Chapter 50 (2/2)

Rane seemed to be well accustomed to her mother’s generosity. It was good to see them grinning at each other.

Marianne looked at the routine and warm scenes unfolding before her eyes. Suddenly she recalled an old name. Estelle. Her mother who passed away when she was so young that she couldn’t remember her face. If she had been alive now, who Marianne could see only through her portrait, she would have smiled at her as kindly as the two women.

“I guess you’re missing your mother.”

At that moment, Mrs. Chester spoke to Marianne as if she had read her mind.

Marianne was embarrassed at the moment, thinking to herself, ‘Does my longing for Mom show up on my face? How can she read my mind? Is she good at mind-reading?’

“If Estelle had been alive, she would have doted on you much more than the duchess cared for Rane.”

Marianne heard her putting down the teacup roughly.

“Your mother already received the title of a duchess before she died. It is not polite to mention the name of the duchess recklessly,” said someone suddenly.

Marianne looked at the source of that sudden voice.

It was Countess Renault, who was staring at Mrs. Chester, holding her teacup. Anger was lingering on her face, so her facial change was more dramatic.

“Oh, you’re right. I should have used honorific language as she was a duchess. I think I made the mistake of calling her pet name since I was so close to her.”

“…”

“I was in big trouble when I called the first name of the late empress last time. I made the same mistake again. I forgot it again! What should I do?”

“Oh my goodness! Madame!”

As soon as Mrs. Chester was done talking, a maid standing near Mrs. Renault screamed.

The teacup with butterfly patterns already fell on her in an instant. Hot tea drenched Mrs. Renault’s hand and the front of her dress.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Renault was looking straight at Mrs. Chester.

“Oh, I wish you were more careful,” said Mrs. Renault.

Mrs. Chester frowned at that furtively.

“Madam, are you okay?” Marianne asked.

“…Fine,” Mrs. Renault said.

Only after Marianne asked her did Mrs. Renault turn her eyes from Mrs. Chester.

“Madame, if you allow me, Iet me escort her to a private room so I can help her change clothes,” said Mrs. Charlotte who was quietly observing the situation.

Marianne nodded hurriedly.

“Yes, please go ahead. She may have been injured, so please call the family doctor to see if she feels any discomfort.”

“Sure, will do.”

Bowing to her, Mrs. Charlotte helped Mrs. Renault leave the room.

“There’s nobody like like marquise who can ruin the atmosphere.”

This time, Duchess Lamont stepped in. The atmosphere quickly became more chilly.

If the marquise had a quarrel with the countess, the stronger side would prevail.

But it would be a different story if a duchess, higher than them in rank, stepped in.

“I think you’re speaking too harshly. How can you say I’m ruining the atmosphere?”

“It’s you who is speaking rudely. Why did you go through the trouble of recalling the old stories to harass the countess at the party to celebrate His Majesty’s engagement?”

“Do you think the episodes about the late empress and duchess could be an excuse to harass others? If anyone hears this, they will misunderstand me. ”

“Really? Why don’t you start talking about the late marquis Chester or Baron Bayer from now on?”

Marquise Chester snorted at her sarcastic remarks. But anger was boiling in her narrow eyes.