However, the tragedy did not end here.
While savoring the aroma of the tea with her eyes closed and chatting away, the Marchioness failed to notice the bug that had fallen into her teacup.
This was a situation so dreadful that one might have stopped even a mortal enemy from drinking it.
Because of this, Dalia urgently reached out and called the Marchioness. However...
"Madam, in that tea just now...!"
It was already too late.
Before Dalia could stop her, the Marchioness had already drunk the tea, taking the bug along with the much-praised black tea. And a moment later...
"Hmm? There's something strange in my mouth..."
Realizing something was off, the Marchioness rolled it around in her mouth and then spat something into her palm.
A black object appeared in her palm. Specifically, the remains of a bug, its body half-crushed by her molars.
"...."
"...."
"...."
A brief silence passed. Realizing what the remains were, the Marchioness turned pale. And then...
"Aaaahhhhh!"
At the same time, a horrific scream echoed through the café.
The Marchioness, terrified, flung the bug from her hand and stood up, causing a commotion.
"A b-b-bug!"
Screaming was understandable if the bug was merely in front of her, but having it come out of her mouth was another matter. For a lady raised like a flower in a greenhouse, it was enough to make her faint.
But the Marchioness Borsen was stronger than expected.
Instead of fainting, she caused a ruckus, flailing wildly around the café.
As a result, she quickly attracted the attention of everyone in the café.
"Isn't that the Marchioness Borsen? Why is she suddenly acting like that...?"
"I know, right? Acting so unbecomingly. She's a married woman... how embarrassing."
Ah, if only she had fainted, it could have just been written off as a delicate lady swooning.
Unfortunately, to everyone else, she just looked like a madwoman storming around the café.
"M-Madam! Please calm down!"
Finally, the Marchioness's maid intervened, and only then did she lose consciousness, carried away by the family's coachman.
After the Marchioness's commotion and departure, an awkward silence lingered over the table.
'How am I supposed to apologize for this...?'
She hadn't expected things to escalate this much. If she'd known, she would have just removed the bug earlier.
'I'm sorry, Madam.'
I didn't mean for this to happen either.
Dalia silently apologized to the absent Marchioness and took a sip of her tea.
'The tea has such a lovely aroma.'
As the Marchioness had said earlier, the tea was indeed very fragrant.
She decided she would buy the tea leaves being sold at the counter before returning to the mansion and took another sip of her tea.
That was when Rachel, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"I truly see you in a new light, Madam."
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
Startled mid-sip, Dalia turned to look at her. Rachel continued in a serious tone.
"The bug that the Marchioness swallowed. You don't need to pretend. I saw everything."
Rachel's words made Dalia break out in a cold sweat, like a child caught sneaking a snack.
'Ah, damn it. When did she see that?'
She had thought Rachel was preoccupied with the Marchioness. Did she have eyes on the side of her head or something?
'Ugh, she's probably going to criticize me for acting unladylike.'
Complaining internally about Rachel's unnecessary sharpness, Dalia resigned herself and nodded.
"…Yes, you're right. But that was an acci—"
"It was absolutely brilliant."
"Yes, absolutely brill— Pardon?"
Brilliant? What was?
Her gaze met Rachel's eyes, which sparkled almost unnervingly.
"You intentionally put the bug on the Marchioness to mess with her, didn't you?"
She whispered just low enough for Dalia to hear.
'What nonsense is this? She thinks I did that on purpose?'
"Lady Roman, I think there's some misunderstanding—"
But Rachel didn't listen to her.
"Did you see the way the Marchioness fell apart earlier? Oh, it was so satisfying. She's been insufferable ever since she was the daughter of Count Stuart."
With those words, Rachel winked at her as if to say, "You get me, right?"
"I've seen so many new sides of you today, Madam. I've made up my mind."
With that, Rachel extended her hand to her.
"How about we become friends? I think we'd get along really well."
As Dalia blinked, unable to keep up with the conversation, Rachel grabbed her hand.
Then she shook their joined hands vigorously.
"I look forward to getting along! May I call you by your first name?"
"Ah... well, I suppose that's fine, but about the bug earlier…"
"Great, Dalia! From now on, when it's just the two of us, please call me Rachel."
"No, what I mean is, about that thing earlier…"
"Don't worry. I'll take what happened today to the grave. Every friendship needs a secret or two, don't you think?"
However, Rachel didn't seem interested in hearing what Dalia had to say.
'I didn't do it on purpose! I wasn't trying to humiliate her!'
And so, Dalia gained a friend who only listened to herself.
* * *
"Haah…"
After parting ways with Rachel, Dalia stood in front of the café and sighed as if exhausted.
If it hadn't been for Rachel, she might have gone to see the doctor already.
But an unplanned trip to the café, combined with an unexpected run-in, was more than enough to wear her out.
"…Should I just go home?"
The sky, painted orange, seemed to whisper to her to return home. But Dalia shook her head, regaining her resolve.
"No, I should at least find out where the doctor is."
Just as Dalia firmed up her determination...
"Oh my, which doctor are you looking for?"
Rachel, whom Dalia thought had already returned to the mansion, appeared in front of her with sparkling eyes.
"L-Lady Roman? Didn't you leave already?"
Dalia stammered as she gathered her wits, her heart having dropped momentarily.
"I remembered the dessert I'd ordered through my maid. I wanted to share it with you, so I came back. It's a lemon tart you have to wait three hours in line for."
Rachel handed over a white box and smiled brightly.
"But why are you looking for another doctor when the Seier family's physician is as skilled as a royal doctor?"
"Ah, yes, well, that's true. Haha…"
Dalia awkwardly laughed and avoided answering Lady Roman's persistent question.
It was an awkward situation. She couldn't exactly say she was looking for birth control pills behind her husband's back.
Dalia was trying to think of an excuse when Rachel, observing her closely, clapped her hands as if she had figured it out.
"Oh, I was being so insensitive. There's only one reason you wouldn't be able to tell your family doctor, isn't there?"
"What? What do you mean by a private matter…"
"Dalia, I understand you. My cousin had the same concern as you."
No, but what are you even talking about?!
"I know a doctor who can help with your concern. He specializes in women's health, but…"
"…Women's health?"
Dalia, who was beginning to feel irritated, perked up at the mention of a specialist in women's health.
"Yes, he knows everything about women's health issues. And his greatest strength is…"
Watching Rachel prepare to say something dramatic, Dalia unconsciously swallowed dryly.
"Absolute confidentiality."
"Confidentiality?"
"He never reveals his patients' information. Of course, that's expected of any doctor, but you know how many betray that trust for a bit of money? He's different. That's why many ladies secretly go to him."
'This is the doctor I've been looking for!'
At Rachel's final words, Dalia nodded eagerly, ready to rush to the doctor immediately.
That was until she heard Rachel's final remark.
"With his help, I'm sure the Duke's broken lower half will be fixed in no time."
Huh?