# 31 -
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Lydia's rough hand hit Anita's cheek.
Anita's body trembled at the cold sensation on her cheek. Although her cheek was swollen and red, Anita did not feel pain. Her fear of Lydia was much greater.
"Didn't I tell you to call me Your Highness the Princess when no one is around? I am the daughter of His Majesty the Emperor. I am the Princess of the Eron Empire!"
Lydia screamed at Anita. She was already upset because of Yuan, and Anita's behavior that treated her like this made her even more angry.
She had promised herself a few days ago that she would never lay a hand on Anita again, but in the end she slapped her.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness the Princess. I got lost for a moment. I made a mistake."
Anita trembled and begged Lydia repeatedly to forgive her. Lydia suddenly felt angry at the sight of Anita shaking and begging for forgiveness.
"Why are you shaking like that? You make me look like a bad person when you do that. Do you think I am?"
Lydia grabbed Anita's shoulders and shook her.
“No…I don’t think so.”
Anita shook her head. Lydia Elliot aka Angel. But Anita was aware of the true nature that Lydia only revealed to her.
Whenever Lydia felt angry or things didn't go her way, she took out her anger on Anita. Sometimes she would slap her on the cheek, and sometimes she would scratch different parts of her body.
In those moments, a murderous expression, completely out of proportion to her beautiful face, spread across her features, making Anita feel terrified. Sometimes she felt that she might actually die at Lydia's hands.
"Anita, don't bother me. I don't want to hit you either. I don't want to be a bad miss."
Lydia forced a smile on her lips. I'm a good miss, so I shouldn't be more angry. Lydia forced herself to smile.
“It's all my fault. I'm truly sorry, Your Highness the Princess.”
Anita swallowed and begged Lydia for forgiveness.
"Okay. I'll forgive you."
Since you are so remorseful, I must forgive you. Suddenly, Lydia's eyes fell on Anita's cheek, which turned red.
“Oh my God, are you in so much pain, Anita?”
Lydia approached Anita, a look of regret on her face.
Lydia grabbed Anita's chin and made her raise her head. Lydia frowned slightly as she faced Anita's frightened face.
“Anita, are you afraid of me? Why is that expression on your face?”
“No, I'm not afraid. I'm just sorry for my bad behavior.”
Anita shook her head vigorously.
"Oh, Anita. Don't be so sad. Everyone makes mistakes. Just don't do it again."
Lydia smiled like an angel and walked towards the dressing table, opened a drawer and pulled out a simple ring.
Lydia put the ring on her finger and examined it, then approached Anita.
“Anita, isn’t this ring beautiful?”
Lydia showed the ring to Anita. It was a simple ring that Lydia would not remember even if it was lost, but for Anita, it was a ring that she would never be able to afford.
“Yes, it is beautiful.”
Anita looked at the ring and nodded.
“Since you find it beautiful, I will give it to you. It is yours.”
Without hesitation, Lydia took the ring off her finger and placed it on Anita's hand.
As soon as the ring settled on her hand, Anita's face immediately lit up.
It's always been like this. After Lydia took out her anger on Anita, she would give her jewelry or money.
As if to prove that she is not a bad person.
“Anita, I care about you very much. You know I don’t treat others that way, right?”
Lydia said, holding Anita's hands tightly.
“Yes, Your Highness the Princess.”
Anita nodded, looking at Lydia. The corner of Lydia's mouth rose gently at this sight.
Anita understands me well. But what about Seret Enohater?
Will you understand my words like Anita? If she was as obedient as Anita, I would care a lot about her.
But, Yuan. I don't think your fiancée will be as obedient as Anita. That's why I get so angry.
Lydia muttered to herself, remembering the Seret who was with Yuan.
***
“Jeremy, again, don't cause any trouble. Don't.”
Syrit warned Jeremy in a low voice, holding his hand tightly.
This was the day Jeremy would return to Sorvi. From breakfast until they arrived at the train station, Seret scolded Jeremy more than a hundred times that he should focus only on studying.
Jeremy's ears were almost deaf from Seret's scolding.
"I swear I won't. Don't worry. I'll go."
Jeremy looked at Syrett with a clearly fed up expression. He must escape quickly. Jeremy waved to Syrett and hurriedly got onto the train.
“Young master, have a safe journey.”
Hannah waved her handkerchief towards the train, bidding Jeremy farewell.
“Bye, Jeremy.”
Syrette felt a sudden sadness as she said goodbye to Jeremy. At least she didn't feel lonely around Jeremy.
Syrett stared at the image of Jeremy appearing through the train window.
“The young master has left. Perhaps we will only see him at the wedding.”
Hannah knew that Jeremy was a good person, even if he was a foolish young master. So I felt sad like Seret.
“He might not even be able to come. He was so distracted by textile work that he didn't study anything, and now he has mountains of studying to do.”
If you can't see him at the wedding, will you see him after the divorce? Seret looked at the train that was starting to whistle with a frown.
“He might try too hard to attend.”
“Why?”
Seret tilted her head at Hana's words.
“The young master greeted Miss Eve yesterday, didn’t he? His look was extraordinary then. I think he might have fallen in love with her.”
Hannah whispered.
"What?"
Siret burst out laughing when she heard that.
Conclusive objection. impossible. Eve is too good to be with him.
After the train had completely left, Seret left the station and got into the waiting carriage.
Inside the carriage heading towards the Ducal Palace, Syrette thought of Jérémie and Eve.
What if Hannah is right? Eve deserves better.
“However, it would be good if Eve became part of the family.”
Seret murmured with a cheerful face.
The carriage arrived at the Duke's Palace in a short time. Siret and Hana got out of the carriage and headed towards the entrance.
“Miss, are you going out today?”
"Do you want to go out? Shall we go for a walk around the supermarket?"
“Yes, I like that.”
Hannah nodded enthusiastically. Seret laughed lightly at Hana's enthusiasm and headed up the stairs into the hallway.
The butler who was in the hall spotted Seret and approached her.
“Did Mr. Enohater leave safely?”
Butler Seret asked politely.
"Yes."
The butler was smiling, but something seemed strange.
Siririth studied his face, noticing his hesitation as if he wanted to say something.
“Is there any problem?”
The butler spoke with a slightly embarrassed face.
“Well, Miss Elliot of the Elliot family came and asked to see Miss.”
“Miss Elliot?”
Seret frowned slightly at his words.
Why did she come here? Why did she come to meet me? Did she bring Jack with her? Are you trying to set me up again?
“Did she come alone?”
“Yes, she came alone.”
The butler answered Seret's question.
You didn't come with Jack then. Seret felt reassured and asked about Yuan's whereabouts.
“Is His Highness the Duke at home?”
“He's out.”
“Okay. Is she in the reception room? I’ll go after changing my clothes.”
Seret told the butler and walked up the stairs with quick steps.
“Miss, let's go together.”
Hannah followed Seret, speaking in an urgent voice.
“Eve, no. It's too late to call her now.”
Seret rushed to her room. Once inside, she opened the wardrobe and began examining her clothes.
She wanted to look perfect, especially in front of Lidya. She didn't want to lose.
She took out her best dress, put it on, and left Hannah to do her hair.
Her clothes and hairstyle were very simple as she went out to say goodbye to Jeremy. She made an effort on her appearance, fearing that she would look dull if she met Lydia like this.
“The bar should be green.”
“Okay, miss.”
Hana moved her hands diligently to brush Seret's hair. Seret finished her preparations, and took a deep breath as she left the room.
“Hannah, is it okay with my appearance?”
“Of course. You are very beautiful and truly wonderful.”
Hannah sprayed Seret with perfume as she answered. The scent of lily of the valley spread.
“Good, let's go.”
Siret headed towards the reception room with confident steps.
Siret stood in front of the reception room, and her eyebrows furrowed when she heard the sound of laughter coming from inside. Laughter sounds of different pitches continued, suggesting the presence of someone other than Lydia.
Seret wondered who was inside, then entered the reception room. Mrs. Linzi was with Lydia.
They were laughing and talking, and Mrs. Linzi's behavior was very different from that which she had shown towards Serret.
“Please visit Your Highness the Duke often.”
Mrs. Linzi's voice swayed like a happy cat.
“Yuan is always busy.”
Lydia smiled meekly. Then, when she saw Seret entering, she smiled cheerfully and waved her hand.
“Miss Enohater.”
Lydia stood up from the couch. Mrs. Linzi glanced at Seret and nodded slightly.
How polite she is. Seret raised the corner of her mouth and smiled at Lydia with her eyes.
“Miss Elliot.”
“I came to visit because I wanted to be friends with Miss Enohater. I hope I didn't go too far by coming without an appointment.”
Lydia spoke with a bright smile.
“Not at all. It’s nice of you to come.”
Seret replied with a smile as bright as Lydia's.
The two exchanged smiles that hid their true feelings for a while.
The stifling silence continued for a while, but Lydia was the first to break this silence.
She looked at Mrs. Linzi and said:
“Bring us some tea, Mrs. Linzi.”
At that moment, Seret thought for a moment that this was Lydia's house.
This was definitely the Duke's palace, and Seret was the Duke's fiancée. If there was anyone to act as the mistress of the house, it would naturally be Seret.
“I'll set it up, Miss Elliot.”
“For snacks, biscuits would be fine.”
Lydia went above and beyond and acted completely like the mistress of the house. Determining snacks is the prerogative of the lady of the house. Seret's tidy eyebrows twitched.
“Yes, I will prepare that.”
Mrs. Linzi answered Lydia's instructions with a gentle expression.
“Mrs. Linzi.”
Seret called to Mrs. Linzi, who was about to leave.
A slight displeased expression appeared on Mrs. Linzi's face. Seret ignored the look and spoke.
“However, we must provide proper hospitality to the guest. We cannot offer her mere biscuits.”
Mrs. Linzi looked at Seret with a look asking what she should do.
“It would take a long time to bake a new cake, so bring the madeleines and scones that were baked this morning.”
“But Miss Elliot...”
“Mrs. Linzi.”
Sirett interrupted Mrs. Linzi when she mentioned Lydia.
She wondered if she would have to go through this exhausting power struggle again, but since she decided to marry Yuan, it was inevitable.
“If I had to remind you who I am in the presence of a guest, my heart would really hurt.”
Mrs. Linzi's face flushed. Mrs. Linzi frowned for a moment, then answered reluctantly:
“...I will prepare as you ordered.”
“Bring me coffee instead of tea.”
"Yes."
Mrs. Linzi bowed and left the drawing room.
After Mrs. Linzi had left, Syrett turned her gaze to Lydia, who was staring at her intently.
Lydia, who had been staring at Seret with a sullen, searching expression, smiled when their eyes met. Seret felt a little triumphant because the forced smile was evident.
“Please have a seat.”
Seret offered Lydia a seat. When Lydia sat down, Siret also sat on the opposite sofa.
“Since the Frecktwister family has not had a lady of the house for a long time, the servants tend to act on their own sometimes. His Highness the Duke is very busy and does not have time to take care of household affairs.”
"Is that true? It doesn't seem like it."
Lydia said, keeping her composure.
“I think I will have difficulty managing servants for some time after marriage. Miss Elliot, visit me often and give me some help.”
“I will.”
Lydia had a hesitant expression.
Lydia felt a little dissatisfied with Syrett's behavior as if she were already the mistress of the house. Especially since they are not married yet.
“I wanted to be friends with Miss Elliot, so I'm grateful you came to visit.”
“We feel the same way. I also wanted to be friends with Miss Enohater.”
Lydia said as if she was singing.
"Wow, we must have taken a risk. Stay for dinner too, Miss Elliot."
“If you invite me, I have no reason to refuse.”
Seret and Lydia exchanged fake, playful laughs while hiding their true motives.
Seret thought about how to use Lydia most efficiently. Is it better to keep her as an enemy or become her friend?
A husband who cheats on his wife with her friend is probably more interesting. Seret, with hidden intentions, sent a sweet smile to Lydia.