How to Survive as the Wife of the Monster Duke - Chapter 241

Ilyin interrupted once more, her voice firm. “I told you not to!”

Moena, the lady of the manor, caressed her arm again. At the sound of Ilyin’s piercing scream, Etra swung the door wide open. “Lady!”

Ilyin raised her hand, motioning for her to stop. She reached out to the door, closing it gently. The room fell silent once more, the only difference being Etra’s presence.

Etra watched Moena, ready to pounce if necessary, her thoughts filled with a plan to dismantle the lady of the manor.

Her icy blue gaze locked onto Moena. “First, let’s make it clear that this is the last time we’ll have a conversation like this.”

Ilyin spoke, her voice dripping with coldness, and Etra couldn’t help but widen her eyes slightly. This was still her mistress, after all. It was her duty to comply.

“There’s no need for formalities, I presume?” Ilyin leaned against the backrest of her chair. Etra couldn’t help but think of Lord Aden in that posture, a languid predator, exuding the relaxed confidence of one who ruled the room.

“You—”

“Be aware of your place.”

The chilling words hung in the air once more. Ever since entering noble society, and even before that, the difference in their social standings had been starkly evident.

Moena hesitated. Ilyin shot her a piercing look. Ilyin de Arlen, the commoner, and the current Ilyin were like two completely different people.

“Honestly, I used to be afraid—not of you, but of the judgment of others.”

Ilyin continued to speak. Of course, she was still afraid of judgment, just not as she used to be. Now, she had Aden and Delrose by her side. She wasn’t alone anymore.

‘View the world as an ice rink, and don’t falter.’ That was her grandmother’s advice. In the winter, the world was kinder to her.

It hadn’t been like that before, but as long as Aden and Delrose were with her, the wintry lands held a warm world for her, no matter how harsh the chill winds blew.

‘Don’t be afraid. No matter what you do, you are a lovable person.’

So she wasn’t afraid of judgment anymore.

“But now, I’m not afraid.”

Ilyin finally let her words flow freely.

“I can live without you. You are not necessary in my life, and I don’t need those who waver at your words,” Ilyin declared firmly.

“Then what happens when you’re all alone?” Moena, the lady of the manor, retorted sharply. Ilyin tilted her head slightly.

“No, I’ll never be truly alone.”

“Even with a cursed duke like Duke Biflten—”

“No.” Ilyin cut her off completely.

“Regardless of what he sees in me, even if I cling to the hem of your dress in despair,” she gestured towards Moena with a fan that had remained closed all this while, “even if I display a violent side, hitting your walls in frustration, he’ll always be by my side.”

That’s the kind of person he is. Ilyin chuckled, thinking of Aden.

“So, I’m not afraid of you anymore.”

Moena tilted her head slightly.

“I used to be scared of you because I feared being left alone. But now, you’re no longer a threat. So, no more.”

She leaned toward Moena, just as Moena had done a while ago, but the situation was entirely reversed. Moena instinctively recoiled.

Ilyin whispered softly,

“Don’t provoke me.”

Unless you want to feel the same fear,

****

The tea party had ended by midnight. Moena, the lady of the manor, had no response to Ilyin’s words. She had given Ilyin her sharpest glare, but that was as far as she could go. In the end, Moena remained out of sight in the villa until the tea party came to a close.

“Please invite me again next time!”

A cheerful lady’s voice echoed. Ilyin, still in a daze, heard the voice in her dreams and sat up in her room.

The door was open. Ilyin could hear the voice of Lady Elret greeting the guests one by one.

“Madam, until next time,” Lady Dannet, the Countess, said, approaching Ilyin. Ilyin smiled and returned the greeting. Among her companions who had come with Lady Dannet, Moena, the lady of the manor, was conspicuously absent.

“Where could Lady Moena have gone?” Ilyin’s companions seemed equally clueless.

“Well, she mentioned taking a brief rest earlier,” Ilyin replied without elaborating that she had last seen her. She had watched people leave, and only then did she slowly rise from her seat. Etra tidied her dress and assisted her in navigating the somewhat disorienting ballroom.

“You look quite tired,” Etra observed.

“Do I?” Ilyin touched her cheek. She hadn’t really known until she saw herself in a mirror.

She did feel a bit fatigued, but she was content. She smiled.

“Nevertheless, I’m not feeling too bad.”

“That’s good,” Etra smiled back. “Once you return, we’ll take care of you. The maids have prepared a warm bath for you.”

Ilyin nodded appreciatively. Etra must have arranged it in advance. She expressed her gratitude with a nod.

“Lady, it was a short time, but it was enjoyable,” Lady Elret, the hostess, said brightly.

“I’m the one who’s enjoyed it, thanks to you,” Ilyin replied. “I’d love to see you again if the opportunity arises.”

Unconsciously, she said the same farewell as in her dream. Fortunately, it didn’t look forced.

“It would be an honor,” Lady Elret elegantly replied.

Following Etra’s guidance, Ilyin left the villa. It was a pitch-black night, just like in her dream. The only place illuminated was the villa itself.

“Make sure to light the way for the guests to return comfortably.” Lady Elret’s command could be heard. While carriages were being prepared, one of the knights quickly rode out on a horse.

“Until we meet again,” Ilyin bid farewell to Lady Elret. She couldn’t help but turn her attention to the wall of the nearby mansion and the Biflten carriage parked there.

Iris’s loyal servant, Aegis, and the other knights stood by the carriage. It was just like her dream.

“Aegis,” Ilyin called out to him.

Aegis respectfully nodded.

“His Highness is spending some time at the Roen estate.”

Ilyin’s heart skipped a beat.