Chapter 48

Slipping away into the fitting room and tucking it out of sight, she caught the sound of unfamiliar voices.

It was likely the boutique’s staff, unaware she was behind the curtain.

“Did you see her earlier?”

“Who?”

Ah, gossip. Always the best sort of entertainment. Everyone knows that.

Daisy loved gossip. She always read the trashy little snippets in the paper.

She held her breath and listened closely.

“The Cinderella of Therese.”

“Oh, you mean the Grand Duke of Waldeck’s…?”

“Mhm.”

…Sadly, it was about her.

Not exactly pleasant, but useful. Knowing what rumors were said about her could give her leverage later when she demanded a divorce.

“She’s definitely pretty.”

“Yeah, they weren’t lying when they said she’s a beauty.”

Well, I am rather pretty, Daisy smirked to herself. At least these women had good taste. Likely experience from working at such an upscale boutique.

But their next words froze her smile.

“It could be her roots, but she gives off a bit of a country bumpkin vibe.”

“Exactly. And those clothes she’s wearing… what cheap rags. Did you see the fabric?”

“Yes. Complete rubbish.”

Daisy glanced down at her dress.

She had worn what she thought was her best, precisely because she was visiting a boutique.

But compared here, it was nothing but a poor imitation of finery. The worst choice.

‘Therese, that cheap bastard.’

The wardrobe he had provided was only to keep up appearances. Therese probably never expected Maxim to return alive and wanted to save his every coin.

Grinding her teeth, Daisy cursed her old shameless boss.

“Look at her, she has no class. Why would she even come here? Does she seriously think she can afford anything here?”

“Obviously not. That’s why she’ll only buy two so she can wear them in rotation.”

Which was exactly her plan. Damn it all. Being read like an open book was a tad bit embarrassing.

“Perhaps Waldeck has gone bankrupt.”

“They’ve already squandered most of what they had. They own property out in the middle of nowhere, too. They must’ve been desperate enough to adopt their nephew, knowing full well he was marching off to war.”

“No kidding. And did you see the former Grand Duchess’ dress? It’s completely outdated. My guess is she’s barely scraping by.”

“Well, when you have nothing left, fashion isn’t exactly a priority. But now that he’s returned as a war hero, they must think they can strut about high society again.”

“With clothes like that? Do you really think the capital’s elite will even acknowledge them? Not a chance.”

They weren’t just tearing into Daisy. They were mocking Maxim’s austere aunt.

Daisy had always thought the former Grand Duchess, with her poised demeanor and obsession with propriety, was untouchable.

‘…I guess things have been tough for her too, even as a noble.’

Suddenly, it made sense why she always seemed so on edge, and why she had so desperately awaited Maxim’s safe return.

For the first time, a twinge of sympathy stirred in Daisy’s chest.

“I suppose things are better now. With him being the hero of the war, the rewards must be enormous. They’re even building a triumphal arch in his honor.”

“And yet, he seems to think it’s a waste to spend any of it on his scarecrow^[1] wife.”

The employees burst into snickers.

Are they calling me the scarecrow wife?

Well, yes. That was pretty much the role she’d signed up for. It wasn’t something to get worked up about.

Daisy leaned in closer, curious to hear more.

“I read in an article that the reason for his late arrival to the capital was because of her. Do you think that’s true?”

“Please, that’s no article, just some made-up nonsense so that they can sell more copies. You’ve worked here for years and still don’t know better?”

One of the attendants sighed, then added,

“Men are all the same. When they fall too deep, they lose their heads and throw all their money at some woman, draining themselves dry without even realizing it.”

“True, but the Grand Duke of Waldeck? His status has skyrocketed. Men like him always end up power hungry. He won’t be led astray by a mere pretty face.”

“Exactly. He’ll seek a suitable match and remarry. Already half the women of the capital are vying for him.”

That was perfect news! Music to my ears. Public opinion seemed to be on Daisy’s side after all.