Chapter 98

After the countess, who seemed to have misunderstood something, left, Michelle naturally butted in.

"Milady Reisha, you just made Lord Claude the bad guy, didn't you?"

"There was no other way. If I had said it wasn't him there, the conversation would have gone on endlessly in parallel."

"I wish she would read the room a little better."

Is that something Rosalimonde should say? Well, it's fine, I guess.

"I'm sorry for involving you all."

When I apologized to the three of them, who seemed to be at a loss, they immediately replied that it was no problem. In this case, there was no other way to say it, really. Getting involved in another family's internal affairs is never a good idea. Moreover, there's a possibility of being dragged into it and suffering the consequences.

But since they are recognized as my friends, I'm worried that someone from my family—especially my sister—might get involved.

That person really has a bad character.

"If anyone from my family causes you any trouble, please let me know. You can inform Michelle as well."

"Thank you for your concern. If anything happens, I will contact you."

Miss Rees smiled gently as she spoke on behalf of the three young ladies.

"Then, I think I will take my leave now. The tea party will continue, but what about the rest of you?"

"We will stay and talk to others for a while before we leave."

"There are still some tea snacks we haven't had yet!"

I feel warm seeing the gentle Matilda and the charming young Amanda.

"Besides, if anything happens, we'll deal with it properly! It will probably be easier than dealing with the princess!"

Amanda... Despite her cute face, her words don't seem very cute. My sister is sad...

Michelle's combative friends are all tough, and as a duchess who should protect those below her, I feel like I'm the one being protected. I think I'd be losing if I let it bother me.

After parting ways with the three young ladies, I decided to leave the tea party since I had gotten the information I needed and didn't want to see the countess again.

Normally, it's polite to say goodbye to the host. Although I don't want to, not doing so would imply that I have something against them.

Especially since I am the Duchess of Lindbergh and am receiving attention, I don't want to have a conflict with the countess's family. I gritted my teeth and looked for the countess, but she was nowhere to be found.

The garden is large, and the place where we were was in a shaded area, so she might be talking in a hard-to-find spot.

"Michelle, do you know where she is?"

"Who knows? I've been here many times, but it's quite large, and there are some hidden resting spots. Should we give up and leave?"

"Where is Lord Claude? It might start rumors if we leave separately."

"Should we say he's not feeling well?"

"That would be the safest. Let's catch a servant or attendant nearby and explain the situation. If the conversation drags on, we can leave first. It's a good thing we came in two carriages."

The carriage my husband and I came in and the one Michelle and the others came in can each seat four people.

At first, I thought we would come in one, but my husband apparently didn't like the idea of four people in one carriage because he has long legs and a large build, making him bigger than average.

Michelle efficiently caught a passing attendant and asked about my husband's whereabouts, explaining our situation.

"I'm sorry, but we have to leave early."

"That's fine. We had a purpose, and it was achieved. There's no need to stay in an unpleasant place."

It wasn't an unpleasant place, but thinking that someone from the Verdigo family might be on the premises made me want to leave immediately.

"I also had issues with my family, but it's not pleasant when someone who doesn't know the situation comments on it."

Rosalimonde said firmly.

That's true. My family is bad enough, but hers is worse. Michelle has her own issues, and we don't have many good memories of our families. Michelle had someone on her side, but her birth circumstances were complicated.

My husband's father is a bit of a problem, but I hear his grandfather, the previous duke, was a good person, so he has some good memories. I envy that a little.

I had a happy childhood until my mother passed away. After that, things got a bit complicated.

Without Ragnar, I feel like things would have ended badly in many ways.

"What are you talking about?"

Michelle, who had been explaining the situation to the attendant, joined our conversation.

"Hmm, we were just saying that neither of us has a good family."

"Ah..."

Michelle's face became awkward, and she chuckled. She seemed to understand what we were talking about.

"By the way, should we wait here?"

"No, I told them to wait at the carriage. We'll go there. Whether Lord Claude is done or not, we're leaving, so it will be more relaxing there."

Relaxing, or maybe it's the relief of not having to see someone I absolutely don't want to see? Either way, it's a relief.

As Michelle started walking, a strict-looking lady approached us with her back straight.

I thought I had seen her somewhere before, and she gave a slight bow. Our eyes met, so I bowed slightly, and she returned it sharply.

Hmm, did I do something wrong? I thought, but it seemed her gaze was directed at Michelle.

I wondered if they knew each other and watched the situation, but they both walked away without saying a word.

When she was out of sight, Michelle looked back for a moment.

"I broke out in a cold sweat."

"Do you know her?"

"Not exactly. She's the Countess of Andret, my legal mother and blood grandmother. It's about time for the next generation to take over, so her daughter-in-law sometimes comes to these events. I didn't expect to run into her in the large garden."

It seems she's not a fan.

To Michelle, she's one of those people she can't stand up to, and she's as strict as she looks.

She's particular about etiquette, so Michelle was strictly trained in that area.

Even though Michelle had already left home and said she would return to being a man, she was still in women's clothing, which is confusing.

Did she criticize Michelle's cross-dressing hobby?

"Well, she's not the type to comment on other people's hobbies, but she probably thought it was inappropriate for me to be in such a state with Lady Reisha."

"You look good in it, don't you? Besides, it would be more awkward to attend a women's tea party in men's clothing, wouldn't it?"

"If you think so, that's fine, but if it's discovered that I'm enjoying it, I might be seen as unserious. Actually, that was the atmosphere just now, but Lady Reisha's presence helped."

She left without saying anything, probably because she was my bodyguard.

I was used as a shield, just like I used my husband as a shield. It's a bit different, though.

"Did she come to see you? It seemed that way to me."

No one knows the answer, but it probably is.

She might have wanted to see if Michelle was doing well. Thinking about it, Michelle is somewhat fortunate to have a family member who cares.

"Let's go."

Rosalimonde smiled awkwardly, and Michelle urged me and Rosalimonde to follow.

If you have time, please bookmark and rate with the stars below the ad.