Chapter 275
Eloise came to visit, but Kelsey hardly seemed pleased.
Eloise was nowhere to be seen when I was ill, nor when Willow was scolded by the Queen. But today, she'd practically tripped over herself to show up, Kelsey thought. Looking at Eloise’s phony smile, I could barely contain my rage. If it weren’t for our families’ long-standing friendship, I wouldn’t have even bothered to see her!
“I meant to visit when you were ill, but I was tied up with household affairs. Now that I finally have some free time, are you feeling any better?” Eloise asked with an ingratiating smile, pushing the exquisite bird’s nest toward Kelsey.
Kelsey listened to her tone, and her displeasure mounted. If she truly wanted to visit, she thought, “nothing could have stopped her–not even a hurricane. And now she’s making excuses about being too busy! How utterly fake."
Kelsey gave Willow a disdainful glance, noting the veil on her face and her timid, cautious demeanor. Just seeing her made Kelsey’s blood boil. "Why did I ever listen to Eloise and let this walking jinx marry into our family?” she thought bitterly. “Ever since she set foot in this house, nothing but trouble has followed."
“I appreciate the thought, Lady Eloise, but this bird’s nest soup is far too extravagant for me. You’d better take it back,” Kelsey said coolly. Kelsey gave Eloise no quarter, stopping just short of selling her outright to take Willow back as well. If it weren’t for her, Michael wouldn’t have been reprimanded by the Emperor. Now the Osborne family’s position was precarious.
Eloise stiffened, catching the welled resentment in Kelsey’s words. “So she’s blaming me now,” she thought bitterly. “We were so close before, but the moment trouble came, she turned on me like a switch. So much for noble families and marriage alliances–she can give me the cold shoulder whenever she pleases!"
Eloise drew a slow, shuddering breath, her eyes red-rimmed, and said, “I know you resent me, but my household has just as many troubles as yours. Fiona and Nicolas used to be so in love, but now, after hearing someone’s poisonous words, she’s insisting on a divorce. I haven’t dared leave their side for a moment, afraid they’ll clash again.”
She continued in a trembling voice, “Now she’s moved into her own quarters with the child, refusing to even speak to Nicolas. She even shows open disrespect toward me, her mother-in-law."
Sure enough, Eloise’s troubles brought Kelsey a secret sense of satisfaction. Kelsey, not wanting to escalate the conflict, softened her tone and said, “Oh, dear, you’ve misunderstood my meaning. I only refused because I was worried about your delicate health. But if you insist, how could I bear to upset you?”
“Go and accept the birdsnest,” she said to the maid. With just a few words, the tension between them eased. Forcing a smile, Eloise let out a couple of awkward laughs and said. “I always knew you cared for me, dearest sister.”
Standing behind Eloise, Willow watched as the two women reconciled just like old times. She finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, “Thank goodness, they’ve made up.”
Kelsey pressed on sharply, “What nonsense is this sudden talk of divorce? Fiona has always been such an obedient girl. Who could be so wicked as to poison her mind against her own husband?”
Willow spoke up. “My sister-in-law Fiona has always been gentle and kind, and I’ve never heard of her being particularly close to anyone. She meets frequently with my sister Albena, but Athena isn’t the type to spread malicious gossip. So I suppose someone else must be behind all this."
It all clicked into place for Kelsey. I must be Athena holding a grudge–she’s the one who poisoned Fiona’s mind, she thought. Athena was Eloise’s own daughter, so Kelsey found it awkward to criticize her directly. She spoke to Eloise with gentle tact, “I know I shouldn’t interfere in family matters, but given our bond, I feel I must warn you: though Athena is your own flesh and blood, she’s quite calculating. You’d do well to keep an eye on her."
Kelsey had braced herself for Eloise’s displeasure, but to her surprise, Eloise didn’t object; instead, she tacitly agreed with Kelsey’s words.
“Athena is definitely not her old self,” Eloise admitted quietly.
A flicker of surprise crossed Kelsey’s mind. She had assumed that even if Athena was disowned, the mother-daughter bond would still remain. But to her astonishment, even Eloise harbored resentment toward her own daughter–clearly, Athena was nothing but trouble.
Kelsey turned to Willow and said, “When you have time, do try to talk some sense into Fiona. Don’t let her be misled by those with ill intentions."
“Yes, Mother-in-law,” Willow replied obediently, though inwardly she felt uneasy. She thought, “Last time I tried to talk to Fiona, she just scolded me and sent me away. I really don’t know what kind of spell Athena has put on her to make her change so much.”
‘Thank God, Eloise still trusts me,” Willow thought. “Or I’d have no place in this family.”
Seeing that the conversation was winding down, Eloise subtly steered the topic toward Matthew’s recent troubles. She sighed, “Ever since the New Year it’s been one thing after another. We haven’t gathered in ages. Why don’t you take the lead and host a banquet sometime? It might help everyone’s spirits."
Eloise’s words struck a chord with Kelsey. She nodded, “I was thinking the same. Why not hold it on the Double Third Festival–a traditional spring purification festival? It’s the perfect time to pray for blessings and ward off misfortune. Let’s make it a truly splendid affair."
‘If I’m going to host a banquet, it certainly won’t be a modest one,’ Kelsey thought to herself, ever the status-conscious lady. She intended to use the event to mend fences and counter the negative rumors swirling around the Osborne family. The guest list would be carefully curated from her inner circle.
Knowing that the Maynard family would certainly be invited, Eloise breathed a sigh of relief.
“Very well, it’s settled then.” Eloise rose to her feet, her face breaking into a practiced smile. “Do take good care of yourself. I must be going now–there are still matters awaiting me at home."
Kelsey nodded and instructed Willow, “Willow, please see Eloise out for me.”
“Yes, Mother-in-law,” Willow replied with a respectful curtsy, as Kelsey, assisted by her maid, retreated to her own courtyard.
Willow linked arms with Eloise as they walked out and quietly asked, “Mother, will your plan really work?”
“Don’t worry, it’ll work for sure.” Eloise thumped her chest confidently. “We’ve been through it all–would I ever steer you wrong? Do you know why your father hasn’t taken a concubine all these years? That’s entirely thanks to my guidance: with men, you have to keep him enchanted while maintaining just the right balance to make him respect and adore you. Get it?”
Willow nodded obediently. “Of course, Mother, I’ll do exactly as you say.”
As they were chatting, a figure suddenly emerged ahead. It was Michael. He seemed to have just returned from outside and was heading back to his own courtyard when he unexpectedly ran into Eloise and Willow, compelling him to stop and greet them.
“Lady Eloise,” Michael said with a respectful bow.
With a beaming smile, Eloise said, “Willow was just talking about you, saying you cherish her like a precious gem. Seeing how devoted you two are already puts my mind at ease."
Hearing this, Michael cast a surprised glance at Willow. Michael noticed the veil still covering Willow’s face–a silent reminder her wounds hadn’t yet healed. Her eyes, once sparkling with life, now brimmed with quiet sorrow, their former liveliness gone. Michael suddenly felt a pang of guilt. I’ve been far too cold to Willow, he thought. “Yet she still stands up for me. As a man, I shouldn’t act like this."
Michael cast an apologetic glance at Willow, his gaze softening. “I’ve been swamped with official duties lately and ended up neglecting you, Willow. It’s my fault.”
“Honey, I’m perfectly fine,” Willow replied, her face brightening with barely contained delight as she eagerly responded to Michael.
Eloise cut in, stopping Willow mid-sentence. “Good. As long as you guys get along well, everything will only be better."
“I only came today to check on your mother-in-law. Now that I see she’s well, my mind is at ease. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Michael and Willow escorted Eloise to her carriage, watching as the carriage drove away. Only then did they return to the manor.
As Michael and Willow walked side by side back, he asked gently, “How are your wounds? Are they getting better?”