No One Ever Loved Me - Chapter 37

Once again, Penelope displayed her magic.

It seemed I was the only one unaware that Her Majesty the Queen would be attending.

The dress Penelope brought was modest in design, but the deep navy fabric draped generously, making it far from dull.

“She’s said to be a frugal person.”

“Her Majesty the Queen?”

“Yes. Though she was raised with nothing lacking, her humble and pure nature is what captivated His Majesty.”

The Queen’s family, the House of Federica, was a noble lineage of unquestionable standing—even before receiving the marquess title.

The very fact that she was considered a potential queen was proof enough.

Her jewelry was minimal—another unspoken rule of society that one must not outshine someone of higher rank.

“If I had known Count Linton would be attending, I would’ve matched the color. That’s a bit disappointing.”

It was a subtle complaint.

“Just in case, I brought a brooch in the color of your eyes, my lady. Would you like to give it to the Count?”

When married couples attended a banquet together, it was customary to coordinate their formal attire—either with similar color schemes or by sharing accessories that matched each other’s eye or hair color as a sign of harmony.

“Leave it. I don’t want to hear any unnecessary talk.”

“But Her Majesty will be present. Surely Count Linton wouldn’t—”

If it were Edgar, the opportunist, of course he wouldn’t cause trouble. But I disliked him nonetheless.

What’s the point of feigning happiness in front of someone powerful when Edgar’s the only one who benefits?

“Even Her Majesty has ears. Do you think she doesn’t understand my situation?”

Penelope didn’t insist a second time. That was one of her better qualities.

Unlike Martha or Sarah, she never forced actions on me under the guise of doing what’s best for me.

“I briefly saw Ricky this morning. He asked me to prepare his formalwear. Can you believe it? He knows I’m swamped thanks to you, yet he still went out of his way to make a request. Officially submitted the form two weeks ago, too.”

Despite my silence, Penelope continued speaking, clearly gauging my reaction.

After visiting the Federica estate, those briefs, chance encounters with Ricardo vanished as if by magic.

The letters didn’t stop, but it was as though Ricardo feared seeing me in person. He kept himself hidden away.

“He must be troubled,” Penelope said, glancing sideways at me when I still didn’t respond.

“He’s been acknowledged as the young duke, sure, but socializing with Her Majesty in private is a different matter altogether.”

So even the power of Duke Bastian and Marchioness Federica means little before royalty?

“But didn’t you say Her Majesty is humble and pure?”

“Royalty is royalty. Maybe it’s like the sense of honor we feel when standing before you, my lady?”

I looked down at Penelope, who was kneeling to adjust my hem.

“Pepe.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“There’s nothing honorable about it.”

I lowered myself to her level. Startled, Penelope scooted backward and fell onto her bottom.

“It’s just a higher social rank. It may be uncomfortable or awkward, but it doesn’t need to be honorable.”

It wasn’t about preaching equality. I, too, enjoyed the comforts of being Countess Linton.

“The reason you’re trying to stay on my good side isn’t because of my status—but because there’s something in it for you, right?”

And I, in turn, made efforts to leave a good impression on Penelope.

I never wanted to feel the awkwardness I had when I went dress shopping with Sarah.

Penelope found a job, reconciled with Ricardo, and I gained a fairy godmother of sorts.

“It’s fine to admire others, but leave me out of it.”

“But my lady, you’re the most honorable person I know.”

Other people’s pure goodwill only wore me down.

I thought I’d wrapped things up with Penelope neatly—a give-and-take relationship.

It was true that I mustered up the courage at the banquet for her sake.

She was the first person to help me, not as Cecilia, and I wanted to repay her properly.

After even writing to Ricardo, I believed our transaction had ended cleanly.

So, I only summoned Penelope when necessary.

I thought she understood that.

But now, regret washed over me.

I must have made a mistake somewhere along the way.

I should have made it clear from the start that I’m not someone worth forming attachments to.

“Please, get up. You shouldn’t kneel like that, my lady.”

Penelope studied my face with an unreadable expression.

Worried my lowered posture might be misinterpreted as kindness, I stood without protest.

“There, all done. You look elegant enough to greet Her Majesty, without appearing overly conscious of it.”

My light makeup was finished.

I descended the stairs without checking a mirror. I didn’t say goodbye to Penelope.

I hoped she sensed a bit of my coldness.

But seeing her smile brightly as she saw me off, I had a feeling this would not be an easy journey.

In the drawing room, Margaret and Isla were already waiting.

The two, who had clearly been ignoring each other, rushed to link arms with me as if in competition once I appeared.

“We’ve been waiting forever. Honestly, you’re always too slow.”

Isla grumbled.

“What a lovely dress, Cecilia. I’m sure Her Majesty will notice you right away and be curious about you,” Margaret said with practiced politeness.

Isla’s cheeks flushed red. Letting go of my arm, she took a step back and mumbled that the dress was pretty.

She must have remembered being scolded at the last banquet for her lack of manners toward Margaret.

Margaret had likely kept that in mind when she dressed—to make a statement.

“Let’s go already. Where’s the carriage? There’s a coachman, right? Just not Sir Juan, please—get someone more handsome. You’re not seriously bringing that shaggy old man when Her Majesty the Queen is coming, are you?”

I avoided Isla, who was trying to cling to me again, and stood beside Margaret.

“We’re waiting for Edgar.”

“The Count? Count Linton is coming too?”

Isla’s eyes lit up.

She already looked thrilled, like she couldn’t wait to see Edgar treat me coldly in front of everyone.

“But sis, you didn’t even match accessories with Count Linton?”

“He only told me at the last minute that he’d be attending.”

“Still, what if Her Majesty doesn’t realize you and Count Linton are married?”

Margaret rolled her eyes.

“Cecilia will be introduced by Countess Allegro herself. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“But what if the Countess is too busy attending to the Queen and forgets all about her?”

Isla’s reply came off sharp, and she seemed rather proud of it.

“She’s not the only one. Cecilia also attended Marchioness Federica’s tea party. If anything, this works out well. If Countess Allegro is tied up, Marchioness Federica can introduce her granddaughter to Cecilia instead.”

Margaret’s calm response made Isla lift her chin and glare at me, as if to say, are you just going to let her say that?

How could someone as intelligent as Lady Rosette end up with a daughter like this?

“Sis, are you seriously not going to say anything?”

“If Lady Margaret had said something wrong, I’d correct her. But what she gave you was actually good advice.”

Isla’s jaw dropped. She looked like she was about to scream.

But just then, Edgar arrived—cutting her tantrum short.

“Don’t cause a scene in my house.”

As soon as Edgar appeared, Isla folded her hands neatly and greeted him sweetly.

“Hello, Count Linton.”

Edgar didn’t even glance at her. He looked straight at me and jerked his chin.

“If we want to be on time, we need to leave now. Why aren’t you already in the carriage?”

He ignored Margaret completely too.

His arrogance was obvious—he clearly had no intention of acknowledging someone like the illegitimate daughter of Baron Artois. It was so blatant it was almost comical.

Margaret didn’t bother greeting him either. She simply took my arm.

“Let’s go, Cecilia.”

Edgar gave her an incredulous look.

“Lady Artois.”

“Count Linton.”

Margaret turned briefly at his voice, gave him a polite nod, and walked away without hesitation.

“The company you keep is truly something.”

“You’d know, wouldn’t you? You married me,” Margaret whispered in a perfect imitation of Isla’s tone. I nearly burst into laughter.

Thankfully, she didn’t bring up what had happened at the Baron’s estate.

The carriage was spacious, but not quite enough to comfortably hold three women in full gowns.

Edgar ended up buried under layers of skirts.

To make matters worse, he was clutching the lark he had gone out of his way to bring. Rather than a nobleman, he looked more like a courier.

“I want that knight to escort me,” Isla said, peering out the window and pointing at Justin.

“He’s not a knight—if that matters.”

“He’s not?”

“He’s someone Sir Juan assigned to run errands.”

Isla didn’t recognize Justin. I didn’t bother mentioning he was Martha’s son.

“If anyone asks, just say he’s a footman.”

“I’m not lying about something like that.”

“You’ve gotten weirdly stubborn. You used to do anything I asked.”

“I’ve decided not to anymore.”

Edgar, too busy dealing with the bird’s constant chirping, didn’t seem to be listening.

“Behave yourself.”

I looked Isla straight in the eye as I warned her.

“What?”

She blinked, startled.

“I’m telling you not to cause trouble for me. Keep your mouth shut and act properly.”

Josephine had agreed to help me after seeing me stand with confidence.

This was my first social event attending alongside Edgar.

Even if I couldn’t expose what kind of man he really was, I had to make sure people knew I wasn’t the scandalous troublemaker rumors made me out to be.

And Isla? She was a risk.

“Sis, have you lost your mind?”

Maybe she was embarrassed to have felt nervous, because now she was laughing in that exaggerated, annoying way of hers.

“Isla Rosette.”

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her close so our faces nearly touched.

“I won’t warn you again. If your actions end up hurting me, I’ll make sure you pay for it—no matter what it takes.”

Margaret, sensing the tension, deliberately rattled the lark’s cage to distract Edgar.

The bird fluttered its wings and chirped wildly in protest.

“Lady Artois! If you don’t know how to handle a bird, at least leave it alone!”

“Oh, I love birds. I feed one every day through my bedroom window,” Margaret replied sweetly.

Isla had turned toward Edgar to appeal to him, but realizing he wasn’t paying her the slightest attention, she bit her lip in frustration.

“Did you hear me?”

Without her mother there to shield her, Isla clenched her jaw and gave a bitter nod.

The carriage came to a stop. Excited chatter could be heard just outside.

I let go of Isla’s wrist with a flick.

Edgar got out first, and as if nothing had happened, pressed Isla back down as she tried to rise.

“You’re the last one to get out.”

I waited for him to offer me his hand.

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