The next morning.

“Miss….”

Tanya cautiously opened Adel’s bedroom door.

The servants of Mable Castle had already heard about last night’s events.

Last night, Adel had been sick and the doctor had visited, and Christine had ridden out and hadn’t returned yet.

What on earth had happened to the two of them last night?

Based on yesterday’s atmosphere, it seemed it would have been a hot and sweet night…

Sigh…

If Adel’s condition, sitting in bed, had to be described in a word, that was it.

Dark circles had come under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept properly.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

Adel smiled, but it seemed forced and painful to look at.

“Don’t hide it from me. What on earth happened?”

“Tanya….”

“Yes, tell me. I’ll listen to everything.”

“I think I might have made a mistake in getting engaged.”

Tanya, surprised, sat down beside Adel’s bed.

“You don’t mean the Earl turned out to be a bad person?”

“What are you talking about!”

Adel’s sidelong glance made Tanya flinch, but also relieved her. It seemed the two of them were not yet at a breaking point.

“Then why…?”

“I’ve been fine on my own until now. But I don’t know why I feel so upset and unbearable because he didn’t come back for just one night. I’m upset because it feels like my mood is entirely dependent on him.”

Adel had waited for Christine all night.

Even the slightest noise from outside the door made her nervous, wondering if he had returned.

But he didn’t come in until dawn, and Adel was depressed with a feeling of abandonment.

“Of course. You two have promised to be together now, and the Earl has broken that promise.”

“But I don’t want to tie him down.”

“That’s not tying him down, it’s mutual consideration and manners.”

“Is it? Maybe I’m upset because I feel like he’s not considering me.”

“That must be it. But why did you fight with the Earl yesterday?”

“Well, should I say we fought…?”

If Christine was upset in his own way, was it a fight?

She had been too preoccupied with hiding the mark on her back to consider his feelings.

But he hadn’t considered her physical condition either.

Adel finally got up from bed as if to shake everything off.

“I must meet him and talk. It’s foolish for us to spend time like this with hurt feelings.”

With that decision, she felt relieved.

“You’ve made a good choice. The Earl is smitten with you, so talking will resolve everything. The moment he sees you, his anger will melt away.”

Adel agreed. Despite the current discord, her belief that Christine liked her had not wavered.

‘If I reach out first, he’ll surely take my hand.’

With that belief, she didn’t want to stew over it for long.

“Then hurry up and wash. I’ll make you look your best. I’ll make the Earl’s anger melt away as soon as he sees you.”

Adel gently embraced Tanya, who winked and smiled.

“Tanya, I don’t know how glad I am that you’re here. Without you, it would have been awful….”

“Me too, Miss.”

Tanya didn’t know how much strength she gave to Adel by being with her.

(This is a time separator.)

However, Tanya firmly stopped Adel, who wanted to go meet Christine. She wouldn’t let her go until she had breakfast.

With no other choice, they headed to the dining room when Henry approached them.

He had news of an unwelcome guest’s arrival.

“Good morning.”

Seira appeared with Lady Hans and other noblewomen. The group always following her like maids.

Known as Seira and her flunkies!

“Seems like an early time to visit without notice?”

Adel made it clear through her expression and tone that she was not pleased with their visit.

The flunkies, except Seira, winced and looked around.

Until recently, Adel had been their toy, no different.

Being fingerpointed for the rumors they spread, ostracized, standing in the corner of the ballroom like a shadow with no presence.

Yet not meekly succumbing, nor fleeing in fear, irritated them.
So the women became increasingly cruel and malicious, unaware of their own behavior. There was no guilt, as they were not alone.

Seira had been the one to fan their dark hearts to the fullest.

But now, Adel was a completely different person. The Marble Palace where she stayed was guarded by guards, and several servants were lined up behind her.

Even though she was not particularly dressed up, Adel was dignified and beautiful from head to toe.

People realized that her status had changed completely. Adel was now in a position where they couldn’t treat her casually.

The fiancée of the captain of the guards.

A friend of the princess.

But Seira still seemed to have confidence in Adel.

“Don’t be so picky, Lady Adel. We were once like mother and daughter. I came early in the morning to brag to my friends.”

Then she spoke to Henley, standing behind Adel, as if he were her servant.

“You’re the butler? We have not eaten yet because we hurried, so there’s no need to be burdened; a modest meal with some manners will do.”

Henley looked embarrassed, and Adel nodded her head.

“Prepare it together, Henley.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

(This is a time separator.)