Leveling Up My Husband to the Max

Amber was completely surprised at Jenia’s unwillingness to back down, even with Grace’s intimidation. She didn’t expect Jenia to be so brave.

At the same time, she felt warmth bloom in her heart. Even as the years passed and the circumstances of their first meeting changed, Jenia was still Jenia and truly wished to serve Amber with all her being.

And because she knew that, she knew that she couldn’t let Jenia go with her.

“I have to go alone.”

“Madam…”

“I knew that something like this would happen, ever since I took you, Luna, and Sonya under me.” Amber lowered her voice enough so that only Jenia could hear her. “Did you honestly think that I would have taken you all in without being prepared for this?”

Amber taking in three laundry maids was essentially a declaration of war against Bella.

From now on, she would endlessly clash with Bella and fight for the right to control the Duke’s household. Having received the invitation to their first confrontation, she could not retreat nor show any weakness.

“Go ahead and inform Heinreich that I have been called by the Esteemed Mother of Duke instead. That is your job.”

It wasn’t like Amber had accepted Bella’s call without a thought. If she informed Heinreich, he would come and push himself in before anything serious could occur.

“Don’t worry about me, just wait.” Amber smiled warmly as she patted Jenia’s head. Though the image was slightly strange from Jenia’s taller height, Amber was able to properly convey her intent to comfort Jenia.

Jenia bit her lips in conflict before finally nodding and quickly left to find Heinreich.

Grace guided Amber to the most extravagant room of the castle, located on the third floor. Called the Vine Room, it was the room only opened when the wife of the Duke was to greet a member of the imperial family or someone of similar class.

Though it was Amber’s right to open the room, Bella had done so and called for Amber. Even Amber couldn’t tell how she was able to do so.

‘I don’t know how she did it, but her objective is obvious. To crush all of my confidence.’

It was a message that she was not the true lady of the castle and had to bow down to Bella.

Grace glanced behind her for a moment to study Amber’s expression before she slowly opened the door to the Vine Room. Inside the room was Bella, dressed beautifully as she enjoyed light refreshments.

Though Bella must have noticed Amber’s entrance, she did not acknowledge her. the room, Bella did not speak to her. She was obviously turned away from Amber, and was simply chattering with the maids next to her as she made exaggerated laughs.

Amber barely stopped herself from making fun of Bella’s actions.

Laughing and chatting with only her people and making Amber feel left out was something that Bella often did during the newlywed days of Amber’s previous life. ‘It’s been so long I actually missed it.’ In her previous life, Amber was constantly harassed by Bella’s frequent bullying, always pushed to the edge. Watching Amber stand there and wait for permission like a stupid dog while Bella giggled.

In the past, Amber found herself overwhelmed with fear and confusion at the sight of Bella laughing straight in her face. It was the first such experience she had in her life being treated that way. The people Amber had met in her life until then were all friendly and treated her with the respect her family afforded.

But all her advantages in the Western Lands were useless in the East.

In her previous life, Amber could only stand there and endure the indignation as Bella blatantly mocked her. With useless thoughts of ‘She is my mother-in-law, I need to respect her,’ or ‘Do I dare disobey when she has the support of everyone in the castle?’, Amber was unable to sit until the very end.

But it was different now.

‘I have to make sure that something like that stays in the past.’