Exactly one hour later, Liliana stood in front of the reception room. She wanted to come later, but that would have been too obvious, so she couldn’t. This timing was just right to prevent the other party from picking on her for being late, even if they felt uneasy about it.

Knock knock—

As soon as she knocked, the door opened. It was Samantha.

“Come in.”

Although her tone was sweet, her eyes were filled with a mixture of irritation and anger as she looked at Liliana. It was a look that suggested she would have grabbed Liliana by the hair if Countess Baliman wasn’t there.

This meant she had been tormented by the Countess, which didn’t make Liliana feel bad at all. Rather, feeling triumphant, Liliana apologized with a genuine smile.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Mother.”

“Oh, no. I had a pleasant time with the Countess while waiting. Hohoho.”

Her forced smile quivered at the corners of her mouth. Her laughter was also fake.

“Come on, come in.”

Almost pushed in, Liliana entered the reception room and paused when she saw the red-haired woman sitting on the sofa.

This woman was Countess Baliman. Although Liliana had only seen her once at the wedding reception, she remembered her face clearly. How could she forget? This was the woman who, along with Fredrick, had trampled on her dreams and self-esteem from their wedding night.

“…It’s been a while, Countess.”

Although Liliana greeted her while showing clear dislike, the Countess seemed completely oblivious and smiled brightly.

“Indeed. I think this is the first time we’ve met since the wedding reception… Why haven’t you been attending social gatherings?”

The reason Liliana had hardly attended social gatherings was partly due to the shock of being betrayed by people she was close to, but it was more because of Fredrick’s bedchamber business.

Because of that, she had been given strange nicknames like “a legal wife worse than a mistress” or “parasite.” She only attended gatherings she absolutely had to, not wanting to see or hear people glancing at her and whispering.

And now, to hear such words from Countess Baliman, one of the main culprits, was absurd.

“Oh my, our daughter-in-law is shy and doesn’t really like attending gatherings.”

When Liliana remained silent without answering, Samantha stepped in.

“Next time, I’ll bring her along, so please send the invitation to me.”

“That’s alright.”

While defending Liliana, she also subtly expressed her own desire to attend the nobles’ social gatherings, but it didn’t work on the Countess.

“If the person herself doesn’t want to come, we can’t force an invitation. Contact me directly when you feel like it later. I’ll send you an invitation then. All the social gatherings I participate in are formal occasions, so only qualified people can attend.”

Even though her son Fredrick had married Liliana and become Viscount Benjamin, Samantha’s status was still that of a commoner. Fredrick had entered the Benjamin viscount family as a son-in-law, so his family members didn’t become nobles.

Samantha, who already had a complex about her status, frowned when Countess Baliman dug into that aspect. Her tightly closed lips trembled with anger.

“I, I see. I understand. Then please talk with her. I’ll excuse myself.”

Unable to express her anger towards the Countess, Samantha left the reception room as if escaping. Liliana tightly clasped her hands together, trying to resist the urge to follow her out.

Unlike Liliana, who was standing awkwardly as if everything was uncomfortable, Countess Baliman was full of composure.

The Countess picked up a coffee cup and said,

“Don’t just stand there, sit down.”

Anyone watching would think this was the Baliman Count’s residence, not the Benjamin Viscount’s. Liliana swallowed a bitter laugh internally and replied.

“I’m fine.”

She had no desire whatsoever to sit face-to-face and have a cozy chat with her husband’s affair partner.

“I heard you came to see me, so I’d appreciate it if you could tell me right away why you’re here.”

“My, you haven’t even finished your coffee and you want me to say what I have to say and leave? Isn’t that too cold?”

“If you haven’t finished drinking after more than two hours, I think it would be better to pack it up for you to drink leisurely at the Baliman Count’s residence.”

“I’ve waited for two hours as you said, can’t you spare me even a moment?”

“…”

What on earth could it be that she keeps persisting despite the constant rejection?

At this point, Liliana was curious about what it could be, and it seemed the Countess wouldn’t back down until the end, so she reluctantly sat down across from her.

“Now, please tell me what this is about.”

“Don’t you think it’s strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“You and me.”

The Countess put down her coffee cup, rested her chin on her hand, and gazed intently at Liliana.

“We’re in the same situation, but we’re an unlikely pair to get along. I find it strange that we’re sitting face to face, having a conversation like this.”

Who was it that forced someone who didn’t want to sit down to do so, and now says such things? It was astounding.

Moreover, the same situation? Liliana’s brow furrowed at the meaningful words.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way, so please don’t misunderstand.”

Seeing Liliana’s expression, the Countess waved her hands and continued.

“I just meant that our situations are the same, both being used and discarded by Viscount Benjamin.”

I hoped it wasn’t the case, but it turns out that’s exactly what she meant. Although I had expected it, hearing it in person was extremely unpleasant. It was even more so because it was an undeniable fact. Liliana clenched her fists and spoke deliberately.

“You’re saying some very unpleasant things, Countess.”

“Oh, is that so? I was just trying to say that I felt a sense of kinship because our situations are similar… If it offended you, I apologize.”

It was clearly an intentional remark by anyone’s standards, but it was laughable that she apologized without sincerity and sought forgiveness. No longer wanting to exchange words with Countess Baliman, Liliana stood up.

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going now.”

“This.”

Just as Liliana was about to turn away, the Countess placed a book on the coffee table. The title seemed familiar, and it was a novel Liliana had translated half a year ago.

“You translated this, didn’t you?”

“…If you already knew, why are you asking?”

“Oh, is that so? I was just trying to confirm, don’t mind it.”

Wouldn’t it be better not to say things that are bothersome from the start?

Liliana swallowed her irritation and looked down at the book. The original version of that novel was written in ‘Garta language’ used in the Herta Kingdom, and she still vividly remembered enjoying the translation work because the content was excellent, befitting a kingdom that loves culture and art.

However, the good memories faded just because Countess Baliman brought that book. Suppressing a sigh, Liliana asked the Countess.

“Was there something wrong with my translation of that book?”

“Oh, not at all! Rather, the translation is so well done that I’d like to get your help.”

“…My help?”

What does she mean now? As Liliana asked back with a skeptical look, the Countess nodded with a smile.

“You know our family is in the iron mining business, right?”

“Yes.”

How could she not know? That was the very reason Fredrick had rolled in bed with that woman instead of her on their wedding night.

“We’re trying to expand our business to the Herta Kingdom this time, but it’s very difficult to find someone who can speak Garta language fluently. So, I was wondering if you could help us?”

“I decline.”

Helping her husband’s affair partner was out of the question. When Liliana firmly refused, the Countess smiled meaningfully.

“Would you still refuse if I offer 1 gold per page?”

“…!”

Currently, Liliana was paid 10 shillings per page for translating novels. Offering ten times that amount surprised Liliana, but she was also suspicious. There’s no way they would pay such a large sum just for translation. Could they be trying to assign her some strange task…?

“I’m not trying to give you any strange tasks, so don’t worry.”

As if seeing through Liliana’s mind, the Countess continued.

“All you have to do is translate documents sent from the Herta Kingdom into the Imperial language, and translate our documents into Garta language to send to them. There might be a lot to translate at first as we need to coordinate many things, but even if you do it all, it will be less volume than this novel, so don’t worry.”

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t tempted. How could she not be swayed when offered more money for the same work? She had been concerned about relying on Fredrick for everything, including her mother’s hospital bills, so her ears perked up even more at the Countess’s offer.

“If you don’t want to live as a parasite to Viscount Benjamin forever, it would be good for you to accept my offer and build your career. Having work experience with the Baliman Count family will be well-received elsewhere too.”

“…”

Every word made sense, but… still, she didn’t want to do it.

Working with a woman who had been intimate with Fredrick was something her last shred of pride wouldn’t allow. And the Countess’s sudden proposal made her uneasy.

“It would be better to discard useless pride, even for your mother’s sake.”

Recalling Fredrick’s words for a moment, Liliana swallowed a bitter smile.

As he said, it might be useless pride. Even if she didn’t accept Countess Baliman’s offer, she had a way to make a living, so she couldn’t argue if someone pointed out that she could afford to maintain this kind of pride.

Still, she had to keep her pride.

“I decline.”

Knowing that if she lost this too, she would fall into deep despair, struggle, and eventually make an extreme choice, Liliana refused to the end.

“This is troublesome.”

The Countess muttered about it being troublesome with a face that didn’t look troubled at all, then shrugged and stood up.

“It’s not good to be too persistent, so I’ll withdraw for today. After all, the Viscountess will have no choice but to accept my request eventually.”