Rodel relatives

Chapter 2

On Sunday afternoon, a woman in her forties left the Red Tea House located in the city proper and got into a carriage. She smirked at the man inside. It was Viktor Nupen. Viktor, the younger brother of the current head of the Nupen family, was her lover, although they kept their relationship a secret.

"I can't believe you're here, dear," Vera Rodel said as she sat beside him.

"I should see you, Vera. You've told me you have some good news?" Viktor smirked back.

Vera straightened her shoulders and sat up, her chin held high as if proud of something.

"I have. Something that will change our lives forever."

"You mean...?"

"Very soon, my Duscha will be the sole heir of the Guerin family. And when we get married, well, you will take charge of everything."

Viktor burst into laughter. "You've gotten some nerve. What did you do?"

"I've done nothing special. You know that my niece has always been sick since she was a child. I just wanted to do something to end her suffering quickly," she smiled.

She knew that Elise's illness was incurable, yet this was the very circumstance where Vera excelled. She was good at seizing opportunities and taking them. This instinct of hers propelled her from being a dishwasher for a rural family to marrying their son and becoming the aunt of a rich relative. She wasn't related to the Guerins by blood; it was her late husband who was.

Luckily, Arko Guerin was kind and felt sorry for her easily when her husband died. Wealthy people like Arko, who had experienced the pain of losing their loved ones such as his wife and son, can be easily influenced or manipulated anyway.

Viktor watched Vera with amusement, but he wasn't a fool. He knew her subtle meaning, yet furrowed his brow in concern. "Still, Vera, be careful. Going against your husband's family is different from going against a family like Guerin. Just because they don't participate in politics, doesn't mean they're easy prey. They're just not rich but also have power. The current emperor favors Arko Guerin too."

"Yes, yes, my lord. I'm very well aware of that. I just did something that can easily be explained if my goals happen. You should not worry too much," Vera replied.

After a few more exchanges, they arrived at the facade of the Guerin residence.

"I'll be in contact with you soon," Viktor smiled.

"Yes. And I'm sure there will be more good news," Vera smiled. After all, Elise is probably dying by now.

2.2

Vera entered the mansion's front yard and quickly observed the busy activity of the housemaids and houseboys. The men were busy with construction work, amid scattered piles of wood on the ground. Despite Vera's presence, the maids politely bowed and carried on with their duties. Many of them were trimming bushes, while others were arranging flowers in the garden. Many of these flowers were unfamiliar to Vera, as if they had been newly purchased.

My favorite flowers had been replaced! How dare? She felt a surge of indignation.

"What's going on here? What made you do this? And where are my flowers? And why are you bringing chairs there?" Vera, pointing at the garden, bombarded the maids with questions.

"Madam, we were just following the head maid's orders," one maid replied nervously. But the expressions on the other maids' faces hinted that they were aware of more than they were letting on.

"Hmph!" Vera responded in annoyance, then paused. "Wait. Has the Lord arrived already? I thought he wasn't due for three more days."

"No, Madam. The lord is not here yet."

So it wasn't the lord's instructions?

Vera's anger intensified. "This is unacceptable! You have the nerve to change here without telling me? Put my flowers back immediately!"

Despite her demands, the maids continued their tasks, seemingly ignoring her. Vera couldn't believe what she was witnessing. She had only been away this morning, yet the atmosphere in the house had already changed drastically.

Just then, Mayen arrived at the scene. "Madam, you've returned."

"I've returned? Mayen, what is going on?" Vera mocked sarcastically.

"I understand your frustration, Madam. Lady Elise has decided to change the landscaping and flowers in the front yard to her liking," Mayen explained calmly.

Vera was taken aback. "Elise?"

"Yes, Madam."

But Vera shook her head in disbelief. "Must you lie to me, Mayen? Do you really expect me to believe you?"

"It's true. You can ask her yourself after she's done with her work in the study," Mayen insisted.

Vera, consumed with anger, found Mayen's explanation utterly ridiculous. It was beyond belief. Elise was supposed to be on her deathbed, at least confined to her bedroom upstairs.

"Fine. I'll go to the study and see to it if you're telling the truth. If I discover that you're lying to me, I'll beat you a hundred times!"

With determination, Vera marched towards the study. Mayen hurried after her and pleaded to her. "But Madam, Lady Elise cannot be disturbed until seven in the evening!"

Vera paid no heed. She pounded on the door several times until it swung open, revealing a young woman. Vera gasped in great shock.

It's true.

Elise brimmed with a smile as soon as she saw Vera.

"Elise, you're... okay?" Vera stammered, taken aback.

"Ah, it's Aunt Vera. Yes, surprisingly so. But I think your tea from last night helped me a lot. Thank you," Elise replied, her smile masking her indifference.

"Uh, well, is that so..." Vera's words trailed off.

"Is that all?"

Vera snapped back to reality and repeated after Elise's words. "Is that all?"

"Yes, I'm quite busy, aunt. I have a lot of reading and other things to do until dinner," Elise replied calmly, though her eyes sharply darted towards Mayen before returning to Vera. Meanwhile, Mayen, standing behind Vera, was visibly sweating and nervously gulping saliva as she kept her head bowed.

Vera furrowed her brow. "But how did you gain access to the study? It's off-limits to outsiders, with all its confidential items."

Elise smiled knowingly. "But, aunt, I'm not exactly an outsider, am I?"

Elise's words struck a nerve with Vera. Elise continued, "Grandpa gave me a key to this room last year. I just haven't had the opportunity to visit this room because I've been sick. By the way, if you're curious about the changes in the front yard, I did the orders. I'm planning to redesign the garden too."

Then she sighed, as if tired of their conversation already. "Anyway, I'll see you later, Aunt Vera."

Vera stood frozen. Elise didn't even afford her the opportunity to explain her personal view of the garden, as if her opinion didn't matter. Yet Vera couldn't argue with Elise either. Apart from her much improved health, Elise now exuded confidence and authority that stood like a large iron wall.

This was a new side of Elise.

And as the door closed in front of her, Vera felt powerless. It was also the first time she had experienced such humiliation since arriving at the Guerin residence.

2.3

Vera found Duscha in her room, staring into the mirror.

"Mother!" Duscha spoke as she hurriedly came to meet her mother and hugged her. "Mother, what's wrong with Elise today? She seems different."

"What do you mean?"

"She scolded Mayen, hit her face, and then Mayen told me I can't get access to the dressing room anymore because Elise told her so."

Vera's eyes widened. "Well, do you already have the dress for tonight?"

"Y-yes. Elise told me during lunch that I can keep the dress and don't need to return it."

"G-good. At least you have a dress, dear."

"But that's not the point. I can no longer have access to the dress room!"

Vera snapped. "I'm still figuring things out. And besides, we can't do anything about it now. It's hers to begin with!"

"Did you see the front yard? They're changing it, too."

"I know, Duscha. But I—" Vera remembered the way Elise's eyes lingered on hers. They were different. They were sharp, almost as if all-knowing.

"Are you also carried by Elise, mother?" Duscha seemed annoyed now.

"We have to be cautious, Duscha. Endure her. You have to play pretend if possible."

"Well, I've been doing that and still do. It seems your plans didn't work, after all."

I'll confront that brat soon, Vera thought. But for now, she needed to gather her thoughts and process the shock she felt today. The atmosphere in the house seemed different all too suddenly, and everything that happened today didn't go as planned.

2.4

Elise's grandfather had kept a collection of newspapers that discussed politics and general news in the empire. Reading through them, Elise found many articles interesting. In the past year, many events have happened.

The military coup against her had resulted in fewer casualties than expected.

There were reports of thieves scattered throughout the empire.

Celebrations of imperial holidays.

New royal ministers.

The coronation day of the current emperor and the chosen empress had taken place.

The recurring floods caused by the Habek River had forced people to relocate from lower areas to higher ground, renting houses there in the process until the river would subside after the annual three-month flood period. But the flood this time reached fifteen feet.

This confirmed her previous theory about the increasing height of the river's flow. In her reign as an empress, it was just twelve feet. Of course, she had found a solution to the flooding issue but knew she wasn't the right person to implement it. That role was meant for Rayan Taryen.

Instead, out of curiosity, she searched for any news about… him.

Is he worth it? These words echoed in her mind with the sharp, mocking tone of her arch enemy.

She found it amusing how even her greatest enemies fell for her propaganda. The real question should have been: Is he worth enough to destroy the whole Lidet clan? To that, the answer was yes. But little did everyone know that her ultimate goal was always to destroy the Lidet clan, even if it meant sacrificing herself.

She was sure no one knew her real motives back then. But there were moments when Matthieu Sighart's gaze showed a hint of his suspicions, only to get distracted by her constant quest for power, her odd behavior as a madwoman, and her mysterious relationship with the notorious man named Muri.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and Anni entered the study.

"Your dinner is ready, my lady. Madam Vera and Miss Duscha are at a small gathering at the Roussel's," Anni lamented. "It's not fair, excluding you like this, especially when it's a dinner invitation meant for you and any other true member of the Guerins. You belong there, my lady."

Elise remained absorbed in the newspapers she held. While her aunt and Duscha lacked etiquette, she was never interested in attending the party from the start. Her priority was to recover from the effects of the poison and tend to her weak heart.

"Roussel," Her voice trailed off. "

That's a high-ranking noble family. The head is Marquis Diether Roussel, and a governor whose area includes Suni. I remember he has two grown sons serving in the military and a daughter.

"I thought it was a ball they're going to," Anni replied.

Elise couldn't help but admire her aunt for her talent in connecting herself to the elite society. She must have lied a lot to succeed and be accepted.

Yet, there are things she remains ignorant of.

Elise smirked. "Balls happen only in the capital. They're just using it as an excuse to borrow an expensive dress. But that's alright."

Anni, curious yet worried, asked, "But why, my lady? They've wronged you so many times in the past two years. Why are you allowing them?"

"I'm allowing them to feel out of place at that party, because of that dress."

"But it's an expensive, extravagant dress," Anni pointed out, even more confused.

Elise looked at Anni and stood up. "That's the point, Anni."

Elise walked past her, leaving Anni even more confused.

2.5

As Elise thought, the dress caused a stir at the party. When Vera and Duscha arrived at the Roussel home, other guests whispered that Duscha's outfit was too fancy for a small dinner.

"Isn't this a bit much for a casual gathering?" a young woman remarked.

"Well, What did you expect? They're just country bumpkins that happen to be relatives of the Guerins," another said.

"Do you think Duscha's trying to impress Damien Roussel?" someone else suggested.

The ladies looked to Solene Greslon, acknowledged as the group's leader.

Solene spoke up at last. "Let's be kind, ladies. Miss Duscha is beautiful, and though she lacks knowledge in some areas, it's understandable given she's not a noble. But I've heard she's quite talented."

The other two quieted, showing admiration for Solene, who was both beautiful and humble, despite being the daughter of a rich, high-ranking noble family.

"We wish we were as beautiful and classy as you, Lady Solene," they said.

Solene smirked slightly, finding their compliments amusing, while her eyes subtly mocked Duscha, who felt increasingly left out by the other ladies.

After the party was over, Vera, who didn't manage to talk to Diether Roussel, and Duscha, with a twinge of embarrassment for her dress, left with shame.