It was early in the morning when good children would be in dreamland. Leaving the soundly sleeping Noel, Diana finished dressing and stepped out into the corridor.
It was a breakfast invitation from the Duke.
Diana was half-asleep, unable to shake off the drowsiness from her face.
Isn't breakfast supposed to be eaten in the morning? Why are we eating so early in the morning?
"Yawn-."
She couldn't overcome her fatigue and let out a small yawn.
'Oh my, how frivolous.'
'I know, right? I heard she's a commoner without a family background?'
'I heard she's from a lowly background. She caught the young master's eye while working on the battlefield!'
Many words followed a single yawn. As she abruptly stopped walking, the footsteps of the knights escorting her from behind also stopped.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Didn't you hear it, Sir Knights?"
One knight scratched his ear and looked around. It was a very poor attitude.
"What sound are you referring to?"
Hmm, the knight's light behavior woke her up completely. Diana only moved her eyes and scanned her surroundings.
Clear hostility. Even behind the invisible corridor, unpleasant gazes followed her.
Even the knights standing behind her showed not just displeasure but hatred towards her.
They ignore sounds that knights with keen senses should have heard.
Hey, Sir Knights. Don't people who have taken the knight's oath show respect to a lady? The knights' code must be crying.
"Where is Sir Daren?"
"Why are you asking us that?"
"Won't he come when it's time to change shifts? Please go ahead. His Grace the Duke will be waiting."
Shut up and go quickly. Our Duke is waiting. Diana showed no reaction to the irritated words.
The knights looked disappointed, seeing Diana's reaction. Did they expect her to lose her temper?
All the ladies-in-waiting and maids dedicated to her showed hostility, whether weak or strong. Even after getting rid of the sachet and stone fragments together, their impure emotions did not disappear.
Why? As she tilted her head in wonder, the door opened.
"Come in."
Entering the breakfast room, there was someone who arrived before the Duke. Irene smiled brightly and offered a seat, greeting her as if she were the mistress of this household.
"His Grace the Duke has breakfast early. Are you not tired? Hmm, what should I call you? I don't know your family, I don't know your name. I don't know anything about you."
In summary, she doesn't understand why someone of low status, whose background is unknown, is here.
"..."
"Oh my, did I say something difficult? Ah, thank you."
The maid who brought a new napkin instead of the dropped one responded pleasantly.
"It's nothing, young lady."
The servants all directed their gazes towards Irene, mixed with goodwill, favor, and even affection.
On the other hand, what about her?
Diana's lips curled up in interest at the hostile gaze filled with antagonism, as if looking at a villainess.
'Hmm. Look at this?'
"So, what's your name?"
Your words are short? The corners of Diana's mouth rose even higher. Like a real villainess.
Should I tell you my name? Or not. While Diana was weighing her options, the door to the breakfast room opened.
"Oh, sister-in-law, you're here?"
Diana answered with a smile and stood up from her seat, looking at the Duke who followed.
"Sister-in-law, aren't you tired? You could have had your meal comfortably in your room. Father is a workaholic, so breakfast is a bit early."
When the Duke sat down, everyone took their seats. Diana briefly responded to Felice's words and started the meal.
"Elder brother, good morning."
When Irene, who was sitting next to him, spoke, the corners of Felice's mouth visibly drooped.
"Yeah. Right."
Oh, she's younger than Felice? Then that means she's younger than Diana, who is the same age as Felice.
Moreover, she should have greeted the Duke first. Irene acted as if she only saw Felice. It wasn't a pleasant sight.
She said she was the daughter of a count. Noel gave her a rough idea. He said he asked Felice and told her about Irene in detail.
Since the estate was so vast and their living areas were different, she thought there was no need to know as they would never encounter each other. Thank you, Noel.
The pink eyes under the eyelashes, long enough to cast shadows, shone elegantly.
'You know what? I don't bite unless bitten first. Did you provoke me first?'
Like a lioness eyeing its prey, Diana quietly hid her claws and assessed her opponent.
Search "seduce" at redcatty [.] com to read ahead up to chap 70.