When Adel entered the dining room, she was slightly surprised.

The long table was splendidly decorated with flowers, as if they knew guests would be coming. And the servants kept bringing food.

It was not just breakfast, but enough for a feast.

Next to Adel, as he filled the glass, Henley whispered softly,

“It was originally prepared for the master and the mistress. I didn’t know we’d have to feed those riffraff.”

Adel looked at him in disbelief.

Riffraff?

She never thought Henley would use such a vulgar word.

But he moved to fill Seira’s glass, as if he had never said such a thing.

A moment later, what seemed to be an ordinary breakfast began.

The noblewomen who followed Seira all spoke, watching Adel’s reaction.

“You really can’t trust rumors. The strange rumors about the princess and the count turned out to be false.”

“Indeed. I knew the truth the moment I saw Lady Adel and Viscount Byce yesterday.”

“It’s the same with the rumors about Lady Adel. Who spread them so maliciously? Wicked people!”

Adel stared at them, fork in mouth, dumbfounded.

Had the rumor spreaders gathered to perform a ritual?

Or had they come to entertain her from the morning?

Either way, since they bowed their heads and came in, Adel decided to ignore it.

She didn’t know if it would affect Christine if she continued to ignore the social circles like before.

“Thank you for being angry on my behalf. But I don’t care about rumors. The truth will come out eventually.”

As Adel replied gracefully,

“Lady Adel is indeed wise.”

“That’s why you captured Viscount Byce in an instant.”

Everyone chimed in, creating a friendly atmosphere.

Then, Seira, who had been quiet all through the meal, spoke up.

“But the count is nowhere to be seen this morning.”

“The count left early in the morning…….”

As Henley hurried to cover up, Adel shook her head slightly. It was a sign that she would handle it herself.

“He had urgent business with the guards.”

“Really because of the guards’ business?”

Seira smiled, as if she knew something.

Adel, bothered by that, put down her fork and knife and wiped her mouth.

“Seira, it seems you know something I don’t?”

Seira laughed and continued to eat.

“Why would I? I just asked because I was a little worried. In case the count misunderstood something after hearing about me yesterday…….”

“About you?”

In the end, Seira also put down her fork and knife and stared directly at Adel.

“I had a brief conversation with the count yesterday, and I accidentally mentioned Stone Oraberni and Lady Adel.”

“……!”

At the mention of Stone’s name, Adel’s face noticeably paled.

“Stone and my affair……?”

Adel asked, barely steadying her trembling voice.
They were quite close. Even on the day her father passed away, they were together in the bedroom.

Bang!

Adel, in a fit of rage, struck the table and jumped to her feet.

“What nonsense are you speaking, Seira!”

As Adel became excited, Seira, looking pleased, picked up her knife again and sliced the meat. The mediumcooked meat oozed red blood onto the plate with every cut.

“Oh my, why the fuss? It’s true that Miss Adel often entered the master’s bedroom. Whether it was to bring the laundry or to clean. The master allowed no one else but Miss Adel into his bedroom. Thanks to that, he didn’t need a personal maid. Their relationship was indeed special. No one else could intrude enough…….”

Seira’s words were all true. When living in the Oswald household, it was Adel’s responsibility to clean Stone’s room. Any other maids who mistakenly entered that room would be beaten terribly.

But if someone unaware heard this, it could easily be misunderstood.

Christine might have misunderstood as well if he had heard this story.

Could it be?

So, was it a misunderstanding between Stone and me that made him angry yesterday and not return?

He didn’t think I was pushing him away because of Stone, did he?

Should I tell him everything that happened with Stone?

“Well, enjoy your meal, Miss Adel.”

Looking at the bewildered and confused Adel, Seira got up from her seat as if her business was done.

Meanwhile, the ladies were quietly observing, rolling their eyes.

They had seen it too. The moment Stone’s name was mentioned, Adel’s face turned pale.

Judging by the two’s reactions, it seemed evident that there was something between Stone and Adel.

Were the rumors true? Did the two have an illicit affair?

If so, Adel’s divorce from Christine was just a matter of time. Then she would revert to being the wicked shrew of old.

But for now, the ladies had agreed with a glance to remain neutral.

“What are you doing? Will you stay any longer?”

At that moment, Seira urged the women, as if to make their position clear.

“Then let’s get up too.”

As Mrs. Hans instigated, rising from her seat,

“Well, we, we should also…….”

The other ladies, as if unable to resist, followed suit.

It was when Seira led the leftovers to leave the dining room again.

“It seems I arrived at just the right time.”

A man in the uniform of the Royal Guard was standing at the entrance of the restaurant.

His dazzling silver hair fluttered under the morning sun against his black uniform, and his aquablue eyes seemed to draw people in, such a handsome man he was.

The noblewomen, unexpectedly encountering him, screamed silently. It was their first time seeing Viscount Byers up close. He was usually only visible from afar at crowded official events.

But Christine, unconcerned with the others’ heated gazes, strode across the restaurant. Then he went up to Adel and naturally pressed his lips to her cheek.

“How are you feeling? My lovely fiancée.”

What, what…. bird?

Adel turned into a chicken instead of a bird.