I felt a sense of reward for coming to see Sister Freya first, out of all the people I thought might help me.
The faint trust I had in her grew stronger.
A belief that what I’d done wasn’t entirely in vain.
That the life I’d lived wasn’t entirely meaningless.
“Between us, there’s no need to include Egbert, Anais.”
Those words were truly comforting.
It was a confirmation that our relationship could exist without Egbert—
and that she was willing to be connected to me, as I am.
It was a promise to recognize me on my own terms.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Sister Freya.”
“What thanks? There’s nothing for you to thank me for.”
Freya smiled at me—
A smile deeper than before.
“You coming all the way here means something’s happened, hasn’t it?”
Freya clicked her tongue.
“Just because I’m in a monastery doesn’t mean I hear nothing.
Is Egbert still clinging to the bank? Do you need my help?”
I told her about how the committees had turned their backs on me,
and how Egbert still harbored lingering attachment to our marriage.
Freya listened intently for a long time. Then she muttered:
“That lunatic. Saint Grace, forgive me.”
Freya made the sign of the cross and rolled her eyes upward.
“Your father really did have good judgment.
That fool dares lay a hand on Graham Bank?
He’s always been selfish—grew up just the same.”
“That’s why I came to you, hoping you could help me.”
Freya let out a long sigh.
In truth, Freya had donated almost everything she owned to society before entering the monastery.
She was the person I most wanted to meet—
and the one whose support I most desired.
Yet also, the one with the least actual power.
“As you know, Anais, I hold nothing in my hands.
The best I can do is try to meet with the committees and persuade them.”
“…They’re the same people who were swayed by Egbert.”
I shook my head.
“They could betray me again at any moment.
I have no intention of including them in my future ventures ever again.”
“You’re right. Then…”
“No, Sister Freya. I only…”
I bit down hard on my lip.
“One sentence in the paper—that Sister Freya Graham supports me.
That alone is more than enough.”
The name Freya Graham carried more weight than most realized.
And if that name was publicly aligned with me, not with her nephew Egbert?
It could shift the way the world saw me.
It would become the catalyst for people to see me in a new light.
“…Is that truly all you want?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I support you, Anais.
You may use my name as your shield. I give you my permission.”
“…Thank you, Sister.”
After watching me quietly for a while, Freya finally spoke again.
“Have you eaten?”
That’s when I remembered—I had skipped breakfast.
After seeing the new flowerpots blocking the path that morning, I’d felt so stifled that I simply left.
There are always those kinds of people—
The ones who refuse to back off, no matter how many times you say no.
People with no respect for me whatsoever.
Why do they treat me so lightly?
I shook my head in frustration.
“Then eat before you go. That much, I can provide.”
Freya took my hand.
It was the same warmth as always.
“A businesswoman needs to eat well to stay strong.”
“Yes, Sister. I will. I’ll do that.”
Freya smiled again.
And once more, that smile brought comfort to my heart.
Misfortune and fortune—
They were like two sides of the same coin.
They always seemed to arrive together.
I sat in a coffeehouse, a newspaper in hand.
It was a cozy spot near Graham Bank, perfect for enjoying the midday sunlight.
I often came here whenever I needed some time alone.
And the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was especially comforting.
I opened that morning’s freshly printed newspaper.
Baldwin’s face was printed large on the front page.
My heart fluttered.
A news article that gave me joy more than anything—neatly printed in crisp letters.
[The Emperor of Laixia, Seidon Laixia, has signed a new agreement with Constantine.
The grand cruise ship currently under planning by Constantine is set to depart from Estus’s capital, make a five-day stop in Laixia’s port city, Larlos, and then return via the Kingdom of Eures.
If the maiden voyage is successful, they plan to expand the route.
Given Laixia’s recent peace treaty after the war, the timing couldn’t be better.]
[The Empress’s pregnancy undoubtedly influenced the Emperor’s bold decision.
This promising partnership between Laixia and Constantine is expected to flourish.]
Though the article didn’t mention Graham Bank even once, it was still favorable to our side.
The Laixia Empire had recently become one of the continent’s most popular travel destinations.
Even more so since the Empress recovered from her illness—and became pregnant.
Sometimes, victory isn’t about being named—it’s about being seen.
Thanks to all that, rumors spread quickly that the god of healing worshipped in Laixia had blessed the Empress.
People seeking that divine grace were now flocking to Laixia.
“Seriously, Baldwin…”
What an incredible man.
“How does he even come up with these things?”
I murmured to myself without realizing it.
The way he’d pulled it off—truly masterful.
“Laixia, of all places…”
A gasp escaped my lips.
Baldwin was giving full support to Graham Bank.
Even just publishing that article at this moment proved that much.
It was easy to picture Egbert writhing in jealousy, clutching the floor.
This coffee tastes like honey.
As I considered whether to order another cup, I noticed people gathering behind me.
“Is it just me, or is the weather getting hotter?”
“It really is.”
“Gwendolyn, how was the spring ball this year? Ugh, I really wanted to go…”
“Same as last year. It was dazzling.”
“But I heard a rumor that His Grace, the Duke, danced. With someone—who was it again?”
They’re talking about me.
I started to rise but sat back down quietly, instinctively holding my breath.
I wasn’t sure why, but something told me I needed to stay still.
“Anais Barnaby.”
“Yes, her!”
It was obvious that they had brought up the spring ball just to talk about me.
I stared into my empty coffee cup.
My throat felt dry.
“Why?”
Gwendolyn’s voice had a sharp edge to it.
I didn’t know her personally, but I knew she was the daughter of Marquess Horace.
“I mean, he danced with her, so I was just curious. You saw it with your own eyes, didn’t you?”
“Just…”
Gwendolyn replied,
“It was nothing. Haven’t you heard the rumors about that woman lately?”
Rumors? About me?
“They say she flirts with every man she sees. That men are lining up at her door to propose.
Word is she’s basically using Graham Bank as her dowry to reel in a husband.
Baldwin probably just gave in because she wouldn’t stop pestering him.
Women like that cling until they get what they want.”
The moment I heard that, my blood ran cold.
That’s how the world truly sees me.
My lips trembled ever so slightly.
“She’s already been married once anyway. What’s left for her to be shy about? A divorcee like her?”
“You’re right, Gwen. She must’ve thrown herself at His Grace pretty hard for him to respond.
Poor man, he must be exhausted.”
“Totally.”
“And besides, I heard the rumors too.
Even the southern resorts were buzzing with it.
According to what they say…”
Her voice dropped a little,
but to me—already focused on their every word—it rang out loud and clear.
“That woman… They say she had some kind of improper relationship with the late former Marquess.
How else could she have gotten Graham Bank? She’s not even blood-related.”
“What? Seriously?”
“That’s what my mother said.
Ugh, do you know the age difference? It’s disgusting.
Wasn’t the Barnaby Viscounty basically going under?
So she probably just did whatever she had to.”
“Trying to shoulder her family’s legacy at such a young age?
It’s admirable, I guess—but what a shameful way to do it.”
My clenched fist trembled.
Words spoken by people who knew nothing about me were twisted and reimagined into complete lies.
Do they even realize I’m sitting right behind them as they say these things?
Do they forget I’m human? That I’m a woman their own age?
My heart collapsed.
It felt like a tsunami crashed through me,
and my very soul turned to dust.
There must be so many people saying the same kind of things.
I suddenly thought of Xenus—
the way he had looked at me with sympathy.
He had still offered marriage, claiming pity.
Had he already heard this filth too?
Was that why he couldn’t speak plainly to me?
“No matter what, though, Baldwin getting caught in her net is just too much.
But well, she’s already reeled in enough men. Might as well catch one more, right?”
“I know, but… poor men.
They really ought to know they’re being used.
Would Anais Barnaby seduce them for nothing?
She could pull another stunt like she did with Marquess Egbert—
steal something from them, like she did with the bank.”
“True. The first time’s hard, but the second? That’s easy.”
I was being torn apart in their words—
shattered, and humiliated.
That’s how the world sees me.
Anais Barnaby.
