If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 95
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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She meant for Stella to quietly pay her respects and leave. Pretending not to see Stella’s somewhat humiliated silence, Agatha closed her eyes where she stood.
Her mind was already noisy without Stella’s addition. While she wasn’t afraid of public scrutiny, airing her discord with Cain so openly couldn’t possibly be beneficial.
Cain had married her to inherit the knights and establish legitimacy by continuing the Kristin legacy, yet he hadn’t even bothered to attend this important memorial. Accepting the inexplicable is sometimes necessary.
Agatha couldn’t predict how many rumors would spread after today.
“A man’s heart is one of the most futile things.”
Came a soft voice, breaking her brief thoughts.
“It’s like a burning flame. It lasts a few years at most, sometimes only months.”
“I thought I asked you to pay your respects quietly.”
“I’m saying this because I feel for you.”
“Who asked for your advice?”
Maybe she should have had Stella removed right away. Her temples began to throb.
“Just look at today. A husband who doesn’t stand by his wife on such an important occasion. It pains me.”
“……”
“You should never have relied on a man.”
Stella whispered, just loud enough for Agatha to hear. It was as if she was mocking her, saying that Agatha had foolishly changed her life by meeting a successful man, but now it was all falling apart.
“How long do you think the Marquis will protect you? You must have heard the rumors about him drifting apart from the Emperor ever since he became part of the Kristin family.”
She had stayed quiet because she didn’t want to deal with this. But it seemed that she had completely mistaken that she had subdued Stella. Stella, thinking she had completely overwhelmed Agatha, turned fully to face her, a sneer playing on her lips.
“I have nothing left to lose, so I have no fear. But you, now you have much to lose. From the title of head of the family, which you owe to your esteemed husband, to the title of Marchioness. It’s amusing, really. All of that would vanish if the Marquis were gone.”
She was trying to unsettle Agatha by exploiting her insecurities. Though it was unclear what Stella hoped to gain by throwing Agatha into confusion, Agatha had no intention of falling for Stella’s shallow schemes.
“I wonder how long you can keep up that lofty facade. Will the Marquis fall out of the Emperor’s favor first, or will you fall out of his?”
Stella had crossed a line. She was clearly under the mistaken belief that her niece was still the same young girl she could easily wound and control. But it was time for Stella to realize her grave mistake.
Agatha, who had been silent until now, began to speak slowly.
“Countess Calvino.”
“What? What did you call me, Countess?”
The title of ‘aunt’ was far too generous for her. The cold demeanor radiating from her niece must have been unsettling, as Stella’s face turned pale.
“If you’re not here to honor my father, you have no right to be here.”
“Right? How do I not have the right to be at my own brother’s memorial?”
“I won’t tolerate any more disrespect. If you say one more word against my husband and me, I’ll have you removed immediately.”
“Foolish girl… I’m only saying this out of concern for you, and you react like this?”
“Why would you be concerned about me?”
“What did you just say…”
“You call relying on a man foolish? You’re not one to talk, considering you hastily married to gain the Count’s name.”
“How dare you…”
“Silence. It seems your vile mouth is incapable of uttering anything appropriate, so it’s better for your own safety that you keep it shut.”
“What?”
Finally, Stella’s angry outburst shattered the silence. Unlike Agatha, who remained composed and muttered quietly, Stella’s entire body seethed with rage, making it clear to everyone that this was a one-sided confrontation.
What a mess. Those nearby exchanged uneasy glances. Although Stella’s arrival had foreshadowed trouble, no one had expected her to cause such a scene at a memorial.
The first to acknowledge Agatha, Count Fitzgerald, cleared his throat and discreetly stepped back, likely deciding it was unwise to involve himself in the quarrel.
“Looks like getting the title of Marchioness has made you lose all sense of respect.”
Stella shouted, no longer bothering to hide her contempt.
“No matter how comfortable you think you are after what you did to my son, it won’t last. Karma will catch up with you. How dare you, someone like you, go against me and my son!”
As Stella’s rant continued, the knights moved swiftly to restrain her, grabbing her arms and dragging her towards the exit. Despite her struggles, she couldn’t overcome the knights’ strength.
