“Just because there’s one person I don’t get along with doesn’t mean I can cause a huge incident. So… it’s alright.”

“I-I see. I understand your situation.”

Serge cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood.

“It’s true that things could become complicated. But neither Father nor I want you to force yourself to stay in the ducal house while enduring something that makes you unhappy.”

“Ah…”

She was grateful for that.

If she explained everything—her past, the abuse, everything—the kindhearted Duke would probably be willing to take the risk and help her.

But asking that much when she fully intended to leave House Elestain someday…

That would be shameless.

“I’ll try to solve it on my own first. If it really becomes too much… then I might ask for your help.”

“Of course. Anytime. Would you like me to speak to Father for you?”

“Oh! No, really. If I ever truly need help, I’ll tell him myself. I don’t want to make him worry unnecessarily.”

“I understand… if that’s what you’d prefer.”

Even though he was painfully shy, Serge spoke with the reassuring reliability of a husband.

It made Rayleigh’s heart feel unexpectedly warm.

“I know I’m still awkward around you, but… thank you for trying to look out for me.”

“…Ah.”

Serge lowered his head.

Even he seemed startled that the high wall he always kept between himself and other people had slipped away.

“A-Anyway… I’m sorry for interrupting your meal. Please, eat.”

“Thank you. You too, Serge.”

“Yes…”

After that, they quietly finished breakfast without much more conversation.

Even so, Rayleigh felt closer to her husband than before.

She was sure Serge felt the same.

I shouldn’t cause trouble for someone this kind.

I need to focus on what I can do.

She clenched her small fist with determination.

***

Over the next few days, both Walter and Serge happened to leave the estate on an inspection tour.

Of course, Rayleigh doubted it was really just an inspection.

It’s probably their Day of Rest, when they return to their fox forms.

In the original story, the beastfolk eventually descended so deeply into madness that even the Day of Rest could no longer suppress their instincts.

But the demonic corruption hadn’t spread that far yet.

For now, regular rest days were still enough to keep their beastly instincts under control.

Naturally, Rayleigh pretended not to notice anything unusual and simply wished them a safe trip.

Yuan, the duke’s aide, remained at the estate so that Rayleigh wouldn’t be left completely alone after her husband and father-in-law departed.

“If anything troubles you, or if you need anything at all, please call for me.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“You’ve only just arrived in an unfamiliar place, and now the Master and Young Master are both away. You must be feeling anxious. Still, I hope you’ll make yourself at home here.”

Rayleigh smiled softly at his kindness.

Truthfully, staying alone at the estate didn’t worry her much.

What worried her was the timing.

Margaret was arriving while the masters of the house were away.

…It’s alright.

I can handle this.

She mentally prepared herself.

The next day…

“Young Madam, Lady Margaret from House Vitence has arrived.”

Just as expected.

Nothing had changed.

Rayleigh deliberately straightened her posture.

“…I see. Has her room been prepared?”

“Yes. As you instructed, we’ve arranged a guest room separate from the annex where you reside.”

“Thank you.”

She headed to the Great Hall.

The familiar middle-aged woman brightened as soon as she saw her.

“My, my. It’s only been a few days, Miss Rayleigh.”

“…”

Rayleigh wondered…

How would the old me have reacted?

“Honestly! You still haven’t learned proper manners!”

“S-Sorry… I… did something wrong…”

“Lift your skirt! Five strikes on the calves today. Really, you should have listened when I spoke nicely!”

Back then…

She would have trembled at Margaret’s every glance, desperately wondering whether she’d done something wrong or whether her posture wasn’t good enough.

But not anymore.

She was Rayleigh Elestain now.

No longer a frightened child trapped inside House Vitence.

“You’re the one lacking manners, Margaret.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m no longer ‘Miss Rayleigh.’ I’m Lady Rayleigh Elestain, the Young Duchess.”

“…!”

“So address me properly.”

Rayleigh’s clear voice rang through the hall.

A spark flared in Margaret’s eyes.

How dare this child speak to the woman who raised her?

The look on her face practically screamed it.

The overwhelming pressure seemed ready to swallow Rayleigh whole.

I won’t back down!

Her hands trembled from the fear ingrained into her body.

But she ignored it and lifted her chin.

“Well?”

“…Yes, Lady Elestain.”

Margaret answered through clenched teeth.

Her honorific sounded forced, her voice low with resentment.

“Good. You must be tired after such a long journey. Please get some rest.”

“…”

Without giving Margaret a chance to say anything else, Rayleigh turned around.

She could feel the venomous glare burning into the back of her head.

She kept walking.

This is only the beginning…

But at least…

She had finally taken her first step toward breaking free from the ghosts of her past.

***

Of course, she never believed that would be the end of it.

Her firm attitude wasn’t just to establish authority from the start.

She was certain Margaret hadn’t come to the ducal estate without an ulterior motive.

If Rayleigh wanted to expel Margaret legitimately, she needed to stand her ground from the beginning.

“Young Madam, Lady Margaret requests an audience.”

“Very well.”

Rayleigh rose gracefully and entered the drawing room.

Margaret greeted her much more politely than before.

“Did you rest well after unpacking?”

“Yes, thanks to your concern.”

Margaret wore a stiff smile.

The maids were lined up behind Rayleigh, watching.

Even Margaret wasn’t foolish enough to behave strangely with witnesses present.

“Let’s have dinner together later. Though if the carriage ride upset your stomach, we can postpone it.”

“No, I’m quite alright. Thank you for your consideration.”

“As you’ve probably heard, the Duke and the Young Duke are away on an inspection. You can greet them properly when they return.”

“Yes. But first… Lady Young Duchess.”

“Yes?”

“May I speak with you privately for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Margaret smiled awkwardly, clearly conscious of the servants watching.

“I noticed the gardens earlier. They’re absolutely beautiful. Would you care to take a walk with me? We could chat while we’re there.”

“…”

Rayleigh could refuse.

But she had deliberately provoked Margaret because she wanted to hear her real intentions sooner rather than later.

Outside, Margaret wouldn’t be able to do anything reckless.

“Very well. Let’s take a short walk.”

She agreed.

***

As soon as they entered the gardens and the servants were out of earshot, Margaret curled her lips into a mocking smile.

“You’ve changed so much in only a few days… I barely recognize you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I raised you for years, yet now you treat me so coldly. Is being the Young Duchess really that wonderful?”

“…”

“But even you must realize you’re nowhere near worthy of calling yourself a lady. Your appearance, your manners… none of it suits you. Before long, the ducal family will surely cast you aside.”

This was Margaret’s usual tactic whenever she “disciplined” Rayleigh.

Belittle her.

Make her anxious.

Break her confidence.

So she’s assuming I’ll eventually be thrown out…

She wants to use that to persuade me into doing something for the baron’s family.

Rather than correcting Margaret’s disrespectful tone again, Rayleigh silently waited for what came next.

“In the end, only your parents will stand by you.”

“When you’re abandoned, House Vitence will be the one to take you back.”

“…”

“So, Miss Rayleigh.”

Margaret leaned closer with an ugly smile.

Whispering into her ear, she said,

“While you still have the chance to remain in the ducal household… why not do something useful for your family?”

“What do you mean…?”

“I’m not asking for anything impossible.”

“But if you could simply provide some proof that you’re making an effort for your parents… the Baron would surely be pleased.”

“…Proof?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps pass along a little information from House Elestain that might benefit him.”

“What…?”

“For example… how much money House Elestain plans to bid at the upcoming Core Ruby mine auction in the capital.”

“…!”

So that’s your goal.

Rayleigh instinctively stepped backward.

They wanted to force a little girl to spy on the family she’d married into.

“And… what if I refuse?”

“What?”

Margaret sneered.

“You don’t have the right to refuse, child.”

“…”

“You really think you’re the Young Duchess now? Ridiculous. Perhaps you need another proper lesson.”

Out of habit, Margaret raised one hand.

Rayleigh knew she probably wouldn’t actually slap her here.

Even so, her body instinctively flinched.

Fighting against the terror carved into her very instincts, Rayleigh shouted,

“I’m not pretending to be the Young Duchess—I am the Young Duchess! If you keep this up, I’ll have you expelled for insulting nobility—”

“No.”

“You could never defy me.”

“What…? Ah!”

Suddenly—

A horrible pain stabbed through her head as though a spike had been driven into her skull.

It wasn’t a physical blow.

It had to be magic.

But Margaret isn’t a mage! How could she—?!

The pain was so intense she couldn’t even think.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

“There. Much more obedient now.”

“Hah… ngh!”

“Now then…”

Just then—

“ROOOAAAR! Grrrrrr!”

A fierce growl echoed through the garden.

Both Margaret and Rayleigh turned toward the sound.

“…Huh?”

Standing between the bushes was a magnificent adult fox with jet-black fur.

Its golden eyes blazed as it stared directly at them.