ITMWG 60

Chapter 60…

I want to take it away.

After a berserk moment of throwing things, Melissa’s anger still didn’t go away, but she was already so exhausted from the long journey that it was difficult for her to be acting violently any longer. In the end, Melissa sighed as she sat down on her bed and looked around her room. The carefully decorated room boasted an elegant and luxurious appearance. Since she was not a Marquis’s daughter from birth, Melissa’s taste was somewhat lacking, but even to her, the room looked decent. And it wasn’t just this one room. On the way here, she looked around Aylesford Castle intently and found it all quite pleasant to the eyes.

Are the rumours going around the capital recently true?

Rumours about Aylesford were a major topic of conversation in the capital society these days. It was said that a magic stone mine was discovered in the territory where people barely managed to get by by killing disgusting monsters, and the landlord became rich overnight. People were skeptical of the rumour. Even if a magic stone mine was discovered, how could one become that rich? No, even the discovery of the magic stone mine was suspected to be just a rumour as well. If not, there were claims that a magic stone mine was indeed discovered and the estate did become rich, but they had spent money ridiculously and lived like nouveau riche. All sort of rumours were circulating in social circles. When Melissa realised that the rumoured Aylesford was where Nadia had married into, she sent a letter straight to her. She somehow wanted to confirm the truth. But no matter how many letters she sent, Nadia never responded. How dare this girl ignore her once she had got married? That eyesore might think that her situation had changed since she had become wealthy, so Melissa thought she might as well remind her that her situation was still the same. The thought crossed her mind at the heated moment, so she immediately packed her things and headed towards Aylesford. Her father, the Marquis of Vine, also supported Melissa’s intention of going to Aylesford. He asked her to take a good look at what the situation was like at Aylesford. If Aylesford really became rich as rumoured, the Marquis of Vine was expected to be able to get a lot of things out of Nadia, since they were the baroness’ relatives.

Melissa bit her nails as her legs shook with anxiety. As a matter of fact, the moment she arrived at Aylesford, she was intimidated by the grandeur of the castle. However, it would hurt her pride if she let it show so she raised her voice, but far from boasting her status, she was humiliated.

And what’s with the baron anyway?

I definitely heard that he was crippled. They also said he was really ugly. But suddenly, an incredibly handsome man with a sturdy physique appeared and said he was Nadia’s husband. Melissa was in disbelief.

If he was such a good marriage partner, I should have had him!

Baron Aylesford was a much more handsome man than the men in the capital. Unlike other men who were accustomed to the peaceful monastic life in the capital, his sturdy and strong body fascinated her.

It’s rare to find a husband like that.

It bothered her that the estate was in the countryside, but if they bought a mansion in the capital after getting married and stayed there throughout the social season, it wouldn’t be a problem.

It was a mistake to believe the rumours.

After a little more consideration, this luck could have been hers. There was a mix of regret and jealousy in her mind, making her feel very uncomfortable. Plus, there was something quite bizarre.

The Marquis of Vine was very angry when he knew that Melissa had mentioned the rumours about her husband in front of Nadia. He was afraid that if she found out she would cry and complain. However, contrary to the marquis’ worries, Nadia obediently left for Aylesford, even after hearing the rumours about her husband from Melissa. At the time, she thought Nadia had given up, but the situation made her doubts soar.

No way… Did she know in advance that her husband was actually fine?

Considering that a girl who trembled even at trivial things could be calm about such a big problem, it was quite possible. When she thought about it that way, she felt really baffled and annoyed.

Ha! Turns out that sly fox acted like that to get a good marriage?

It was a guess at first, but the more she thought about it, the more she became convinced. Melissa gritted her teeth, shouting ‘Nadia, that foxy bitch!’ in her head. The Vine Marquis was a prestigious family in the capital, but after Melissa’s father took over the title, their wealth was rapidly decreasing. The seemingly endless balance dried up little by little, and the warehouse that was full of all kinds of treasures gradually became empty. Her father and Melissa only ever spent money, they hardly earned it. They were only starting to learn how to manage the family’s businesses on surface’s level, so they were losing money in key areas. To make up for it, they confidently started several businesses, but just ended up losing money in everything they did, so she couldn’t just sit still. And amidst this situation, there was Aylesford… Perhaps  she could have had the position as the baroness of this wealthy estate… She started to have coveting thoughts.

If I want it… I have to have it.

The only thing that girl has is her face anyway.

That air-headed girl never had anything special except for her face. After the former marquis and his wife tragically passed away, marriage talks concerning Nadia came in from quite a few places. Of course, the Marquis eliminated all the prospective ones with good status. He did not want to give her a chance to rise back to her original position, since she might gain strength and try to reclaim her family.

But how can I take this away from her?

It would have been much easier if it had been before the wedding. Now, Nadia and the Baron were already bound by a sacred marriage. To take this position, the two must first separate. There were two ways. All she had to do was seduce the Baron and make him hers, or make Nadia leave on her own.

It would be simple to kick out Nadia. This should be fairly easy.

So it was right for her to choose the latter option. But when she remembered the handsome face with a cold demeanor… As Mellissa organised her thoughts, a flurry of heat rushed to her face.

It would be more miserable if she is abandoned than leaving on her own. I’m going to make her life dreadful.

Not only was she lucky enough to be the daughter of a marquis from the moment she was born, but she was also able to find a good husband and thrive. There was no way Mellissa could let this be. Such a good position should be held by those who work hard, not those who were lucky. In her mind, Melissa pictured the handsome baron at her side. They were, after all, a gorgeous man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven. She could already picture Nadia’s desperate face looking at the two of them…A smile was naturally drawn on her face.

Melissa let out a scoff and looked around the messy room. At first she was so annoyed that she took her anger out on the surroundings, but now, she felt like all the broken items were a waste, as they would eventually be hers anyway.

“I guess I would have to treat them with care. In the end, they will all be mine.”

Melissa began to hum as she carefully picked up the items that had fallen on the floor and returned them to their original places.

❈❈❈

As Nadia trudged down the hallway with Altair, she sneaked a glance at him. His expression was stoic as usual, but he seemed a little angry.

“I’m sorry.”

Altair stopped short at the apology she muttered and turned to her with a frown.

“What are you sorry about?”

“Melissa. She was very rude.”

“So? Why are you apologising for that woman? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Uh…But she’s my cousin…”

“Did I apologise to you for what that crazy bastard Balhail did?”

“How different?”

Altair’s next question left her speechless. After listening to his words, Nadia really felt like she didn’t have to apologise for Melissa’s rudeness.

“See? Why are you apologising just because that woman is a maniac? Don’t ever apologise for her nasty personality.”

“Maniac…”

The explicit evaluation made Nadia burst into laughter without realising it. Every time she saw Melissa, she never really knew how to perceive her, but the word ‘maniac’ was perfect for her. It was only today that she found the refreshing answer.

“How could you say that so openly?”

“Such a crazy person is called a maniac, what else can you call her? You should say it too.”

“Pardon?”

“Try saying it once. Ma-, ni-, ac.”

“That…”

Altair pronounced the syllabus one by one, as if asking Nadia to repeat them. She looked at him awkwardly, then mustered up her courage and carefully parted her lips.

“Ma-…maniac…”

“She really is a maniac. I’m telling you.”

The second time was a little easier. After roasting her, Nadia felt refreshed. Relieved, the stories she had buried deep came out with more ease.

“You really have no idea how crazy that girl is. In the past, when she said she liked my headdress, she grabbed my hair and snatched it away. The servants who witnessed it laughed at me…I was really embarrassed.”

“…”

“Whenever I ate something, she would flip the plate over if she found it annoying for no reason. She even tore up all my dresses, so there was a time when I had to wear a summer dress in the winter… also… ”

“…”

Altair was silent even as she continued to talk. Nadia thought she might have gossiped too much because she was too excited, so she quickly closed her mouth and Altair’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Why did you stop talking?”

“No, I’m done.”

“Hmm. If you say so.”

Altair let out a strange sigh and lightly stroked her head. Her face suddenly got hot, as it felt a little different from usual.

“There’s no need to go in such a hurry…”

Altair tried to grab her, but she felt like things would take an unexpected turn if she continued to stand there in this strange mood, so she ignored his voice and ran towards Pavel.

Pavel tilted her head curiously as he saw Nadia rushing towards him.

“Madame, are there any urgent matters?”

“Because a guest suddenly arrived. There are a lot of things we need to decide together.”

“You can leave that to me though…”

“Uh … That girl is a maniac, so if we prepare half-heartedly, the workers will be in trouble for no reason. I think it would be better for me to take care of it myself.”

“…Pardon? A maniac… ?”

Pavel’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. He even shook his head, confirming that his ears were not at fault.

“Yes. A maniac.”

“That…I see. So you are saying she is insane.”

“Yes!”

“And there’s something I want to ask you. It’s a bit hard to ask Altair… Because it’s a difficult subject to bring up.”

“Yes. Please feel free to ask. I will tell you everything to the best of my knowledge.”

“It’s a matter that relates to the deceased baron and baroness.”

Altair was still mourning the death of his parents. She could tell just from seeing how the space where the two passed away was left as it was.

So, rather than asking Altair, it would be better to ask someone he trusts and who is likely to know this matter well.

Pavel fitted the criteria perfectly. Nadia cautiously lowered her voice and asked Pavel the big question, and his face hardened with seriousness upon hearing the matter.

“By any chance … Were the two’s deaths a murder?”