Lucille Maribel Ephraim

After another few days of contemplating, the Duchess decided to do as Kalina had said. She would permit the Duke to bring Lucille and Nessa to the manor, but she wouldn't record them in the family registry.

All the expenses needed for the two would be taken out of the Duke's personal account. It was the same for any noble that wanted to have a mistress live with them, other than the Emperor.

However, the Duke didn't know this, and was completely unaware that a hole had just been made in his bank account and the money was soon to begin to leak out.

The stress of having to move her husband's mistress into her family's mansion caused the Duchess's usually elegant appearance to turn weary.

The servants of the mansion all scorned the Duke for causing their gentle lady to suffer once again. The halls were filled with whispers that pitied Kalina and her mother.

Kalina didn't mind it one bit and even told Olivia to spread more gossip about Lucille and Nessa. She was getting the stage ready for the villains to make their appearance.

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A week later, Lucille and Nessa arrived at the mansion. All the servants had assembled in the hall to form a walkway that lead to the lavish staircase. Kalina and the Duchess stood on the staircase's landing, dressed in dignified dresses that matched each other.

Kalina wore a warm and benevolent smile that never faltered. From here on out, if she made any mistake, her and her mother's future would be at stake.

The Duchess held her head high even though her face was pale and she was trembling. She was determined not so show any weakness in front of the woman that had stolen her husband.

Lucille looked around the imposing entrance hall that was bigger than any building she had ever seen. Her eyes darted from the marble floor to the flower arrangements to the crystal chandelier. Finally, she lifted her head to look at the Duchess and her daughter.

A few moments passed and she stared blankly for a few moments before exclaiming loudly: "Sister!"

Some of the servants lifted their heads in shock. Even if she had risen in status, how could someone of lowly origin call a noble lady their sister so easily? No, how could she even speak to a noble without permission?

They waited for Kalina or the Duchess to rebuke the girl, but the shouts never came.

"Lucille." The voice that called Lucille was soft, yet there was more to it. There was a hidden sharpness behind the gentle exterior that no one picked up on.

"Sister, it's really you!" Lucille gasped and brought her hands to her mouth. It was a cute action for a commoner, but was considered improper for a noble girl. She then ran to the stairs and began climbing them slowly.

The Duchess clicked her tongue when she saw her poor etiquette. She turned to Kalina with a furrowed brow and asked: "Do you know her?"

Kalina nodded, her the corners of her lips curling up a bit. "I helped her a few times when I went to the town. She ended up calling me sister, but who would've known that..." Her voice trailed off but the Duchess understood.

Lucille ended up standing before Kalina, who was a few inches taller, so she was looking down at Lucille.

"Welcome to our home." Kalina took Lucille's hands in her own and gave her an amicable smile. It was a smile that concealed her malicious intent perfectly. No one could guess what kind of thoughts were brewing in her mind.

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Lucille and Nessa settled into a small and isolated wing that was located far away from the main rooms where the Duchess and Kalina slept. It was mainly to prevent them from running into each other by accident. It would also damage the Ephraims' honor if a mistress was allowed to reside in a room as large as the Duchess's.

The problem of maidservants for the new residents also arose. Both Nessa and Lucille needed a minimum of one maid to help them around the mansion.

Kalina took this opportunity to send one of her mother's most trusted servants to Nessa's side so she could keep an eye on her actions.

She also gave one of her own maids to Lucille. Her name was Eva and she was fiercely loyal to Kalina, who had made her one of her personal maids from a mere laundry maid. Kalina planned to use Eva to track Lucille's actions and manipulate her thinking. A maid's gossip could go a long way.

Since Lucille and Nessa had moved in, the Duke also began staying at the main mansion. During meals, the Duke would sit at the head of the table with the Duchess and Nessa on his right and left respectively. Kalina and Lucille sat on each of their mother's sides.

It was amusing to watch Lucille stare across the table at Kalina and try to copy her movements. When Kalina cut her meat, she moved to cut it too. When Kalina had a bite of salad, she brought it to her mouth as well.

Of course, it was difficult for her to mimic Kalina's perfect etiquette and she ended up dropping her utensils on the floor countless times. She even knocked her water glass onto the floor, causing a spill.

'How entertaining.' Kalina held back her laughter as she watched her mother's expression grow darker each time Lucille behaved out of line.

The Duke just clenched his jaw and ordered for the Duchess to arrange etiquette lessons for Lucille, so she wouldn't embarrass herself again in the future.

The Duchess subtly rolled her eyes and put down her napkin. "I'm not feeling well," she said flatly. A layer of frost appeared in her eyes as her gaze swept over the rest of the people at the table. "I'll be leaving first. Please enjoy your meal."

After the Duchess had left, Kalina put down her fork and gave an apologetic smile. "My mother has been feeling sick these days," she confessed. "There must be some kind of illness spreading around lately. Father, Mrs. Nessa, Lucille, you must be careful."

To anyone else, her words would have sounded like they were said out of concern, but Nessa, who had experience fighting with the smooth-tongued women in the brothel, knew better.

Kalina was implying that Nessa and Lucille were the cause for her mother's sickness and that they had infested her home. Her words were chosen carefully so that even if Nessa wanted to complain, it would look like she was getting upset for no reason.

Hearing Kalina call her Mrs. Nessa also made Nessa feel hateful. It was a respectful title, but it was used to address commoner women.

'Just because your daughter has become a noble doesn't mean you have too,' she meant. It was an expression of hostility towards Nessa. Kalina had begun fanning the flames.

Nessa, who had always been sensitive about her status, dug her nails into her palms and forced herself to smile. "Thank you for Lady Kalina's concerns."

Kalina felt a sense of satisfaction from watching Nessa's face turn twisted while the Duke stared at her confusedly. He didn't understand the way women fought with their words.

Lucille hadn't said a word and continued to watch Kalina with an unfathomable expression. She didn't move, even after Kalina had left the table and her mother had been calling her name for a while.

'That seat where Sister sat, will I be able to sit there too?'