Chapter 115
Chapter 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Dominic's Warning
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dominic shot a fierce glare at his niece, who was looking up at him with a bold expression.
Mariella Kalenberg.
His older brother's youngest daughter had always acted so recklessly.
That's when big and small problems started cropping up in his once smooth path forward—right from the day that young niece of his set foot in the duke's residence.
"You…"
As Dominic gritted his teeth and took a step forward, Mariella's two older brothers stepped up to block him.
Erich's stern face, reminiscent of the Kalenberg Duke.
Dietrich's fierce expression, evoking Leopoldt.
And behind them, Mariella—who took after her commoner mother—wore a mischievous smile, as if she might stick her tongue out at him any second.
"Don't get too cocky."
But for now, Dominic was still the heir to this family.
Even if Leopoldt was hot on his heels, once this engagement went through smoothly…
Recalling the promise from the Petersen Duke, Dominic adjusted his expression into a soft smile.
"As your uncle, let me give you one piece of advice. Things might look like you've won right now, but the world isn't that forgiving."
"Yes, thank you for the advice! But I'll handle it myself!"
Dietrich burst out laughing at Mariella's bright and impudent reply.
A mocking smile even crept onto Erich's face.
"No manners at all."
Dominic dropped the smile he'd barely been maintaining.
He wanted to slap her right then and there, but this was the main building of the duke's residence, with people coming and going.
As if oblivious to why her uncle was holding back, Mariella smiled even more radiantly.
"I'll make sure to ask Grandfather what he thinks about that."
"One day, you'll regret your recklessness."
"I've never seen anyone who talks big like that actually be scary…"
Dominic whirled around, teeth clenched at her muttered jab.
Instead of hurrying after her father, Monica lingered in place for a moment.
Mariella, who had stuck her tongue out at her uncle's retreating back, met Monica's eyes and gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry, Monica."
"Oh, no. I'm the one who should be sorry. Father was so harsh to you, and I didn't even have the guts to stop him…"
"Monica Kalenberg!"
Dominic, who had walked a short distance ahead, turned back and bellowed her name like thunder.
Monica jumped as if doused in cold water at the sharp shout.
She then scurried toward her waiting father.
The moment his daughter reached him, Dominic seized her arm in a vise-like grip.
Ignoring Monica's wince of pain, he growled savagely.
"When we get back, I'll give you the 'medicine' right away."
"D-Dad…"
"This engagement must happen. If it falls through because of you, I won't let it slide."
"It hurts, Dad. P-Please let go of my arm."
"Listen well, Monica. If you can't make this engagement happen properly, I'll marry you off to some old nobleman, so get your act together and be smart about it!"
"Yes."
Only after hearing her meek response did Dominic release her arm with a rough shove.
Rubbing her arm, now marked with angry red fingerprints, Monica cautiously followed behind her father.
I grabbed a bunch of fresh grapes, wondering what snack would be good today, and headed lightly to Grandfather's study.
Someone had arrived before me.
The elderly butler bowed his head upon seeing me and exited the study.
The atmosphere around Grandfather, now alone, seemed a bit subdued, so I tilted my head.
"Something wrong?"
"It's nothing major. Just that Monica apparently collapsed during training at the training grounds."
"Why? Did she get hurt?"
"Not that. According to the physician, it was dizziness. The butler just reported it."
Monica collapsed?
The last time I'd seen her was a few days ago, during that tense standoff with Uncle.
Calculating it out, nearly ten days had passed since then.
I couldn't help worrying after seeing her dragged away roughly by the arm by her uncle.
"Grandfather, can I go see Monica later?"
"Do that. I'll have the kitchen prepare some nourishing food for recovery. You two both have such frail constitutions—it's worrying."
…Monica, maybe, but me frail?
Me, who could now hold a plank for a full 30 minutes if I really pushed?
Grandfather must have been seeing his youngest granddaughter through rose-tinted glasses.
Well, it was understandable if he doted on his little granddaughter that much…
Instead of shattering his illusion, I just smiled lightly.
"A girl about to get engaged soon, and her body's this weak."
Monica's fiancé was the third son of the Western Duke, right?
Neither was the heir, so they'd probably set up their own branch family. Would they live in the west, or stay in the north?
I couldn't stand Uncle and his wife or Mark, but I had some fondness for Monica.
The kind Monica had always tried to get along with our family since we were kids.
'She even made a real effort to play big sister to me.'
Her wedding was still years away, but it felt like it'd be a shame if she moved far off.
"Once the people from the west arrive, you'll be busy with faith education for a while too."
"Faith education?"
What was that?
Grandfather burst into hearty laughter at my instinctive grimace upon hearing "education."
Am I that funny? I'm serious here.
"The Western Duke also serves as the Holy King, head of the Church. You know that?"
"Yes."
"His heir, the Little Duke, holds the rank of cardinal as well. That's why in the west, they call him 'Your Excellency' more often than 'Little Duke.'"
I see.
I nodded, listening intently to Grandfather's teachings.
These were lessons straight from the ruler of the north—worth more than gold, impossible to buy.
"The Little Duke is bringing the Western theological priest corps this time."
"Theological priest corps?"
"Priests who specialize deeply in theology."
"Why are they coming?"
"In the west, to expand the Church's influence, they dispatch learned scholars to diocesan cathedrals for faith education sessions."
"So the ones he's bringing this time will do that at the Kalena Cathedral here in the north…?"
Grandfather nodded.
Like a special lecture from theology experts.
People personally brought by the Little Duke had to be the cream of the crop among theological priests.
A friendly exchange between our two houses…
'No escaping this one.'
I barely swallowed a sigh.
To live as the duke's granddaughter, you had to endure things like this sometimes.
Observing the shift in my expression with amusement, Grandfather suppressed a laugh and patted my head.
"Don't worry too much. I've prepared something else you'll find interesting, beyond the faith education."
"What is it?"
"No fun if I tell you ahead of time, right?"
I wanted to pry more, but the butler returned first to report that the nourishing food was ready.
I had to get to Monica before it cooled.
Grandfather looked at me wistfully but didn't stop me from going.
Monica was resting in her bedroom, they said.
I arrived at her door with the servants pulling the cart laden with nourishing food and nodded to the maids standing guard, signaling them to knock.
"Miss Monica, Miss Mariella is here."
"W-W-Wait a moment!"
What?
Something clattered and crashed inside the room.
Then came the sharp crash of something shattering.
"Ow!"
Followed by Monica's small groan.
Not giving the servants a chance to hold me back, I pushed open the door and strode in.
Monica must have jumped up hastily from the bed—her legs were tangled in the blankets, and she'd tumbled right onto the floor.
And on the floor, liquid spilling from a broken vial…
'What?'
Why was that here?