I Picked Up the Trash Others Threw Away - Chapter 35.1

Chapter 35.1

If I came out in the social world with Countess Malekiah’s full support, even those who tried to hold me in check wouldn’t be able to do anything. The Malekiah family had a strong position among social circles, and the countess’ influence was a significant part of it.

The only flaw in the family was their second son, Trish, but now that even the family’s troublemaker had gotten married, there was nothing else anyone could hold against her.

Even if I came from a small baron family, I was still part of the nobility. And since it was a love marriage and we exchanged vows amidst all the interest, no one could really object to it.

To me, who once had nothing, the Malekiah family was like having an entire army on your back.

Without the count and countess’ support, we wouldn’t have even received permission to marry. That was why I had every reason to want to be acknowledged and adored by my parents-in-law.

I sincerely expressed my gratitude to the countess.

“I’ll work hard not to cause you any harm.”

“It’s not that difficult. You don’t have to be overly modest.”

“Still, I feel more reassured thanks to you. As expected, I did well in asking for your help.

“Oh, please.”

The servants watching us fondly approached us and poured tea into the empty teacups before carefully arranging our disheveled hair.

Inside the bright and beautiful greenhouse, the countess and I laughed and chatted like mother and daughter, having a casual conversation.

“How was the villa you visited with Trish?”

“Ah, it was such a beautiful place. The scenery was nice, and the servants were all wonderful.”

“It’s a great place to relax. It’s my favorite place, too.”

“Trish also said that it’s a place where he has many childhood memories.”

“Oh, did he say that?”

Now, when Trish’s name was mentioned, the countess didn’t frown or look troubled.

Rather, she smiled brightly, as if she was happy to see how much Trish had changed because of me.

“That place didn’t enforce such strict rules as the main house, so they were more accepting of Trish’s playful side. Even his nanny still lives there.”

The countess gazed at the teacup with a pensive face, as if reminiscing about the past.

Her expression reflected in the clear tea seemed a little gloomy, so I nervously tried to brighten the mood.

“The upcoming family gathering will be more harmonious than ever. I’ll do my best to set the tone.”

“You’re working so hard. I heard that Trish hasn’t caused any trouble since your last outing together. He’s changed a lot. He’d normally be busy causing all kinds of trouble every day around this time.”

“It’s the result of his own efforts. He’ll be able to show you an even better version of himself in the future.”

I wasn’t entirely sure of that, but perhaps, if Trish really was determined to change, just as he said, he could turn into a completely different person that would surprise everyone.

I used to think there wasn’t a single redeemable thing about him, so realizing that I was now the one supporting him more than anyone else made me laugh. After all, our first meeting where we pointed fingers at each other and called each other con artists felt like a distant memory, and we had quite a good relationship now.

The countess said that there was no reason not to believe me, and after saying that she would continue to watch over me, we ended our peaceful teatime.

***

The day after replying to various invitations, I returned to the boutique street with Trish.

The countess had said that I needed dresses that matched the current fashion if I was going to attend all the upcoming events, so she pushed me and Trish out of the mansion in a subtle yet forceful way.

There were only two bags of old, shabby clothes and belongings that I brought with me when I moved to the Malekiah mansion.

She seemed to have judged that I had nothing suitable to wear to high society events.

And she was right.

“But why do I also need to go?”

“Because you know better about social trends than I do?”

“Well, you’re not wrong, but don’t complain that you don’t like my choices.”