"I was a bit worried because this marriage was ordered by His Majesty. I was worried that this marriage would only serve to hurt my son, but it seems that I can be at ease."
"..."
"I feel completely relieved now. Please continue to treasure my son with such confidence moving forward."
Adelina's stiff face finally relaxed. The Consort's lips stretched into a smile when she saw the relief on Adelina's face. After they finished talking, Consort Min personally saw Adelina off.
She continued smiling as she watched Adelina's carriage depart. When the carriage had completely disappeared, so did the smile.
"Now that things have turned out like this, it looks like I need to use my own people. How is it that she does not take after her parents at all?"
"Consort Min, we need to return to the Palace now."
The Consort shook her hand as if to tell the court lady to stop nagging her.
She thought that she'd be able to win her over with a few whispers, but the girl answered her in a determined manner and bowed. If she had been like her mother and merely told her what it was that she wanted, things would have gone a lot smoother.
However, instead of telling the Consort her conditions, Adelina drew the line and told her that she could not do it.
"Court Lady Yeo."
"Yes, Consort."
"Send out an order to those inside. It's time to remind them who their true master is, don't you think?"
Court Lady Yeo lowered her head and walked backwards as she disappeared. A soft smile reappeared on the Consort's lips as she stared off in the direction where Adelina had gone.
"Mistress, have you returned?"
Mona, who had tried to follow Adelina, was blocked by the servant, so she fretted anxiously at home. When she saw Adelina, she rushed over to her side.
After handing Mona her hooded cape, Adelina finally let out a silent sigh.
"Did your meeting with the Consort go well?"
"Mm."
"She's a bit difficult, but isn't she such a nice person? She often sends the Master gifts in secret."
Adelina smiled silently at Mona's words. She tried her best to smile, but she couldn't hide the exhaustion on her face.
"Mistress, was the Consort not to your liking?"
Although Adelina had tried to hide it, Mona was able to see the changes in Adelina's face in an instant after having served her for the past month.
Adelina had been shaking her head when she paused. Then she silently nodded.
"It's not that she isn't a good person. It's just that she's a bit difficult."
"Sorry?"
Although the Consort had approached her with a soft smile, Adelina could still feel the hostility oozing out of her.
She had finally seemed a bit friendlier when she asked Adelina for a favor, but when Adelina refused, staying near her was as painful as sitting on a cushion of thorns.
"If there is someone who pushed for this marriage, then there are people who are against it. Isn't that obvious?"
"Mistress, what are you talking about?"
The family responsible for almost killing Nisha had nothing to do with Consort Min. However, as she spoke with Consort Min, Adelina couldn't shake off the feeling that they were still connected somehow.
Seeing Mona tilt her head in confusion, Adelina shook her head and said it was nothing.
She had made this decision and was determined to see it through from the start. Adelina had barely begun, and it was too early to show weakness and collapse now.
Things she must do and things she must not.
If she forgot how to discern between the two, she would be responsible and pay the price.
Adelina endured the sinking feeling in her heart and entered her room.
* * *
Change came quicker than she'd thought, but it came from a place she hadn't expected.
"Mistress, th-this is…"
They told her that the young servant girl who had been doing the laundry had made a mistake while washing her silk clothing. The young girl apologized, and Adelina told her it was alright and sent her back. She looked down at the silk clothing in her hands that had been turned into rags.
At first, Adelina felt that it could have been a mistake. However, this was already the third time.
She didn't really care about herself, but she was a bit upset that such expensive clothing had gone to waste.
"We mustn't let them get away with this! We need to catch them!"
"Let it go. Didn't they say it was all a mistake?"
"Are you telling me that they ripped these clothes up like this due to a mistake? They're obviously lying, so how can you just let it go?"
"It's not like we have evidence, do we?"
"Mistress!"
Mona raised her voice and told her that they couldn't leave things like this, but Adelina pushed the silk clothing away and closed her eyes. Over ten years had passed since Consort Min had left this place, but traces of her influence still remained.
Ever since she had refused to take up the Consort's offer, the servants' behaviors had changed. They'd break vases as they cleaned, rip her clothes, or forget to bring Adelina her things.