Chapter 1

The noble ladies of Betrico always joked that being in my circle was better than having a mansion full of servants.

Ever since I remarried Richard Bennett, the Marquis of Northgate, I had become the main wife in Betrico, most famous for recruiting servants.

I no longer cared how Richard favored Vivian Lane.

Even when our son, Edward Bennett, called Vivian, "Mom," I ignored it.

There was only one new rule in the household.

Every time someone mentioned Vivian, another servant was added to my staff.

Thanks to this rule, within two weeks, I had thirty new servants working for me.

On our wedding anniversary, Richard and Edward were chatting in the study when Vivian's name came up again.

They both looked a bit uncomfortable, but I skillfully opened my palm and flashed the servant ledger I always carried with me. "Add one servant to my name at the Southern Villa."

Edward couldn't hold back anymore. His young face twisted with disdain. "Mom, is there anything in your world besides these servants? You even nitpick over such tiny things. You're not even half as reasonable as Vivian."

I didn't bother arguing. I slid the ledger over to him. "One. Since you brought it up, you should be the one to pay."

Edward stared at me, wide-eyed, like I was a stranger.

I pushed the ledger closer. "One servant. I won't have to ask you twice, will I?"

With a loud crash, Richard swept his sleeve across the table, knocking over the cups. He pulled Edward behind him, his brow furrowed. "Charlotte, are you done making a scene?"

I looked up at him, my lips curving into a slight, mocking smile. "How is this making a scene? I never insisted on bringing Edward to her."

Richard froze for a second, then went back to normal.

He gently took the hand holding the ledger, his voice softening. "This is my mistake. It's our special day; don't be upset, okay?"

There was a time when I would have given anything, even in my dreams, to hear a kind word from him.

But now, all I could hear was the weariness and impatience in his voice.

"I'm not upset. Give me the servant on his behalf," I replied.

Richard's patience finally ran out. "Great! Charlotte, you've really made me see you differently."

He pulled out a small bronze servant token, dipped it in red ink, and slammed a bold mark onto my ledger. Then he scooped up Edward and left with a dramatic sweep of his sleeve.

I cast my eyes down at the fresh red mark on the ledger, not bothering about where they had gone.

Either way, Vivian would make sure I got the answers I needed.

I unfolded the slip of paper my maid had quietly pressed into my palm earlier. Her messages always arrived right on time.

Today, Richard and Edward went with Vivian to the western villa to admire the blossoms. From the scene, they looked more like a real family.

After all, Richard and Edward had never invited me to join them for these kinds of family outings.

Let alone admiring blossoms, even when it came to sharing a meal, they'd always come up with some excuse to keep me away.

After a moment, another maid slipped over and presented me with a scroll.

When I unrolled it, I found several impressionistic portraits of Richard and Vivian by the grove. The brushwork was suggestive, leaving little doubt about the closeness between them.

Outside the estate, a professional snoop had someone deliver a message, his words dripping with barely concealed threats. "Lady Charlotte, you wouldn't want Lord Richard's little escapades to become the talk of Betrico, would you?

"Now that you've patched things up, you'd better hold onto your position as lady of the house, don't you think?"

I couldn't be bothered to reply. I waved my hand, telling my maid to escort him out.

Why should I be the one to fix their mess?

An hour later, rumors about Richard and his newly accepted concubine, Vivian, being entangled in romance swept through the streets like wildfire.

When Richard returned to the estate, his gaze was brooding, with anger simmering beneath the surface. "Was this your doing?"

I glanced at the cheap imitation painting in his hand, the kind that got passed around by gossip in the streets.

Apparently, that snoop didn't get any leverage out of Richard, so, frustrated, he let the whole story loose to stir up trouble.

The way Richard looked at me made it obvious he thought I was the mastermind behind it all.

I kept my voice steady. "It wasn't me. He didn't get what he wanted, so now he's out there spreading rumors like a rabid dog."

Richard let out a cold laugh and grabbed my chin. "Servants? Who else in this world is as crazy about hoarding servants as you?

"The moment we got back together, you insisted on getting servants for your estate. Even when Edward said something without thinking, you still wanted to turn someone into your servant.

"Pretending to be all innocent here, don't you think it's pathetic?"

My nails bit into my palm as I pulled away from his grasp.

Even though everything he said was true, my chest felt tight, and I could barely breathe.

Richard knew the real reason I kept so many servants was to quietly give refuge to those women and children left homeless by war, about to be sold off.

But to him, it was nothing more than me competing for his attention and trying to grab power.

I let out a low, bitter laugh.

As I pulled away from Richard, the tassel of the jade pendant at his waist scratched the back of my hand.

Edward saw blood seeping from the back of my hand, his expression changed, and he rushed over, wanting to check on me.

I thought he'd do what he used to as a little boy, cup my hand and blow gently to soothe the pain.

But instead, Edward jabbed his finger right onto my wound, pressing down hard.

Completely unprepared, the pain hit me so suddenly that tears sprang to my eyes.

Edward called out to Vivian, who had hurried into the estate, as if he were showing off. "Vivian, did you see that?

"Mean Mom made you cry, so I got back at her for you. I made her cry, too.

"I'll protect you forever, as Dad told me to."

I froze, and suddenly, even the urge to cry was gone.

Richard rushed to cover Edward's mouth, shooting me a panicked look. "He's a kid, Charlotte. You're his mother; don't hold it against him."

I was dazed for a while before it finally hit me what Richard meant.

I tried to wipe my tears, but they kept falling, completely out of my control.

A hint of confusion flashed in Richard's eyes as he handed me his silk handkerchief. "Here, wipe your tears. Don't cry."

At the same time, I slid the servant ledger toward them again. "Two. Since you both mentioned her just now."