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 56

The salon fell silent as if struck by water. Everyone’s gaze pierced me all at once. The former Duchess of Harrington wore a bewildered expression. And then────

“What on earth are you talking about? Why is Michelle’s name coming up? And… what about Flandre…?”

The first to raise his voice was my husband.

The Marquise Bracey, smiling triumphantly, covered her mouth with a fan and glared at me. Similarly, the Countess Everly, wearing a confident smile, stood up and raised her voice as if to address everyone in the salon.

“I will now explain everything to you, Your Grace the Duke of Harrington, and the former Duchess of Harrington. Our daughter over there is the only child of Cynthia Everly, the younger sister of my husband, Count Everly. The man she married is the third son of the Baron of Flandre, who eloped against his parents’ wishes. However, I have heard that Michelledeceived Your Grace by pretending to be a poor, homeless commoner and got close to you. Michelle Flandre

My husband turned around and slowly looked at me. The moment I saw the astonished expression on his face, my heart ached intensely.

I want to explain it myself. But the words won’t come out, as if my throat is blocked.

Countess Everly is still talking in a voice loud enough to echo through the salon.

“Let me explain the events so far in order. First, Michelle’s father, the third son of the Flandre Baron family, and Cynthia Everly eloped and had Michelle, living as commoners in a small town in the southern part of the kingdom. Then, the third son of the Flandre Baron family lost his life in an unfortunate accident while working at a construction site. Two years later, Cynthia passed away due to illness. …It was a punishment, perhaps. By then,

Countess Everly said this, grimaced painfully, and let out a sigh. Padma, sitting in the next seat, did exactly the same gesture.

“Michelle… perhaps it was because she was raised by such parents. In any case, she was a daughter with very bad behavior. She would steal things from the mansion one after another and sell them off without permission, using the money to buy whatever she wanted. She also bullied Padma, who is here. Even though we tried to give her a proper lady’s education, she hated studying and always rebelled, asking why we made her do such boring things. She would throw tantrums, refusing to

Saying that, Countess Everly let out a pained groan and covered her face with both hands. Next to her, Padma was sniffing quietly.

“Michelle-san……”

From right beside me, I can hear Amanda’s small, concerned voice. But I couldn’t move. The Countess’s lies accusing me pierced my heart, and my vision blurred.

“Perhaps she takes after her mother… Michelle is always trying to flirt with men. The content is so indecent that I won’t go into details here, but just one thing… Michelle brought Steve Hazel, the long-time fiancé of my daughter Padma, into her room and was about to engage in an act with him, which my daughter witnessed. It’s truly pitiful… Since that day, my daughter has been suffering from a deep emotional wound.”

“U… uhh… ah…”

Suddenly, Padma covered her face with both hands and started to cry. The atmosphere in the salon became tense with the sound of the gathered women gasping. It was clear that everyone believed the words of Countess Everly.

My husband remained completely still, staring at Countess Everly. Unable to hold back, a tear fell from my eye.

“…My husband and I decided that we could not overlook this incident. The matter with the Earl of Hazel’s son was thwarted thanks to our timely arrival, but that does not mean it was forgivable. My husband decided to send Michelleto a strict monastery, believing it would be for his own good. However, Michellewas furious and rebelled. And that was when he ran away from our house.”

“It’s a lie…… It’s not true……”

I couldn’t listen any longer. Indeed, I was working at the Harrington Duke’s residence under a false identity. The guilt about that had always been in my heart. But even so, it was too much. Almost everything else was complete nonsense.

At my weakly uttered voice, everyone in the salon turns to look at me again.

My husband’s beautiful, deep blue eyes met mine.