‘Of course, Cecile was appalled by it.’
Damie lowered her gaze to hide her discomfort. She had gotten used to handling Louise’s provocations after numerous clashes. With a painted smile, she spoke.
“I don’t understand why you’re taking it out on me, Lady Louise. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but Cesare leaving the mansion has nothing to do with me.”
“Nothing to do with you? That’s a lie! Then what is it?”
Louise crossed her arms and scrutinized Damie with blatant distrust. Louise, being an outsider to the family, had no right to pry into such matters. But when it came to Cesare, she knew no bounds.
Damie was quite angry. After spending two nights away from home, she was exhausted. She wanted to rest immediately but instead had to argue with Louise over Cesare. It was frustrating.
“As you know, Count Primula family supplies goods to the temple. Cesare went along to see and learn about the business he would eventually manage. I don’t understand why you think it’s because of me.”
Of course, Damie was merely speculating. But she spoke as if it were a fact.
Louise looked half-convinced. Damie’s blue eyes shone beneath her elegant eyebrows, and her well-shaped lips spoke clearly and firmly. Even Louise, who disliked Damie, found her persuasive.
“…But Cesare was very angry that day. He didn’t show it, but I could tell! I’ve always watched him closely.”
It wouldn’t be Louise if she accepted things easily. After a brief contemplation, Louise bit her lip. She began to criticize Damie from Cesare’s perspective, whom she liked.
“How could you easily run off with a man you just met, Damie? Have you always been like this? My brother’s reputation is ruined because of you introducing him to Lord Acard! It’s disgraceful for us northern nobles!”
Damie looked at Louise in disbelief. She knew her actions that day had been quite noticeable. Leaving with the most famous man in the northern social scene, Acard, was bound to be the talk.
But she had no regrets. Damie wanted Cesare, and Kael, who had told her to ‘find someone else quickly,’ to know. It would be even better if the other young men who were eyeing her would hear and stay away.
However, when Louise attacked her, mentioning Acard disdainfully, Damie felt insulted. She didn’t particularly like Acard, but her pride was hurt.
“Oh, Lady Louise.”
Damie smiled slightly, her patience wearing thin. She lowered her lashes and asked sweetly.
“Were you that envious of me?”
“…What did you say?”
Louise frowned as if she had heard nonsense. Her expression of disgust would have made most people embarrassed.
But Damie, oddly enough, grew stronger when angry. Despite Louise’s disdainful glare, she smiled serenely.
“Isn’t it true that you wanted to do what I did that night? With my brother. Isn’t that right?”
“What are you talking about! My goodness! Have you no shame!!”
Louise jumped up, her delicate and elegant face twisted. She looked at Damie with contempt, as if she were a depraved woman.
Damie chuckled. She wasn’t accusing Louise without reason. She recalled an interesting sight her best friend Cecile had seen when she was dragged to Louise’s mansion.
“I’ve heard all the rumors. They say the new butler at Count Perilla’s mansion is very handsome.”
“Now you’re even coveting other people’s butlers? You really are a man-chaser, aren’t you, Damie?”
Louise retorted with a flushed face. But a flicker of guilt crossed her face. She hadn’t expected Damie to know about her personal butler.
Damie enjoyed watching Louise’s embarrassment.
“Well, it’s not that I like men; it’s that men like me.”
Damie replied leisurely, striking a haughty pose. This attitude suited her voluptuous figure and captivating face well. Louise’s gaze was filled with hatred and jealousy.
“I have no interest in a butler from the Perilla household. Unlike some people who intrude uninvited, I’m quite busy.”
“If you’re not interested, why bring it up? Don’t try to divert the conversation. Let’s get back to the original topic. Us.”
Louise gritted her teeth, trying to steer the conversation back. She knew continuing this topic would be disadvantageous for her.
But Damie wasn’t willing to let go of the leverage she had gained over Louise. Though she disliked fights, it didn’t mean she couldn’t handle them. Ignoring Louise’s efforts, Damie propped her chin up and smiled brightly.
“His name was… Lars, I believe? A very handsome butler with dark hair and sea-blue eyes. It’s funny. I’ve never seen him, but his appearance reminds me of someone.”
A crooked smile played on Damie’s red lips. It was as if she knew what Louise was secretly doing with her Cesare-lookalike butler. Louise’s face turned pale, having her deepest secret exposed.
“Lady Louise.”
Damie whispered softly to the speechless Louise.
“Don’t take your frustrations out on me just because my brother won’t reciprocate your feelings. And don’t indulge in revolting fantasies about me and my brother. If you keep this up, I might ‘accidentally’ mention your cute butler to my brother.”
Louise glared at Damie as if she wanted to kill her with her eyes. Then, suddenly, her face lit up as if she had thought of something.
“…I understand. Very well, Lady Damie.”
Louise smiled like someone hiding a poisoned dagger. Of course, this didn’t affect Damie. She found Louise’s seemingly harmless smile detestable and waited for her next move. Louise’s chosen method of attack was unexpected.
“In return, I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from my cousin, Lord Acard.”
Damie frowned, wondering what she meant. Then she realized Louise was referring to Acard Valerian.
“As you know, my cousin is already stressed enough dealing with the ‘contamination’ issue in the south. Yet, all these trivial women keep throwing themselves at him like moths to a flame.”
“……”
“Oh, you’re beautiful, Damie. I admit that. But honestly, your face gets tiresome, doesn’t it? He might have made a mistake because of his drunkenness that night, but he wouldn’t want to be involved with you again. So, I’m telling you this specially. Do you understand?”
Louise smiled triumphantly, eager to hurt Damie. Just as Damie was about to retort, she was interrupted.
“Sorry to interrupt, Damie.”
Noella, who had retreated to the back during the argument, returned with more troubling news.
“There’s a guest outside. A gentleman named… Acard Valerian.”
It was a strange situation. Even Damie hesitated for a moment.
It was obvious what Louise was trying to do. She believed that holding the Acard card meant she and Damie were in similar positions.
Louise had always thought Damie was manipulating Cesare to hinder her relationship with him. In truth, Cesare wasn’t interested in Louise, but she couldn’t accept that. It was easier for her to paint Damie as the villain than to admit her lack of charm.
But Louise’s attempt backfired at this moment. Contrary to her claim that ‘he wouldn’t want to be involved again,’ Acard had come directly to her mansion.
“What should we do, Damie? Should we invite him in?”
Noella, unsure of what to do, asked hesitantly. She was already distressed by the thorny exchange between her stepdaughter and Louise. She worried about the impact of Acard’s sudden visit.
Damie felt the same. Hearing that Acard had come made her heart sink, and she felt a chill run through her body.
But she couldn’t show weakness in front of Louise. She didn’t recall doing anything to annoy Acard when they parted, so he probably wouldn’t act unfavorably. So, Damie raised her chin and put on a brave front.
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