Chapter 62
Raylenne finally understood why Macphin disliked her.
‘You were in love with Aiden,’ she realized.
It wasn’t surprising, considering the rumors about Aiden’s popularity among the noble ladies. The words Janie had once said flashed through her mind:
“To the extent that a count’s daughter, infatuated with Lord Aiden, would visit the front of the mansion every day for days on end.”
Could that count’s daughter have been Macphin? Raylenne’s eyebrows furrowed. Knowing the reason for Macphin’s animosity should have made her feel better, but instead, it left her feeling irritated. It was, after all, Aiden’s fault for deceitfully keeping this from her. He had suspiciously kept quiet about Macphin, perhaps anticipating she would confront him about it.
“Macphin, my daughter, I didn’t invite Lady Raylenne because I like her,” Lady Shablin spoke gently.
“Then why…?”
“Recently, there’s been talk at the Imperial Palace about Lady Raylenne being a potential match for Crown Prince Harbian.”
“What?!”
The news was shocking enough to stop Macphin’s tears instantly, and Raylenne, overhearing the conversation, was equally taken aback.
‘Does someone know about this?’ she wondered. The Duke of Ergen had been handling the matter discreetly since nothing was confirmed yet. But it seemed there were no secrets that didn’t eventually leak out. The soothing sound of a hand patting and Lady Shablin’s gentle voice continued.
“So Macphin, forget about Lord Aiden and try to get on Lady Raylenne’s good side. She might become the next Empress.”
* * *
After that, Macphin became noticeably more subdued. She didn’t actively engage with Raylenne, but the hostility and glares ceased. The same was true for Lavita. Since returning from the restroom, Lavita had been quiet, like a shadow. Thankfully, some ladies at the tea party had approached Lavita kindly after the earlier incident, making the atmosphere light and friendly.
“Miss!”
As Raylenne approached the carriage, Janie, who had been waiting, greeted her enthusiastically, as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages.
“Was everything alright?”
“Nothing happened.”
“Were there any noble ladies giving you trouble?”
There had been, but Raylenne didn’t want to recount the details. Finding it bothersome, she simply shook her head.
“No, there weren’t.”
Even after getting into the carriage, Janie kept chattering.
“Really? That’s a relief. I was a bit worried.”
Janie clasped her small hands tightly.
“I was worried someone might mistreat you. Some people do speak badly of you behind your back.”
“What do they say…?”
“They say it’s not because of health issues that you haven’t attended social gatherings, but because you have a phobia of people and have driven away many maids because of it.”
These were all things Macphin had mentioned. ‘Which were also true,’ Raylenne thought. Though she handled the situation well, everything said had been true.
“Of course… that may have been the case in the past, but not now.”
Raylenne tilted her head slightly at Janie’s words.
“And how do you feel about me now?”
“You’ve completely changed!”
Janie’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“It’s hard to believe you’re the same person as before.”
“…Really?”
Raylenne felt a pang of guilt. She had tried to gradually change her behavior to not arouse suspicion, but it seemed she hadn’t managed the transition smoothly. However, Janie didn’t seem to find it strange.
“Honestly, I hesitated when I received the offer to become your maid. If our family’s crops hadn’t failed this year, I probably wouldn’t have accepted.”
Janie seemed quite comfortable with Raylenne now, casually speaking her mind.
“Of course, I don’t regret becoming your maid now!”
Raylenne found Janie’s determined tone endearing. Her cheerful energy was uplifting and having someone like Janie around was convenient. ‘She’s so straightforward and answers anything I ask,’ Raylenne thought.
Raylenne decided to ask something that had been on her mind.
“Earlier, Macphin mentioned my late mother.”
“Gasp… she did?”
Janie seemed just as shocked as Raylenne felt. In truth, Raylenne had been preoccupied with what Macphin had said.
“The rumor is that the reason Lady Raylenne doesn’t leave the castle is that she’s traumatized by her mother’s death,” Macphin had said.
Since taking over Raylenne’s body, she had never heard anyone mention her mother, the late Duchess of Ergen. It was as if her mother’s death was a taboo subject that no one, not even Caverion or Helis, dared to speak of.
Raylenne looked expectantly at Janie, hoping she might reveal something.
“It was wrong of Macphin to bring up the late Duchess…”
Janie murmured, looking sullen. Raylenne stared at her, waiting for her to continue.
“Is it true that I stayed within the castle walls because I was too shocked by my mother’s death?”
“Well…”
“How do others view my mother and me to say such things?”
Janie hesitated, glancing at Raylenne with large, uncertain eyes.
However, Raylenne sensed that Janie would eventually speak.
“Um, well…”
“It’s alright, just tell me.”
“The reason the Duchess passed away…”
Janie glanced up at Raylenne cautiously, taking longer than usual to speak.
“The reason she passed away?”
“Some say it might be because of you…”
“What?”
Raylenne’s expression hardened instantly. Startled by her reaction, Janie jumped like a frightened animal and quickly added, “Of course, it’s just gossip! Most people don’t believe it! I don’t either!”
Despite Janie’s attempt to console her, Raylenne couldn’t respond. It wasn’t because she was upset; a splitting headache had suddenly struck her. She clutched her head and lowered it in pain.
“Ugh…”
Janie leaned in closer, her face full of concern. “Miss, what’s wrong?!”
Raylenne could only groan. The pain was unbearable, reminiscent of the time she had consumed the Hayashin fruit. Just as she felt she couldn’t endure it any longer, the headache began to subside. Slowly, Raylenne raised her head.
“Miss, your lips are bleeding…!”
Janie hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against Raylenne’s lips. She had bitten her lip without realizing it, and the handkerchief showed a stain of red.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes…”
Raylenne replied, her expression easing as the pain dissipated, leaving her feeling as if a clear sky had replaced a storm. ‘What was that just now?’
“I must have upset you by being too honest. I’m sorry if it hurt you, Miss.”
Raylenne consoled Janie, who looked as if she might burst into tears. “Sometimes I get these headaches. Being around so many people today probably triggered it.”
As Janie’s expression showed signs of relief from guilt, Raylenne cautiously asked, “But… are there really people who think my mother’s death is my fault?”
“There are some who say that. They think the Duchess died because of you, and that the trauma led you to develop a fear of people, keeping you from leaving the house. Those people are just awful!”
Janie spoke with a fierce determination, as if ready to defend Raylenne.
“Don’t worry about it, Miss. They’re just a minority.”
“I see…”
Raylenne answered nonchalantly, but the sudden headache made her uneasy, as if there might be some truth to the rumors.
‘Isn’t it natural to hear from the person involved rather than from a third party?’
As she had told Macphin earlier, only the person involved would know the truth.
* * *
As soon as Raylenne arrived at the mansion, she went straight to the underground prison. Aiden’s pale gray eyes, glimmering softly, met hers. The heaviness in her heart seemed to lighten at the sight of him. Was it just her imagination?
She quickly realized it wasn’t.
‘This guy…’
He was becoming more handsome by the day. Under the moonlight, Aiden had appeared strikingly handsome, as if radiating some special allure. Even now, in the dim light of the cell, he seemed just as attractive. Like a beautiful landscape lifting one’s spirits, Aiden’s handsome face seemed to have a healing effect. Although Caverion was also handsome, Raylenne didn’t feel as soothed by him, perhaps because they were related.
“I smell perfume.”
Aiden murmured quietly, lifting his head.
“You have a new perfume scent on you, Lady Raylenne. Did you go out today?”
“I attended the tea party I mentioned before.”
As she answered, Raylenne kicked off her shoes and tossed them aside. Her feet were sore from wearing high heels all day. She sat down on the floor, not caring if her expensive dress got dirty. It was nice not to have to maintain appearances in front of Aiden.
“Did you meet Miss Lavita?”
“Yes.”
Lavita had seemed overly withdrawn. Raylenne felt both pity and concern for her, wondering if she could uncover the truth about Lavita’s hidden son.
“It wasn’t easy, was it?”
Raylenne looked up at Aiden. “How did you know?”
“It shows on your face.”
Really…? Raylenne touched her chin, as if trying to feel the worry that must be evident there.
“As you said, I’m concerned. I invited Lavita to the mansion, but she hesitated to accept.”
“Then there’s no need to worry.”
Aiden continued calmly, “Miss Lavita will definitely come.”
Raylenne tilted her head in confusion, prompting Aiden to elaborate.
“You are generous to those who are weak, Lady Raylenne. Miss Lavita must have sensed your kindness.”
Raylenne marveled at how accurately Aiden described the situation, as if he had been there.
But more importantly…
“Why do you think Lavita is weak?”
“My mother mentioned that Lavita became somber after getting involved with Harbian. A reserved young lady like her is bound to be isolated from the group.”
Raylenne was impressed by Aiden’s insight.
“Have you ever thought of becoming a detective if you get out of here?”
Realizing her mistake, Raylenne quickly stopped herself. She shouldn’t have assumed they could talk about him getting out. Making hopeful statements was forbidden, as even faint hope could turn into poison.
Raylenne anxiously watched for Aiden’s reaction.
