Chapter 10

At the request, here is the translation from the perspective of the main wife, Julia:

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In a burst of energy, I posted all four chapters at once!

* This Extra Chapter 2 is rated R15 throughout.

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Julia, the wife of the stern-faced General Hugo Selandria, who can make even crying children fall silent, usually wakes up late.

Last night, she went to the opening of a new theater with a young nobleman she had recently become close to. She returned close to dawn. She slept soundly in preparation for another night out and woke up well after midday.

"Lady, this way."

"If it's a letter, just leave it in the usual place."

After a graceful bath, as she was applying the fragrant cream from her family's trading company to her skin, her personal maid, Kate, timidly brought a tray with a letter.

"No, this isn't about work... It's from Lady Anna, who has become a concubine this time."

"Oh."

Hearing this, Julia raised her well-shaped eyebrows.

Today was the day her husband, Hugo, was to take a concubine.

As usual, the inconsiderate Hugo only informed her of the schedule late last night, and even when she returned in the early morning, the servants were still busy preparing. She felt sorry for them, but Hugo has always been inconsiderate in such matters, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Since her room was far away, she couldn't hear what was happening over there, but when she checked the clock, the wedding ceremony was surely already over. She was confident that the servants she had chosen and trained would have prepared everything smoothly, but a slight unease still lingered.

"Is there any trouble?"

"No, I haven't heard of any such issues. The inspector from the palace praised the butler for the thorough preparation."

Julia nodded in satisfaction at the maid's words.

"Lady Anna brought this letter herself. She knows it's impolite, but she insisted that Lady Julia must read it."

"…Hmm?"

As the main wife, she didn't need to attend the wedding of a second wife unless she wanted to. Even if they were to meet, it was customary for the main wife to initiate the contact after some time had passed.

Yet, the concubine herself was reaching out on the day of the wedding.

Indeed, Lady Anna, who came from a noble family, had a higher social status, and the marriage was a political arrangement by the palace and the military. Still, Julia, who came from a merchant family without a noble title, held a higher position as the wife.

Julia's life was centered around socializing and business. She naturally included taking care of her favorite lovers in her social activities, and she had no attachment or interest in her husband, Hugo. After giving birth to two children, she started a business with her dowry, which was now thriving, and she felt more fulfilled than ever.

This country was still conservative about women starting their own businesses. However, Hugo never interfered with Julia's business. Even if he didn't care about her, a typical nobleman who cared about appearances would not allow such freedom. Being the wife of a general also served as a buffer against troublesome matters.

Therefore, she had no intention of giving up the power and position of the main wife in the general's household.

It was not uncommon for a concubine to try to win the favor of the master and plot to overthrow the main wife, using her youth and beauty as weapons. But Julia, who grew up in a shrewd merchant family and now thrived in cutthroat business deals, was not one to be easily outdone.

—Does she really think a naive concubine who clings to love can beat me?

With a challenging smirk, she took the letter from the tray offered by the maid, her beautifully manicured nails glinting.

"What could this naive young lady have to say?"

Her striking golden hair and pale blue eyes, combined with her ice queen-like beauty, exuded an intimidating presence. Even her personal maid, who was used to her, felt a shiver down her spine at her mistress's smile.

Moving to the couch in a disheveled robe with wet hair, Julia skimmed through the letter with a bemused expression. However, as she read on, her expression changed. She leaned forward, engrossed in the letter, and the maid timidly spoke up.

"Milady?"

"…Ha, ha, ha… Interesting, Kate."

"Y-Yes."

Unable to contain her amusement, Julia folded the few sheets of paper and gave instructions to the maid.

"Have the samples from Maison de Bonheur arrived?"

"Yes, yesterday."

"Bring them here."

The store mentioned was a high-end boutique owned by Julia. The elegant yet seductive evening dresses were the envy and status symbol of the ladies in the capital. When the maid opened the box, a variety of colorful fabrics spilled out. However, these were not dresses but special items from a limited line available only to a select few top customers.

"What does Lady Anna look like?"

"Black hair, hazel eyes. She is about the same height as you. Her figure is slender, but she doesn't give a frail impression."

"…Black with black is too common and lacks freshness. For a rough military man, it's better to maintain a sense of purity while exuding a hint of allure."

Without much hesitation, her graceful fingers selected a pair of mauve pink undergarings, intricately adorned with the thinnest, almost see-through lace.

"Isn't it lovely? It's a new design. I would have preferred to debut it with someone who could create more buzz, but well, it's a necessary expense… no, an advance investment, perhaps."

The thin silk satin straps, the frilly hem that resembled sugary confections, and the perfectly balanced lines that hinted at what was visible but not fully revealed. This was a masterpiece created after numerous discussions with the designer and countless prototypes by the seamstresses and embroiderers.

She toyed with the ribbon at the chest of the delicate fabric, which she had nurtured like a petal.

"Give this to her. Use a gold ribbon for the wrapping. And attach a card."

"I will prepare it immediately."

Julia nodded with a smug smile and opened her schedule book to plan a meeting with the concubine, Anna. Unfortunately, it seemed impossible to arrange it immediately.

"Lady Anna… don't disappoint me."

Then, from the back of a drawer in her dresser, she took out a key that hadn't been used in nearly ten years.