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Chapter 08
“…So that’s why my husband worked so hard to prevent his uncle from taking his nephew.”
“Pardon?”
“In other words, I find it disgusting and I can no longer tolerate this conversation.”
“What do you—”
Nina grabbed a small glass vial like a chess piece and hurled it downward with all her strength.
Crash!
The vial shattered on the floor, its contents spilling everywhere. Count Aslett sprang to his feet in shock, stammering like a broken machine.
“W-w-what is the meaning of this?!”
“I should be the one asking that, Count Aslett. Knowing full well that my grandfather is the Chief Justice, you dare suggest I use this filthy drug to humiliate my husband?”
Stripping away even the minimum courtesy owed to her in-laws, Nina pressed forward with a sharp glare.
Sweat beaded on the count’s forehead as he scrambled to explain.
“T-there must be a misunderstanding! This is all for your benefit! You’ve been married for two years already—it’s time for an heir. If anything, this would help you secure your position so Duke Ash can no longer act so freely—”
“I have no intention of harming my husband or framing him with some disgusting scheme like this.”
“Th-this is a misunderstanding! It’s not a dangerous drug, it’s merely a supplement to assist married couples—”
“A supplement?”
Nina’s lips curled into a razor-thin smirk.
There was no such thing as a trustworthy “love potion” sold in the market.
At best, they were ineffective health tonics. At worst, mixtures of cheap, toxic herbs that could leave lasting damage.
Even the better-quality aphrodisiacs used by nobles often led to the same result—collapsing in bed, ruined and weakened.
And this man called that a “supplement”?
There was no need to show even basic courtesy to someone like him.
Nina tilted her chin slightly and looked down at him like a queen.
“Lick it.”
“…Pardon?”
“You called it a supplement yourself. Then prove to me it’s safe.”
“D-do you mean… you want me to lick the floor?”
Her voice turned ice-cold as she looked at his stunned face.
“Why are you still standing there? If you heard me properly, then obey.”
To a count, such an order was no different from being told to abandon all dignity and behave like a slave.
“How dare you mock me…!”
His face flushed red as he trembled with rage. Nina, however, remained composed.
“Mock you? What would I gain from that? I’m simply giving you a chance to prove your innocence.”
“That’s absurd—!”
“Then explain to me how it’s reasonable for you to offer your nephew’s wife such vile, obscene advice.”
Truthfully, Nina felt like she wanted to tear his mouth off and wash her ears clean in a bathhouse.
A man offering “marital assistance” drugs to his nephew’s wife—how disgusting could it get?
But the count was not entirely without restraint. He swallowed his anger and forced himself into a calmer tone.
“Please do not misunderstand me. As his uncle, I am simply trying to correct my nephew’s failure to fulfill his marital duties. I mean no harm.”
“Then prove it.”
Nina tilted her head innocently.
The gesture alone made it clear she had no intention of listening.
“…This conversation will only deepen the misunderstanding. I will take my leave for today. Contact me if you change your mind.”
“No need. I will never accept your filthy proposal.”
“If you wish to secure your husband’s heart, you must produce an heir. Are you truly certain about refusing this?”
Nina’s lips twisted into a sneer.
“You are quite interested in other people’s affairs. Stop talking nonsense and leave. Or shall I have you dragged out?”
Her words carried no hesitation, no compromise—only finality.
Yet the count still refused to give up.
“…I hope you reconsider next time we meet.”
Without the Taylor ducal house, winning the trial would be difficult.
“…Filthy bastard.”
Once the man finally left, Nina collapsed onto the sofa.
Her head throbbed, heat rising through her body from the strain of maintaining composure while feeling nauseous.
It felt like pulling off a 30-hour all-nighter, getting slammed with the flu, and chugging cheap liquor on an empty stomach all at once.
She honestly wished someone would carry her to bed right now.
‘…My husband was right to be cautious.’
Seeing it again made everything painfully clear.
If she sided with Count Aslett, her husband would inevitably lose his guardianship position.
The man was still clinging to it, desperate and persistent. And with a “potential traitor” (her former self) lurking in the household…
Of course he would choose adoption to protect his nephew until adulthood.
‘But… he heard what I said, right?’
No matter how much the count raged, as long as Nina—the granddaughter of the Chief Justice—did not support him, his plan would fail.
Which meant that if her husband trusted her even slightly, they wouldn’t need to endure this miserable marriage anymore.
‘Please… just a little trust…’
Then—
Footsteps echoed.
Click, click—leather shoes against the floor.
Nina, still slumped over the sofa, slowly lifted her head.
“….”
Ash stood there, looking down at her with freezing gray eyes like shards of ice.
If he had heard even a fragment of the conversation, there should have been some sign of confusion.
But there was none.
His gaze remained as if he were looking at something insignificant—something beneath contempt.
Without a word, he walked past her.
‘…Did I misread the timing?’
Or was this simply not enough to move him?
While she stared blankly at his retreating back, Melanie hurried over.
“…Madam, are you alright?”
Ah. The shadow she had seen earlier at the entrance had not been her husband, but Melanie.
The maid’s brown eyes trembled with confusion.
From her reaction, it seemed she had heard everything.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“Please allow me to assist you. Let’s get you to your room.”
“No, I’ll manage. Just… take care of that separately. It’s dangerous, so make sure no one touches it.”
She might need it again if that bastard Count Aslett returned to cause trouble.
At the very least, it was evidence.
“Are you really sure you’re alright?”
Melanie asked cautiously.
Nina forced a tired smile and nodded.
“Please. I’ll go up now—don’t mind me and carry on.”
She wanted nothing more than to collapse on the sofa, but if she stayed, she might fall asleep right there.
“….”
Maybe I should just go somewhere quiet and recover properly.
Dragging her exhausted body up the stairs, Nina stopped at the landing and wiped cold sweat from her forehead.
Even while holding the railing, it felt like her legs were sinking into mud.
Behind her, Melanie’s troubled gaze lingered for a long time.
