THIBV - Chapter 1

 The quiet dawn just before everything begins.

I went to the study and found a book called "The Wicked Woman of All Time."

There were stories of wicked women recorded in history written there.

The first villainess is Katrina Bay.

Katrina, who had a reputation as the beauty of the century, received a threat, not a threat, from the man she was courting: "If you don't marry me, I'll kill you."

Katrina did not accept his proposal, and the grief-stricken man ultimately chose death.

Then, Katrina was branded a villain for the rest of her life as someone who had bewitched a promising man and caused his death.

The second villainess is Margaret Ribena.

Long ago, Margaret. the beautiful daughter of an Emperor, ran away with her lover, a palace knight, because she did not want to be in a political marriage, but was captured while pregnant.

The Emperor, enraged by the Princess's reckless behavior, locked her in a tower, calling her a wicked woman who had given birth to a devil's child.

The third villainess, Elliot Morrit.

Elliot, who was rumored to be a beauty even before her debut in society, married a wealthy man to help her poor family, but he was a huge womanizer with six illegitimate children.

Wlliot suffered for over a decade from her husband's constant infidelity, and when she saw him flirting with her younger sister, she became so angry that she poisoned his food, but failed.

Afterward, she stood trial as a wicked woman who tried to kill her husband.

Women who turn down proposals from men they don't want, choose love over parental orders and refuse to tolerate unfaithful husbands, become wicked women.

'All three are actions I couldn't do.'

According to the records, these women all said, 'I do not regret my actions.'

I thought that was true.

Because I only made choices that did not make me a villain, I regret my life.

I suddenly became curious.

'Will my name be in someone's book in this life?'

That might be the case.

Because in this life, I plan to do things I couldn't do in the past.

Even if the world calls me a villainess.

***

The mansion was bustling from the morning.

It was because it was the day that Viscount Winston returned from his business trip abroad after three years.

The maids had seen Viscountess Winston loitering in the hallway for several hours.

She was a person with neatly trimmed wheat-colored hair that seemed to show a gentle personality, and calm blue eyes that gave off a gentle atmosphere like pearls.

Her beautiful peach cheeks were flushed with either tension or anticipation.

"What does a husband who left his wife right after getting married miss so much?"

"That too for three years."

"If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to leave such a pretty wife."

"the carriage is coming!"

"Oh my, already?"

The maids, who were busy preparing to welcome their master for the first time in a long time, hid the mops and cleaning tools they were holding and ran out to the entrance.

Viscountess Winston and Bridget were the first to come out.

The carriage circled the sumptuous garden fountain and arrived at the front door.

But when the door opened, it wasn't just the Viscunt who went out.

"Female?"

"He brought a woman!"

"Oh my, that person..."

The two people getting out of the carriage looked so affectionate that anyone would think their eyes had met.

Their unusual glances, exchanged smiles, and unhesitating kinship seemed to show off their inappropriate relationship.

the maids, whose eyes were wide open and who were muttering, immediately realized what was happening.

Viscount Winston brought his lover!

And that lover is none other than...

"That is your old friend, Mrs. Penelope Bellingham!"

"Oh my God..."

The employee's face hardened.

The employees standing at the entrance looked at Bridget.

Thinking that their Madam, who is gentle and kind-hearted, might not be able to endure this situation and might faint.

But contrary to everyone's expectations, Bridget smiled elegantly and approached her cheating husband and her friend.

"Welcome, you two coming together!"

It was a very welcome voice.

"I can't tell you how happy I am to see the two people I love together."

The maids were astonished.

"I guess Madam don't know what's going on."

"That's because she is pure."

"Poor Madam..."

The maids whispered softly and sighed in regret.

It was hard to look at Bridget's beautiful smile.

Eventually, her personal maid, Anna, stepped in and whispered to Bridget.

"Madam, there are baby supplies in the carriage!"

The expression was that the woman seemed to be pregnant with her husband's child.

But Bridget wasn't surprised to hear that.

Instead, she smiled and approached her friend.

"Congratulations, Penelope. Is this my husband's child?"

"...!"

everyone's movements stopped.

Even the coachman who was unloading the luggage from the carriage froze while holding the trunk.

Even Isaac Winston, the shameless mastermind behind this incident, was momentarily frozen.

Bridget's reaction was more disconcerting than the situation where her cheating husband and her best friend showed up together.

Penelope looked between Isaac and Bridget, at a loss for words at the unexpected congratulations.

"Hey, Bridget. I have something to tell you, and it's..."

But before Penelope could tell the truth, Isaac stepped forward.

"You must be tired from the long carriage ride. Go inside and rest. I will talk to my wife."

"But..."

Isaac gave orders to his employees without care.

"Take Mrs. Bellingham to the VIP room. A sunny room would be good."

What a confident attitude.

'If anyone saw him, they would think he was a general.'

Even though they were employees receiving a salary from the Viscount, no one could defend him.

Everyone had a similar expression on their faces.

Their gaze turned to the poor and pitiful Madam.

Bridget just stood there blankly watching her husband embrace his lover in front of her.

"She's so shocked. That's why she can't believe this situation. It's so heartbreaking.'

If only Bridget had gotten angry and cried and screamed, if only she had made a scene and grabbed Peleope's hair, no one would have felt sorry for her.

But how can she be so calm all this time?"

It's as if she had anticipated this situation and prepared herself mentally.

Even Bridget was kind.

"It seems that Penelope is pregnant, so please give her the VIP room on the second floor as my husband said. A room with fewer stairs would be good for a pregnant woman."

Isaac looked at Bridget as if he found it strange, and Penelope trembled in caution.

The two people who had decided to act shameless instead looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

"I really don't know what you're thinking."

Isaac shook his head and looked at Bridget suspiciously, then hugged Penelope and went into the mansion.

Bridget stared at the backs of the two people.

It wasn't a look of anger or sadness.

Rather, the fact that her cheeks were flushed seemed to indicate that she was truly happy about this situation.

"Tell Mrs. Bellingham's parents to take her away, Madam. Put her in a convent."

Anna said with a grin.

"I must tell you how shameful this is! How long after her husband passed away, she is sleeping with another man! And her friend's husband at that! I don't know how she dared to set foot in the mansion where the mistress lives. The master who brought that woman here is really amazing. Ha!"

Bridget tried to calm Anna down as she ran wild.

"You don't have to do that, Anna."

"There's no need for that!"

"The quiet mansion will be filled with the sound of children's laughter. Children's voices bring vitality."

Anna's eyes widened.

"You don't think you'll be able to get Mrs. Bellingham out by then? Oh, for God's sake. Are you in your right mind, Madma?"

"Yes, I'm more conscious than ever."

Bridget smiled at Anna and went into the mansion.

Anna looked at Bridget's back with her mouth open.

'She's crazy. The Lady must be crazy.'

It wasn't just Anna's thoughts.

It was the beginning of the incredible cohabitation that the whole world thought was crazy.

                                                                Next

Support Novellate!