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Chapter : 17
Lady Abenre de Maze felt very annoyed that I praised a commoner, but there was nothing she could do.
It was clear from my words that Briseis seemed hurt, her eyes reddening.
Trying to hide her face behind her bright red hair, Briseis bowed her head slightly. Her hair fell like a curtain, darkening her face.
Even so, Abenre could tell she was hurt just by her actions.
“Thank you, Lady! I want to marry a wonderful man like you someday and have a son.”
“That’s a fine thought.”
Abenre thought it was a shallow comment, but she liked it. After all, a mistress could be dismissed once Damian got tired of her. Even if she had a child, it wouldn’t matter unless she was officially recognized.
So she could play along, then be discarded when no longer useful or when Damian’s attention wandered.
But Briseis was different. She was already married to my son and used the Filia family fortune to suppress him.
“Women should always obey their husbands. When Delilah graduates from the academy, she should marry quickly.”
“May I ask why she must marry so soon?”
Abenre thought the question was very insincere, but she liked it. At least it kept Briseis silent.
“Marry quickly, and she’ll have a child sooner. If I were Delilah’s mother, I’d make her quit the academy.”
Delilah widened her eyes, pretending to listen seriously. Abenre, excited by this, continued.
“Even during that one year at the academy, she should have a child. A woman without a child has no power.”
“Really?”
“Yes. A child proves a woman obeys the family. Only with a child does she truly belong to the family.”
Delilah nodded, pretending to be impressed, and Abenre added more.
“Refusing the first night is foolish. Some say refusing the bed gains a man’s heart, but that’s a lie.”
“You are truly wise, Lady.”
“Yes. I’ve been the mistress of the Maze family for years. I worked hard until he left.”
Briseis stayed quiet. It was clear these words were meant for her ears. She had been refusing Damian before he returned.
But she no longer wanted anything to do with him. Before, Damian struggled even to hold her hand when Delilah wasn’t around.
‘Why does Damian keep his distance from me?’
‘He’s nervous… very nervous.’
That’s what Damian had said.
Now, he had shared his first kiss with another woman and acted like a lover. He couldn’t feel the same toward her anymore.
She could no longer trust him.
“So, having the first night quickly and having a child is the wisest thing a woman can do?”
“Of course. Having many children will naturally bring back a man’s affection—it’s simple.”
Damian felt embarrassed because it was his mother speaking, so he stayed silent.
He also noticed that Briseis lowered her head whenever she was hurt and found it satisfying in a strange way.
At this moment, the one who should listen wisely and apologize is Briseis.
“That’s very true.”
Delilah still pretended to listen respectfully, clasping her hands. Briseis knew she didn’t actually agree.
Even if the original story was twisted, Delilah’s nature hadn’t changed. She wouldn’t have wanted to attend the academy if she truly thought like Lady Abenre. Going to Wilhelm Academy was entirely Delilah’s choice.
“By the way, Dem.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Finger foods arrived, along with water and wine at the table.
“Has the first night not happened yet?”
“…Please don’t concern yourself with our marital matters.”
Damian said this, glancing at Briseis. Their eyes met briefly. Seeing her hurt blue eyes made his heart race with a sense of victory.
“I hear the young lady wants a divorce from you.”
“That’s just a tantrum.”
Briseis shut her mouth, unwilling to say more.
“As Mother said, I’m simple. If a woman behaves properly, my heart will turn quickly.”
“Hohoho. Wise as always, my son.”
Damian looked at Briseis again. He couldn’t help but react to her disappointed expression and the way she stared at him.
“Still, I think a husband should do what his wife wants.”
“Demi?”
Delilah laughed and touched the ring on her necklace.
“I won’t just have one child.”
“That’s right.”
Lady Abenre smiled, satisfied, as she took a bite of her finger food.
The appetizer came, but Briseis had no appetite and barely ate.
The main course followed.
“Ugh…”
Briseis grimaced as she put the veal steak into her mouth.
“I’m so thrilled to be at the same table with such a wise person.”
“You’re cute, Delilah. Women should have this charm.”
Briseis realized her food tasted awful only to her; others ate normally.
At the door, a maid—likely Abenre’s handmaid—watched Briseis and laughed. Her name was Helaine, a longtime aide of Lady Abenre.
“Bri? Why are you eating so little?”
“I just don’t want it.”
“Sit down. How dare you stand when elders are present?”
Briseis tried to rise, but Lady Abenre scolded her. She already knew why Briseis behaved this way.
The extra salt in Briseis’s food was all Abenre’s idea.
Briseis wanted to stop enduring it but had to.
Damian had to be the at-fault spouse for the divorce to go smoothly. He would need the Filia fortune and her dowry to be happy with Delilah.
Thinking this made her furious, but she restrained herself.
“Damian.”
“Yes, Bri. Feeling unwell?”
“Switch plates with me.”
“What? That’s too unrefined.”
Damian hesitated slightly, even though he often acted unrefined with Delilah. Seeing Briseis’s eyes lower, he relented.
“Let’s switch.”
“Demi! That’s not proper for a noble…”
“Stop. Mother has done the same with Father.”
“Demi! Even so…”
Damian glared at his mother. A servant quickly swapped Briseis’s and Damian’s plates.
“I’ve upset Bri lately in this way, haven’t I?”
Damian chuckled, thinking Briseis acted hurt as if she were playing Delilah’s role.
“My food hasn’t even been touched yet. So it’s not improper.”
“Yes.”
Briseis’s plate had been swapped, but she no longer cared.
“Then give me your plate, young lady!”
“I can eat what Bri had, but not what Mother had.”
“Want mine, Lady?”
Delilah asked innocently, and Lady Abenre looked flustered, signaling for help.
Delilah didn’t understand and just laughed.
“Shall I cut it for you, Bri?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Briseis pretended nothing had happened and cut the veal steak on her swapped plate. She had no appetite but took a bite.
The texture and sauce were excellent, but it still tasted like tough boot leather to her.
A bone stuck in her throat, making it hurt every time she ate.
“I like watching Bri eat.”
Briseis couldn’t help but glance at Damian, who smiled purely, seemingly caring about her.
The person she had loved still remained in him.
Yet, that made her feel even more uncertain about who he truly was.
“Damian, eat too.”
“Yes.”
He smiled brightly at Briseis. Lady Abenre looked around helplessly, then turned pale seeing Damian cut and eat his food.
“Ugh…!”
He grimaced from the strong saltiness hitting his mouth.
