Chapter 4 …

The Rosaline reflected in the mirror pursed her lips and answered curtly.

“There’s no need for you to go, is there?”

“Even so, I should check on things in the Lord’s place. I’m the lady of the house, after all.”

Before I could even finish speaking, a small scoff escaped her lips.

It was a mocking laugh, as if she couldn’t believe I still hadn’t grasped my situation despite being treated like this.

Pretending not to hear it, I rose from my chair and turned to Rosaline with a serious expression.

“Rosaline. You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick somewhere?”

When I narrowed my brows slightly and examined her face with concern, her body stiffened in surprise.

She quickly raised a hand and touched her cheek, then made a face that genuinely looked like that of a patient.

Since the words came from me, someone who practiced medicine, she seemed to think she might really have come down with a serious illness.

“There are dark circles under your eyes, your complexion looks poor, and your skin has gotten rough. Have you been sleeping well lately?”

“N-Now that you mention it, I have been feeling rather tired these days. My body aches, and I keep waking up before dawn. Is it a serious illness?”

“I thought as much.”

I let out a sympathetic sigh as if to say, I knew it.

Walking straight to the dresser, I took out a transparent glass bottle filled with liquid and placed it in her hands.

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

“What is this?”

“If you add a spoonful to warm tea and drink it, it will help relieve fatigue. Make sure to take it every evening after dinner.”

“Ah…”

“I’ve been so busy taking care of everyone else that I neglected the person closest to me, Rosaline.”

Watching me apologize, she looked strangely moved, glancing back and forth between the medicine bottle and me.

“To see any effect, you have to take it consistently at the same time every day. And for the time being, after bringing my dinner, you don’t need to come back to clear the dishes. You can take them away in the morning.”

“But…”

Gently taking her hand, I continued.

“Starting today, don’t worry about preparing me for bed. Instead, go back to your room early and get some sleep. At least until you recover, I’ll take care of things myself.”

“Madam…”

“You have to take good care of yourself, Rosaline. As you know, you’re the only person in this castle I can rely on.”

“Yes…”

“And don’t forget to take your medicine before bed. Alright?”

The eyes that usually looked at me with cold disdain became unusually obedient.

“Then shall we take a look around the castle?”

“Yes, Madam.”

She politely folded her hands together.

As I left the room with her behind me, the corner of my mouth twitched slightly upward.

Getting rid of Rosaline—the person most likely to interfere with my plan—wasn’t difficult at all.

I’m exhausted. My whole body aches. I never get enough sleep.

Those were the words she constantly repeated.

All I had done was make sure Rosaline would sleep soundly and wake up refreshed after I had disappeared.

The next place I needed to visit was the stable.

This will be easy too.

Ever since treating the stable keeper’s foot, I had visited once a day to check on his injury.

As a result, he had completely let down his guard around me.

He even forgot I was the Lord’s wife and treated me almost like a friend.

By drawing him into casual conversation, I had managed to gather quite a few useful pieces of information.

How not to get lost in the forest outside.

Which horse in the stable was both the fastest and gentlest.

And even the important fact that on the Lord’s birthday, the stable keeper’s son would be watching the stables in his place.

When I arrived, I saw a fairly handsome young man coming out.

“You’re the stable keeper’s son?”

“That’s right.”

At a glance, he didn’t look particularly diligent. Though he seemed intimidated by me, there was caution in his eyes.

“My father’s injury has improved a lot.”

Apparently he had heard something about it, because he bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

“I have a favor to ask…”

At my words, the caution returned immediately.

“Could you go outside the castle tomorrow and buy some medicine from the herbal merchants? All the other servants are busy preparing for the Lord’s birthday.”

Faced with the sudden request, he hesitated awkwardly.

“Well… my father is injured, so I have to watch the stable.”

Exactly as expected.

Pressing a hand to my forehead, I let out a small sigh.

“Then what should I do? Marie usually runs errands, but there are a lot of things that need to be bought this time. It would be nice if someone could go with her. I don’t feel comfortable sending her alone…”

The moment I mentioned Marie, his head shot up.

Just as I thought.

The fact that the two of them had fallen for each other and spent every spare moment together was common gossip among the maids.

Scratching his messy hair, he spoke.

“If Madam needs me, how can the stable be more important? You even treated my father’s injury.”

“Really? Thank you. You’ll need to visit every herbal shop if necessary and make sure not a single ingredient is missing.”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

His grin stretched from ear to ear, already excited about spending time with Marie.

I could practically picture Marie squealing with delight when she heard the news.

I had already carefully prepared the list of medicinal ingredients.

Every single one of them would be difficult to obtain.

With that, I had also solved the problem of buying myself enough time to escape on horseback from the stable tomorrow.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Before leaving, I approached a brown horse whose face I had already memorized.

According to the stable keeper, it was the gentlest and fastest horse in the stable.

Since I had stroked its head every time I visited, it now recognized me and greeted me with calm eyes.

“That’s right, you sweet thing. You need to do well tomorrow.”

Whispering into its ear, I gently stroked its mane.

After leaving the stable, I headed toward the kitchen, where ingredients were piled high.

“Is everything prepared for receiving the guests?”

The moment I appeared, the bustling kitchen fell silent as though cold water had been poured over it.

Whispers spread from every direction.

“Why did she suddenly come here?”

“Has she deluded herself into thinking she’s really the lady of the house?”

“Shh! Lower your voice, she’ll hear.”

“Let her hear.”

No one knew better than they did what position Garnet held in this castle.

It was only natural for them to react this way to my sudden appearance.

After all, the original Garnet had never involved herself in managing the castle’s affairs.

But there was another reason I had come here despite knowing I would be treated with contempt.

“Oh my. Whatever brings Madam to such a humble place?”

A shrill voice dripping with vulgarity echoed through the kitchen.

Turning around, I saw a red-haired woman approaching leisurely with her arms crossed.

Just as I had expected.

“I was worried about whether preparations for the Lord’s birthday were going smoothly. It seems my presence has caused a disturbance.”

At my answer, the woman curled her red lips into a smirk.

“As you can see, preparations are perfect. It seems Madam has forgotten her proper place. You should stay in your room and manage your medicine cabinet. Leave the running of the castle to me.”

Snickers sounded from around the room.

“That’s good to hear, then.”

I nodded once and turned to leave, but suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Oh! That reminds me.”

The red-haired woman glared at me irritably.

“What now?”

“I treated one of the soldiers guarding the gate recently, and he had quite a few complaints.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

As though simply relaying the soldier’s words, I spoke calmly and evenly.

“They say guarding the castle is the hardest duty, yet no one appreciates their efforts. How about offering them food and drink during this banquet as well, so the Lord’s generosity can be seen? I worry people might say the lady of the house is stingy.”

A flash of confusion crossed the woman’s eyes.

Naturally. They were people she had never even considered.

Soon she forced a smile.

“Thank you for the presumptuous advice, but I had already thought of that. The soldiers will receive plenty of meat and alcohol as well. There’s no need for you to interfere.”

Having heard the answer I wanted, I smiled gently and nodded.

As I turned and walked away, I could still feel her burning glare on my back.

Whether she glared or not, it made no difference to me.

Now the strict defenses outside the castle tomorrow would be much less of a concern.

With a satisfied smile, I spoke to the red-haired woman in my mind.

Even when facing the Grand Duke’s blade, I hope you proudly declare, “I am the true lady of this castle!”

* * *

The next day, outside guests began arriving at the castle one after another.

Looking down through the window at the busy crowd below, my palms were already damp with nervous sweat.

Today.

I have to get out of here today, no matter what.

“Madam, the Lord requests that you come downstairs at once.”

At the maid’s words, I suppressed my excitement and descended alone.

Outwardly, I was still undeniably the Lord’s wife, so I stood beside Lord Willinger in the hall as we greeted the guests.

“Happy birthday, my Lord.”

“You are even more beautiful today, Madam.”

The Lord could not hide his delight, clearly pleased to be the host of such a grand celebration.

In contrast, the red-haired woman looked more irritated than usual.

After all, she had planned and prepared everything herself, only for me to occupy the seat beside the Lord.

Even while greeting guests, I occasionally glanced at the Lord from the corner of my eye, waiting for the right opportunity.

I needed to plant the seeds in advance so he wouldn’t become suspicious later.

“Ah…!”

I suddenly staggered as if the strength had left my legs.

The Lord’s eyes widened in surprise, and he grabbed my arm tightly.

No—dragged me upright by force would be a more accurate description.

The grip hurt so much that tears welled in my eyes.

Outwardly, he wore a benevolent expression as though concerned for me, but his voice was suppressing anger.

“Madam, what is the matter?”

“It’s nothing. I suddenly felt dizzy…”

Tsk. Of all days, it had to be today!

The irritation in the Lord’s eyes was obvious.

Looking at me as though I were pathetic, he leaned close and warned me.

“Today is an important day. Conduct yourself properly.”

“Yes. I apologize.”

The red-haired woman, who had apparently witnessed the scene from afar, finally smiled.

The atmosphere within the castle continued to grow more lively and excited.