TDATD⋆♱✮

XCl

☆ ★ ✮ ★𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊☆ ★ ✮ ★
ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 91

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. There’s a lively conversation happening over there, would you like to join and chat together?”

Caught off guard, she ended up accepting the glass she was handed. Accepting the glass was as good as agreeing to the conversation. However, it wasn’t proper to return a glass once taken. She didn’t want to attract any more attention than she already had.

How could she be so out of it that she missed such a simple signal? Judith hesitated before rising with a heavy heart.

Walking toward them felt like willingly stepping into a pit with its jaws wide open. Feeling the sharp gazes upon her, Judith clenched the glass in her hand tightly.

“Oh my, Lady Lipis.”

“It seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve seen your face.”

Though they pretended to be glad, their curiosity was blatant. The people who wouldn’t dare look her in the eye before, due to her position as a Duchess, were now boldly meeting her gaze.

“Yes, it has been.”

Her brief answer made those at the table exchange glances. It was as if she could hear mocking laughter behind their concealed expressions.

“How have you been? I was so heartbroken to hear about your divorce from Duke Vaisil…”

Lady Won said, her actions and half-moon-shaped eyes showing a gloating face despite her claim of being heartbroken.

Judith stared at her without responding.

What on earth had she done wrong to these people? No matter how much she racked her brain, she couldn’t recall any misdeeds. She had always lived trying to give as much as possible, fulfilling her duties as someone privileged.

Yet, they were eagerly waiting for her downfall, openly mocking and ignoring her.

It didn’t take long for Judith to recall that it wasn’t due to her wronging them but a particular trait of high society.

Humans inherently desire to dominate over others, and when given the opportunity to trample someone, they do so without hesitation. Thus, nobles, who love gossip, are more inclined to listen to slander than praise.

A lady who once enjoyed the peak of social popularity, a daughter of a venerable marquis, and the hostess of an esteemed duke’s household, Judith’s flawless titles had been marred, and they were simply delighted. And that interest had never felt so disgusting as it did now.

“Yes.”

She answered as coolly as possible, trying to avoid further interaction. Though she didn’t intend to cower, Judith’s unexpectedly chilly response froze the atmosphere at the table.

Lady Humphrey, who had posed the question under the guise of concern, fidgeted with her glass, embarrassed by the cold reception.

Then, seemingly indignant at being ignored, she twisted her lips.

“Are you well? I heard you lost your precious heir…”

“Lady Humphrey!”

Just as the conversation was about to cross a line, someone cut in.

It was the Marchioness Dyer.

“I’ve heard about your engagement with Duke Vaisil, but even considering that, your question seems out of line.”