Maiana’s voice burst out abruptly, as if surprising herself. Her expression, initially bewildered as if she couldn’t believe her eyes, gradually twisted.

The woman standing in her way, extravagantly adorned from head to toe, was undoubtedly Grete. Having betrayed Jocelyn, planning to poison Arianthe, and becoming a helpless servant waiting for death after being exposed by Maiana, she had mocked the spy and escaped…

When Maiana let out a forced laugh with a frowning face, Grete’s expression changed. She turned her head slightly towards the other women who were behind her.

“Could you all move aside? I have something to say to this woman.”

It was an arrogant tone to the extent of being vulgar. The women behind her were probably daughters of noble families or young mistresses, yet the attitude was as if they were handling maids.

The women whispered to each other, then formed a group and withdrew, pretending to ignore Grete. However, Maiana could tell they were subtly ridiculing Grete. Of course, they would never reveal it in front of Grete, but among themselves, they might spend the night mocking Grete.

As the surroundings became quiet, Grete approached Maiana with a haughty expression. Then, she pushed Maiana’s shoulder with the fan she was holding as if jabbing her.

“Who do you think you are to dare to talk back to me, a lowly servant? Look at the clothes you’ve draped yourself in.”

Maiana, with a wrinkled face, swatted away the fan that touched her shoulder. Grete momentarily looked surprised, then her eyes widened, and her nose twisted from the bridge to the forehead. Thick makeup covered her freckles.

Grete said, “Didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t leave you alone? Kneel from your knees in front of me. Otherwise, I’ll shout that you crawled into the Duke of Valtermine’s bed with dirty tricks.”

Maiana, again, let out a fake laugh and stared at Grete.

“Is it time for introductions now?”

Grete’s lips twitched.

“What?”

Maiana deliberately widened her eyes and scanned Grete from top to bottom. Seemingly unimpressed. Indeed, that’s how it appeared to Maiana. Grete’s appearance, adorned with large jewels, feathers of all kinds, lace, and various colors, looked like a clown.

Like a crow in a fairy tale. Maiana thought. A crow that had picked up feathers dropped by other birds to decorate its body. To express Grete’s current appearance, that seemed to be the most appropriate.

Maiana said, “Grete, are you the one who willingly wanted to dedicate your body and become the Duke’s lady? Was it too heavy with feathers that you became more foolish?”
Maiana’s voice was almost a whisper, making it completely inaudible to everyone except Grete. This, of course, only fueled Grete’s hostility.

“What is this lowly woman muttering! Do you know who I am?”

Maiana chuckled at how quickly her true colors were revealed. She thought that by putting on a convincing act, Grete might behave a bit more modestly, but that was not the case.

Grete said, “I am Lady Morin, the wife of the Duke. How dare a wretch like you look me in the eye?”

Maiana, clenching her fist, sneered openly.

“Lady Morin? Well, congratulations on your rise. Should I congratulate you, or is it not the position you were aiming for, so no congratulations are in order?”

Mocking, Maiana lowered her voice even more.

“By the way, Grete, I have something I want to ask. Where did you dump the man who dared to escape with a sinner like you? If you have any decency left, you should have placed him in the position of the head steward in the Valtermine estate, considering your past relationship. Did you really do that? Or did you throw him away somewhere like a rotten apple?”

“You’re insane!”

Pale-faced, Grete screamed and forcefully pushed Maiana’s shoulder. However, with her strength, she couldn’t even make Maiana wobble, let alone knock her over.

Grete’s lower jaw trembled, and a grindi
It happened in an instant. Someone pushed Grete, and thanks to that, she managed to avoid an awkward fall, but her face was a mess. The feathers on the hat, rising high above, shook ridiculously.

“This little rat…”

A crunching sound came from Grete’s clenched teeth.

The one who pushed her was none other than Ariante. Her round cheek turned bright red, and the scone she held was twisted and in complete disarray.

Grete looked down at the shattered scone on her dress and, with a disdainful attitude, wrapped her dress around it.

“The shameless rat still hasn’t learned her lesson. Well, considering your humble origin, it’s not surprising, is it? Today, I’ll teach you proper manners. Come here right now!”

Grete reached out viciously towards Ariante. In that moment, Maiana stepped forward, hiding Ariante behind her.

“Grete, listen carefully. If you lay a finger on the lady, I swear I won’t let you go unpunished.”