The Villainous Noble Lady Turned Into a Child, and Her Cold Duke Husband Became Kind - 9 – A Complicated Relationship (2.1)

“Yes…! It really worked…!”

A woman’s excited voice echoed through the dark basement.

There were many small birdcages scattered around the room, all of them empty.

But at her feet, countless bird feathers were scattered.

Underneath them, a circular diagram was drawn in something dark red and black, glowing with an eerie red-purple light.

To the woman, that light felt like a holy blessing, shining just for her.

“Oh, what a wonderful day today is…!”

All the gloom in her heart had vanished, and she felt light.

There had been a man she had admired for many years.

He was beautiful, strong, and noble. Though he lived as the kingdom’s sword, she had loved him.

From the very first time she saw him at a social gathering, from that fleeting moment their eyes met, she had fallen in love. She believed he was her destined husband.

People around her said the man was “scary,” but that was exactly what made him wonderful.

He smiled at no one, looked at no one, let no one near him, and pledged loyalty only to the royal family.

But she believed—no, she was sure—that he would smile just for her.

She imagined such a future and felt her heart overflow.

“Ah… Lord Leonhardt…”

Just saying his name made her melt in sweet love.

She wondered what it would feel like to touch that black hair.

What kind of expression he would show when his red eyes softened just for her.

Before she had even entered the social world, he had already been married once. But the former wife was no longer alive.

She had died right after giving birth to a son. That son apparently looked just like the man.

“If he looks just like you, I’m sure I can love him too…”

She would be loved, with the man she adored and his look-alike son by her side.

That was what she believed. That was the future she was certain of.

And yet, suddenly, he remarried another woman.

From what she heard, it was a political marriage. He apparently hated his new wife.

…She’s just a nuisance to you too, isn’t she?

As she struggled to figure out how to separate him from his new wife, she met a kind friend who taught her a wonderful method.

This would definitely separate them.

Their marriage could not survive it.

He would surely divorce that woman.

Then she could finally be with him.

From that night four years ago when she first entered society, she had dreamed of this future.

She would stand beside her beloved man, be respected by others, and live a happy life.

“…Ah, please wait for me, Lord Leonhardt…”

Just imagining it made her heart race and her steps light.

…It will take some effort to keep this going…

But for the bright future ahead, a little trouble was nothing.

Soon, the social season would arrive.

This time, she would dance with him not once, but twice—no, three times at the evening ball.

The first dance means “acquaintance,” the second “lover” or “fiancé,” and the third—“husband and wife.”

“…Heh, how pitiful.”

To be married to him, yet divorced without even dancing once together in public.

But it couldn’t be helped.

The marriage itself was the mistake.

Mistakes must be corrected.

Only she truly loved him. Only she deserved his love.

Humming, the woman climbed the basement stairs lightly.

Behind her, feathers dropped from her feet and scattered on the floor.

All that remained in the basement was the eerie red-purple glow and a mountain of feathers.

＊ ＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

Reading the letter she received, the kind friend… smiled in amusement.

Just as expected—the words, the situation—everything was going exactly as planned.

She couldn’t help but feel delighted.

“Hehe…”

Even as she covered her mouth with the letter, a laugh escaped.

“You seem very happy, my lady. Did something good happen?”

At the servant’s words, the kind friend… nodded.

“Yes. A friend of mine had been troubled for a long time. I gave her advice, and now it’s all solved!”

“Thanks to your kind advice, I’m sure she found the right path.”

“You think so? …That would make me happy.”

She let out another soft laugh and stood up.

“Somehow, I suddenly want to see Father and Mother. …Sorry for making you prepare tea.”

The servant smiled gently and said, “Please don’t worry.”

The kind friend… also smiled back.

“Could the maids take care of the tea and sweets?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I’ll go see my parents, so you can rest a bit.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, my lady.”

Leaving the servant who bowed deeply, the kind friend… left her room.

Her steps were light as she walked down the hallway, feeling the best she ever had.

She greeted passing servants with “Thank you for your work” and “Thanks as always,” and received warm smiles in return. It had always been like that. That was normal.

She arrived at her father’s study and knocked.

A voice replied, and she entered. As expected, her father was there.

“Father, I received a letter from that friend…”

She placed it on the desk. He read it and laughed in satisfaction.

“I see. Well done. As expected of my daughter.”

She felt it was only natural to be praised.

That friend she approached this time had a higher noble rank, but her head was empty from being madly in love.

By pretending to listen and acting sympathetic, she had guided her exactly as planned.

…What a fool.

She said she wanted to marry a duke and become a duchess, but her thinking was far too shallow.

Someone like that could never become a proper duchess.

“Now, that matter will soon be returned,” her father said.

She placed a hand on her cheek.

“My, how unfortunate…”

“But since the powerful noble Feneon family has no daughter, our house will have to send another again. …When they asked for her hand, it was a problem, but in a way, it’s turning out well.”

She didn’t reply, just gave a troubled smile.

…I’ve always hated her.

The eldest daughter, born between Father and his first wife—beautiful, kind, quiet, and graceful.

While she, born between Father and a baron’s daughter, was just a mistress’s child…

After their marriage, she became part of the count’s family, but she had always hated that woman.

She had everything she didn’t. And yet, always looked so unsure—it irritated her.

Father didn’t love her, the daughter from his first wife.

Still, since she had grown beautiful, he used her to attract men and get money.

She resisted at first, but after a few hits, she obeyed.

She even acted like a wicked woman to ruin her own reputation, while boosting hers.

…I’m the one who deserves love and praise.