77. The Truth of That Day 1

After hearing Rachel’s story at the tea party yesterday, Psyche had thought Rachel might come to see her eventually, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

“What an audacious woman…”

Psyche couldn’t even laugh at the absurdity of the situation. It felt like a replay of the past.

It seemed Rachel still hadn’t come to her senses.

“Send her away.”

Psyche had no intention of indulging Rachel’s bad habits.

“Shall I?”

“Do you really need to ask me that? What kind of place does she think this is to come unannounced?”

The butler quickly bowed, realizing his mistake.

“I apologize. She entered so confidently that I assumed she had an appointment. I didn’t expect someone of the Marchioness’s stature to commit such a breach of etiquette.”

Psyche calmed herself and responded evenly.

“The butler isn’t someone who makes such mistakes. The Marchioness must be something else. Send her away and tell her to make a proper appointment if she wants to see me.”

“Understood.”

The butler bowed respectfully again and left the room.

After he left, Psyche sat in a daze for a while.

‘Rachel Hailston.’

She repeated the name in her mind several times.

Confronting a name she had wanted to forget brought back old memories.

She had no intention of avoiding Rachel now.

‘Avoidance is for those who’ve done wrong…’

Simultaneously, Psyche felt it was time to confront the past properly.

Back then, she was so engulfed in grief that she couldn’t see anything. That was only natural.

But now, after some time had passed, she needed clarity on everything.

The same went for her relationship with the Duke.

She couldn’t move forward without resolving her doubt about whether he truly intended to kill her.

Of course, she didn’t believe meeting Rachel would miraculously resolve everything from that day.

“Yes… Now.”

If there was something she didn’t know, she needed to find out.

Psyche steeled herself.

❖ ❖ ❖

A few days later, Rachel indeed sent a polite letter, as Psyche had instructed.

The letter expressed a desire to apologize for the past and requested a meeting.

Although Psyche had expected Rachel to storm back in, her compliance seemed uncharacteristic, but she figured that time might have changed her.

Psyche slowly put down the letter opener and, while still gazing at the letter, spoke.

“Tell her I will meet her.”

“Are you sure about this?”

Alexa asked cautiously.

“Yes. You’ll be by my side. This is the Duke’s residence; what could she possibly do?”

“…”

“Just let her know that I will decide the time and place.”

“Understood.”

After Psyche sent her reply, a few days later, they indeed arranged a meeting.

It was to be held in the reception room of the Duke’s residence.

❖ ❖ ❖

Rachel arrived with a somewhat flushed expression.

It contrasted with her previous audacity in barging into the Duke’s residence.

She didn’t forget to greet Psyche with proper etiquette.

“Madam, thank you very much for sparing me your precious time.”

Psyche gave an awkward smile.

Perhaps due to the passage of time, Rachel’s demeanor had changed significantly.

That didn’t mean Psyche viewed her favorably, but she nodded slightly in acknowledgment of Rachel’s greeting and watched as she took a seat.

Rachel, who used to favor flamboyant attire, was dressed rather modestly.

Everything about her seemed uncharacteristic, almost unsettling.

Psyche pondered while looking at Rachel.

It was hard to believe Rachel was so compliant.

Rumors had it that she had repented her haughty attitude after marriage, but it was hard to believe until she saw it for herself.

Yet, seeing Rachel sitting obediently in front of her, following Psyche’s wishes, made Psyche’s feelings complicated.

Rachel, sensing Psyche’s silence, gave an awkward smile.

“You must have something to say.”

Psyche’s abrupt opening made Rachel flinch.

It felt somewhat contrived.

Rachel fidgeted with her dress and hesitated before speaking.

“Today, I…”

She paused and swallowed nervously, a gesture that seemed out of place for her.

Wasn’t she always the confident one who did as she pleased?

Could marriage change a person this much? Psyche looked at her skeptically.

“I came to apologize for what happened a few years ago.”

Apologize. Apology.

Those words didn’t seem to align with Rachel at all.

Psyche chuckled and asked, “Suddenly?”

“…”

Rachel hesitated again, but then steadied herself and spoke.

“It’s not sudden… Madam.”

“What wind has blown you here to apologize to me? If you’re seeking forgiveness just to ease your guilt, I won’t accept it.”

Apologizing and seeking forgiveness were easy to say.

Psyche made it clear that Rachel’s actions couldn’t be excused with mere words.

Rachel nodded, acknowledging Psyche’s point.

“Back then, I was blinded by youthful folly and jealousy…”

“This isn’t something that can be resolved with a simple apology.”

Psyche’s eyes gleamed as she cut Rachel off.

“I understand if my words seem hypocritical. I have no right to argue if you don’t believe my sincerity.”

“Knowing that, why did you come?”

Psyche’s anger started to boil, her mind swirling with memories of past events. She tried to suppress her emotions, but Rachel continued.

“After I got married, I wanted to have a child.”

The words “wanted to have a child” floated like they were swimming on water.

Psyche repeated them unconsciously.

“A child…?”

How could she dare mention such a thing in front of her?

Psyche thought Rachel must be insane to say she wanted a child to her face. Who talks about wanting a child in front of her?

“But I couldn’t conceive.”

Rachel, gauging Psyche’s reaction, continued hesitantly.

Psyche was momentarily at a loss for words.

“…”

In any way, Rachel bore responsibility for Psyche’s loss of her child. Psyche couldn’t understand why she was bringing this up now.

“I tried everything that was supposed to help, even going to the dark sorcerer I had consulted before marriage, though I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t conceive.”

At this, Psyche let out a bitter smile and coldly retorted, “And you think this is something to tell me now?”

Rachel’s tone was almost confessional, leaving Psyche incredulous.

“If misfortunes remind you of your past mistakes, you should reflect on how poorly you’ve lived. Why come to me? I don’t have the time to listen to your confessions.”

There was no need or value in hearing more. She couldn’t indulge Rachel’s attempt to assuage her guilt with words. The situation wasn’t something a few apologies could resolve.

As Psyche moved to stand up, Rachel quickly spoke again, her voice rising with desperation.

“Madam, please!”

Psyche’s attempt to appear calm was futile; inside, she was anything but. The memory of losing her child couldn’t be erased by mere words. She had no desire to listen to Rachel any longer.

“Talking about it won’t bring my child back, you know that, right?”

Her voice trembled slightly. The words “dead child” cut through her heart like a knife.

“Don’t try to escape your guilt with this nonsense. I only hope you suffer long for what you did.”

Psyche stood up abruptly.

Rachel suddenly knelt before her.

“I know words cannot express my apology! I don’t expect forgiveness.”

Rachel’s voice wavered as if she were truly sincere. Psyche looked down at her with indifferent eyes.

If words could turn back time, it would be nice, but that wasn’t how the world worked. Nothing could change what had happened.

Seeing no reaction from Psyche, Rachel began to sob more loudly, raising her head to meet Psyche’s gaze.

Psyche watched as Rachel’s face twisted slowly with anguish.

“When I realized the Duke was trying to kill me, I lost my sanity completely.”

“…?”