The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 42

Huh…?

At those words from Miss Deena, my chest stirred with an unpleasant feeling. Even before a specific someone’s image crossed my mind, it was as if it were a conditioned reflex.

Miss Deena continues to speak.

“Her hair was cut so short, it was unimaginable for a girl her age, and it was trimmed to a strange color. Normally, unmarried young girls grow their hair long and take care of it as beautifully as possible, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Among them, Lady Deena’s hair is particularly beautiful and radiant. I believe it is more elegant than anyone else in the kingdom!”

The young lady who gives me misplaced compliments is annoying. Feeling the strong, thumping sound of my heart starting to beat faster, I listened to Lady Deena’s words.

“There’s something I can’t forgive above all else. Lord Lloyd, he went so far as to say that he would ban me from entering the duke’s residence for advising him that trusting that girl too much is dangerous.”

“Ah! No way…!”

“Why would you do such a thing to Lady Deena…!? To none other than Lady Deena…!”

“I deliberately raised my fan to keep that lowly girl in check. To show her that she shouldn’t think of anything inappropriate. She’s just a common maid. It’s only proper discipline, don’t you think?”

“Yes! I’ll do it, I’ll do it!”

“It’s nothing much, really, just that!”

“And yet, Lord Lloyd… I can’t believe it. He suddenly twisted my arm and… protected that girl by pulling her close! From me!”

Perhaps she vividly recalled that moment, Miss Deena suddenly became furious. The young ladies who had just been in agreement with her fell silent in fear all at once.

Holding the fan tightly and raising her eyebrows, Miss Deena spoke as if casting a curse.

“For the sake of that little brat, you would disregard me… Lord Lloyd was not normal. What is that little brat? To ingratiate herself with His Excellency the Duke, a pillar of this kingdom, from such a lowly position…”

“Eh… yes! Such a thing must never happen!”

“That’s right! Your Grace has been deceived by that despicable little girl. Someone worthy of Your Grace would be a person like Lady Deena, who possesses beauty, education, and a distinguished family background… someone who is perfectly suited in every way. …Ah! No, of course, I don’t mean to imply that Your Grace is seriously involved with that little girl!”

“Yes. It’s alright, Lady Deena. It’s just a temporary lapse of judgment from the Duke of Harrington. Surely, one day, a letter of apology from the Duke will reach you, Lady Deena.”

It seemed that Lady Deena’s irritation wouldn’t subside, and her entourage of noble ladies were desperately trying to flatter her. As I listened to their conversation, the image that came to my mind was that of him.

A girl without relatives who came from another territory. A petite and adorable woman with short, neatly trimmed pink blonde hair…

The miserable figure of that girl, whose hair I had roughly cut off, with the dye powder my mother specified smeared on it, scrubbing the floor every day in her filthy appearance.

They connect vaguely, as if linking points together.

No way…

There’s no way that’s true. That person, who was kicked out of our Everly Count family with nothing but the clothes on their back, somehow made it through the forest to the Harrington Duke family, caught the eye of that beautiful head of the family, and is being favored and looked after…

Such a thing should never be forgiven.

However.

If that’s really the case… just how much luck does this kid have…?

I can’t believe she’s having such a good time. That woman who constantly provoked my miserable inferiority complex, made me feel unpleasant every day, and even seduced my fiancé.

Anger is bubbling up from the depths of my stomach.

In front of me, Lady Deena’s resentful complaints and the superficial comforting conversations among the young ladies were still unfolding, but I no longer had the mental space to join in.