Reincarnated As My Husband's Mistress-Chapter 14: [] A spooky birthday party

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"Count Acacia and I don't usually dine together. We were like thorns in each other's sides. But today, for some reason, we're having dinner and tea together. A peaceful time filled with a strange tension."

I nonchalantly suggested to the Count, who was watching me closely, "Perhaps we should start preparing for a divorce."

It was the first time I'd ever been so brazen, and my heart was pounding. But deceiving Count Acacia was easy. After collapsing at the victory celebration, he had searched for me frantically and had aged considerably in just a few days.

His amber eyes twinkled through his sagging eyelids. He seemed overjoyed at my request and produced a pre-signed divorce agreement. It was clear that he had already discussed this with Noah. His face was filled with an unfounded belief that this was all done with Noah's agreement.

The document was so worn at the edges, it seemed he'd been looking at it for a long time.

I examined the document carefully and quietly said, "What about the alimony?"

"Alimony?"

To start a new life without being tied to Noah as his mistress, I needed money. I couldn't do anything, so I needed funds.

"How much?"

"Give me what you think is fair."

Since it was a marriage arranged by the Grand Duke, I must have brought a considerable dowry. Count Acacia nervously tapped his foot, then held up two fingers. "Would... would this be enough?"

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I frowned at his undignified expression, and he flinched. He quickly raised another finger. "This... this much...?"

"Consider the benefits you'll gain from this."

I planned to take a few maids with me. I wanted to take a few idle hands from this house that no longer had an owner, so naturally, I wanted to be compensated for their wages. But he seemed to think that the benefit he would gain was being spared Noah's punishment. I didn't bother to correct his misunderstanding. Staring at his hesitant fingers, I finally grabbed two of them and lifted them. He shuddered as if I had touched him with an insect and sighed deeply as he finished filling out the divorce papers. With the divorce papers in my hand, I would soon receive a sum of money equivalent to five fingers.

"And until I move into the Grand Duke's mansion, I think I'll continue using this house and the title of Countess. Is that alright?"

He nodded vigorously, as if he would do anything as long as I left. As the Count headed to his study, I breathed a sigh of relief. I had taken the first step to breaking free from Noah's influence.

'I just need to focus on my new life.'

I tried to ignore the lingering ache at the back of my head and focus on the future.

'And I'll say goodbye to Noah, who thinks he has Blier.'

I tried to forget about the past and focus on the future.

***

Every morning, when the Count went out, I would warn him not to mention the divorce to Noah. Soon after, an invitation from the Grand Duke's mansion arrived. As the mistress of the house, I was supposed to open it myself, but I felt uneasy. I spent the entire morning avoiding the invitation, which had been placed on a golden tray by Maji. Instead, I found a beginner's Elacon language textbook in the study and started studying. I had attended the academy for a few years when I was younger, but I had almost forgotten everything.

"Ugh."

Of course, it would have been faster to find a translator, but who would I trust with this diary? The words in the diary weren't too difficult, so if I could just review the basics, I might be able to understand what was written.

'It's just a diary.'

"As soon as I realized this, I regretted not studying properly, to the point where I couldn't even understand such basic sentences. I had put out an ad for a tutor, but while many people learned the Imperial language in Elacon, the opposite was rare. Though Elacon and the Empire didn't have much exchange, they weren't that far apart, so there must be some who taught or learned Elacon. If I could find someone who was discreet and trustworthy, I could learn. Though it would be incredibly frustrating. Unlike the intuitive Imperial language, Elacon's grammar and word usage were varied and extremely frustrating for me."

"Madam, isn't this something the Grand Duke sent?"

"Hmm..."

As I was trying to memorize the Elacon alphabet, Yona asked me cautiously. The maids, who had been busy with their tasks, also glanced at me, curious about where the Grand Duke had invited me. I was just as curious, but I knew I couldn't smile, no matter where he invited me. I wasn't ready.

'Someone who doesn't even like parties.'

And during the 100-day mourning period for Adriene, why would he hold a party? A tea party? The image of Noah playing with a toy tea set with his long fingers made me chuckle. When I thought that he might have sent the invitation, I felt like I could smile. As the maids gradually left the main hall, I slowly reached for the invitation. The contents were absurd. "Invitation to the birthday celebration of Her Highness, Duchess Adriene Swan Trovika." That was the exact beginning, and it was written in Noah's handwriting.

"He's insane."

"Why, Madam?"

Yona, who had been diligently cleaning the windowsill, approached me, but I raised my hand to stop her. Who was holding a birthday celebration for whom? I calmly read the invitation again, wondering if Noah had made a mistake.

"A celebration will be held to commemorate Her Highness, Duchess Adriene Swan Trovika, who was the mother of the Northern Trovika territory. Though Her Highness, who should have seen only the most precious things in the world on a day like today, is now enjoying glory at the side of the gods, those of us who miss her will gather to remember her achievements and cherish her memory during the remaining mourning period. Please join us in remembering Duchess Trovika. For her, who will forever live in our hearts."

It was nonsense from start to finish. Noah was actually holding a 'birthday party for a ghost'.

At the very top of the invitation, in Noah's handwriting, it said, "Invitation to the birthday celebration of Her Highness, Duchess Adriene Swan Trovika," and beneath it, the rest of the nonsense was written in the butler's handwriting.

It was so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh. He must have known that an event at the Grand Duke's mansion was something that the Count of Acacia's household could never miss. This ridiculous birthday party for a ghost was clearly a ploy to draw me in.

Again, it was so strange. Had he always been so fond of events? He hated change and didn't like being the center of attention. So what was this? Wasn't this just something to get people talking?

'The Trovika Grand Duke, who was so devoted to his wife, is holding a birthday party for a ghost, they'll say.'

He was throwing this kind of bait to the society. Why? Was it really out of love for Adriene? Ah, maybe it was.

"Hehehe."

I chuckled softly. On the day of the victory celebration, on the terrace, I had said it clearly. That I loved Adriene. And then I said I wanted Blier. He had even invited me himself, so I couldn't refuse.

Besides, Count Acacia was running around on Noah's orders, and there was no old man to send in my place, so I had to go. And I had to confront Noah and confirm something. Was this insane act really to honor 'Adriene', or was he trying to do something with 'Blier'?

Whatever it was, I was planning to teach him a lesson, so I needed to attend his invitation and humor him a little. As I got ready, I couldn't help but cry, despite my earlier determination.

***

"Madam, the carriage is ready."

I quickly checked my appearance in the mirror. The woman reflected back at me was undoubtedly 'Countess Blier Acacia' as Noah knew her. Jet black hair curled sensually, eyes heavily made up, lips vibrant, and cheeks rosy. Since it was a party, even if it was for a ghost, Noah had sent me a flamboyant red dress. It was an outfit I would never have worn in the past, and wouldn't have even thought about wearing while I was ill.

"I wish I'd known I looked so good in it."

"Yes?"

Yona looked puzzled, and I quickly shook my head. As I rode in the carriage, I kept thinking silly thoughts. Putting aside my resentment towards Noah, I wondered why he had fallen in love with Blier, who looked exactly like me. As I searched for an answer, I realized the blame ultimately fell on me.

'If only I had been healthier.'

If I had been healthier, I could have gone out more often and kept up with the latest fashions. I could have mingled with the other noblewomen and learned how to capture my husband's heart. Just like Blier, who knew her own charms so well. As I thought about how I had been bedridden, wearing only nightgowns, prioritizing a classic and elegant look, I couldn't shake that thought.

***

I stood at the entrance to the party, dazed.

"I'll go get you a shawl, Madam!"

The party, supposedly a birthday party for Adriene, was a very solemn affair. No one else was wearing a colorful dress like mine. The gazes that fell upon me were so sharp. Wreaths placed in one corner of the grand hall read, "In memory of Countess Adriene Swan Trovika." A memorial. A gathering to remember someone. So everyone was dressed in black, some even holding bibles. I was so confused, I felt my legs wobble.

"Well, well."

"!"

"My loyal servant, the Countess of Acacia has arrived, and no one has greeted her."

A familiar voice. It was clearly sarcastic. It was Noah.

Remembering why I was there to please him, I whispered to him, who had already grabbed my wrist.

"... I didn't know it was such a solemn occasion. And why this dress..."

He nodded as if he understood everything and said to the people around him, loud enough for them to hear.

"I understand that my wife is not accustomed to the monastic society. If you don't mind, I'll have something brought from my wife's dressing room for you to cover up with. I might as well give you a present while I'm at it."

At such a party, where people remembered someone, the host would often give gifts to their guests that reminded them of the person being remembered.

"... Thank you."

I replied gratefully, first wanting to avoid the prying eyes.

"Butler."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"First, take care of Countess Acacia."

"Yes!"

The butler smiled and extended his arm. I was trembling. Not only was I angry at Noah, but my soul, which had been silently abused since entering this grand duke's mansion, seemed to be screaming. And the one who extended his arm to me was,

"Shall we go, Madam?"

Gaspar, the very same butler who had remained silent and indifferent to the maids' mistreatment for the past two years.

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