Chapter – 20
A quiet garden perfect for enjoying the charm of early summer.
“Did you hear? It’s said that Duke Hettis has a secret mistress!”
The young baroness froze mid-motion, fork poised over the fluffy whipped cream cake on her Portmeirion plate, at the sudden gossip.
“What? And not just anyone—Sir Casian?”
“But the Duke is…”
Her words were sharp, like a finely honed blade.
‘Even when Lady Reina deliberately dropped her handkerchief, he didn’t just ignore it?’
‘Even when Miss Natalie pretended to trip and fall, he didn’t even flinch.’
Several young noblewomen had blatantly thrown themselves at him, hoping to be close, but every time, Casian twisted away nimbly as if refusing to let them touch him.
Even when some ladies openly called for him:
[“Duke, you should lend your arm, it seems she needs assistance.”]
[“I’m no gentleman. Better watch where you’re going next time.”]
He didn’t bother considering the plight of a lady who ended up sitting on the ground; he just passed by, calmly advising caution.
“Ugh, still completely lacking manners,” they would mutter.
Even his own mother, observing the situation, would sigh at her son’s lack of consideration. Yet… a woman? That man… have a mistress?
The sunlight was so strong that the whipped cream cake was starting to melt, yet nobody dared touch it.
It was easy to dismiss as ridiculous gossip, but rumors had reached them that high-class seamstresses had been seen at the Hettis estate.
If the rumor was true…
“Is the cake to your liking, everyone?”
At that moment, the young Baroness Mute, who had hosted the garden party, appeared and broke the silence.
“Oh my, Lady Daisy! You look absolutely radiant today!”
“Thank you for the invitation, Baroness Mute! A picnic in the garden is so peaceful and lovely. Your taste is exquisite.”
At Daisy’s arrival, the young ladies spreading gossip hurriedly showered her with compliments.
“You flatter me. I don’t know what to say with all these kind words.”
Daisy smiled shyly, cheeks flushed, and her gentle expression left the noble girls at the table dumbfounded.
But in an instant, Daisy’s expression changed.
“However, everyone, rather than being swayed by baseless rumors, why not enjoy the refreshments before you? The cake was prepared by a pastry chef from the royal household, but the heat has melted the whipped cream.”
She looked down at the untouched cake and spoke. At her event, they dared to gossip carelessly—did they even realize what they were doing?
Beneath her gentle tone, a sharp hostility shot through her words like an arrow.
The girls at the table finally realized their mistake and quickly dismissed the gossip they had been about to accept as fact.
“Oh, even though the cream has melted, it’s still delicious! I almost let the rumors distract me from enjoying the sweet cake!”
“It melts in the mouth—such a shame to even swallow! A royal-trained pastry chef really makes a difference.”
“No wonder the Hettis banquet last year was so remarkable. I hope Lady Daisy takes charge again this year.”
“Hoho, I’m glad it suits your taste. I instructed them to prepare plenty, so please enjoy it freely.”
Once she received the responses she wanted, Daisy finally smiled fully and assumed a proper posture.
After carefully attending to the guests, Daisy stepped aside as the tea party ended.
Clack, clack.
“Here it is.”
She approached the table where the chatterers had lingered.
Crash!
“How detestable!”
Daisy yanked the tablecloth violently.
The Portmeirion plates and teapot set, along with the silverware, scattered across the grass.
The sturdy teapots and silverware survived the fall, but the fine porcelain plates couldn’t withstand the impact; the delicate floral patterns cracked. Much like her own heart.
“A mistress for Casian…”
Her hands trembled as she gripped the cloth.
She had thought he was different! Someone above the likes of lewd women!
“And yet, he associates with such a frivolous woman…”
She had spent years waiting for him.
Though he never allowed her close, she had thought that if she persevered long enough, they would eventually be mutual. That hope had kept her devoted to managing even the small matters of the Hettis estate.
She had worked tirelessly to catch Casian’s attention…
“Why! Why! Why would he take a woman of unknown origin as a mistress?”
Fury surged through her. Her hands shook uncontrollably. She bit her lips, then finally calmed herself and released her grip on the tablecloth.
“Yes. I can’t let this small thing anger me. After all, there’s no guarantee this rumor is even true.”
Even if he did have a mistress, it didn’t matter. As long as the position of Duchess of Hettis remained vacant, that was all she needed.
If she could ascend to a noble position, she could outshine that woman.
To achieve that, marriage to Casian was essential.
There was nothing holding her back aside from her background.
“Please, don’t make a scene.”
Until the vacant duchess seat was hers, she hoped both Casian and that woman would stay quiet.
She slammed the empty kettle onto the table.
Clack!
“Payment upfront.”
To pay for the dress, she laid a heavy pouch of gold coins on the counter. The Madam’s face lit up.
“P-please wait a moment! Terriel! Bring the refreshments quickly!”
The staff hurried off, and the Madam led Daisy to the lounge and stepped aside.
“Ma’am, wouldn’t it be better to pay later?”
“Yes! You could just pay all at once later—there’s no need to pay in advance.”
Once the staff delivering pastries and tea left, Rose and Mary asked curiously. Daisy shook her head firmly.
“Payment must be made on time. For the sake of credibility.”
Have you ever relied only on a paycheck, only to see an outrageous amount on a credit card statement? You check every detail and it matches… but the total is still shocking? Remembering those days of living on instant noodles…
“This life, I will only pay upfront!”
No more struggling with money! Having made a fortune in Sispel, today she would spend freely.
“What about the change?”
The Madam asked cautiously after completing the transaction. Daisy didn’t hesitate.
“Give it here.”
“Eh?”
“Just hand it over. Is there a problem?”
“Oh, no! Here it is!”
“Good. Load the dress onto the carriage, and issue a receipt.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Once she confirmed the dresses loaded onto the carriage, she turned to the next shopping destination.
“Ma’am, usually people keep the change!”
“That’s right! Having spent about 3,000 gold coins, many noblewomen throw in the extra as a gesture—it’s nothing to them!”
Mary and Rose, following closely, whispered like secret agents.
“Oh, that’s how it is.”
Why had she been so startled? Now she understood—it was common for nobles to tip generously.
“Well, next time I’ll just spend more freely.”
Though she resolved to do so, as she entered the store:
“Welcome, madam! Looking for lace?”
“Welcome to Furkan, purveyors of the finest jewelry.”
“Looking for women’s shoes? Then you’ve come to the best!”
Her earlier resolution to spend freely faltered; her inner frugality peeked out.
“280,000 gold. Can you issue a cash receipt?”
“That’ll be 5,490,017 gold and 17 silver.”
“I’ll give 3,000,000 gold and you give 48 silver in change.”
Her maids and knights stared at her in disbelief, but she had no choice. Her old intern mindset lingered—seeing prices like that still made her eyes pop.
Hiding her trembling hands, she pondered what would suit her best and carefully chose. She tried to explain, but seeing eyes made her say aloud:
“Hmm, we can’t just throw away the hard-earned money of my husband.”
