The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 29

“It seems something good has happened to everyone.”

Ash, adjusting his appearance and neatly styling his bangs with pomade, asked with a puzzled expression,

“What do you mean by that?”

Hoshi smiled and pointed out the window.

“Look over there. Everyone’s smiling.”

Maids were walking cheerfully, carrying garments in their arms. Just as Hoshi said, they all seemed to be smiling as if something good had indeed happened.

Ash watched them absentmindedly, then suddenly remembered the report from the head maid a few days ago.

“The Madam gifted us new uniforms. She said she’d provide them to the other employees as well.”

So, it was for that reason that Marsha had gone to the tailor’s. The garments they were holding appeared to be the new uniforms his wife had arranged for the maids

“By the way, the Madam has been quite subdued lately,” Hoshi remarked.

“Well, I’m not sure if ‘subdued’ is the right word.”

Seeing that she had reclaimed the household’s control from the head maid, it seemed she was planning a new strategy after the failure of her divorce attempt.

Considering she was now paying attention to the uniforms of the staff, which she had never done before, it was suspicious.

Perhaps she was trying to solidify her position as the Duchess instead of pursuing the divorce.

“In any case, it’s true that she hasn’t been pestering you lately, Your Grace.”

“…”

Indeed. The last time he had seen his wife’s face was that day.

All the spying on him, accusing him of infidelity, and causing disturbances had ceased since ‘that day’.

For the past two years, not a day had gone by without some loud commotion in the house, so the ongoing peace now felt ominous, like the calm before a storm.

This was evidence that his marriage had been hell.

“By the way, surely the Madam won’t miss today’s event, will she?”

“Who knows.”

“It’s Duke Granvil’s birthday celebration, after all.”

Duke Granvil’s birthday celebration was a major social event attended by numerous people, regardless of age.

Duke Granvil, the current Empress’s younger brother and a close friend of Duke Taylor, was a powerful figure.

With so many prominent guests attending, it was an ideal occasion for those debuting in society to find potential spouses.

And yet, his wife, who would glare daggers at him for simply glancing at another woman, might not attend?

“If she wants to go, she’ll go. If not, then she won’t.”

Since she hadn’t mentioned going together, it was possible she might not attend. But given that it was the Duke Granvil’s birthday celebration, there was a good chance she would.

“Enough with the chatter. Just follow me if you’re ready.”

Ash threw on his coat and quickly left the room.

He was on edge, half-expecting his wife to suddenly appear.

But as he passed through the lobby and climbed into the carriage, there was no sign of her anywhere.

“She’s not coming. It seems she’s decided to skip it,” Hoshi mumbled as he joined Ash in the carriage.

Ash closed his eyes with an indifferent expression. Now that he was away from the house, he no longer cared about whether or not his wife would attend. Instead, he was already feeling tense at the thought of dealing with Duke Granvil.

Duke Granvil treated Nina like his own niece and had never been happy about Ash since the wedding, due to the constant issues.

Don’t go where you’re not welcome, they say. But Duke Granvil, like Ash, was part of the Emperor’s faction.

Showing discord publicly would only give their opposition something to pounce on. Maintaining a facade of friendship was necessary.

With that in mind, Ash crossed his arms and closed his eyes, trying to relax a bit.

***

Smoothly.

Calmly.

Her life had never been this peaceful lately.

Melanie had been executing her orders better than expected—fixing the staff quarters, distributing essential supplies, hiring maids, and more.

Every day, she reported on the progress of these tasks, confirming they were being well handled.

Nina had worried that Melanie’s loyalty to the family, her distrust of Nina, and her thrifty ways might make her uncooperative.

But those concerns seemed unfounded.