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Karman looked at the fabric full of dust. Perhaps the woman had already started reading books after wiping the dusty library.
But what books? There were only historical, political and social books. Karman looked at the open window and moved forward.
“Baron, where are you going?”
“Library”
“Huh? Why………”
“She’s different from the previous wives. I’ll have to check if she’s a threat to Sharchen.”
“Oh, you are right. You are wise.”
The butler, as if ignorant of such a deep meaning, led his fat body and followed Karman. With his characteristic cold face, Karman crossed the garden stairs and headed for the library.
The woman who has been stuck in the library since day one. Eliana Rose, she was different from the last three Baronesses. Among the nobles with only a name, she was the most shabby and poor. That was why he chose her. He hoped she would live quietly and give her position to Sharchen.
Could it be that he made the wrong choice?
Karman developed an interest in Eliana Rose the day after they got married. She was an unusual woman.
****
The more Eliana read the book, the more excited she became. The longing for knowledge she had not been able to access had always been ingrained in Eliana. The more difficult and complex the content, the more interesting it was for her.
Rolling up the cumbersome dress sleeves, she passionately absorbed the information the book had to offer.
It was also fun to open this book and that book and put together information. In an instant the table was dizzy. Even though the dust from the books rose up over her nose and head, Eliana didn’t care. She just waved it away with her hands and then continued reading the book.
Just as she was about to fall in love with a new book, the huge door of the library opened. Both doors opened with a thud, and dust fell. Eliana, who was in the innermost part of the library, looked disgustedly at the dust falling like hail.
“Hey, what is this? Come on and get the mop. Who is the maid in charge of the library?”
The man who was talking with his fat body shaking was Karman’s henchman, butler Pepe.
Eliana got up and greeted Karman.
“What are you doing here? Eliana.”
“I was reading a book.”
“Yesterday, I must have told you… … ”
“You said I was nothing. I’m just in the library, like the dust that fell over there. After all, they were all busy talking and staring at me. If I stay here, no one will come.”
Eliana continued with a pitiful expression on her face. But contrary to that expression, the desk was too serious. The history of the Hunter family, the network of relations between the country of Contino, and the books of neighboring countries, were also open.
“Do you speak Ter?”
“No. I can’t read.”
“No. You are lying. If you don’t know Ter properly, you won’t even open it.”
Karman pointed exactly to the book. Eliana thought that he was quick, and closed the book with a clapping sound.
“So I was just about to close it.”
“Eliana Rose. You…… .”
“It is nothing. I know. I know my place very well.”
She was a 180 degree change from yesterday’s dazed expression. She nodded as if admitting to him that she was nothing more than a scarecrow.
“Baron. I’ll read the books carefully and put them back in their place without damage. So stop paying attention to the dusty Baroness and go do your business.”
“No, ma’am! What’s with the tone of the Baroness! Seriously!”
The butler rushed over and shouted at Eliana. Then Eliana hardened her expression.
She looked at the butler coldly.
“Then can a butler point a finger at the Baroness?”
“No… Madam…”
“What do you think, Baron? No matter how small your wife is, shouldn’t they refrain from doing this kind of thing? Anyone who visits will think that I am the maid, not the Baroness. There can’t be rumors outside that you’re close to your foster daughter yet, right?”
“Those who already know know.”
Karman responded to her witty words with a hard face. Eliana folded her eyes and continued with a smile.
“Why don’t those acquaintances talk? Maybe it’s because it shouldn’t be revealed publicly. Isn’t that the reason I’m sitting here?”
“Are you threatening me now?”
“I think you’re completely mistaken. I’m a Baroness with no money or power, just a name. You’re the owner of this family. Who can threaten whom?”
“You have a talent for pissing me off.”
Karman said with a frown. Then Eliana nodded her head and continued.
“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. I’ll be more careful.”
“How can you not lose a word to the Baron? You know who owns this place…..!”
“Pepe, that’s enough. She’s not even worth talking to anymore.”
Karman turned around and left the library. Eliana sighed as the library door slammed shut once more. He had an arrogant expression and attitude as if he had never seen anyone talking back to him.
Eliana didn’t think he was worthy of the future head of the Hunter family.
Apart from adopting his lover as a foster daughter to protect her, the status of this baron who had gone through multiple divorces, the financial resources consumed, and the abnormal structure of power that revolved around Sharchen.
There were too many things that were left unattended even though they knew it was clearly wrong.
“Love, yes, this is good.”
Eliana clicked her tongue. It was just a game for those who were full. Eliana was not interested in love. Her interests were fame, power, and money. Although she acted proudly in front of Karman, she was actually a cornered rat. Strategies for how to survive would be in these books.
She lit her eyes and began to read the books again. The library door was not opened until evening.
****
The reason Eliana left the library was purely because she was hungry. She didn’t want to even take a step towards the dining room for her private meal. Of course, no one was looking for her, so there was no problem.
She walked with three books in her arms, thinking that she should bring a plate full of something. The structure of the mansion was not as difficult as she thought. Eliana had memorized all the structures of the mansion in the book around lunchtime.
She also realized that her residence originally was not the Baroness’s room. It was a space reserved for children. Perhaps the formal Baroness’s room was where Sharchen was staying.
“If you are determined to water people, they have no choice but to run away.”
Eliana remembered the Baron’s ex-wives who had divorced him as if running away. No matter how much she thought about it, even the woman named Sharchen was not normal. She might have been wanting to keep the position of the Baroness vacant.
Then it was more of a problem. Eliana opened her door, undecided whether to bow low to Sharchen, who was trying to kick her out, or just to slam her head in.
“Ah, madam!”
Lujan greeted Eliana with a pale face. At the table for guests sat Sharchen, who had dazzling blonde hair and a pretty appearance. Sharchen found Eliana and greeted her with courtesy.
“I came here because you wanted to see me, Madam.”
The elegant tone of voice did not suit her because she imitated an old noblewoman. Eliana put the books on the bed and answered.
“I don’t know when I’m going to leave, but I wanted to treat you like my real daughter while I was here, so I told Lujan to deliver my message. Thank you for coming here first.”
Eliana lowered her eyebrows, mimicking a regal face. Sharchen’s smiling lips hardened at the word ‘real daughter’.
“Didn’t you hear from the Baron?” (Sharchen)
“What do you mean?” (Eliana)
“….”
“Oh, I was told to live quietly until the terrible ending of him marrying his foster daughter and living a good life. I heard it very well.” (Eliana)
“I’m not his foster daughter.” (Sharchen)
“Sharchen. You are a foster daughter.” (Eliana)
“….”
“And I’m the Baroness.” (Eliana)
“….”
“If you’re tired, will you go back? I heard your body is weak. Lujan, see her off. Bring me something to eat on the way back, and I’m going to give you a hint, so please don’t do stupid things like using poison.” (Eliana)
Sharchen’s small body trembled. Her face was bright red. Eliana realized at once that she was transparent and jealous, and that she had a personality that was no different from that of a child.
For such a woman, there was no chance of winning even if Eliana crawled. In the end, only her head tingled.
When Eliana stepped aside slightly to get out of the way, Sharchen suddenly slapped herself hard on the cheek. Her lips were bleeding and her body fell to the floor.
Eliana watched what she was doing quietly, trying to show that she was surprised but not surprised.
“Stepmother called me, and hit me like this.” (Sharchen)
“Ha….” (Eliana)
“I will try not to tell the Baron about this, but since he loves me so much, rumors may spread. Lujan, you must never speak of this.” (Sharchen)
“Yes? Yes….Lady Sharchen.”
“The reputation of a great Baroness shouldn’t be ruined in the social world.”
Sharchen said with a smile on her face.