Battle Divorce! - Chapter 5
Dining Room. Lunchtime at the Waldeck Estate.
“You’re a very lucky girl, you know that?”
Here we go again. The ‘Daisy von Waldeck is the luckiest woman alive’ lecture was a favorite of the former Grand Duchess Waldeck.
Ignoring her mother-in-law’s sarcasm, Daisy simply stuffed another piece of perfectly sliced steak into her mouth and chewed contentedly.
“They say most commoners can barely get a meal, but thanks to your father, you got married and you’ll never have to worry about going hungry. If that isn’t luck, what is?”
“That’s true. I’m very grateful.”
Daisy nodded and smiled sweetly.
“Meat is my favorite thing in the world. I’m lucky to eat as much as I want. Truly, I couldn’t ask for more.”
Ah, so good. The meat is so juicy.
Daisy savored the flavor, smiling as if everything was perfect.
After all, the former Grand Duchess wasn’t even her husband’s real mother.
Maxim von Waldeck was the illegitimate child of a runaway princess, who was the former Grand Duke’s brother. He was adopted by him just so he could inherit the title.
Without Maxim, the Waldeck line would have ended, and all their wealth would have gone to distant relatives.
Naturally, the former Grand Duchess became his adoptive mother. Having to bring in an illegitimate child to save the family must have felt like being a toothless tiger.
She doesn’t even have the power to throw Daisy. To her, the former Grand Duchess was nothing more than a housemate.
“If you keep eating like that, you’ll burst out of your dress. ”
Unfazed, Daisy chewed her last bite of steak thoroughly and swallowed.
“Don’t ignore my advice. It’s for your own good, after all. Men don’t like women who get fat and waddle around after the wedding.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“What if your husband comes back and doesn’t even recognize you?”
That’s only a problem if he actually makes it back alive.
Daisy swallowed the words rising in her throat.
“So, from now on, eat less, especially greasy foods. Try to control yourself.”
“Thank you for worrying about me. But does it really matter?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve only seen him once, you know. I barely remember his face, and I doubt he remembers mine.”
Daisy’s cheeky answer left the former Grand Duchess at a loss for words, forcing out a hollow laugh.
Despite the warnings, Daisy finished every bite of her steak. As she set down her fork and knife, a maid brought out dessert.
When Daisy saw the chocolate mousse, her face lit up.
“Honestly, I just don’t get you. You’re not a child, you know. Is it really that good?”
“Yes, Mother. I truly am so happy. Chocolate mousse is my favorite.”
“Have as much as you like, then.”
Irritated, the Grand Duchess tossed down her napkin and left the room first.
Bang! The door slammed behind her.
Now only Daisy and the maid, who’d been serving the meal, were left in the dining hall.
If only she’d eat some dessert, maybe her hysteria would improve. At least, that’s what Daisy thought.
“…Pardon me.”
“Yes, Lady Therese?”
The proper title was ‘Your Grace’, but Daisy was instead called ‘Lady Therese’. A not-so-subtle way of saying she acknowledged Daisy’s birth as Count Therese’s illegitimate daughter, but not her status as Grand Duchess.
But as long as the work got done, Daisy didn’t care what they called her. She simply pointed to the extra mousse across the table.
“Would you mind bringing that over here too?”
“Pardon?”
“It hasn’t been touched. It’d be a shame to waste it. Besides, wasting food brings bad luck.”
The maid sighed loudly annoyed at Daisy’s request. She slammed down the plate.
Daisy polished off both chocolate mousses with a happy face and left the dining room in good spirits.
* * *
Has there ever been a moment this peaceful in my life? Daisy sprawled out on her soft bed, taking a deep, satisfied breath.
“…Ah, I’m so happy. Living the high life, aren’t we, Daisy?”
She meant it.
“So this is what it’s like to live as one of the royal pigs.”
Experiencing it firsthand, she could understand why people clung so desperately to their privileges.
The ‘working conditions’ of Daisy von Waldeck weren’t bad at all.
Compared to her days as an agent, she could eat all the meat and desserts she wanted and sleep in a comfortable bed. Most days, she stayed safely in her room. Better safe than sorry.
Did it bother her to be looked down on by the Waldeck family?
Not at all. If anything, she preferred it.
The more people looked down on her, the easier it was to avoid suspicion and keep her cover. She actually wished they’d pay even less attention to her.
She had no complaints. She didn’t marry Maxim von Waldeck out of love, and she certainly hadn’t come here to be pampered as Grand Duchess.
Daisy’s only goal was to finish her mission and see her payout safely deposited into her account.
Whenever she felt empty or restless, she read and reread the letters from the children. They were always included in the envelopes Sister Sophia sent.
[Sister Daisy, are you well? I miss you.]
Mia’s crooked handwriting was adorable.
[Sister, I’ve grown a lot. When I’m taller than you, can I marry you?]
But Sister’s already a married woman, what should we do? Daisy couldn’t help but smile at little Oliver’s cute proposal.
[Are you still praying, Daisy? You’d better not be skipping, just because I’m not there to nag you! The Lord is always watching, you know.]
As if! She prayed every morning and night. Sister Sophia was the same as always, even from afar.
[Just kidding. Health is the most important thing. You can skip prayer, but never skip meals. Eat well, okay?]
Don’t worry, she would definitely eat her fill, as ordered.
[Baby Sean is doing well too. He’s started toddling around now. I thought you’d want to know.]
Sean. God’s gift.
That was the name Sister Sophia gave the baby Daisy had rescued. And he’s started to walk. Daisy felt a strange ache in her heart.
“I’ll earn plenty and come back, so stay healthy till then,” Daisy murmured, staring up at the ceiling.
Then she reached for the framed photo by her bedside.
Her husband, Maxim von Waldeck.
