Proofreader: somnium

Lysia swept her chest down.

Oh, you surprised me, sister Aubrey. What are you doing there?

(T/N: Lysia calls Aubrey as older sister or )

Lysia and Aubrey were cousins. Even if she did not live nearby, there was a degree of exchange.

When Lysia was young, they were closer. Because she grew up in the stronghold, left to Margarets hands to learn the manners and culture of the nobility.

However, even though they were the same age, the two were never close.

Lysia said.

I didnt see you in the banquet hall. I heard that you became a lady-in-waiting of the Grand Duchess

Aubrey came out to the place where the light of the lantern was reaching. Lysia frowned at her.

Aubreys clothes and makeup were excessively luxurious. Artizeas was elegant and luxurious, but not excessive, so the difference was even more noticeable.

Its okay if Aubrey herself is the main character, but this was a New Years banquet.

If Aubrey had entered the banquet hall as is, she would have become the lady-in-waiting who has more colorful clothes than her mistress.

Aubrey said sharply.

That woman stopped me from entering the banquet hall.

Lysia couldnt understand who Aubrey was talking about. It was because she never thought she would call the Grand Duchess in words like that woman.

Not in the mood to ask who and what had happened, she said as if evading.

. Aunt Margaret was looking for you.

What did you talk to His Grace?

We didnt talk much. I just listened to his story a little because it seemed that the Grand Duke had a problem.

Why to you?

Its probably because I was nearby at the moment he wanted to talk.

Perhaps the most important thing Cedric wanted to say was to take care of Artizea.

It may also be because he hoped that Lysia, as the representative of the rebels village, would not be anxious. He reminded her that he was not married in order to intervene with Lawrences succession to the throne.

But Lysia didnt say that in detail.

It was because Aubrey wasnt having a normal expression.

Aubrey questioned her with a hoarse voice.

Is it because of that woman?

What?

Is it because of that woman? Yes. I knew it. Hes a wise man, so even if he was seduced for a moment, he would have immediately noticed what kind of person she is. Did he say anything about me?

Lysia then realized that she was referring to Artizea.

You dont mean that woman as the Grand Duchess, are you?

Why? Did I say something wrong? Then, should I praise a woman like that?

Sister Aubrey, how dare you say that?

Did I say something I couldnt? Do you mean because shes the Marchioness of Rosan? Who doesnt know that the womans mother is the Emperors mistress? She claimed she was the daughter of the predecessor Marquis, but no one knows her birth father?

Sister, be careful what you say.

Well, shes not an ordinary prostitute. Shes that kind of woman. What did she learn?

You have insulted not only the Grand Duchess but also the Grand Duke!

Lysia raised her voice.

Stop pretending to be good. Its disgusting.

Aubrey looked at Lysia with a disgusted face.

Why dont you want me to say that shes not a good person? Because shes above me? What kind of woman is she?

Aubrey said in a voice filled with resentment.

Artizea had to respect her.

Isnt that what the Evron Grand Duchess should do? She must, of course, adapt to the people of the Grand Duchy and respect Count Jordyn.

Even Cedric respects Aaron and Margaret. He himself considers Aubrey like a family.

But Artizea kept her standing endlessly, and treated her no more than a furniture. She made Aubrey be ignored by the maids, and even Cedric stopped paying her attention.

How can she do this to her, a descendant of the noble Count Jordyn?

The Grand Duke always said he would choose the best suit for Evron. But is that prostitute good enough for Evron?

So, if she has an inappropriate qualification as the Grand Duchess, and sister knows about it and speaks for His Grace, why cant you tell His Grace directly? Now go into the banquet hall and give advice to His Grace, the Grand Duke, in front of everyone.

Lysia pointed to the banquet hall. Aubrey raised her voice.

Thats because she forbids me from going to the banquet!

I dont think thats it. You couldnt come out even though His Grace was here a while ago.

Lysia said sharply.

If you come through the official route to give advice, there is no way that the Grand Duchess will reject it. Instead, you insult, criticize and curse her behind her back.

This, this!

Aubrey raised her hand in anger.

Lysia clasped Aubreys wrist before it slapped her in the cheek. And she said coldly.

Dont even think about it, sister Aubrey.

Let go!

Its because youre jealous. If you think about it, youll get the answer right away.

Aubreys face was stained with anger and shame. Her hair stood on top.

Lysia then said.

His Grace has undeservedly loved you like his own sister. But thats because your parents, aunt and uncle have sincerely served His Grace. Its not that sister was special.

I told you to let go of me! You do whatever you want, you can crawl to her in a servile manner.

Grand Duchess is someone who doesnt need your approval. Because she is the mistress of this land that the Grand Duke has chosen himself.

Aubrey went wild trying to get rid of Lysias hand, but she couldnt beat Lysia at her strength.

Lysia held her tight, she said.

I cant let you go. I dont know what youre going to do. As long as you insulted her by making a noise like this, its not just about you. I cant let you cause any more trouble to the Grand Duke.

Aubrey was struggling and her hair was all loose and messy. A silver pin with a flower in her hair fell to the floor. Her face and ears were also reddened.

The fuss grew. Soon after hearing the news that the two were fighting, Margaret ran.

Margaret saw Aubreys appearance and took her by the shoulder, dismayed by the view.

Lysia released her hand and sighed long. Her arms were stiff.

Aubrey, what the hell did you do, where did you go?

Oh! Mom! Why are you even like this, Mom!

Go!

Margaret grabbed Aubreys wrist.

What did I do wrong? I cant accept that such a prostitute is His Graces companion!

Aubrey yelled. Margaret hurriedly closed Aubreys mouth, but the sound rang throughout the hallway.

The servants and the maids were frightened, each bowed their heads. They pretended not to hear anything and left.

***

Thud!

The door was roughly closed.

Aubrey, who was left alone, swung around the room, huffing and puffing.

Margaret dragged her to the temple, not to the Jordyn Estate.

She was afraid that if she took Aubrey to the Mansion, she would be said to protect Aubrey.

The temple was chosen because there are many vacancies, its a public place, and not a prison.

Even during the day, she didnt know things would go this far.

However, the rant in the hallway today couldnt be tolerated. She couldnt even imagine how much worse she had said in front of Lysia,

She couldnt cover it by sending her quietly to a country cottage anymore.

[The Jordyn family has been the vassal of the Grand Duke until now, and has been trusted by His Grace as well. To your mom and your dad, that was our lifelong pride. In such a case, you will destroy our family. I cant let that happen.]

[What did I do wrong? Whats the big deal about a maid injured?]

[With you as the lady-in-waiting, you threw the mission entrusted by the Grand Duchess to the floor and wounded the head of her favorite maid. In addition to that, unforgivable abusive remarks about the Grand Duchess. If you were a member of the Knights, you would have lost your neck on the spot.]

Margaret said with a suffocating face.

[How did I raise my child like this.]

[I havent done anything wrong. I dont think I said anything I couldnt.]

[When the snow stops, go to the convent. Dont come out of there forever and live reflecting on yourself.]

[Mom!]

[How fortunate are you that Her Grace will forgive you just by removing you from her sight?]

Margaret said so, and she shut the door. She ordered servants to watch Aubrey in two shifts.

Aubrey couldnt beat them. Although she is angry at Artizea, she is also angry with Lysia.

Why did Cedric not say a word to her, but he was telling Lysia that?

It was then.

The door opened.

Who is it!

Aubrey shouted sharply. The two fallen servants collapsed inside the door.

It was a young man with fiery red hair who kicked the servants. Three or four armed men entered after him.

Wh who are you?

Aubrey was terrified.

The man was wearing a short sword and had a tanned face. At first glance, he was not a northerner.

The man pulled a chair and sat down and smiled.

Im from the South Sea. I came up without knowing the northern weather, and got tied up. Thankfully, the temple took pity on me and gave me accommodation.

Lies.

Its a foreign identity, but its true that my feet were tied because I didnt know the northern weather well, and it was true that the temple felt sorry. Sit down, Lady Jordyn. I didnt come to harm the Lady.

Aubrey slowly relaxed.

Well, what wickedness could that man do here?

This is no ordinary place, but a temple of the stronghold.

Thats bold. No. Im not condemning it. Thats exactly what I like. You need guts to negotiate.

Whats your purpose? What are you going to negotiate?

Im here to get my woman back. I think the Lady can help with that.

Your woman?

The man laughed.

Exactly, Im trying to get my girl back. Its amazing to hear the news when Im on my way to propose and she married another guy.

Aubrey trembled. This is because she realized that the man was talking about Artizea.

Isnt that so? Artizea and her maids are the only foreigners in Evrons stronghold.

She is the only one who could have a relationship with a man from the South Sea.

That woman, shes a really funny woman. You mean she married the Grand Duke with a lover aside?

The man did not answer the question and smiled and said.

Lady Jordyn. Rumor has it that the Lady hates the Grand Duchess quite a bit. Will our purpose be quite aligned?

Aubrey nodded her head without thinking.