Due to the faintly transmitted sound, it was difficult to immediately identify the owner of the voice. However, thanks to the other party who kept rambling without caution, Natasha finally succeeded in identifying the owner of the voice.

The identity was Charlotte, who had been kind to the Duchess until just a moment ago.

Meliana and Vanessa seemed to be restraining the ill-mannered Charlotte. Warnings pointing out her insolence followed one after another, but Charlotte continued to speak without caring.

“Oh my, you all react as if I said something I shouldn’t have. Of course, as maids who should serve the Duchess, it’s not something you should say. But be a little honest. After entering through such high competition, to serve someone who’s a princess of a fallen nation as the mistress. Even if she was royalty, isn’t she no different from a commoner already erased from history books?”

The complaints Charlotte had been secretly harboring came out in detail. As her colleagues, whom she thought would agree with her, criticized her instead, her pride seemed quite hurt, and she was in an even more excited state.

“Even the Duchess seemed to know her place. Didn’t you all see and hear clearly? She’s receiving treatment beyond her station thanks to her husband, so she must feel ashamed herself.”

It didn’t take long for someone’s consideration to turn into contempt. Through Charlotte’s fabrication, Natasha instantly became a princess of a fallen nation who knew her place.

Charlotte’s slander didn’t shock Natasha greatly. In fact, she had been one of the servants who slandered the Duchess in her previous life, so she had expected to be tormented like this in this life as well.

Natasha pondered for a moment.

Should she confront someone who posed no threat to her? Should she really step forward and point out the other’s rudeness?

Responding to useless matters only resulted in fatigue and disillusionment. She was already in a difficult enough state without adding more.

‘Is there any reason to respectfully serve someone lower than us? It’s insulting.’

‘It’s a position secured by the Duke’s love, so if she lost the Duke’s love, wouldn’t she have nothing left? Isn’t it normal not to receive treatment as a wife when she’s not even treated as a Duchess?’

But this too was one of her misfortunes.

The servants who claimed she should be mistreated because she was a princess of a fallen nation despised the Duchess in every way possible.

To avoid repeating the misfortune, she had to act now. Even small cracks would eventually lead to collapse.

‘I need to correct this from now on.’

Natasha stepped forward to subdue Charlotte’s emotions.

As she opened the door and went out, the gazes of the three standing alone in the corridor turned to one side.

“My, my lady, have you finished resting? It’s still far from breakfast time… Are you perhaps hungry?”

“No, it’s not that. I was thinking of visiting the library for a moment.”

“I see. I, I’ll guide you right away.”

Unlike Meliana and Vanessa, who responded quickly, Charlotte, who had been talking loudly, suddenly fell silent. She seemed worried that the Duchess might have heard her story.

Natasha refused the gestures of the two who offered to guide her and approached Charlotte closely.

“I didn’t know my consideration would rather be used against me. It was just a small gesture of goodwill, not belittlement.”

A series of bewildered gasps burst out from behind. Charlotte, who inhaled silently, shuddered her delicate shoulders.

“I, I didn’t mean to denounce your ladyship’s consideration…”

It was an excuse that wouldn’t work at all. Charlotte, who had been sneering and criticizing the woman, couldn’t deny the truth and muttered with her head deeply bowed.

“Lady Tristana, I have no doubt that someone as wise as you will give a satisfactory answer to the following question. Do you think the Duke’s family is such a humble house that its status would be lowered because of the mistress’s origins?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

At Charlotte’s answer, Natasha tilted her head as if puzzled.

“Then I don’t understand what the problem is. Did I perhaps become the Duchess through negative means? Have I lowered my status by breaking the laws that a citizen should rightfully abide by?”

“That, that’s not it either…”

“Then I really don’t know, so please tell me. I want to know the reason why you, who came into the Duke’s residence with such difficulty, are dissatisfied with serving me.”

When actually asked for the reason, Charlotte closed her mouth. Only consecutive apologies in a grumbling voice leaked out between her tightly closed lips.

‘This should be enough.’

As she looked around, she met eyes with Meliana and Vanessa. They, who had been watching the Duchess nervously as if sitting on pins and needles, were startled when their eyes met Natasha’s, as if they had done something wrong.

“Lady Leahn, Wiltz. Would you please go to the library first? I’ll leave after finishing my conversation with Lady Tristana.”

“Ah, understood. We’ll see you later, my lady.”

As the two retreated from their positions as if being chased, the corridor became deserted. This fact seemed a bit frightening to Charlotte.

Charlotte was quite proud of the fact that she worked at the Asthart Duke’s residence. Many of the noble children she associated with envied her for this.

But to serve a princess of a fallen nation! Charlotte, who had been designated as the Duchess’s dedicated maid, felt a sense of shame as if she had become equal to her counterpart.

In her excitement, she didn’t even think that the Duchess would hear the conversation. In fact, it was also an insolent attitude of ‘what could she do even if she heard?’

“My, my lady, I apologize… I made a mistake. If you order me to keep my mouth shut while serving you, I will keep it shut for life. Even if you assign me only arduous tasks, I will follow without complaint.”

Begging forgiveness so pitifully from someone you were just insulting was quite damaging to one’s pride, but it was nothing compared to the cold reality she would face.

If this incident reaches the Duke’s ears, Charlotte’s position would be in danger. Not only would she be dismissed from the Duke’s residence, but she would also have to deal with the ensuing rumors.

Embroiled in such gossip, she would never find employment again. Not only that, she would be labeled for life in social circles. Charlotte and the entire Tristana viscounty family would be criticized for daring to insult the Duchess whom the Duke favors.

“So please, if you could forgive me just this once…”

Thinking of this, the future seemed so bleak.

“It’s alright.”

“…”

“Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.”

“My, my lady…?”

A voice, kind beyond measure, comforted Charlotte, who had been barely holding back tears. It was a gentleness that seemed unlike the Duchess who had been radiating coldness just moments ago. Moreover, she even wore a smile.

Natasha promised not to report this to the Duke separately and sent Charlotte away. However, she said that there must be consequences for rudeness, and that she would transfer the position of the Duchess’s dedicated maid to Cayena.

Charlotte acted as if this light treatment was the Duchess’s great magnanimity, but in truth, Natasha had also compromised after calculating the benefits.

Imposing a harsh punishment would only amount to abusing her husband’s power. It would only provoke antipathy from those who think like Charlotte.

Meliana and Vanessa, who had been watching, would inform the other servants of today’s incident. As today’s event would serve as an example and provide a good lesson to the servants, Natasha stopped short of causing a big commotion.

“I heard there was an unpleasant incident this morning.”

It was quite an inappropriate first remark to start a conversation. Moreover, weren’t the two of them in the middle of a meal?

The knife that was cutting into the nicely browned grilled fish fell onto the plate. The woman, pondering her answer, forgot to retrieve her hand and knife left in mid-air and left them neglected for a while. It was quite some time before the knife-work resumed.

“That matter was well resolved at my level.”

“It seems too light a treatment for such impertinent speech. Natasha, if you wish, I can have the maid removed from the Duke’s residence.”

“She has worked here for a long time. I didn’t think it necessary to hold her greatly responsible for a single mistake. I hope you will respect your wife’s opinion as well.”

It was the same thought as before.

Charlotte’s dismissal would serve as a strong warning to other servants. At the same time, it would become a situation where a newcomer exercises power.

The greater the return, the greater the risk. If the man who gave her power couldn’t give her eternal favor, the risk would be even greater.

“You’re generous to the point of foolishness. I feel guilty for trying to silence the maid so she would never speak in front of you again.”

“…I think you’re being a bit unreasonable about that, Your Grace.”

“When the honor of a wife worthy of respect has been damaged, it’s only right to do what must be done.”

It was amusing to hear such words from someone who once contributed more than anyone to damaging Natasha’s honor.

“You’re quite affectionate.”

She smiled softly. At that, Sieghart’s expression hardened as if seeing the woman’s smile for the first time.

“I didn’t know you were someone who paid attention to such minute details.”

Calm, red eyes slowly traced over Natasha. He waited for her next words, motionless as if holding his breath.

“Then, would you punish someone else instead of Lady Tristana?”

“Someone else?”

“There’s one person who spoke the cruelest words to me. I don’t know where they are or what they’re doing now.”

“…”

“The words that person spoke are deeply etched in my mind, often tormenting me.”

A bitter smile settled on her face. Beneath her trembling eyelashes, eyes carrying a bitter emotion stood out.

“Are you perhaps resentful?”

After a long while, Sieghart asked quietly.

Though uncertain, fear and anguish clung persistently to his questioning voice.

Resentment?

It was true that suppressed emotions had flowed out again due to her reunion with the man, but among them, there was no resentment.

Unlike other emotions, feelings for Sieghart were a luxury.

When he pierced Natasha’s heart with a dagger, when he ruthlessly gave up ten lives, Natasha discarded all emotions towards Sieghart.

“Well, I have no emotions left to give that person anymore.”

“…”

“Hatred, resentment, I’ve thrown it all away now.”

Beyond Natasha’s field of vision, Sieghart came into view. In the man’s figure reflected in her eyes, the composure that naturally existed with him was nowhere to be seen.