Chapter 51

Chapter 51

“They know a little about our situation.”

Lionel’s expression became more serious.

“Actually, there is a story you should hear. Let’s move.”

“Yes.”

Lionel moved to the drawing room with Riv. He ordered Karl, the butler.

“Bring them.”

“Yes.”

The old Karl brought letters bearing the royal seal on a tray.

“Here they are, Your Grace.”

“What are these?”

“Riv, these are letters addressed to you. I think you should read them.”

The letters had all been opened. Lionel seemed to have read the contents beforehand.

“There was no dangerous content or direct threats in the letters. Magic was not used.”

There were several letters. The names of Princess Marianne, Queen Selina, and the names of the princes were written on the outside.

Riv’s expression distorted as she picked up a letter and read it.

It was not surprising. The contents were as she had expected.

Queen Selina had a great resentment against Riv. So she wanted to kill Riv.

[ I hope you have a miserable end.

-Queen Selina]

Compared to the Queen’s letter, Marianne’s letter was more of a curse.

The letter was written in red ink, perhaps chicken blood was used. It contained childish profanity and threats.

[Come back here right now!]

After reading Marianne’s letter that opened like this, Riv closed it.

She could already guess what the rest of the letters said without reading them. Although she used abusive words, Marianne’s letter was better than the Queen’s.

Marianne used to easily forget when she no longer saw the subject of her revenge. On the other hand, Queen Selina had killed many of her maids.

Riv was the only case of a maid she did not successfully kill.

‘The Queen will not tolerate letting me live.’

Lionel’s expression was also serious.

“Riv, if you start socializing, your life could be in danger.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll give you an escort. Even if it makes you uncomfortable, please endure it.”

For the time being, it seemed that she had to get used to being accompanied by an escort.

But would she have to hide like this for the rest of her life?

‘I may only have a few months left.’

Riv asked Lionel.

“Lionel, will I be safe if Princess Marianne’s new groom is chosen?”

Lionel was skeptical.

“Even if Marianne’s engagement is decided, it will be a few more months before Marianne gets married. Queen Selina’s resentment may not be resolved afterwards.”

“Haa.”

“If you don’t show up at banquets or the social world, they might start spreading rumors again. Even if you go down to the estate or somewhere else, the royal family will find you and try to call for you.”

“I understand.”

Queen Selina would be obsessed with her because she wanted to kill her.

It was the same with Marianne.

‘Don’t think about them any more.’

Riv folded the letters from the royal family.

Even though Riv didn’t use magic, she could clearly sense the malice and negative emotions in the letters.

On the other hand, there was no ill intention from the invitation of the Earl of Murden, only a cautious kindness towards the other party.

Why were they so extreme?

Riv accepted the invitation from the Earl of Murden and she laughed.

“I want to meet these people.”

“Good.”

“But when can we go? What date?”

Lionel casually pointed to the back of the invitation.

“The date is on the invitation. The day after tomorrow.”

“That soon?”

Lionel didn’t give her time to prepare her mind.

“Oh, a female knight will escort you starting this afternoon. You can rest assured. I chose her because she’s someone I can trust.”

Lionel looked annoyed that he had to wait two more days.

She couldn’t expect delicacy from him, so Riv sighed quietly.

Two days later, Lionel and Riv’s carriage arrived at the Earl of Murden’s mansion.

The Earl and Countess of Murden lived in a large mansion built on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.

Before disembarking from the carriage, Riv nervously took a deep breath.

She asked Lionel the same question she had repeatedly asked since they left.

“Lionel, do I look okay?”

Lionel clenched his teeth and stared at Riv.

“Yes. You’re pretty.”

Riv was not relieved by his indifferent words at all.

“I wish you could tell me exactly which part looks wrong.”

“I have nothing to criticize because I think you’re pretty.”

Riv only shook her head, knowing that she wasn’t pretty.

Lionel, who became brazen after their marriage, casually poured out praises regarding her appearance. He sometimes stared at her, as if he wanted to attack and eat her.

Lionel stared at Riv with scorching eyes and opened his mouth.

“Do I look strange?”

“Lionel is perfect.”

Lionel, who was dressed in a black suit, looked great in Riv’s eyes.

“Riv, you look worried.”

Riv had carefully selected her gift for the Earl of Murden and his wife. Her outfit was also carefully considered.

Her soft, light purple dress further accentuated Riv’s mature look and her nobility.

The moderate exposure revealed her voluptuous curves, and the straps accentuated her slender waist.

Adding her gloves, her outdoor hat and her thin lace shawl, Riv looked like the perfect lady.

Lionel reached out his hand towards her.

“Shall we go, Duchess?”

Riv took his hand.

***

It seemed that the Earl and Countess were already waiting on their porch.

“Come down, Riv.”

After Lionel got off the carriage, he took Riv’s hand and helped her get out.

“Lionel.”

Earl Murden approached the two of them.

Earl Murden was a tall, handsome young man with brown hair.

After a light greeting and hug with Lionel, he turned to Riv.

“So this is the Duchess of Sentoren. I didn’t get to see you properly at the wedding, but you’re a beauty.”

A smile spread across Earl Murden’s face as he looked at Riv. Riv remembered that the man in front of her had genuinely blessed their marriage.

“I’m sorry for the late greeting, Earl Murden.”

Riv greeted him with her elegant court manners, holding her skirt with both hands.

“I’m Olivia Sentoren.”

“Oh, I’m André Murden.”

André hurriedly bowed back to Riv.

Riv, who had her skirt wide open and her waist bent almost at a right angle, carefully lifted her body. André said.

“You don’t have to be polite. Lionel and I have been friends for a long time, and my wife doesn’t know much about formality.”

André reached out his hand for a handshake instead. He grabbed Riv’s hand and shook it excitedly.

“Nice to meet you, Olivia. I have been friends with Lionel for twenty years. Lionel has also known my wife, Sophia, for a long time.”

André introduced the cute woman and children who were watching them.

“This is my wife, Sophia. And these are our children.”

She was a cute woman who was one head shorter than André. Behind Sophia stood their three children, who seemed to be a perfect mix of the couple. They were hugging their nanny while looking at Riv.

Sophia approached Riv.

Sophia stopped short, then said “Leo”. She started arguing with Lionel.

“As I heard, the Duchess is very tall. Where did Lionel meet such a beautiful lady? Besides, why didn’t you invite me to the wedding?”

Lionel murmured and sighed.

As they talked, Riv realized that Sophia was 5 years older than Riv.

Sophia looked so young that Riv didn’t notice the age difference. It was also hard to believe that she was a mother of three.

“Olivia, my name is Sophia Murden.”

Sophia walked up to Riv and greeted her.

“I’m Olivia Sentoren. Please call me Riv.”

“Riv, thank you for accepting our invitation.”

Sophia also grabbed Riv’s hand and shook it. She realized that Lionel was standing behind her.

“Lionel, It’s too bad you didn’t even properly introduce her to us.”

“There was no time for that, Sophia.”

Lionel quickly spoke informally. Sophia laughed out loud.

“Did you hear that my husband and Lionel have been friends for twenty years? André and I have been engaged for a long time, so I feel comfortable with Lionel.”

She then introduced their children. The cute children looked at Riv and her eyes twinkled with excitement.

The small children approached Riv.

Riv lowered her body to greet the children at their eye level. She didn’t mind her dress dragging on the floor.

“Hello, little prince. What is your name?”

“P-Paul.”

The child who smiled shyly grabbed the hem of Riv’s dress.

“And who is this second princess?”

“I-It’s Jeanne.”

The third was a baby who was not yet able to speak or walk. The children froze for a moment as they looked at Riv, then smiled brightly.

“They are so cute, Sophia.”

Sophia also smiled, then linked arms with Riv.

“Come on, let’s talk inside Riv. There’s still plenty of time before dinner.”

While Lionel went off to speak with André, Sophia invited Riv into the mansion and showed her around.

After touring the mansion, Sophia sat down with Riv in the drawing room.

As Riv mentioned that she would bring in the gifts that she had forgotten from the carriage, Sophia asked with a smile.

“Is Lionel good to you?”

Riv nodded as she glanced at Lionel. A red blush spread across her face.