How to Survive as the Wife of the Monster Duke - Chapter 240

Was she scared or fearful? It was somewhat different. Maybe she had been waiting for this moment, even if she didn’t realize it. Soon enough, Viscountess Moena would likely start hurling insults at her. When Ilyin thought about it, above all else, the foremost thought that crossed her mind was this:

“Well, then, I can do the same.”

Why hadn’t she done so before? Back then, she had nothing, not even a meager relationship held together by her social status. She had been afraid that even that tenuous connection would shatter if she spoke her mind.

Afraid that the maids would gossip about her. Afraid that she would have nowhere to turn to express herself, She was afraid that she had no allies anywhere.

But that was no longer the case.

“Etra, please go and fetch some tea.”

Etra hesitated for a moment. There was no way she didn’t recognize Viscountess Moena. That woman was undoubtedly an enemy of her mistress, Delrose’s enemy. She couldn’t leave Ilyin alone in the presence of her adversary.

Ilyin turned to look at Etra, as if saying, “It’s okay.” Her grip on Delrose’s necklace was tight.

In Ilyin’s eyes, Etra saw a resolute determination akin to that of a knight before battle.

Ah, the mistress is currently waging her own battle. Then the underling must follow orders with even more determination. This was the mistress’s battlefield. One had to act in a way that allowed the mistress’s vision of the battlefield to unfold as much as possible.

“I accept the command,” Etra replied, performing a curtsey before turning away. Viscountess Moena’s gaze followed her as she left.

“She doesn’t seem like a typical maid.”

With a soft click, the door closed. Viscountess Moena opened her fan wide, concealing her mouth.

“It feels like she’s rolled in from somewhere.”

She didn’t seem like she had come to entertain high-ranking individuals in noble circles. Viscountess Moena let out a chuckle.

“Even speaking such an insult doesn’t seem like the work of a high-born person.”

Ilyin spoke up. Even though she hadn’t been actively involved in social activities, she had been trained to entertain guests from a young age as a member of the Delrose household.

Unknown to her, the dignity of the nobility had ingrained itself in her. Viscountess Moena’s expression soured.

“…Well, I suppose it’s because I’m more at ease in front of someone I know. Isn’t that the case?”

Commoners who entered noble society were expected to forget their previous social status. That was the way to assimilate into the closed aristocratic society. Bringing in connections that weren’t from one’s ‘previous’ life and treating people accordingly was considered quite ungentlemanly. Pointing that out, indirectly, was a part of social etiquette. But Ilyin’s response came out a bit differently.

“Before, I don’t think we were ever that comfortable.”

It was a sincere remark that slipped out without her realizing it. Her hesitation was very brief. Why should I be the only one holding back from speaking my mind?

“Oh…”

Viscountess Moena once again used her fan to conceal her mouth.

“It seems that Biflten has its own unique manner.”

“I was so caught up in countering my own mistake that I didn’t even think about what I was saying.”

Viscountess Moena chuckled.

“But you know, Madam, I was quite surprised when you turned up here. I was really taken aback.”

It seemed like only the maid was surprised, and this woman didn’t seem particularly shocked. Viscountess Moena turned her gaze toward the door that Etra had exited through, her expression thoughtful.

When they had met at the previous soiree, Ilyin’s expression had been truly memorable. She had widened her eyes like a startled rabbit! When they had occasionally made eye contact at the estate, she had always been the one to look away first. Watching her get startled or flustered after being spoken to was quite enjoyable.

It was the estate’s servants who had wanted to avoid her, actually. If only that accursed mouth of hers had stayed shut!

“…By any chance, are the customs there quite different?”

Viscountess Moena leaned closer to Ilyin. After glancing around with exaggerated movements, she whispered.

“There, do they, uh, appreciate that cursed ability of yours?”

It was a very hushed voice. Ilyin’s face stiffened. It was something she had heard back at the estate before. No, it was just that the wording was different; she had always heard something along those lines.

There was no place that would appreciate that cursed ability.

Back then, she couldn’t say anything. When everyone said it so frequently, she thought it might actually be true. She thought maybe she wouldn’t have been labeled as such if she hadn’t had premonitions, if she hadn’t dreamed, and if she hadn’t slept at all. But now, things were different.

“Premonitions aren’t a curse,” Ilyin said with a firm voice. Her interlocutor had abandoned formality, so she saw no reason not to do the same. Viscountess Moena widened her eyes slightly.

Ilyin gathered her resolve. She had already saved people several times with her premonitions. She remembered the times when she had tamed Aden and Delrose with her premonitions.

“Well,” Viscountess Moena clicked her tongue, her face turning away. “You’re still the same.”

You’re still the same.

It was the phrase she had heard in her dream. Ilyin pressed her lips together firmly.

“The last time I saw you, the Duke still didn’t know your true nature. If he ever takes a severe blow and comes to his senses…”

Viscountess Moena, fanning gently, glanced at her.

“Keep your mouth shut and live prettily. I hear there are plenty of monsters there. What good would it do if the Duke suddenly turned away from you?”

She chuckled. “If you live recklessly like that, you might end up discarded even at Biflten.”

She lowered the fan entirely. “Causing trouble in every direction…”

“…disrupting things, not being able to speak my mind, still waiting for others?”

Ilyin interrupted Viscountess Moena’s words. It was a phrase she had heard in her dream. She had tried not to pay it any mind, but she had repeated it to herself many times in her heart, waiting for this moment. She couldn’t forget it.

Viscountess Moena’s eyes widened. “You…”

She struggled for words for a moment, her face contorted.

“You saw it again, didn’t you? You saw it?”

She stood up abruptly and grasped Ilyin’s arm.

“Stop these spine-chilling tricks!”

The fan made a thumping sound as it hit the floor.

“I’ve wanted to say this for so long.”

“Even if it’s not a curse, your household really has no reason for others to like you, do they?”