“The rumor has already spread throughout the mansion. They say that the maid will become the countess in Rosé’s place.”

“What? How dare a mere lowly maid speak out of turn!”

Tersia’s anger echoed loudly, causing the servant to flinch. However, he did not deny her words, but nodded his head in agreement.

“Yes, the rumors are quite malicious. They say that the count is completely smitten with the maid. As if it wasn’t enough that she seduced the count with her innocent face, she’s planning to manipulate our noble Wens family.”

“Ha…!”

At the servant’s words, Tersia was taken aback. Having driven out a fox, a rat had snuck in.

“Don’t get upset. It just needs to be handled quietly.”

Compared to Tersia, Sedric was much calmer.

“It’s not a big deal to kill a maid who isn’t even a noble.”

Sedric’s slowly spoken words carried an air of murderous intent. However, Tersia was still unable to hide her agitation.

“Let’s see if we, who are notorious for our strictness, kill that maid. Do you think Eric won’t suspect you?”

At Tersia’s words, Sedric flinched and raised an eyebrow.

“We can kill the maid, but… at the same time, your relationship with Eric might be irreparable.”

Tersia strode towards Sedric, her heels clicking on the floor. As she approached Sedric, she let out a deep sigh, crossing her arms.

“You know, I’ve told you over and over. Don’t drift away from Eric any more. He’s all grown up now. He’s an adult who can think for himself.”

Tersia continued her speech with a nervous expression, casting sidelong glances at Sedric.

“So please stop with your interventions now. He’s past the age of needing to be disciplined. If you act like this, Eric will only feel resentment.”

Tersia, who had been scolding, whispered softly.

“If a beloved woman dies, who would you suspect first?”

“……”

“He’d suspect you and me, who despise this matter the most.”

“I, Sedric… what does that kid Eric know…”

Tersia interrupted Sedric’s selfassured words and said,

“Eric is not as stupid as you think. He has been watching you for over 20 years. How do you think he won’t know that?”

At Tersia’s words, Sedric recalled his previous encounter with Eric.

‘Come to think of it, back then he realized that I was behind the poisoned cosmetics.’

With a grimace, Sedric spoke.

“So what are we supposed to do? Do you want to see that damned maid become the lady of the Wens family?”

If they weren’t supposed to kill her, what were they supposed to do?

He sarcastically suggested she suggest a better solution if she had one.

“We need to let her know how futile it is to covet what she can’t have.”

With the end of her fan resting against her chin, Tersia let out a wicked smile.

“Do you remember the marriage proposal you arranged in anticipation of Eric’s divorce?”

“Yes, I put it in with the Ducal House of Dikar.”

A week ago, he had proposed a marriage with the Ducal House of Dikar. It was to find a suitable spouse for Eric this time.

Although it was okay to slowly look for a remarriage partner, Tersia, bothered by the priest’s prophecy that Eric would die without marriage, moved very quickly. Her plan was to get Eric remarried immediately after the divorce.

“Thankfully, we looked for a spouse in advance. They gave a positive reply. They said their youngest daughter, who they have raised beautifully, would be a great match for our Eric.”

“If it’s the youngest daughter of Duke Dikar… She’s just become an adult.”

“A beautiful couple indeed. Our Eric will finally find his match.”

With a strange smile on her face, Tersia looked at Sedric.

“Send a letter to the Ducal House of Dikar right now. The sooner, the better.”

To think that being ousted from Rosé’s position would make her the countess, how naive.

Tersia giggled at Doana, who was dreaming of ascending her status.

She would let her thoroughly realize how futile it is to covet what is not appropriate for her.

Not half a day had passed when a letter arrived at the Ducal House of Dikar.

The duke looked at the letter sent by Sedric with cold eyes.

“He finally crosses the line. He’s asking for the earliest possible date.”

He crumpled the letter in his hand and casually threw it onto the floor of the room.

The Duke, who found it awkward to reject his proposal, had sent a reply with reluctant words.

It would have been infuriating, but it was alright. He had a plan after all.

Beside the Duke of Dicar were two women who looked remarkably alike. Their appearances were similar, but their attire was very different.

The girl who sat with a straight back exuded an incredibly noble aura, but the other girl was different.

The other girl was a bit smaller. She was timid, watching the cues of the Duke and her female peer.

“Father. Eventually, it seems the Earl of Wens wants me as his daughterinlaw?”

“Yes. Those damned fools belittle me too much. Dare they try to dump their bastard son onto our family?”

The Duke of Dicar hit the desk roughly, causing a ‘thud’ sound, and gritted his teeth.