The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 178
Anyway, though today’s gathering was for the ladies, Ian was set to spend time playing with the second son of the household, Samuel.
And as for Ash, who accompanied them.
“Your Graces, Duke and Duchess Bayern, welcome to our estate. Young Master Ian, we welcome you as well.”
Until the ladies’ tea party was over, Ash was scheduled to have a casual conversation with Count Crest.
Judging by his relaxed smile, Ash seemed to be on familiar terms with the Count.
“You must’ve had plans today. Are you sure you didn’t cancel anything just because of me?”
“Haha, not at all, Your Grace. If it’s to host you, any plan would be worth canceling. And besides, I didn’t have any scheduled. Please, come inside.”
Ash nodded at the Count, whose simple demeanor matched his friendly smile, then gave Nina a kiss on the cheek.
“Wife, I’ll come to the garden to pick you up when the tea party is wrapping up. Ian, I’ll see you later too.”
The Count and Countess of Crest widened their eyes and covered their mouths in surprise.
They, too, were aware of the longstanding rift between the Duke and Duchess.
And yet here they were, so affectionate. It was only natural they’d be shocked.
‘Something’s seriously off these days.’
Nina narrowed her eyes and watched Ash’s back as he disappeared with Count Crest.
That vague feeling that her husband was sneakily, timidly flirting with her…
‘But if it turns out I just imagined everything, that’d be way too embarrassing.’
After giving a small wave in his direction, Nina turned and greeted Countess Crest.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Madam. I’ve heard so much about you from Duchess Taylor.”
“Not at all, I’m the one who should thank you for your warm hospitality.”
Countess Crest was one of her mother’s acquaintances.
Although Nina held the higher title, it wasn’t appropriate to speak casually to someone her mother knew, so it was right to use honorifics.
“This is my second son, Samuel. Samuel, come and greet Her Grace.”
“H-Hello…”
Nina smiled brightly at the adorable little fawn-like boy with chestnut hair and emerald eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you. This is Ian. He’s a year older than you, so feel free to call him Brother.”
After the children finished exchanging greetings.
“I’ll take the children to the playroom, so please go ahead to the garden. I’ll send a maid to escort you.”
Following the Crest family’s maid, Nina headed toward the back garden.
While not the wealthiest of counts, the Crest family still held a rank among the high nobility, so their manor exuded an old-fashioned elegance.
When she arrived at the garden, several guests were already seated and engaged in friendly conversation.
“Oh my, Duchess Bayern…?”
The ladies at the table stopped chatting in surprise upon recognizing Nina.
Countess Crest was older than Nina, and the rest of the guests seemed to be at least twenty years her senior as well.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m Nina Bayern.”
From the looks of it, most of the women gathered here were around her mother’s age.
There were also a few young women her own age—probably their daughters—who were now watching her with curious eyes.
Nina sat down with a slightly tense expression, unsettled by their subtle stares.
“Hoho, Duchess, no need to be so tense. Most of the ladies here have long-standing ties with your mother.”
“Ah…”
“Many of us saw you when you were little. You can think of us as aunts and feel at ease.”
Nina bit her lip slightly, surprised by how welcoming the atmosphere was.
Noblewomen of her mother’s generation were the so-called ‘older guard’.
If any of them knew of the disgraceful things she had done in her past life, it wouldn’t be strange for them to frown, click their tongues, or point fingers.
Yet these women were looking at her with the warmth of an affectionate aunt gazing at her niece.
‘Mother must have asked them…’
Nina suddenly felt her chest tighten with emotion.
A mother was always a mother.
She must have known that Nina had avoided every event except those she absolutely had to attend.
And knowing the likely reason behind that, she must’ve reached out to Countess Crest beforehand.
“Thank you… for your kindness.”
Nina offered a gentle smile as she took her seat.
“Has the tea party already begun?”
At the sound of an unmistakable voice.
One that absolutely should not be here.
A muscle near Nina’s eye twitched involuntarily.
