CHAPTER 108 - LAYLA IS DEFEATED!

'No matter where i go, there's beasts that are not worth their age.'

It was a trick of 'old men' who had encountered many times in their previous lives. The excuses were always similar. They say it's not a lie and said that they really consider me like their daughter or like their nephew. This man even tried to discredit Duke Ludwig by molesting me in front of Madame Ludwig.

'He need a double hit, right?'

I grabbed Viscount Bartlett's wrist as it approached my waist.

"Once you've noticed, you should take care of yourself, Viscount Bartlett. Did you become deaf recently?"

"E-Edith!"

"Or, did you think this is your chance? Since Duke Ludwig and their sons are not here. How dare you touch Duke Ludwig daughter in law careless. Do you want your wrist to be cut off?"

"What does that mean! how could you do this to me, an uncle you've known for a long time?"

"My father never touched me either. Besides, what uncle. That's shameless."

I was careful not to raise my voice while facing each other directly. If I yell at him, they will definitely accuse me of making a fuss. Instead, I tried to keep my voice low firm and straight. Perhaps the people around could see clearly what happened. And the Duchess didn't ignore my difficulties.

"Viscount Bartlett."

A dignified voice that clearly shows that he is one step ahead of me. 

"Du-Duchess. It's a misunderstanding!"

"What do you mean a misunderstanding? I'm not misunderstanding at all, so don't worry." 

"Oh, that's a relief. Edith was a little mentally unstable since she was young, so she sometimes made a fuss."

There's nothing else he can't say. I was about to shoot back, but the Duchess reached her hand out in front of me and blocked me.

"You're misunderstanding myself. I've been seeing what you've done, so what i want to say that i know all the reasons why Edith was angry."

"Why are you doing this, Duchess? Women these days can't even tell jokes. . . . !"

"Viscount Bartlett. . . . Did you have some fun with your mills?"

The duchess, who had always seemed only dignified and gentle, began to spout her alpha side. I answered quickly from the sidelines.

"They own two large mills, one on the Bartlett estate and the other one in the capital. They also received their wheat from Magpie Farm."

"Hmm. . . . Magpie Manor borrowed money from us. . . . If the reason for their inability to extend repayment is because of Bartlett's own work, what will happen?"

The Duchess's scale of threat is different. She didn't just take her one opponent down, but she also touched the others' family members, his estate, and his suppliers. Alpha women are always right.

"That, I-I'm-I'm sorry. I think I drank a little too much. Ha ha ha. . . . "

Viscount Bartlett stepped back, sweating profusely. The Duchess, who didn't take her eyes off him until the end, looked at me pitifully as he completely disappeared.

"There must have been more than one or two a man like that. . . . "

I just sighed low and smiled bitterly. This is the first time I've ever had it happen to me, but I can't imagine how many times the original Edith has been molested. and she couldn't even say a word back. If this had happened, Edith would have been accused of being a lewd person.

'But from now on, you'll never be easy.'

I decided to be strong, not just for myself, but for the sake of the original Edith. Fortunately, the failure of the young viscountess was followed by the old bastard viscount who behaved very shamefully. prevented the Langston group was hastily unable to reach out against me. However, I could see some of the Emperor faction members giving me sideways glances of disapproval.

"Oh my. To think that she's going out with the Duchess, I can't imagine her courage."

And there's one young lady who decided to pick a fight directly.

". . . . Good evening Sinclair young miss."

"Hmm."

Layla Sinclair, pick an argument with me, saying a word that could only be heard in my ears, grinned at me and passed by approaching the Duchess's with brightly smiles. Then she greeted the Duchess politely and asked how she was doing. Pretend that she didn't see me. 

'But I will never just let it go. Because she's a woman aiming for my position.' 

Layla seemed willing to endure the humiliation of bowing her head to Lizzy in order to be by Killian's side.

"It's been a long time, Lizzy."

She said her greeting to Lizzy, who is frozen next to the Duchess.

". . . . Long time no see, sister Layla."

"Lizzy. I think it's too late, but now I want to ask you for forgiveness. I know I was being so mean to you."

Of course you know this. You have been tried to be mean, and you are so mean. There's no way you didn't even realize it! 

"Sister. . . . "

"I was too young and immature at the time. And I was afraid that our father's love would be taken away from me."

Layla took out her handkerchief and pressed her eyes tightly. If you press it like that, tears that didn't exist will come out.

"I'm not asking you to forgive me right now. It's alright to get it slowly. . . . We're still sisters, after all."

Lizzy looked at the Duchess's eyes in a troubled way and nodded a little. Indeed, in this situation, it would be difficult to shake your head to say no.

'You're surprisingly clever, Layla.' 

Maybe she's good at dealing with Lizzy because she has been bothering Lizzy for a long time.

"But by any chance. . . . " 

I was thinking about Layla, and she glanced at me and asked again as if she was worried. 

"Are you okay? I don't know if it's too late to say my greeting, but I heard a rumor that something happened to you because of someone."

"What? Wh. . . .who?"

Lizzy couldn't understand at once and tilted her head. Then Layla took a step closer to Lizzy and whispered something into her ear. It was only then that Lizzy's gaze reached toward me and then moved away.

'You've decided to target Lizzy to get rid of me? Isn't the original too twisted?' 

Count Sinclair family, who remained an enemy to Lizzy until the end, quickly changed they posture in this way. I couldn't say anything, but I was just biting my molars tightly. Then, suddenly, the Duchess stepped forward again and defended me.

"Layla, may i know where you heard such rumors?" 

"Yes?" 

"I think you've got it wrong." 

"That can't be. It's Apparently, Lizzy almost died because of Miss Edith. I forgot where I heard it."

"If that's true, it was an accident that our family kept it secret. So, there's no way it could reach Layla's ears. Unless someone planted a spy in our mansion secretly because it's doesn't make sense."

When the Duchess spoke that she might hear it wrong, Layla speechless.

'The Duchess is very cool today.'

She said, 'Where did you hear such a rumor?' it's cute, too. Then i gave Layla a big smile. Layla's face, which had been smiling arrogantly as if she had just won, suddenly twisted. 

'Pay attention to your facial expression. The thing that can be seen transparently is the very first rate. Yes, it's first-rate class.' 

But Layla was already snorting and seemed to be attacking again, probably because my excitement had exposed on my face.

"That's right. It seems that such rumor has been made because Riegelhoff's daughter was in a place that didn't fit with her."

It's clear that she said it loud on purpose, so anyone who was there could hear her. People who were looking at me with disapproving eyes nodded as if they were agreeing with that. 

'This an situations that even the Duchess couldn't cover it carelessly?' 

It wasn't just dealing with one person because all the nobles who focused their attention in this direction were supporters from the imperial clan. But then, the savior appeared. 

"I'm sorry for saying something unnecessary. Wouldn't it be right if you apologized to Miss Edith first?"

It was Princess Catherine.

"Your-Your Highness. . . . !"

"It's a rumor that I've heard too, but from what I've confirmed, it's something that someone did to insult Miss Edith?"

"Is-is that so?" 

"Besides, Miss Edith is no longer a Riegelhoff person. She is Edith Ludwig. Isn't that right?" 

Layla didn't answer that question. She lowering her gaze with her molars firmly clenched. However, Princess Catherine's personality was not friendly enough to carefully examine other people's feelings.

"Miss Layla Sinclair, didn't you hear me? Should i ask you again?" 

"Oh, no. Your Highness is right." 

It was a voice that was clearly offended to anyone's ears. Princess Catherine snorted at Layla rude manner and walked closer towards her. 

"I heard that there are forces interfering with the unity of the Imperial faction there day. Is it Count Sinclair's family?" 

"What? Oh, no! Absolutely not, Your Highness!"

"Then don't be greedy in vain. Killian Ludwig is not a man you can handle." 

Catherine, who already knew that Layla was aiming for the seat next to Killian, finished with that and was about to greet Lizzy and me, However, Layla suddenly asked. 

"Is Killian Ludwig an easy person for Edith Riegelhoff to deal with?" 

Her defiance and pride seemed to overcome her fears. And the answer to that question is, No. He not an easy person for me either. So it won't be easier for you. But Catherine was funny because she took my side and gave her an interesting answer. 

"You couldn't see it? That Killian was in love with Edith. I've been friends with this guy for 18 years, and I'm still surprised every time I see him." 

I know you're on my side, but it's so. . . . so embarrassed. It because she said it in front of Killian's longtime crush, Lizzy, and Killian's mother. . . . .