Chapter 16: Hate her.

Chapter 16

The journey back to Beaufort Estate passed in blessed silence.

Sigrid sat against the cushioned seat of the carriage while the city rolled past beyond the window, her gaze fixed upon the passing streets without truly seeing them. The excitement of the confrontation had faded, leaving behind only a pleasant sense of satisfaction. Across from her, Lilith remained quiet, wisely choosing not to interrupt her mistress’s thoughts while keeping a careful hold on the jewelry box resting upon her lap.

By the time the estate’s iron gates came into view, the sun had already begun its slow descent across the horizon. The carriage rolled to a halt before the grand entrance. Without waiting for assistance, Sigrid stepped down and crossed the marble steps. Servants bowed as she passed, but she ignored every one of them. The moment she entered the manor, she moved directly toward the staircase, offering no greeting, no conversation, and showing absolutely no interest in seeing anyone. Lilith hurried after her carrying the jewelry box while attempting to keep pace with Sigrid’s swift strides.

Several minutes later they reached her chambers. The door closed behind them. At last, peace.

A slow breath escaped Sigrid’s lips. The tension she had not realized she carried finally began to dissolve. Behind her, Lilith knelt beside the bed and carefully slid the jewelry box back beneath it, concealing it exactly where it had been before. Once satisfied, she rose and moved toward her mistress.

"Allow me, my lady."

Sigrid raised her arms without complaint. Lilith immediately began helping her remove the elaborate garments she had worn throughout the afternoon, replacing them with softer and far more comfortable clothing suitable for remaining indoors.

As the layers disappeared one by one, Sigrid found herself thinking back upon the events of the day. Despite Maria’s interference, despite the nuisance called Lady Alice, and despite the headache that had followed her throughout the afternoon, the day had been successful. The dress was ordered, the design had been finalized, and within three days it would be completed and ready before the royal ball. That alone was worth enduring several inconveniences.

A small smile touched her lips. Then there was Lady Alice. The smile widened. That had been unexpectedly enjoyable. The woman had attempted to belittle her and instead found herself publicly dismantled before half the capital. Truly, some people possessed a remarkable talent for creating their own misery.

Sigrid settled into a nearby chair while Lilith finished arranging the sleeves of her fresh gown. Perhaps that was why she enjoyed teaching lessons so much, even small ones, especially small ones. A rabbit remained prey regardless of its size.

The thought reminded her of a title she had not heard in years, Wolf of Ironvale. The nickname had followed her through courts, battlefields, and noble gatherings alike, not because she was cruel, not because she was violent, but because she never released those who crossed her path. Once she fixed her eyes upon something, she pursued it until the matter was settled completely. The memory brought another smile to her lips.

"My lady?" Lilith’s hesitant voice interrupted her thoughts.

Sigrid glanced up. "Hm?"

Lilith shifted uneasily. "Are you well?"

Sigrid arched a brow. "What an unusual question. Do I appear to be dying?"

"No, my lady," Lilith replied quickly. "That is not what I meant. I was speaking of what happened at the boutique."

Sigrid’s amusement faded slightly.

Lilith lowered her gaze. "Lady Maria did not support you. She sided with another despite knowing you. I merely wondered..." She hesitated before continuing. "Do you feel she betrayed your trust?"

For several seconds silence filled the room. Then Sigrid laughed, not loudly, not mockingly, simply laughed.

Lilith blinked. The maid looked genuinely startled.

"Did I say something amusing, my lady?"

"Very much so," Sigrid replied, still smiling faintly. "You speak of betrayal as though trust ever existed between us."

Lilith frowned.

Sigrid leaned back in her chair. "I do not trust Maria."

The words emerged calmly, matter-of-fact, as though discussing the weather.

"There was nothing for her to betray. In truth, I knew precisely what she would do. The moment she arrived, I already knew she would place herself beside the crying noblewoman. The outcome was so predictable that I would have been shocked had she chosen differently."

Lilith stared. "So you do not like her?"

A chuckle escaped Sigrid.

"Oh, Lilith." She rested her cheek against one hand. "Like her?"

The amusement vanished from her face.

"I hate her. I detest her with every fiber of my being."

The room became very quiet. The confession had not been shouted, had not been spoken with rage. If anything, that made it worse. Sigrid sounded calm, certain, as though stating an undeniable truth.

Lilith swallowed. "But you never show it. You have never openly bullied Lady Maria. You do not seek out opportunities to embarrass her. Is it because she and the Duchess entered your home?"

Sigrid’s gaze drifted toward the window.

"It is far more complicated than that."

The softness in her voice vanished.

"Perhaps that was part of it. Perhaps it planted the first seed. But what Maria did to me can never be forgiven."

For a moment something dark crossed her expression, a shadow from another life, another ending. Whenever she looked at Maria’s face, she remembered everything. The smile. The bright eyes. The gentle concern. Every piece of it disgusted her.

"I look at her," Sigrid said quietly, "and I feel an overwhelming desire to destroy everything she treasures."

Memories flashed through her mind. An execution court. Accusations. Betrayal. Sabotage. The cold certainty that Maria had worked alongside Ragnar to bring about her downfall.

Sigrid slowly smiled. The expression carried no warmth.

"I would love nothing more than to ruin her."

Lilith visibly shivered.

"Then why not do it?"

"Because," Sigrid answered, "the time is not yet right."

She rose from her chair, the movement graceful and predatory.

"When I begin my revenge, I do not intend for only Maria to witness it. I want everyone present. Every noble. Every courtier. Every fool who ever praised her while condemning me."

Lilith lowered her head. A nervous silence followed. Eventually curiosity overcame caution.

"My lady," she asked quietly, "what exactly did Lady Maria do?"

Sigrid’s smile sharpened, cruel and dangerous.

"Well."

She took several slow steps toward Lilith.

"She was a wanton." That was not the only reason, Sigrid would never forget how during her execution she found out that Maria made it that she would never conceive child but saying that would imply something Sigrid wasn’t ready to reveal to the world yet.

Lilith’s entire body stiffened. The maid looked genuinely frightened.

A soft giggle escaped Sigrid.

"Oh, do not look so terrified."

She reached forward and lightly took a strand of Lilith’s hair between her fingers.

"You are exempt."

Lilith blinked. "My lady?"

"You had your reasons." Sigrid released a quiet laugh. "Dishonorable reasons, perhaps, but reasons nonetheless."

Then her expression darkened.

"Maria had none."

She slowly released Lilith’s hair.

The instant the strand slipped through her fingers—

*BANG!*

The chamber door slammed open with enough force to strike the wall. Both women turned.

Standing in the doorway was Duchess Genevieve. Her face was thunderous. Her eyes burned with fury.

And for perhaps the first time since returning to Beaufort Estate, Sigrid’s smile vanished entirely.