NIYTR 53

Chapter 53

Staged Act

Rosemary glared at Countess Scherna for a long moment before finally speaking.

“…You keep looking down on me, calling me a bastard again and again, but don’t you realize that nothing can change the fact that I have the Duke of Stern’s blood?”

It seemed Rosemary’s temper flared just as much at the mention of her illegitimacy, so she fired back without backing down.

“If you’re just talking about birth, my lineage is nobler than yours, Countess.”

“Ha, what did you say—”

“I’m just giving you some advice: you shouldn’t do anything that would make Count Scherna hang her head in shame.”

“……”

“I hear your father is busy playing around with his mistress. Do you really want to be another headache for his only daughter?”

Rosemary raised her chin triumphantly, even dragging Count Scherna’s scandal into the fray. Edelweiss frowned at the conversation getting more heated by the second.

‘I need to separate them now.’

Just as Edelweiss reached out, the Marquess of Riche’s daughter caught her arm and shook her head.

“Look at Leoni’s eyes. She won’t listen even if you try to stop her now…”

Edelweiss looked at Countess Scherna. Her crimson eyes were focused and icy.

‘So that’s what she meant.’

In a flash, Countess Scherna grabbed a fistful of Rosemary’s light brown hair.

“Kyaaa! Let go! Are you crazy?”

“Shall we compare our mothers’ statuses, too? Your mother was a commoner. My mother is a princess of Zarnia.”

“I said let go!”

Rosemary tried to grab Countess Scherna’s hair as well, but she was no match for someone who had lost all restraint.

“Go ask your precious duke whether your noble blood is higher than mine, the daughter of a princess!”

Countess Scherna released Rosemary with a rough push.

“My father may be busy with his mistress, but just like that mistress, your lowly commoner mother will never be more than a mere concubine, no matter how hard she tries.”

“Aaagh!”

Rosemary lost her balance, limping and falling backward.

Now that her limp was revealed so clearly, she bit her lip until it bled, overcome with humiliation.

“Countess Scherna.”

Edelweiss calmly called her name. Countess Scherna caught her breath, then bowed her head.

“…I’m sorry for showing such an unbecoming side, Young Marchioness.”

“It’s alright. I understand completely. I’ll handle things from here, so please calm down and return with Lady Riche.”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

The Marquess’s daughter led Countess Scherna out of the drawing room. Edelweiss reached out a hand to Rosemary, who was still crouched on the floor.

“Sister, the floor is cold. Get up.”

Smack!

Rosemary slapped Edelweiss’s hand away, her eyes venomous.

“If you don’t want my help, there’s nothing I can do.”

Edelweiss withdrew her stinging hand. Rosemary couldn’t even get up by herself, so refusing help only hurt her further.

“Sister, why do you think I took your ruby necklace?”

“……”

“You know as well as I do, I have the key to Blossomweaver’s treasure vault. As Lady of Oberlin, there’s nothing I can’t have.”

“……”

“So why would I steal your ruby necklace? It’s not even something I could wear.”

Edelweiss provoked her on purpose.

‘It’s hard to deceive her completely, so maybe I should keep her confused—make her unable to shake her doubts, but always give her something to support my innocence.’

“I was happy you’d found such a powerful supporter in Empress Roxanne. I never imagined you’d suspect me, of all people, over the ruby necklace the Empress gave you.”

“You, you—”

“You even picked a fight with my guest, Countess Scherna, and claim the butterfly I command made the flowers wilt? Sister, I know you’re upset about the missing necklace, but there’s a limit to my patience too.”

One day, when everything is revealed… maybe she should command the butterfly to wilt the flowers in front of Rosemary, just to prove her guess was right and drive her even crazier.

As Edelweiss left the drawing room, she added,

“I’ll send for the Stern family’s coachman. Since you don’t want my help getting up, please be careful heading home.”

“Hey! Where are you going!”

“And next time, I hope you’ll apologize—for suspecting me and for being rude to my guests.”

Not long after Rosemary left—

“Young mistress, Countess Lumire is here to see you,” Anna announced.

Edelweiss composed her face, feigning confusion as she headed downstairs.

“Countess Lumire.”

“Young Marchioness. Forgive my sudden visit. It’s just that Her Majesty Empress Roxanne has summoned you. May I ask if you could accompany me?”

“Empress… Her Majesty?” Edelweiss hesitated, then turned to Anna.

“Anna. Please tell my father we’ll have to see the play another time.”

“Yes, I’ll let the marquess know, young mistress.”

There wasn’t actually any plan to see a play with the Marquis of Blossomweaver, but Anna picked up on Edelweiss’s cue and didn’t ask any questions.

“Oh my, you had plans with the marquis. What should we do?”

Countess Lumire asked, sounding flustered.

“It’s no problem. After all, it’s Her Majesty the Empress who is calling. Of course I must go.”

Countess Lumire was Empress Roxanne’s younger sister. When Edelweiss made it clear she would prioritize Empress Roxanne over other plans, the countess’s expression softened noticeably.

“Ah, Countess Lumire. If it’s not too much trouble, could you wait while I change?”

“If it’s just for a moment, I don’t mind…”

Edelweiss was already dressed well enough to enter the palace immediately, and Countess Lumire’s eyes showed a hint of confusion.

“I just want to appear before Her Majesty Roxanne in a more composed manner. I’d like to pay my respects to Princess Isabella as well.”

“My, how thoughtful you are. Yes, take your time, I’ll wait.”

Countess Lumire’s eyes glistened, as if moved by a reason she hadn’t expected.

“Thank you. Anna, please take care of Countess Lumire and make sure she’s comfortable.”

“At your command, young mistress. This way, Countess.”

Edelweiss watched Anna escort Countess Lumire to the drawing room. She seemed pleased with Anna’s polite and attentive manner.

‘Isabella, I’ll make sure Count Sandor’s real daughter can’t use your mother anymore.’

Edelweiss removed all her jewelry and changed into a dark-colored dress, making a silent vow.

Hoping to bring Isabella even a little justice, she took a deep breath.

She rode in the carriage with Countess Lumire.

She made sure not to appear too calm, not wanting it to look as if she had expected the countess’s visit.

Edelweiss let her hands tremble slightly as she asked carefully,

“By the way, do you know why Her Majesty wants to see me?”

Countess Lumire, seeing this, hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a sympathetic look.

“Viscountess Benel entered the palace earlier and reported to Her Majesty that you stole the ruby necklace she received.”

“…Ah, so Sister finally…”

“Young Marchioness? What do you mean, ‘finally’?”

Edelweiss bit her lip and looked down. Countess Lumire, curious, pressed for an answer.

“When I visited the Duke of Stern’s house yesterday, she confronted me, saying the necklace disappeared after I left her room…”

“Oh my…”

“She wouldn’t believe me, no matter what I said. I really don’t know what to tell Her Majesty.”

“Young Marchioness, don’t worry too much. I’ve heard a few things, so I’m sure your name will be cleared soon.”