Chapter 20: Invitations and Resentments

“Would you open it?”

“Of course.”

Fine broke the seal and pulled out the contents.

“It’s a wedding invitation.”

She stared at it.

The invitation was for Hawk and Fine to attend a wedding in four months.

‘This date—’

A chill ran through her, as if doused with cold water.

Only four and a half months had passed since her engagement was broken, yet they planned a grand wedding with many nobles in just four months—a timeline too tight for starting from scratch.

Moreover, the date matched the one set for her and Banaji’s wedding.

‘They’re mocking me.’

“What do you want to do?

We could decline, citing duties in the territory.”

“No, let’s go.”

Fine shook her head.

If she didn’t attend, society would label her a heartless sister who betrayed her fiancé and refused to celebrate her sister’s wedding.

If she went, she’d be called shameless for attending her ex-fiancé’s wedding.

They sent the invitation knowing either choice would put her in a difficult position.

“That’s the spirit.

The Rosaider family motto is ‘Crush your enemies thoroughly.

Seize what you want by any means.’ To crush them, we need information.”

“Oh?

You consider those two enemies?”

Realizing her obvious question, Fine caught herself.

Hawk, with his lover Sherry, was forced into marriage with Fine due to Banaji’s scheme.

He must harbor some resentment.

“Naturally.

They framed and insulted my precious wife.”

“I see.”

—Precious wife.

Even without love, Hawk clearly valued her as his countess.

Yet, a pang of loneliness hit Fine, and she looked away from him.

*

At the Diner Dukedom, replies to Banaji’s upcoming wedding invitations were pouring in.

“Reina, we got a response from Fine and Lord Rosaider.

They’re coming.”

Banaji held up an envelope for Reina, who was at the dukedom for wedding preparations.

“Really?

I’m so happy our marriage will be blessed by my sister!”

Reina smiled brightly, her joy evident.

“My Reina is so kind, still cherishing such a sister.

You’re an angel.”

“Oh, Banaji-sama.”

Giggling, Reina playfully clung to him.

‘I thought they wouldn’t come.

This is unexpected.’

Reina’s jealousy toward her older sister, Fine, began when they were five or six.

Fine excelled at everything—flawlessly completing tutors’ assignments, mastering dance and etiquette, playing the piano like a professional.

As girls close in age, comparisons were inevitable.

But every teacher sighed, “If only you could do it as quickly as Lady Fine—”

‘What’s so great about her?’

These small grievances fueled Reina’s resentment.

When Fine turned ten, she received a Divine Blessing: “hearing the earth’s voice.”

Blessings were rare, with perhaps one in a thousand in Vittore.

Their parents, overjoyed, boasted about it in society, catching the Diner Dukedom’s attention, who sought Fine as Banaji’s fiancée.

‘Why does she get everything?’

Fine’s effortless success made Reina envious.

Then, a turning point came.

‘Place your hand over the plants.’

A mysterious voice spoke in her mind.

Following it, Reina touched garden plants, and buds bloomed spectacularly.

She’d received the “Green Hand” blessing.

Unlike Fine’s vague “hearing the earth’s voice,” the Green Hand, which aided plant growth, was coveted and universally valued.

As expected, noble houses flooded Reina with marriage proposals, including from marquis families.

But Reina wasn’t satisfied.

‘Fine gets a dukedom, and I’m stuck with a marquis?

That’s unfair.’

The only dukedom with an eligible heir was Diner.

So, she decided to take it.

She greeted Banaji sweetly with “Banaji-sama!” at every meeting, speaking naturally, whispering affectionate words Fine’s aloof demeanor would never allow, acting as if she couldn’t live without him.

It didn’t take long for Banaji to fall for her.

“Banaji-sama, can’t we be together?”

With downcast eyes and a sad tone, Banaji replied, “I’ll make it happen.”

Thus, the rest room incident at the Diner Dukedom was orchestrated.

Reina recalled Fine’s reaction.

‘I hoped she’d be devastated and regretful.’

Fine’s calm acceptance was anticlimactic.

‘So, this time, I’ll make her truly miserable.’

Reina chuckled.

She couldn’t wait for the wedding day.