The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 80
What happened between them…
Suddenly, a vivid memory surfaced to Ash’s mind from the time Hozi was away.
“…Let’s meet again… no matter what…”
His wife, curled up like a child, tearfully calling out to someone with a look of deep yearning.
That day, he realized that even she could long for someone so much that she’d cry for them.
It was ironic to worry now about the rumors spreading around her, given how he had previously dismissed others’ judgments as inconsequential.
But after seeing this new side of her, a thought crossed his mind.
Had he been the one to push her to the edge, to the point that she had no choice but to harden herself?
“Well…”
He trailed off, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions.
He couldn’t yet fully explain what had happened in the meantime or what changes had taken place in his heart.
He couldn’t honestly say he still disliked her.
***
Rebecca appeared as usual, ready to pick a fight, her gaze eagerly scanning Nina’s face for any signs of unhappiness.
‘Do you think I’m an easy target?’
Nina smirked.
Although Rebecca, like her, was a noblewoman, the Wessler Duchy ranked lower than the House of Taylor.
Rebecca’s grandfather, Marquis Crew, held a position below her own grandfather’s rank in the empire’s judicial court.
But since her own family had cast her aside, it seemed Rebecca found it safe to begin prodding at her with snide remarks.
“Oh my, what a lovely ring. I heard it was recently your anniversary—did the Duke give it to you? Peridot is, after all, the gem for first anniversaries.”
“I heard you returned separately from Count Bute’s formal dinner. I was worried it might have been a marital quarrel, but seeing the ring, I suppose there was nothing to worry about. It’s a relief to see you two still getting along.”
“By the way, what did you do for your anniversary…?”
Though she feigned admiration and concern, Nina could easily detect the mocking intent behind her words.
After all, the day of the dinner at Count Bute’s manor had been their first anniversary.
But her past self would never have let such words slide.
“Duchess Nord, rather than vulgarly prying into someone else’s marriage, perhaps you should tend to your own. It wouldn’t do for someone with a family to risk giving people the wrong impression, don’t you think?”
But, thanks to her reputation as a ‘wicked wife’, she always ended up being cast as the villain.
“…Don’t worry too much about it, Madam. Duchess Bayern behaving like this isn’t anything new.”
“I heard the reason they argued at the dinner was because of their anniversary. I think that day was the anniversary, wasn’t it?”
“Oh dear, Duchess Nord didn’t even know. Who would think a couple would attend a social event on their wedding anniversary?”
“……”
They were probably expecting her to lash out here, as she would have in the past.
That way, they could pull the crowd to their side.
But she had no intention of digging her own grave by losing her temper.
“…Duchess Nord.”
“Oh, please, call me Rebecca. We’ve known each other for so long, why keep things so formal?”
“I understand you’re eager to be friendly, but unfortunately, I’m selective about whom I befriend.”
Collecting gossip and coveting another woman’s husband despite being married herself… Nina had no interest in associating with someone like that.
Nina took a step forward to pass Rebecca.
But just as she did, a mocking voice drifted into her ear.
“…The Bayern manor’s staircase must be as high as its prestige. I hope you’re managing well physically.”
Nina turned around.
“Oh, I should have been more considerate and asked about your mental state. My apologies for the oversight.”
Is she really doing this…?
Rebecca twisted her expression into a fake look of concern, while Nina simply stared at her in silence.
Rebecca had never spoken so bluntly in front of her before…
Could it be that merely walking arm-in-arm with Ash had provoked her this much?
‘So be it.’
She didn’t want to engage, but backing down here would only make her look foolish.
And there was no way she’d let this woman hinder her chance to gain the Empress’s favor.
‘At times like this…’
Nina approached Rebecca with a bright smile and leaned in close to whisper quietly.
