Chapter 22 (1/2)

Chapter 22: <Chapter 22>

Every day had been a challenge since I arrived in this castle.

I had a feeling that it would be even harder in the future. I couldn’t help but sigh nervously.

The scary thing was, I was getting used to it all.

For the first year after I arrived in this world, I had no time to think. I spent all my time and energy learning the new language.

Luckily, I used to live in Germany for a few years when I was younger due to my father’s job. The language in this world was more similar to German than Korean.

Even so, it was not easy learning an entirely new language and customs. I was proud of myself at how far I came.

I think my desperation helped me the most. It made me stronger and worked harder.

The continent where I lived currently was called Gardenbrook. It had the look and the feel of the 19th century Europe on earth.

It resembled what I remembered of the princess storybooks I used to read in elementary school. Everything here, food, language, buildings, and even the air differed vastly from Korea.

I had to admit the Aeal family did do their best to make me fit in. I hated them with all my heart, but it was the truth.

They spent a lot of time and effort to teach me everything about this world. They must have been very desperate. As they saw me progress quickly, they couldn’t hide their delight.

I gritted my teeth just thinking about it.

What were they thinking when they saw me try my best to learn? Did they laugh at me behind my back? Were they relieved? Maybe both?

Either way, I would never forgive them.

It was true I did owe them initially. No matter what their intention was, they did help me survive in this world. Objectively speaking, this was the truth.

Did I owe them anything now though?

No.

I was indebted to them at the beginning, but I paid them back in full when they tricked me and sent me to this place.

In fact, I would say they owed me now. They helped me only for a year, while I was paying back with my whole life in this place instead of Lisbeth.

Even if my position had improved since I became the first wife of the new emperor, they couldn’t take credit for it.

The emperor asked me once if I could forgive those who harmed me. I already answered him.

That’s right. I was not a kind-hearted soul. I was a selfish and evil person.

That was why Orlean was mistaken. She was crying in front of me, but I had no sympathy for her.

She protested loudly, “How could you do this to me?”

Samantha frowned as Orlean continued, “You may be the emperor’s first wife, but this won’t do! Have you forgotten how the duke, his wife, and his daughter saved you and helped you? If you haven’t, you would never treat me this way!”

I didn’t reply to her and continued to enjoy my tea quietly.

Unlike Orlean, Samantha learned my taste quickly. I realized the reason why I didn’t like black tea in Korea was that it was of poor quality. Samantha managed to make beautiful tea that suited my taste. She also used the highest quality tea leaves. I loved black tea now.

I continued to ignore Orlean.

“Your Highness! I have been ordered by the duke to take care of you! No lady would treat her own maidservant this way! Especially someone who followed you from your homeland!”

I ate my third cookie, which was baked this morning. My taste had been upgraded since I got here. The snacks I used to buy from convenient stores couldn’t compare to what I ate here. Food was made from the highest quality ingredients. Also, the fact that it was freshly baked made a huge difference. The warm cookie smelled heavenly and buttery.