Chapter 33

# 33

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Nabia crossed the corridor and headed for the central staircase. At that moment, a loud noise came from the opposite direction.

"Miss, it's a real miracle that your illness has recovered so quickly!"

"It must be the work of God. After all, Miss is of noble blood."

Vivian and her dedicated maids were heading straight for Nabia’s room, so they met in the middle.

Nabia, with her maids in tow, met Vivian’s gaze with a smile that seemed to show off her splendid attire.

Vivian called out to Nabia triumphantly.

"Sis! I’m all better now!"

Her voice was thick with a sense of superiority, and her eyes were filled with anticipation.

She seemed to hope that Nabia would be shocked and collapse in defeat upon hearing about her recovery.

'Now that I’m better, you’re nothing.'

Vivian’s entire body seemed to be saying that.

A fleeting cold smile crossed Nabia’s gentle smile.

Vivian flinched.

What just happened?

Before her mind could fully grasp the situation, Nabia wore a surprised expression.

"What? You’re really all better?"

While it wasn’t the reaction she had hoped for, it was still satisfying. Vivian smiled sweetly.

"Yeah!"

"Nabia Miss is just a fake who came to replace Vivian Miss."

Philippa slandered, saying that Nabia was merely a stand-in and had no right to mingle with the nobility.

But to Vivian, it didn’t seem that way.

'Everyone likes Sis.'

When Vivian heard that Nabia had been kidnapped, she honestly hoped she wouldn’t return.

But it was said that Wood had almost died from a mana surge while saving Nabia.

When she heard that, Vivian felt as if the world had collapsed.

'Brother values Sis more than me. He even wanted me to die.'

She was her real sister, yet Vivian felt both angry and wronged.

It seemed like Nabia would soon enter the manor and declare, "This is my room from now on."

She was the real Agnes, not Nabia.

Nabia is the fake!

But today, Nikan came and said he could cure her illness.

After feeling a strange, floating sensation for a moment, her body suddenly felt comfortable.

The adults discussed in complicated terms that her mana was flowing normally again.

There was only one thing Vivian understood.

That her illness was completely cured.

Vivian’s maids spread the news throughout the mansion that Miss’s illness had been cured.

Then they all said in unison that Vivian should now enjoy all the rights that the wicked step-sister Nabia had unjustly taken.

They also belittled Nabia, saying she couldn’t compare to Vivian.

Vivian looked at the dress Nabia was wearing. It was a shabby dress that didn’t look like it was from Ancier.

'That’s the kind of dress a maid would wear.'

And what was that pin with a single pearl? What was it supposed to be?

In contrast, the dress she was wearing was full of frills, lace, jewels, and silk ribbons.

This was the difference between the real and the fake.

Vivian, intoxicated with a sense of victory, lifted her chin and said,

"Now, Sis, you don’t have to pretend to be me anymore."

The maids couldn’t hide their satisfaction as Vivian clearly drew the line and belittled Nabia.

Maki, who harbored particular ill will towards Nabia, seized the opportunity to sneer.

"Since Miss Vivian is now cured, it’s only natural for her to reclaim her rights as the real duchess, isn’t it, Miss Nabia?"

In other words, if she had any decency, she should leave on her own.

Nabia spoke calmly.

"You’re right. Vivian should exercise her true rights as the real duchess. I’m just here to replace her."

Maki suddenly felt uneasy at Nabia’s easy acceptance.

But there was nothing in Nabia’s words that could put them at a disadvantage.

Having affirmed that stepping down was the right thing to do, Nabia suddenly spoke with a determined look.

"However, I’ll handle the nanny’s situation."

Vivian, not understanding what she meant, tilted her head.

The maids, realizing she was referring to Philippa’s embezzlement, were puzzled by what Nabia could do in this situation.

Nabia’s expression darkened.

"I heard the nanny was put in jail today."

"The nanny was put in jail...?"

Vivian, hearing this for the first time, repeated it blankly.

Nabia lowered her gaze.

Her appearance was so pitiful that it made anyone who saw her feel even more heartbroken.

"We can’t let the nanny who took care of us die."

The maids frowned at Nabia’s blunt mention of death.

Vivian shouted.

"The nanny can’t die! That’s ridiculous!"

"I agree. So, Vivian, maybe it’s better if I, as your sister, handle this..."

Nabia deliberately left her sentence hanging, giving Vivian a chance to interject.

As expected, Vivian sharply retorted,

"No. I’ll do it."

"Vivian, this is a difficult task..."

Vivian was suddenly irritated.

Then she realized that Nabia looked very anxious and restless.

'I get it. If I handle this perfectly, Sis will really become useless.'

She could already picture people saying, "Oh, of course the real duchess is Miss Vivian!" and applauding her.

Vivian kindly taught Nabia the reality.

"Sis, only the real duchess, Vivian, can handle such things."

Nabia, unable to refute, fell silent and looked dejected.

Vivian was convinced that her decision to take over was the right one.

Maki, who had been listening quietly, looked bewildered as the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"Miss, this is the master’s authority..."

Before Maki could finish her sentence, Nabia chimed in.

"Right. I’ll talk to Father, so it’s better to stop now, as Maki said."

Vivian tensed up at Nabia’s words.

'Not only Brother, but now she’s trying to take Father too.'

"The real duchess can do anything like this!"

Vivian turned her head, not wanting to hear any more.

She couldn’t understand why it was difficult to just say one word to release the nanny.

Vivian went down the stairs, intending to find Linden and order him to release Philippa.

"No, Vivian!"

As Nabia chased after her, Vivian commanded,

"Stop her!"

The maids, with anxious expressions, blocked Nabia’s path to prevent her from going down the stairs.

Vivian felt a sense of triumph seeing Nabia unable to move.

'Sis is a fake, so she has to follow Vivian’s words.'

Thud!

Her steps down the stairs were light.

Nabia watched Vivian walk away, then turned her gaze.

"Is it okay to just let Vivian go?"

The maids bit their lips at Nabia’s words.

The head of the household’s decision cannot be overturned by anyone, no matter how much Vivian is a pampered princess.

"If Vivian punishes anyone who contradicts her, it will only cause more trouble."

They all knew that.

"The only person who can talk some sense into Vivian now is Brother Wood."

But Wood wasn’t the type to get involved in such matters, and he might even agree to release Philippa.

Maki ground her teeth in frustration.

"Let’s go to Miss Vivian."

As they chased after Vivian, Nabia immediately moved to a different location.

Nabia headed for the laundry room.

'In fact, I bribed Charlotte for this moment.'

The laundry room maids glanced curiously at the unfamiliar girl who appeared at the laundry area.

Nabia asked the maids,

"Where is Charlotte?"

The maids blinked at her question and pointed far away.

"Over there, you should find her."

Nabia walked in the direction they pointed.

There, Charlotte was alone, fetching water for the laundry.

"Charlotte..."

When Nabia called her, Charlotte straightened her bent back and looked at her with wide, surprised eyes.

"Miss..."

Nabia noticed her red, frozen hands from the icy water, her disheveled hair, and her roughened face.

The laundry work was arduous for Charlotte, who had only ever served the duchess.

Charlotte’s eyes trembled, and she bowed deeply.

"Only now do I remember what Miss said. You told me not to report Philippa’s crimes."

Nabia had warned her about such a situation long ago.

"At least you’re still alive, which is fortunate."

Charlotte muttered sarcastically, then met Nabia’s eyes again.

"I feel most guilty for coming to the laundry room without apologizing for my rudeness to you."

She bowed deeply and said with a voice filled with deep remorse,

"I’m sorry, Miss."

Nabia watched her silently, not expecting such an apology.

Charlotte added, with no expectation of forgiveness,

"Rumors might spread if you stay here. You should go back quickly."

Nabia, who had no intention of possessing anything Agnes had or caring about anything, spoke in a completely emotionless voice.

"There’s no need to be moved. I’m doing this because I have one last task for you."

Despite Nabia’s indifferent tone, Charlotte somehow felt warmth in her words.

She wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes with her sleeve and asked with a determined look,

"What should I do?"