The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 35

I knew this expression. It was the look of someone opening their heart to me sincerely.

 

I didn’t say I wouldn’t listen to their story out of consideration. Of course, it’s unfortunate, but it’s not something I can solve…

 

I mumbled hastily, stepping back. “I don’t know what your story is, but I’m not good at focusing or listening. Would you like me to recommend a good counselor?”

 

“Since you’re part of our family now, you should hear it. It happened a long time ago.”

 

No! If you tell me your sad story, my resolve to become a nuisance will crumble!

 

* * *

Neslan watched Giselle, who was avoiding his gaze, and sat down at the table opposite her. He didn’t know how his precious daughter-in-law would take this, but he took a small breath and began to speak.

 

“When the land of monsters was engulfed by the demonic energy, my eldest son and I set out for battle together. It was to protect the people of our territory. But we ended up trapped in an illusory cave created by the demonic beasts.”

 

The battle was fiercely intense. Countless lives were lost. His lieutenant also perished on the spot. The only ones left were Neslan and his eldest son, trapped in a cave that seemed like an illusion. The final battle in the cave was almost meaningless.

 

“At that time, my son died saving me.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

“And so, I ended up merely surviving a pitiful life.”

 

“No, that’s…”

 

“For five years, I lived within the barrier, feeling guilty towards my wife, the family, and Duke Vientin Kalinos, who unexpectedly had to bear the burden of the family.”

 

Giselle’s expression faltered slightly at his words. As the composure she maintained began to show signs of distress, he, too, regained his composure. The way she seemed indifferent yet attentive to her expression, and how she casually placed a handkerchief of unknown origin on the table, was less burdensome than those who offered heartfelt consolation. It seemed like he ended up saying more than he had intended.

 

In truth, there’s much more to the story… But Neslan parted his lips to speak, then closed them again. No, I can’t say any more.

 

Pressing the mysterious handkerchief Giselle had placed on the table against his eyes, he smiled brightly. He didn’t want to burden her heart any further.

 

“Thank you, Giselle, for listening to me. I’m so happy to have a daughter-in-law. After my kind eldest passed, our family lost its sense of familial affection.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

“I’m absolutely delighted to have such a lively daughter-in-law join us. But don’t misunderstand. I mean, you don’t have to be lively. Just live as you wish.”

 

“Y-Yes, I see.”

 

He was grateful that Giselle didn’t cry with him. Just having someone listen so indifferently seemed to unravel the tightly wound knots inside him. Sometimes, indifferent consideration touches the heart more than excessive sympathy.

 

He smiled endlessly. Slowly but surely, Neslan was opening his heart to his new daughter-in-law.

 

* * *

Phew, I didn’t get caught!

 

The rustling noise outside was actually Ivanka, the thirteen-year-old maid.

 

Thank goodness!

 

Ivanka carefully crawled along the wall with her small, shrunken hands, making her escape. Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t been discovered.

 

And it’s really lucky that I’m as small as a filthy sewer rat, just like Caitlyn said!

 

Though she looked about ten years old due to malnutrition, Ivanka was actually thirteen. After being abandoned by her mother, she had been living as Caitlyn’s scapegoat maid for over five years.

 

“You should be grateful that I picked up someone like you and raised you, right?”

 

“Y-Yes!”

 

“Your only advantage is sneaking around like a rat.”

 

“T-That’s right.”

 

“Madam might feel sorry for you, so make sure you never appear before her. Understand?”

 

As Caitlyn said this, she stepped on Ivanka’s hand, and her bones still ached.

 

A maid who didn’t want to stay at the Kalinos mansion could leave easily and quickly with a letter of recommendation from the madam and a generous severance package. The reason Ivanka remained with the Kalinos family despite this was… I have nowhere to go if I leave Lady Caitlyn.

 

Ivanka had a very big secret that must never be discovered. Caitlyn actively hid her secret.

 

With her shoulders drooping, Ivanka diligently scribbled notes with her small, delicate hands.

 

[The lady ate something and then headed to bed. After that, I-I don’t know!]

 

Finishing her note, Ivanka hurried towards Caitlyn. To avoid getting hit on the head by Caitlyn, she had to run fast.

 

9. When the Head Maid Is the Villainess

Two days passed, then three, then four.

 

It’s getting harder to avoid my father-in-law.

 

Since Neslan confessed his feelings to me, it seemed he had opened his heart wide to me. Normally, I shouldn’t be treated so well by anyone. It seems like I’ve twisted the original story so much that its force has weakened. Now there are people who like me from the start.

 

While it was a pleasant surprise, I was continually bewildered by Neslan’s unexpected affection. Moreover, after hearing Neslan’s story, I felt too sorry for him to act obnoxiously in front of him.

 

Right. I’ll have to be an indirect brat instead!

 

So lately, I’ve been eagerly waiting for opportunities to be a nuisance to others. However, the servants around me these days were all…

 

“I-It’s an honor to serve the madam of the h-house!”

“I will be loyal to ensure no stories about Madam leak out.”

 

I couldn’t bring myself to torment these earnest part-timers who were too kind-hearted. They’re just too nice. Too nice, I tell you!

 

Isn’t there anyone who would look down on me? Someone who would cut ties with me, like I wish Neslan would, and say, ‘I can’t approve of such a daughter-in-law!’.

 

Just then, as if by divine intervention, I heard a voice from outside the slightly open window.

 

“Do you want to leave the family immediately?”

 

I perked up my ears and clearly heard Caitlyn scolding the maids. The voice of a maid, intimidated by Caitlyn’s scolding, came through.

 

“N-No!”

 

“Your attitude is poor. Your taste is vulgar, and your voice is atrocious. I dislike everything about you.”

 

In high-ranking noble families, maids are usually daughters of prestigious families, raised within the household like younger sisters to the mistress. However, due to the closed atmosphere of Duke Kalinos’s family, it was rare for daughters of noble families to serve as maids.

 

The maids of the Kalinos family are said to be lower-ranking nobles cast out by their families. I shook my head internally and looked down through the window again.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“… I’ll correct myself.”

 

“But Rudensha.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Caitlyn’s sharp voice continued to stream in through the open window. “I’ve told you several times that those pearl earrings don’t suit a maid.”

 

“B-But… Y-You took Axella’s last time and never returned them…”

 

Caitlyn’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

 

I chuckled as I observed Caitlyn’s brown hair, her sharply angled eyes, and the hostility burning in her bright red eyes. Caitlyn Ronus. She’s the aunt of the current Count Ronus.

 

If events unfold as they did in the original story, a few months from now, I will meet Caitlyn for the first time at a secret social gathering hosted by Marquis Berto.

 

“What are those earrings? Did you dare to steal those pearl earrings?”

“I… I didn’t steal them.”

“Then how does someone wearing such a cheap dress like yours have such beautiful earrings?”

 

The pearl earrings were a gift from Count Florette before he set sail. Caitlyn, realizing this, revealed her greed to take them away.

 

“The disgrace of the Florette family, Giselle. Answer me.”

“… I-I’m… not the disgrace of the Florette family.”

“We call it a disgrace when someone frivolously chases after other men.”

“…”

“Well, I suppose it’s only natural, given you grew up without proper education.”

 

Upon hearing those words, Giselle felt her vision darken suddenly and fainted. When she regained consciousness, the pearl earrings that had been on her ears were gone.

 

I won’t stand to see those who tormented me in my past life prosper. I’d been looking for a villainess to deal with, and the head maid had appeared right on time. After all, it takes a villainess to deal with another villainess.

 

Conveniently, there was a dessert left on the side table by one of the maids. Even a glass of cold milk. I gracefully picked up the glass and poured it out the window.

 

“Uugh!”

 

“Oh my, how clumsy of me!” I leaned out and waved at Caitlyn, who became like a drenched mouse below the window.