Chapter 30: Self-Introduction
“Lady Livia, yes, you look absolutely beautiful.”
Meirin replied to her words as she always did, with a gentle smile.
“Really?
Do I look good with Harid too?”
“Yes, very much so.
Hehe, you are a perfectly matched couple.”
There was, of course, no jealousy in her at all.
Meirin had a husband.
More than that, the truth was that she had never once looked at Harid as a man.
“I’m so happy!
Harid!
I’m really, truly happy that Lady Electra says that!”
Once again, she spoke the name “Electra” out loud.
“…E-Excuse me.
Lady Carlson, may I have a word?”
At that point, the bewildered Countess Mizetta Farse spoke up.
“Huh?
What is it?”
There was no trace of courtesy toward a countess in that response.
But at the moment, no one cared about that.
“Why do you refer to this woman as ‘Electra’?”
“Huh, why?
What are you saying?
Of course—”
Livia looked confused.
She did not understand the meaning of the question.
However, Harid, who did understand it, felt panic surge through him.
“Ah, th-that!
It’s a misunderstanding—Livia, now isn’t the time!”
“I sincerely apologize, Lady Livia!”
Just as Harid tried to brush it off.
Meirin apologized loudly enough for everyone around to hear.
“Eh, what?
Lady Electra…”
“In truth, I have been telling Lady Livia a very big lie.”
“A lie…?”
“Yes.
A lie.”
“Hey!
What do you think you’re saying!?”
Harid tried to stop Meirin.
But the ducal couple was nearby, and he could not act forcefully.
“My true name is Meirin Albright.
I am the wife of Bites Albright, chairman of the Albright Trading Company.”
Introducing herself, Meirin performed a beautiful curtsey.
“…Eh?”
Livia lost her words, unable to grasp what she had just been told.
“In truth, I am not Electra Vent.
Until now, I was hired by Viscount Harid Carlson and acted in her place.
For that, I apologize for deceiving you, Lady Livia Carlson, Viscountess.”
“Huh…?
What?
What does that mean?
But Lady Electra was—”
Livia’s voice trembled in confusion.
Harid’s face turned pale, while Jack wore an expression of panic and bewilderment.
Even so, Meirin continued calmly, her smile never fading.
“When Lady Livia and Viscount Carlson formed their bond on the battlefield, the real Lady Electra, who was already married to him, was certainly running the Carlson estate, supporting the territory, helping the people, and living while being beloved by the servants.
…However!”
Raising and projecting her voice, Meirin continued.
The surrounding guests all lent their ears to the exchange.
“When Lady Electra heard that her ‘husband’ had become close to ‘another woman’ on the battlefield, she entrusted the management of the Carlson estate to reliable servants and left the mansion.
At that time, she reportedly gave every servant a letter of recommendation so they could leave at any time, according to what the servants themselves told me.”
“Letters of recommendation…!?”
Harid widened his eyes, hearing this for the first time.
“And then, after her husband returned together with ‘another woman’ and prepared the divorce papers!
By the time they came back to the mansion, the real Lady Electra was already gone.
Of course, she left behind divorce papers bearing her signature before departing.
Since then!
No one!
Has seen the real Lady Electra.
Therefore!
…Lady Livia.
You have never once met the real Lady Electra.
Because I am a fake.”
Meirin deliberately refrained from explaining why she had pretended to be Electra.
Instead, she provided a long and thorough lead-up.
Naturally, everyone around heard it, and murmurs spread through the hall.
“Do you understand now, Lady Livia?
That I am not the real Lady Electra.”
“W-What…?
I-I don’t understand…!
After all this time, you’re saying that—!”
“Oh my, was that still not clear enough?
Hehe.”
Meirin smiled playfully.
“It was Viscount Carlson who hired me.
To be precise, he was looking for ‘a woman with light blue hair.’
It was a rare request, so it piqued my interest, and I accepted employment with the Carlson family.
Yes, because one never knows what might lead to business opportunities for the Albright Trading Company.
With the permission of my husband, Bites, and with the support of Duchess Noralia Pharmason.
Just as Viscount Harid Carlson requested, I pretended to be his divorced former wife, Electra Vent, only in front of Lady Livia Carlson.”
Meirin explained everything in detail.
Always loud enough for those around to hear.
So that anyone listening would understand.
“Ah, but please rest assured, Lady Livia.
Because you believed me to be the ‘former wife,’ you were cautious of me, were you not?
There was absolutely no relationship between Viscount Carlson and myself.
That is something the Carlson household staff strictly managed and can prove.
To begin with, I never harbored any romantic feelings toward Viscount Carlson, and I have a husband whom I dearly love.”
“……”
Livia could only stare blankly, listening.
Her understanding had yet to catch up.
But ignoring her state, Meirin pressed on.
“For half a year, I, Meirin Albright, pretended to be the divorced former wife Electra Vent and served as your ‘conversation partner,’ Lady Livia Carlson.
Yes, it was very enjoyable.
Always, always.
Again and again.
Being told, and asked repeatedly, just how well matched you and Viscount Carlson were, by the divorced former wife herself.
Isn’t that simply adorable?
That the two of you are a perfect match has been proven here today, before everyone, and you have finally married.
I am truly glad that I can now celebrate your new beginning with a clear heart and finally take my leave of the Carlson estate.”
Having said all that, Meirin once again performed a curtsey.
…And then.
“Meirin!
Are you finally finished?”
Another man appeared.
“Ah, Bites.
Yes, my long job has finally come to an end.”
The man who rushed over approached Meirin in her black dress and embraced her.
“Thank goodness.
I realized just how painful the time apart from you has been.
I love you, Meirin.”
“Hehe, thank you.
My beloved husband.
It was a strange job, but it became a valuable experience.
I even managed to hire new employees, so I’ll be returning to Albright starting today.”
“Yes, please come home, Meirin.
That makes me very happy.”
Exchanging words that sounded exaggerated yet sincere, the couple displayed their deep affection.
“…Meirin?
Albright…?
You’re really… not Lady Electra?”
“Yes, Lady Livia.
I was hired by that Viscount Carlson there to call myself that name and deceive you.
However, I was truly happy to be granted the opportunity to speak with Saint Livia.
Thank you very much for everything.”
“Thank you, Lady Carlson.
My wife Meirin has been in your care all this time.”
“……”
Bites Albright bowed his head alongside Meirin.
Then, still smiling warmly, they said no more.
What remained was silence.
And then—
“…What is the meaning of this, Harid?”
Only the newlyweds, bound by deception and betrayal, were left standing there.