No One Ever Loved Me - Chapter 43

My success sparked both envy and criticism.

A once-insignificant madwoman had suddenly become the companion of Marchioness Federica.

“They say Her Majesty the Queen personally made a heartfelt request to you, My Lady,”

Sarah said while brushing my hair.

She couldn’t hide her displeasure.

The excitement she had shown when the invitation from Marchioness Federica first arrived was gone.

“Is that true, My Lady?”

“The Queen doesn’t ask—she gives orders, Sarah. She’s not someone who makes requests.”

My reply didn’t satisfy her.

If the Queen had given an actual order to make me Marchioness Federica’s companion, that would make things worse.

It would mean the Queen had forced an honor onto me that I hadn’t asked for.

“If Miss Isla hadn’t caused trouble, Countess Rosette would have rushed over to congratulate you.”

In some ways, Sarah was a faithful little spy.

She worked hard to make sure I never forgot Countess Rosette.

“Has Isla found a proper governess yet?”

I already knew through Martha that Countess Rosette was having difficulties, but I wanted to hear how Sarah would answer.

“Oh, of course. Who would turn down the chance to be the governess of the only daughter of House Rosette?”

It seemed Sarah had fully taken Countess Rosette’s side.

Covering up the faults of one’s mistress was a trait every loyal maid was expected to have.

“You’re right. Not assigning a tutor to Isla until now—that’s not like Countess Rosette at all.”

I had begun going to Marchioness Federica’s residence every day.

Though she was remarkably energetic for her age, she wasn’t fit for frequent outings anymore.

My role was to read to her at home and occasionally accompany her to the theater—small efforts to ease her boredom.

“I may have been fragile, but Isla is healthy. I thought she would’ve been more attentive to her own daughter.”

“Maybe Countess Rosette was just being considerate of you, My Lady,”

Sarah said as she opened the jewelry box.

I chose a yellow topaz ring.

“That gemstone matches the Count’s hair color.”

Sarah must’ve thought I picked it because of Edgar—but she was wrong.

It was Ricardo’s eyes that came to mind when I saw the topaz. Still, just like Sarah, others would assume it was because of Edgar, so there was no need to change my choice.

“She cares for you very much.”

Sarah continued to make excuses on Countess Rosette’s behalf.

“She probably thought you’d feel left out if only Isla got a governess.”

I couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly had Countess Rosette promised Sarah in return for such loyal spying?

“Well, thanks to Father, I’ve been engaged to Edgar since early on. My future was secure. But Isla needed more attention—especially for the sake of the Rosette family’s reputation.”

At first, when I entered Cecilia’s body, Sarah’s knowledge had been a great help. But over time, I learned her limits.

No matter how many noble households she had worked in, there were certain walls she simply couldn’t climb.

Her usefulness was starting to fade.

Ironically, the only reason she hadn’t lost her position was because she was Countess Rosette’s spy.

If I didn’t need to keep an eye on her, I wouldn’t have kept such a talkative maid in my inner circle.

“You’re right, My Lady.”

Sarah responded gloomily.

It bothered her that she hadn’t been able to properly defend Countess Rosette.

“Still—”

“Sarah.”

I cut her off.

“I need a moment of peace before I go to see Marchioness Federica.”

“…Yes, My Lady.”

That’s what I told her—but in truth, I wasn’t thinking about Marchioness Federica at all.

The rare moment of quiet I’d finally gotten was meant to be spent thinking about Ricardo.

That had been my plan.

“Cecilia. My Countess of Linton.”

If Edgar hadn’t burst through the door right then, I might have actually used the time wisely.

“Why don’t you share your secret for making our family so respected?”

Edgar seemed to be in a fantastic mood.

He smiled brightly as he joked.

“I can’t believe you managed to pull off something neither my father nor I could! Ever since we got married, you’ve been nothing but lucky for me!”

Edgar collapsed onto my daybed.

He didn’t bother taking off his shoes, stretching out his legs and smearing mud all over the bedding.

There were lipstick marks on the collar of his shirt as he lay half-sprawled on the daybed.

“Were you just with Miss Elodie?”

“Yes. Elodie sends her congratulations too. She’s a good woman.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if Edgar was drunk. He used to explode in rage whenever I so much as mentioned Elodie’s name.

Now, mistaking my success for his own, Edgar shamelessly revealed what he truly thought.

“Now I believe you actually care about the Linton family. To be honest, I was worried you’d say something reckless to the Queen. I thought you might start daydreaming just because the Duke of Bastian’s illegitimate son was serving Her Majesty.”

Edgar, who hadn’t even come close to the Queen himself, let his insecurities spill out without restraint.

“At one point, I thought you’d finally realized that the Duke’s bastard wouldn’t even spare you a glance. Besides, a man like that, with such low birth, would be desperate to marry into a noble family.”

I twisted the topaz ring around my finger.

“At least you came to your senses before leaving. Now I can focus on business without worrying about you.”

Edgar was scheduled to leave for a business trip next week.

He hadn’t told me the exact departure date.

“Elodie will take care of packing my things.”

“Still not planning to tell me where you’re going?”

I asked casually.

“It’s just another boring trip. My business spans multiple regions, so I won’t be staying in one place for long.”

Edgar sat up from the daybed.

Unlike his relaxed tone moments ago, there was a flicker of tension in his movements.

“That sounds tiring for Miss Elodie.”

“Well, she gets to travel. That should be fun for her.”

“Since we’re being honest about our relationship now, you should bring back a variety of local specialties for me.”

Edgar rubbed his temples.

“Local specialties?”

“Everyone knows you’re traveling with Elodie. Don’t you think it’s a smart way to show that you’re still thinking of me—and that I’m not upset?”

“Wouldn’t jewelry be better?”

I shook my head.

“Jewelry crafted in the capital is of far better quality. If you buy jewelry right after your trip, people will think it’s a peace offering to make up for a fight.”

I suspected Edgar’s destination was within Cecilia’s estate.

He couldn’t sell it outright, but as my legal husband, he had the right to collect taxes from it.

He wasn’t a fool. He probably wouldn’t buy anything extravagant, but he wouldn’t go far off route just to shop either—so that narrowed down the possibilities.

Once I had a general idea of where Cecilia’s land was, it would only be a matter of time before I pinpointed its exact location.

Then, I’d have proof that Edgar had collected taxes without my consent.

Even between spouses, touching each other’s personal assets—especially those not part of joint property—was enough to spark a scandal.

And from what I knew of Edgar, he wasn’t the type to survive a scandal.

I collected my thoughts and added a request he couldn’t refuse.

“Also, bring something for Marchioness Federica.”

“For the Marchioness? Good idea. Her Majesty adores her. If we treat her like our own grandmother, the Queen will be pleased as well.”

His ambition had clearly overridden his caution.

“But what should I get her? The Marchioness lacks for nothing.”

“Sometimes a modest gift carries more sincerity. If it’s too extravagant, she might feel burdened.”

I told him how she had been genuinely pleased when I gave her a hand-embroidered handkerchief.

“Then I’ll go with something sweet.”

Edgar seemed to settle on the idea.

“Older folks love treats. Something rural and unique—something she can’t get in the capital—would be perfect.”

I took advantage of his expanding ambition to ask another question.

“When will Miss Elodie perform again?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I thought it might be nice to attend a performance with Marchioness Federica. And you’re good at getting tickets, aren’t you?”

Elodie’s shows always sold out.

Even high-ranking nobles had to queue for tickets.

The theater that owned Elodie’s contract boldly refused to sell box seats.

There were only so many box seats, and far too many nobles who wanted to hear her sing.

No noble wanted to be seen buying a regular seat, so the ticket wars between them were even more intense.

“She starts rehearsing the first week of next month. Since her prep time is short, they’ll probably start selling tickets by the end of the month.”

That meant his trip wouldn’t last longer than two weeks.

“These questions… you’re not just trying to figure out when I’ll be back, are you? I hate being watched. We’ve finally come to understand each other—let’s not go back to being adversaries.”

His ambition fulfilled, Edgar’s caution returned.

“Of course not. I just need to align my schedule with Marchioness Federica’s.”

Edgar nodded, though he didn’t seem fully convinced.

“I hear Countess Rosette is struggling to find a governess for Isla. You should give her some advice before you leave.”

I changed the subject, hoping to distract him.

“That woman’s a burden to House Linton. She used to act like she was so superior—and look at her now.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

Edgar let out an exaggerated sigh.

Then, as if he were carrying the noble weight of being head of the family, he patted my shoulder.

“Still, I’ll check in on her. You just focus on the Marchioness. Leave that woman to me. No need to meet with her anymore—I’ll handle it.”

At first glance, it sounded like he was being considerate.

But by blocking any further meetings with Countess Rosette, he was only ensuring that their dealings stayed buried in secrecy.

Support