In response to Odette’s question devoid of laughter, Katarina’s expression briefly stiffened.
“…Are you speaking to me like that now?”
“I asked because you mentioned I should have bowed. Is this still not allowed?”
“How dare you…!”
Katarina clenched her teeth, but Odette remained calm.
She knew there was nothing Katarina could do.
Could she slap the face of the soon-to-be bride right before her wedding? Moreover, it was virtually impossible to meddle with Odette, who was already engaged to Ertman.
Even if Katarina attempted revenge in society, others would not support her, given how Lady Patrice ended up after trying to trample Odette. Not to mention, it would set a precedent where Katarina could face repercussions herself if she mishandled things.
“It’s not something to be particularly afraid of.”
The situation had changed from the time when the palace had no backing, and even a minor retaliation was significant.
Katarina could no longer touch Odette.
Katarina herself was aware of this fact, so despite her anger, she couldn’t raise a hand.
Observing this, Odette slowly lowered her gaze.
“Again, I’ve never resented Your Highness Hwangbi. I understand you.”
“…What?”
“Your Highness Hwangbi took me to Lady Patrice’s tea party. Weren’t you afraid that I, as the duchess, would threaten your influence?”
So, she wanted to step on her before becoming the duchess.
“Even the reason for saying such things now is probably to prepare for the future. I understand Your Highness.”
However, Katarina had to realize one thing.
“So, there’s no need to worry. I don’t particularly care about social life.”
“…You don’t particularly care?”
Katarina’s expression seemed to question whether Odette had lost her mind.
It was understandable since most ladies built their own power based on their influence in society.
And Odette had found the perfect position to do just that.
But to say she didn’t care?
It was probably something Katarina couldn’t comprehend.
“Why are you saying such absurd things?”
“It’s nothing. As you know, I’ve rarely entered society until now. Therefore, I don’t feel the need to do it in the future.”
Despite the current situation, Odette had never aspired to a high position.
In a somewhat refreshing or cheerful manner, Odette put down her teacup.
Clatter.
Following the crisp sound, Odette smiled faintly.
“So, please comfortably bless my marriage and stop unnecessary schemes.”
Upon Katarina’s added remarks, her face turned red with a sense of disdain.
“They say the environment shapes a person, and you perfectly fit that description. Even though you’re marrying Duke Ertman, I never expected you to change this quickly. It’s shameful!”
If someone else had heard it, they might have reflected on themselves, as it was a reasonable scolding. However, Odette simply laughed cheerfully.
“Haha, Your Highness, you make interesting remarks.”
Only the environment had changed.
The environment where she had to hide and the environment where she didn’t have to. It was amusing how she trembled just by revealing a little.
“Even salmon living in freshwater eat salty water when they go to the sea. Isn’t it natural for people to change too?”
Odette answered in such a way and left the room.
It was a cheerful mood.
‘And since then, Princess Katarina has treated me as if I don’t exist.’
It seemed like Odette didn’t trust the statement that she had no ambitions for social life.
But that, too, was something Odette had considered.
‘Princess Katarina has lived as a high-ranking aristocrat her whole life.’
Regardless of Katarina’s feelings, no one would deny that she was adept at controlling society. She was the queen of society, receiving admiration and respect from everyone. That was the external evaluation of Katarina in society.
But that was ultimately only within the well of society.
Katarina was a person immersed in that well.
Thus, her mindset couldn’t break free from the framework of society.
On the contrary, Odette had never even tried to be ambitious in society.
‘I wonder if she would be shocked if she knew my original goal was to marry a moderately good-looking man from a noble family.’
Of course, she had abandoned that goal a long time ago… But if necessary, she was willing to go into society.
So half of what she told Katarina was true, and half was false.
The reason for such a lie was simple.
‘There was a need to turn things around at least once.’
If Odette continued to show a weak side, Katarina would undoubtedly seize the next opportunity.
If it only affected Odette, she wouldn’t care much, but she couldn’t let Ertman suffer too.
Ultimately, it seemed to work as a suitable shock therapy.
With a torch in hand, Odette passed through the corridor lost in thought.
‘Still, half of it is sincere, so there’s no need to feel unjust.’
While staying at Duke Ertman’s estate, Odette spent a considerable amount of time with Arnold.
Thanks to him occasionally coming to her without her taking the initiative, suggesting they have tea or something.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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