The color drained from Josephine’s face.

Taking advantage of her shock, Kanna continued to speak, enunciating every word. “Why should I allow you to dictate when I come and go? You are a guest living in my house!”

“Y-your house? A-a-a guest?!”

“Yes. This estate was passed down to Duke Silvian Valentino, and I am his wife. You, on the other hand, ought to have moved out a long time ago!”

This hit the countess where it hurt most—in her authority as a Valentino. She wished to remain the matriarch of the Valentino family forever, never letting go. She had refused to hand the manor over to a new mistress, and so she stayed, despite how poorly it reflected upon her.

Thankfully, her son hadn’t cared to trouble himself with matters of the house. This had given Josephine a sense of security in her position, emboldening her to keep Kanna firmly under her thumb. For years the timid daughter-in-law had played along, never once realizing she had the power to refuse, until...

Something had suddenly changed. This mere shell of a daughter-in-law had struck her to the core.

“Kanna Addis...”

“It’s Kanna Valentino, Mother,” Kanna rasped, savoring each word. Though she held no love for the title, she enjoyed the power it gave her at this moment.

This was the last straw for her mother-in-law. “What are you doing just standing there? Resume the beating!”

But there was no need. Kanna’s weakened body swayed to the side and fell backward with a loud thump of her head hitting the carpet.

Oh, come on. The least you people could’ve done is catch me! I could’ve died if I’d hit the floor any harder... Everything around her began to darken. She could no longer fight the fire consuming her limbs.

“Refuse Kanna any medicine or treatment until she admits her wrongs!” was the last thing Kanna heard before she passed out.

* * *

The girl has lost her mind. It was late at night, but Josephine still hadn’t managed to come to grips with what happened. She couldn’t have changed like that unless she’s absolutely lost it.

Kanna Valentino... No, Kanna Addis. The unwanted bastard child of the Addis family. Black hair, black eyes. Always hiding those cursed eyes behind a curtain of hair. I never should’ve taken in such filth as my daughter-in-law.

In fact, Josephine had never approved of Silvian’s wish to marry Kanna, but hadn’t had a say in the matter. There wasn’t a soul capable of defying his decisions.

But he only married her so he wouldn’t have to marry the second princess. Everyone knows she’s no more than a puppet. How dare she call herself the mistress of this household? And me, a guest? I’ll have to have her killed.

The countess had only tolerated her as long as she stayed invisible and harmless, but clearly, that would no longer be the case.

I never should’ve let her in this house. If not for her, the second princess would’ve been Silvian’s wife. Josephine had done everything in her power to arrange it, after all. And as the princess knew her efforts well, she would have treated her mother-in-law with respect. If only those two had gotten married... But no, my stepson had to pull this wild card instead!

This isn’t how it was supposed to be. If everything had gone her way, she’d be the mother-in-law of a princess, respected by the royal family, looking down on everyone from the top of the social ladder.

Now everything was at stake. She’d once stood out among the noble ladies as Duchess Valentino, but she was nothing now—irrelevant. Her title as a countess held no land, no wealth, and no real power. Without a drop of shared blood to connect them, her son Silvian had given her nothing but that useless title. It was clear he didn’t care for her, and this was the beginning of her downfall.

Silvian made no effort to support her, and as was always the case for noble ladies without male backing, her status rapidly deteriorated. Now she was faced with nowhere to go but down, a fading flower of high society.

None of this would’ve happened if my daughter-in-law were a royal... Josephine snorted. The unwanted bastard who stole that chance from me now claims to be the lady of the manor. I wish she’d just die. I have no use for a daughter-in-law who keeps getting in my way.

Kanna’s calves were in tatters, and she was now running a fever. Feigning innocence and leaving her unattended would likely result in her death, or at least permanently damage her. Her plan was simply to ignore the girl until things took care of themselves.

No one cared whether Kanna lived or died anyway. Not her father, not her siblings, and certainly not her husband.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, her thoughts were interrupted by a maid’s voice. “Lord Valentino is here to see you, my lady.”

What? The countess drew in a sharp breath. Why would Silvian visit me at this hour? He’s never done this before!

Her stepson had always treated her as if she didn’t exist. He would acknowledge her if they happened to run into each other, but no further. He never visited her by choice.

Before she could reply, the door creaked open. Josephine clenched her fists and held her breath, bracing herself. “Silvian.”

The tall man strode through the door into her room. She felt the blizzard emanating from his icy blue eyes.

“W-what brings you here?” she asked, her voice shaking against her will.

He had that effect on people. Not many could stand in front of Silvian Valentino without freezing in place. Josephine swallowed as she took in the duke’s face.

A few strands of silver hair fell carelessly over his forehead and his skin glowed like untouched snow. He looked like a sculpture made of ice–truly beautiful, but undeniably frigid. Even his breath seemed to leave frost in the air, and the slight smile on his face was so cold it seemed to be no kind of smile at all.

What was he doing here? I hope this isn’t about Kanna.

Silvian didn’t reply. He merely walked over to the couch and took a seat. He crossed his long legs and leaned back casually, demonstrating his clear authority even in her own chambers. As Josephine carefully took a seat across from him, he began to speak.

“I heard something rather unusual today.” The low voice, cold as the winter’s frost, sent a chill down Josephine’s spine.

Something unusual? It seems he is here about Kanna after all. But she doesn’t mean anything to you!

“I heard that you confirmed my attendance...”

Huh?

“...at the second princess’s wedding banquet.”

She couldn’t help but sigh with relief. I knew it! He would never come to me about that useless girl!

“Yes. Princess Lilian was so insistent I had no choice but to promise you would be accompanying me.”

Silvian laced his fingers together over his knee. Then, slowly, he lifted his eyes and stared at her, sucking all the air out of her lungs. “Promise?” He sounded like he’d never heard the word before.

Blue eyes... Unbelievably blue. They were so sharp she didn’t dare meet them. She lowered her head like a penitent sinner.

“Have you the authority to make promises on my behalf?” asked the duke, the corner of his mouth creeping slowly upward.

“Silvian, it was just, the princess mentioned your long absence had left her so lonely...”

“Then you can keep her company yourself, Countess. That is the limit of your authority.”

It might as well have been an order. Once he said his piece, the duke stood up and left without another word.

Josephine was left standing in silence, powerless to do anything but clench her fists.