Ch#14
“I was still inexperienced in society and failed to recognize you, Madam. I was truly grateful back then.”
The awkward atmosphere stiffened by Edel’s greeting soon turned warm and cordial. No doubt, people remembered only Barbara’s good deeds rather than the story of her lame leg.
Of course, the Ladric Countess’s plan to mock and isolate Barbara had fallen apart.
Barbara, subtly smiling in agreement with Edel’s white lie, understood why she had done it.
“Such a meddlesome young lady.”
“I apologize if it bothered you.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Though Barbara neither acted overly friendly nor offered direct thanks, the young Edel felt a swell of pride and relief simply for having helped an elderly woman in a difficult position.
But as the tea party progressed, she realized she had truly been meddlesome.
*Spoils of war
Duchess
“My goodness, have you heard? The Oberon Viscountess has declared divorce to her husband!”
“What? Really?”
The tea party, which had begun with polite topics, soon turned to recent scandals heating up high society.
The Oberon Viscount’s family, having been swindled and squandered their fortune, was on the brink of bankruptcy. Yet the Oberon Viscount, out of noble pride, absolutely refused to work for money—though he lacked the means anyway.
However, they had three children, and the expenses for them and the servants were enormous.
Eventually, after dismissing the servants one by one until only a single maid remained, the Oberon Viscountess went against her husband’s opposition and began working as a Maiagar interpreter—thanks to having learned Maiagar from her Maiagar maternal grandmother since childhood.
“That lady was only going out for work that was going well, right? The Oberon Viscount endured it, yet she shamelessly demanded divorce first.”
“Exactly. It’s like she threw away all the virtues of a noble lady.”
“Maybe she had an affair while working?”
As the conversation increasingly turned to mockery, Barbara, who had been quietly sipping her tea, finally spoke up.
“From what I heard, the Oberon Viscount opposed the request for an exclusive interpreter contract for his wife. Simply because it would look shameful to others.”
- 2 -
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Edel admired Barbara, who remained utterly unshaken by the gossip directed at her, standing tall with dignity. She even wished to age like her.
Seizing the moment, the Ladric Countess chuckled and retorted.
And so, she gathered her courage and asked to meet Barbara.
“Of course it would be shameful in the Oberon Viscount’s eyes. His own wife abandoning the household to earn money.”
“Then why doesn’t he go out and earn money himself, instead of resenting his wife who’s bringing it in successfully?”
“Well, that’s a bit much. A wife working outside wounds her husband’s authority. If the Oberon Viscountess takes an exclusive contract, it means she’ll neglect household duties even more going forward.”
That was when it began—when Barbara and I started calling each other by name and sharing our friendship.
At those words, Barbara scoffed, her eyes flashing sharply in criticism.
Despite the thirty-six-year age gap, Barbara insisted on being called by her first name. She believed true friendship could only sprout by stripping away family names and backgrounds.
That was what she found respectable and charming.
“Why should displaying and being recognized for one’s abilities be condemned? Men get praised for it.”
“That’s because they’re men. Men handle outside affairs, women handle household ones.”
‘And she was someone who truly cared for me.’
“So did the Oberon Viscount handle outside affairs? What’s wrong with working hard to save a sinking ship of a household, gaining recognition for his abilities, and wanting to do even better?”
When the Canyon Count brought the marriage proposal with the Lancaster Duke, Barbara had strongly advised Edel against it.
At her sharp rebuke, people showed discomfort and subtly changed the subject.
Barbara’s final remark to those trying to change the topic was curt.
“Edel, women are too accustomed to sacrifice. But it’s all just men’s brainwashing to control us. We need to break free!”
“But if I don’t obey my father’s command, death is the only path left.”
“Seems like thoughts have hardened even more than in my day. Instead of fighting for women’s rights, you’re tearing down progressive women. Goodness.”
“Why die? Run away, Edel. If you say the word, I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry about livelihood or shelter at all.”
The Ladric Countess looked clearly offended, and people glanced at her while pretending not to hear Barbara’s tongue-clicking, but Edel was shocked by every word.
However, Edel politely declined her sincere advice and married the Lancaster Duke as per her father’s wishes.
It felt like hearing the words she had longed to hear all her life from Barbara.
She had naively thought that enduring just a few years until the Lancaster Duke’s death would grant her freedom without burdening anyone.
But others saw it differently.
*Even then, Barbara was right. If only I had listened and run away...*
“Well, what do you expect from a woman who ate her husband. From the Celestin Dowager Marchioness’s perspective, the Oberon Viscountess’s story must have felt like her own.”
“Right? She meddled in her husband’s affairs from a young age. No wonder she wasn’t loved!”
Edel imagined herself leisurely sipping tea and reading books in some provincial town, then chuckled softly.
Overhearing the Ladric Countess’s entourage badmouthing Barbara, Edel felt hurt inside.
She later learned that Barbara and the previous Celestin Marquis had a matter-of-fact arranged marriage like many noble couples—neither bad nor particularly close.
Moreover, when the frail previous Celestin Marquis couldn’t manage, Barbara shouldered the family affairs, and the house actually prospered.
Knowing the potential of ‘women’ from her own experience, Barbara thus supported the Oberon Viscountess.
The path not taken always looks more beautiful than reality, doesn’t it? Enough with useless thoughts.
Her days were already overwhelming just walking the path right before her eyes. Dwelling on ‘what ifs’ and comparing to reality would only make her suffer more.
Focus and do the work well. I’m not the duchess anymore—I’m just a new laundry maid.
*She truly is a strong woman.*
Edel simply hoped Barbara would receive her letter and feel even a little relieved.
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