I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

One of the roles of the Duchess is attending social gatherings. Madame Benoit, considerate of the inexperienced hostess, gladly arranged for Freesia to accompany her to a gathering with Lady Naphier, with whom Freesia had a close relationship.

“Now that you have a cute bodyguard, feel free to come without any burden. Everyone will take care of you, so don’t worry about unnecessary things.”

“I feel much lighter now. Lady Naphier has always been very fond of me.”

“I’m just not comfortable in that position. It’s a relief to have Freesia here.”

Freesia smiled bashfully at Madame Benoit’s sincere words.

“If I can be of help, I’m glad.”

Accompanying Freesia to the carriage, Madame Benoit carefully examined her attire several times.

“It’s more than just being helpful. I hope you remember that you’re like a savior to me.”

Even though she managed her own affairs, Madame Benoit strongly disliked showing her face in social circles. However, as her aunt, Lady Rashita, was also reluctant to participate in the strict social scene where people dressed up and drank tea, the role naturally fell to Freesia.

With Madame Benoit’s farewell, the carriage soon departed.

As they headed to their destination, Luca, sitting across from her, asked Freesia.

“Who is Lady Naphier?”

Freesia confidently replied.

“She’s someone who cherishes me like her own daughter.”

Freesia’s connection with Lady Naphier stemmed from her mother’s relationship.

Her father, who was always swindled, and her mother, who became almost fanatically devoted to religion, left the three sisters without anyone to rely on. It was Lady Naphier and her husband, long-time friends of her parents, who had helped the three sisters for a long time.

“We owe Lady Naphier a lot. Since she didn’t have a daughter, she always adored us three sisters.”

“I see.”

Despite being less noticeable among her sisters, Freesia was always seen as someone’s younger sister or older sister in the eyes of others.

“Even though I wasn’t particularly noticeable among my sisters, she always thought I was the prettiest since I was young.”

“You’re my favorite, too.”

“Thank you, Luca.”

An earnest child appealing to sincerity is quite adorable.

While it was true that Lady Naphier had found Freesia adorable, she had heard from Matthew himself that she was quite shocked when she heard the news of the marriage.

‘But you always said you had someone in mind for Matthew.’

Every time she made such remarks, it felt like hitting a wall. Lady Naphier, as if by habit, always insisted that Freesia would never be considered as a potential match.

Because there’s still so much to teach, so much to learn.

When Matthew offered to help, Freesia refrained from taking his hand out of consideration for Lady Naphier.

“Freesia, my dear!”

“It’s been a long time.”

Although she should now be addressed as Lady Crawford, to the employees of Naphier whom she had frequented, she still seemed to be Freesia.

Today, she had heard that she would be having tea with acquaintances, but for some reason, she didn’t see the carriages of other households.

“It seems everyone is running late.”

“Please come in quickly. Madam is waiting.”

Handing her hat to the maid as usual, Freesia glanced around the familiar lobby of the Naphier mansion.

Even if memories from a past life were to be revived, Freesia’s memories as she was now remained intact.

In her childhood, she used to dream with Matthew and Lily of playing in this large house. If she were to be reborn, she wanted to be born in such a wonderful house again.

It was a black moment for Freesia, too, when she grabbed the Marquise by the hem of her skirt and asked if she could be her mother.

“It’s been a while, Freesia.”

“Madam.”

Seeing Lady Naphier graceful and kind face, Freesia felt a rush of joy. She had always been taken care of like a mother, so much so that she felt apologetic for greeting her so late.

She warmly welcomed Freesia and then instructed the Crawford family’s employees standing behind her.

“It seems like it might take a while, so you can go back first. I’ll personally take care of Freesia.”

“I’ll wait as long as it takes until your business is finished.”

Since the incident where a member of the upper class was humiliated last time, the maids had been more determined than ever not to take a single step back.

But Lady Naphier’s intentions were even stronger.

“It’s rather unfortunate to entertain so many guests. I hope you understand that it’s difficult to show proper etiquette to unexpected guests due to financial difficulties.”

Nobles don’t give straightforward reasons. Especially in the Naphier family, where it would be even less reasonable to entertain only a few people who are likely to visit.

Presenting an excuse that nobody would believe is a means of revealing that the intention to ask for a favor is firm. If one were to believe that excuse straightforwardly, only the other party would look like a fool.

“Ada is the only one left, so everyone else may leave. Tell the Duke that I personally requested this.”

“…Yes, madam.”

Feeling that something was amiss, Freesia deliberately left an experienced maid behind.

Luca also quickly caught on and stuck close to her side, unaware of how far away he should stay.

“Who is that child that was brought here?”

“He’s the youngest of the Bailey family. I’ve been appointed as his guardian, so I’m taking care of him to gain social experience. Luca, introduce yourself.”

“Greetings to the Marquise of Naphier. I am Luca Bailey.”

As Freesia had taught him, Luca bowed politely, but Lady Naphier’s demeanor remained uncomfortable.

Throughout the journey in the carriage, they had spoken countless times about how gentle and kind Lady Naphier was. But today, for some reason, Lady Naphier looked at Luca with a particularly cold attitude, as if she was judging him.

“…Was there a child of his age in that household?”

“He has been frail since childhood and has always been under medical care.”

Freesia was familiar with the Bailey family’s situation. Lady Naphier herself had often taken care of the three siblings in place of their unkind parents. So, Freesia expected her to understand her position better than anyone else. However, for some reason, even after hearing the circumstances, Lady Naphier continued to look at Luca with disdainful eyes.

“Even if he’s the useless youngest, he’s still someone’s child. Surely they wouldn’t sell him to the Crowfords for a few coins. The Baileys seem to have no pride.”

“Do not insult my mother!”

Why was she acting like this today? Lady Naphier , who had always warmly welcomed Freesia, was now unexpectedly pouring out unheard-of insults.

Seeing Luca clench his fists in response to the unexpected verbal abuse, Freesia couldn’t hide her surprise as she hugged Luca close to her chest.

“Ada, was it? It seems like it’s not something a child should hear, so please wait outside for a moment.”

As soon as she was ordered to leave, Naphier’s handmaidens came to Ada’s side. They threatened to drag her out by force, but she didn’t take a step back.

“Even if it costs my life, protecting Madam is my duty.”

“The loyalty of the Crowfords’ dogs is high.”

As the maids rushed toward Ada, Luca blocked their path.

Filled with disappointment, Freesia, who was left in front of Lady Naphier, revealed her complex emotions.

“I simply cannot understand. When did you start forming a connection with the duke?”

“…I apologize for not telling you earlier.”

“You should know better than anyone else how much I cared for you. I truly regarded you as my own daughter, so how could you do this to me?”

Unable to lift her head under the torrent of reproach, Freesia realized that the pair of shoes she wore when she attended the party just before the Duke’s proposal had been provided by Lady Naphier. She never imagined that something like this would happen.

Even though Lady Naphier had sent her such a wonderful gift, she nonchalantly said that no one would pay attention to her, leading to Lady Naphier unexpected anger.

“Ada, please step away for a moment. Take Luca with you.”

“I cannot!”

“I’ll be fine. If anything happens, I’ll call for you. Please let us have some time alone.”

At Freesia’s request to be left alone with Lady Naphier, Lady Naphier gladly dismissed her maids.

Only Lady Naphier, who was clearly angry, needed to hear the whole truth.

Once they were alone, Freesia reluctantly spoke up.

“Everything was to save my sister.”

She accepted the Duke’s proposal solely to save her sister from a dire situation. Even after struggling to speak, Lady Naphier continued to look at her with disdain.

“It’s not too late. It’s better to end it before it’s too late when you have no children.”

“That’s…”

“If it’s about Lord Gondair, everything is settled now. Since it’s merely a ceremonial marriage, wouldn’t it be better for both of you to end it as soon as possible?”

At the first wedding ceremony, her feelings were certainly like that.

She thought she could somehow brush it off if things went wrong. She believed he would willingly let her go just as easily.

But that was only Freesia’s misconception. Marriage was regarded as sacred, and he gladly treated Freesia with all the respect due to a wife.

Even if he hadn’t committed any wrongs yet. But if this peace were to continue, someone needed to rein him in.

“I don’t want to give up now.”

Why did she come here, knowing the ending of the story?

The current Marquis was very different from the one Freesia had known before. Perhaps she came here to change the ending.

“He is sincere…”

She didn’t want to save the world, but at least she didn’t want to see him consumed by hatred.

Because she wished for his happiness. That was all Freesia wanted.

“What about you?”

In response to the Marquise’s question, Freesia remained silent once again.

“Smile Love”