She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 12

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 12. The Osburn Household’s Misdeeds (1)

When her daughter glared at her with fierce eyes, Trisha quickly made excuses.

“No. I’m just saying. There’s no woman more suited to be a duchess than you, Rosena, right? What does our daughter lack in looks, what does she lack?”

“Hmm. That’s true, but.”

Rosena shrugged her shoulders, her mood softened by the flattering praise.

“It’s unfortunate, but what can we do. Instead, if Evan’s business succeeds greatly, that’ll work. We’ll show Hays what’s what.”

“I wish that would happen too…”

Trisha clicked her tongue and shook her head.

When Evan inherited the Osburn viscounty, Rosena would become a viscountess, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy her.

‘She could have at least become a marchioness…’

Trisha believed that if the crown prince hadn’t married, Rosena could have become the crown princess.

“Master, Madam. We’ll bring in the tea.”

Just then, the maids came in carrying tea.

Among them was Wendy, who had been Cecilia’s maid.

Normally, serving tea to the Osburn household would have been Cecilia’s duty, but now that she was gone, the maids were doing it instead.

Trisha’s eyes narrowed as she watched them steeping the tea leaves.

“Wait, those tea leaves are different from what we usually drink?”

“Oh, well, that is…”

Wendy opened her mouth in confusion.

“Miss Cecilia left so suddenly that I couldn’t receive proper instructions…”

“What did you say?”

Trisha shot up from her seat.

Her face turned red and blue with anger.

“How dare you mention that wench’s name in this house?”

“Ma, Madam. Please forgive me! I was just—”

“Shut up!”

Before Wendy could finish speaking, Trisha’s hand flew out.

Her rough hand struck Wendy’s cheek without hesitation.

A sharp crack rang out along with Wendy’s cry of pain.

“How dare a mere maid talk back to her master?”

She was already jealous about the news of the new duchess.

With Cecilia’s name coming up too, it was like pouring oil on fire.

Trisha began taking out her frustrations on Wendy.

“You! Come to think of it, you were especially close to that wench Cecilia, weren’t you? So now you’re mocking me. Is that it? I’ll fix that damn habit of yours right now!”

“Ahhh! I, I was wrong, Madam!”

Wendy crouched on the floor, desperately covering her head.

But Trisha didn’t stop and kept hitting her head repeatedly.

The servants hurriedly gathered to try to stop her.

“Madam! Please have mercy. We’ll teach Wendy properly again—”

“Get away! You damn things! Anyone who interferes will be thrown out immediately without a letter of recommendation! If you want to starve to death on the streets, go ahead and try!”

But Trisha glared and growled at them.

Overwhelmed by her intensity, the servants could only stamp their feet helplessly.

Cloud just clicked his tongue familiarly and continued drinking his tea.

Then Rosena stood up, ostentatiously stroking her belly.

“Mother, the baby will hear. Stop it now.”

“Oh, right. My precious grandchild shouldn’t be startled.”

Only then did Trisha’s hand stop.

Wendy, collapsed on the floor, could only shed tears silently while trembling.

Rosena kicked Wendy’s shoulder lightly with her toe.

“Get up, Wendy. I’m going out now, so prepare immediately.”

“Yes, yes…”

Wendy’s face was swollen as she staggered to her feet, and blood flowed from her split lip.

The other servants clicked their tongues inwardly at the sight.

But no one dared to step forward.

Trisha glared at Wendy and spoke coldly.

“You stupid thing. Know that it’s only ending here thanks to Rosena.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you, Madam. Miss…”

“Watch your mouth. Should you be showing such a scene in front of a pregnant woman? Now, hurry up.”

Rosena glanced at Wendy with disdain and left first.

Wendy hurriedly followed behind her.

The remaining servants watched their retreating figures gloomily.

“What are you doing? Go work right now! Do I really need to throw you out with nothing but the clothes on your backs before you come to your senses?”

“No, no, Madam!”

When Trisha shouted, the servants finally scattered busily.

* * *

“Tch, Hays here, Hays there…”

Though she had gone out to change her mood, Rosena’s face was soon full of dissatisfaction.

Everywhere she went, there was nothing but talk of the Duchess of Hays.

The newspaper stands were the same.

“Duchess of Hays, All Eyes Focus on First Appearance”

It was an article predicting which family’s banquet the new duchess would choose as the stage for her first public appearance.

Reading it, Rosena pouted with displeasure.

“When the time comes, she’ll crawl out on her own. Why all this fuss? What’s so great about being a duchess?”

Imagining another woman receiving all the attention of high society instead of herself made her feel bad.

Then Wendy, who was following behind, caught her eye.

Though she had wiped away the blood from the morning’s beating, her face was still a mess.

Seeing that sight, Rosena’s eyes narrowed.

‘Ugh, look at that state. That’s what happens to those who used to follow Cecilia around.’

A thought suddenly crossed her mind.

As her mother said, wasn’t Wendy the maid who had been closest to Cecilia?

“Hey, Wendy. Tell me honestly.”

Rosena turned around completely to face Wendy.

“Do you really not know where Cecilia is?”

“Pardon?”

Wendy’s eyes widened.

She had actually been curious about Cecilia’s whereabouts too.

“Ah, yes… I really don’t know.”

“Really? No letters or anything? You know you’ll get beaten more if you lie.”

“I, there really was nothing! If you need to, you can search my room.”

Wendy added hastily, terrified.

She didn’t seem to be lying.

Rosena fanned herself and clicked her tongue.

“Fine. Why would I go to your dusty attic room?”

“Yes…”

“What a heartless girl. Abandoning even the maid she treated like a sister.”

“…”

“You, if you ever find out about Cecilia’s whereabouts, you must tell me immediately. Understood?”

“I understand…”

Wendy nodded for now, though terrified.

But she had no intention of doing so at all.

Handing Cecilia over to the people of the Osburn Viscounty would put her in even greater danger.

Rosena made a dismissive shooing gesture as if annoyed.

“Ugh, seeing your wretched appearance just makes me feel worse. You go ahead first.”

“Yes….”

“On your way, stop by that dessert shop over there and buy some patissier’s special chocolate. I’ll eat it with the baby later.”

“Understood.”

Wendy received 1 crown in gold coins, bowed her head, and withdrew.

It was when Wendy was heading toward the dessert shop.

“Ah…?”

Suddenly someone grabbed Wendy and dragged her into an alley.

She was pulled into the alley without any chance to resist.

“Who, who are you? Let go of me!”

Wendy struggled desperately to pull her arm free while shouting.

Fear filled her eyes.

‘Am I being kidnapped right now?’

Being a maid in a noble house was a job that guaranteed fairly stable wages.

So she had heard stories of people who targeted this, kidnapping maids and then demanding ransom from their families.

Wendy planted her feet firmly and resisted being dragged away.

“If you don’t let go, I’ll scream!”

Wendy was breathing heavily.

As she was counting one, two in her mind….

“Calm down. Wendy. It’s me.”

When the other person removed their robe, Wendy’s eyes widened.

The face revealed from under the hood was the person Wendy had missed so dearly.

“Ce, Cecilia, miss?”

Wendy took another step closer with an expression of disbelief.

To think that Cecilia, who had vanished without a trace, was right before her eyes.

“Yes, it’s me. Sorry for startling you. I thought it would be better to talk somewhere quiet.”

“Miss, this isn’t a dream, is it? Where have you been all this time?”

“Many things happened. I was actually planning to contact you soon….”

Cecilia’s words cut off abruptly and her expression hardened.

Her gaze lingered on Wendy’s swollen cheek and split lip.

“Wendy, what happened to your face? What are all these injuries?”

“Oh, this is….”

“Did they beat you at the Osburn Viscounty?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————