She tapped her slender finger on the table continuously.
Is there a possibility that Iâm Dana Deniz? No, it makes no sense that I stood in for myself. Then I shouldâve known from the beginning over there.
Dana was in a daze with her chin resting in her palm. While the tea was cooling down, she remained in that posture.
âThat⊠lady.â
âHuh? Huh?â
Wendy, who had been watching, spoke with a worried expression.
âShall we bring Terra back later?â
âOh, thatâs right. Iâll go now.â
Dana had mentioned Terra again without knowing because she was lost in thought. At Wendyâs words, she jumped up and came back to her senses.
Wendy quickly approached her and touched her dress.
âSheâs an offender. Lady, donât waste your time on her. Now you can tell us what you need.â
âStill⊠What should I say?â
Even though they were not officially married yet, it was still embarrassing to pretend to be the hostess. Of course, it was already best to banish Terra, but she rationalized it because she thought she was a direct victim.
Marriage with Leon was not just a marriage. She was to become the only wife of the Grand Duke of the Haschel Empire, the Grand Duchess.
Except for the imperial family, it would be the highest position in the countryâs social world. Even if she was originally a noble lady, she had a lot to learn from scratch.
Leon didnât like seeing Dana busy, so he tried to omit all of it, but decided to attach a minimum amount of teachers at Danielâs persistent persuasion.
âAnyway, I should go see Terra.â
When Dana stepped out of the door, Wendy followed behind. Lily responded in support of Dana, but Wendy sometimes said her thoughts bluntly.
âI donât know why you want to see Terra. I think youâre curious about something. When I see you do it again⊠Are you taking revenge?â
At Wendyâs unstoppable question, Dana said with a strange smile.
âAs expected, does it look like that?â
âNot just me⊠There are a lot of people who think that. Of course, Iâm not saying that youâre wrong! She deserved to be punished, right?
âWendy knows Terra better than I do. How was it? Was she a bad person?â
When a question came to her, Wendy pondered and opened her mouth.
âIt was bad. If she didnât like it, she was good at bullying people. Because of that, many maids left in tears.â
âIf Terra doesnât like it, I guess the other maids must agree.â
âIt just happened to be⊠Many maids followed Terra because she was outspoken. Sheâd been working here for a long time, so she was a good teacher.â
âI see.â
Dana smiled again and walked to the drawing room where Terra was. Terra looked a little better after a few days.
Although she still stayed in the dungeon with her hands and feet tied, she had allowed her to eat about one meal a day. Although the meal was a bowl of watery soup with a piece of dry bread, that was like a lifeline for Terra.
Terra was well aware that it only happened after she met with Dana. Perhaps because of that, her expression when looking at Dana contained an unknown expectation.
âHow have you been? You look better than before.â
âWhy are you here?â
Dana blinked a few times without an answer and beckoned to another maid. Then a chair was placed where Terra was.
The soldiers helped Terra sit on the hard wooden chair. She looked more comfortable than kneeling on the floor.
âIâm going to find a reason now.â
âWhat? What are you talking about?â
âWhat do you want now, Terra?â
Terra rolled her eyes and said honestly.
âNow I want to wash up and lie down.â
âWhatâs next?â
âTo me⊠I donât want you to punish me.â
Although there was some hesitation, Terra brazenly spoke her mind. She thought there was no reason to pretend before Dana anyway.
âDo you think you did something wrong?â
At that moment, Terra raised her head and looked at Dana, then lowered her gaze again at Danaâs relaxed appearance.
âOf course. Itâs my fault. I should have recognized you earlier, but I made a mistake because I thought I knew the Grand Duke well.â
Although she admitted her mistake, there was a slight nuance. Rather than thinking that her actions were wrong, she was regretting the unexpected future.
âIf you werenât caught now, you wouldnât have thought of that, would you?â
ââŠmaybeâŠâ
âAh, itâs good that youâre really honest. I canât forgive you because you havenât repented of your mistakes.â
âIs it that important?â
Terra looked at her with a very strange expression, and Dana leaned back comfortably with both hands on the sofa armrest.
âDid you do this because you needed my sincere apology?â
âNo, Iâm looking to see if youâre useful.â
Terraâs eyes widened at the words. The last time she saw her, she knew that this pretty lady was formidable, but what she felt now was different.
Somehow, she was uncomfortable because she felt like they were of equal class.
âWhat do you want from me?â
âWell, you have to prove yourself.â
Dana stood up slowly when she saw the sun setting flat outside the window.
âIâll let you wash up. But I canât release you yet, let her wash up then lock her in prison right away.â
âYes, lady.â
At Danaâs command, the soldiers and one maid moved together, taking Terra outside.
Dana didnât really know what she wanted from Terra yet. However, there was one thing she found in her.
Honest and weak. Sheâs bright and usefulâŠ
Somehow, while talking, she thought it was different for her. Of course, Dana still hated Terra. However, in doing something, likes and dislikes about people were not very important.
A person below you who controls your surroundings according to your intentionsâŠ
Dana stepped out of the drawing room and walked down the hallway, repeating to herself silently. After hesitating for a while, she changed her direction slightly.