Chapter 25

. The Mother-in-Law’s Apology

“My testimony ends here, Your Grace.”

Sella gave Kallian a small bow and stepped behind Essika.

As she lowered her head, Sella’s mind was filled with admiration for Essika.

“I will make sure your sister receives compensation for her injuries.”

She had anticipated everything that would happen like this…

Her ability was truly amazing.

“……Duke……”

Yuri was trembling as tears streamed down her face.

It felt as if there was a cliff in front of her and another cliff behind her.

“There is nothing but disappointment when it comes to you.”

Kallian’s face was slightly red as he spoke coldly to Yuri.

He had completely lost face in front of Essika.

He had believed everything the head maid told him and warned his own wife that she would have to pay the price.

And he had confidently declared that he would stake the honor of House Klaus on behalf of a maid.

Yet the culprit who had been revealed was obviously Riona.

A feeling of humiliation washed over him.

“……Damn it.”

He touched his forehead and moved his lips.

He could not even imagine what he should say to Essika.

“Since this ridiculous attempt to paint me as a wicked woman seems to be over, I think I’ll leave.”

Essika’s cold voice reached his ears.

“……Essika……”

Kallian tried to call her, but she turned around so quickly that a cold breeze seemed to follow her.

Sella did the same.

Kallian stretched out his hand, but Essika had already opened the door and left the room.

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

“……Damn it!”

Kallian fiercely kicked the box of canes that Sella had left behind.

At the loud crash of the box breaking apart, Yuri flinched and trembled even more.

**

Meanwhile, Riona was lying down while the maids massaged her legs, a smile on her lips.

Essika. No matter how much she struggles, she is still the same foolish Essika.

I should make sure she understands clearly what happens when she dares to rebel against me.

“You should all watch carefully.”

The maids flinched at Riona’s words.

“See what happens to something worthless that does not know its place and dares to challenge me.”

They lowered their heads as much as possible and focused on massaging Riona.

Riona Klaus.

In the House of Klaus, no one dared to go against her wishes.

She had even controlled her own son, Duke Kallian Klaus, according to her will.

Whenever she shed tears or made a gesture, Kallian became angry and sympathized with her.

Kallian Klaus had shown extraordinary filial devotion to the mother who had pushed aside the legitimate wife and children of the previous Duke of Klaus and secured the position of duke for her young son.

There was no way anyone could destroy the relationship between the two of them.

However, a short while later, someone began pounding on the door.

The maid who had been massaging Riona’s legs hurriedly stood up, but before she could open the door from inside, it was suddenly thrown open.

“……”

Riona, who had been lying down and receiving a massage, frowned between her delicate eyebrows and turned her head.

Kallian was standing there.

His face was much paler than before.

Another maid slowly helped Riona sit up.

Riona sat upright and looked at her approaching son.

There was no longer any of the warm affection that had always lingered in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

At that moment, Riona felt a terrible sense of anxiety.

“What is the matter, Duke?”

But Riona did not show her anxiety and asked gently.

Kallian stared at Riona silently for a long time.

Then he opened his stiff lips.

“I have always told Mother the truth. So…… Mother should tell me the truth as well.”

Yuri had eventually confessed everything to Kallian.

She had told him that it was the Duchess Dowager who had injured her calves so badly.

And she had also told him that if Kallian told Riona about it, she might be killed.

As Yuri trembled and begged for mercy, Kallian had coldly told her something.

He said that although she was afraid of his mother, Essika apparently had not been afraid of her at all.

Yuri had lowered her head and burst into tears.

Were those really tears of remorse?

Kallian felt that he could no longer trust Yuri either.

Without comforting the crying Yuri, Kallian went straight to Riona.

“What do you mean?”

Riona’s eyes trembled.

She felt guilty about questioning a mother who had always devoted herself to the ducal family.

But once he had put the honor of House Klaus on the line, Kallian could not simply let this go.

“The person who abused the maids was not Essika.”

A low voice escaped Kallian’s lips.

For a moment, Riona’s fingers twitched slightly.

Yuri, that useless girl.

The thought flashed through Riona’s mind.

“Duke……”

“Was it you, Mother?”

Kallian’s eyebrows were rigid.

The corner of Riona’s lips, which had been gently raised, twitched.

“Tell me.”

**

Essika was once again concentrating on her meditation.

As she focused her mind on her dantian, clear energy gathered inside her.

She let her body follow the flow of energy and focused on her training.

She felt as if her mind were becoming clearer.

After all, for someone who possessed the knowledge of a master, swordsmanship and techniques were merely forms.

There was no need to rush into sword training.

It would not be too late to begin after she had accumulated enough inner energy.

If I train for another month or so, I should be able to reach the level of an ordinary knight.

Thanks to the medicinal supplements she took regularly and her meditation, she had made considerable progress.

She was still far from reaching the level she had achieved in the past……

But recovering even half of her original strength would already be a success.

When Essika finished meditating and stood up, Sella entered the room at exactly the right moment.

“……Madam.”

Essika had already noticed that the atmosphere in the mansion had changed.

Sella looked nervous and seemed unsure of what to do as she spoke.

“The Duchess Dowager has summoned you.”

The Essika of the past would have become anxious and started to cry.

Riona Klaus, Kallian’s mother, had hated Essika terribly.

Her twisted obsession with her son, combined with her naturally cruel personality, had caused her to torment Essika mercilessly.

Of course, if she had only used simple methods, it would have been better.

Riona’s method was to burn away and gnaw at Essika’s soul without giving her even a moment to breathe.

“Alright.”

Essika answered casually with a faint smile.

“But did you receive your compensation?”

“Yes. His Grace ordered the butler to compensate me for what happened to my younger sister. It’s all thanks to you, Madam.”

Sella suddenly spoke to Essika with an emotional tone.

Since Kallian had sworn on the honor of House Klaus, he probably had no choice.

Essika neatly adjusted her dress and headed toward the flower garden where Riona usually had tea.

The maids glanced rudely at her as she walked proudly.

But now, no one dared openly gossip about her.

When Essika reached the flower garden, she approached Riona’s table with graceful steps.

Riona was drinking tea there, with Yuri standing behind her.

Seeing that Yuri’s face was red as if she had been slapped, Essika almost laughed.

She suppressed her amusement, placed a hand over her chest, and bowed to Riona.

“Mother, it has been a long time.”

At Essika’s voice, Riona slowly raised her proud gaze.

Her elegant blonde hair was pinned up, and her violet eyes were the same color as Kallian’s.

“Yes, it has been a long time. Sit down.”

With Riona’s permission, Essika sat across from her.

A chilly atmosphere settled between them.

Although Riona’s eyes appeared calm at first glance, there was a venom in them as strong as that of a snake.

“Yuri, pour her some tea.”

At Riona’s command, Yuri approached Essika and filled her teacup.

Essika could feel Yuri’s cold gaze.

But she simply enjoyed it inwardly, as if she were chewing on a delicious snack.

“I heard that the Duke moved your room. He also said that you seemed to have reflected enough on your actions.”

“……”

“Starting today, I intend to receive your greetings again.”

Ever since Riona had driven Essika into the small, secluded room, she had refused to accept Essika’s greetings.

Even when Essika knelt in front of her room and begged forgiveness for things she had never done, or cried and pleaded with her, Riona’s attitude had remained as rigid as a sword.

It had not been meant to teach Essika a lesson.

It had been meant to humiliate and torment her.

Even the maids mocked Essika, and the endless humiliation had left deep wounds in her heart.

“I am deeply grateful for Mother’s forgiveness and mercy.”

Essika answered with a gentle smile.

Riona’s eyebrow twitched at her attitude.

Riona had never liked this young woman who dared to push herself into the place beside her precious son.

She wished for this girl, who had grown up in a vulgar wealthy family with a worthless title, to suffer misfortune.

That was why seeing Essika smile always stirred a snake-like fighting spirit within her.

“And……”

Riona’s hand tightened around her teacup.

“It seems the Duke misunderstood what happened.”

For Riona, what had happened that day had been like a nightmare.

Kallian had asked her why she had blamed Essika for the abuse.

As usual, Riona had tried to gently calm Kallian by telling him that everything she did was for the sake of the ducal family.

But this time was different.

Kallian had changed.

For the first time, doubt toward his mother filled his eyes.

The son who had always been within her grasp was now standing outside her control and questioning her.

It was something Riona had never experienced in her entire life.

Not only had Kallian doubted Riona, he had also firmly demanded something from her.

“Apologize to Essika.”

Riona’s eyes trembled as though she had been deeply hurt, but Kallian’s attitude did not change.

“She was falsely accused of something she did not do. And I……”

Kallian’s tightly clenched fist trembled.

“……Damn it.”