# 7 -
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The sound of birds chirping made Seret frown.
Another horrific day begins. How were you supposed to endure today? She didn't even have the strength to start the day and didn't want to open her eyes.
Will she be able to see her baby today? If she begged Yuan, pleaded with him to let her see the child, would he grant her this for once?
Distracted, the thought crossed her mind—and Seret's eyes suddenly opened.
It was an unfamiliar place. No, not uncommon—but not exactly common. It was the guest room in the capital's palace.
Siret sat down.
“Why should I...?”
Muttering to herself, Seret let out a weak moan as the memories came flooding back. She remembered being poisoned by her husband and going back to the past.
Realizing that she was living her second life, Seret turned her gaze towards the window with a deep sigh.
The sadness and suffering she experienced in her past life are embodied on her face. You will never endure such pain again.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Hannah entered. She approached with a brighter face than the day before.
“Are you awake, miss?”
“Hannah.”
“Are your feet okay now?”
I asked Hannah about the injury from the glass splinter yesterday.
“She's fine.”
It wasn't a deep wound, so after a day, she felt completely fine. It didn't even hurt enough to keep her from walking yesterday.
“Thank God. Oh, the Duke said he would like to have breakfast with you. Please be prepared.”
“I'd rather not.”
Seret frowned at Hana's words. Just the thought of seeing Yuan's face this early made her head throb. Confronting the man who poisoned her was painful.
“You still have to eat.”
"…Good."
Seret reluctantly agreed.
Seret, now dressed, entered the dining room. Yuan was already there, reading the newspaper. He looked up at her as she entered.
After greeting him, Seret took the seat the butler had pulled out for her.
"Did you sleep well?"
Yuan folded his newspaper as he asked.
"Yes."
"This is good."
He nodded slightly and handed the newspaper to the butler, then ordered him to bring the meal.
As soon as the butler left the room, Yuan looked at Seret again and spoke.
“Miss Enohater’s personal maid will arrive this morning. She will take care of you during your stay in the capital.”
"Thank you."
As she answered, Seret's eyes went to the wound on Yuan's forehead.
That morning, I noticed how pronounced the cut was. It was a wound I inflicted on him. I looked at him and asked:
“Is your forehead okay?”
Her tone and expression were completely different from when she had waved the flower vase at him yesterday.
But her heart did not change. The anger she felt towards the man who killed her wouldn't go away that easily.
“He's fine.”
“What if it leaves a scar?”
"I don't care."
Yuan answered frankly.
Whether he really didn't care or was pretending not to care, he looked away from Seret.
As for her, she didn't care at all whether his face would leave a scar or not, and she didn't ask further.
At that moment, the servants started bringing the food. The table was soon filled with an appetizing array.
Breakfast passed in silence. Neither of them spoke; They simply ate.
They both had impeccable table manners, so the sound of the clinking of cutlery was not even heard.
The servants exchanged glances nervously. The atmosphere was so tense between the two.
It's nothing new, Syrette thought as she cut into her omelet.
It had always been like this in her previous life. In fact, it was rare to even share a meal with Yuan.
No matter how you look at it, they were never a real couple. A small, bitter smile escaped her lips.
Perhaps hearing her laugh, Yuan looked at her.
When their eyes met, Seret put down her fork and knife.
"I must have an upset stomach from the long train ride yesterday. If you don't mind, may I excuse myself?"
“As you wish.”
Yuan nodded curtly.
Seret forced a smile, got up and turned her back to him.
Once the Emperor's party is over, you will return home immediately.
Once she returns, she will pester her father to send Yuan an engagement letter. You will never be with this man again.
With this unwavering determination, Seret climbed the stairs to her room.
Later that morning, a guest arrived.
Allanette's expression was fixed as she looked at the young woman entering the room.
“Nice to meet you. I am Eve of Baron Lashing’s family. I have been assigned as Miss Innwhater’s personal hairdresser.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Siret Inuhhater.”
Seret had expected her to be someone older, but Eve looked younger than she expected—only two or three years older.
Seret smiled and offered her a seat.
“It is an honor. I look forward to working with you.”
Eve said as she sat down.
“Me too. It looks like today will be full of party preparations. The tailor is supposed to come.”
"Then I'll do your hair first. It might be better to braid it—it'll be something elegant and simple."
“That sounds good, Miss Lashing.”
“Please, just call me Eve.”
“Then call me Seret.”
Sererite smiled warmly.
She had never met Eve in her previous life. Maybe that's why I felt more comfortable being around her.
As Seret sat in front of the dressing table, Eve began combing her hair with a smile.
"How can your hair be so pretty? It's like a baby chick's feathers—both in color and texture."
"Is this correct?"
Seret smiled awkwardly at the compliment.
She was weak to praise. Especially after her marriage, she did not receive any praise.
Eve continued to compliment her as she expertly braided Sereret's hair. Her skill was clearly better than Hannah's—more natural and beautiful.
“What does it look like?”
Eve asked, meeting Sererite's eyes in the mirror.
"I loved it. You're really talented, Eve."
“I'm glad you liked it.”
Eve replied with a shy smile.
At that moment, Hannah entered to inform them of the tailor's arrival.
“Get him in.”
Seret left the dressing table and moved to the sofa. As Hannah opened the door wide, the seamstress Madame Barn entered the room.
With a bright smile, she introduced herself and displayed a variety of dresses in front of Seret.
Since there was not enough time to make a new dress for the party, they planned to choose one of Barn's ready-made pieces and modify it as needed.
“Oh no, I forgot to bring one of the dresses.”
As she was displaying the items, Barn's face appeared upset.
Because she belonged to the land of Lua, the land of art, her expressions seemed wonderfully dramatic.
"That dress would have fit you better. How could I make such a terrible mistake?"
She wailed like an opera singer.
“There's nothing we can do. I'll choose from what's here.”
“No, no. I will bring him right away.”
Barn shook her head, as if the thought of not showing the dress was inconceivable.
“So how about we go to your store to see it? I wanted to check out the capital anyway.”
Barn laughed happily at Seret's suggestion. So, the two headed to the store together.
Barn chattered nonstop in the carriage, mostly about the nobles of the capital.
Where did you hear all this? Seret was really impressed with her gossip skills.
Before she knew it, the cart had arrived at the store. Barn looked out the window and smiled.
The carriage driver quickly opened the door. Barn went down first, followed by Syret and Eve.
“This is my store. It is an honor to welcome you.”
Barn beamed at Syrit.
“It has a very artistic luau feel to it. What a beautiful building.”
Syrett remembered Barn's pride in her country, so she paid her the compliment.
Barn smiled happily and laughed merrily.
“Please, come in.”
She pointed toward the open store door.
As Seret was about to enter, an unforgettable voice boomed behind her.
“Madame Barn, you are back.”
Lydia. Her husband's mistress. The woman she killed with him.
Seret turned around slowly. The face she had last seen in her previous life appeared before her again.
She clenched her fists. Her heart beat violently like crashing waves, and her breath stopped as she staggered under the weight of pain, as if an old poison had returned to consuming her body.
“Miss—!”
Hannah quickly backed her up.
Hannah rushed to support her.
Seret nodded that she was okay, then turned her attention to Lydia, who was talking to Barn.
She didn't expect to receive it like this. She thought the meeting would be at the imperial party.
Because she did not prepare, Seret found it difficult to control her emotions.
“I came to see some evening dresses.”
“I'm sorry, Miss Enohater has a reservation today.”
Barn laughed as she turned to Seret. At the mention of her name, Lydia's gaze sharpened.
Sereret knew what that look meant: hatred and disgust. Just like how she feels about Lidya and Yuan.
She forced the corners of her lips into a smile.
“Miss Enohater?”
The intensity in Lydia's eyes disappeared, replaced by a dazzling smile as she approached Seret.
Thick brown hair, blue eyes, pale, flawless skin—Lydia was as beautiful as ever. Bright, bright.
She never looked like a country girl like Seret. That beauty always made her shrink and turn away.
"You must be the Duke of Frecktwister's fiancée, right? It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lydia Elliot."
I greeted her with a warm and friendly smile.
How foolish I was to be deceived by that smile, Seret thought bitterly.
But now, she could also wear a false smile—a beautiful smile, capable of deceiving the enemy.
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