Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Chloe was no longer the weak, foolish, and pitiful Chloe of the past. More and more people had begun to trust and even admire her.

At this point, even the servants who had ignored or looked down on her were starting to realize: it was dangerous to go against Chloe now.

The servants of the ducal household began watching Chloe’s mood carefully and tried to curry favor with her.

“Madam, is there anything you need?”

“Madam, just give us your orders.”

“Madam, would you like a massage?”

It seemed the servants were trying to win Chloe’s favor to atone for their past mistakes.

Chloe found the situation absurd. She inherently disliked people who treated others differently based on power or status. It was an unpleasant experience to see those who once scorned her now bowing and scraping just because her influence had shifted slightly.

Still, there wasn’t much she could do. She still didn’t have the authority to hire or fire the staff. For now, Chloe decided to simply observe the situation.

Meanwhile, there was someone else growing increasingly anxious—Lady Coleen.

Fury boiled inside her. She had even risked forging a requisition order, but Chloe had turned the situation to her advantage. When Lady Coleen heard that Chloe had ultimately gained control over the budget, it felt like the sky was falling.

There weren’t many chances left. If she let things continue, she’d never return to the past—a time when she was always above Chloe, when a single word from her could send Chloe to heaven or hell.

Lady Coleen believed that at this point, there was no turning back unless she used any means necessary. 

She clenched her teeth. She had to bring Chloe down. If not, she herself would fall.

***

“Madam, have you heard of it? There’s a place called the Ice Pond in the northern forest.”

Marie, who was brushing Chloe’s hair, said this. Chloe responded,

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s a mysterious place kept frozen by magical power even in summer. They say it’s cool and beautiful, a great spot to visit during hot weather.”

When Chloe didn’t show much interest, Marie added quickly,

“And the northern forest is well-preserved, with many pretty flowers and trees. With the weather being so hot these days, I think it’s a perfect place to go for an outing.”

‘She must really want to go.’ Chloe thought.

It hadn’t been long since Josephine had been dismissed. With her direct maid gone, Marie and Nina, who were her remaining handmaids, had seemed a little down for a while. (Still, they also suspected that Josephine had forged the order to disgrace Chloe. They knew what Josephine was like.)

Chloe glanced at Nina, her exclusive maid, who was holding her clothes. Though her lips were sealed, there was a subtle look of anticipation in her eyes.

To win someone over, one must use both the carrot and the stick. The stick had already been used… perhaps now it was time for the carrot. With that thought, Chloe said:

“All right, then. Let’s go. Next time, let’s all go on a picnic together.”

“Really?!”

Marie was delighted.

So it was settled: Chloe, Lady Coleen, Marie, and Nina would go on a picnic to the northern forest two days later.

***

But the night before the picnic, Lady Coleen suddenly announced that she would be going out. She claimed there was a family emergency.

“If something happened at your family’s home, I understand. Travel safely,” Chloe said calmly.

After bowing to Chloe, Lady Coleen left the bedroom with her packed bag.

As she walked through the hallway and out the main entrance, Lady Coleen smirked secretly.

The Ice Pond in the northern forest—the picnic spot—had been her suggestion. It was a beautiful place, but as beautiful as it was, it was also dangerous.

The pond was home to small magical creatures called ‘Sudu frogs.’ A bite from one would cause a severe fever. While rarely fatal, it left permanent scarring all over the body.

Chloe’s face, the only part of her that could be considered attractive, would be hideously disfigured. On top of that, she’d be blamed for putting her maids in danger. Her reputation would be ruined. Her influence would inevitably decline.

Lady Coleen had concealed all this and simply told Marie about the beauty of the Ice Pond as if in casual conversation. Marie, the most naive and least perceptive of the maids, had taken the words at face value and persuaded Chloe.

Looking forward to what would unfold in two days, Lady Coleen briskly left the duchy.

***

The next morning, Chloe rose early and got ready with her maids’ help. Her hair, styled into one braid with a purple ribbon, looked elegant yet lively.

Wearing a neat and comfortable dress, she packed a basket with snacks and a mat and headed toward the northern forest with her exclusive maids. The forest was close enough to reach on foot via the west gate, the gate closest to it.

However, the west gate was also the one closest to the Battenberg Knights.

“Oh? Madam! Where are you going?”

Chloe and her maids ran into the three knight companions. Recognizing their familiar faces, Chloe smiled warmly.

“Ah, Jacob, Balt, Cain! We’re on our way to the northern forest.”

“What? The northern forest?!”

The knights’ eyes widened in shock. Chloe tilted her head, puzzled by their unexpected reaction.

“W-why are you going to the northern forest, Madam?”

“I heard there’s a place called the Ice Pond. We were planning a picnic there.”

“Oh dear, Madam, you’re so fearless! A picnic in the northern forest?!”

Jacob waved his hands in alarm.

“There are wild animals and magical creatures in that forest! The scenery’s nice, sure, but it’s not a safe place for delicate ladies to wander!”

“Oh my! Wild animals and magical creatures? I had no idea! That could’ve been dangerous. Thank you for telling me.”

At those words, Chloe immediately abandoned the idea of going.

“Ha ha ha! Think nothing of it, Madam! We are the swords of Battenberg—your swords! Your safety is always our top priority.”

Jacob laughed heartily, clearly pleased with Chloe’s gratitude. Watching him for a moment, Chloe turned to look at her maids.

Marie looked visibly flustered.

‘Did Marie know about the danger and suggest it on purpose? Or…’

Chloe pondered. Marie had once joined Josephine and Lady Coleen in tormenting her. She could bear a grudge against Chloe.

But… if Marie knew it was dangerous, it didn’t make sense for her to follow Chloe there. Maybe she planned to slip away later, but Chloe had a different suspicion.

‘…Lady Coleen.’

It was strange that Lady Coleen left the night before, citing a family issue.

If Chloe assumed it was Lady Coleen who had told Marie about the Ice Pond and its supposed beauty, everything made perfect sense. Lady Coleen harbored a grudge against Chloe and had tried to send her into danger. Then, to avoid the danger herself, she claimed a family emergency and backed out the night before.