The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 86

“Honey, you’re not fooling around outside, are you?”

“Fooling around? Where is this coming from?”

When Rebecca narrowed her eyes at him, Frederick responded indignantly. Still, having lived together for two years, Rebecca felt a sense of relief at his reaction.

‘At least it doesn’t seem like there’s another woman out there.’

Though her husband didn’t appeal to her on many levels and even disgusted her at times, the thought of him having an affair—especially if Nina Bayern found out—was unbearable.

Rebecca clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

“…Seeing that unpleasant woman again today must have made me overly sensitive.”

“The Duchess of Bayern, you mean?”

“Haah… You should have heard what she said to me earlier.”

“What did she say? Did she provoke you again?”

“She had the nerve to suggest that you were cheating on me.”

“Ch-cheating?” Frederick’s shoulders stiffened in shock.

“Do you know how startled I was when I heard that?”

“Are you seriously believing that crazy woman’s words?”

…Crazy woman.

Yes, she was crazy. Listening to anything that woman said would only bring harm to herself.

“Of course not. I was just angry.”

“Don’t pay any mind to what that madwoman says. She’s probably losing her mind from lack of affection. It’s not the first time she’s done something outlandish, and now she’s even dragging me into it…”

“I’m sorry for doubting you, Dear.”

“Ahem, it’s fine. I understand how it must have upset you.”

“Thank you for being understanding.”

Rebecca gave him a light kiss on the cheek, then changed into her nightgown and lay down.

‘If only I’d known that the Empress personally invited those guests, I would have greeted them when I had the chance…’

Who could have guessed that the shabbily dressed young lady loitering by the banquet hall entrance was actually the Empress’s guest?

‘But how did that woman know?’

There was no way Nina had helped the Princess out of pure intentions. She didn’t even consider commoners human, and she was notorious for being wary of any noblewoman who might catch Duke Bayern’s eye.

‘Something has changed…’

It felt as if the poised and elegant Nina Taylor, whom Rebecca had once envied to the point of feeling defeat, had returned.

‘No, that can’t be.’

Nina Taylor had deteriorated steadily after becoming Nina Bayern, to the point where even the slightest push revealed her unrestrained, coarse behavior. The rumors swirling around her in high society weren’t only Rebecca’s doing.

Would anything change just because she now pretended to be a cultured noblewoman?

Rebecca smirked. She might have been fortunate enough to win the Empress’s favor this time, but once the guests saw Nina’s true nature, they would be disappointed.

That woman, who didn’t even regard commoners as human, would hardly devote herself to a charity event. Like last year, she would probably spend her time barely involved, simply going through the motions.

No matter how much she hurried to prepare, what could she achieve in a single night?

In the end, the Empress’s favor and the role of hosting the royal guests would fall to her.

However…

“That was my way of telling you not to bother me. After all, having a marriage like yours doesn’t exactly put you in a position to judge others, does it?”

Nina’s words, spoken with a knowing, meaningful look, pierced Rebecca’s pride and lingered in her mind.

***

After finishing his bath, Ash dried himself and wrapped a robe around his body.

“I suppose a beautiful, kind-hearted woman such as Your Ladyship wouldn’t still be single…”

Recalling the Crown Prince’s obvious disappointment upon learning Nina was married, Ash furrowed his brow.

While Nina might not have noticed, it was likely that a guide had already been assigned to the visiting royals.

The fact that the Empress suddenly suggested Nina for this role hinted at the Crown Prince’s influence.

‘…What’s his angle here?’

Ash couldn’t trust the Crown Prince, who wore an innocent expression like a large, naïve dog.