I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 15

Liliana secluded herself in her room, writing thank-you letters for the tea party.

At last, she finished three letters and let out a breath. She reread them carefully, confirming there were no mistakes. All that remained was to have the butler check them, then seal them with wax and press her personal crest.

She leaned back against the chair, rolling her shoulders lightly. A trace of fatigue clung to her body, but the relief of finishing her task outweighed it.

Liliana reached out and opened the desk drawer. Inside was a full set of tools for sealing letters.

She picked up her personal seal.

It bore the crest of House Elsdean—the “Blazing Lion”—combined with Liliana’s own symbol, the lily. Proof that she belonged to this house.

Holding the seal, she gazed out the window. Though it had been sunny earlier, now gray clouds covered the sky. Rain would surely come soon.

Liliana sighed heavily.

(I need to send money to my family soon.)

Her father’s letters, her siblings’ demands. Though Alec and Serena had retreated after Leivis scolded them, what would happen if her father himself appeared?

“……”

She bit her lip hard under the weight she could tell no one.

Just imagining it sent fear racing through her body.

(I mustn’t trouble Lord Leivis!)

He was already busy enough. She couldn’t burden him further. He might decide he didn’t need a wife with such troublesome relatives and send her back. That was the one thing she absolutely had to avoid.

Yet no concrete plan for raising money came to mind.

(…As a marquis’s wife, surely there’s a budget for household expenses. Could I send money to my family from that?)

She considered the idea more closely.

(Instead of buying new couture dresses, I could purchase antique ones, remake them with embroidery to look luxurious, and save money.)

But even if she saved, she had no authority to withdraw those funds. Any savings belonged to the marquis’s household, not to her.

(—Now I understand why the Liliana in the novel seduced the treasurer.)

Otherwise, sending money to her family would be impossible. But seducing the treasurer was unthinkable. It would ruin his life.

(Using my embroidery skills to work somewhere would be the quickest way…? No, a marquis’s wife working is absolutely forbidden. It would disgrace House Elsdean.)

She wouldn’t mind being mocked herself. But now she was part of House Elsdean. Any ridicule would fall on Leivis and the servants too. That was unacceptable.

(Sneaking out in secret, hiding my identity, and working…? Unrealistic…)

Besides, a marquis’s wife had duties from morning to night. Even rest time was part of her responsibilities, meant to prepare for the next task. Escaping daily for long hours was impossible.

And simple labor would never earn enough to satisfy her family’s greed.

(—Should I just be honest? Say I want pocket money…?)

As she pondered, the butler entered to check on her, with maid Anne following behind carrying a tea set.

Liliana asked the butler to review her letters, watching as tea was poured.

“Yes, no problems. They express your thoughtfulness beautifully, Madam.”

“Thank you. And, well… there’s something I want…”

She spoke timidly. The butler smiled warmly at her.

“Yes, what is it? Please tell me whatever you need.”

—Cash.

(I can’t say that!)

It was far too blatant.

No noble lady ever asked for cash.

Anything desired was purchased on credit. Even her family had bought beyond their means on credit, leaving merchants to chase them for payment. Nobles had estates and lands. Assets that could eventually be converted to money so merchants sold generously. Liliana had always felt bitter watching them come and go.

And every purchase was recorded in the household accounts. Asking for cash meant wanting to buy something unrecorded.

That was impossible. Asking for cash would only raise her “bad wife” reputation.

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Seeing the butler’s puzzled face, she added quickly:

“Really, it’s nothing. Please forget it.”

She ended the conversation and lifted her teacup, savoring the aroma as she changed the subject.

“Is there anything I must do today?”

“Of course, there are invitations to reply to.”

The butler brought in a large stack of invitations.

“……”

Liliana’s face stiffened. She had just finished writing thank-you letters.

“It’s only until the social season calms down.”

“…When will that be?”

“In about two months.”

Two months. Reality offered no mercy.

(I’ll get tendonitis at this rate…)

She sighed involuntarily.

“—Are there any events I must attend?”

“No. Lord Leivis instructed that you should rest for now.”

—Then she could relax for a while. Yet she felt a little disappointed.

It meant she would spend her time writing refusals to all those invitations.

“…I’m sorry. I’m tired today. May I start tomorrow?”

Feeling guilty toward the butler, Liliana admitted her limit. She had embroidered a dress overnight, attended the queen’s tea party, encountered her siblings, received Leivis’s compliment, and written thank-you letters.

Looking back, the day felt impossibly long. She couldn’t push herself any further.

“Of course, Madam. You’ve worked hard today.”

His words eased her burden slightly.

That night, Liliana retired early to her bedroom.

The familiar scent of the room brought her exhaustion crashing down.

(I feel a little dizzy.)

Her head spun, her steps faltered.

She sat weakly on the bed and picked up the hexagonal crystal by her pillow, the magical crystal Leivis had given her.

Though cold and hard, it calmed her when she touched it.

Feeling his magic, Liliana breathed deeply and lay down.

(…Lord Leivis…)

Clutching the pillar tightly, she closed her eyes.

Her exhausted body quickly sank into deep sleep.