Chapter 158 - Destressing

The marquis' estate and garden were the same as I remembered. The maze-like pathway through the flowerbeds was still convoluted, and the uniquely grand and flashy gate compared to those of other nobles' residences still towered over me as if it would fall and flatten me against the ground at any moment. In this place, I had acted timid—taking glimpses of those around me to take the role of the kind and submissive lady.

But now, the bitter feelings were slowly becoming resolved. Yes, this was analogous to playing a violent game to cool my head.

"What in the world are you doing, child? Have you gone mad?" I could hear the marchioness scream from a distance, but her desperate cries were of no interest to me. The only thing in my mind was anger and revenge. Noticing there were no more of my gifts in the foyer, I stomped on the shattered furniture with the heel of my shoe and headed to the dressing room located on the second floor.

"Jubelian!" the woman continued to shriek before me, but I paid no attention.

"Lady Floyen?" The maids addressed me in an attempt to stop my rampage once I was upstairs. Pushing them away, I proceeded to my target and forced open the closet door. The object I had been looking for was there as I had expected—it was a scarf made from the fur of a silver-haired fox. It was an expensive item that I had bought for the marchioness after she had hinted that she desired the accessory.

I contemplated on how I should ruin the item so that it suited the noble lady's tastes. Looking around, I realized I was more than lucky—there was a pair of scissors used for cutting fabric nearby! Smiling, I approached the tool.

"Y-your Ladyship!" the maids continued to dissuade me.

Determined to shake them off, I warned, "Stand back if you don't want to get hurt."

The women staggered back once they met my eyes. Snipping sounds filled the room as the furry accessory was cut into many pieces. Unable to take action, the maids stared at me in disgust. Regardless, I continued—grabbing bags, hats, and anything else I had gifted the lady. Then using the scissors, I frantically tore apart the precious items. I began to feel better as I listened to the sound of fabric ripping. I was glad that I had saved my irritation for now—the stressful situations that I had bottled up were finally being let out.

"Y-you! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" a voice snarled just then. I turned around to see that the marchioness was glaring at me, her face aghast.

"I already told you—I'm taking care of the things I've gifted you."

"On whose account? Have you turned insane at last?"

Ignoring the ear-paining yelps, I nonchalantly destroyed yet another bag adorned with leopard print.

"What are you all doing? Stop her, now!" The lady was now jumping up and down. In response, the maids and the servants began to approach me. Finding the situation ridiculous, I smirked. I must have been an Oscar-worthy actress in this place, seeing how the woman thought she could stop me with verbal threats. Of course, I was leading a quiet life now, but that didn't mean my past as a delinquent had disappeared into thin air—I simply no longer took out my anger on those of a lower social status than me. In any case, I thought a little threat was necessary at this moment.

Holding the scissors toward the workers, I cautioned, "Stop me if you can. That is if you are unafraid of what might happen if you dare lay a finger on me." The maids and servants flinched in response. Frankly, I wouldn't be able to approach me if I were them, either. After all, I probably looked like a lunatic.

"Y-you imbeciles! Stop standing around like looneys! Stop her at this instant!" the lady's voice heightened to another octave at the sight of her minions frozen in place.

"Don't worry, Lady Hessen. As I said, I'm just cleaning up the things that are probably an eyesore to you anyways," I reminded the woman using the most charming tone of voice I could sound.

"W-w-what is she…" Her face pale as a ghost, the lady began to falter. That was when I heard stomps from the staircase.

"Jubelian! What in tarnation do you think you are doing?!" It was Mikhail's 17-year-old younger sister. She had a lovely face but not so much a delightful personality.

"Giselle!" the marchioness's complexion brightened at her precious daughter's entrance.

I stifled a laugh, excited that the person that the marchioness cherished so much had finally appeared.

***

"My little girl, hurry and stop that madwoman!"

Despite her mother's urging, Giselle stalled. The lady had gone insane! Her sapphire eyes were shining with mania, and she was mercilessly destroying the contents of the dressing room! But…

Giselle collected herself. It was just Jubelian, after all. Rumors about the lady's infamous reputation had never made sense to Giselle, for the woman would take a submissive attitude whenever Mikhail was mentioned.

"I'm truly sorry, Giselle. It was my fault, so please keep this a secret from Mikhail," she would say. Even if she was picked on by the littlest things, Jubelian's tail remained lowered. For this reason, Giselle had no reason to be intimidated by the duke's daughter and had always treated her with disrespect.

By the sight of it, it seemed that Jubelian had visited due to her lingering feelings regarding Mikhail. But Giselle couldn't understand why the lady would wreak havoc like this. Infuriated, the girl finally opened her mouth, "Stop this madness now, Jubelian. What would my dear brother think of you?!"

As she had always done, Jubelian stopped what she was doing and froze in place. Giselle snorted. Her mother had mentioned once that Jubelian had grown up without a mother. Perhaps that was the reason behind her idiocy.

"Ha… hahahahahaha!" To everyone's surprise, the lady shrieked with laughter.

****

Hope you enjoyed it,

Love,

Biji ^^,

Nov.6.2023