Chapter 79

Daisy had stared at the list so many times she could recite it from memory, yet she still had no idea who any of these women were. So all she could do was watch the former Grand Duchess with desperate hope.

“Most of these young ladies come from families with strong ties to the royal family. Their titles are respectable, and overall, they’re of good standing.”

“…I see.”

“There are a few others from lesser noble houses, but unless Maxim plans to sever ties with the royal family, he’d never choose a girl from one of those families. No, better to exclude that side entirely. No need to invite unnecessary trouble.”

“I understand that part well enough, but… if she’s pretty, who knows what could happen.”

Daisy cautiously voiced her concern.

She understood the political implications perfectly well, but knowing that pervert, she couldn’t predict who he might suddenly fixate on. It felt wasteful to rule out any candidates too soon.

“Max’s preferences matter here. Things between a man and a woman don’t always move according to political alignment. So… there has to be some kind of chemistry.”

“If that were really the deciding factor, then the Grand Duke would have no real reason to divorce you, don’t you think?”

“…I’m sorry?”

“As far as I know, compared to these young ladies, you’re far more well-endo— ahem. No, never mind that.”^[1]

The former Grand Duchess abruptly cut herself off when Daisy’s eyes widened.

‘What was that about?’

Feeling strangely self-conscious, Daisy took a sip of her now-cold tea, her throat suddenly dry for no apparent reason.

“That aside, why are you eating so little? Are you feeling unwell?”

“What do you mean?”

“That ‘Taste of Heaven’ or whatever it’s called. You insisted we buy it, but now you’re not even touching it. It’s delicious, why aren’t you eating?”

“Oh… that…”

Daisy stared at the “Taste of Heaven” cake currently sitting in front of her.

The cake itself was innocent… but what she and Maxim had done with it that night was not.

The whipped cream smeared everywhere, lips aching from sucking for too long, and worst of all, seeing that massive thing grow even bigger as he stroked and squeezed it…

The images were still too vivid. She couldn’t bring herself to eat it.

“I’m fine. I need to hold back if I want to fit into my dress.”

“So you’ve finally become more sensible only after announcing you want a divorce? What a strange day.”

Strange indeed. Daisy von Waldeck, refusing cake? Since marrying into Waldeck, she had never once left a single bite of dessert unfinished.

“If you’re worried about gaining weight, don’t. Go ahead and eat.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re pretty enough already. There’s no need for you to lose any more. I fear if you become too pretty… Maxim might not be able to let you go.”

Where are these sudden compliments coming from?

Is it because we’re on the same side now?

She often said things like “at least you know your place,” or “you’re more perceptive than you look,” but Daisy had never received such a direct compliment from her before.

As Daisy’s gaze faltered, the former Grand Duchess sliced off a generous corner of the cake with a fork and held it out to her.

“Here. Don’t whine later about missing out. Enjoy as much as you like.”

“…T-thank you.”

Daisy accepted the fork in a daze and placed the cake into her mouth.

It still tasted like heaven, melting on her tongue, but the involuntary twinge in her lower stomach made her unable to take another bite.

༺♰༻

Ever since Maxim returned, Daisy had been subjected to bath assistance she did not want.

‘I’d at least like to bathe alone…’

Even during her baths, Daisy was being watched by one maid sent by Therese, and another by Maxim. To think her nakedness had to be monitored by two different men’s loyal subordinates… What kind of life was this?

‘I need to get out of here…’

Daisy hated how miserable her life had become, but with the day of the “final showdown” approaching fast, she forced herself to endure it.

“Alright, spill it. What the hell is going on?”

The moment Mary Gold stepped out to fetch some snacks, leaving the two of them alone in the bathroom, Rose pounced on her with an interrogation.

Why’s this bitch picking a fight this time?

Daisy shot her an irritated glare.

Rose pulled something from her apron that looked extremely familiar. A certain scrap of paper Daisy recognized immediately.

The list of Maxim von Waldeck’s “potential mistresses.”

Since she was still stuck sharing a bedroom with her husband, Daisy had carefully hidden it between the bed and nightstand to avoid getting caught. So how did Rose get her hands on it again?

“You searched through my things again?” Daisy asked, dumbfounded.

“You’re always such a scatterbrain. I was just organizing things for you.”

“Even rummaging through things I hid on purpose? Don’t give me that shit. You’re spying on me.”

“Quit dodging the question and just answer me already.”

As if dealing with Maxim and plotting her escape from him wasn’t enough, now she had to deal with this too?

Her temples throbbed.

Rose, Therese’s little watchdog, was no different from a spy pretending to be Daisy’s ally.