TWOTCL༘ ೀ⋆｡

XXXll

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

Roxana Fencer did not have the slightest affection for Hadeon Lark, the man prearranged to be her fiancé. If anything, she felt a bit of pity or sympathy for the hardships that come with being an heir to one of the nine noble families.

When she first heard about the human mistress, she merely pondered whether this woman would tarnish the family’s reputation or cause problems in the future. Jealousy or obsession, feelings common among lowly humans, had no place in her considerations.

Roxana only wanted to meet Elysia in person to assess her disposition. It was a procedure to determine if she would be an obstacle to becoming the future duchess. If Elysia behaved to Roxana’s satisfaction, she thought she could afford to overlook her with magnanimity and kindness. Roxana was a generous one.

But her feelings had just flipped, like a boat capsizing, due to the recent commotion.

“She doesn’t seem as docile as I thought. Where did she learn such manners?”

Roxana had completely misunderstood.

She believed that Elysia had responded to her invitation just to be rude and keep Roxana in check.

“Well, they say the quietest cat climbs the wall first.”

Roxana twisted her lips. She felt the need to teach this human woman the proper manners of noble society.

Even if it meant scaring her.

Leaving Elysia standing, Roxana commanded,

“Take this tea away, with the teapot. It doesn’t suit my taste at all.”

The maids moved quickly.

“Come to think of it, it’s not just the tea that doesn’t suit my taste here. Have you all heard? There’s a peculiar custom in southern social circles. Apparently, there’s a human woman who sells her body to the beastmen.”

Roxana’s sharp gaze was directed precisely at Elysia.

The atmosphere turned chilly as if the surface of the water had been shattered.

At Roxana’s remark, the young ladies eagerly began to add fuel to the fire. They all started to speak fervently.

“I heard about it too. It’s shameless.”

“Disgusting woman. Imagine, trying to rise by selling her life.”

“The worst kind of prostitute. Her soul is doomed.”

Each threw a displeased glance at Elysia, who stood alone as if punished. It was as if they had been waiting for this moment.

The other young ladies, knowing that Hadeon was Roxana’s intended fiancé, only insulted his human mistress. Roxana, sitting nonchalantly, glanced at Elysia, who stood rigidly.

Despite the insults and chatter, Elysia remained expressionless, staring down at her hands. Roxana found it dull.

“She’s holding out longer than I thought. It would be fun if she cried.”

But then, a remark from one of the young ladies brought silence. It was from the silver-haired lady who had caught Elysia’s attention.

“I heard that’s part of the symptoms of madness….”

“J-Jewel!”

The other ladies quickly interrupted Jewel, glancing at Roxana.

“That statement sounds like you’re saying Duke Lark is mad. You know he’s….”