Episode 126. I Was the Victim, Yet Blamed
Gwen left the room, saying he would handle the remaining matters. Rose was deeply relieved by the lawsuit progressing faster than expected. On the other hand, she felt a sense of bewilderment.
In her previous life, she had only run away, let alone filed a lawsuit, but now she was confidently walking forward.
Why hadn't she done anything back then?
Gwen left the room, saying he would handle the remaining matters. Rose was deeply relieved by the lawsuit progressing faster than expected. On the other hand, she felt a sense of bewilderment.
In her previous life, she had only run away, let alone filed a lawsuit, but now she was confidently walking forward.
Why hadn't she done anything back then?
'Litigation, when you think about it, isn't that big of a deal.'
She recalled her past life. Her life where she had been busy running away.
Her husband's affair with his friend.
Her first love, who had abandoned her in their common-law relationship and married someone else, only to have the seal of approval slip away.
Because it was her first love. Because it was her first love.
Because she trusted him... She had been foolishly taken advantage of.
Many people considered her foolish. They asked her why she trusted men so foolishly.
Why did she keep a vixen like her husband by her side?
They said she had given him the starting point for the affair in the first place, that it was her fault for being so trusting.
Even though she wasn't at fault, the arrows of blame were directed at her just like Lee Do-hyun.
No, in fact, it felt like she was being criticized even more than they were.
For running away like an idiot without filing a lawsuit.
For just getting taken advantage of like an idiot.
'Why did she run away like an idiot without doing anything?'
'That's because she's stupid. If it were me, I wouldn't have let it go.'
“I thought it must be difficult for you to live in a foreign land. I thought bringing back the people you worked with would make life a little more comfortable for Mom and Dad.”
“My Rose, you’re so grown up. To think of such admirable things.”
Rivera gently hugged Rose and patted her back carefully.
“Thank you, baby.”
There weren’t many people, but there were a few familiar faces.
Rivera decided not to ask whether those who hadn't arrived had refused to return to the mansion or were still unsure of their fate.
He simply expressed gratitude for those who had returned.
Daemon and Rivera exchanged enthusiastic greetings with the returning employees.
Seeing the Serviats calm down somewhat, Rose slowly led them inside.
"Honey, isn't this too much?"
Rivera looked at Rose with a puzzled expression.
The interior of the mansion was even more magnificent than it appeared from the outside. A beautifully decorated chandelier revealed grandeur.
It was a mansion even grander than when Demon and Rivera had lived in the capital.
"You've made a big decision to move here. I wanted to take the utmost care of you."
A strange feeling filled her as she spoke. A thrill of unknown origin.
It was a different feeling from when she gave her parents a small gift.
Rose's lips twitched involuntarily at the sight of Daemon and Rivera's wide-eyed gaze as they toured the mansion.
Rose felt the excitement they felt.
She was grateful to be able to give so generously to her beloved family.
"Mother, Father, do you like the mansion? I took great care in choosing it, but I'm not sure if it's worth it."
"It's not bad. It's almost too much."
"Isn't that too much?"
Rivera and Demon were at a loss for words.
Rivera hadn't realized the mansion would be this grand. With her current financial resources, if she were to buy a house in the capital, she could afford a smaller one.
"It's not that difficult. Not at all. As you know, the land in the Arteum Estate is cheap. For now."
She had a strange feeling of ominousness.
“You should come stay with us, too. Don’t be a burden to His Highness the Grand Duke of Artaeum any longer.”
Get out of the Grand Duke’s mansion?
“This isn’t why you brought us to the Artaeum territory?”
“Yes.”
The maid worriedly said that Cedric’s expression was very bad.
“Really? He seems a bit busy these days.”
However, Tercia didn’t think much of it.
“He’ll come in, I guess.”
She turned and headed to her bedroom.
However, for some reason, Cedric did not return to the mansion even after several days.
Cedric, the real power behind Count Wence, had vanished without a trace.
She recalled her past life. Her life where she had been busy running away.
Her husband's affair with his friend.
Her first love, who had abandoned her in their common-law relationship and married someone else, only to have the seal of approval slip away.
Because it was her first love. Because it was her first love.
Because she trusted him... She had been foolishly taken advantage of.
Many people considered her foolish. They asked her why she trusted men so foolishly.
Why did she keep a vixen like her husband by her side?
They said she had given him the starting point for the affair in the first place, that it was her fault for being so trusting.
Even though she wasn't at fault, the arrows of blame were directed at her just like Lee Do-hyun.
No, in fact, it felt like she was being criticized even more than they were.
For running away like an idiot without filing a lawsuit.
For just getting taken advantage of like an idiot.
'Why did she run away like an idiot without doing anything?'
'That's because she's stupid. If it were me, I wouldn't have let it go.'
'Byeol-ha was a bit naive after all.'
'She said her husband was so good to her, but he cheated on her.'
'That's right. Remember back then? She told us the secret to a long-lasting relationship, didn't she?'
'Yeah. It's kind of funny now that I think about it.'
'Hey, I guess I was a bit harsh when I said funny.'
'Yeah, it was bad.'
'What's wrong with them? Why didn't they register their marriage?'
'Hey, who registers their marriage right away these days? They might get divorced, so they don't even register their marriage. There are kids around me who lived like that for a few months and then broke up.'
'And even if they don't register their marriage, it's recognized as a common-law marriage, right?'
'She said her husband was so good to her, but he cheated on her.'
'That's right. Remember back then? She told us the secret to a long-lasting relationship, didn't she?'
'Yeah. It's kind of funny now that I think about it.'
'Hey, I guess I was a bit harsh when I said funny.'
'Yeah, it was bad.'
'What's wrong with them? Why didn't they register their marriage?'
'Hey, who registers their marriage right away these days? They might get divorced, so they don't even register their marriage. There are kids around me who lived like that for a few months and then broke up.'
'And even if they don't register their marriage, it's recognized as a common-law marriage, right?'
'What's the point if it's recognized as a common-law marriage? Byeol-ha didn't do anything, like suing or anything, and disappeared.'
'Really?'
'Yes. I don't think she even filed a complaint for adultery yet. What's going on with her apartment?'
'I heard they're selling the apartment? They're dividing the property by agreement.'
'Wow, what if he doesn't give it to her?'
It was a day when Byeol-ha went out for some fresh air, unable to withstand her family's nagging, before going down to the countryside.
She ran into some old school friends at a cafe.
They didn't recognize her. She was wearing a deep-cropped hat and shabby clothes, a style completely different from her usual self. Byeol-ha overheard them chattering about her story.
She only confided in her close friends, but somehow the rumor spread.
The unbearable pain she felt was nothing more than a comfort to them.
Of course, there were many who offered sincere comfort, but it was inevitable that negative comments would sink deeper than kind words.
Every single word that pierced her heart drove her deeper into darkness.
This incident ultimately became the decisive factor in Byeol-ha's retreat to the countryside.
Rose smiled bitterly at the memory that had long since surfaced.
Although she was the obvious victim, she was the one being criticized.
She was criticized more than the cheaters.
It was a strange phenomenon where the "victim" was blamed more than the "perpetrator."
Even if not filing a lawsuit was a regrettable choice, whether to file or not was simply her choice.
Byeol-ha's inaction might have been frustrating, but the only person who could criticize her for being foolish was Byeol-ha herself.
Her life had been a hell, completely deceived by her lover.
Days so utterly ruined that the thought of filing a lawsuit was unthinkable.
Rose muttered to herself, recalling the difficult past, when even standing up was a struggle.
“...I was so foolish back then.”
Those were the words she could finally utter.
Now, she had become numb to the point where she could say them without hesitation. That must mean she had become that strong.
Rose lifted the teacup from the table. A faint aroma rose from the lukewarm tea.
Rose sipped the tea. The tea she had thought was cold was now warm and moistening her lips.
“Oh my, my goodness.”
Rivera blinked wide eyes and shook Daemon’s shoulder.
"Honey, is this really the house we're going to live in?"
'Really?'
'Yes. I don't think she even filed a complaint for adultery yet. What's going on with her apartment?'
'I heard they're selling the apartment? They're dividing the property by agreement.'
'Wow, what if he doesn't give it to her?'
It was a day when Byeol-ha went out for some fresh air, unable to withstand her family's nagging, before going down to the countryside.
She ran into some old school friends at a cafe.
They didn't recognize her. She was wearing a deep-cropped hat and shabby clothes, a style completely different from her usual self. Byeol-ha overheard them chattering about her story.
She only confided in her close friends, but somehow the rumor spread.
The unbearable pain she felt was nothing more than a comfort to them.
Of course, there were many who offered sincere comfort, but it was inevitable that negative comments would sink deeper than kind words.
Every single word that pierced her heart drove her deeper into darkness.
This incident ultimately became the decisive factor in Byeol-ha's retreat to the countryside.
Rose smiled bitterly at the memory that had long since surfaced.
Although she was the obvious victim, she was the one being criticized.
She was criticized more than the cheaters.
It was a strange phenomenon where the "victim" was blamed more than the "perpetrator."
Even if not filing a lawsuit was a regrettable choice, whether to file or not was simply her choice.
Byeol-ha's inaction might have been frustrating, but the only person who could criticize her for being foolish was Byeol-ha herself.
Her life had been a hell, completely deceived by her lover.
Days so utterly ruined that the thought of filing a lawsuit was unthinkable.
Rose muttered to herself, recalling the difficult past, when even standing up was a struggle.
“...I was so foolish back then.”
Those were the words she could finally utter.
Now, she had become numb to the point where she could say them without hesitation. That must mean she had become that strong.
Rose lifted the teacup from the table. A faint aroma rose from the lukewarm tea.
Rose sipped the tea. The tea she had thought was cold was now warm and moistening her lips.
***
“Oh my, my goodness.”
Rivera blinked wide eyes and shook Daemon’s shoulder.
"Honey, is this really the house we're going to live in?"
Her gaping mouth seemed unable to close.
After finishing her work, Rose escorted Daemon and Rivera to the mansion that had been prepared.
The mansion was truly luxurious.
The expansive garden was filled with lush green leaves, welcoming the arrival of spring. Flower beds filled with vibrant spring flowers and a grand, manicured tree caught the eye. The hired staff all bowed respectfully to Demon and Rivera. One of them, an elderly man, raised his head and looked at Demon.
After finishing her work, Rose escorted Daemon and Rivera to the mansion that had been prepared.
The mansion was truly luxurious.
The expansive garden was filled with lush green leaves, welcoming the arrival of spring. Flower beds filled with vibrant spring flowers and a grand, manicured tree caught the eye. The hired staff all bowed respectfully to Demon and Rivera. One of them, an elderly man, raised his head and looked at Demon.
"Count."
"You...!"
"It's been a long time since I've seen you."
Daemon's eyes wavered at the man.
"...You're alive."
Long ago, he was the butler for Count Serviat's family.
He had returned. To resume his duties at Count Serviat's new residence.
Daemon and the old man stared at each other in silence.
Their eyes held a complex, indescribable emotion.
Daemon, having been forced to let go of his employees after the fall, always felt a pang of guilt.
The fall wasn't the fault of the Serviat family. However, he worried that working for his family would lead to their involvement in something bad.
Threats, imprisonment, even death.
That's why he deliberately avoided checking their fate. If he heard of their deaths, it would all feel like his fault.
"Your face is badly damaged."
The old man spoke first. His eyes held no resentment.
His gaze at Daemon held only a sense of gratitude.
"...You've aged quite a bit."
"I wonder how long it will last."
"You...!"
"It's been a long time since I've seen you."
Daemon's eyes wavered at the man.
"...You're alive."
Long ago, he was the butler for Count Serviat's family.
He had returned. To resume his duties at Count Serviat's new residence.
Daemon and the old man stared at each other in silence.
Their eyes held a complex, indescribable emotion.
Daemon, having been forced to let go of his employees after the fall, always felt a pang of guilt.
The fall wasn't the fault of the Serviat family. However, he worried that working for his family would lead to their involvement in something bad.
Threats, imprisonment, even death.
That's why he deliberately avoided checking their fate. If he heard of their deaths, it would all feel like his fault.
"Your face is badly damaged."
The old man spoke first. His eyes held no resentment.
His gaze at Daemon held only a sense of gratitude.
"...You've aged quite a bit."
"I wonder how long it will last."
"As you can see, I've been in excellent health."
Silence flowed between Daemon and the man once more. Their intense gazes rippled gently, like a lake.
Without a word, Daemon and the man opened their arms to each other and shared a warm hug.
“Thank you for being alive. I truly... thank you.”
Rivera wiped away tears without realizing it as she watched Daemon.
Knowing how much he had suffered, she couldn’t help but choke up.
“Rose.”
Rivera sobbed and looked at Rose. They weren’t tears of sadness, but of emotion.
“Thank you. I didn’t know you would bring back the people who worked at the Serviat mansion.”
Silence flowed between Daemon and the man once more. Their intense gazes rippled gently, like a lake.
Without a word, Daemon and the man opened their arms to each other and shared a warm hug.
“Thank you for being alive. I truly... thank you.”
Rivera wiped away tears without realizing it as she watched Daemon.
Knowing how much he had suffered, she couldn’t help but choke up.
“Rose.”
Rivera sobbed and looked at Rose. They weren’t tears of sadness, but of emotion.
“Thank you. I didn’t know you would bring back the people who worked at the Serviat mansion.”
“I thought it must be difficult for you to live in a foreign land. I thought bringing back the people you worked with would make life a little more comfortable for Mom and Dad.”
“My Rose, you’re so grown up. To think of such admirable things.”
Rivera gently hugged Rose and patted her back carefully.
“Thank you, baby.”
There weren’t many people, but there were a few familiar faces.
Rivera decided not to ask whether those who hadn't arrived had refused to return to the mansion or were still unsure of their fate.
He simply expressed gratitude for those who had returned.
Daemon and Rivera exchanged enthusiastic greetings with the returning employees.
Seeing the Serviats calm down somewhat, Rose slowly led them inside.
"Honey, isn't this too much?"
Rivera looked at Rose with a puzzled expression.
The interior of the mansion was even more magnificent than it appeared from the outside. A beautifully decorated chandelier revealed grandeur.
It was a mansion even grander than when Demon and Rivera had lived in the capital.
"You've made a big decision to move here. I wanted to take the utmost care of you."
A strange feeling filled her as she spoke. A thrill of unknown origin.
It was a different feeling from when she gave her parents a small gift.
Rose's lips twitched involuntarily at the sight of Daemon and Rivera's wide-eyed gaze as they toured the mansion.
Rose felt the excitement they felt.
She was grateful to be able to give so generously to her beloved family.
"Mother, Father, do you like the mansion? I took great care in choosing it, but I'm not sure if it's worth it."
"It's not bad. It's almost too much."
"Isn't that too much?"
Rivera and Demon were at a loss for words.
Rivera hadn't realized the mansion would be this grand. With her current financial resources, if she were to buy a house in the capital, she could afford a smaller one.
"It's not that difficult. Not at all. As you know, the land in the Arteum Estate is cheap. For now."
Rose trailed off meaningfully and closed her eyes.
At this price, she would never be able to enter the Arteum Estate.
'I bought the mansion and used the remaining money to buy the land, too.'
She had paid a premium for the land in Count Serviat's name. She had no doubt that the land in the Arteum Estate, now worthless, would skyrocket.
Of course, Rose's share of the land was much larger.
Most of the land near the department store site was Rose's. Thanks to Gwen's excellent financial management, her wealth had grown even before she started her business.
Thanks to him, Rose was able to buy the land without much difficulty. Without a loan, with only cash.
"Now, live happily in this mansion."
"Yes, dear. You're such a good daughter."
Rivera linked arms with Rose with a girlish smile. And Daemon said,
“Let’s get along well, the three of us, in this mansion.”
Rose tilted her head for a moment at Daemon’s words.
“Three...?”
The only people living in this mansion, excluding the servants, are her mother and father...
At this price, she would never be able to enter the Arteum Estate.
'I bought the mansion and used the remaining money to buy the land, too.'
She had paid a premium for the land in Count Serviat's name. She had no doubt that the land in the Arteum Estate, now worthless, would skyrocket.
Of course, Rose's share of the land was much larger.
Most of the land near the department store site was Rose's. Thanks to Gwen's excellent financial management, her wealth had grown even before she started her business.
Thanks to him, Rose was able to buy the land without much difficulty. Without a loan, with only cash.
"Now, live happily in this mansion."
"Yes, dear. You're such a good daughter."
Rivera linked arms with Rose with a girlish smile. And Daemon said,
“Let’s get along well, the three of us, in this mansion.”
Rose tilted her head for a moment at Daemon’s words.
“Three...?”
The only people living in this mansion, excluding the servants, are her mother and father...
She had a strange feeling of ominousness.
“You should come stay with us, too. Don’t be a burden to His Highness the Grand Duke of Artaeum any longer.”
Get out of the Grand Duke’s mansion?
“This isn’t why you brought us to the Artaeum territory?”
It was a bolt from the blue for Rose, who was in love.
Meanwhile, Tercia, who had parted ways with Eric, returned to her mansion.
As soon as she returned, she looked for Cedric.
“I need to tell him some of my plans.”
Cedric would be happy. He, too, considered Doana a thorn in his side.
She planned to tell him that Eric and Beliana would take care of Doana, so he should just mind his own business.
Tercia headed to Eric’s office. A maid politely spoke to her as she walked away.
“Madam, are you headed to the office?”
“Yes. He's there, right?”
“No, Master is not in the office.”
Tercia stopped walking at the maid’s words.
“Then where is he?”
“He left the mansion, saying he had urgent business.”
“Without even saying where he was going?”
***
Meanwhile, Tercia, who had parted ways with Eric, returned to her mansion.
As soon as she returned, she looked for Cedric.
“I need to tell him some of my plans.”
Cedric would be happy. He, too, considered Doana a thorn in his side.
She planned to tell him that Eric and Beliana would take care of Doana, so he should just mind his own business.
Tercia headed to Eric’s office. A maid politely spoke to her as she walked away.
“Madam, are you headed to the office?”
“Yes. He's there, right?”
“No, Master is not in the office.”
Tercia stopped walking at the maid’s words.
“Then where is he?”
“He left the mansion, saying he had urgent business.”
“Without even saying where he was going?”
“Yes.”
The maid worriedly said that Cedric’s expression was very bad.
“Really? He seems a bit busy these days.”
However, Tercia didn’t think much of it.
“He’ll come in, I guess.”
She turned and headed to her bedroom.
However, for some reason, Cedric did not return to the mansion even after several days.
Cedric, the real power behind Count Wence, had vanished without a trace.
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