episode_0113

“Ugh, what is all this… . You always told me that I should dress neatly.”

“Hehe, sure.”

I organized Elaine’s clothes. It was crumpled, as if it had been grabbed by the collar.

“Elaine, it’s okay… ?”

“Sure.”

Elaine smiled brightly.

But I turned my head slightly, so I couldn’t see the right side of my face.

I carefully turned Elaine’s face with trembling hands.

‘…!’

Bright red handprint.

Since there are more than one lady who behaves aristocratically toward me and criticizes me, is it because I’m being brainless?

I thought that too. In fact, even at the academy, I never treated the ladies who approached me in a secretly friendly manner carelessly, so it wasn’t strange that such rumors arose.

“It hurt a lot… ?”

“Not even one! The young lady is so worried, I’m sure everyone is jealous!”

“…Elaine.”

Even if you cast a spell, the pain and humiliation at the time disappear.

“Yes, lady!”

Elaine made a fuss and patted my back as if she really meant it.

“What should I do if my maid gets beaten like this?”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you do this one more time, you can threaten to throw me straight into the dungeon.”

“Hehe. Yes!”

next day.

I tilted my tea cup and was lost in thought.

‘How can I get a reputation for doing a good job?’

Since yesterday, all my maids have gathered next to me.

“Ugh… Our girl is so pretty.”

“The side view is also perfect.”

“Beautiful angle.”

“Oh. There was just cream in the girl’s mouth!”

So even though it’s a little noisy, it’s better than the maids being harassed in a place I don’t know.

“Strawberries are out! Contact the kitchen quickly!”

“Kitchen. Kitchen!”

It’s better, but…

‘Oh, I can’t concentrate!’

“Just two of you will follow, the rest will wait.”

““Yes!””

I was thinking about going for a walk or something, since it was a bit difficult to just eat, but I heard a voice calling me.

“Marian!”

When I turn around, Maria approaches me smiling warmly.

As she was about to raise her hand in joy, a white hand came out from behind Maria.

“Marianne is there too, hello!”

Amanda smiled brightly at me, crossing her arms around Maria.

‘Then wouldn’t it be natural for me to be in front of my room?’

I tried to shoot it like that, but ended up failing.

Maria’s eyes glance at her arm held by Amanda and then look at me.

‘When did we become so close?’

Amanda tried to cross my arm with her free arm.

“Don’t stick it! It’s hot.”

I said coldly and slapped my hand away.

“It’s hot…?”

Amanda blinked. It was sunny but cool.

“Uh. It’s hot.”

I walked alone with my arms crossed.

My current dress was a summer dress that exposed my shoulders. Even in terms of acting, I didn’t want to be involved with a kid like that.

“Marian, what about your sister? Who is your sister?!”

Maria smiled brightly and shook Amanda off.

“Ah.”

Amanda lowered her head as she looked at the two sisters who had shaken off her and had their arms crossed.

“Both are too much!”

But he immediately spoke brightly and followed along.

*

The two sisters’ tea time must have been quiet.

“Wow. This is really delicious.”

If it weren’t for Amanda chattering with sparkling eyes.

“Thank goodness.”

Marian spat. It was an answer that seemed like it would come back once after asking 10 times, but Amanda was exaggeratedly happy.

“Now that I think about it, it’s your dad’s birthday soon, right?!”

The two sisters, Marian and Maria, tilted their heads at Amanda’s words.

“Amanda’s dad, is your birthday coming soon? But can I stay here?”

Since there was no information whatsoever about Lady Seira’s divorced ex-husband, it was natural for Marian to feel curious.

Seeing as they’re celebrating their dad’s birthday soon, doesn’t that mean their relationship is bad? Could it be that the emperor is the father?

“Huh? What are you talking about? Your Excellency the Duke.”

Amanda said brightly, putting her hands together. He looked like a truly innocent child.

*

I felt as if I had been hit on the head with a hammer.

Did you mean my dad, not your dad?

‘This is really acting, right?’

What did you think of my reaction? Amanda looked at him in surprise, but then burst into laughter.

“What, Marian, didn’t you know? It’s your dad’s birthday?”

“No, how could I not know that?”

The absurdity kept me speechless.

If this was a talent, it was a talent. I was planning on ignoring most of it, but I can’t get rid of it without saying something. It feels like that.

“It’s okay. That can happen if you only receive love and are pampered like that. What a great party will there be?”

and. Is he subtly criticizing me?

How could Maria not know that I also noticed?

Looking at it, I really want to kill that kid right now.

It was that kind of expression.

I gently squeezed Maria’s hand to show that it was okay. Then he gently scratched her palm with his fingers.

Sweet.

“……!”

“Oh my. Sister Maria. Is it against etiquette to make a teacup noise?”

Looking at the child smiling innocently as if he didn’t know anything, I said, ‘You. ‘Did you just almost die?’ I swallowed a laugh.

Afterwards, Maria treated Amanda as invisible.

“Now that I think about it!”

Amanda is my mate! and clapped their hands.

“How are you, Marian? It’s a crevat made of ruby that I prepared as a gift for my dad!”

Naturally, anyone who responded even slightly was targeted.

I looked sullenly.

‘That’s just the way it is.’

What did you think of my reaction?

“Ah. Sorry! Marian didn’t prepare a gift, right?”

Is this guy really stupid?

“Elaine.”

“Yes, lady.”

I motioned and Elaine brought out the document.

I spread my chin out in front of Amanda.

“Hmm? What is that?”

Amanda opened her eyes wide.

“Southern Province Documents.”

“Last name…?”

“Uh. A fiefdom that brings in money just by owning it. It’s a natural fortress-like castle surrounded by a beautiful river, and the scenery is amazing. I’m giving it to you as a reminder to not work too much and take a break sometimes.”

I looked at the child with his mouth wide open and laughed.

‘This is the difference between you and me.’

Did you really think you could be loved by your father?

sincerely?

As I looked at her trembling lips throughout tea time, the black tea felt even sweeter.

‘It’s nice that it’s quiet.’

In the end, he emptied his teacup and stumbled out of the room without looking back.

Maria, who was looking at me intently, tilted her head.

“Marian.”

“Huh?”

ah. Did I just look so mean?

“Why are you watching?”

“Hmm?”

In my sister’s eyes, it seemed like this was being looked after.

Well, they could have put him in prison and tortured him right away, but if you look at it that way, it’s right to overlook him.

but.

“To be sure.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

In any case, the imperial family is involved. I plan to raise the stakes a bit more to prevent such tricks from happening again.

It’s my dad’s birthday soon.

After Maria returned, I first opened the report.

“Mmm. Not bad.”

Even if I play, my money increases.

* * *

“I heard it from Amanda. I heard that the two princesses are busier than they thought.”

Seira put down the teacup and asked her father.

“Although time is tight, can I take charge of preparing the party?”

huh. Well, it only takes a day or two to deal with that naked thunderbolt. They issued a ban on guests under the pretext of being busy for over a week.

Still, lady.

I scoffed inwardly and then closed my mouth.

If I say anything now, it feels like there will be harsh criticism.

Dad’s gaze narrowed as he looked at Seira.

“Why do you want to prepare for my birthday?”

To me, it’s a cool low voice, but to her, does it sound like the Grim Reaper?

“Yes?”

Seira’s eyes were shaking wildly.

Looking at it like this, it looks a little similar.

‘Are you really so stupid?’

“…I think the princesses are busy.”

“Do you think my daughters will be leisurely preparing a banquet?”

“Well, that’s why I told you to help… I’m sorry. I wanted to prepare for the birthday of the Duke, the hero of the empire…”

I chuckled at the woman’s words that tried to appeal to my emotions.

“Ajumma. You can’t do it if your mind takes precedence and you can’t tell when to wear it and when not to wear it. Employees have been preparing for Dad’s birthday for over a month already.”

“Ah, lady…”

“Why, lady? Are you upset? Madame? Do you just like Lady Seira?”

“Oh, no. It’s nice that it’s friendly. Ah, the lady.”

The lady’s eyes were shaking wildly. Do you wonder why the child who even asked if he could hug her is like this?

“Listen carefully. Madame. I’m not doing this because I hate the lady.”

I explained it step by step.

‘I don’t just hate it, I hate it so much.’

Perhaps because she was chanting for the lady in between explanations, her complexion turned pale.

Maybe I’ve heard everything I’ve ever heard from ajumma throughout my life?

I even underwent black magic treatment to tighten my skin and improve my appearance, but there is nothing more annoying than hearing an old woman yell at me.

“And what are you going to do for only four days? The preparations are already over, there is nothing the lady can do.”

“Haha. Well, it’s not like that. So, hostess. no. Just seeing even one more adult watching over you means celebrating, no matter how small it is.”

He was so embarrassed that he even made a mistake with his words. The moment the word “hostess” came out, my father’s mood became even more fierce.

“Small?”

I didn’t hide my sneer.

“Who said it was so simple?”

“Huh?”

Well, I guess that’s what I meant because my dad’s birthday last year was a small one. At that time, it wasn’t a bad idea to spend as much time with family as I did in the capital.

But now it is a duchy, so is there a reason for that? When you become a duke, it’s no joke to receive a gift on your birthday.