Ha, I hastily threw off the blanket and got up.

“Rest a few more days, Lady Etricia.”

“I’m fine.”

Despite Lilien’s repeated urging to rest, I refused, feeling like I might jump up in anger at the thought of that guy.

After resting for a few days, it seemed the effects of the medicine had worn off completely. After calling a maid to help me wash and change clothes, I felt refreshed.

Just as I was thinking I should go to Edmond’s office to find the artifact containing the will authentication certificate, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened and the person who appeared was Edmond.

“Ah, that’s good. I was just about to visit your office.”

“I also heard you woke up… Sister.”

Edmond trailed off and squeezed his eyes shut. I caught a glimpse of Lilien’s silver hair behind him. She seemed to be pushing Edmond’s back with all her might, as if urging him to go in.

Seemingly exhausted by her immovable brother, she panted and kicked the back of his knee.

But even that didn’t move Edmond.

“How can you not visit even once when Etricia is sick? Do you think you’re qualified to be someone’s husband in the future?”

“I have no intention of becoming one.”

As Edmond entered with a dry response, Lilien turned her head away sharply. Her face showed dissatisfaction, as if knowing it was useless to argue further at this point. She finally seemed to give up, meeting my eyes and smiling brightly.

“Well then, have a chat.”

The door closed and Edmond sat across from me. As silence briefly fell, he uncomfortably undid a couple of buttons on his shirt. Looking more nervous than me, he only opened his mouth after taking a deep breath.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Recalling the embarrassing situation from our last encounter, I absent-mindedly rubbed my cheek with the back of my hand. On the other hand, I was grateful that he was treating me as if nothing had happened. He had even made sure to keep everyone quiet about it.

“I showed you an embarrassing scene. If my younger brother hadn’t found me by chance, I don’t know what would have happened by now…”

I explained Edmond’s timely appearance as ‘by chance’. It was also an appeal that I was completely unaware of the situation where he was monitoring me.

I smiled awkwardly and spoke again.

“I’m sorry.”

Edmond’s gaze, which had been lazily surveying the bedroom, fell on top of my head.

“You’re apologizing again.”

His tone was oddly displeased.

“Of course I should apologize.”

Although Edmond was partly responsible for the previous scandal by letting me stay at the mansion, this time it was entirely my fault…

He frowned as if he didn’t understand.

“It’s not your fault.”

“…”

“Rather, you are the victim.”

Momentarily at a loss for words, I pressed my hand against my mouth, which had been about to open. I hadn’t expected him to say such things.

Edmond was right. This wasn’t my fault, it was Devon’s. It was just a series of damages caused by Devon’s wrongdoing.

Edmond felt uncomfortable that I, the victim, was apologizing for it.

I had become so accustomed to apologizing for years because of Antra.

I didn’t realize this habit from when I lived as Etricia would remain so strongly.

“I’ve said this several times, but I’m the one who kept the Countess in this mansion. Helping you was a fair deal for my sister, and courtesy towards a guest.”

“…I see.”

I covered my mouth and smiled self-deprecatingly as I changed the subject.

“I fainted so I don’t remember… What happened after that? What became of Devon?”

“…”

Edmond, who had been staring at me expressionlessly, averted his eyes. Why did he suddenly look like a big puppy who had caused trouble while playing with a toy?

“Nothing much happened.”

‘Then why are you avoiding eye contact?’

“Really nothing happened?”

“…There was some mutual conflict, but we resolved it amicably through conversation.”

His voice became subtly quieter on the word ‘amicably’. I felt a bit uneasy. Just how did he make it ‘amicable’?

“How amicably?”

“Did you know that bed was the one my sister used in her childhood?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“…That guy wouldn’t listen to reason, so…”

Oh dear. Guessing the unspoken words from his guilty expression, I lowered my eyes. Given his level of force, Devon probably wasn’t in good shape. Well, I understand. Devon does have a face that invites punches.

But for someone other than Lilien, someone who seemed like they would act coldly and rationally, to do that was a bit…

The fact that Edmond had used his fists for my sake was both touching and awkward.

Edmond cleared his throat as if embarrassed and took out a small wooden box from his chest to hand to me. Inside was the artifact containing the will authentication certificate.

I smiled slightly, feeling as if I had gained a great advantage.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Edmond, seemingly uncomfortable with the situation, hurriedly stood up and headed for the door. I watched his broad back for a moment before belatedly opening my mouth.

“Thank you.”

At those words, Edmond stopped and turned to look at me.

I smiled faintly and shrugged.

“It’s okay to say thank you, right? You also thanked me for the banquet incident last time.”

“…I suppose so.”

Edmond, who had been staring at me with a mysterious expression, suddenly raised the corners of his mouth gently as he replied. It was the first time I had seen his full smile.

“Just now…”

As I raised my hand with a dazed expression, he immediately put on a serious face.

It was when Edmond opened the door again to leave.

“Oh, by the way.”

“What is it now?”

“Don’t worry about being sued. It was self-defense, after all.”

“I’m not particularly concerned.”

“I’m sure you’re not. But I don’t want you to get involved. That bastard did what he did, would he really have the audacity to make an issue of it?”

[This is the timeline separator]

That’s right. Devon was a shameless bastard.

I glared at the lawsuit notice with burning eyes.

[Regarding plaintiff Count Vuel’s lawsuit against Duke Mifidian’s unilateral assault…]

How could a lawsuit arrive so soon after I had spoken to Edmond? To arrive at all.

When Rail handed me the letter, he looked noticeably flustered, saying he had brought it by mistake, so I hurriedly snatched it away to look at it. It was an unrefined action, but I couldn’t help it.

No, it was rather fortunate that I saw it before Edmond.

It was embarrassing enough to make me regret the confident words I had spoken.

‘Devon…’

I gritted my teeth and glared fiercely into the air. As if Devon were right there.

Thinking of the humiliation and shame I had suffered a few days ago, I wanted to immediately reveal everything and have the lawsuit withdrawn on grounds of self-defense, but it wasn’t an easy choice.

The moment the story spread that I had almost been raped by my husband, it would inevitably become juicy gossip for loose-lipped individuals to spread around.

Devon knew this too, and was counting on it.

‘This irredeemable piece of trash.’

Even now, just recalling the previous kidnapping made my whole body tremble. Fear? No. Because I couldn’t crush that bastard Devon’s groin with my own hands.

“Rail, please send an urgent message to the imperial palace.”

I crumpled up the lawsuit notice haphazardly and jumped to my feet.

Rail broke out in a cold sweat as he unfolded the lawsuit notice that had been crumpled into a ball.

“No need to keep it. I’m going to have it withdrawn.”

If you’re going to act like this, Devon, I can’t just sit still either. There was no need to delay any further.

It seems today will be the grand finale.

[This is the timeline separator]

I quietly surveyed the interior of the Dien Viscount’s mansion, which was quiet and somehow gloomy.

The servants moved silently, like ants secretly carrying food.

The butler, who had rushed out after hearing the report, saw me and opened his eyes wide.

She was the one who used to mock me alongside Antra whenever I visited the Dien Viscount’s mansion. Seeing my face, she was startled and ran up the stairs calling for Antra.

Soon after, Antra appeared with fury in her eyes, descending with a fierce momentum.

Her appearance, which always maintained heavy makeup and a perfect state, now resembled a beggar from the slums. Her cheeks were hollow and her eyes sunken, as if she had been fretting due to my threats.

When I gave her a look as if to explain the situation, the head maid glanced at Antra once, then approached and whispered. Her respectful attitude clearly showed that the balance of power had shifted.

“After the banquet, she locked herself in her room and didn’t move an inch. I don’t know what she’s so afraid of, but she trembles and refuses to go outside… She even snaps at the maids when they make eye contact, asking what they’re looking at.”

Antra’s reputation in high society had completely crumbled. Even those who used to praise her for joining Viscountess Wickley’s circle, and her allies who used to stick close to her, had fallen away. Social isolation was tantamount to a death sentence for Antra.

Why did I live cowering because of someone like this for four years? I was on the verge of letting out a self-deprecating laugh.

Antra’s cat-like eyes flashed through her disheveled hair.

“How dare you come here…”

“It seems you still have the strength to fight me. I’m glad you’re in good health. You’ve been so quiet, I thought you were hiding because you were afraid of my mouth.”

Antra’s face turned red, as if I had hit the mark.

“You…!”

She was about to yell but swallowed her voice, glancing at the maids. She trembled and whispered in a low voice.

“Why did you come…”

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to see you, madam.”

I’m no longer interested in you, who’ve become a has-been.

I snorted and climbed the stairs.

I could feel the back of my head burning from her fiery gaze, but as long as I held the secret of her origins, she wouldn’t be able to grab my hair and drag me down the stairs like before.

Smirking, I reached the second floor and ran into Berita, who was just coming out of a room.

“Berita, you were here?”