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chapter 5
Ah, she had wanted to say this at least once.
Iona, without even realizing it, abandoned all formalities and faced Felix directly.
‘Since I came into this household, countless things have been taken from me. And this is the biggest.’
Seeing the shameless face of Felix made it all rise up inside her.
Griselda Teresia, Countess, had two children.
The first and eldest was Felix.
The second and youngest was Blanche.
Blanche Teresia had made her debut last autumn, stealing the paintings Iona had long worked on and presenting them as her own, gaining attention.
‘In the past, no matter how hard I tried to reclaim them, it was useless.’
Of course.
Trying to reason with abnormal people using common sense would never work.
“If you do not correct it within a week, be prepared. At the year-end royal banquet, I will paint with Blanche by my side. Then everyone will know exactly whose work it is.”
“Why that tone? You make me look foolish, though I came to resolve this amicably.”
“And what do you want me to do about it?”
She would take back everything, one by one.
Even small things, everything taken.
She would no longer try to gain favor with the Teresia family.
‘Letting things slide nicely. I just endure it. Trying to resolve it through discussion—throw all that away.’
As soon as Iona thought that, another message appeared before her eyes.
Sure enough, it seemed to come from an entity that liked her very much.
[Constellation ‘<Urgent> Husband Broken into 14 Pieces, What Should I Do?’ is satisfied with your hostility.]
[Constellation ‘<Urgent> Husband Broken into 14 Pieces, What Should I Do?’ has sponsored you with 10 diamonds!]
She didn’t know who these people—or beings—were, but she understood they were watching all her actions. And they seemed to like it.
[Constellation ‘Serious About Punishing That Adulterer’ has declared “Shut up and sit, Felix!” a channel catchphrase.]
[Constellation ‘<Urgent> Husband Broken into 14 Pieces, What Should I Do?’ actively agrees.]
[Constellation ‘Revenge Service Industry #1’ nods solemnly.]
[Constellation ‘Cat-Head Enthusiast’ agrees.]
[Constellation ‘Master of Lies’ watches with interest and agrees.]
[▶ By unanimous agreement, the catchphrase has been registered.
Catchphrase first registration achievement unlocked!
One-time copyright fee awarded!]
[Copyright fee: 100 diamonds]
Tchaarrrk!
She heard a faint sound, like jewels or gold coins spilling from somewhere.
Then, yet another message appeared.
[▶ Current sponsorship: 120 diamonds]
She didn’t know what she could use it for, but it had to be good.
In fact, these messages weren’t just supportive—they were actively helpful to her.
They blocked the face of the detestable Felix Teresia.
As if realizing the absurdity, he said nothing for a moment, then left the room without a word.
‘As expected.’
Who would have guessed.
Felix Teresia was actually a cowardly, avoidant type.
Whenever a topic he disliked arose, he would run away in a hurry, getting angry for no reason.
“Milady, I brought you some food.”
“Thank you, Tara.”
In the dark night, Iona ate the apple and rye bread Tara had cleverly brought while pacing the corridor, waiting for Felix to leave.
She thought fiercely about who she would take down first.
“All set.”
From the next day, paladins were stationed outside her personal bedroom.
Ordered firmly by Felix, the knights’ role was to ensure Iona could go nowhere.
Of course, Tara could no longer enter either.
The only relief was that she still received meals—for now.
Though it was only pale oatmeal with nothing to chew on.
Even so, Iona’s determination did not waver.
“First: reclaim painting rights from Blanche Teresia.”
Second: reclaim ownership of the mansion from Griselda Teresia.
Third: expose Felix Teresia’s misdeeds and get a divorce.
Fourth: mess with the saintess.
Fifth: find out who tried to have me killed.
Sixth: escape to a place my family cannot touch.
She took out a notebook and calmly listed the tasks ahead.
This second chance at life was a miracle.
She wanted to make this opportunity count.
‘First, reclaiming the rights to my paintings is enough. Even selling them at a gallery will earn enough to leave this house and live on my own.’
At least she wouldn’t die for lack of money for an inn room.
Moreover, this wasn’t entirely ridiculous.
Iona had first picked up a brush at eight.
She wasn’t a world-shaking genius, but she often heard she had talent—especially in landscapes.
The family had prevented her from pursuing a formal debut, so she had sold a few works quietly in galleries frequented by commoners.
‘And Blanche Teresia stole every painting I’d made after marriage.’
Now, all of Iona’s paintings were displayed in famous galleries under Blanche’s name.
Naturally, she had protested, but Griselda and Felix dismissed her as being overly dramatic.
“They say they aren’t sold, only exhibited.”
“Yes, dear. It’s Blanche’s debut in society. As long as we know they’re yours, that’s enough. We can’t let it ruin her debut.”
Both had tried to appease her, but when she insisted on ownership, their expressions changed completely.
“What’s so special about these paintings? A few canvases aren’t more important than family honor—disappointing.”
“Yes, indeed. Frankly, you’re not a great artist, right? Just painting as a hobby while lounging at home!”
“Mother is right. Considering it, the canvas, frames, paints, and brushes were provided by the Teresia family. Isn’t it more accurate to say the paintings are family property?”
Even if they weren’t masterful, even if they weren’t impressive, the paintings were precious to Iona.
She had vowed to keep some of them until her death.
‘When I painted, I was free. It was the only time I felt liberated.’
So for her, a “painting” was never just a painting.
‘I couldn’t even ask for help when I wanted it. I was alone.’
From the moment she debuted in society, bad rumors followed her and became accepted as truth.
Who spread them was obvious.
‘My real father. Or my brother.’
Both were crazy enough to prevent her from escaping their grip.
Perhaps they acted preemptively to stop any friend from influencing her.
‘Enough. Now I’ll live my life.’
But how to get a divorce?
This marriage had been arranged for the emperor’s political purposes.
To separate from Felix, she would need the emperor’s permission…
Then.
Ding!
[▶ Congratulations! Constellations satisfied with <Preview> have chosen you as a “Lv.1 Contractor Candidate”!]
A more elaborate message appeared before her, amid her worries.
[Channel will be monetized!]
[Constellations watching the preview have started formal subscriptions.]
[Formal channel ‘Likes’: 6]
[Formal channel ‘Subscriptions’: 5]
Again, the numbers differed by one.
She fussed over it briefly, but the clinking sounds soon made her forget.
[Current subscription fee: 100 diamonds]
[Total paid: 500 diamonds]
[▶ Current sponsorship: 620 diamonds]
…So now, someone should explain what this is.
She understood that someone—or something—was watching her.
She also guessed it probably wasn’t a human.
The last scene she saw before dying…
It seemed right when she looked back on it.
‘Come to think of it, it was said I was granted a blessing of astonishing adaptability. Maybe that’s why I’m not freaking out.’
Her burning desire for revenge had masked her awareness, but calmly considering it, it made sense.
Normally, she would have been shocked, but she was accepting it with composure.
[▶ Constellations are debating and selecting the “genre” most suitable for you.]
[Your main genre is currently <In-Law Revenge Story>. Sub-genre selected is <Old Junk Gone, New Car>.]
Iona, staring at the incessant messages, finally asked a question.
Simple, but necessary in this situation.
“Who are you?”
[Constellation ‘Serious About Punishing That Adulterer’ says you are not yet qualified.]
“Qualified?”
As she muttered, her vision brightened and a golden, radiant message appeared.
The brilliance was so sacred it was almost overwhelming.
[Constellations who started formal subscriptions assign you trials!]
