I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 4

“Achoo!”

The moment Liliana entered her room, she sneezed loudly.

“Are you all right, Madam? Once you’ve changed, I’ll bring you some hot tea,” Anne said.
“Yes, thank you. Please do…”

She quickly removed her soaked dress, wrapped herself in a robe, and dried her hair and skin. Anne, preparing another gown, looked apologetic.

“Elina is truly sorry. I’ll make sure she understands.”

Anne seemed deeply troubled. Liliana smiled gently.

“Don’t worry. Neither of us was hurt. Don’t burden yourself too much.”
“Madam…”

With that, she ended the matter calmly.

(I’m not angry, really. Please let everyone know I’m not angry!)

As mistress, she should perhaps be stricter, but too much severity would look like bullying and that would raise her villainess score.

(No villainess behavior allowed! I’ll settle this peacefully.)

She wasn’t used to scolding others anyway. Better to leave discipline to the housekeeper, who was experienced, while she herself played the role of the tolerant lady.

Once she finished changing, Anne went to prepare tea. Alone, Liliana sighed deeply.

“Haahhh…”

(That was terrifying! I thought I might die for a moment.)

The image of the vase flying toward her replayed in her mind. Heavy, spinning, crashing. If it had struck her head, she might have been the one shattered.

Shivers rose belatedly, and she hugged herself tightly.

(It’s fine! I’m alive, no one was hurt. I’m lucky…)

If she had been injured, she couldn’t have smoothed things over. It would have been chaos.

(Yes, I was lucky.)

When Anne returned with herbal tea, its fragrance calmed her nerves. She sipped slowly, warmth easing both chill and fear.

“Thank you… You may return to your duties.”
“Yes, Madam.”

Relaxing in her chair, she glanced at her gown. Both this and the morning’s dress were exquisite—far finer than anything she’d worn at her family’s home.

Normally, a bride’s trousseau came from her own family. But the Elsdean house had received nothing from the Valentins. Not a coin, not a care.

Everything here—the room, the food, the dresses, even herself belonged to the marquis’s household, meant only for producing an heir.

(And I’ve already canceled the wedding night planning to cancel childbearing too.)

She felt like a parasite, a villainous wife indeed.

(This is bad! Elina, hurry up and fall in love with the marquis already—!)

◆◆◆

That evening’s dinner was as planned: root vegetable potage, roast duck, white bread, wine, and fruit tart for dessert.

(As expected of a marquis’s household—delicious!)

She focused on the feast, forgetting the day’s troubles. Only she and the maids were present; Leivis was at the royal castle. That made things easier.

She lifted her spoon for the first taste of potage then froze.

(Oh no…)

Inside the soup was a large, dying insect.

(What’s the right thing to do here?)

She wasn’t squeamish. At her family’s home, she’d eaten food with bugs, spoiled soup, foul meat, stale bread, even moldy bread. Her stomach was strong. She could simply eat around it.

Or she could drop the bowl—but breaking a dish was unthinkable; she couldn’t afford to replace it.

Or she could point it out. But would that be seen as improper?

“Madam, what’s wrong—ahhh!” Anne, peering in, screamed.
“Whaaat?!” Elina shrieked too.

Clearly, eating it would have been the wrong choice.

“This insect is still alive. It must have slipped in during plating or late in cooking,” Liliana said calmly, holding it on her spoon.

The maids looked horrified.

“If it had been cooked through, it might be harmless. But like this, it could make someone ill. Please call the chef.”
“Yes, Madam.”

Anne hurried out. Liliana, meanwhile, ate the other dishes. She was too hungry to wait.

Soon Anne returned with the chef, who bowed so low he nearly touched the floor.

“I am terribly sorry!!”

His voice shook the hall.

“Raise your head,” Liliana said gently.

The chef, pale, looked up. She smiled serenely.

“Don’t worry too much. Insects are everywhere. And I hadn’t eaten yet.”

“But this potage may be unsafe. Please dispose of it.”
“Of course!”

Better safe than sorry.

“If it were only me, fine. But if anyone else fell ill, it would be disastrous.”
“You’re absolutely right, Madam. We’ll clean the kitchen thoroughly and be vigilant during cooking and serving.”
“Good. By the way, the roast duck is exquisite. The bread smells wonderful, the wine is delicious, and I’m looking forward to the tart.”

The chef blinked, then teared up slightly.

“Thank you, Madam! I’ll strive even harder.”

◆◆◆

That night, in bed, Liliana sighed.

“Phew! What a day…”

She had learned her duties, nearly died, nearly caught a cold, and enjoyed fine cuisine.

(That fruit tart! It was heavenly! I should request it again tomorrow.)

Just remembering it made her cheeks melt with happiness.

(The potage was a shame, though. It looked so good! But food poisoning would be worse. At least they’ll be stricter with hygiene now.)

She drifted off, already excited for tomorrow’s menu.

(For delicious meals and for the future convent life, I must keep trying…)