Chapter 7 (2/2)

“I’ve reasoned with them, so quell your anger now. If it is as I command, they will not cause problems anymore because they follow me without any complaints.”

In other words, she was saying that her influence in this household was that great.

It sounded as though she was telling a simple truth, but even more so, it was as if it’s up to her whether she’d let me have power or not.

I didn’t feel offended at this. It’s just… This farce was just so funny.

On my part, I only made a legitimate protest. I didn’t make any grand request, but it was like she was saying she’d step over me even with this little thing.

Of course. I was in the Valentino household, and this was as good as saying that I should act as though I was dead.

That’s the plan anyway.

“As long as you support Charlotte properly, then I would take no issue with you.”

“We will do so.”

Missus Seymour listened to my words and glanced at Laura and the other four. They reflexively bowed their heads and expressed their willingness to follow her. The missus scolded them one last time, then sent them off to do what they needed to do.

Then, as she looked back at me, she said.

“Lily, you got married at a bad time, so I understand that it’s difficult to adapt.”

It was a statement laced with thorns. Well, whatever else she could say, I was always being thrown words that would criticize the transgressions of the Everett family. Even if I wanted to shout that I was also a victim.

“…I will try my best to adapt.”

“Yes, well. Even if you don’t, there’s something I wanted to recommend, but the timing earlier wasn’t right.”

“Something… you recommend?”

“Why don’t you go on an inspection of the territory?”

…My expression almost hardened right then, but I managed to stay calm.

It was common for a territory lord’s wife to go on territorial inspections to see how the people were doing.

But the problem was that I was a daughter of the Everett family. It absolutely would not be a good idea for me to go on a territorial inspection at a time when hostile sentiments towards the Everett family were at its peak.

Missus Seymour should be very well aware of that fact. Nevertheless, her recommendation to me was like this…

‘You want me to get cursed at.’

She wanted me to feel the raw malice directed at me—vividly. It meant that I, the daughter of Everett, should realize just how many people hated me.

And I didn’t have a reason to refuse.

‘If I suddenly break my leg, I wonder if I’ll still be sent away.’

I never expected Missus Seymour to take my side, but if this continues throughout my stay in this household…

I would have to endure the understated harassment that she would throw at me, and the servants would follow suit.

‘I’m tired of it already…’

I’m sick to death of it. I just want to quit everything. I don’t want to get used to other people abusing me.

However, funnily enough, I was already used to it.

Would it be better if I ingest poison? But what would happen to Charlotte after I die?

She wouldn’t be able to continue working at the Valentino estate, nor would she be able to return to the Everett estate.

“……”

I briefly lowered my gaze to the floor and tightened my fists. Little my little, I emptied my mind. Just as I’ve practiced before. So that nothing would taint my mind, no malice towards me would take color or form.

So that they would mean nothing to me.

I’ve done it so many times already.

I raised the gaze that I had lowered. This much wasn’t difficult.

This woman, the chamberlain, my husband…

You all mean nothing to me.

Soon after, I spoke, and my voice was calm and without any agitation. It sounded like that even to me.

“Yes. I’ll prepare soon and go on the territorial inspection.”

Missus Seymour’s eye twitched. I guess she wanted to see me become flustered, but too bad. I wouldn’t be able to meet her expectations.

“…Yes. Of course.”

“Yes. I owe you a lot, Missus. Thank you for your consideration.”

I glanced briefly over to the chamberlain. Then, I left.

I decided to go on the inspection with Charlotte and a maid named Jenna. Just in case, two escort knights also joined me, and their names were Jeremy and Will.

Both of them were quiet, and it was comfortable staying with them because they didn’t try to strike up a conversation with me. Jenna also didn’t open her mouth at all, perhaps because of the last incident.

And Charlotte…

“……”

She seemed to think that it was because of her that I had to go on a territorial inspection. If she was thinking that I was being hated by Missus Seymour because I took Charlotte’s side… I really wasn’t like that. I should correct that sooner rather than later.

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman stopped the carriage and said this politely. I inwardly swallowed a sigh, then raised my unwilling body. Regardless of what I see, I just need to look at it calmly.

Soon, the carriage door opened.