Chapter 39

Maxim carefully questioned the family doctor about Daisy’s condition, only setting off for the capital after receiving a firm confirmation that there was nothing wrong.

Still, it looked as though he was unable to fully relax, and ordered the doctor to accompany them to the townhouse in the capital.

What was I thinking, pretending to be sick? All it did was make things more complicated and exhausting. Daisy made a mental note not to act impulsively unless she had a solid plan.

After all, he’s not someone you can reason with.

‘How did my life come to this?’

Daisy let out a quiet sigh, gazing out the car window.

Maxim had already left for the capital on the condition that Daisy would rest for two full days before following him.

The last thing Daisy wanted was to be accused of disloyalty to the royal family before even managing to get divorced.

Inside the car were Daisy, the former Grand Duchess, and the Waldeck family’s chauffeur.

The silence inside was so heavy that even the soft sound of Daisy’s sigh seemed unnaturally loud.

“Are you trying to make the earth cave in with that sigh? Why is a young girl like you sighing so dramatically?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve just been feeling a little troubled.”

And she’s back to nagging me over nothing. Just perfect.

Exhausted, Daisy opted to keep her head down and let the lecture run its course. The sooner she complied, the sooner it would end.

For all her nagging, the former Grand Duchess was a lot easier to deal with than Maxim von Waldeck.

Annoying as she was, remembering everything that happened yesterday made Daisy feel extremely grateful to be dealing with this uptight old lady instead.

After a brief, awkward silence, it was the former Grand Duchess who broke it first.

“Listen Daisy, I have something important to discuss with you.”

“Pardon? With me?”

Daisy’s eyes widened.

“Yes. Understand that I don’t hold a personal grudge against you. I’m speaking entirely from the standpoint of the former Grand Duchess and for the sake of Waldeck’s future. So please, don’t misunderstand me.”

“Of course. I just ask that you be direct with me so I don’t take it the wrong way.”

If you want to avoid a misunderstanding, then speak in a clear, matter-of-fact way.

Telling someone not to misunderstand while speaking in a complex, aristocratic language almost felt like setting them up for failure.

“Especially… I’d prefer it if you didn’t mention this to the Grand Duke.”

“Yes, I promise I won’t. Please, go ahead and say whatever’s on your mind.”

Is she being cautious because of Maxim? She usually isn’t so wary.

What could she possibly want to discuss, especially with all this hesitation?

“Place your hand over your heart and think carefully. Do you truly believe you’re suited to be the Lady of Waldeck?”

That was a blunt and rather thorny question. For some, it might have even hurt…

But Daisy took it at face value, placing her hand on her chest to truly consider it.

“Hmm…”

Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump. Her heart beat quietly but steadily.

Yes, this feeling is surely due to a certain kind of anticipation.

“…No.”

The answer was crystal clear to her.

“Frankly, I’m not suited for the role at all.”

Daisy spoke her thoughts calmly and with conviction.

“Good. I knew you weren’t a foolish girl, but it’s refreshing to finally converse with you reasonably.”

If anything, that’s exactly what I wanted to say.

At last, she had found a reliable ally to support her in her quest to divorce Maxim von Waldeck.

“Truthfully, I also find this entire situation very burdensome.”

Since the two seemed to be on the same page for once, Daisy decided to open up about her feelings.

“Perhaps it’s because I grew up in the slums before finding my father, but I’m still awkward with etiquette, and hearing all the gossip about me in the newspapers only terrifies me rather than pleases me.”

“Indeed, it’s not an easy role for someone inexperienced like you. I felt the same way at first. I admit, it can be frightening.”

Daisy murmured, a lonely expression painted on her face, but her words were met with immediate agreement from the former Grand Duchess.

Had they ever been so in sync since they started living together?

Even when the former Grand Duchess nagged about and criticized her behavior, Daisy would just let it go in one ear and out the other.

And then there was Maxim, who was absolutely insufferable. He openly disregarded his aunt, and seemed incapable of talking about anything but his wife, like a parrot.

Ever since his return, the former Grand Duchess had been treated like a useless old woman, pushed aside like a relic of the past. She could only imagine how deeply hurt she must have been.

Now that their circumstances had made them unlikely allies, Daisy was determined to fully win her over.

“Aunt, I’ve never been ambitious. I only got married because my father told me to. I didn’t expect things to get so out of hand…”

“What could a young thing like you have possibly known?”

“I know I’m not flattering myself when I say this, but I was chosen for this role because of my lowly birth, wasn’t I?”