SFML 05

Chapter 5

Inside the bag was a single cufflink with a subtle sheen.

It was the only keepsake left by Evan’s mother.

But Cecilia now realized it was more than just a simple memento.

“G.H.”

The cufflink bore the initials of Duke Gilbert Hayes.

It had been a gift he had given to his mistress—Evan’s biological mother.

In my previous life, this could prove that Evan was the duke’s son.

But in this life, Cecilia could not bear to look at it.

She carefully tucked the cufflink into her pocket, intending to think later about how to use it.

Have I gathered everything now?

Cecilia checked her bag one last time and quietly closed it.

Just as she was about to stand, a furious voice rang out.

“Cecilia! You wretched girl! Where are you? Come out right now! You think I’ll let this go today?!”

Trisha, Countess Osburn and Rozena’s mother, burst through the door, with Rozena close behind.

Smack!

“How dare you stab us in the back after all we’ve done for you, you wicked little—!”

Trisha strode forward and slapped Cecilia across the cheek.

Cecilia touched her cheek and looked away.

She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two women trembling with rage.

“All we did for you?”

They had openly discriminated against her, constantly berated her, and treated her cruelly while raising her.

The Osburns had never been warm or kind to Cecilia.

As a ten-year-old, she was often denied meals and beaten.

At the time, she thought it was her fault.

But now she understood.

They had been afraid—afraid that one day Cecilia might come asking for her parents’ inheritance.

“You shouldn’t have brought someone like you in the first place—”

Slap!

Before Trisha could finish her sentence, Cecilia’s palm struck her cheek.

Trisha’s head turned, fingers pointing in shock, and her cheek flushed red along Cecilia’s handprint.

Rozena gasped.

“Ria! What… what have you done—”

Slap!

Again, Trisha’s face snapped to the side with a sharp crack.

“My, has she lost her mind?!”

“Ho-how dare she!”

Rozena screamed, and Trisha charged at Cecilia with fury.

But Cecilia had no intention of receiving them passively.

She grabbed both of the countess’s arms and restrained her.

The tall Cecilia easily overpowered the Osburn women.

“Let go! I said let go!”

Trisha flailed, her hair a mess, but Cecilia only tightened her grip.

Her cold gaze met theirs.

“Do not raise your voice after raising your daughter so poorly.”

“What did you say?! How dare you hit an elder twice—”

“I included Rozena’s share. Or should I hit her too?”

Cecilia gestured toward Rozena, whose expression immediately stiffened.

She truly seemed capable of striking Rozena, regardless of her pregnancy.

Rozena hurriedly changed her tone.

“R-Ria… why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

Her voice trembled, pitiful as tears welled in her large eyes.

“If you were upset, we could have talked beforehand… Why did it have to be in front of so many people…?”

Rozena always tried to use tears as a weapon to appeal.

Cecilia had often softened at that sight.

But she would no longer be treated like a fool.

“Oh, that? I did it on purpose.”

“…What?”

“Pretending to be all virtuous is your family’s specialty. It was disgusting, and this was a perfect opportunity.”

Rozena was speechless, shocked to hear such harsh words from Cecilia.

She had never been spoken to like this before.

Every time, she had smiled foolishly and fulfilled Cecilia’s requests.

Cecilia released the countess’s arms, tossing them aside.

“Do you still want to fight? Then let’s go to the square. The more spectators, the better, don’t you think?”

“You… you—!”

“Mom! Are you alright?”

Trisha staggered, clutching her neck.

Rozena rushed to support her mother, but Cecilia ignored them, grabbed her luggage, and quietly headed for the entrance.

“Where do you think you’re going! Rozena! Contact the house immediately! Tell them we’ll send this to Marquis Dillon!”

Trisha shouted from behind.

Marquis Dillon was a shameless, lascivious man in his seventies, currently seeking his sixth wife.

Any noblewoman in Listea would have recoiled at such a match.

“You’re mistaken if you think we’re still your guardians! We’ll propose marriage to the marquis immediately! You don’t deserve this match!”

The reason they mentioned Dillon was obvious: they wanted to sell Cecilia and pocket the reward.

Even in this situation, their calculation reflected the true nature of the Osburns.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going! I haven’t finished speaking!”

Cecilia ignored them and left.

Their words weren’t worth a reply.

Outside, she moved forward without hesitation.

First, I’ll stay at a hotel.

Fortunately, she had saved some money over the years—coins secretly collected from the few handouts the Osburns had grudgingly given her.

It wasn’t comparable to the inheritance left by her parents, but it would suffice for a temporary hotel stay.

The problem comes after that.

She had left boldly, but legally, she was still under the Osburns’ guardianship.

Even as an adult, she could not fully escape the influence of her guardians regarding marriage.

If marriage negotiations with Marquis Dillon start, it’s going to be a headache.

A young unmarried woman with no background facing a noble house was practically impossible.

The noble world always revolved around family.

What should I do…

As Cecilia headed to the hotel, she continued thinking.

What she needed now was a strong shield—one that neither the Osburns nor Marquis Dillon could touch.

Three days after Cecilia’s wedding incident, a carriage arrived at the Hayes estate.

It was Rainer, returning from the family lands.

“You’ve returned, Rainer.”

Rainer stepped out of the carriage and gave a light nod to his attendant, Harry.

The midday sun highlighted his sharp, sculpted jawline and straight, high nose.

Even his dark hair, lightly stirred by the spring breeze, remained perfectly in place.

Rainer planted his long legs firmly on the ground and slowly removed his gloves.

Even in this small gesture, elegance radiated, yet his expression remained stern.

He was always like this after visiting the Hayes estate.

“How is Lady Norma’s health?”

“Unfortunately, she’s still walking on her own two legs,” Rainer replied, frowning as he loosened his cravat.

This was one of the rare moments he revealed emotion, usually so restrained.

It was no wonder, considering his terrible relationship with Elise.

That shallow illegitimate child, clinging to the Hayes name like a dog.

Publicly, Rainer was known as the youngest son of Grand Duchess Elise.

In truth, he was the illegitimate son of the late Duke Hayes and his mistress Mariana.

Elise, proud both as a noblewoman and as a woman, could not accept her husband’s infidelity.

Even if all men had mistresses, her husband could not.

Being mocked by others was worse than death to her.

Her anger and despair were directed at Mariana, who ultimately died in a mysterious fire.

Afterward, Elise verbally and physically abused Rainer when he entered the estate.

“If it’s too difficult, perhaps you should refrain from going for now,” Harry cautiously suggested.

Having earned merit in the war and become close to the crown prince, Rainer could have easily obtained a high title without the Hayes dukedom.

With the inheritance from the late duke and war rewards, he lacked nothing.

Harry disliked seeing him endure unnecessary insults from Elise.

“Do you think I go willingly? I go to show the elders of Hayes,” Rainer said, dismissing the suggestion.

The only reason he outwardly treated Elise with respect was for the Hayes dukedom.

The fire that killed his mother Mariana was certainly Elise’s doing.

Yet, it was only circumstantial evidence.

To reveal the truth, he needed to rise above Elise and pressure her.

“You won’t last long. Until then, you must avoid giving the Hayes retainers any reason to target you.”

Fortunately, Elise’s son, Gilbert, was childless and ill, securing the path for Rainer to inherit the title.

Until then, he had to endure the ugly old woman and avoid unnecessary scandals.

“By the way, there’s a guest in the reception room,” Harry reported.

At that moment, Rainer paused in his steps.