Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“I’ve been practicing sewing little by little. Living only in my room so far, I have a lot of free—”

“Practice sewing….? Then now, are you saying … that you mended the dress?”

“….yes.”

For the past few years when I was confined in the room, Marianne left me alone. Marianne, who confirmed that my mind had been broken, was only watching me so carefully that I wouldn’t die then stopped paying attention at all.

Of course it’s a lie that I’ve been practicing sewing during those years. But Marianne, who had left her distraught stepdaughter unattended, couldn’t doubt what I sad.

She should have looked into it sometime to see if my words are real or not.

“….I see. Then what’s going on with Her Royal Highness the Princess? She was with you. Why did she talk to you? How rude of you to talk to her first?”

“Hu, Her Royal Highness thankfully spoke to me first. I don’t know why. Maybe she was interested because I’m the daughter of Crescente?”

Sharon’s face flushed at my words.

“She … are she ignoring me now because I’m not of the blood of the Crescente?! Is that what it is?!”

“No … It’s not that, Sharon….”

Why is she mad at me? If Her Highness discriminates against her, then she should have to say that to the Princess.

Oh, of course, it’s not that she is wrong. I hope she keeps ignoring Sharon.

And as I spoke briefly with her today, I don’t think Her Highness would like Sharon very much. It’s just a guess, but Her Royal Highness had disapproved of the humble origin of Ramona in the novel. Maybe Princess Cynthia doesn’t like Sharon acted like a Duke’s daughter, when she is not.

Marianne declared in a callous voice.

“Riana, try to stay in home for three days from tomorrow.”

“Yes….”

My ‘stay in’ wasn’t all about simply staying home. If that is the case, the situation is not much different.

During that time, everyone in the mansion had to act like I was invisible.

I couldn’t talk to anyone, nor I could be served by the employees.

To be invisible.

I was a little offended, but I just accepted it because it was a good thing.

I was tired, and I’m sure after the party, I’ll go to sleep like a dead man. My strength was weak. It’s a matter of course considering the amount of activity I’ve had so far.

As soon as I returned to the mansion, I was soaked with fatigue and was given a bath. After taking a bath, I changed into a indoor dress and went straight to the bed.

I don’t know how many hours have passed. When I opened my eyes, it was dark in the night.

“Water—”

I think I woke up because of thirst. But there was no water in the room.

“Leah—”

I called Leah in a dreamy voice, but there was no one answering me back.

At this time, she must be sleeping in her maid room.

I thought I was going back to sleep because I was so lazy, but I changed my mind and put on slippers.

As I was heading down the stairs with a small lamp and headed for the kitchen, a faint light was seen coming out of Marianne’s room.

I could not hear well, but I could hear voices whispering.

What is— it’s too much to ignore.

Careful not to make any noise, I listened to the sound from across the door.

It was none other than Sharon who was talking to Marianne.

“I was so shocked! Do you know how humiliated I was at the party? When they asked me what happened, they looked at me with a suspicious look, and I was so embarrassed!”

“You don’t know how much trouble I had because I’ve had to answer all the other ladies’ question. Adriana, she can even come to a party. She must be more sane than I thought.”

“What do you think, Mother?”

“It may have been better. If she has a mental disorder, there might be no 9ne willing to take her. At least, we should sell her face to a family that can be useful.”

“That’s too much for her.”

“What else can I do. What have I been feeding and dressing her for? I’ll let her pay for it.”

One question has been solved.

That’s why Marianne won’t hurt me if she can.

I felt sorry to think of myself as such a thorn, thinking she leaving me alive just because she had to pretend to be benevolent mother.

Marianne was born and raised in a single family, and married to a baron with a small fortune. She might be ambitious, but the background did not support her.

It’s been six years since she became a Duchess, but six years has been a very short time compared to society ladies who have grown up with each other. Though the outside may be shiny, actually her social standing is weak and she’s not that well-connected.

As you already know, the reason Marianne pretends to be a good other is one of the means to increase her position as the Duchess of Crescente.

But wouldn’t it be convenient if she just kill me so she doesn’t have to act like that anymore? If you kill someone disguised as a suicide or an accident, the question may remain, but no one will ever go so far as to delve into the Duke’s family affair.

And that’s why she didn’t kill me.

To marry me into a family worthy of her own use, and to create a network through marriage.

And it was more likely to be the concubine of a rich aristocrat, than the wife of a prosperous family.

I clenched the hem of my skirt. My hands were shaking with anger.

The price for the food and clothes you gave me? What are you talking about when the stones are rolled around?

“Don’t tell me, you’re not mopping up what we’ve done, are you? But If I just could talk to The Royal Highness….”

“No, that kid. We’ve been watching this for years, you know how clumsy and curt she is. She thinks she’ll be in trouble if she goes against us.”

If I stay too long, I might get caught, so I’ve moved away from my position.

For a while, that pair of mother and daughter have no choice but to think. And I have no choice but to act the way I do.

In the end, I will laugh at their doom.

✴️✴️✴️

I could go out tomorrow to relieve my stress.

I had to eat in my room during my probationary period, and the food was prepared very early to reflect on. I can’t help myself. I’m just going to eat it.

I sat down in front of the desk, a little nervous. I’m planning to write a letter to my brother, Theodore, today.

At first, my brother sent letters several times, but it had never get in my hand because the letter-bearer Marianne tore it apart in front of my eyes and threw it into the fireplace.

I wanted to see my brother’s letter, but I only got laughed and ridiculed when I asked for it.

And my brother did not send any letters anymore, seems like he had noticed the general situation in the absence of an answer.

I was depressed because I thought he had forgotten me, but now I think I’ve decided that sending a letter would provoke Marianne.

< My dear Brother, this is Riana

It’s my first time sending a letter. How are you doing? I’m doing well.

It’s been more than five years since you went to the Academy to study. I’m sure there are many outstanding people there, right? Did you make good friends?

I’ve heard rumors that the first Prince is at the Academy. I heard he’s a great person. I sometimes think how good it would be if my Brother have a close friend like him.

Actually, Her Royal Highness invited me to her party a while ago. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a party, but Her Highness and the others have been so kind to me.

She said she’d invite me to her tea party. I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t had a chance to build any friendship because I haven’t been feeling well. But now that I’m completely healthy, I want to get along with the Princess and the other young girls.

If you’re going to reply, please sent it to the Postal Service in the capital. I’ll go get it. If you sent it to Crescente Mansion, Mother will resent it. I’m writing this letter behind Mother’s back.

Please be healthy and take care of yourself. >

If Marianne finds out that I’m exchanging letters with brother Theodore, she might suspect that my brother and I are up to something.

Fortunately, I could go out now, but I wanted to avoid the situation where I was suspicious and couldn’t even do it.

I folded and sealed the letter that I wrote carefully on a pretty stationary and waited for tomorrow.

My heart pounded at the thought of sending a letter to my brother for the first time.

Although I have memories of my past life and I like the original version of the book, I never harbor any inappropriate feelings.

Even though I remember my past life, my brother has always been just my brother.

And there was another character who was my favorite in The Story of Ramona.

The empire was later came to a war under the invasion of the demons, when The Demon’s Prince was the one who led the demons’ army.

He only appeared in the second half, but his fans quickly increased because he was a very charismatic and wonderful character.

It is a handsome man characterized by his blunt speech and cold expression, which exudes a solitary atmosphere. It’s just the opposite of my brother’s charm.

My friends who like the cool bad character type went wild with this prince.

Leonhart is also a villain, but the prince who is silently aiming and smashing his sword shook their hearts more than Leonhart, who schemed and fiddled under the water to take the Crown Prince’s throne and try to take away other person’s woman.

I’m not particularly fond of this villain role, but I was concerned about what caused the blunt-looking man to invade the empire.

There were ostensive reasons, but somehow it’s not quite clear. Details of the story didn’t come out at the last, but I kept guessing, and I got really excited.

Since I was in my favorite novel, I wanted to meet him at least once. This is a lavish wish for now, because I have to work hard to protect myself.

The next morning, I wake up, and I said to Leah after washing my face and a simple dressing up.

“I’m going out today.”

“Shall I get ready to go out?”

“No, there’s nothing else to prepare for. I don’t need a guard escort. I’m going out without having lunch.”

“Yes, then I’ll talk to the—”

“I won’t even ride the carriage.”

Leah looked very surprised. A nobleman usually travels in a carriage or horse, never walking on her own feet on the street.

I aimed at that point.

Marianne must not hear what I did outside today. So I couldn’t have the employee accompany me, and if I were out on my own, it was better to look like a commoner if I didn’t want to be a target.

In addition, there are some aristocrats in the last Princess’s party who got acquainted with me. I should refrain from making any noticeable moves.

“But if you go out alone, everyone will be worried.”

“Is it true? Oh, I’ll pick up the clothes myself. Let’s have this one.”

“This, this one? Are you sure? Wouldn’t that be better?”

“No, I like this one.”

I chose the most modest clothes that I had. But the quality of the material made it’s clear that it was an expensive outfit.

“Leah, do you have an outing robe?”

“I do, but are you going to use it? It’s not worthy for you to wear—”

“It’s okay. Go get it.”