Chapter 54

It had slipped out, a simple curious question she did not mean for it to sound accusing.

Yet the way their faces blanched told her it was a mistake.

“No, no. I’m not scolding you. I’m just curious. My father gave it to me, but the fabric tore so easily that I thought perhaps it was of poor quality?”

Her curiosity was genuine.

By now, Daisy even doubted the jewelry Therese had given her. They were likely mere trinkets to “complete the look.”

If she could gather proof, she could confront him: How dare you treat me this way?

“Ah… it was a gift from the count? We… we had no idea.”

“P-please, just kill us.”

This wasn’t going the way she intended. For some reason, the more she spoke, the messier everything got. But she’d already brought it up, and damn it, she wanted a straight answer.

“It’s really fine. Just speak truthfully, all right?”

The two attendants exchanged uneasy glances, until finally, the one of higher rank spoke timidly.

“Your Highness, with your delicate features, graceful figure, and such fair, flawless skin… y-you would look exquisite in anything.”

…What total scumbags.

Dodging the question and layering on empty compliments…. This was peak garbage-tier behavior.

“Indeed. We’ve served countless noble ladies here, but never one with such a fresh and radiant beauty. You are in a class of your own, Your Highness.”

It took no time at all for “that strange country bumpkin vibe” to become “fresh and radiant beauty.”

Clearly, Maxim’s wrath still terrified them.

‘I must have asked a stupid question.’

How could she strip away their flattery and draw out the truth? Frustrated, she quickly flipped her thinking.

‘Fine. If I’ve already made a fool of myself, then I’ll go all in. Let them think of me as a naïve, brainless duchess.’

After all, “Daisy von Waldeck” had already become infamous as the duchess who indulged in indecent acts inside a fitting room with her husband, and who had just disgraced her father with foolish questions.

As someone a woman of low birth, she’d acted with matching vulgarity. Her image could hardly sink lower, and if it did, all the better for her long-term plan.

To hell with dignity.

Daisy resolved to play the role of the innocent-brained duchess with a pretty face.

“I hear… the Grand Duke is rather popular with the ladies?”

As expected, the attendants froze right where they stood.

At this rate, I’ll learn nothing.

The way forward was clear: intimidation, or gentle coaxing. The classic carrot and stick.

“Izzy, when taming a beast, you must start by calling its name.“

Why that memory surfaced now, she didn’t know. But she understood the power of names well enough. As “Easy,” she had butchered royalist pigs. As “Daisy,” she had begun her penance. As “Daisy von Waldeck,” she sometimes longed to kill the man who called her “Izzy.”

She widened her eyes deliberately, fixing the clerks with a stare, just as Maxim often did.

“I am Daisy von Waldeck. What are your names?”

“Pardon…? Y-you mean me?”

“Both of you.”

“I’m Anna.”

“Hazel, Your Highness.”

They answered timidly.

“Good. Anna, Hazel. There’s no need to pretend anymore. I heard all of what you said earlier.”

“W-we’re terribly sorry, Your Highness.”

“If you’re truly sorry, skip the apologies and just answer my questions.”

The attendants looked deeply uncomfortable.

“Well… His Highness the Grand Duke is remarkably handsome, and a hero who saved the nation. There are many young ladies who admire him out of patriotic devotion.”

“That’s right. I’ve never seen a man so striking. He’s even more dazzling in person. You are fortunate indeed to have such a tall and gallant husband, Your Highness.”

It was enough to make her choke. Their hard efforts were obvious, but not the truth she wanted.

Now it was time to bring out the threats.

“Anna, Hazel. I imagine you look down on me considering I’m a bastard and born of common blood.”

“What? Look down on you? N-no, we would never…”

“Did you think I’d just let you off the hook because of some polished words? Don’t try to dodge the question. Tell me clearly who you were talking about.”