WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Malfoid

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Fragments of Thorns and a Cradle ◈

Chapter 10

──────

Content Warning: domestic abuse; physical violence.

"It would be best to keep all the dinnerware cream-colored."

"What about pieces with a pearly sheen?"

"No. The marchioness doesn't like pearl colors. Even if the shade is similar, she rarely thinks colors with red undertones suit her."

"Marie, will you look at this? Samples came from Alcanso..."

It was dizzying. Since morning, countless people had seized hold of Marie.

Women interrupted one another to ask for her attention, but Marie did not lose her balance. If a discussion dragged on, she might forget what had been said, so she wrote it down in a notebook and resolved matters one by one.

She chose the tableware for the appetizers and main meal, the flowers and candlesticks for the tables. She sorted dresses for Lucrezia by dressmaker and boutique and sent them to the annex. Then she selected clothing for the marquess and marchioness.

They were newlyweds, and it was their first month of marriage, so they should wear harmonizing colors when they stood together. It would be better if their sleeves or collars bore embroidery symbolizing the house, where people would notice it. Yet Henrietta and Endymion suited very different colors.

Marie's purpose was to present a harmonious son and daughter-in-law at Lucrezia's birthday, and a marquess's household where the married couple cared for one another. There was nothing to gain from rumors that the marquess was obsessed with his concubine and neglected his lawful wife. People would savor gossip like that until every drop of sweetness was gone.

No one dared insult House Gwendel itself or target the marquess. Endymion had an awful temper, and Gwendel was grand enough that even if he tore someone apart and displayed the body, it would not count against the house.

Unless one belonged to an exceptionally powerful noble family, one could not survive the marquess's retaliation. But Henrietta was different. Some might say the marquess and marchioness were one as husband and wife, but Endymion's wife came from a family lower in standing than Gwendel.

Her family was not insignificant, but people said Endymion had selected the daughter of a house far beneath his own rank and dignity. Some of the women who had competed with Henrietta for the position said a worthless girl had taken the place of marchioness without knowing her station.

Yet even if that was true, Henrietta was Endymion's chosen woman. That was surely why Henrietta loved her husband so deeply. It was also why she could remain proud in the castle despite her mother-in-law openly disapproving of her family.

Marie hoped Endymion would cherish and love Henrietta. She had hoped so from the time she prepared their wedding.

Her master... She had prepared his wedding with the wish that this beautiful couple would sincerely cherish one another and remain happy forever, regardless of what Endymion himself thought.

Yet they had been married for only a month, and gossip about Henrietta's abilities and refinement was already overflowing. It was said that, beyond the issue of her family's rank, Henrietta herself lacked the breeding required of a marchioness.

And the marquess did not react as though he had ever heard such words. Since he did not react, people naturally crossed the line.

That was why this banquet mattered in every way. They had to be careful with everything, and could not choose even the smallest item carelessly.

Marie listened closely to the women who came to her. They were wives of the marquess's aides, women from knightly families who had served the marquess's house for years.

They had assisted Lucrezia and taught Marie. Marie had taught them in turn, and they always discussed important household occasions together.

"Then the hors d'oeuvres will be roe from the sturgeon Viscount Apette presented."

Sturgeon was one of the prized fish raised in Viscount Apette's lands. Together with truffles, it was considered one of the continent's great delicacies, perfect for banquet hors d'oeuvres. Marie nodded.

She began seeing the women who had lined up to speak with her one at a time. That evening, she would organize everything they had discussed and report it to Henrietta. Henrietta's wishes were important to the banquet as well, so it was best to proceed carefully.

"Marie."

She was reviewing ingredients for the main courses and deciding what the kitchen needed to know when a low voice called her. It was one of the ladies assisting at her side. The woman gestured with her chin to the left.

"The marchioness."

"Everyone is gathered here."

"Ah..."

Marie looked around. The ladies lifted their skirts slightly and curtsied. Marie quickly did the same. Henrietta stood before her without saying a word to let them rise.

Her cool blue eyes passed over the ladies' faces. Perhaps it was her first time in the outer quarters that housed the marquess's bedchamber. Henrietta looked sharply at the women, then slowly surveyed the pillars and ceiling. Marie watched tensely and took a cautious step forward.

"I was just about to report to you."

"You were?"

"Yes. These ladies have offered some excellent suggestions..."

"Ha. How absurd."

Henrietta turned on Marie with a face full of scorn. Marie stiffened. She did not know what she had done wrong. Perhaps Marie's very existence was wrong, if Henrietta was displeased.

"There are limits to making someone look like a fool."

"My lady..."

"So this is your way? You stand before me with that vacant face, shedding a few tears, then scheme behind my back to humiliate me?"

"I don't understand what you mean..."

"Of course you do. They say concubines will use every trick to undermine lawful wives."

"My lady."

Unable to endure it any longer, one of the ladies stepped forward to block Henrietta. Henrietta glared at her with eyes cold enough to drip frost. Marie gazed silently at the woman, then spoke again.

"I truly don't understand, my lady. What has happened...?"

Smack!

Marie's head snapped aside. She held her flushed cheek and stared at Henrietta. The marchioness's agitated face was twisted fiercely.

Dizziness swept over her. The metallic taste of blood rose in her throat. Pale as death, Marie swayed and collapsed.

"Marie!"

The lady beside her hurried to support her. Still not understanding, Marie looked up at the rigid woman before her.

Endymion's wife was as sensitive as Endymion. She believed Marie was not afraid of her, and that Marie intended to use the marquess's favor to dismiss and crush her. It was not true, but there was no way to explain that.

Perhaps it did not need explaining. Henrietta found Marie's very existence in this castle unbearable. Unless Marie was removed from before her eyes, Henrietta would never be at ease.

"My mother came this morning. Did you tell her?"

"My lady, please calm yourself. Marie is carrying His Lordship's child..."

"Be quiet. You are merely the wife of a low-ranking knight. Do you dare interrupt me and think you'll remain unharmed?"

"I..."

"It's all right, Lady Mayner."

Marie swallowed back the nausea rising with her dizziness and touched her burning cheek. As she tried to rise, Henrietta struck her again.

This time, the blow carried real force.

Marie staggered and fell once more, breathing in shallow gasps. Her beautiful blond hair fell loose over her white face. A bead of blood formed on her lip.

Marie covered her lower belly. This small violence was nothing. It was only a woman's hand, not a man's. She was used to being struck. Endymion had slapped her many times before. It did not surprise her. Marie hardened herself.

"My mother came this morning. She asked whether I had shut myself in the inner quarters and handed everything over to a mere concubine. If you didn't inform on me, who else would twist things that way? Tell me, you damned whore."

A maid grabbed Henrietta's arm. Henrietta, who had been speaking in a chilling voice as though nursing a deep grudge, shot the maid an irritated look and turned away. The sound of her low heels echoed through the outer quarters. Frightened, the maid stepped back behind her and swallowed a sigh.

The outer quarters were where the marquess, lord of the territory and master of the castle, truly lived and received guests. The area connected closely to his bedchamber included a ballroom for banquets and a glass conservatory. Henrietta had never set foot there.

At Endymion's arrival, Henrietta froze white. Then she bit her lip, hating the fallen woman. Marie had chosen this moment to collapse. Rage rose in her.

Whenever Henrietta saw Marie, murderous feelings surged up. She had never liked her, not for a single moment.

Would it have been better if the marquess's concubine had not been Marie? Henrietta did not know. She hated Marie so much that even knowing she was pregnant had not stopped her from striking her. Before Marie, she could not control herself.

Endymion gently raised Marie, who was struggling to steady her breathing. He ordered the aide following him to summon a physician, then swept Marie's curling blond hair behind her ear. Her swollen cheek and bloodied lip were revealed.

Endymion gently lifted Marie's chin. Marie lowered her eyes and whimpered as she tried to escape him. He stroked her cheek softly and wiped the blood from her lip with his fingertip.

Marie shook her head, avoiding her master's tenderness. Endymion did not force her to remain. He only removed the blue cloak from his shoulders and draped it over Marie.

His actions showed what they signified, showed how twisted he was. A maid who watched with lowered eyes bit her lip.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried