Chapter 35
One step, then another.
The torrential rain suddenly felt like it was magically slowing down, and Hermia’s legs gained strength. The pounding of her heart resonated in her chest more intensely than ever.
Finally, as her scuffed new shoes stepped onto the porch of the house, Hermia was enveloped in a strange sense of liberation.
Whether the fear that had weighed on her shoulders for six long years was washed away by the rain or if it was due to the absurd curse, she couldn’t quite tell…
‘I’m not scared.’
It felt as if someone was whispering in her ear that the middle-aged woman standing there was no longer as frightening as before. As all the surrounding sounds became clearer and she returned to reality, Hermia finally spoke.
“I’m back.”
The Countess glanced once at the dark carriage still standing and then at Hermia, who had stepped onto the porch with muddy feet, before smiling gently.
“Welcome back.”
“Just hearing your voice makes me a little scared.”
Hermia muttered softly as she quickly moved toward the stairs. Long streaks of muddy footprints trailed behind her.
As she climbed the stairs and passed by the large family portrait that always hung in the same spot, she suddenly stopped.
“…”
She took a step back and slowly descended again. Turning her head, she noticed an old-fashioned oil painting that always made her feel uneasy.
Like a fool, she tapped her finger on her face reflected in the muslin dress and small shoes.
“It’s okay now. It will be fine.”
Hermia calmly spoke to the girl in the frame before heading up to her room and immediately opening the terrace window.
She could hear the sound of the Duke’s carriage fading away through the heavy rain. It was also the sound of her last shield disappearing.
When she turned her head, she found that the door had quietly opened.
Seeing who appeared through it, she was surprised that she didn’t feel tense at all.
“You’ve gained a little weight, haven’t you? Is it because Dukes prefer plump women?”
Tsk. Normally, she would have sent a maid to call for someone, but here she was coming down herself.
As Hermia tossed aside her wet boots and slipped into slippers, she asked nonchalantly,
“Do you have something to say to me?”
“It’s nothing much; your father and I have discussed something…”
The Countess went over to a faded sofa and sat down but seemed uncomfortable as she shifted around a few times.
“It’s about your fiancé. While the Duke has good conditions, there are no other adults in his family… Although he comes from a noble family, he can’t be higher than a prince, right? Your father is also interested in politics; perhaps this is an opportunity…”
“Andy!”
“Yes, yes!”
Hermia shouted out into the open door, and Andy, who had clearly been eavesdropping in the hallway, immediately rushed in.
“Bring me a glass of lemonade, with plenty of sugar.”
Not water but a drink—and boldly asking for sugar—made Andy hesitate in place.
Seeing Andy glance at the Countess for approval, she shamelessly tilted her head.
“Would you like a drink? Andy, bring two glasses.”
“I’m fine. The doctor said not to have anything sweet…”
“Two glasses. I’ll drink them both.”
“…”
The Countess’s mouth fell shut with a click as she tightly closed her eyes before slowly opening them again.
“…Alright. Bring two glasses. It seems Hermia is quite thirsty.”
“Not really.”
As she said this and sat across from them, she noticed how pale and cold her face looked like just a snowman with only eyes, nose, and mouth added on.
I’m not scared.
Hermia repeated the magic words in her head once more and resolutely met the Countess’s gaze. After Andy’s footsteps faded somewhat into the distance, the Countess spoke again.
“Was that your true nature all along? I can’t believe it.”
This is how Olivia should be. The familiar reaction calmed her mind even more. The effect of the magic words was remarkable.
“To be honest, I felt chills at first. Thinking you pretended for five whole years after coming to this house.”
“It’s been six years.”
Hermia calmly corrected her without avoiding the contemptuous gaze.
“I knew you were pretending to be obedient, given your circumstances, but…”
Ha! The Countess laughed as if incredulous while fiddling with her ring-adorned fingers at her temples.
“Well, let’s stop talking about the past. If you want to succeed, you must look to the future. You can’t keep dwelling on the past. Don’t you agree?
“Of course. Future. I love that word.”
The Countess seemed quite satisfied with Hermia’s response as a gentle smile appeared on her face.
“So about what we discussed earlier: your father and I decided on a prince. It was quite a difficult decision.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“What do you mean by ‘a prince’?”
Are you out of your mind?
“Are you serious about the prince?”
As Hermia blurted out without filtering her words, the Countess’s eyes shook as if there had been an earthquake. Her chest rose and fell repeatedly as if pulling something up inside.
“Yes, yes! It’s for your future I’m saying this! You know our family lacks one thing: tradition. If we establish ties with royalty this time around… we’ll be part of a royal family…”
“Tell my father to just go join the military. Royal family? That’s nonsense; it would just be a fictional family.”
“What?! Hermia! That’s not appropriate for someone of your status to say!”
“I’m going to run a bakery.”
Oh no. That was a slip. Hermia quickly corrected herself, adjusting her posture.
“Let’s not talk about that. But aren’t you two going on vacation?”
“Vacation?”
As the Countess asked, a knock was heard, and Andy entered with a tray holding two glasses of lemonade.
Andy placed the tray on the round table and hesitated for a moment before sliding both glasses in front of Hermia. His judgment was clearly quicker than when he had been sent on an errand.
When Hermia raised her glass and gulped it down, Andy’s eyes sparkled as if she had finally understood something. She then hurriedly walked out, looking quite anxious.
‘Right. Go quickly and spread the word everywhere. The neglected illegitimate child has changed. Or maybe she’s gone mad.’
It didn’t really matter what happened. After all, she was about to leave.
Since the water had already spilled at the princess’s tea party, Hermia decided to make waves within it.
“I mean that every year you go on vacation, have parties, and play card games while I’m just used like a mouse. A vacation for you two, but hard labor for me.”
“Why exaggerate so much? We will go, but we need to resolve your marriage issue first…”
Hermia couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh. The response to her rebellion felt utterly empty compared to what it would have been before.
The next emotion that followed was naturally indignation. If she had continued to bow down low, would the Countess have backed down like this? The answer is “no way.”
Even if they didn’t feed her or took away diamond necklaces, whether she became a Duchess or a princess, she would still be seen as an easy target.
If every word had to be “Yes, Mother,” it was obvious they would try to control and manipulate her from above.
Yes. If it weren’t for that damned curse…
She took deep breaths repeatedly to calm her rising emotions.
In this moment, if the author who cast this curse were right in front of her, she might just give up all her remaining savings. Why had she ever feared such an insignificant person?
“I really want to hit myself back then.”
“W-What? What did you say?”
“I’m talking to my past self. Don’t mind me.”
It wasn’t meant as an attack; it was sincere. However, the Countess flinched and lowered her gaze sideways.
“My goodness! What did I just hear…?”
“So when are you going on vacation? I hope you leave as soon as possible.”
“Well, we’ve set a location… Do you have anywhere specific you want to go?”
The Countess still asked humbly, and Hermia scratched her ear.
“You two enjoy your trip together; I won’t be going along.”
“What do you mean by that? All servants are taking vacations too; you must be present… Are you saying you’ll stay alone in this big house?”
Hermia nodded once at her stepmother who blinked rapidly in surprise.
“That’s what I plan to do. After spending a few days at the Duke’s residence, this place doesn’t seem so big anymore.”
Compared to the Duke’s enormous mansion that could rival a department store, this place felt like just a neighborhood corner shop.
The Countess quickly stood up from her seat and began rambling incoherently now.
“If you don’t go, what are we going to do… Should we hire a maid right now? My goodness. Who should we bring? No, first I should talk to him…”
Is that lady more shocked by having no one to serve her than by her stepdaughter’s rebellion?
Leaving behind Hermia’s genuine disgust, the Countess clutched at her skirts tightly.
“Arnold! Arnold!”
It was amusing how she ran out calling for her husband’s name like a zealot at every turn.
In that moment of calm before the storm broke out again, Hermia picked up her second glass of lemonade.
Soon after, loud shouts from an angry father echoed through the wide-open door. She wondered if he could really shout like that when he needed to watch his blood pressure.
Who cares?
Slurp! The drink tasted sweeter than ever in her mouth.
—
“Are you really going to be okay alone?”
The old butler asked worriedly as Hermia nodded up and down affirmatively.
Judging by how large the trunk placed at their feet was, Philip seemed to be looking forward to this long vacation too. Hermia playfully lifted it but let go because it was too heavy.
“Take a good rest too, butler. Don’t forget your joint medicine. Oh, and this.”
She pulled out a brown bottle filled with supplements from her pocket and handed it over to Philip.
“This is from the doctor at the Duke’s place. He said it’s good for your health. You should take one after meals.”
