Chapter 55

Daisy jabbed a finger at the one who had claimed to know something earlier.

“You, Anna, wasn’t it? You said you overheard something while on a trip. And that was exactly when Max barged in.”

“…”

“So who was the young lady? I’ve been dying of curiosity. Why keep dodging the question?”

How could I push him toward a woman and get my divorce if I don’t even know who the candidates are?

Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud, or they would think of her as suspicious. To the staff, they were just a scandalously hot couple who kicked them out of the fitting room and had a forty-minute tryst.

“I need to know who she is so I can be prepared. Soon I’ll have to attend all kinds of social events. I can’t just let someone steal my husband under my nose, can I?”

“…”

“Even if he says he loves me now, according to what you said, men always end up chasing power. And I may be pretty, but I’m only a bastard with that weird, country bumpkin tackiness.”

Quoting their own words back at them, with a neat, logical reason, the two women exchange nervously glances at one another.

Now that she’d snapped at them already, it was time to coax it out of them. Daisy softened her expression.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say you told me. I’ll tell His Highness that since then, you’ve been wonderfully attentive, and that the dresses were beautiful. I’ll even say I only want to buy from this boutique in the future.”

Soothed by her words, one of them hesitated, then cautiously began to speak.

“Your Highness… you’ll truly keep this secret? We cater to the upper class, and for us, reputation is everything… Just one bad rumor could ruin the business.”

“Of course. Where would I ever repeat such gossip? It would only make me look like a jealous, insecure woman with a chip on her shoulder about her birth. That would be like spitting on my own face.”

Daisy’s shrug put them at ease, and their guarded look softened.

“Oh, and in return for my silence, I’d love it if you’d share gossip with me from time to time.”

“Gossip?”

“Yes. As you know, my aunt and I have always lived in the Waldeck province. I’d love to hear what’s going on in the capital. I’ll invite the two of you over to the townhouse sometime soon.”

She had them under her thumb now, might as well milk it for all it was worth.

“And naturally, if you choose not to share, I can’t be expected to overlook the unpleasantness of today. I may have no ties in society, but His Highness certainly does.”

“…”

“You saw how passionate we were earlier, didn’t you?”

There was no doubt which choice they would make.

“The Marquis of Langley’s eldest daughter, and the Baron of Bernstein’s—”

“Don’t say it. Write it down. Their names, who their fathers are, what they look like. Full names, in order. Otherwise, I might forget.”

And so, through a combination of threats and persuasion, Daisy managed to secure a “list of potential mistresses” for Maxim von Waldeck.

༺♰༻

“Your Highness, your neckline and shoulders are breathtaking, so we selected a dress that bares them to best showcase their beauty. Your collarbone is so straight and elegant, it’s as if it were carved in marble.”

“It’s a very alluring dress. It reveals just enough to emphasize your natural feminine curves. Even without any embellishments, the finest silk imported from the East gives it a sophisticated look.”

“Your Highness, with your fair and delicate complexion, even this bold white color suits you perfectly. It blends beautifully with your pristine hair color as well. You truly look like an angel descended from heaven. It’s simply astonishing.”

Earlier it had been a slander party, but now it was a prison of endless flattery.

Anna and Hazel, the boutique staff, praised Daisy’s beauty until their mouths went dry. Out of guilt, and because she now held them by their secret, no doubt, but… Daisy didn’t bother to deny it.

‘I am gorgeous.’

Daisy had to admit that her beauty wasn’t ordinary.

Hers wasn’t the kind of beauty you could cover up with modesty.”

Turning in the mirror, she studied her reflection, recalling all their praise.

So the saying was true. Clothes do make the woman^[1]. A high-quality dress made all the difference.

Having shed the “weird country bumpkin vibe,” they’d accused her of having earlier, she looked dazzling.

Now that she was something so expensive, the cheapness of her old dress was glaringly obvious. Even if Therese had no wife or daughter, surely a noble should have a better sense for quality than this?

‘He has plenty of money, and yet he hoards it. Does he plan to take it all with him to the grave?’