Meryl Blaine, Viscountess Monmouth, was rarely dressed in a plain manner.

“Welcome, Bianca.”

Her light blonde hair, always impeccably adorned with colorful flowers and feather decorations as if to showcase the lady’s perfectionism, was simply twisted up today without any special ornaments.

Her skin, too, was devoid of even the slightest trace of makeup.

Yet, the strikingly red lips on her plain face and her body draped in a disheveled gown exuded a startlingly sensual atmosphere.

Not a typical beauty, but possessing outstanding charm and a peculiar allure that drew the eye, Meryl Blaine shone even in her unadorned state, befitting a young lady not yet forty.

However, in truth, this natural appearance of hers was a rare sight even within the mansion.

It was customary here for several maids to spend hours perfecting the lady’s attire.

But today was an exception. A day when Viscount Monmouth would not return, and no guests were scheduled to visit.

Lady Talbot, so to speak, was not a guest who needed to be greeted with formality.

The viscountess and Bianca had maintained a close friendship for several years now, making their considerable age gap of over a decade seem irrelevant.

“How have you been, Viscountess?”

“Oh, I was so bored, my mind was about to go numb.”

The viscountess’s tea room was filled with the pungent smoke of cigars.

A noble lady smoking cigars, no matter how great a husband she had, would not escape criticism if it became known to the public.

However, on days when Viscount Monmouth did not return, the Viscountess Monmouth would unfailingly take out a cigar and puff on it.

“This is a rare specialty I painstakingly imported from Bert. Would you like one?”

“Thank you for the offer, but it still feels a bit daunting for me.”

Bianca gracefully took her seat across from the lady, flashing an adorably irresistible smile.

It was a perfect smile that did not betray her inner desire for the viscountess to put out that damned cigarette immediately.

Meryl could not hide her disappointment as she withdrew the proffered cigar. Her voice took on a slightly pointed tone.

“Why have you been so scarce lately?”

“Ah, I’ve been spending time with my family for a change. Somehow, I hadn’t visited the villa at all this summer.”

As soon as the maid poured the tea, Bianca quickly picked up the cup and gently covered her mouth with it, smiling. Behind the faintly rising steam, her awkward smile quickly found its place.

“Oh, is that so? Even the viscount?”

“No, Viscountess. This time I went with my relatives.”

“Hmm… That must have been enjoyable.”

“Yes, thanks to that.”

Bianca decided to swiftly change the subject.

After all, she had no intention of revealing that she had been busy inquiring about Ansel’s whereabouts.

“By the way, it’s been a month since we last met like this. The last time was when we went to Longfield together, right?”

At those words, Meryl furrowed her brow as if recalling a headache-inducing matter. She inhaled deeply from the cigar before continuing.

“Ah, just thinking about that day still makes my blood boil.”

“Is the viscount still very angry?”

“Don’t even mention it, Bianca.”

Her adopted son had already left the earl’s residence the day before the wedding.

The carriage carrying the viscount couple, Bianca, and the servants was busily making its way to Longfield, unaware of that fact.

Annoyingly, it seemed Ansel had not breathed a word to anyone before committing such a shocking act. Not even to his bride-to-be.

On the morning of the wedding day, the first sight the viscount couple saw upon arriving at the earl’s residence and alighting from the carriage was the pitiful bride and her family, bewildered and in a state of shock.

The moment they realized something was amiss, the earl’s servants came running to inform them that Ansel had already left for the capital.

Viscount Monmouth’s complexion turned pale with cold fury.

Even the servants were so intimidated by his icy demeanor that they stepped back.

He ordered the servants who were about to unload the luggage to prepare for the return to the capital, and Meryl gently grasped her husband’s arm.

‘Still, let’s meet with the earl before leaving. Since we’ve come this far, at least have some tea…’

However, the viscount turned away without even acknowledging her words.

That moment was awkward for Bianca as well, but she did not find the situation as shocking as the viscount couple did.

Although she had not expected him to disappear without even holding the ceremony, she knew that Ansel had no love for that woman.

She could be certain of it, having seen it with her own eyes.

‘It was indeed a rash decision. Marriage is still too early for him.’

Marriage meant shackling oneself.

The beautiful freedom he had enjoyed until now would vanish, and his world would instantly narrow. If, on top of that, his partner was a mediocre woman who could offer no help, every moment would be filled with regret.

‘But if he marries me, even subordination will be beautiful, Ansel.’

So Bianca needed a little more time.

Until Ansel finally realized who would be the most suitable choice as his partner in the inevitable marriage he faced as the family heir, even if he would not come to love her as if by fate.

She could wait as long as it took. As long as he came to her.

She was confident that Ansel would eventually accept her. Having watched him for a long time, Bianca knew well that he was a man of strict principles.

The broken engagement fiasco was certainly uncharacteristic of him, but considering that Ansel had walked a path without the slightest deviation throughout his life, it was not incomprehensible to think of it as his first and last act of rebellion.

‘Above all, it’s significant that he broke off that absurd marriage.’

In the future, the wealth and honor of both the Earl of Huntington and the Viscount Monmouth would all be his. Knowing the weight of succession, Ansel’s youthful rebellion would end with that one instance.

In the same vein, even the viscount, who was said to be furious, would ultimately have no choice but to forgive his only son.

Of course, it might be a bit different for the viscountess, who disliked Ansel, but if she and Ansel were to become husband and wife someday, she would not be able to ignore him entirely, if only for Bianca’s sake.

Bianca had gained the viscountess’s favor solely for that day and had finally cultivated a relationship as close as mother and daughter.

A strong bond that would not change even if the lady were to become her real mother-in-law soon.

“Ah, yes. Congratulations on your pregnancy, Viscountess.”

Bianca, having gathered her thoughts, abruptly presented the gift she had prepared.

“…Oh my, what is this?”

The viscountess hastily set down the cigar she had been holding and accepted the small velvet-wrapped box.

Her languid eyes widened with surprise and joy, growing even larger the moment the box was opened.

“My goodness. When did you prepare this?”

Meryl admired the transparent radiance of the sapphire encircled by tiny diamonds, as if entranced.

It was an exceptionally beautiful object, reminiscent of the sea shimmering under the sunlight.

Bianca, with eyes the same color as the gem, smiled shyly.

“I bought it early because it was pretty. I had been waiting for the right moment to give it to you, and when you shared such wonderful news, I thought now was the time.”

“Thank you, truly. How do you always know my heart so well?”

The viscountess must have been pleased with the gift, for she immediately put the ring on her finger.

The ring fit her elegantly extended finger as if it had been measured.

Recently, even the maids had been sticking out their tongues at Meryl’s severe mood swings, but she seemed to have calmed down miraculously upon receiving the unexpected gift.

“You know, I thought I would never experience such a miracle again. After losing my first child to miscarriage and not having any news for a long time…”

Meryl spoke in a dreamy tone, as if in a trance, placing her ringed hand on her chest.

The ring on her hand reflected the light from the chandelier, sparkling brilliantly.

“The viscount must have been overjoyed as well. Of course, I am too. I’m already curious whether it will be a boy or a girl.”

“What? A girl won’t do.”

Suddenly, the viscountess’s face hardened.

“I want it to be a son. It’s the family’s first child, after all.”

“…”

The family’s first child? It was strange to say that when the eldest son of the Monmouth family was very much alive and well.

Bianca swallowed a hollow laugh and gently replied.

“Ansel will be a reliable elder brother.”

“Well…”

As expected, the viscountess immediately showed signs of discomfort.

“I don’t think Ansel, who tarnished the family’s reputation and left the house, can be a good brother. It would be fortunate if he doesn’t have a bad influence.”

“…”

“At this point, it seems he has no intention of returning. Ah, he’ll probably come begging for money soon enough. He can’t make a living working like a commoner, after all. Maybe he’ll go to his grandfather. He probably has no shame left now.”

The viscountess clicked her tongue and brought the cigar back to her lips. Bianca asked with a nonchalant expression.

“Has he not visited?”

“…He has. But he ended up leaving without meeting his father.”

“Surely the viscount didn’t refuse to see him?”

“No, he’s been terribly busy lately. But even if he hadn’t been away, he would have sent him back. I’ve never seen him so angry.”

At those words, Bianca began to genuinely worry about Ansel.

It seemed the situation could not be rectified quickly.

“Now it’s as if there’s no heir, and getting pregnant at this time is such a great blessing, Bianca. You have no idea how I feel right now.”

The viscountess’s lips curved into a gentle arc as she spoke.

It was a smile that could belong to a benevolent mother or a greedy witch.