Chapter 183 Scaring Away Lady Selyma
"I appreciate Lady Selyma's concern for me, but I believe Friedel isn't the kind of fool who's easily manipulated. He thinks things through carefully before making any decision. On the contrary, you seem quite unfamiliar with Friedel yourself."
"As for me, I don't think I'm anything special. I went to the military camp for military merit, for my family. If Lady Selyma can't accept this idea, I won't argue with you about it, but I hope you'll at least learn to respect other women like yourself. The military camp isn't as terrible as you think—otherwise, why would Friedel have stayed there so long, and why would kings throughout history go there for training?"
"There are no lowly commoners. Those female soldiers just want to survive, to find their own way forward. If we keep using those words that restrict women to judge ourselves—like divorced women shouldn't live, or talk about chastity—those are all chains this world puts on women. Lady Selyma, you're willing to keep wearing those chains, but you can't demand that everyone else keep their heads down and never look up at the sky."
"I'm just one of those people looking up at the sky, and I believe that someday, more and more women will be able to choose their own lives."
Lady Selyma sneered coldly. "You talk so righteously, but you're actually quite pleased with yourself, aren't you? Using that face of yours to seduce my son, using your big talk to fool everyone else. The truth is you feel inferior deep down, afraid people will think you're an abandoned woman, afraid your family will become a laughingstock along with you. So you deliberately make yourself sound so impressive, wanting people to think you're some kind of role model for women."
"I've already heard that Rolf wants you to find a suitable husband within three months. You just want to find someone who won't compete with you for the title, right? I can find you a young man from my family, have him marry into the Virlet family. Your task is complete, and you won't need to trouble Friedel. How about that?"
"Or are you still thinking about your ex-husband? That's fine. I'll write to his family and have him divorce that knight captain so you two can remarry. Then you can figure out how to win back your husband's heart or handle your family's problems, whatever works. Anyway, except for marrying Friedel, I can help you with anything else."
Anne's eyes turned cold. "No need for Lady Selyma to worry. I have no feelings for my ex-husband and no interest in winning anyone back. As for the marriage, you should talk to Friedel first. I've already discussed it with him thoroughly, and he'll be happy to help."
Lady Selyma's chest heaved with anger, and she looked like she was about to faint.
"Shameless! You dirty, lowly thing, how dare you refuse my goodwill! What you're doing is completely disgracing the Virlet family!"
Anne said calmly, "Whether the Virlet family is disgraced isn't for Lady Selyma to decide. After all, no one can compare to you—knowing His Majesty's wife was your own sister, yet still throwing yourself at him to become a nameless mistress."
Karina, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke up. "Duke Virlet, isn't what you're saying a bit..."
Anne remained composed. "I'm just telling the truth. None of this is made up by me. If Lady Selyma didn't do these things, where would the rumors come from?"
"Since these rumors haven't made Lady Selyma ashamed enough to kill herself, I'll certainly live just fine. As for now, please leave. Or do you need me to have the captain of the guard help escort you out? I'm sure Uncle Kyle would be very happy to continue hosting you until you're outside the Virlet estate gates."
Elisa, who had been standing beside Anne listening to all this, was already furious. Now hearing Anne mention Kyle, she immediately went out and had the servant at the door call for Kyle.
Lady Selyma didn't know who Kyle or the captain of the guard was, as he hadn't introduced himself at the estate entrance earlier. But she felt an uneasy feeling in her heart, and the image of that man who had dared to grab her arm and threaten her flashed before her eyes.
Lady Selyma cursed under her breath about lowly slaves, then snorted coldly at Anne. "Very well. You dare threaten me with these words. When I return to the capital, I'll tell Queen Mother Smith everything and have her order both you and that rude man at the gate executed!"
Anne nodded. "In that case, why don't I make my move now and save Lady Selyma the trouble of making that trip to the palace?"
Lady Selyma froze. "What do you mean, make your move?"
"You're going to have me executed anyway, so naturally I should strike first."
Anne smiled slightly, but her words sent chills down the spines of Lady Selyma and Karina.
Just then, Kyle's voice came from outside the door. "What rude man? Are you talking about me?"
Kyle walked in, staring at the trembling Lady Selyma and Karina with disdain in his voice. "Earlier at the gate, didn't you say you'd cut off my hands and gouge out my eyes? Since our Duke has decided to execute you first, why don't I start by cutting off your hands and gouging out your eyes, so you don't die so easily?"
"You... you wouldn't dare!?"
Kyle made a welcoming gesture toward the door. "If you don't leave now, I really will do it."
Lady Selyma was already scared out of her wits. At this moment, she couldn't even care about etiquette. She grabbed her skirt and ran outside in a panic, with Karina following behind her, face pale as a ghost.
The two ran out quickly and didn't stop until they got into their carriage. Karina couldn't care about propriety anymore and shouted directly at the coachman waiting in front, "Go! Leave now!"
Lady Selyma was so exhausted she could barely breathe, but she also cursed angrily, "If the people behind catch up, you'll be sorry!"
The coachman looked back at the calm Virlet estate. Although he didn't understand why Lady Selyma and the others were suddenly in such a hurry, he obediently drove the carriage away.
The two people in the carriage finally breathed a sigh of relief. Lady Selyma relaxed and was helped by Karina to sit on the cushions. Only then did she realize that her hair had become messy during the run. That shameful appearance had been completely seen by that bitch Anne!
"I will never let her off easy, never!"
Karina had calmed down by now. Looking at Lady Selyma's gritted teeth, she thought helplessly that they couldn't do anything about that Virlet Duke now—what could they possibly do in the future?