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Chapter 36
“Dear, how was it? I’m relieved. Psyche seems to be doing quite well.”
The Countess of Clement sat at her vanity and began removing her earrings.
In the mirror, her blue eyes sparkled brightly.
Knowing that her daughter was doing better than expected brought her comfort—yet she still seemed curious about Psyche’s married life.
It was understandable.
The Grand Duke’s castle was more splendid and grand than they imagined. It was even more beautiful than the famous Biscaya Cathedral of the Cigarr Empire.
They had never stepped inside the Imperial Palace of Cigarr, but even compared to that, the castle seemed flawless—maybe even more beautiful.
“Do you think she is living well in the Grand Duke’s castle? Since His Highness welcomed us with such generosity, he must truly cherish our daughter.”
A woman’s happiness comes from her husband’s love.
At least, for noble ladies or women without a profession, a husband’s love often became their entire world.
But the Count did not want his daughter to live such a life.
“Yes, dear. However… Psyche’s expression still bothers me.”
Psyche had been raised to stand on her own. She believed that love should be equal.
The Count stroked his chin with his finger, recalling Psyche’s expression.
“She must feel a heavy burden. She suddenly became the Grand Duchess overnight.”
Psyche was always like that.
Whenever she tried to hide something, she forced her lips into a faint smile, pretending to be calm.
And yet, when she declared she would try her best to settle into the Grand Duchy, her face had been full of hope and energy.
Perhaps that was why—her emotions, once easy to read, now felt difficult to understand.
The Countess rose slowly and walked toward him, then sat by his side and held his hand carefully.
“Dear, do you remember what Sir Aster told us on our way here?”
Warmth from her hand spread into his.
“He said our daughter is living here stronger than anyone.”
“…….”
“There is a saying in the Grand Duchy:
‘Do not let your surroundings change you. You must hold the power to change everything.’
Dear, Psyche is a strong girl.”
“That may be true, but…”
“Let’s wait and see, dear. You gave her the dagger, didn’t you?”
The Countess looked out the window.
The sky was clear.
Even in the deep darkness, the moon shone brightly.
* * *
Marie was walking quickly down the hallway of the Grand Duke’s castle when she suddenly stopped.
‘…Ayle is dead?’
Just a few weeks ago, she had laughed and talked with him. Then he disappeared… and now news returned that he had died.
“He said that if he earned enough money, he wanted to go live on a warm island.”
How could he just… die like this?
Marie dropped her hands and bowed her head. Ayle’s face drifted in her mind.
Ayle had worked directly under the Grand Duke with Marie. His last mission had been carried out in secret.
She could not speak of it to anyone—but serving so close to their lord, Marie knew exactly what that mission was.
To protect Lady Psyche.
But Psyche had returned injured.
No one knew what had happened.
No one talked about it.
And the Grand Duke himself had personally brought Psyche back.
Marie could not ask him. She could not ask Psyche.
She could only guess.
Psyche had rope marks and reddish bruises on her body.
Ayle had failed to protect her.
Marie knew well that the festive first day, which had begun with excitement and curiosity, ended in horror.
Had Ayle been injured during the mission?
Or… had their lord punished him for failing?
‘…No.’
Marie clenched her fists tightly, denying the thoughts rising inside her.
“I do not want to lie to Lady Psyche.”
“It is the same place where your parents returned… torn apart.”
Death.
Revenge.
Marie had lived waiting for those two things—waiting to take revenge and then die with it burning inside her.
“Mother, Father, this person is someone helping me closely.”
“Please take good care of our Psyche.”
Those blue eyes, wishing for their daughter’s happiness, treating a servant kindly despite the difference in status.
The time for envying warm families had long passed.
She now felt more comfortable being alone.
Marie immediately realized one thing—
The gentle Countess carried the blood of the Grand Duchy.
Only those with Grand Duchy blood could have blue eyes.
‘She wasn’t a complete outsider.’
That fact made Marie’s heart feel uneasy.
Her parents no longer existed in this world.
Then… was her revenge target truly correct?
Would innocent and kind people also be harmed because of her revenge?
Marie lowered her head deeply.
* * *
“These were prepared for the Countess of Clement.”
After the visit was confirmed, Psyche searched the Grand Duchy for its best dress shop to prepare a dress for her mother.
She had thought it would be difficult due to the short deadline, but once they heard it was a request from the future Grand Duchess, everything was solved easily.
‘So this is the power of the Grand Duchess.’
It felt frightening… yet it also made Psyche realize again the position she was stepping into.
“Mother, this color suits you very well. Madame, please help my mother change.”
The dress bundles Marie had prepared were brought in one after another.
When the dress Psyche had chosen beforehand was brought in, she smiled softly and looked at her mother.
The ivory dress, sparkling like a spilled Milky Way, matched perfectly with the Countess’s blue eyes.
Psyche was completely satisfied.
But her mother seemed to feel differently.
“Psyche, I think this dress would look better on you than on me. How about the pink one?”
“Mother, it’s all right. This time is for you.”
“I’m fine too. Let’s look at something useful for you instead.”
“My wardrobe is already full of dresses I haven’t worn even once.”
When Psyche declined firmly, the Countess’s eyes trembled.
As Psyche looked into her confused eyes, her gaze slowly dropped to her mother’s hands.
Even though the Grand Duke had surely sent money for living expenses and dignity… her mother’s hands were still cracked and covered in small wounds.
‘She’s still doing embroidery…’
Their situation should have improved by now.
The debts were paid.
They could hire servants if needed.
Yet her mother still…
“Then how about jewelry, Mother? A diamond brooch would suit you well. If you wear a shawl, we could pin it to hold—”
“Psyche. To me, there is no jewel more beautiful than your eyes. Could you dismiss the others for a moment?”
Psyche stared at her mother, unable to speak.
She had always felt guilty for enjoying good things alone.
She wanted to share them with her mother.
That was why she prepared this time for her—
yet her mother did not seem even a little happy.
When the servants left, the Countess finally took a slow breath.
‘She was nervous… and I didn’t even realize.’
It made sense.
A mother who had sent her daughter far away might feel awkward choosing luxurious items without shame.
“…The tea smells wonderful. Your maid has skill.”
The Countess lowered her gaze to her teacup.
Inside was tea scented with thin slices of sun-dried orange.
The first luxury she had tasted in a long time made her even more emotional.
“…Mother, wouldn’t it be better to hire new servants for the estate?”
Psyche spoke carefully, watching her mother’s expression.
It was a question she had wanted to ask for a long time.
She had heard from the messenger that the Clement estate was almost empty.
No one was there to manage it.
And if she wanted, they said they could hire loyal servants for her.
Strangely, Psyche had felt her pride prickle at that.
Even though she was no longer in a position to involve herself in the affairs of the Clement household.
“…Psyche. My daughter.”
“Mother?”
“I still don’t need the help of servants. Your father is truly recovering. His Highness has taken great care of him.”
The Countess quietly set down her cup.
Then she leaned closer and gently stroked Psyche’s soft golden hair.
“Mother… I have something to ask.”
Psyche lowered her gaze at her mother’s tender touch.
Then she slowly opened her lips.
“The head maid has been pretending to be you… and sending letters to various families.”
“…….”
“You knew about her actions… didn’t you, Mother?”
