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Chapter 21
That day, Piana was acting strange — as if she’d become someone else entirely.
It was after I’d finished my walk and was returning to my room.
The sharp tap, tap of a cane echoed from the opposite end of the hallway, and I frowned instinctively.
Piana was walking toward me with her back straight, not bowing her head like usual.
Honestly, what nerve — walking so confidently when she should at least lower her head in shame?
I don’t like it.
I stood still and held my breath as Piana approached. Then, just as she passed by me, I stuck out my left foot and tripped her.
Thud!
The sound was so satisfying. She dropped her cane and fell flat onto the carpeted floor — face first. The sight was absolutely delightful.
“Can’t even see where you’re going, and now you can’t walk straight either?”
My attendants behind me looked uncertain about whether they should help her up.
But they all knew better.
If they reached out a hand to Piana, they’d be the next ones to lose their positions.
Would she cry again? Or maybe fumble around trying to find her cane?
I waited, curious to see what she’d do — but she didn’t react at all.
“What… is this?”
Instead, she touched her face with a confused look.
Her violet, glass-like eyes were clouded — dull, unlike their usual clarity. Even as she ran her hands over her face, she looked as if she couldn’t quite believe it was her own.
Had she hit her head too hard and finally lost her mind?
“W-well, that’s what happens when you can’t even walk straight.”
For some reason, I couldn’t shake a bad feeling.
An uneasiness I couldn’t quite explain began to crawl up my spine.
I hurried away, almost running. So what if that half-wit went crazy? Not my problem. I didn’t do anything wrong.
Maybe that was when it all started —
when the rumors began to spread around the estate that Piana was acting strange.
“Hey, you there.”
“Y-yes? Are you talking to me?”
The room fell silent as I pointed to one of the maids. The one I’d called looked startled and nervous.
Just look at her — indecisive and timid. I placed my hands on my hips and pressed her.
“Yes, you. Who else would I be talking to?”
“I-I just… what did you need, my lady?”
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed. The other maids helping me dress gasped and covered their mouths, but one glare from me made them look away and lower their heads.
I had just thrown my boot — the ugly leather one that maid had picked out — right at her face.
“How dare you bring me such shabby boots when I’m supposed to meet His Grace?”
The boot left a red mark on her cheek before hitting the floor. But the foolish girl clutched it to her chest like it was something precious and dared to mumble an excuse.
“B-but, my lady… the northern lands are terribly cold. Lady Piana also wore—”
Smack!
I lost control for a moment and slapped her.
“Say that again.”
“L-Lady Piana wore…”
Smack!
This time, I hit the other cheek. Her face swelled red on both sides as she lowered her head.
“Who wore what?”
“…I’m sorry, my lady. I’ll bring the new shoes we got from the boutique.”
“That’s better.”
I smiled, satisfied, watching her hurry out of the dressing room. The others quickly went back to helping me get ready.
The dress I wore was chosen to please the Grand Duke — a pale blue, the color of the North. The shoulders and neckline were exposed, the fabric hugging my figure before flowing out into a soft, elegant skirt.
“Excuse me, Lady Rena.”
Another maid approached cautiously, draping a white fur coat over my shoulders.
With everything on except my shoes, I gazed into the full-length mirror.
“Not perfect, but at least I look better than her.”
I remembered watching from the mansion window as that girl — Piana — left the estate. Her appearance had been so pitiful I’d laughed out loud.
Going to see the Grand Duke like that?
If it were me, I’d rather bite my tongue and die than appear that shabby.
What on earth was Father thinking, marrying Piana off to Duke Glacies?
It was useless to wonder. I didn’t even want to think about her.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Tap, tap.
“Getting ready, Rena?”
“Barely. Everyone’s been slacking since that half-wit left, and they’ve started looking down on me.”
Everything’s been a mess since she left.
I ground my teeth.
I had to outshine everyone — to be radiant and bold, so dazzling that even standing next to Piana, no one would dare compare us.
“What can you do, my dear?”
Mother approached and fastened the coat herself.
“The lowborn can never escape their roots. As one of noble blood, you must be the one to endure.”
“You’re right, Mother.”
The maids avoided our eyes, staring at the floor as if something fascinating were down there.
Before I could scold them, the maid I’d struck earlier returned, holding the shoes.
“Lady Rena, I brought the shoes.”
“Good. Put them on.”
I sat on the stool and wiggled my bare toes. The maid silently slipped the shoes onto my feet.
They were green — like an emerald lake — and just looking at them made me smile with pleasure.
Tiny gemstones were embedded across the surface, and the heels were adorned with delicate crystal butterfly brooches.
They were custom-made by a shoemaker family that had been crafting shoes for nobility for generations.
I stood, admiring them from several angles in the mirror.
“Perfect. They fit nicely.”
A little uncomfortable, but who cared? Beauty always came with pain — and I was worth it.
But Mother didn’t seem pleased.
“Those won’t be practical for the North, my dear. Are you sure?”
“We’ll be traveling by carriage. What trouble could shoes cause? The important thing is standing out more than her.”
“As if it were possible for you not to outshine that lowborn girl.”
“Exactly, Mother.”
I put on a pair of large pearl earrings and whispered,
“That must never, ever happen.”
“You’re ready to depart, Lady Rena.”
The coachman greeted me kindly.
At the mansion gate, everyone except Father — including Mother and the household staff — came to see me off.
I fluttered my hand with a sweet smile.
“Mother, really… you didn’t have to come all this way.”
“These servants should at least make themselves useful at times like this. When else would they?”
The servants’ faces stiffened. As if their expressions mattered.
After Mother’s farewell, I climbed into the carriage and spoke to the coachman.
“You heard me, right? We’re heading to Glacies Castle.”
“You’ll need to switch to a mule partway through, my lady.”
I frowned. What did he just say? A mule?
“I don’t need a mule.”
“Pardon? Then—”
Ugh, so much pointless chatter.
I crossed my arms irritably.
“Obviously, we’re going by carriage. Can’t you see I’m wearing heels? Just focus on driving.”
“Ah, y-yes, my lady.”
Finally, the talkative man fell silent and started the journey.
I hummed softly, letting the breeze through the window brush my cheek.
Beside me sat the gift I’d prepared for His Grace.
With this, he’ll be completely taken by me.
I gently cradled the ribbon-wrapped box in my arms. No matter what, I had to deliver it to him.
There was no way Piana would ever become the Grand Duchess.
She’d end up like that other fiancée who’d supposedly been executed — a pitiful, forgotten woman.
I looked at my reflection in the carriage window and smiled, imagining Piana’s pathetic face.
Always hunched over, helpless without her cane — half a fool among fools.
A girl like that could never stand beside the Grand Duke.
“That half-wit will never be loved by him.”
