Chapter 3

Amelia harbors ill will toward Melissa. Melissa has realized this fact and is at a loss as to how to deal with it.

Amelia is always smiling and cheerful, thanking even the gardeners and maids, and is kind and considerate to everyone. She works hard every day to learn the manners of a duchess's family and has never been seen speaking ill of anyone or complaining. In these three months, she has not only won the favor of her father, brother, and grandmother but also the servants.

Would anyone believe that Amelia, who harbors such ill will, set a trap for Melissa?

Melissa has never been selfish or taken a high-handed attitude. She diligently studies to be a princess and a duchess's daughter, striving to live in a way that does not bring shame to herself as a noble lady and as a person. She has also earned the trust of the Johnston duchy over the past 10 years.

Would her father and brother believe her?

If only she could consult her mother. Her mother would believe her and ask Amelia straightforwardly why she can't get along with Melissa.

But her mother is gone, and she decided to consult her grandmother instead.

"What are you talking about?"

At her grandmother's strong words, Melissa found it hard to breathe and had to focus on inhaling and exhaling to steady her breathing.

"I heard about the tea party from Mel. She was nervous and couldn't perform well, and she apologized to Melissa for causing her trouble. To say that Mel set you up to put you at a disadvantage, I am disappointed in you."

"But, she always used the cutlery well, except during that tea party..."

"That's why! She said she was nervous and apologized properly. You were also unstable after losing your mother. Mel is also unstable. Try to understand her."

Amelia hasn't apologized to me, Melissa thought to herself, but the unexpected force of her grandmother's words left her speechless.

"Please, never speak of this again."

With that, her grandmother dismissed Melissa from the room.

A week later, Melissa saw her grandmother and Amelia returning from an outing.

"Grandmother, thank you so much for today. It was my first opera, and it was truly wonderful and moving."

"I used to go to the opera with Daria. Today felt like I was back in my youth, watching the opera with Daria. Let's go again soon."

Daria was Melissa's maternal grandmother and also Amelia's grandmother. Daria, who passed away before Melissa was born, had the same golden hair and red eyes as her mother and Amelia. She had heard that her parents became engaged because their grandmothers were close friends.

When her mother was alive, her grandmother often went to the opera with her. Melissa, being young, thought she would be taken along when she grew up. But her grandmother went to the opera with Amelia, who was her age, and didn't invite Melissa.

Melissa held back her tears with all her might, feeling something stuck in her throat, and quietly returned to her room without being noticed by the two.