“I’ll come to get you when the meal is ready. Please rest.”
“Okay. Thank you, Marie. You’re the only one I can count on.”
At my sluggish response, Marie narrowed her eyes and retorted.
“Liar. You say that to Sienna too, and you say it to Lord Markovs, Lady Ena, and Lord Barhan as well.”
“Wow. When did you start investigating me? Our Marie is truly a remarkable talent.”
“Haha. Yes, I am a remarkable talent. Well then, I’ll be back later.”
With a playful laugh, Marie left the room.
The aftermath of our trivial conversation left my heart feeling fuzzy.
“Yawn.”
I opened my mouth wide and let out a long yawn.
Ah. I’m so sleepy.
Being alone made the drowsiness rush in.
It seemed the fatigue from riding in the carriage all day yesterday still lingered in my body.
I surrendered to unconsciousness and dozed off.
I don’t know how long it had been.
“……Gah!”
I woke up with a sudden scream.
My heart raced, and cold sweat dripped down my face.
The warm pouch that Marie had given me was rolling on the cold floor, having been tossed aside in my sleep.
After gasping for breath for a while, I buried my face in my hands.
“Damn it.”
I had to say it again; the ballroom was definitely a bad place.
To be having such a damn nightmare.
In the dream, Count Adeline and his wife, along with Laura, appeared.
In front of them, I had to wriggle my tiny body like a little bug to avoid being crushed by their enormous feet.
The dream was so vivid that it made me feel nauseous.
And it was a few days later that I realized it was something akin to a prophetic dream.
From Serafina Richter.
A letter with my name clearly written on it was sent by Countess Adeline.
The letter contained a rather commanding request to send an invitation within a reasonable time.
“……Anyone would think I’m the Emperor.”
I couldn’t understand how people I disliked could act so similarly.
I propped my chin on my hand and tossed the letter into the fireplace, which had started to burn early.
A couple more letters arrived after that.
Each time, I threw the crumpled letters into the fireplace, using it as a basketball hoop.
Hmm. I guess I have a talent for basketball.
Watching the letters go straight into the fireplace made me realize my talent once again.
After that, no more letters arrived. They must have realized I wouldn’t be sending a reply.
I felt relieved yet uneasy.
Those people wouldn’t give up so easily.
And my ominous premonition was never wrong.
A few days later.
“Madam. You have guests.”
“……Guests?”
“Yes. They claim to be your mother and sister. What should we do?”
Instead of a letter, uninvited guests had arrived.
* * *
Laura was in a foul mood.
“When is she coming?”
It had been a while since she arrived in the reception room, but the arrogant Serafina had yet to show up.
“Is it acceptable to keep precious guests waiting like this?”
“Exactly. Even as a duchess, she hasn’t changed a bit.”
The Countess, Lurtasha, elegantly added to Laura’s grumbling.
“Who would have thought she’d come from such a lowly lineage?”
However, despite her elegant tone, the content was biting.
Serafina finally made her appearance about ten minutes later.
“Why are you so late?”
“I’m late, huh?”
“I was delayed because I had to prepare in a hurry after your sudden visit.”
With a nonchalant response, Serafina sat down opposite the two.
‘……Look at that.’
Lurtasha felt uncomfortable as Serafina showed no significant reaction.
That girl used to be as jittery as a mouse in front of a cat when she saw me.
But now, there was not a trace of that demeanor.
Really, she’s an insufferable girl.
It seemed that seeing me after a long time had inflated her ego.
In that case, I had no choice but to put her back in her place.
“Your mother-in-law is here, yet why hasn’t the son-in-law come to greet her?”
“He’s not in the mansion right now. He went to scout the northern forest.”
“When will he be back?”
“I’m not sure, but it will take at least three to four days.”
At the mention of the duke being away, Lurtasha’s lips curved into a smile.
Although she had come uninvited, she was still concerned about the monstrous duke.
She had heard enough rumors about how terrifying he was.
But, as luck would have it, he was out.
This was a perfect opportunity to teach that girl a lesson.
Meanwhile, Serafina was also relieved that Dante was away.
Just thinking about how rude these terrible people would be to Dante made her shudder.
Tsk. It’s better to deal with them alone.
At that moment.
“Hey. Is he really out scouting?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Serafina asked back with a serious expression, and Laura burst into laughter.
“Scouting, or is he off doing something else? All men are like that. Besides, you two don’t even have kids yet.”
“Thanks for your concern, Laura.”
Serafina smiled brightly, causing Laura’s lips to twist.
“What?”
“But it’s okay. My husband isn’t the kind of shameless person who would hide the fact that he’s married and go chasing after innocent women.”
In an instant, both Laura and Lurtasha’s faces stiffened.
It was only natural.
The ‘someone’ Serafina had just mentioned referred to Count Adeline.
“Hey. That……!”
Unable to contain her anger, Laura stood up from her seat.
Swish.
Serafina shut her eyes tightly as a splash of water came flying at her.
The aroma of black tea wafted from her drenched face.
She must have thrown the tea she was drinking.
Fortunately, the tea was lukewarm, so she didn’t get burned.
But still, it felt disgusting.
Hah. With a suppressed laugh, Serafina wiped the tea off her face with the back of her hand.
“Pfft.”
Laura, who had jumped up in anger, sat back down, sneering at Serafina, who looked like a drowned rat.
Tap.
“Oh dear.”
Lurtasha sighed as she placed her empty teacup down, as if feeling sorry for her.
“Oh dear. As I get older, my hands keep slipping.”
“……I understand. You’ve aged quite a bit. But you should be more careful when eating. If you slip twice, the table will be a mess.”
Serafina shot back without losing ground, causing Lurtasha’s expression to turn cold.
How dare that little insect.
“So, what brings you here?”
“What do you mean, what brings me here? Parents come to see their child; is a reason necessary?”
Oh, my goodness.
Serafina couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“Parents and child…… It’s a bit funny coming from you, isn’t it?”
“What? You? Hey. Are you trying to be rude to my mother?”
“Laura. Being rude refers to people who show up uninvited without being called.”
Serafina spoke clearly, as if teaching her a lesson, and Lurtasha raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve changed a lot since getting married. Did enduring the monster make you fearless in this world?”
“No. It was only after getting married that I realized the real monster isn’t my husband, but you people.”
Lurtasha could no longer contain her anger.
Smack!
“How dare you be so insolent to the benefactor who fed and sheltered you!”
It was in an instant that she threw off the guise of an elegant noblewoman.
As her sharp voice flew through the air, Serafina felt a stinging pain on her cheek. She was left speechless.
As expected, nothing had changed.
But it seemed that it wasn’t just the Countess and Laura who hadn’t changed.
The fist clenched on her lap began to tremble uncontrollably.
Though she faced the two without showing any signs, it seemed she couldn’t hide her trembling.
Serafina quickly hid her shaking hand behind her back, fearing someone might see.
But.
“Fortunately, it seems you haven’t become too arrogant.”
It was already too late.
Seeing her trembling hand desperately trying to hide, a crooked smile appeared on Lurtasha’s lips.
Yes. Just as I thought.
How could the fear ingrained in her by the beast disappear so quickly?
With her arms crossed, leaning back on the sofa, she gestured toward the door.
“You must be hungry. Hurry and tell them to prepare the meal.”
“……Are you going to eat too?”
“Of course. You’re not thinking of turning away guests like this, are you? As a hostess, your attitude toward guests is quite terrible.”
“I can’t help it since I wasn’t raised properly.”
“Oh dear. This is actually a good opportunity. I’ll teach you the manners I didn’t get to teach you properly.”
Seeing her shameless attitude, it seemed she had no intention of leaving unless pushed out.
I don’t know what her goal is, but she came prepared.
“Go ahead. Feel free to do as you wish.”
Instead of continuing this meaningless fight, Serafina stood up.
“I like beef. And please prepare herbal tea instead of black tea for after the meal.”
“I’m tired, so I think I’ll need a bath after the meal. Have the maids prepare the bathwater. I plan to stay for a few days, so prepare a room as well.”
Hah. I can’t tell who the host is anymore.
Serafina snorted and left the reception room.