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Chapter 2 — What Kind of Woman Was She?
2021.12.07.
In the original story, Betty was a supporting character who lured me into the villain’s trap.
The biggest problem here was that everything about me would reach the villain’s ears.
But that can’t be helped.
If I feared having my private life exposed, I wouldn’t be able to gain the villain’s trust.
It would only make him more suspicious of me.
Besides, it’s not like Betty is especially bad.
It would have been the same no matter who came.
The only people who could approach me were people like Johan—those who bore deep grudges against the Libertan family.
If I tried to pay attention to every little thing like that, I’d be exhausted to death.
Suddenly, I noticed a wound on Betty’s hand.
How did she get hurt?
The moment my eyes landed on it, Betty quickly hid her hand behind her back.
“It’s an injury I sustained due to my own carelessness, my lady.”
“It must have hurt, though.”
“It’s fine. It doesn’t affect my ability to serve you.”
It looked like it would hurt. But since she said she was fine, it felt wrong to push the matter further.
“Then once you’re done with your tasks, make sure to get it treated.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Promise?”
Betty politely nodded.
“I’ll prepare a change of clothes for you right away.”
Only then did I realize how uncomfortable the wedding dress I’d been hastily wearing really was.
“Please.”
Betty soon returned with dresses comfortable enough to wear around the mansion.
“These are outfits prepared from Blanchet. I’m not sure if they suit your taste, my lady, but if there’s anything you find uncomfortable, I’ll make adjustments in the future.”
“No, I like them just fine.”
“Then I’ll prepare similar designs until the dress designer arrives next time.”
As expected from the first maid the villain sent me—her manners were extremely polite and proper, textbook-perfect.
“Then, shall I assist you with changing?”
“Ah.”
I gave an awkward smile at her natural gesture of approaching.
“I’d like to change on my own.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m still not used to having someone I don’t know well help me dress.”
Betty’s brown eyes wavered. After a brief pause, she said, “I understand. Please call for me once you’ve changed,” and stepped back with courtesy.
Only after the door closed completely did I start changing.
I can’t keep dressing alone forever, I thought.
But I didn’t want to create discomfort from day one.
After changing, I checked my appearance in the mirror. Outside, it was starting to get dark.
In the original, she was left alone for quite a while, right?
Until the Libertan dukedom fell under treason charges, she hardly even saw her husband.
But I have to act differently.
When people see each other often, a bit of familiarity naturally forms.
Of course, it could backfire and deepen resentment, but still…
While I was weighing this, surprisingly good news arrived. Betty knocked and said:
“My lady, the master wishes to dine with you at the upcoming dinner.”
Blanchet Duke’s Office
Johan absentmindedly gazed at the lily crest of the Libertan family on his desk.
Strangely, that woman lingered in his thoughts.
Under the soft light, her platinum hair tinged with a delicate pink glow, navy-blue eyes—different from Libertan’s typical shade—and the gentle smile she’d given him…
I don’t know you well yet, but since we’re married, I’ll do my best.
Oddly, he didn’t find that ridiculous innocence unpleasant.
It must be because she grew up loved in Libertan.
Maybe it was because her foolish belief that effort could make a good marriage seemed… almost endearing.
And those eyes—like a rabbit’s.
As he recalled the delicate woman who seemed as if she might break if held too tightly, Johan frowned.
The more he thought about it, the more something about it irked him.
“Master, it’s done,” said his aide, Erich, entering the office.
“Soon, the Libertan dukedom will collapse completely—bearing the same treason charges they once falsely pinned on us.”
“It’s not over yet,” Johan said coldly.
“I understand your joy, but overconfidence invites disaster. Stay cautious until the end.”
“Yes, sir.”
Erich nodded, then glanced at the lily crest.
“By the way, that woman must have arrived at Blanchet today.”
Estelle Libertan.
The adopted daughter of the Libertan family, infamous for countless rumors.
As someone who deeply hated the Libertans, Erich naturally disliked her.
Rumors don’t arise from nothing.
No matter how exaggerated, there’s always some root to them.
Twice abandoned by fiancés, said to treat servants harshly—those kinds of stories especially.
“What did you think of her, Master?”
Johan smirked faintly.
“She could be a light amusement.”
“At least she’s good for that much. Our plan won’t be hindered.”
Just then, Betty entered to report.
“Master, I’ve informed the lady about dinner.”
“Well done.”
Johan crossed his legs, gazing at Betty.
Feeling his eyes on her, Betty tensed.
He’s terrifying.
Betty had served Johan long enough to know he was someone to fear.
He trusted no one, let no one close—a devil in human form.
Even someone like Betty, used to blood and death, sometimes flinched at his cruelty.
I wonder how the lady ended up adopted into Libertan…
She couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Estelle.
If she’d caught Johan’s eye, her future was doomed.
“What did you think of my wife?” he asked.
“The new lady… seemed like a good person,” Betty replied hesitantly, remembering Estelle’s gentle smile.
Despite the rumors, she could almost understand why the Libertan couple never disowned her.
She really was beautiful.
Her long white lashes fluttered like something out of a fairy tale whenever she smiled softly.
“Contrary to the rumors of being a villainess, she treated me with great kindness, even though we’d just met.”
Even when she noticed the wound on Betty’s hand, there was concern in her gaze.
Many noblewomen couldn’t hide their contempt for a lowly maid.
As someone who had infiltrated many noble houses as a spy before serving Estelle, Betty felt that concern more keenly.
“Isn’t it natural to behave when you’ve been sold off to pay a debt?” Erich scoffed.
“She’ll show her true colors soon enough.”
Johan’s lips curved in a cold smirk.
“Anything suspicious?”
“Not exactly suspicious, but…” Betty hesitated.
“She wanted to change clothes alone.”
Johan slightly lifted his chin, urging her to continue.
“She said it was uncomfortable to be attended by someone she wasn’t used to yet.”
“Did it seem like she was hiding something?”
“No. The dress she changed into couldn’t hide anything anyway. I checked after.”
Johan trusted Betty’s judgment; she’d served many nobles before.
He nodded faintly.
“Keep watch—don’t miss even the smallest detail.”
Betty left the office.
She looked down at her hand, seeing the wound Estelle had been concerned about.
I promised I’d get it treated after work.
As she headed toward the infirmary, Erich stopped her.
“Betty. You’re not getting any strange ideas, are you?”
His pale blue-grey eyes were sharp.
“Don’t you dare sympathize with her.”
“…”
“She’s a fake—the marriage isn’t even legally registered. She’ll be discarded after we use her for revenge. If you pity her, you’ll only hurt yourself.”
Erich wasn’t wrong. Johan was not a man to change his plans.
Sympathizing would change nothing—only make things harder for herself.
But still…
Betty bit her lip, covering her wound with her hand.
I fiddled with the pink ribbon tied in my hair as I looked in the mirror.
Should I leave it off?
For me, it was an oddly important decision.
I doubted paying more attention to my appearance would change the villain’s attitude, but still—looking a little prettier couldn’t hurt.
Once I decided on the ribbon, I headed to the dining room.
Wow, it’s beautiful.
The dining hall was lavishly decorated.
Fresh roses looked as though they’d just been picked, and the soft flicker of candlelight enhanced the atmosphere.
I took my seat and looked at the place across from me.
He’s not here yet.
Silver cutlery was neatly set for Johan.
Will he skip it like in the original?
Just then, a servant rushed in.
“Good evening, my lady. The master has an urgent matter and will be late for dinner. He suggests you start without him, as it’s unclear when he’ll return.”
Well, there was no point waiting if he wasn’t coming soon.
“All right. Please tell the duke to make sure he eats, no matter how busy he is.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Dinner began.
It seemed they’d put in extra effort since it was my first day—every dish was elaborate and finely made.
Delicious!
It was so good, my eyes almost teared up.
The veal steak melted in my mouth.
I never knew something could taste like this.
Libertan had good food too, but Blanchet’s was on a different level.
Not that I’d been able to enjoy it much back there anyway.
Just as my most anticipated part—the dessert—was about to be served…
“I’m quite late, aren’t I?”
Johan entered in a black suit, moving with elegance.
The candlelight’s shadow made him seem almost unreal.
Or maybe he’s just that unrealistically handsome by default.
He sat opposite me, resting his chin on his hand.
“How’s the food? To your liking?”
“Yes. It’s very good.”
“I’m glad.”
The dessert was placed before me—cake made with Eleon berries.
Instead of joy, disappointment welled up.
Eleon berries? Really?
They were rare fruits from the Southern Kingdom, beloved by nobles for their addictive bitterness—but I couldn’t eat them.
They made me feverish and weak—not enough to kill me, but unpleasant.
Why this, of all things…
Then it hit me—it probably wasn’t a coincidence.
Eleon berry desserts were common at Libertan.
This isn’t random.
Johan was thorough.
Even if he didn’t know every detail of Libertan’s internal affairs, he would have known about their favored dishes.
So this is…
I looked up—only to meet his deep red eyes watching me intently.
He’s testing whether I’m the Estelle Libertan he thinks I am.
Maybe he’d even heard that I liked this dessert—just like most of Libertan believed.
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
“Is there a problem?”
“Oh, I was just wondering if it’s all right to eat before you arrived.”
I smiled and cut into the cake naturally.
I can’t look suspicious now.
Otherwise, I might get taken down alongside Libertan when they fall.
The berry’s bitterness hit my tongue, blending with the cake’s sweetness into a rich flavor.
…It is good, though…
I remembered the first time I’d eaten it.
The reason Libertan served it so often, the reason everyone thought I liked it—because Estella adored it.
You’re just a substitute for our Stella. And you dare turn your nose up at her favorite dish? You mimic my daughter to live in comfort, and now you won’t even play your part?
It’s not like it’ll kill you to eat it.
So I’d always eaten it in front of the Libertans, pretending to be Estella.
“The dessert is wonderful. Please tell the chef I enjoyed it.”
Then, suddenly, my grip on the fork failed.
It dropped onto my white dress, smearing cream.
I told you to always keep your composure!
My face went pale as I hurried to wipe it off.
“S-sorry, I—”
“Wait.”
Johan stood, catching my wrist as I wiped the stain.
The tremor I couldn’t control passed into his grasp.
His red eyes narrowed.
