Rebirth of The Duchess

Episode 4

Strangely enough, once the knot in her heart was removed, her illness healed extremely quickly. In addition to still being afraid of the cold, my stiff body gradually became able to move, and I began to speak much more fluently.

She thought about it and then said, "Mommy, whose birthday did you just say it was?"

She had only listened to half of what she said just now, and the focus was entirely on her father. Therefore, I didn't hear clearly whose birthday it was.

"It's Miss Seventh, Vivian."

Clara shuddered when she heard this name again after a lifetime.

Vivian ranks seventh in the Count of Bourbon’s family and is the youngest daughter of her father, Prime Minister Jules.

Vivian's mother, Selena, came from a famous family and was the direct daughter of the former Prime Minister, Borris Portier. Therefore, even though Selena was the second person to be married by Prime Minister Jules, she was given the title of First Lady before she got married.

Zenith, who was married two years earlier than her, had no choice but to become the Mistress.

Selena’s appearance is beautiful, and she also has exquisite skills. After entering the mansion, she first broke Zenith's favor, and then quickly captured the heart of the old lady of the Bourbon family.

Although Mistress Zenith was dissatisfied, for the sake of Lady Selena’s natal family, she always dared to be angry but dared not speak out. She only dared to say a few words behind her back.

With such a mother, Vivian was treated differently from other girls in the Bourbon family throughout her life. Not only was she favored by Jules, but her food, clothing, and housing were also better than others.

When others make one set of clothes, she makes two sets; when others make two sets of clothes, she makes five sets.

Therefore, Vivian has been arrogant, domineering, and assertive since she was very young.

The other four sisters spent most of their time trying to please Vivian, including Clara herself.

In the previous life, the words that Mother always mentioned were forever that one sentence: "Vivian is younger than you, and she's the legitimate daughter. You must take good care of her, and never get into conflicts with her."

She kept those words in her heart, and indeed acted accordingly.

However, in the end, what did she exchange for? Betrayal, loss of love, and being pushed to the brink of death!

Clara thought, and bit her teeth as a profound resentment seeped into the depths of her eyes. She took a deep breath and said, "Since it's Seventh Sister's birthday, as her elder sister, I must go see her and even bring a grand gift."

Both Aunt Adel and Amy thought she was joking, but on the day before Vivian's birthday, Clara did get out of bed.

When her mother arrived, she was slowly moving along the corridor.

She was still afraid of the cold, so, despite the bright sun overhead, she was dressed in spring clothes.

A lotus-pink satin robe covered with a blue floral pleated skirt underneath. It complemented her delicate face, making her even more charming and adorable.

Seeing this scene, Marie's eyes turned red immediately. Wiping her tears with one hand, she nodded repeatedly at the empty space, "Clara, this is great."

Turning her gaze to her mother, Clara quickly opened her arms. Marie hurriedly took a step forward and embraced her tightly.

Her mother's embrace was the thing she missed the most during her difficult days in the Duke's Mansion in her previous life.

A warm sensation enveloped her, and tears gradually welled up in her eyes.

"Clara, Mother was so afraid for you..." Marie carefully examined Clara over and over again, feeling like she couldn't get enough of her.

"Mother, I've forgotten everything before I got sick. Do you know what happened?"

Clara never remembered in her previous life that she had fallen ill because of getting caught in the rain. So, when she woke up, her first question to Amy was why she got caught in the rain.

Even though she was not in a good position, she was still the sixth miss of the Lu family. Although not pampered, she was still the mistress, and wherever she went, maids accompanied her.

In this matter, Amy should have known.

However, when she asked, Aunt Adel and Amy exchanged a glance, shook their heads, claiming they didn't know.

At that time, she speculated that it must be her mother's decision.

With this question, her mother did not speak for a long time, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on her slightly tired face.

She kept watching her mother's expression and tentatively said, "But is it related to Seventh Sister?"

"Clara, don't bring up the reasons behind this. Promise Mother that you'll treat it as if it never happened when it comes to this matter involving Vivian."

If it weren't for her low status and the fact that her daughter suffered this kind of hardship, she wouldn't have asked her to bear this.

She would never forget that day when Vivian, Rosalin, and Barbara came to find her.

Rosalin and Barbara were both fidgety and in a hurry, avoiding eye contact.

Only Vivian was different, with an innocent smile on her face, casually saying, "Aunt Marie, we're playing hide and seek with Sixth Sister. I don't know where she went. It's pouring outside, so quickly send someone to find her." After saying that, the three of them quickly left.

At that time, her heart "thumped" for a moment. She quickly grabbed an umbrella and ran into the rain.

The strong wind howled, the rain poured, blocking her line of sight.

In the backyard, behind the rockery, in the attic. She and Aunt Adel, the two of them, ran around like ants on a hot pot, anxious.

Finally.

In a forest in the easternmost corner of the mansion, she finally saw her daughter.

Mrs. Marie recalled the situation at that time and took another breath. She didn't dare to think about what happened next.

She couldn't help but raise her hand and hug Clara again, choking and saying, "Mom... Mom is sorry for you."

With just this sentence, Clara was sure that the incident where she got caught in the rain had something to do with Vivian!

The reason why her mother hid it from her was partly because she was afraid of Lady Selena’s status and means. On the other hand, she was afraid that she would foolishly go to her father to complain. At that time, if the family of Lady Selena bites back, then her mother and daughter really have no way to survive in the house.

She couldn't do such a thing in her previous life, and she couldn't do it in this life.

She thought for a moment, then reached out and patted her mother's shoulder gently, smiled hard, and then said firmly, "I will definitely keep it in mind."

She said this to reassure her mother. However, she didn't think so in her heart.