked like he was about to faint, opened the baron¡¯s door. Eliana then asked Benny to stay outside. This is because other than Lujan, Pepe didn¡¯t set up anyone else outside. Lujan alone was not enough to stop Sharchen.


    ¡°Benny, please.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madam. Please rest assured and call me if you need me.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    Eliana and Pepe entered the baron¡¯s room. Karman was sitting at his desk, watching Eliana as she stepped inside. His gaze stopped precisely at her necklace. Paying it no mind, Eliana moved closer to him.


    ¡°Did your true love, Sharchen, reject the white crystals?¡±


    ¡°It was for the dignity of the Hunter family¡¯s baroness.¡±


    ¡°Since when have you cared for my dignity? From the moment you saw this necklace?¡±


    ¡°Get your act together, Eliana. Are you going to make your first social appearance wearing a necklace given to you by an outsider? That¡¯s an act that will hurt your honor too.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s talking about honor to whom?¡±


    Eliana exclaimed. Pepe was startled and crouched his neck like a tortoise. Karman gently blinked his eyes at Eliana¡¯s raised tone.


    ¡°You are the only one who looks at me and Sharchen with threatening eyes.¡±


    ¡°You want to live under that illusion. Is it normal to have that kind of relationship with an adopted daughter?¡±


    ¡°As I said, it was an inevitable choice to protect Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°You are a coward.¡±


    ¡°M-Madam. Please watch your words! You are being disrespectful to the Baron.¡±


    ¡°Pepe, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    ¡°Do not insert yourself into this conversation. It will be your turn next.¡±


    At Eliana¡¯s growling voice, Pepe took a step back. Karman¡¯s expression showed that he could hardly understand why Eliana was so angry. Eliana continued as she tried to calm her anger.


    ¡°Gillian is my friend. I often wear jewelry that my friends give me. Hurting my honor? I¡¯m sure that¡¯s just your misunderstanding. Did you hear that I was promiscuously rolling around in bed with an outsider?¡±


    ¡°Eliana. If you are deliberately trying to speak vulgarly, then stop.¡±


    ¡°If you want to hear vulgarity, then it will sound vulgar. I¡¯m just telling you the truth.¡±


    ¡°I was just trying to protect you.¡±


    ¡°Protect me?¡±


    Eliana burst out laughing. She had never been protected by Karman. In this situation, Pepe was nervous and was sweating like a waterfall, as it seemed like she was about to explode at any moment. Eliana regained her composure and spoke.


    ¡°Joseph saved me. You¡¯re not saying that you didn¡¯t even hear the commotion in the square a few days ago, are you? What did the baron do for me then? Did you ask if I was safe? Or did you have them investigate the case?¡±


    ¡°You hit someone else.¡±


    ¡°No. I would have been beaten if Joseph had not appeared then. You wouldn¡¯t know because you weren¡¯t interested in the truth.¡±


    ¡°You think I should cover up what you did to flirt with other men! Truly shameless!¡±


    Karman got up from his seat and slammed the desk. Karman rarely changed his expression but now, anyone can see that he was angry.


    ¡°Did you see me flirting? Or did you see me kiss another?¡±


    ¡°Eliana!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s Duke Oliver from Conter! If you don¡¯t believe me, I¡¯ll introduce you at the party. I don¡¯t throw away anyone I think will be on my side. At least they will give me more strength than the people in this mansion. This is my protection. I don¡¯t care if you misunderstand me or not, but if you¡¯re trying to restrain me, that¡¯s another matter.¡±


    ¡°You are my wife!¡±


    ¡°You are the one who said I was nothing in this barony!¡±


    Karman, who was momentarily speechless at Eliana¡¯s knife-like words, let out a long sigh. Eliana was the first woman who shot back at him without losing a word. Eliana continued, lowering her voice.


    ¡°In this barony, how long do you think until I can have someone on my side? I want to have the person who could best keep me safe by my side. Please allow Joseph to be my bodyguard.¡±


    ¡°I cannot allow it. I saw what happened with the guard in the library with my own eyes.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°That¡­¡­!¡±


    ¡°You misunderstand me because you believe in the rumors. You have no intention of trusting me in the first place. So how can you protect me? Do you know who is responsible for this failing barony?¡±


    ¡°M-Madam! What do you mean a failing barony!¡±


    Karman contorted his eyebrows. Eliana placed the documents she had brought with her on Karman¡¯s desk. She then went on.


    ¡°Take a second look at how this family is falling to ruins while you try to shackle and torment me.¡±


    ¡°What do you even know about this mansion?¡±


    At Karman¡¯s words, Eliana followed with a laugh.


    ¡°I have eyes and ears so I know. Your eyes and ears may have been blocked by the butler and Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°M-Madam! That¡¯s preposterous.¡±


    ¡°Check this document to see if it¡¯s really preposterous. It exposes all of your negligent  administrative skills.¡±


    Pepe swallowed his saliva. He thought that for some reason Eliana might have found a mistake that didn¡¯t exist. However, it was true that he had been living comfortably as a butler for the past few years. He also had quite a bit of money hidden behind. What if she knew all of that? Pepe wiped his sweat which made his handkerchief damp. But even after wiping, his sweat poured down like rain.


    ¡°Pepe has done his best.¡±


    ¡°The Baron knows best that what he has been doing is far from the best. So, weren¡¯t you listening to all these rude comments from me?¡±


    ¡°Eliana, do you think you can come up with a special alternative just because it¡¯s you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I do.¡±


    Eliana said confidently. As if it was unexpected, Karman smirked, followed by a ¡°Ha¡±.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s hear what you can do from that cheeky mouth of yours. From where to start and how to fix it.¡±


    ¡°Reduce the cost of groceries by three quarters from next month. The goal is half of what it is now. Too much food is coming in for the number of people here. Neither Sharchen nor the Baron eat much. However, by comparison, the grocery storehouse is always full like the butler¡¯s belly.¡±


    ¡°Heup.¡±


    Pepe breathed in for a moment. He tried to pretend to be slim while pressing down on his stomach, but it was in vain.


    ¡°Write letters of recommendation and send away unneeded maids and attendants so they can move to another house. Sharchen in particular has too many maids. Let them go and check the guards¡¯ training status with the remaining salary. Do you think anyone in this mansion can properly wield a sword if the kingdom orders us to fight?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Gather the money you use for luxuries and recultivate and replant the garden. The garden is the face of the family. I went to the Hutts and saw firsthand that a good family can maintain a good garden.¡±


    This was a problem that Eliana had been trying to swallow down her throat. The mansion had long since deteriorated due to the long absence of a hostess. Karman¡¯s face, as he tried to talk with an arrogant expression, gradually hardened.


    Eliana wondered if he might have been really oblivious to these issues. He was just a dimwit who took over a mansion because he had a good family. He was only able to hide it because of his handsome face and dull personality.


    Eliana couldn¡¯t hide looking at him pitifully as she spoke.


    ¡°Candles, cloth, milk and paper can all be made here, so why are you buying them? Is it perhaps because you don¡¯t want to manage all those things. Am I correct, butler?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Pepe could only gulp. The workshops in the Barony had long been covered with spider webs. This was a result of Pepe¡¯s guidelines to live efficiently, but in reality, it was because he found it cumbersome. He could have made extra income from it, but he opted not to. Karman didn¡¯t know the details so it was all swept under the rug.


    However, Karman¡¯s expression turned vicious when Eliana pointed out that fact accurately. His sharp gaze turned to Pepe. Pepe lowered his head and felt the inside of his mouth drying out.


    ¡°All this management should be done by Pepe, the butler, and the Baron. Or maybe the ¡®real¡¯ baroness Sharchen. This is all that I can see with my own eyes. Do you now understand why this house is in such a state? The people of the previous generations who resided in this mansion certainly did not do this.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Karman said nothing and remained speechless. Eliana expressed her relief with ¡°Huu¡±, and hit the final nail.


    ¡°The man in charge of this mansion is not Jerik Hunter. How long do you plan to live in his shadow? Please read a book and look around.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Eliana stared directly at Karman. Then she gently turned her gaze to Pepe and said,


    ¡°Do you understand what I mean, butler? We have to do our best so that the Baron doesn¡¯t have to care about all of these things.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°In return for this valuable advice, I must take guard Joseph as my bodyguard. It¡¯s the least that I can do to protect myself since you don¡¯t want to give me a shield.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get out of this d*mned mansion on my own.¡±


    Eliana uttered the words she felt strongly from within. Neither Pepe nor Karman said anything. Eliana looked at the pair alternately and turned back. Then Karman¡¯s mouth opened.

 Chapter 28

    ****


    ¡°If I allow it¡ª.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to fix this barony yourself? Not as my wife, but as the baroness.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean that your love is for Sharchen, but you will use me to rebuild this House?¡±


    ¡°I will pay appropriately.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Eliana did not hesitate when he told her that he would pay for it. In fact, it was better for her to show Jerik Hunter what she had changed than the document she wrote about the improvement proposal. She would be able to earn his trust by showing her capabilities. And using that power, she will make the Rose family stronger.


    There was no helping if she would be kicked out anyway, and it was the Baroness position. She had to take everything she could take here.


    ¡°How much can you give me?¡±


    ¡°How much will it cost?¡±


    ¡°Appoint Joseph as my full-time bodyguard and give him double his current wage. The same goes for Benny. And give me the salary that butler Pepe is receiving.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t fire Pepe. He has been in charge of this place for a long time.¡±


    Karman had already lost but he said it as if he couldn¡¯t give up everything like this. But Eliana listened without losing to him.


    ¡°Still, you can¡¯t give him his full salary. A few months should be fine so he won¡¯t be able to siphon money. What do you think, butler?¡±


    ¡°Madam. That doesn¡¯t even make sense. I never touched the Baron¡¯s property!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Eliana took her gaze away from Pepe and looked at Karman then said.


    ¡°Then let me correct myself. I¡¯ll get paid as much as Pepe¡¯s slush fund that I¡¯ll find, and I will provide the Baron evidence that you can understand. Then it would be Pepe, not the Baron, who pays my wages. Yes?¡±


    ¡°If he has done nothing wrong, you won¡¯t get any money.¡±


    Eliana smiled and looked at Karman.


    ¡°You know what?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The fact that you are a more naive young man than I thought.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    ¡°The higher the position, the fewer people you can trust. That is why the wife, an ally by marriage, has executive power over the entire family.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°I am the fourth wife, and this family has been left unattended for too long without a hostess. While you and Sharchen were playing your love game like playing house, the butler was left with all the power. The penny or two that he used to take while giving you lip service may have snowballed by now.¡±


    Pepe swallowed his saliva. She had just joined the barony, but he didn¡¯t expect Eliana to have a clear grasp of it all.


    ¡®I have to counter it. If I don¡¯t refute it now, it¡¯ll be just like admitting it!¡¯


    Pepe¡¯s head rolled quickly but his tongue didn¡¯t move. His throat felt like it had closed on its own.


    Eliana said one last time. It was a kind of declaration.


    ¡°Perhaps when I leave this house, I will have amassed a fortune that will bring the Roses back to life.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think so, butler?¡±


    Eliana glanced at Pepe, who had not said a word, then turned back with a smile. She had achieved everything she wanted. She promoted Joseph from guard to bodyguard, and raised Benny¡¯s salary. She also found a way to make money for herself.


    The money that the butler Pepe stole would not be a mere penny or two. If she could recover all that money, she would have enough to cover the Rose¡¯s cost of living for a year.


    Plus, she even got a chance to fix this rotten barony herself, hence it was a complete victory for Eliana.


    Eliana opened the door triumphantly and stepped out. Then, she saw Benny and Sharchen arguing outside the door.


    ¡°Move. No maid can stop me in this mansion.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the Baron¡¯s orders. He told me not to let Lady Sharchen in until the Baroness comes out.¡±


    ¡°I can change the Baron¡¯s orders. I said move.¡±


    Sharchen said whilst suppressing her anger. It looked like she was going to push Benny straight away.


    ¡°What business do you have with my maid? Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°There is something I need to confirm with the Baron, but she is blocking my way.¡±


    ¡°You must have heard the Baron¡¯s order.¡±


    Sharchen said with a gentle smile.


    ¡°I am the only person in this House who can correct his orders. I said it doesn¡¯t matter, but the Madam¡¯s maid refused to listen to me.¡±


    ¡°Because I ordered her to do so.¡±


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the baroness.¡±


    Sharchen was smiling. But the corners of her lips trembled like convulsions. She was agitated now.


    ¡°Are you here to check whether I received a white crystal necklace or not? Then let me tell you the truth, I did not receive it. It was not mine.¡±


    ¡°¡­If it¡¯s not the Madam¡¯s, then whose is it? I¡¯ve already gotten the right accessories.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Eliana said and snorted. The necklace meant nothing to Eliana. Eliana stepped back and asked Benny, who had been arguing, if she was okay.


    ¡°Madam.¡± [Sharchen]


    ¡°Speak.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to drive a wedge between the Baron and me. This is a cowardly and meaningless act. We won¡¯t break apart like that.¡±


    ¡°I keep telling you I¡¯m not interested in him, but Sharchen isn¡¯t even listening to me. Benny, let¡¯s go. My mouth will only hurt if I stay here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madam.¡±


    As Eliana blatantly ignored her, a ¡°Kyaaak!¡± was suddenly heard from Sharchen. She started screaming. A sound reminiscent of someone being hit or robbed.


    She rolled over on the floor, pulling her hair, until the door swung open and the butler Pepe and Karman came out. She looked like a seven-year-old noble child who didn¡¯t get a toy.


    Eliana gazed at her as if she was pathetic. Due to the noise outside, Karman and Pepe hurried out the door. At that moment, Sharchen stopped writhing and started crying.


    ¡°Help me, Baron. The Madam tried to hit me. She may be a smart and wise woman in front of the Baron, but to me she is a scary stepmother¡­¡­! Please stop all this, please¡­¡­.¡±


    Sharchen begged, looking like she was about to shed tears right that moment. If she had been seen by anyone passing by, they would surely have been deceived by her tears.


    ¡°Wrong.¡±


    Eliana shot coldly. Did she think that the shallow tears she had used last time would work this time as well?


    Eliana could now see how Sharchen was able to maintain Karman¡¯s love until now. ¡°Tut¡±. She clicked her tongue and stroked Sharchen¡¯s disheveled hair, leaning over.


    ¡°Daughter, I am the kindest to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Sharchen looked at Eliana with eyes full of fear. Eliana then stood straight and said to Karman.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been accepting this sort of habit from this girl, no wonder you don¡¯t even know your butler is filling his pockets. This childishness should have ended at seven. Everyone recognizes Sharchen as the baroness? Then all the servants of this barony are blind enough to be fired.¡±


    Eliana said so to Karman. She didn¡¯t say she didn¡¯t do it, and she didn¡¯t regret it. Karman must have known the truth of this behavior already.


    Well, if he didn¡¯t know then there was no helping it.


    Eliana had nothing more she wanted from Karman. She was only thinking about how she could shake Pepe¡¯s pockets in the future. As Eliana slowly walked away from them, Benny asked, whispering.


    ¡°Madam, will it be fine?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I have lots of good news. Let¡¯s go back to my room.¡±


    Eliana left with light footsteps. In front of the Baron¡¯s room, Sharchen with her messy hair, Karman, Lujan and the butler Pepe, remained.


    But no words were exchanged between the four of them. All of their gazes stayed on Eliana.


    ***


    Eliana met Helen a few days before the party. It was because Helen gave her beautiful earrings in return for the dress. The two met at a teahouse inside the square. It was a high-class teahouse where nobles usually met and talked.


    ¡°Oh my goodness.¡±


    Eliana looked at the colorful earrings and was shocked. They were the earrings that Madam Teneb wore in the past.


    ¡°I remembered what Eliana told me, so I looked for it.¡±


    ¡°Oh my God. It must have been difficult to find.¡±


    ¡°Older brother knows the importers and exporters well. So I got help.¡±


    Ahem, hem. Gillian, who was sitting next to Helen, cleared his throat. He seemed to find compliments embarrassing. Eliana smiled brightly and stroked the earring.


    ¡°Gillian, you are very resourceful. I really liked the necklace you gifted too¡­¡­. it¡¯s late but. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Well, please don¡¯t misunderstand. I got the exact same thing for Helen. I gave it as a gift because the two of them matched your dresses similarly. It¡¯s been a long time since Helen attended a party, so it¡¯s a bribe to say, take care of her.¡±


    Gillian rubbed his nose shyly. Helen clapped her hands slightly and continued.


    ¡°My necklace is yellow. Brother chose them himself.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll get along very well with Helen. I am already looking forward to it.¡±


    ¡°But I have one thing I want to discuss.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Eliana¡¯s entrance to the party.¡±


    The entrance was a big problem. She was originally the person who was supposed to enter with Karman. However, Karman announced that she would enter with Sharchen, and the rumors had already spread everywhere.


    Everyone was looking forward to it. Eliana¡¯s figure as she enters and suffers in disgrace. Helen and Gillian seemed very concerned.


    ¡°I am going to enter with my bodyguard. I¡¯ve already made clothes for him. Entering with the two of you could put a strain on the Hutts, and it wouldn¡¯t be good for the Hunters either.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the same as going in alone? Oh, Eliana. That is very sad.¡±


    Helen said as her eyebrows drooped. Then Eliana took her hand and said,


    ¡°Instead, I have a request. Helen, Gillian.¡±


    ¡°Request?¡±


    ¡°Allow me to enter on the next turn.¡±


    Eliana had a mischievous look, as if she found something very amusing.


    ¡°Why the next turn?¡±


    Curiosity did not disappear from the faces of the two.

 Chapter 29

    Eliana smiled at Gillian¡¯s question. She then continued with her answer as if she had been waiting.


    ¡°That¡¯s what will make the dresses meaningful.¡±


    ¡°Meaningful?¡±


    Eliana showed her a book clipping. On it was a photo with the figure of two women that she and Benny saw together while making the dresses.


    ¡°Did you know that the Duchess of Teneb¡¯s best friend was the sister of the deceased Madam Hutt?¡±


    ¡°My aunt? But she had long since passed away.¡±


    Helen asked with a surprised face. Gillian then spoke seemingly unaware as well.


    ¡°Besides, my aunt immigrated to the country of Conter at the same time as her marriage, and she was ill, so she could not come often to the country of Contino.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s right. However, the two were close enough to match dresses with similar designs when they debuted in society. They¡¯ve only become separated when they got married.¡±


    ¡°I really didn¡¯t know.¡±


    Helen looked closely at the photo. Their mother, Madam Hutt, also died early, so she could not have told anyone the story. Gillian asked, shaking his head.


    ¡°Where did you get all this information? Eliana, really.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not a witch. I was looking through a book and found it. There¡¯s a lot of information like this in the Royal Library and the Hunter Barony. It seems like no one is reading it.¡±


    Eliana had an expression as if she found it a pity. Her face showed no sign of affection for her husband. Gillian burst into laughter at Eliana¡¯s expression.


    Helen carefully looked at the picture and then pointed a finger at a woman.


    ¡°She really looks like my mother. I¡¯ve never actually seen my aunt, so I guess they must have really looked alike.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like Helen¡¯s face.¡±


    ¡°Me? I am not this beautiful.¡±


    At Helen¡¯s self-deprecation, Eliana held her hand and continued.


    ¡°No. Helen. You are so lovely.¡±


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    ¡°You are as kind and caring as you look. You warmly welcomed me, a stranger, as a friend. You have a talent for things that require a delicate touch, like embroidery or plants.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Helen¡¯s cheeks turned red. She didn¡¯t seem used to hearing many outright compliments. Eliana added.


    ¡°The reason I think Karman is an id*ot is because he didn¡¯t recognize Helen¡¯s beauty.¡±


    ¡°You think your husband is an id*ot.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we are not like that. Karman told me. I am not his wife.¡±


    ¡°What foolish words.¡±


    ¡°I think he did it to Helen, too. Right?¡±


    Helen didn¡¯t say anything. Eliana moved her gaze to Gillian and said.


    ¡°The Duchess of Teneb will miss her friend, but at the same time she will want to take care of Helen and Gillian, who were her ties. She just doesn¡¯t know how to do it.¡±


    ¡°Eliana, what are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°I want to be that bridge. A bridge that reconnects the Duchess of Teneb with the Hutts.¡±


    ¡°You are trying to curry favor with Madam Teneb.¡±


    ¡°So my debut won¡¯t be ruined. She is the quietest most influential person in the social world.¡±


    Gillian nodded his head, understanding Eliana¡¯s plan. Eliana said while looking at Gillian.


    ¡°So, I have one important request, Gillian.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Give me your first dance.¡±


    ¡°My first dance?¡±


    At a social party, the first person you share a dance with once the music begins playing is very important. Gillian¡¯s face turned red. He never thought that Eliana would say something so straightforward.


    Gillian said in an extremely shaky voice. No matter how drawn he was to her, she was still Baron Hunter¡¯s wife. If he, who was hostile against Karman, does it himself, he may appear as someone who played nasty tricks.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we do the second dance?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°But the first dance is¡­ I can¡¯t do such an underhanded thing.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    Eliana smiled when she realized that she had omitted the most important part, she stood up.


    ¡°Gillian.¡±


    Gillian was startled by Eliana¡¯s words that followed, but then flashed a smile. He nodded his head as if he understood. It was enough to even make Helen raise her thumb at Eliana, saying she was such a resourceful person.


    Passers-by glanced at the amicable atmosphere between the three.


    Stories about the Baroness, who was the center of daily conversation, have become more and more inflated since that day. No one could outright believe any rumors now.


    A lot of people were curious about the Rose family. Rumors circulated that they had been friends with the Hutts for a long time.


    There were also many stories about Eliana¡¯s appearance. Some said that in reality, she was an extremely ugly woman, while others said that she was a great beauty.


    However, not a single part was corrected. In addition to being a vicious stepmother, she became a woman who got all the men she wanted. No one doubted the tale of the witch-like stepmother who loved making harems and playing with men.


    ***


    Ulysses received the funds that arrived late. Everything was a little slow as he moved without his brothers knowing.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad I got it before the party. I almost attended not as Duke Norton but as some kind of bum.¡±


    ¡°You may have been kicked out without even being able to join the party.¡±


    ¡°Will they kick out this beautiful-looking man?¡±


    ¡°Ugly dukes are better than handsome bums.¡±


    ¡°Melbourne is too cold.¡±


    Ulysses sat down on the bed pretending he was hurt. Not too long ago, they were in a shabby room so the bed was hard. But now it was fluffy. This became possible because he could use his friend¡¯s villa, the Duke of Norton.


    -This is an honor. But if you¡¯re going to be us, do it properly.


    Rather than get angry, the Duke of Norton gave up an entire villa when he heard that he was borrowing his family name. Moreover, he sent over ten sets of clothes from a clothing store that exclusively served his family.


    ¡°Since I¡¯m Duke Oliver, shouldn¡¯t I wear an olive color?¡±


    ¡°You must be joking. Please choose a little more seriously.¡±


    ¡°Duke Oliver, so olive-colored, oh that¡¯s good. It¡¯s funny, Melbourne!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny. Turis.¡±


    When Melbourne spoke firmly, Turis grumbled that he was too cold. Ulysses looked at the clothes, while humming, and then lifted a dark red velvet formal wear. He liked that it tightly covered the body whilst having a moderately luxurious design. He also liked the color.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it like a rose full of poison?¡±


    ¡°Then, isn¡¯t it withered?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s the other way around.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a rose that never withers.¡±


    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t that such a nice rose? It¡¯s amazing that it¡¯s a flower that can never wither.¡±


    Turis said, clapping with his large hands. Melbourne shook his head and spoke as he stood up.


    ¡°Prince, that¡¯s a serious love sickness.¡±


    ¡°Love sickness?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you thinking of Eliana Rose?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Actually, half of what the prince is saying these days is about roses, and the other half is about Eliana Rose.¡±


    If the dull Turis had noticed, then he must have indeed said it. Melbourne said firmly with a serious expression.


    ¡°No matter how close you are, she is the wife of Baron Karman Hunter. She is a married woman. Besides, she is rumored to be a horrendous stepmother. Regardless of the facts, the existence of nobles is often determined by rumors alone. You have to be careful.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Ulysses put down the clothes and opened the window widely. The Duke of Norton¡¯s villa was at a location with a panoramic view of the city. Ulysses continued while looking at the mansion of Hunter Baron in the distance.


    ¡°If it¡¯s rumors, then I can compete. A playboy, bum, gambler, wanderer, fool, drunkard¡­¡­. What else?¡±


    ¡°Prince.¡±


    ¡°Are any of them true?¡±


    ¡°But aren¡¯t those rumors made up on purpose by the prince?¡±


    ¡°And what about Eliana Rose?¡±


    Ulysses said with a playful expression on his face.


    ¡°Melbourne.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my prince.¡±


    ¡°I like your strict moral standards. I love how ruthless you are against the dirty, the cowardly, and the unworthy.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°But don¡¯t forget that it often impedes your limits.¡±


    ¡°I will keep that in mind.¡±


    As soon as Ulysses finished speaking, he turned again and looked out of the window. Every inch of the Baron¡¯s mansion was brightly lit.


    She¡¯s there, in that place.


    Eliana Rose. She was not Baroness Hunter, but a revolutionary woman who would raise the Rose family. Ulysses felt he should put her name first among the people he needed to become king.


    It would be false if he said that there wasn¡¯t even the slightest bit of self-interest in it, but more than half of what he felt was for political reasons. She was smarter and more logical than any person he had ever met.


    What is her plan? How far is her goal? Can he make her have the same goals as him?


    As the number of questions within Ulysses increased, Turis opened his mouth.


    ¡°Prince, is Eliana Rose that great? I don¡¯t have a standard like Melbourne, so I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Turis scratched his head. Ulysses turned his body around and looked at Turis.


    ¡°That¡¯s a very good question. The answer is.¡±


    ¡°The answer is¡­¡­.¡±


    When Ulysses paused, Turis¡¯ little eyes twinkled. Ulysses was often mischievous like this, and it was Turis who would always get hit. It was the same this time. Melbourne clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at the sparkling Turis.


    Ulysses took one step closer to Turis and said it as if it was very simple.


    ¡°Let¡¯s check it out at the party.¡±


    ¡°Huh?! Prince! You can¡¯t say it as if you were going to tell me!¡±


    ¡°Melbourne, have you heard from Jerik Hunter?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It just arrived.¡±


    Melbourne handed the letter to Ulysses that he had left on the side table. Ulysses read the letter and raised the corners of his lips as he stood up.

 Chapter 30

    The city became noisier as the banquet drew closer. After all, this was the biggest banquet in recent years and a lot of famous people will be attending.


    The tempting Karman Hunter, despite his numerous divorces.


    The soon-to-be viscount, Gillian Hutt.


    Jedia Teneb, the Ministry of Finance¡¯s rising star.


    And Eliana Rose, the rumored atrocious stepmother, surrounded by promiscuous scandals, will be making her social debut.


    That fact was stimulating enough, even for commoners who could not attend the banquet. They couldn¡¯t help but talk about these luxurious people.


    Eliana Rose thought it was half a success that she was at the center of such rumors. If she couldn¡¯t get any attention such as this, she would disappear like a bubble that had been blown away.


    Karman had woken the ambition that lay asleep in her heart. It was like shouting at Eliana, who wanted to quietly help her family as she had given up on her own dreams, to climb higher.


    Eliana was willing to do that for them. Sometimes she would receive help, and other times she¡¯d climb up by trampling on others. In the end, the Rose family¡¯s name would be above all else.


    On the day of the party, Eliana kept her meals to a minimum. Around two to three olives, three almonds, and a glass of milk. She hadn¡¯t even eaten since lunch. It was to accentuate her waist even more.


    ¡°But what about this strange hairpin you keep wearing?¡±


    Benny, who raised Eliana¡¯s hair high, pinned it with roses and feathers tightly, and picked up the rose hairpin which Eliana usually wore. Just from one look, it seemed like it was bought somewhere in the market.


    Eliana smirked and pointed her hand at the best spot in front of her.


    ¡°Put it here.¡±


    ¡°Here? This thing?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s an important item.¡±


    ¡°Did something happen? Still, I¡¯m glad it¡¯s not out of place at all.¡±


    Benny didn¡¯t probe Eliana any further. Eliana applied a white, soft powder over her face. Her lips were as red as roses in May and her eyes were sharp with a tail pointed upwards.


    Her cheeks were coated with specially formulated light powder. The powder sprinkled a little life. Eliana didn¡¯t wear her dress until she had carefully done her hair and makeup.


    She was like a fallen swan. She was glamorous and beautiful from head to toe, but her innocent features still contained the image of youth. In particular, a glimpse of delicate innocence could be seen in her clear eyes. Her conflicting charms made Eliana even more beautiful.


    ¡°Ellie, you are so pretty. No one will be able to take their eyes off of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad. It¡¯s all thanks to Benny.¡±


    Eliana looked at herself in the mirror. Her attire was almost as similar as Madam Teneb¡¯s as if it had been restored. On top of that, after wearing the Amazonite necklace gifted by Gillian and the hairpin from Ulysses, she felt confident and reassured as if someone was supporting her from behind.


    Benny, who was looking at Eliana happily from behind, opened her mouth.


    ¡°Everything will go well.¡±


    Eliana nodded her head at those words. She wondered what it would have been like if she had become the modest baroness of the Hunter family. Would she have lived her life quietly, subserviently obeying his words, conforming to her situation of being sold for money?


    Eliana shook her head from side to side.


    Perhaps Karman Hunter would have offered her a new life. The life of a baroness who could have just lived a normal life.


    Eliana stretched her neck out. She then stood upright and wore her high heels. Eliana¡¯s life was heading in a completely different direction. She was not afraid and took it one step at a time.


    She felt a stinging pain in the soles of her feet, but she didn¡¯t show it. All of this pain was bearable.


    Eliana was deliberately scheduled to depart at a different time than Karman. Sharchen wanted that, and so did Eliana.


    She proudly crossed the Baron¡¯s mansion. The maids lowered themselves as they all watched Eliana, the pinnacle of splendor. It was as if they were going to get slapped if they made a mistake.


    Eliana walked out of the gates with a fresh mind. However, she couldn¡¯t take a step forward.


    The carriage in front of her was on the verge of crumbling.


    An old horse whose legs were so thin that they were shaking, and a coachman so old she wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he suddenly keeled over. The shabby carriage was also made of wooden planks. To mock Eliana, they put rose vines all over the carriage, but the flowers had all withered.


    ¡°No, can you even move?¡±


    Benny said angrily.


    ¡°Of course, of course. It still works. Oh, the wheel.¡±


    A small wheel rolled away the moment the old man nodded his head. It would be laudable if the carriage did not break right away. Eliana sighed at the childish trick she had never expected.


    ¡°Sharchen clearly pulled this trick!¡±


    Benny said boldly. Joseph hurriedly said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll look for a carriage as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Eliana stopped Joseph. Finding a carriage now would be like picking stars in the sky. It was a party attended by every noble. Would there be any carriages left? No. Probably not. Joseph would only be running around until his soles burned hot.


    Sharchen was smart this time. Eliana had to admit that she failed to see the gaps. It was better for Sharchen to leave Eliana than for them to have a war of words in the banquet hall.


    Compared to Eliana, she wasn¡¯t usually clever, and that could threaten Sharchen¡¯s status, who was well-loved in society.


    She might have wanted to leave her rumored stepmother behind, who was unable to join the banquet. Eliana had a headache due to this unexpected ambush.


    The time of her arrival was also critical. She had timed her entry with the Hutts. Everything Eliana had planned could be ruined by this one carriage. To make matters worse, Eliana didn¡¯t know how to ride a horse. Besides, it would be impossible to ride one in her fancy outfit.


    ¡°D*mn it.¡±


    She was so flustered that she couldn¡¯t think straight. What should I do? She couldn¡¯t come up with an answer. Eliana closed her eyes. She should have been vigilant until the end but she ended up missing a big part. Eliana clenched her fists.


    ***


    Karman looked up at the top of the stairs where the entrance to the banquet hall was located. It was because Eliana, who should have originally already appeared, had not yet arrived. Sharchen was more lively than ever as she greeted her close friends. Karman beckoned to one of the attendants who was waiting.


    ¡°There is no word that the baroness has arrived.¡±


    ¡°I will check the line of carriages.¡±


    Karman thought for a moment, then turned around and lightly tapped the attendant¡¯s shoulder and grabbed it. Something was strange. Karman spoke in a low voice that only the attendant could hear.


    ¡°Check all the waiting carriages, and if there isn¡¯t one with the Baroness in it, send mine back to the barony right away.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will.¡±


    Karman turned away after finishing his words. The party had yet to start, so it was just a matter of waiting, however, he was worried for some reason. Karman¡¯s eyes and Sharchen¡¯s eyes met. Then Sharchen softly turned away looking as if she was smiling.


    She was dressed in more flamboyant clothes than usual. All the young ladies flocked around her. They were busy talking about their jewelry and where they got it.


    There was a time when Karman thought that the way she looked was so lovable. But now, somehow, he couldn¡¯t stand to look at her for a long time. It was because he kept seeing Eliana¡¯s crying face over her happy face.


    Of course, she recovered quickly. She even criticized him for the poor management of the barony. Since that day, Pepe was caught trying to erase the traces of his embezzlement, and was excluded from all the affairs within the barony. Eliana said that she will start her full-scale work after the banquet is over.


    However, the documents she showed him had already proven that she would completely change the barony.


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    Karman quietly recited her name and looked at the entrance on the second floor. He said her name not knowing that Sharchen¡¯s gaze was on him. Sharchen could only bite her lower lip. Karman¡¯s gaze did not return to Sharchen.


    ***


    Eliana sent Joseph to the castle where the party was being held. It was to convey the situation to the Hutt siblings. Joseph got on his horse and headed straight for the castle.


    It might be a little late, but she will surely enter. The more disruption there was, the more she wanted to do it.


    However, she couldn¡¯t help but be anxious. There would be numerous carriages, and it would not be easy to find the one from the Hutt family.


    It would be a big deal if the timing wasn¡¯t right. Eliana clenched her fists, hoping that such a regretful thing would not happen.


    Benny even had tears, fearful that Eliana might not be able to attend the banquet.


    Eliana didn¡¯t even have the energy to console her properly. She had to somehow overcome this crisis. The moment she concentrated on that thought, she heard the sound of powerful horseshoes and rolling wheels. It was the sound of an impressive carriage moving. Eliana turned her head to the side. She didn¡¯t want anyone to see her shabby figure next to a carriage like that.


    But the carriage stopped without going past the barony. It was a black carriage led by four dazzlingly beautiful white horses. The door of the carriage, which was lavishly decorated with gilded gold, opened. Eliana¡¯s eyes widened.


    The moment she met his eyes, Eliana could only think of one word. Savior. The one who will save her.

 Chapter 31

    Eliana called his name.


    ¡°Oliver.¡±


    Ulysses alighted the carriage, bowing politely to the name known only to them.


    ¡°I will greet you formally. This is Duke Oliver Norton from Conter. May I be given a chance to save the lady in trouble?¡±


    Ulysses politely bowed his back and held out his hand. He meant to ride the carriage together. Eliana said, holding his hand lightly.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Ulysses gently kissed the back of her hand and guided her into the carriage with honor. Benny lifted Eliana¡¯s dress. Since the carriage was so spacious, she was able to board without crumpling her dress. Ulysses said as she sat across from him.


    ¡°You look so beautiful today.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. The Duke looks nice too. Like¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Like?¡±


    ¡°Like a prince on a white horse.¡±


    A prince on a white horse. Ulysses burst into laughter at her play on words. It was  humor that only the two of them could understand.


    Benny said she would speak with Joseph, who would return, and move with him. Eliana nodded her head and departed for the castle with Ulysses. The carriage, whilst fast, was stable.


    ¡°Who did such a cruel thing? Is it the Baron?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not such a bold person. It¡¯s his lover that¡¯s a little jealous.¡±


    ¡°Aha.¡±


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t met Oliver, I would have been in trouble. All my plans would have been ruined.¡±


    ¡°But if it¡¯s Eliana, the pieces of the ruined plan would have been put back together and progressed. That¡¯s what I think.¡±


    Eliana smiled a little at Ulysses¡¯ words. Could she really? She was Eliana. She didn¡¯t have much. She used all sorts of tricks, but those were the things she managed to create to the best of her abilities in her current state.


    Let¡¯s not let our guard down.


    Eliana tried to get her thoughts straight. She ruminated on the result of her momentary inattention and felt the cold wind in her bones. While Eliana firmed her resolve, Ulysses opened his mouth.


    ¡°By the way, you are so beautiful, however, that hairpin is the only blemish.¡±


    ¡°Do not speak about something you know nothing of. This hairpin is the highlight of today¡¯s outfit.¡±


    ¡°Well, I like it.¡±


    Ulysses said while he swept his lips. The smile couldn¡¯t be erased from the corners of his mouth.


    Eliana took a slow look at his outfit. His clothes made of a unique material drew attention as they contrasted with his beautiful blonde hair. Moreover, the shirt that wrapped around his neck completely covered the royal pattern on the back of his neck.


    He had completely transformed into Duke Oliver Norton, not Prince Ulysses Mill. Eliana found it cute that Ulysses kept using the name she gave him randomly.


    ¡°Is Duke Adam Norton a close friend? Or is he investing in the future?¡±


    ¡°Well. It could be both, but it could also be neither.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°He might have just let it pass without thinking. I didn¡¯t choose the Norton family for a specific reason.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ Isn¡¯t that even greater?¡±


    ¡°Greater?¡±


    ¡°To make a light choice without doubts. That¡¯s only possible in a very deep relationship of trust.¡±


    Ulysses received a mischievous gaze. He meant to exaggerate but Eliana knew that that was the essence.


    ¡®I can¡¯t get anything past this woman.¡¯


    Ulysses shrugged his shoulders and continued.


    ¡°Eliana really sees through everything.¡±


    ¡°The relationship is not hidden. The Nortons are particularly strict in that regard.¡±


    Eliana answered briefly, then turned her head and looked out the window. The horses ran briskly, and their carriage approached the castle much faster than the other carriages. Ulysses said to her.


    ¡°I really like that you can perceive all these things.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an easy problem that anyone can recognize with a little observation.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s my first time meeting someone. Someone like you.¡±


    Eliana looked at Ulysses. Her green eyes twinkled with a soft light. There were indescribable emotions in the gaze that passed between the two. However, neither of them spoke of it.


    ***


    ¡°What? My goodness. Does she not realize it¡¯s her own stepmother? How dare they torment a person so much!¡±


    Gillian shouted. Eliana didn¡¯t arrive on time so he was trying to find out what was going on. At that time, Joseph appeared, unable to catch his breath, and urgently reported the situation.


    ¡°Brother, what should we do? It will be too complicated to pull out the carriage now.¡±


    ¡°This is insane. We should at least go in.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°We cannot show the host, Count Odelli, that we¡¯re late to the ball.¡±


    Gillian bit his lip while speaking rationally. He wanted to hold off as long as they could. But what if she never comes? Gillian let out a long sigh. Numerous nobles had already entered.


    ¡°We can¡¯t. Helen, let¡¯s go in first. Then I will leave the banquet hall alone and bring her back.¡±


    ¡°Brother, is that possible?¡±


    ¡°It is possible. We have to make it possible. Did you say your name is Joseph? I¡¯ll borrow your horse later.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Gillian sighed. Other than that, he couldn¡¯t think of any other way. Gillian Hutt was fond of Eliana, but more than that, he was responsible for his own family.


    ¡®D*mn it, d*mn it, d*mn it.¡¯


    If he could have his way, he would have gone and picked her up right now. However, he had to think of the Hutt family¡¯s reputation. Moreover, as he was on the verge of receiving the Viscount title soon, he had to think of how he looked in front of other nobles.


    The moment Gillian was forced to move, a large carriage stopped with a loud cry of the horses. It seemed to be the largest of the carriages that came today. Gillian looked at it for a moment.


    A young blonde man got out of the carriage. He was so good-looking that it was dazzling. The unidentified handsome man opened the carriage door widely and held out his hand for someone inside.


    She grabbed the man¡¯s hand and descended from the carriage. The woman was wearing a voluminous dress; it had a slender waist and a captivating beautiful rose.


    ¡°Eliana!¡±


    Gillian uttered her name in surprise. Eliana smiled and walked over to Gillian and Helen.


    ¡°I¡¯m not too late, am I? There was an accident. Joseph, you worked hard.¡±


    ¡°No, Madam. Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Thanks to Duke Oliver, I was able to avoid trouble. This is Duke Oliver of the Norton family, a noble family from the country of Conter.¡±


    ¡°This is Gillian Hutt.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. However, we¡¯re running out of time, so shall we enter first?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great.¡±


    Eliana immediately turned around and held Helen¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Helen, your hands are cold. To keep a beautiful lady waiting like this, I¡¯m not worthy to be your friend.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m glad Eliana arrived safely.¡±


    ¡°The dress suits you really well.¡±


    ¡°Thanks to someone who made it for me.¡±


    Helen laughed bashfully, and Gillian laughed dejectedly. He had been nervous because of that someone and it had been a long time since Helen smiled so brightly.


    ¡°Duke of Norton, please go in first. Followed by the Hutts. Then I, the tardiest, will enter.¡±


    ¡°As you say.¡±


    Ulysses jokingly greeted the rest of them, and headed to the entrance of the banquet hall with the two knights who were waiting for him. Eliana fixed Helen¡¯s hair and her clothes once. Then she touched Gillian¡¯s collar as well.


    ¡°I, I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°First impressions are very important at a ball. Everyone will have their eyes on Gillian Hutt.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not very popular.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s your opinion. Have you ever seen a navy so handsome, Helen?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    As the two women burst into laughter, Gillian cleared his throat.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Eliana gently pushed the two into the banquet hall. Helen took a deep breath, then exhaled and looked at Eliana.


    ¡°Go ahead and show them. Helen Hutt is still so beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Gillian?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Never for a moment was she not beautiful. My lovely sister.¡±


    Helen¡¯s cheeks were dyed red and moved forward as if she had gained courage. Eliana looked at the back of the two and said to Joseph.


    ¡°Joseph, poor Benny is waiting alone. Can you go see her?¡±


    ¡°But¡­ If I do that, Madam¡¯s entrance¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. It¡¯s going to get everyone¡¯s attention.¡±


    ¡°M-Madam.¡±


    ¡°Please come to the banquet hall with Benny. Because I need two people.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll be there soon.¡±


    As Joseph headed for his horse, Eliana looked at him until he left, then turned around. The man guarding the entrance glanced at Eliana and looked at the list.


    ¡°Are you going in? Madam.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Which family are you from?¡±


    ¡°Eliana Rose of the Rose family.¡±


    He suddenly turned as he heard the name Eliana Rose and looked at her again. She¡¯s the rumored vicious stepmother. Eliana smiled at him and stood in front of the door. The doorkeeper handed a note with a name to the person inside. As the door swung open, bright light poured out.


    Eliana Rose took a step forward into the light. The loud-voiced attendant who received the note from inside shouted her name.


    ¡°From the Rose family. Lady Eliana Rose!¡±


    Everyone¡¯s eyes fell on Eliana as they heard that voice. At the center of the door wide open on both sides, a beautiful and glamorous woman stood. Eliana looked down and smiled most brightly.

 Chapter 32

    Eliana¡¯s entrance caused a stir in the hall. Eliana came down the stairs step by step with the help of the attendant in the banquet hall. The ladies covered their mouths with fans and talked loudly. As if they wanted Eliana to hear.


    ¡°Oh my, look at that revealing dress.¡±


    ¡°An exposed chest and a tight waist? I¡¯d rather she just came out in her undergarments.¡±


    ¡°Who says she¡¯s not? Even that shameful exaggerated arse, isn¡¯t that truly vulgar?¡±


    At the same time, the men were stunned. It was because Eliana, who was rumored to be an ugly stepmother, looked exactly the opposite of what they expected.


    Ignoring all the noise, Eliana walked down to the end of the stairs with dignified steps. Then two men approached and reached their hands out to Eliana. It was right before she was about to come down the last step.


    One of the men was Gillian Hutt and the other was Oliver Norton. The woman was being escorted by a naval instructor who will soon become a Viscount and a Duke from a prestigious family from Conter. The uproar amidst the crowd got a little louder.


    Eliana, left her hands to the two men and walked gently down the stairs. The first thing she did was to give Helen a light hug.


    Having returned to society after a long time, they noticed that Helen was a little bit tense. However, with Eliana¡¯s appearance, her expression gradually loosened up. The people shut their mouths when they realized that Helen and Eliana had matched their attires when they stood side by side.


    When Eliana raised her chin, Gillian led the two towards the Duchess of Teneb. The Duchess of Teneb sat in the innermost part as she was always in her role of watching the party.


    People split in the direction they were walking. Everyone couldn¡¯t take their eyes off of them, but they didn¡¯t dare come close. At the sight of Helen and Eliana appearing after everyone dispersed, Madam Teneb smiled curiously.


    ¡°It is my first time greeting the Duchess. This is Eliana Rose.¡±


    ¡°It has been a while, Duchess. This is Helen of the Hutts.¡±


    Madam Teneb¡¯s eyes moistened slightly, which immediately disappeared, as she looked at the two greeting her with their knees bent. She seemed to have recalled her old days but quickly regained her composure.


    ¡°Whose idea is this cute thing?¡±


    ¡°It was mine. I was looking for an outfit for my first social debut and found a dress that I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off of.¡±


    ¡°Even if it¡¯s an outfit that young people call ¡®old-fashioned¡¯ these days?¡±


    ¡°Just as jewelry does not turn into stone with the passage of time, I found Madam¡¯s wise choice truly beautiful. No matter what others may say.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s eloquence could be clearly heard even by the ladies who cursed at her. They were surprised that the reticent Madam Teneb spoke so much. Moreover, when they learned that Eliana¡¯s attire was related to Madam Teneb, they hurriedly closed their mouths.


    The Duchess of Teneb, unlike Eliana, was an existence not to be reckoned with. Besides, today was the day her son, Jedia, and her daughter, Eileen, came together.


    ¡°Eliana, I don¡¯t know what kind of plot you have to find this old woman in the first place.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°But to be honest, I am delighted. You are more beautiful than any lady I have met at every party I have attended in the last 10 years.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Madam.¡±


    Eliana said with a shy smile. Jedia, who was standing behind her, came into Eliana¡¯s field of vision. He was wearing glasses with a bored expression on his face, but his gaze clearly contained Eliana.


    Eliana didn¡¯t look at him for long and turned to his side. Eileen, who had just turned 20, was looking at the two with a curious expression. She seemed interested about her style, which was the opposite of what she was wearing.


    The song announcing the start of the banquet began. Soon, the time of pairing up for the first dance would come.


    ¡°Eliana, I wonder who you will have as your first dance partner. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s Baron Hunter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit of a dilemma as I didn¡¯t become such a beloved wife.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing to be ashamed of.¡±


    She already expected for the Duchess of Teneb to understand. She had stayed with Duke Teneb her whole life who was clumsy in expressing affection. Much less Eliana, who was Baron Hunter¡¯s fourth wife, and was widely rumored to be mistreated in the family.


    ¡°But not Jedia, Eliana.¡±


    The Duchess of Teneb was half joking and half serious. Then Eliana continued with a bright smile. She didn¡¯t even feel the slightest embarrassment.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m already married. Now, I dare not take the first dance of a handsome young man of marriageable age.¡±


    ¡°That is a little different from the rumors. Eliana.¡±


    ¡°I merely wanted to see.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Madam¡¯s first dance.¡±


    The Duchess of Teneb burst into laughter. As if she had never even thought of it. At that moment, Gillian Hutt knelt in front of her.


    ¡°If you do not mind, will you be my first partner? Duchess of Teneb.¡±


    The woman¡¯s laughter stopped. Not expecting this, she looked at Eliana and Gillian alternately.


    ***


    A few days before the banquet, the square.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me to ask the Duchess of Teneb for her first dance?¡±


    At Eliana¡¯s words, Gillian whispered in surprise. Like a secret no one should ever hear. Eliana smiled broadly and answered him.


    ¡°Yes. That Duchess of Teneb.¡±


    ¡°The Madam does not dance. She always sits in a chair and watches young people frolic-about, and then leave at the right time. She goes to parties a lot, but she¡¯s not the type to enjoy it that much.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t enjoy it that much.¡±


    ¡°Eliana. Don¡¯t pick on my words.¡±


    Gillian spoke firmly, as if he would never be beaten with Eliana¡¯s skill with words. Helen, who was beside him, did not know what to do, so she looked at the two alternately.


    Eliana took a sip of her tea and continued the conversation.


    ¡°The Duke of Teneb was a very conservative man. Therefore, after marriage, the Madam could no longer freely move. Perhaps it was because his wife was so beautiful, but it was like breaking the wings of a young and bright woman.¡±


    ¡°That was when she was young. The Madam is middle-aged now.¡±


    Gillian responded, not wanting to lose. But Eliana spoke without backing down an inch.


    ¡°What¡¯s different about her being middle-aged? Her heart still flutters for the same thing, and she still finds the same things beautiful. Rather, she would feel a stronger fascination because of her experience.¡±


    ¡°If I ask Madam for her first dance, what¡¯s the difference?¡±


    ¡°Your second dance partner will be the difference.¡±


    ¡°Who is that?¡±


    ¡°Eileen Teneb.¡±


    Gillian raised his eyebrows at the mention of Eileen¡¯s name. She was too high of a woman for himself. She was from a good family, young in age, with a beautiful face and lively personality, she lacked nothing. But she had no connection with Gillian.


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. She and I have no connection at all¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°The first dance partner will be the connection.¡±


    Gillian¡¯s mouth hung wide at Eliana¡¯s words. She planned to use the Duchess of Teneb to create a connection between him and Eileen.


    ¡°Do you think the Duchess will be unaware of that?¡±


    Gillian said dumbfoundedly, Eliana followed up with a laugh.


    ¡°Once in a while there are things that you do even knowingly.¡±


    ¡°And what are such things?¡±


    ¡°Do what I say. You have nothing to lose.¡±


    ¡°And if no one wants to dance with me?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll reach my hand out first. Sir Gillian Hutt, prospective Viscount.¡±


    Gillian could only say ¡°Ha¡± at Eliana who wouldn¡¯t lose to a single word, and leaned deeply in his chair. Helen, who watched motionlessly, clapped softly.


    ¡°Helen, whose side are you on?¡±


    Helen smiled sheepishly at Gillian¡¯s rebuke. Gillian smiled helplessly and looked at Eliana.


    ***


    Madam Teneb was so bewildered at sight of the hand extended towards her. She stammered as she did not know what to do.


    ¡°I, I haven¡¯t danced in a long time. All my steps will be twisted, and it¡¯s going to be a mess¡­¡­. It¡¯ll be a disgrace.¡±


    But she couldn¡¯t hide her blushing cheeks at the request. Gillian laughed softly and told her.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be a greater honor for me if I danced with the most elegant woman here, regardless if it was a messy dance?¡±


    Eliana snorted inwardly as she listened to Gillian. Where did the person who said he couldn¡¯t do it go? His slick words were the perfect way to make a woman¡¯s heart flutter.


    ¡°Since the Lord asked, then I can¡¯t help it.¡±


    The Duchess of Teneb took a long breath and took his hand. Eliana smiled widely and glanced at Helen. Helen also smiled brighter than anyone else as she met Eliana¡¯s gaze. At the same time, in front of Helen, someone dropped on one knee.


    ¡°Lady H-Helen. Will you give m-me the honor of being your first d-dance? Dance with me¡­¡­.¡±


    The man named Ray was the first to put in a marriage proposal for Helen after her divorce. Helen¡¯s cheeks blushed and when Eliana saw her just standing there, Eliana whispered.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you? Helen is beautiful. Go on, take his hand. He must have been waiting for this day.¡±


    Helen nodded her head slightly and placed her small hand on Ray¡¯s outstretched hand and stood up. Then Ray Odelli, not knowing what to do, shook her hand.


    ¡°Will you r-really dance with me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s fine.¡±


    Helen¡¯s small voice brought a bright smile to Ray¡¯s face. Eliana chuckled faintly at the unexpected harvest.


    Because he was none other than Ray Odelli, the youngest son of this ball¡¯s host, Count Odelli. As she chuckled, someone whispered from behind Eliana.


    ¡°You, what are you doing?¡±


    Eliana could tell who it was without turning her head.

 Chapter 33

    ¡°The first son of the Duchess of Teneb is a little rude. Standing behind me rather than greeting me first.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°How did I know you were Jedia Teneb without turning my head? Because your tone was arrogant and inflexible. They say that kind of tone is mostly used by the people in the Ministry of Finance. The end of your words dropped lower, it¡¯s a rude way of speaking.¡±


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re a very strange woman.¡±


    ¡°Now you know, how slow. Jedia.¡±


    ¡°Speaking my name carelessly¡­¡­.¡±


    Eliana suddenly turned her head and looked straight at him. Jedia frowned slightly. Eliana continued speaking without hesitation.


    ¡°This is Eliana Rose. Baron Karman Hunter¡¯s fourth wife.¡±


    Jedia¡¯s expression looked as if his pride had been offended. He raised his eyeglasses once and spoke in a stiff tone.


    ¡°Do not approach my quiet mother.¡±


    It was just before the first song started. Eliana let out a chuckle as she turned away from him.


    ¡°You seem to be just like your father.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Hush¡­ Pffft. It was fun, Jedia.¡±


    She forcibly ended the conversation and nodded towards Ulysses, who was looking at her from the other side. Ulysses immediately approached her with a smile the moment he saw her nod her head; even though she hadn¡¯t said anything.


    ¡°My lady, haven¡¯t I asked for a dance yet?!¡±


    ¡°What do you think? I even held my hand out first.¡±


    As if Ulysses was hurt, he bent his knees slightly and reached out to her. Eliana took his hand and set her gaze on Jedia.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be like your father. It¡¯s not very attractive.¡±


    ¡°Look. El-¡­¡­.¡±


    Before Jedia could finish speaking, Ulysses led her into the center of the banquet hall. Jedia¡¯s mouth closed, and Eliana smiled at Ulysses¡¯ timing.


    ¡°Great timing. Right?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s more stuck up than I thought. Jedia Teneb.¡±


    ¡°That kind of man has a cute side.¡±


    ¡°Like, Karman Hunter?¡±


    At Ulysses¡¯ words, Eliana¡¯s smile disappeared.


    ¡°That¡¯s an incorrect example.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t really want to talk about it.¡±


    Ulysses smiled at her words and bowed to her as the song began. As the dance started, the men and women exchanged bows and danced to the beat. It was a dance where they gracefully leaned against each other.


    The hem of Eliana¡¯s voluminous dress swayed beautifully. Like a wave or a cloud, her colorful outfit made her look more alluring and beautiful.


    ¡°If you had answered the opposite.¡±


    ¡°What if I did?¡±


    ¡°I may have been a little upset.¡±


    Eliana moved away from Ulysses for a moment according to the music, but smiled as she drew closer.


    ¡°You were needlessly worried.¡±


    Eliana moved her lips so close that only Ulysses could hear it.


    ¡°Prince.¡±


    Ulysses broadly smiled at the words whispered like sweet nothings. The crowd watched. but they were unable to tell what kind of conversation they were having. What was certain was that both the Duke of Norton from Conter and Baroness Hunter both seemed happy, as if they were lovers.


    Besides, both of them had outstanding looks, so their dancing was as beautiful as a painting. Karman¡¯s eyes continued to follow the two of them. Although it started with the bodyguard Joseph, he had been most wary of Gillian, and now the Duke of Norton had appeared and even Jedia. He had a headache.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    Karman, who was skilled enough with dancing, stepped on Sharchen¡¯s feet. Karman immediately apologized and backed away, but Sharchen¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just focus on me at this moment, Karman?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re strange these days. You keep looking at Eliana.¡±


    ¡°I am worried that she will cause trouble. Because she¡¯s an unpredictable woman.¡±


    ¡°Then I should cause trouble too.¡±


    ¡°Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll get your attention.¡±


    Sharchen¡¯s weeping voice grew louder as they danced. Karman answered while patting her back as if he was stroking it.


    ¡°Stop behaving like a child.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really want to be your father. You know.¡±


    Sharchen felt like she had been hit in the head with a hammer. Karman was saying things that Eliana would have said.


    Karman continued, gently leading the frozen Sharchen.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be this childish if you want to be the baroness.¡±


    ¡°Are you thinking of putting me up there?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like you want to be up there.¡±


    ¡°Karman!¡±


    ¡°Keep it down.¡±


    The two were so close together but their expressions were not good. The atmosphere also felt unusual. People laughed and whispered that it was because Eliana was dancing with another man.


    Sharchen wanted to run outside in the midst of such gossip. The people¡¯s attention was clearly focused on Sharchen until Eliana appeared. Her expensive jewelry and beautiful appearance, her dress that has been torn and re-arranged over and over again. They had approached her with a look of envy and spoke to her with adoration.


    But after Eliana appeared, everyone¡¯s eyes turned to her. The words that floated around weren¡¯t good, but interest could be seen in their eyes. Her dress, her hair ornaments, what she said, and the people she was with, everyone seemed to be engrossed.


    What¡¯s more, the only people she interacted with were distinguished figures. Gillian Hutt, Jedia Teneb, Oliver Norton. As soon as the men appeared, they all showed interest in the lady.


    ¡®Crazy. I think I¡¯m going to go crazy. How the hell did you get here? The carriage was definitely changed!¡¯


    Sharchen bit her lip. Before she knew it, Karman¡¯s gaze was once again directed at Eliana.


    ***


    After the first dance, Gillian escorted the Duchess of Teneb to her seat. Taking a light sip of wine, the Madam uttered words of relief.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how long it has been since I danced to that song. It was a complete mess.¡±


    ¡°It was fine. It was also an honor to hear Madam¡¯s laughter up close.¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Gillian, I would have fallen. Gillian, if it isn¡¯t rude, will you teach my daughter to dance? This child had just made her social debut, so she doesn¡¯t know much about dancing.¡±


    Eileen looked at Gillian, blinking her big eyes. Gillian became horrified that things were going the way Eliana had expected. But he managed to hide his feelings and continued.


    ¡°Of course. If I can hold the hand of the most beautiful young lady in this banquet, I will do anything.¡±


    Gillian said politely and lowered his body. At the words ¡®the most beautiful young lady¡¯, Eileen touched her cheeks then let go. Somehow, her cheeks felt hot.


    Jedia looked at the two with disapproval but couldn¡¯t dare speak. It was because of what Eliana had said. Jedia hated his father, but he resembled him more than anyone else. It was something he himself knew.


    However, for a woman whom he had just met for the first time to recognize this was another matter.


    She was a boldly dressed woman, with a loud laughter and heavy makeup. It was the style that Jedia hated the most yet his eyes kept turning towards her.


    After Eliana finished her dance, she loosened up the awkward atmosphere between Helen and Ray. With her gentle gestures and humor, the frozen man and woman slowly relaxed. Count Odelli, the host of the party, was even looking at the sight with fascination.


    ¡®What kind of woman are you? What do you want? What¡¯s your reason for sweeping this party when you don¡¯t even get along with your husband?¡¯


    Jedia wanted to know what Eliana was up to. He also wanted to talk to her a little more. Jedia had to forcibly stop his footsteps as he kept unconsciously moving towards her. Without a doubt, they would get caught up in strange rumors if he approached her again.


    ¡°You must like Eliana. Jedia.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s absurd, mother.¡±


    Jedia furiously responded to Madam Teneb¡¯s words. Madam Teneb laughed softly and told him.


    ¡°She¡¯s astoundingly charming. And she¡¯s such a clever child.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just an unchaste woman.¡±


    ¡°And what if that was calculated too?¡±


    As Madam Teneb spoke gracefully, Jedia froze. To apply even her immodest behavior in her calculations¡­¡­. It was outrageous.


    By simply bringing her beloved Helen to the banquet, Madam Teneb had become fond of her. But she didn¡¯t stop there. It was not enough that she recreated her own look in the past, she made her dance for the first time in decades.


    And in front of everyone, with the most popular man, Gillian Hutt.


    She even built a bridge to connect the youngest son of Count Odelli with Helen. In some ways, it was so great that she couldn¡¯t even put it into words.


    Madam Teneb gazed at Helen, who looked exactly like her friend, shyly conversing with Ray Odelli. There were a lot of things that caused her eyes to get hot today. Eventually, unable to hold back her tears, she wiped her eyes with her handkerchief.


    Eliana glanced at the Duchess of Teneb, and separated from the two. It was time for her to approach her and talk to her. But at that moment, someone blocked Eliana.


    ¡°You seem to forget who you are too often.¡±


    It was none other than her husband, Baron Karman Hunter.

 Chapter 34

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I never forgot.¡±


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    ¡°That I¡¯m the baroness of nothing.¡±


    ¡°You keep saying that, you¡¯ll end up falling.¡±


    ¡°Now what are you saying I¡¯ve become? Aha, like a butler?¡±


    Eliana said jokingly, but she didn¡¯t laugh at all. Karman sighed and continued.


    ¡°Haa, how did you get here?¡±


    ¡°Are you the one who sent the wrecked carriage?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not possible. Your absence will damage my reputation.¡±


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t walk here. If you¡¯re that curious, try to find the culprit first. You already know who it is.¡±


    This whole time, Eliana spoke as if she wanted to end her conversation with Karman as soon as possible. Karman sighed again and said.


    ¡°We will find the culprit after the ball. How did you come?¡±


    ¡°I accepted a ride in the passing carriage of Duke Oliver. Otherwise, I couldn¡¯t have come. Do you want me to tell you what the carriage was like? Hardly enough horses who were so old that their legs were shaking, a driver who looked like he was about to die, and a wheel fell off before we could even depart. It was rather fortunate. If I had gotten on board and it fell then, I might have died in an accident on the side of the road.¡±


    ¡°She probably didn¡¯t mean to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Of course that¡¯s what you think.¡±


    ¡°Stop being sarcastic. Eliana.¡±


    Eliana looked straight at Karman and told him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to stop me in such a high-handed manner. Karman Hunter.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°This is not the barony, but a banquet hall provided by the royal family. Would Count Odelli like it if the Baron and his wife fought here?¡±


    Eliana smiled and approached Karman. She then continued as she pretended to carefully brush the dust off his shoulder.


    ¡°Try to think harder. If we make a scene here, it will only be a matter of time before it reaches the ears of Duke Jerik Hunter. Then won¡¯t your Sharchen be in a lot of trouble?¡±


    ¡°Are you threatening me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a threat, darling. I only worry about you. You and your lover. A wife like this is rare, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Eliana laughed amusedly. However, Karman¡¯s expression did not change. He sighed then took Eliana¡¯s hand that was on his shoulder.


    ¡°Dance the next one with me.¡±


    ¡°You want to dance with me? Now isn¡¯t that funny?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any more rumors about the Baron and his wife.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I will accept that request. Can you release my hand now?¡±


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do with you. You¡¯re a woman who is really¡­¡­.¡±


    Karman said as if he was truly confused. Then from behind them, someone said loudly as if to continue his words.


    ¡°Vulgar.¡±


    Eliana turned her head. Eliana recognized her at once. She was Baroness Daisy Seamus.


    ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing to be a fellow baroness. With that outfit, you smile and attract the gazes of all the men in this banquet hall, like a hostess in a bar.¡±


    The loud-voiced Baroness Seamus openly said, behaving as if she was prepared to put Eliana in a lot of trouble. Karman said as he moved Eliana behind him.


    ¡°Be careful of what you say. Madam Seamus.¡±


    ¡°Why? Shouldn¡¯t the Baron be glad that I¡¯m taking your side? I heard you two talking a little while ago. A couple that doesn¡¯t get along well. Just as I¡¯ve heard. After all, when the Madam goes out, her husband suffers!¡±


    Baroness Seamus said, turning her body towards the people, purposely trying to humiliate Eliana in front of everyone. She spoke clearly and loudly.


    Eliana then said as she grabbed Karman¡¯s arm that was blocking her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. You are too noble to be involved in a messy quarrel. Where is Baron Seamus? His wife is calling someone else¡¯s wife a lowly barmaid.¡±


    ¡°I never used such a crude word!¡±


    Eliana then proceeded to grab Daisy Seamus¡¯ hands whilst looking downcast. Her eyebrows drooped down and she looked sorrowful.


    ¡°I think you want to embarrass me, but you shouldn¡¯t make such a commotion. Madam Seamus.¡±


    She said then turned around, just like what Madam Seamus did. Everyone¡¯s eyes were on Madam Seamus and Eliana.


    ¡°This is a party that hasn¡¯t been held in a long time. It is also a meeting place for families who have not been able to talk comfortably because there have been no social parties. Seeing each other¡¯s faces, dancing together, and telling stories.¡±


    Eliana smiled brightly and looked at Ray and Helen. The two of them blushed at Eliana¡¯s gaze. Eliana slowly turned her eyes back to Count Odelli, who was sitting high up.


    ¡°Madam Seamus, please refrain from doing anything disrespectful to Count Odelli, who made this possible. You can curse at me in the square, or you may also come to the barony to do it. Regardless, I¡¯m used to being fed curses, so my stomach won¡¯t burst just because I eat it once from a different place.¡±


    Pffft, a laugh could be heard. It was Ulysses. At the sound of Ulysses¡¯ laughter, the laughter that had been suppressed in various places burst out one by one. Eliana whispered as she turned around and hugged Madam Seamus.


    ¡°Unfortunately, it isn¡¯t me who is cheating with Jackson Seamus. If you want to know who it is, come to the end of the hallway on the right outside the banquet hall after the second song.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡­.¡±


    Eliana gently grabbed Madam Seamus¡¯ finger that was pointing at her.


    ¡°It¡¯s not ¡®you¡¯, Baroness Seamus. My name is Eliana Rose. I am Baroness Hunter. Karman, I have talked to the lady, you will forgive her rudeness, yes?¡±


    When Eliana turned around and asked, Karman let out a short sigh and answered.


    ¡°I will do as you please, so come here. It¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Eliana smiled and walked over to Karman and linked arms with him. Karman took her and headed to where Sharchen was. Fragile tension flowed between the three of them, but Eliana casually touched Sharchen¡¯s hair.


    ¡°You did something cute, my daughter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s creepy, so get your hands off me.¡±


    Sharchen said, making little movements with her lips. Still maintaining a smile around her mouth. Eliana said, pinching her cheek painlessly.


    ¡°Adorable.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°If you do that again, I¡¯ll make you sure you end up like that carriage.¡±


    Sharchen gulped down saliva. It was no different than saying that she will ruin her. Karman grabbed Eliana by the arm and said,


    ¡°Eliana. Do not threaten Sharchen.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not threatening her. If she doesn¡¯t know about the carriage, Sharchen wouldn¡¯t have any reason to be threatened. Am I wrong? Our baby?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    To others, it looked like the three of them were having a friendly conversation, but in reality, it was like walking on a dangerously high tightrope.


    ¡°My wife was cursed at by someone?!¡±


    Then appeared Jackson Seamus, dressed in disheveled clothes, making a ruckus in the banquet hall. Eliana said in a low voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at anyone. Even if it¡¯s not us, there are a lot of people who will say something.¡±


    For the very first time, Karman and Sharchen followed Eliana¡¯s words without qualms. They didn¡¯t want to get involved in a noisy argument.


    ¡°Did the Seamuses attend this banquet with the intention of ruining it? Even though the opposing family had generously forgiven you, you are making noise again. It¡¯s no different than ignoring the Count of Odelli, this banquet¡¯s organizer.¡±


    It was just as Eliana had expected. The banquet¡¯s organizer, Count Odelli, spoke loudly. Turning to look at Seamus and his wife, she had an expression like she didn¡¯t know what to do. She then said in a slightly louder voice as she grabbed Karman and shook him.


    ¡°Darling. Shouldn¡¯t we do something? I feel bad.¡±


    ¡°Stepmother, it¡¯s alright. We¡¯ve done what we could.¡±


    Sharchen teared up and grabbed her arm. In this instance, they were a good match. Even though her grip on Eliana¡¯s arm was so strong that it was enough to make one scream. Hiding behind Karman, Eliana hugged Sharchen with a crushing force.


    Jackson Seamus told the Count of Odelli that it wasn¡¯t like that and had to apologize for a long time. Eliana held Sharchen in her arms as she watched the situation.


    ¡°Let go. Witch.¡±


    Sharchen whispered softly, and Eliana looked at her and smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we have to stay like this until the next song starts.¡±


    ¡°When the next song starts, you will seduce Karman to dance!¡±


    ¡°Exactly. I don¡¯t want to dance, but let me borrow him once.¡±


    ¡°¡­B-Borrow him?¡±


    ¡°Of course. He¡¯s not even mine.¡±


    Eliana smiled brightly. As the prelude to the second song began, Karman reached out to Eliana. Eliana let go of Sharchen and took Karman¡¯s hand.


    The timing was good. It was just after their quarrel with Madam Seamus so the attention will be focused on them. There was nothing better than watching two people who had been at odds for quite some time. Eliana leaned close to Karman.


    ¡°Please understand if I step on your foot by mistake. It¡¯s because I am not very good at dancing.¡±


    ¡°I think you will deliberately step on it and call it a mistake.¡±


    ¡°Now you know me a little.¡±


    Eliana smiled and Karman followed suit. Eliana looked at his smiling face and told him.


    ¡°You look so good when you smile.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been frowning all the time, but now I know.¡±


    ¡°Eliana.¡±


    Just as Karman was about to rebuke her with a serious tone, the second dance began in earnest. Eliana smiled and moved her feet first. Karman stood with his mouth opening and closing as if he had lost, and moved his body to match her movements.


    People¡¯s eyes reached the baron couple¡¯s dance steps. Those gazes included those of Ulysses Mill, Gillian Hutt, and Jedia Teneb.

 Chapter 35

    ***


    ***


    ***


    Karman¡¯s dance skills were neat and accurate. All Eliana had to do was follow his lead. Karman continued while holding Eliana.


    ¡°Eliana. I don¡¯t want to ruin my fourth marriage.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean ruin?¡±


    Eliana said as they gently made their way to the center of the banquet hall. Eliana Rose was truly the center and the flower of today¡¯s ball. Karman said, pulling the beautifully moving Eliana towards him.


    ¡°You¡¯re a smart woman. The Hunter family needs a woman like you.¡±


    ¡°So? If I am, then what are you going to do? After all, the real baroness has been decided anyway.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    A smooth turn.


    Eliana returned to Karman¡¯s arms after sending lovely gazes to the people her eyes met. Before Karman could answer, Eliana spoke without a smile.


    ¡°Are you going to adopt me this time?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mock me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not mocking you, I¡¯m serious. I don¡¯t want to go from being your wife to your daughter.¡±


    Eliana smiled and stroked Karman¡¯s arm. Karman bit his lip then released it as he watched her act differently from her tone.


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t divorce you?¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do about Sharchen?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about that later.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the most pressing matter? Two wives in one family. You¡¯re too greedy.¡±


    Lightly slapping Karman¡¯s chest with her hand, Eliana gestured as if she had heard something funny. If anyone saw it, they would think that she heard a funny joke while dancing. However, the conversation between the two was serious and heavy.


    Eliana didn¡¯t want Karman¡¯s mind to change so bluntly. It was also very sudden. Just until recently, Karman would often yell whenever he saw her.


    ¡®In the end, is jealousy truly one of the most powerful ways to take a man¡¯s heart? This man is so immature, so immature.¡¯


    Perhaps it was for political purposes. Compared to Sharchen, Eliana was faster in calculations. If Karman took advantage of her, he would only benefit and suffer no damage. Is that what Karman is aiming for? However, that is much too complicated and he probably was just stubbornly approaching her.


    Eliana looked up at Karman as she moved her body to the beat. She could hardly tell what he was thinking.


    Eliana brought her face closer to him on purpose. Karman could not quickly dodge and his expression stiffened. With a distance where their noses could almost touch, Eliana tilted her head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what sort of trickery you¡¯re trying to pull, darling.¡±


    ¡°Get away.¡±


    ¡°Why? Are you afraid that I might kiss you?¡±


    ¡°¡­Eliana.¡±


    Karman scolded her in a low voice but Eliana responded with a dazzling smile.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m not a woman at all.¡±


    Karman¡¯s face turned red. He was clearly flustered and it was evident that he was at a loss of what to do. At least it wasn¡¯t the wooden block attitude he had shown her on the first night.


    But was this a good sign for Eliana? If she were to be asked that question, her answer would be no.


    Eliana could feel that he was holding her waist gently, but also cautiously. Like his mere grasp would break her. With this, Eliana didn¡¯t find much attraction to Karman, who could neither embrace her tightly nor kiss her passionately.


    Nevertheless, she was still disappointed at the fact that even in this brief moment, he did not have the backbone to show interest in her. She also felt pity for the wicked Sharchen.


    A woman who had to welcome three stepmothers and become a foster daughter to a man like this for the rest of her life.


    Eliana didn¡¯t really know what love was. She had no idea how great a devotion it was made of. She could only reckon that there was something passionate that was unlike the affection between family.


    However, at least for Eliana, love for a lover could never be more passionate than her love for her family. No man had ever made Eliana fret, and she couldn¡¯t afford to.


    It would probably be the same in the future. Until the Rose family could stand up, love was a luxury to Eliana. Eliana, finishing the last turn, said as she hugged him.


    ¡°Karman. Don¡¯t become a coward who betrays love.¡±


    ¡°Do you even know what that means?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Eliana laughed and moved away from him. The song was over. Eliana greeted him politely then called him from a reasonable distance.


    ¡°Karman.¡±


    Eliana and Karman¡¯s eyes met.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fall for me. At the very least, you don¡¯t deserve to.¡±


    And with the most charming smile in the world, Eliana stepped away. Those who did not dance applauded and cheered, and Eliana greeted them brightly then vanished into the crowd. Watching the hem of her dress disappear with a rustling sound, Karman let out a low sigh.


    ***


    Eliana headed towards the open terrace in the direction of the garden. It was so she could catch her breath before meeting Madam Seamus.


    It was purely coincidental that she learned of Jackson Seamus. It was because he wanted to find out about Eliana first. He had subtly looked into her. This was due to Pepe, who was on the verge of being fired, and the Baron¡¯s administrative authority that would be transferred to Eliana.


    Rather than being intrigued by the promiscuous rumors about Eliana, he seemed to covet the Baron¡¯s fortune that Eliana was going to hold. Eliana deliberately gave him information about herself and therefore learned a little more about Jackson Seamus. Jackson Seamus was the kind who had frequent meetings with wives who had a little more money.


    The jealous Madam Daisy Seamus did not know of his manipulative behavior. That was why she exploded when she heard that he had ties to Eliana, who was at the peak of licentious rumors.


    ¡®If it were another wife, she wouldn¡¯t have attacked them so publicly.¡¯


    It was only possible because it was Eliana. There were bad rumors around her and her family was in decline. She screamed because she thought she was right.


    But who she really wanted to attack was her husband. She wanted to tell him to return to her and to strongly protest his wandering outside.


    ¡°But why are you taking it out on me?¡±


    Eliana hated this kind of disregard, no matter how bad the rumors about her were. And as she thought about ensuring that she apologizes to her before handing over the information about Baron Jackson, the wind blew. Eliana closed her eyes in the cool breeze. She wanted to relax for a little while.


    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡±


    Hearing the voice filled with frustration, Eliana opened her eyes. It was Jedia Teneb. Eliana turned her body halfway and looked at Jedia.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°With your own hands, you shook the people and the banquet hall in its entirety. People may not have noticed, but they¡¯ve all started acting like puppets under your plans. All too willingly.¡±


    Jedia raised his glasses once. Eliana leaned her hand on the terrace and said.


    ¡°What about it?¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    Jedia said dumbfoundedly. Eliana said with a soft smile.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t approach each one of them and ask them to do it, doesn¡¯t it look like it just happened like that? Jedia, I¡¯m not an outstanding man like you. I¡¯m just a lady who entered the aristocratic society for the first time today.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not right for you to question me as if your assumptions were the truth. Haven¡¯t you thought that that could be thoroughly insulting to me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re trying to turn me into a discourteous person.¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s like I¡¯m talking to a wall.¡¯


    Eliana felt stifled. Jedia inherited his conservative and vigilant attitude from his father. Even in the Ministry of Finance, they said that the only time he causes trouble is when he runs into something that doesn¡¯t fit his principles. She had been expecting this to an extent from the moment she heard that, but she never thought that it would be this frustrating.


    Eliana forcibly swallowed the negative feelings that she was about to vomit from inside, and continued with a smile.


    ¡°People with strict standards sometimes break. Since they have no flexibility. Jedia is just like that right now. Is it strange if I¡¯m not someone who meets your standards?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Then I must be a strange person to Jedia. Didn¡¯t you say that my approaching your mother was uncomfortable? Alright. Then I won¡¯t go to the Duchess of Teneb first.¡±


    ¡°Why are you suddenly listening so well¡­?¡±


    Jedia asked, as if she were up to something again. Eliana had no intention of the sort. She just said it so that Jedia¡¯s first impression of her would not end badly.


    But when he said it that way, her feelings changed. What am I up to? Would you look at this guy. She altered her intentions.


    ¡°Of course, I can¡¯t just say it for nothing.¡±


    ¡°I thought so.¡±


    ¡°Pff.¡±


    ¡°Why are you laughing?¡±


    ¡°A man such as yourself is so transparent.¡±


    ¡°I think we both are.¡±


    ¡°I see. Then let¡¯s not pointlessly waste our energies and just say it, shall we? What we both want?¡±


    Eliana¡¯s demeanor was leisurely all the way through. Jedia wanted to make her feel uncomfortable with the conversation she was being dragged into, but even that hurt his pride. He bit his lips then continued as he let go.


    ¡°Good. Say what you want. Let¡¯s hear how ridiculous it is.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell you if you just want to hear it.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you if you¡¯ll listen. If you¡¯re just curious, walk.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°The chips you have.¡±


    Eliana spoke like a dealer running a gambling game. Jedia¡¯s brows furrowed at her bright smile.

 Chapter 36

    ***


    ***


    ***


    ¡°I think I can see why people call you a witch.¡±


    ¡°Rumors can¡¯t be trusted. I¡¯ve heard rumors that Jedia Teneb is so attractive that marrying him was only possible if you¡¯re a member of the royal family.¡±


    Eliana told him as she looked around the garden.


    ¡°What do you mean? Are you saying that it feels like a false rumor?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re making it like that. You yourself. Personally.¡±


    [T/N: She¡¯s saying that he¡¯s not being very ¡°attractive¡± right now.]


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Or perhaps you do not wish to show me your attractive side. So what are you going to do? I¡¯m busy. Tell me quickly.¡±


    Eliana spoke as if she didn¡¯t mind if Jedia refused. She actually felt that way too. It was something she said impulsively anyway.


    A cold breeze blew. Eliana¡¯s dress gently fluttered in the wind. The scent of her perfume wafted in the air, and Jedia frowned a little more.


    She was a type of woman he had never met before. He didn¡¯t know how to deal with her. Jedia wasn¡¯t bold enough to accept her offer blindly. He was a meticulous person, perhaps closer to calculative.


    But he couldn¡¯t resist wondering what she would offer. As he couldn¡¯t readily decide and merely twitched his lips, Eliana smiled leisurely as she moved closer to Jedia.


    ¡°Wh-What is it? Why are you coming closer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to pass by. My business here is done.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t answered yet.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t be able to answer. Do you know what I¡¯ll propose? A person as cautious as you won¡¯t readily accept my offer.¡±


    ¡°Anyone would do the same.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? He wasn¡¯t like that when I met him.¡±


    ¡°Who is ¡®he¡¯?¡±


    Eliana looked at Jedia and said.


    ¡°You have too many questions. You aren¡¯t even taking out your chips. Witches aren¡¯t that kind.¡±


    Eliana opened her fan and covered her face. She then leisurely walked past Jedia. Then Jedia spoke as if he was holding on to Eliana who was about to leave the terrace.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Negotiations fall apart. No matter what it is, it shouldn¡¯t affect my mother¡¯s honor.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    Eliana replied timidly. Jedia said urgently.


    ¡°So tell me. What are you trying to propose?¡±


    ¡°Alright. But keep in mind.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°This is the last one. You can¡¯t ask me any more questions. I will not answer.¡±


    ¡°Are you really going to keep that up with the Teneb family?¡±


    ¡°You are the representative of the Teneb family, or are you all of it?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°What I want-.¡±


    Eliana spoke to him with a smile, without lowering her fan.


    ¡°I want you to let me meet the Jordian merchant group.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!!¡±


    The Jordian merchant group was the largest in the countries of Contino and Conter. It was also closely related to the Ministry of Finance of each country. They were also the only merchant group that could distribute military supplies.


    Obviously, they were a connection that could never be made except through Jedia. The Jordian family, who run the merchant group, were the type of people that ordinary citizens did not dare to contact, even though they were not nobles.


    ¡°Why do you want to be connected with the Jordian family?¡±


    ¡°You really need to listen to me.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    Eliana turned away. Completely showing her back, she coldly said,


    ¡°I told you you can¡¯t ask me any more questions from now on. Well then, it was nice to meet you, Jedia. Be well.¡±


    Eliana said, as if she¡¯d never see him again, then walked away. The clacking sound of her heels pounded Jedia¡¯s heart.


    He had more questions. He wanted to ask about her intentions, her future, and her dreams. It didn¡¯t matter if they were insidious or not.


    ¡®What the hell is that woman trying to do? Where did such a woman fall from?¡¯


    Jedia bit his lip, muttering the unspoken words to himself. Jedia wanted to reject the attraction he felt all throughout his body. He became more curious about her so he wanted to fold his desires like a piece of paper.


    Jedia stared at her back for a while, then turned around. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered by the terrace window.


    ***


    Baroness Daisy Seamus looked down the hallway. Eliana had definitely told her to come out after the second song. It may have been a trick, yet she had no choice but to be deceived.


    Her husband¡¯s affair. Nothing was more serious these days for Madam Seamus. She wasn¡¯t sure who it was with, but her husband was definitely wandering about. He was also having relations with not just one, but several people.


    Only then did her relationship with her husband become estranged. Baron Seamus started hiding more from her. They shared less meals together in the mansion, and so did their conversations. Their talks never got anywhere. He would give her precious jewels from time to time, but that wasn¡¯t what Madam Seamus wanted.


    She then heard the sound of clicking heels in the distance. Half of the woman¡¯s face was covered with her fan, but she knew who it was with one glance. She was the most glamorous woman at today¡¯s ball.


    Eliana Rose.


    Madam Seamus thought it was certainly her. Rumors have revealed who her men were. Today, not only did she get out of another man¡¯s carriage, but she was even escorted by Gillian Hutt, that said it all.


    But she was no pushover. She turned the situation around in an instant. She had humiliated her for making a scene. Moreover, the Seamus family was criticized by Count Odelli. The situation was led by everything she said, and Madam Seamus was forced to suffer with eyes wide open.


    Perhaps even her coming out here was because she was completely caught in her plans. However, even if that was the case, she couldn¡¯t help it.


    Madam Seamus wanted to know. Who it was that Jackson, her love, is having an affair with.


    ¡°I came as promised, so tell me. Who is it?¡±


    ¡°Even here, there are only people who want to receive without giving anything.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Apologize first. Baroness Seamus.¡±


    ¡°Apologize?¡±


    Baroness Seamus snorted and went on.


    ¡°Did you just tell me to apologize? Even after humiliating the Seamus family so much in front of Count Odelli? Jackson had to apologize several times, which he didn¡¯t have to.¡±


    ¡°Right. He bowed his head again and again to Count Odelli. But what about me?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°No one apologized.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Especially after all those things that Madam said to me? You made someone else¡¯s wife a mistress, then treated her like a waitress at a bar, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Baroness Seamus bit her lip. There was nothing wrong with what Eliana said. Eliana lowered her fan and went on.


    ¡°There must have been a few other wives as well. Baron Seamus isn¡¯t very meticulous and often sheds his traces here and there. Was it because you thought I was the easiest out of all of them?¡±


    ¡°Th-That¡¯s not it. That, that kind of thought¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Was it too accurate?¡±


    Eliana let out a ¡°Pfff¡± and looked at Madam Seamus. Her green eyes shone brightly. Eliana continued calmly, emphasizing each one.


    ¡°First, I am not his mistress. I met Jackson Seamus for the first time today.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Second, I don¡¯t know much about him right now. But I have more ways to investigate than Madam.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Third, I decide whether I will look into it in the future or not. That decision will depend on Madam¡¯s behavior. You don¡¯t have to apologize. After all, I¡¯m a stranger to the Seamus family, and after today, it would be fine for me to say that I cut off ties because I had been offended.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s words were sharp. Whoever it was that said she was an idiot blinded by luxury, Daisy Seamus wanted to wring and destroy their mouth. She wanted to scream at them and ask where they heard such nonsense.


    She was smarter than any noble she had ever met. Both men and women.


    Baroness Seamus knew that from the moment she came here, she had nowhere to retreat. But her pride had already been hurt too much. She never wanted to apologize. But there were times when she had to do things she didn¡¯t want to.


    Baroness Seamus closed her eyes, then opened them and spoke.


    ¡°Forgive me for my rudeness today, Madam Hunter. I completely misunderstood the Madam. There will be no such thing in the future. I apologize.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Madam. You must have hated saying that more than death.¡±


    Baroness Seamus looked at Eliana as she lifted her slightly bent body. You made me do that even though you knew? When Madam Seamus stayed speechless due to her mischievous side, Eliana laughed and continued.


    ¡°I will greet you formally. This is Eliana Rose.¡±


    Baroness Seamus looked at Eliana¡¯s outstretched hand, and held it firmly. Baroness Seamus opened her mouth as she tightly gripped Eliana¡¯s hand in between hers.


    ¡°I am Daisy Seamus. Now that we¡¯ve exchanged everything we¡¯re giving and receiving, tell me. Who is Jackson playing with? Is it just one person? Or are there several people?¡±


    Baroness Seamus said it as if she was about to break ¡°the mistress¡¯ leg¡± right that moment. Eliana thought that it showed her desperation.


    ¡®I have to get this woman on my side too. Using all the information I have.¡¯


    Eliana thought so, then placed her free hand over hers.


    ¡°Baron Jackson Seamus.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s lips paused for a moment, then moved again.


    ***


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 Chapter 37

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    *****


    ¡°Baron Jackson Seamus does not want a woman.¡±


    ¡°What? So you mean my husband is gay?¡±


    ¡°Oh, ma¡¯am.That is not what I mean.¡±


    ¡°What is it then?¡±


    Daisy Seamus was impatient. She urged her to give an answer right away. Eliana patted the back of her hand to calm her down.


    ¡°Your husband is looking for a noble to assist him. It is true that he approaches their wives mainly, but it is purely for the economic rights they hold.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult to give all the details here. Anyway, the Baron wants to start a big business now. The most important information I have is.¡±


    ¡°What information? Don¡¯t keep stopping. It¡¯s very annoying!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been in contact with the Jordian group.¡±


    ¡°¡­What does he do with those merchants?¡±


    For the nobles, the image of the Jordian group was not good. They were great merchants, but they were not aristocrats. They had a strong image of a ¡°merchant,¡± as Daisy Seamus put it. In a way, they had more wealth and honor than the nobles.


    ¡°That has to be looked into now. But we can¡¯t look into it for free.¡±


    ¡°How much do you need?¡±


    Daisy Seamus said as if she was about to take out the bills right away. Her originally impatient nature seemed to be doubly rushed by the talk about her husband.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need money; I need the Baroness.¡±


    Daisy Seamus looked at Eliana with strange eyes. It was as if she had heard something bizarre. Eliana laughed and continued her words.


    ¡°I want to get to know you.¡±


    ¡°Even after what you went through today, you still want to be close to me? What are you up to?¡±


    ¡°Baroness Daisy Seamus. You have a bright personality and don¡¯t seem to be popular in social circles, but that¡¯s not true. Since you were a little girl, loyalty has been your best personality, which is why you have so many friends.¡±


    ¡°A lot. Not many.¡±


    Daisy hid her bewilderment at the sudden compliment.


    Daisy Seamus came from a prestigious family and had many important people around her. She appeared like a normal person and was famous for her loud voice. Oftentimes, like today, she had friends who would stand by her side.


    These were ladies who were famous for hardly making any new friends.


    Most of them were not at today¡¯s party. However, the information they shared with each other was real. It was often royal-related or high quality information. They kept their mouths shut from the outsiders, sharing any information only among themselves.


    There was a reason that Jackson Seamus, who had no business skills and never embarked on a war, rose to the rank of baron. Eliana wanted to know the secret. She wanted to learn it secretly and quietly.


    It was a world of commoners with whom she could interact. It was information gained by reaching all the way into the inaccessible realm of the lowly and aristocratic ladies. In exchange, Eliana wanted to put the Rose family on a higher pedestal. She also wanted to regain the status of a scholarly family.


    ¡°Please include me in your gatherings. Then I will cooperate with the Baroness regularly. That is, until Baron Jackson stops the practice.¡± (Eliana )


    ¡°That is not a decision I can make on my own.¡± (Daisy)


    ¡°You have the loudest voice.¡±


    ¡°What does that have to do with the volume of my voice? Then I will follow the louder people.¡±


    Daisy Seamus twisted her lips, as if she were ignorant, or perhaps she really didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not saying that your voice is literally loud. It¡¯s that you have that much influence.¡±


    ¡°Well, everyone listens to me very well, but¡­ That¡¯s not to say.¡±


    ¡°One time is enough. I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°You mean that if I let you join once, you will help me to the end?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s a lot of confidence. The ladies there will not be as foolish as Count Odelli was today.¡±


    Eliana smiled without reply. Daisy Seamus looked as if her pride had been badly bruised, but she continued her words as if she had no choice but to accept it.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Then I will let you know the date of the gathering separately through my servant.¡±


    ¡°Come to the Hunter¡¯s residence. The information I¡¯m going to give you shouldn¡¯t be exchanged with letters.¡±


    ¡°Could he possibly be in danger?¡±


    ¡°I do not know yet. I tried to find out through Jedia, but it didn¡¯t cross over. It was a plausible suggestion.¡±


    ¡°You have already proposed the deal to Jedia Teneb!? No way. Eliana, you really have a liver sticking out of your stomach!¡± (*it meant brave or fearless)


    Daisy raised her hand high and fanned her face as if she couldn¡¯t quite understand. But her face was a little red. It was a curious face. Eliana replied with a smile.


    ¡°It would have been more helpful if it had succeeded, but it¡¯s a shame. But there¡¯s still a chance. I¡¯ll do my best, so please don¡¯t think of me as an enemy.¡±


    Daisy¡¯s lips twitched as Eliana let out a sly smile. She (Daisy) wanted to answer something, but she had nothing to say when the other person said it kindly with a smile.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in first. I¡¯ll call you after the banquet as soon as I know more about him.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, I¡¯ll see you soon.¡±


    ¡°I hope so. I can¡¯t stand it any longer. I¡¯m at my limit!¡±


    Daisy Seamus said angrily and turned away. Eliana continued talking as she looked at her back.


    ¡°Madam.¡±


    ¡°What is it again?¡±


    ¡°Those ruby earrings you wore today. They look good, as if they were made just for you.¡±


    Daisy touched her ears at the unexpected compliment. The garments in vogue today did not put too much emphasis on dresses. Therefore, the ladies always gave points to places like earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.


    Daisy Seamus chose a strong ruby that suited her today. It was an outstanding choice. Eliana was unaware of the fact that it was Baron Jackson¡¯s gift to Daisy when he proposed. There was no way she could have known. No one but the two of them knew about it.


    Daisy reminisced for a moment about the happy time, and then turned around completely.


    ¡°You have good eyes.¡±


    She said coldly and headed for the banquet hall. Eliana let out a long breath after finishing the two tasks. Her feet had been stiff and sore since a while ago. Perhaps it was from the cheap leather she wore. As Eliana lifted her skirt to look at her feet, she heard a clapping sound coming from somewhere.


    Clap. Clap. Clap.


    Eliana turned her back at the light sound. The closed hallway window opened and she saw Ulysses sitting on the window sill. Eliana approached him and asked.


    ¡°How long have you been hiding there? It¡¯s not nice to eavesdrop on other people¡¯s business dealings. Oliver.¡±


    ¡°Baroness Seamus is so hot-tempered that I was just waiting just in case. Of course, I didn¡¯t think Eliana was going to lose to her.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no losing or winning.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think so?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Eliana chuckled. The wind was a little cooler than before. Eliana continued her words as the wind blew to wash away her complicated inner thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m playing chess right now. Now I¡¯m moving the horses one by one.¡±


    ¡°That means you can¡¯t see the whole result with one move.¡±


    ¡°I like Oliver because I don¡¯t have to explain at length.¡±


    He was the clever one. Eliana thought that sometimes being wise is expedien. To Eliana¡¯s praise, Ulysses crossed to the end of the hallway and sat by the window. Then he looked at Eliana¡¯s face.


    Eliana thought that Ulysses¡¯ golden eyes, gazing at her, were as bright as the moon, especially today.


    ¡°Your eyes are so beautiful. You are.¡±


    Eliana said as if she was merely exclaiming. Ulysses scratched his head.


    ¡°Elliana says that very casually.¡±


    ¡°Saying that?¡±


    ¡°The words that control people¡¯s minds.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re crushed by these little compliments, you¡¯ll have to train a little bit more.¡±


    ¡°Training is no use when it comes to Eliana. I don¡¯t know if you use magic like people say.¡±


    Witch. People said that while looking at Eliana. Even more so now that her intelligence and beauty have been revealed. A beautiful witch. Eliana neither liked nor disliked the nickname. It was just a false image she had created.


    ¡°Do you want me to give you a high-level piece of information?¡±


    ¡°What kind of information?¡±


    ¡°Jordian.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you overheard my conversation with Jedia.¡±


    Ulysses shrugged. Then he added as if to make an excuse.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me. It¡¯s my knight.¡±


    ¡°Anyway. It¡¯s a bad habit. Oliver.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m giving you this information as an apology.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Eliana looked at Ulysses with her arms crossed. The exposure of the conversation was so important that it was no different from the strategy was revealed. Of course, she knew Ulysses wasn¡¯t against her, but it¡¯s unknown what will happen in the future.


    ¡°Baron Jackson wants one thing from the Jordian organization.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Civilian munitions distribution.


    ¡°Military supplies?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s moving to my first brother¡¯s side.¡±


    Ulysses said as if it was no big deal, waving his dangling legs.


    His tone was light, but the story in his words was solid. Eliana stilled and closed the window. The hallway leading to the back of the banquet hall was empty except for Ulysses and Eliana. Eliana asked him very secretly.


    ¡°What does that mean? Are you saying that Dominus Mill, the first prince, is preparing for rebellion?¡±


    ¡°That¡­¡±


    Ulysses stared into Eliana¡¯s eyes.


    ****


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 Chapter 38

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    *****


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that yet. Unfortunately.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re looking into it. By giving me this information, does it mean that you want me to tell you if I learn something?¡±


    Ulysses nodded his head. He looked away as if he was looking at Conter.


    ¡°It¡¯s the King¡¯s command. If you reveal the truth, I will surely return the favor to the Rose family, so I hope you will stand by my side.¡±


    ¡°Then that means Dominus might approach me?¡±


    ¡°I like Eliana because I don¡¯t have to explain at length.¡±


    Eliana smiled slightly as Ulysses returned what she had said. However, her smile didn¡¯t last long.


    The part about the Rose family has not been settled yet. In their current state, would it be fine to get involved in the struggle for the throne of a neighboring country? No. It was not.


    But Eliana¡¯s rationality and her heart moved towards different directions. She knew in her head that she shouldn¡¯t, but her heart was leaning towards Ulysses. She hadn¡¯t known him for a long time still, she was on the side of the prince whom she couldn¡¯t fully understand yet.


    Eliana didn¡¯t think long. The longer she worried, the more intricate the calculations became and the more complicated the answer would be.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    She said cheerfully. First of all, the fact that Ulysses was given the King¡¯s command meant that the king¡¯s faith was in him rather than the first and second princes who showed their ambition. The third and fourth need not be mentioned.


    Eliana thought that there could be no middle ground in her choices. This was the case from the first night she found out that her marriage was fraudulent. Since then, all of Eliana¡¯s choices have been extreme.


    If she fails, she will never be able to try again.


    Eliana thought she had a lot to gain from that. She had to move forward calmly and boldly. That way, even if there was a little loss, a lot could still be gained.


    Ulysses once again clapped at Eliana¡¯s quick reply. She was good at observation and her ability to gather information was great. But the best thing about her was her quick judgment.


    It was the same when she pushed the Seamus family in front of Count of Odelli as if they were in a play. Her momentary judgment was rapid and bold. It was also the reason why Ulysses did not want her to be taken away by his brothers.


    ¡°Perhaps the people I know will recognize you right away. For example, sensing a rook in chess.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that too generous of you? I don¡¯t have that kind of mobility or strength.¡±


    ¡°No. Eliana.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°You are a queen, not a rook.¡±


    The queen of a chessboard. It was no different than calling her the most powerful piece. Eliana smiled at Ulysses¡¯ resolute words and stretched out her hand. Her hand lightly touched Ulysses¡¯ cheek.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what the king calls it.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°Then I can¡¯t stop you.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s words had a double meaning. She was talking about the king of a chessboard but was also referring to the Conter throne, which Ulysses was aiming for.


    Ulysses looked like he was being captivated* by Eliana who drew people in as she spoke unrestrictedly. Ulysses¡¯ eyes contained only Eliana.


    Eliana looked at herself in those golden eyes and lifted her hand. She then stood up, unfolded her fan, and took a step back.


    ¡°Then see you again soon. Oliver gave me a hint so it won¡¯t take long to find out about Jackson Seamus.¡±


    ¡°Where did you find all those great informants?¡±


    ¡°They are good friends I met while rolling and crawling in poverty.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°In front of money, things get infinitely worse.¡±


    Eliana let out a chuckle and turned towards the door to the banquet hall. Ulysses watched as she disappeared into the banquet hall. In fact, he tried to move upright, however, there was a subtle limp to his gait.


    ***


    When Eliana returned to the banquet hall, Helen approached her as if she had been waiting for her. She must have had a little bit of alcohol as there was a slight redness to her cheeks.


    ¡°Eliana!¡±


    ¡°Oh, Helen. Your cheeks are red. Did you have a glass of wine?¡±


    ¡°A little champagne. I¡¯m not good at drinking. Where have you been?¡±


    ¡°There were a lot of people looking for me. I handled it without making a fuss.¡±


    ¡°I see. Brother has been looking for you for a while now.¡±


    ¡°Gillian?¡±


    ¡°He wanted to find you before the third song started.¡±


    Eliana¡¯s eyes moved to look for Gillian. He was talking with Count Odelli with a serious expression in the center of the banquet hall.


    ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate. To miss the honor of dancing with Gillian.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to see it too, it¡¯s too bad.¡±


    ¡°Did you have a good talk with Ray Odelli?¡±


    Helen only nodded her head. She shyly bent her body and said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even remember what I said. Oh, I was invited to the Count of Odelli.¡±


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s good.¡±


    At this rate, if Ray and Helen were to marry, she would be able to gain Gillian¡¯s complete trust. She would not only strengthen the relationship between the Hutts and the Roses, but she would also be liked by Ray Odelli. Eliana smiled at her unexpected harvest. Helen asked her with an uncertain expression.


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve never accepted an invitation like this before, and I¡¯ve been alone for so long¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do. If¡­ If you don¡¯t mind¡­ Could you come with me?¡±


    ¡°Anytime, as long as I can help Helen. But, would Count Odelli like my visit?¡±


    ¡°I asked, just in case. He said Eliana can come with me.¡±


    Helen said with a bright expression. She had kept the door to her heart closed for a long time. That was why she was thirsty for more people. Eliana was the person who could be her connection to the world.


    ¡°Alright. Trust me. I¡¯ll make it a fun date for you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a d-date. It¡¯s just that Countess Odelli¡¯s garden is beautiful¡­¡­.¡±


    Helen fanned herself with her hands. She seemed embarrassed. Eliana said no more and fixed Helen¡¯s dress that had been a little crumpled from dancing.


    ¡°Thank you. Eliana. In many ways¡­ For everything.¡±


    ¡°Those are unnecessary words between friends. Helen.¡±


    Helen smiled brightly at the word ¡®friends¡¯. Her raised round cheeks were so adorable.


    Gillian, who was returning from talking with Count Odelli, paused for a moment. He seemed to see his younger sister smiling like that quite often. Gillian was amazed by this everyday these days.


    After her divorce, Helen was like someone in a room with the lights off. Whatever came in seemed to be devoured by the darkness. Regardless, if he bought her jewelry or beautiful dresses. Sometimes, she seemed to be curious about the outside, but she was too afraid to come out.


    Then Eliana took Helen¡¯s hand and came out with her. At first, he was sure it was because of her interest in him. That was what the rumors said. The Hunter family¡¯s new madam was interested in Gillian Hutt.


    But it was also Eliana who placed Eileen Teneb¡¯s hands on his today.


    ¡®You¡¯re not even jealous. What the hell are you thinking?¡¯


    Gillian pursed his lips in vain. She didn¡¯t need to be jealous. But he also didn¡¯t want her to look at him and Eileen with a smile.


    Besides, what was up with her and Karman who was said to not be on good terms? The two seemed like a loving couple. Gillian scratched his cheek at the things he both liked and didn¡¯t like.


    He couldn¡¯t dare ask why she wasn¡¯t jealous. Rather, it was only right for him to thank her for connecting Helen with Ray, and for helping him connect with the Teneb family.


    But he couldn¡¯t understand why his heart felt so strange. Resisting grabbing hold of his heart and twisting it, Gillian walked over to Helen and Eliana.


    ¡°Brother, Eliana and I are going to visit Count Odelli.¡±


    ¡°To Count Odelli all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°Ray Odelli personally invited her.¡±


    At Eliana¡¯s words, Gillian looked at Helen in surprise. Helen closed her lips slightly and avoided his gaze. Gillian¡¯s mind became a little more complicated. Ray Odelli was the man who had previously proposed to Helen, and it seems like he is still interested even today.


    Would Helen open her heart to him this time? If he was a man who could love Helen unchangingly, he would be relieved.


    Gillian looked at Helen with worried eyes and then turned his gaze to Eliana.


    ¡°What are you worried about? Helen is already a lady.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the expression on your face exactly that of a father who is marrying off his daughter? It¡¯s just a date. It¡¯s been a long time since she went outside. I¡¯m also going to be there.¡±


    ¡°And what are you to Helen?¡±


    If she was his wife, he wouldn¡¯t wonder why she was working so hard for Helen. However, the two right now were only connected through Karman Hunter. As Gillian unwittingly spit the words out, Eliana burst into laughter.


    ¡°You said something hurtful. Gillian.¡±


    ¡°Brother, saying something like that to Eliana.¡±


    ¡°No, I.¡±


    ¡°I am Helen¡¯s friend, Gillian.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°And I am also your friend.¡±


    Eliana ended her words as if that fact would never change. Gillian¡¯s eyes turned to Eliana. Friend. A very ambiguous word.


    ¡®Then, to you, how close am I allowed?¡¯


    Gillian saw the necklace shining beautifully on Eliana¡¯s neck. It was the first time he had ever given a present to a woman who was not from the Hutt family. It was an item he carefully chose and made a decision without delay.


    Gillian remained silent at his own feelings, which were becoming more and more distinct. The word ¡®friend¡¯ seemed to keep him from taking a step forward.


    ***


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