Chapter 200
At that moment, Freesia asked softly,
“Are you afraid because of what you did to me before? Giving me leftovers that even the castle servants wouldn’t eat, assigning me the worst room, and standing watch when I was whipped?”
“Your Highness, please, I beg for your mercy…”
“But I think the head maid’s actions were understandable back then.”
“…What?”
“At the time, no one knew whose child I was. Not even I knew.”
Freesia smiled sweetly at Merope, who looked stunned and bewildered.
“And… even if the Elder Madam had grievances against me, I understand that those were not the fault of a subordinate.”
Placing a gentle hand on Merope’s trembling shoulder, Freesia whispered softly.
“You needn’t fear Lord Izar’s wrath. You can rest easy.”
Merope’s eyes widened to the size of saucers.
That statement… did it mean that if she testified against Electra, her life would be spared—even if Izar wanted her dead?
“Your Highness! I, actually—!”
“But, Head Maid.”
“Y-Yes?”
“The words you wish to say… it would be better to share them where many ladies can hear that you are innocent.”
Freesia smiled radiantly, like a blooming flower.
“You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
Of course, Merope understood. How else could she have survived so many years at Electra’s side without that level of awareness?
At that moment, Electra’s temper exploded.
“I’m innocent! How dare that filthy mouth slander me?”
“Slander? Who was it who begged Duchess Antares for that dangerous poison, then?”
“You think I orchestrated such a thing? You have no evidence, and now you’re betraying your old mistress just to save your own skin—how pitiful!”
“Pitiful? Ha!”
Merope raised her voice further, anger building. Having served Electra for so long, she knew exactly how to strike her pride.
“The truly pitiful thing is that you’ve never once warmed your husband’s bed since your marriage!”
“W-What are you saying…!”
“I know the previous Duke left the marital bed on your wedding night!”
“You, you—!”
“Even after you dressed in the late Duchess’s clothes and tried to seduce him while drunk, he pushed you away, didn’t he?”
Electra’s face turned crimson with shame at the unveiled truth.
Among the gathered ladies, someone stifled a laugh, but a quiet snort escaped.
“Pfft—”
That sound quickly echoed into muffled laughter behind fans as the guests struggled to contain their amusement.
“To think she used to disparage the Duke’s mother like that…”
“Wearing the late Duchess’s clothes? Oh, my…”
The humiliation Electra had thought buried with time resurfaced with a vengeance, leaving her breathless.
It would have been better to die than to have her pitiful struggles as a wife exposed before these women.
“Now, ladies.”
A small silver spoon tapped the edge of a teacup, producing a clear ring.
“Things are getting a bit out of hand.”
The imperial descendant, who had remained silent until now, smiled sweetly.
The laughter, which had felt like crawling insects, ceased immediately, and everyone averted their gaze from Electra.
Their attention did not return to her for the rest of the tea party.
Electra could do nothing but watch helplessly as the place she had ruled her entire life slipped from her grasp.
* * *
After the tumultuous tea party ended, Freesia and Thea walked through the garden to catch their breath.
Thea’s cheerful demeanor prompted Freesia to comment dryly,
“It seems you enjoyed the tea party the most, Thea. You look quite pleased.”
“Of course, Madam!”
Thea thought back to when she had first heard Freesia say she would forgive the Elder Madam and worried if her mistress had taken leave of her senses.
“So, will you truly forgive Head Maid Merope?”
“That’s uncertain…”
Merope, who eagerly joined in shaming her former master without hesitation, was no longer necessary.
“There’s no need to keep her around.”
Freesia nodded to herself as she considered it, prompting Thea to tilt her head in curiosity.
“By the way, Madam, weren’t you pleased?”
“Hm? Why would I be pleased?”
“Why, you humbled the Elder Madam, who mocked you so, and made the other noblewomen bow to you completely!”
“…Not really.”
Freesia had simply decided it was time to confront Electra once before enacting her true revenge.
While humiliating her had been a satisfying thought, Freesia had also wanted to see if she regretted the harsh treatment she had inflicted in the past.
Electra’s cruelty had been severe, but thanks to her, Freesia had acquired the necessary skills to be a noblewoman in just three short years.
‘Perhaps I wanted to give her a small chance. After all, Thea has also changed.’
As Freesia turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of something in the corner of the garden.
“Thea, what is that over there?”
“Hm? Ah!”
Thea’s eyes widened as she looked where Freesia pointed.
There, among the thorn bushes, hung a white ribbon and a small silver bell.
The light fabric fluttered like smoke in the breeze, and the bell emitted a sorrowful chime.
It was a way to honor the spirit of someone buried without the proper rites.
“I heard it was ordered by His Grace, that it should be placed for someone there…”
“……”
Freesia said nothing in response to Thea’s explanation, her face unreadable.
But when she spoke again, her voice was cold.
“Thea.”
“Yes, Madam!”
“Burn that thorn bush by the end of today. Every root, without exception.”
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