Even if I tried to think that the child born was not at fault, the image of my late daughter who left first naturally came to mind.

That child grew up eating my daughter’s blood. I couldn’t erase that thought.

“…Who does it resemble?”

“…”

“It’s okay. Tell me. I just want to be more certain.”

“…Since it’s still a baby, I can’t say much, but it resembles the father’s side a bit.”

Honestly, I had some expectations.
Just like my daughter wished, Margaret’s child also wanted to be doubted.

Of course, the gods didn’t grant my wish this time either.

“Well, in the end, the child was abandoned right after birth.”

“…”

“Don’t worry, milady. That child won’t have anything. Just like my father, and as my mother did, they’ll live their whole life in hell.”

Cheshire quickly spilled out his words. It was meant to comfort.

But I was genuinely fine.

I felt a bit disappointed, but nothing changed.

If the god wasn’t on my side, I would obtain what I wanted on my own.

“Take good care of it until the time comes. That child has a lot to do.”

Margaret, for the reason that the born child was a girl, abandoned her child and stood trial to rescue a child resembling the emperor.

But she wouldn’t know.

The god who turned away from me was on her side.

In the end, my curse didn’t reach her.

Margaret gave birth to a boy resembling Bake.

But it would take some time for her to realize that fact.

With both hands gathered as if praying, I closed my eyes slightly.

I didn’t believe in gods, but I sincerely wished for Margaret’s happiness.

Because I knew better than anyone else.

The moment a person thinks they are the happiest is when they fall into the abyss.

“Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes, milady.”

The maid, who politely bowed her waist, promptly brought the carriage.

Margaret gracefully lifted her chin as much as possible, holding the handle of the teacup with only her index and thumb. Of course, she didn’t forget to raise her little finger.

The treatment, which felt a bit unfamiliar at first, gradually became familiar and natural.

Margaret tasted the tea aroma with a pleasant feeling and then shifted her gaze to the steward standing beside her.

“How’s the schedule for today?”

“In the morning, a designer is scheduled to visit for milady’s new dress.”

“Have there been any other contacts or messages?”

“Invitations to parties have arrived from several places. Would you like me to prepare them so you can see them right away?”

“Sure. Bring them. I need to take my time looking at them while sipping tea.”

At this point, wouldn’t it be obvious to anyone that she would appear as a perfect lady? With a satisfied smile, Margaret leaned against the armrest of the sofa.

During the time I stayed at Creighton Manor, I had always envied the scenes where Livianna talked with the steward.

Every morning, Livianna would discuss the day’s schedule over a cup of warm tea, and the maids standing beside the steward would move smoothly according to her instructions.

Inside Creighton Manor, Livianna was a law. Everyone unquestionably obeyed her words.

It was an unseen sight in Fisher Manor. Apart from the title of a baroness, the family of my husband, who didn’t seem noble other than the authority of the lordship, had only a few servants, and they had all stayed in the manor for a long time.
Whenever something happened, she visited her snow-white-haired mother-in-law, the mistress of the Fisher family. She added that her mother-in-law wasn’t the type to obediently listen to any criticism, even if she pointed out just one thing.

Moreover, she used to make a fuss even in front of her superior. While looking at the family members who were making noise together without thinking of criticizing that, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of being not a lady but the wife of a village chief.

But it wasn’t the case anymore.

Though it was temporary, everyone treated her well in the mansion saved by the emperor.

She hadn’t returned to Creighton Manor yet, but everyone believed that she would become the future Lady of Creighton Manor.

Although it was a long journey, she finally became the lady she desired to be.

Even though there were sacrifices.

Margaret put down the tea without drinking it. Still, if she closed her eyes, it felt like she could hear the baby’s crying.

She had held and comforted the child only once, but she couldn’t forget that small warmth.

‘It’s okay. They promised to take good care of her.’

It was solely her choice to send the child away.

Even Maryal, who was a direct bloodline, wouldn’t have been able to protect the position unless she took in a step-niece. It wouldn’t have been right to leave room for possible complications for a child with many flaws from birth.

‘I’ll find her a proper place later.’

If she had presented her daughter and lost in the trial, she wouldn’t gain anything. In that case, the child would naturally end up with nothing either.

Rather than risking it all by presenting a real heiress, it was better to secure the position first with a fake one and resolve the issue later.

Even if she won the trial, the female successor didn’t have much power.

Margaret forced a smile and held the teacup again. She couldn’t afford to weaken.

In the end, her decision was for the child.

Haven’t she learned from experience? Parents who couldn’t pass anything down were better off not existing at all.

It might seem cruel now, but to give the child a slightly better future, she needed to be rational.

How right her decision was could be understood without going far.

“Milady, I brought the invitations you mentioned.”

Margaret smiled as she looked at the steward who returned with a basket of letters.

Just by looking at the full basket, she knew. Now, everyone wanted her.

Her life, once ridiculed as a village girl, had completely turned around.