“Grand Madame Madeleine.
It has been a long time.”
The Grand Madame and Madeleine nodded and responded to Cornelia's greeting.
"Yes."
“Yes, it's been a long time.”
Then Cornelia sat up, smiling.
“So, what were you talking about?
Except me.”
'You couldn't have heard anything, could you?'
Just as Madeleine was about to say something to evade the question, Cornelia spoke firmly, her face hardening.
“From your expressions, it seemed like you were discussing something I shouldn't have heard.”
Madeleine and the Grand Madame swallowed nervously, involuntarily.
Absolutely not.
Even if you heard, you wouldn't know the details.
That's what they both thought.
It was because they were talking vaguely the whole time.
However, what made them both worried was Cornelia's stiff expression.
'Maybe you already suspected.'
The Grande Madame and Madeleine thought at the same time as two comrades facing a common enemy.
‘If we show any suspicious behavior here, you will definitely notice.’
'We must handle this with caution.'
While the Grand Madame and Madeleine were exchanging glances, trying to communicate silently, and while they were trying to calm things down—
“Oh my God, why are you so nervous?
I was just kidding.”
Cornelia laughed, and they both responded with an embarrassed laugh, thinking, 'Even if she said that, she might still be suspicious of us.'
“What is this strange behavior?”
“Madeleine.”
When Cornelia suddenly called her name, Madeleine twitched, smiled with difficulty, and responded.
"Yes?"
"Were you curious too?
Why I invited you?"
“Oh, well, yes.
You know, there have been annoying rumors going around between us...”
Madeline mentioned the rumors first, observing Cornelia's reaction.
Cornelia responded quickly, her expression did not change.
“Yes.
Like you said, I'm familiar with it.”
With her fixed expression, it was impossible to read Cornelia's thoughts.
'Although I'm upset, public opinion seems to be leaning in favor of that woman.
So I should swallow my pride and go first!'
Madeleine felt desperate and spoke up.
“I was worried that you would misunderstand me.
I wanted to meet to clear up any misunderstanding, but I couldn’t come to this palace.
So I was at a loss.
But now that you invited me first, you have no idea how relieved I am!”
As soon as these words came out, Cornelia smiled.
“It's nice of you to say that.
In fact, that's why I invited you.”
“Oh?”
In a calm voice, Cornelia said to the astonished Madeleine, “You know, I couldn’t go out either because of the annoying rumours.”
"Is this correct?"
“Yes, there were a lot of people who took pity on me and looked at me with sympathy, which honestly made me feel bad.”
Madeline frowned slightly with a smug tone.
‘Even in a situation where people pity her, instead of being grateful for their support, she still tries to assert her pride.’
Frankly, Madeleine was upset by Cornelia's inability to grasp the situation.
However, if Cornelia offered help first, it would have been beneficial to Madeleine.
“Yes, thanks to you, things have become much easier for me.”
“Yes, you must be exhausted.
You are already pregnant, and you can't even shop freely.”
At Madeleine's words of compassion, Cornelia smiled.
“As I expected, you understand me well.
So, will you help me clear up any misunderstandings?”
“Of course.
We are both daughters of Khap, but practically we are like sisters.
But it might be better to wait until we get a better public opinion before going out rashly...”
In response to Madeleine’s words, Cornelia rolled her eyes and said, “Yes, that’s why I plan to host a tea party in three days.”
“Tea party?”
“Yes, inviting our peers and young ladies to show a harmonious appearance might help dispel misunderstandings, don’t you think?”
At this point, Cornelia's actions were so calculated that they were almost frightening.
'Maybe don't try to reassure me before setting a trap?'
At that moment, Cornelia spoke.
“Then, feel free to bring your acquaintances.
This way, you will feel more comfortable, too.”
In other words, it was good to bring noble guests from the noble faction.
'If there were people on my side, it would be difficult for her to pull off any tricks, wouldn't it?'
The Grand Madam seemed to think that was good too as she nodded.
Madeleine took Cornelia's hands and spoke.
“Thank you for taking this into consideration.
I hope people will understand us better.”
Cornelia looked at Madeline who was holding her hand and nodded.
“Sure, it definitely will be.”
But then Cornelia withdrew her hand as if she remembered something and said,
“Oh, by the way, I invited you to this tea but I didn’t prepare anything!”
In the end, Cornelia summoned a maid.
“Make some tea.
Please, make it with honey for them and me...”
At that moment, Madeleine and the Grand Lady spoke simultaneously.
“Wait!”
"Yes?"
Madeleine stepped in instinctively, feeling it was the right moment.
“Well, actually, a little while ago, the eldest lady prepared a surprise gift for you, so we were discussing that.”
“A surprise gift...for me from the grand lady?”
Cornelia looked at the eldest lady with a surprised expression.
The Grand Lady felt a momentary irritation rising, but she managed to suppress it and spoke.
“Well, even though I am your mother-in-law in name, shouldn’t I give a gift to my pregnant daughter?
So, I prepared an herbal tea that is beneficial for pregnant women.”
Upon hearing this, Cornelia's eyes filled with tears.
“Thank you”
The eldest lady smiled inwardly.
'So naive and foolish.'
In the end, the eldest lady spoke normally.
“Head maid, bring him here.”
At her command, the maid who was waiting outside brought over a box containing tea.
"Here is."
The grand lady opened the box and said, “You should drink it twice a day for a week.”
Cornelia nodded in response.
"Yes, I'll drink it right.
Emily, make my tea with this."
The maid carried the tea box and left the drawing room.
After a moment, Cornelia spoke.
“Ma’am”
Cornelia hesitated for a moment, and her face turned red as she spoke.
“The other day, I thought you were upset with me because of what happened between us...so, I was excited when you suggested tea time first.
I wasn’t expecting a gift, so thank you very much.”
Her honest and generous behavior was evident from the time Cornelia first entered the family.
The grand lady felt her mood soften, and she thought,
'I will forgive you for your rude and foolish actions.
But...you will lose your child because of your mistakes...'
No matter how repentant she was, the Grand Lady believed that Cornelia must face the consequences of her wrongdoings.
'However, our time together will not be long.
After losing the child, I will treat you well at first, and then divorce you from the false one.'
As her thoughts settled, the Grand Lady smiled at Cornelia and said, “Let’s try to resolve the misunderstanding and come to an understanding from now on.”
At that moment,
Knock-!
Knock-!
“I brought tea.”
In response to the maid's voice from outside the door, Cornelia raised her voice in response.
“Yes, please, bring it in.”
Soon, three cups were placed in front of them.
The eldest lady focused intently on Cornelia to see if she would drink the tea.
After a moment, Cornelia sipped her tea and smiled.
“The tea smells really good!
I will be sure to have it with me every tea time from now on.”
Seeing her innocent expression, the Grand Lady smiled inwardly.
I wonder what expression that phony will show when he finds out that that woman aborted his child.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Knock-!
As Eric walked, he frowned when he realized that the belt holding the sword sheath down was frayed and broken.
'strange.
'It was good until this morning...why now?'
At that moment, strangely, Cornelia came to mind.
Anxiety spread from his fingertips to his entire body.
'If something happens to her...'
“Sir?”
At his deputy's call, Eric handed over the broken belt and said, “Nothing.”
Yes, there should be nothing.
After all, he had left many knights to guard Cornelia.
With this thought in mind, Eric turned towards the north.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
After tea, I spoke to the Grande Madame and Madeleine.
“Ma’am, that was fun.
And Madeleine, I’ll see you in three days.”
In response to my words, they smiled and nodded as if they really appreciated me.
“Yes, let's have tea together again sometime.”
“Yes, see you then!”
When they all left, I frowned.
"It was really exhausting.
Being around such obnoxious people."
I immediately went to my room and instructed the maid.
“Bring water to my room to wash my hands.
Also, bring some cold water to wash my mouth.”
When I returned to my room, Sardine was waiting.
“Is everything ready?”
“Everything is perfect.
But, ma'am, are you really okay?”
Instead of answering, I simply nodded.
If I tolerated a little more, I could live happily with my child.
With that thought, I was able to smile.