Published: August 15, 2025
I am Florentia, the principal wife of Aub Ehrenfest. It has been about ten years since I married into this family. When I first came here, there were many difficulties, but now I am blessed with lovely children and enjoy peaceful days.
“Charlotte, Melchior, I’m heading to today’s work now. Listen carefully to the nurse and be good children, alright?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Take care.”
I spoke to the children, hugged each of them, stood up, suppressing the reluctant feelings, and left the room. Every time I see my children’s smiles, the regret of not being able to do the same for Wilfried wells up in my heart.
...Really, that mother-in-law.
Wilfried was taken away and raised under my mother-in-law’s care when he was two seasons old, even though I was told I had to breastfeed him. Truly, I could only embrace him after dinner, and then the baptism ceremony came.
“Still, it’s good that the custody was returned...”
All thanks to Rosemine.
From the beginning of my marriage, my mother-in-law was strict in many ways, saying, "Sylvester’s wife should have been chosen from Arensbach." But Rosemine stood up against her, and later, by creating one trend after another that excited people, she skillfully reshaped the power map of noblewomen after my mother-in-law’s fall from grace. Most importantly, she saved Wilfried, who had received almost no education and was even at risk of disinheritance.
Rosemine is not only the saint of Ehrenfest but also mine.
When I heard that Sylvester, who couldn’t even properly educate his own child, was going to adopt the daughter of Karlstedt, I was incredulous. But once I met Rosemine, I quickly understood her uniqueness.
Her refined appearance, immense mana, astonishingly quick wit, the creativity to start new trends, the decisiveness to realize them swiftly, her compassion for others—yet, if you take your eyes off her, she seems so fragile she might die at any moment.
I think Sylvester made an unusual but wise decision in securing and protecting her for the sake of the domain.
Today, we are having tea with Lady Georgine, who came from Arensbach and is currently staying here. Sylvester insisted that I attend.
However, I am not very eager.
“…I have a natural aversion because she resembles my mother-in-law. Also, I can’t stop thinking about the smile Lady Georgine gave to Wilfried at the welcome banquet.”
“…Probably, Florentia is right. I also think it’s better if Wilfried doesn’t see her anymore. Just seeing her off at the end is enough. ...Of course, Rosemine too.”
It’s unusual for Sylvester, who is usually lenient with family and has left the unruly head priest and mother-in-law unchecked, to be so cautious. It worries me.
“Sylvester, why are you so wary of Lady Georgine?”
“Because I don’t want my child to suffer the same way.”
According to Sylvester, when he was fed up with the strictness of being raised as the heir, he was cruelly bullied by Lady Georgine, who was much older and had taken away his position as heir.
“I can now somewhat understand our elder sister’s feelings, who felt all her life was denied. But the harassment began as soon as sister moved to the North Wing after the baptism ceremony and lasted until she married into Arensbach.”
Sylvester speaks with as much calm as possible, but those incidents left deep wounds in his heart. He probably hasn’t fully processed his childhood trauma yet.
...Honestly, this man is a big child who grew up under the biased love of mother-in-law and was never truly rescued when it really mattered.
“Bring this in.”
Sylvester ordered his attendant to bring a wooden box into the tea room and stood up. I stood up with him.
“I have to talk about Uncle and Mother too... This weighs heavily on me.”
“If I, knowing only one side, interfere in your family matters, it would only cause more confusion. This is your work. I will be there too, so do your best.”
To cheer Sylvester up a little, I kissed his cheek, stayed close to him, and headed to the tea room.