Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Dia Hates Ganeghan (2)
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Not giving it is better than giving it and then taking it away.
Dia muttered that. While feeling some prickly emotion that clawed at various corners of her heart, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
Why do I feel so bad? Why does it feel this bad?
Did I expect too much? I kept telling myself not to expect anything, so why did I?
The fact that I'm obsessing over this is humiliating enough to my pride. So stop caring. Stop. Just act normal. Like always. Like always.
Dia hurled all sorts of words at herself, but the dark clouds in her heart showed no sign of clearing.
Unable to sit still for even a moment, she paced the corridor. She no longer cared if the servants stared.
When they glanced at her with puzzled looks, Dia shot back with a savage glare, as if ready to tear into them at any second.
No servant in the mansion had the guts to keep staring at the snarling Dia.
They swallowed thoughts like What's her deal today? and quietly stepped aside.
"...What."
And that's when something caught her eye.
Alfred and Hildia, stealing furtive glances at each other.
As far as she recalled, the two weren't particularly close—and it wasn't like one had a crush on the other. Their age gap was too wide for that.
Wishing they'd all just vanish, Dia marched straight toward them. The moment their eyes met, she planned to scream for them to get out of her sight.
But then.
"'It looks like the Young Lady's fallen in love!'"
Hildia and Alfred blurted it out in unison.
Dia's footsteps halted dead in their tracks. The two, buzzing with excitement, didn't even notice the second Young Lady right there.
Love. Love.
Family love, friendship, romance between man and woman.
Of all those flavors, Dia knew nothing.
These two were probably talking man-woman love. So who? Her sister and Ganeghan?
She'd seen love described in childhood fairy tales and novels. Partners who lit each other up like beacons, guarding one another.
Hand in hand, lips meeting without a second thought. The kind of bond where that alone could sustain days of bliss. That's what it was, right?
Leaving the statue-still Dia behind, the pair carried on blithely.
"Lady Abera is at marriageable age, after all."
"Right? I figured it'd happen someday... but I'm still shocked! That it'd be today! She always seemed like the type who'd never bother with romance!"
Hildia practically bounced with glee.
Her face lit up like someone who'd finally hit the scene they'd been dying for in a novel. Meanwhile, Alfred tugged thoughtfully at his mustache.
"Honestly, I'm relieved."
"Relieved?"
"Yes. Lady Abera's perfect in every way, but she's so indifferent to romance—gave me all sorts of worries. Today proves she's got a girlish side, though."
"Ah, exactly! That's what I was getting at!"
Hildia clapped her hands with a sharp smack and pressed on.
"Lady Abera's stunning, but youth doesn't last forever. Best if she finds a good match and marries, right? I've thought the same!"
"Precisely. Now I can relax. If she feels that, she won't stay single. One issue, though."
"Yeah... there is."
Their cheerful mood dimmed in sync.
Alfred spoke up first.
"If the guy's just some doctor, that's a problem. A big one."
Hildia nodded furiously, like she'd been waiting for it.
"He's not bad-looking. No, he's really easy on the eyes. The maids have been buzzing about him. Quick workers stick around just to sneak another peek."
"Guess women eat up faces like that."
"Uh, y-yeah? And he doesn't strut around either. Ah, wait—no. That's not what I meant. Anyway! Not arguing with you, Mr. Alfred. I agree."
Alfred cleared his throat at Hildia's flustered ramble and continued.
"Face and manners aside, his status doesn't match. She deserves a man worthy of her."
"Um... but is there such a guy? Honest question."
Tilting her head, Hildia got an Even you don't know? look from Alfred as he added,
"Look at the suitors. Better prospects than a doctor? Overflowing. Take the eldest son of House Honeys."
"Huh? No way! Even from there? I had no idea!"
"Voice down."
"Eep!"
Alfred pressed a finger to his lips; Hildia clamped both hands over her mouth.
Confirming the corridor's hush, she ventured cautiously,
"Um... but."
"Hm?"
"From that angle, shouldn't we have stopped Lady Abera from going into Mr. Ganeghan's room alone?"
Alfred opened his mouth to reply.
"...Not satisfied with charming the maids, now he's shut away alone with her."
A chill voice sliced through the corridor.
It wasn't Alfred or Hildia. Absorbed in their chat, they whipped around.
"D-Dia Young Lady?"
Alfred fumbled, flustered. Hildia froze solid.
"How long... have you been there?"
"What are you two doing?"
"Y-Yes? P-Pardon?"
"What are you doing?"
Under Dia's sparking glare, their faces drained to ashen.
No clue how long she'd been lurking, neither could speak.
"Go do your damn jobs! What's got you so thrilled?!"
"Ugh!"
A sharp crack—Hildia's head snapped sideways.
Before she could process, Dia lunged full-force, yanking Hildia's hair.
"You crazy bitch. Other maids ogling Ganeghan—what, that's party talk? Speak!"
"Y-Young Lady! Let go! It hurts!"
Ferocious as a predator ripping prey, Dia's grip wrenched Hildia's silver locks every which way—for a maid, decent hair.
Alfred couldn't watch; he seized Dia's shoulders.
"Young Lady! Calm down!"
"Hands off! You lost your mind? Touching me? Insane?!"
"Why are you like this! Young Lady!"
Dia tore at Hildia's hair with every ounce of fury, but daily drugs and bedrest left her no match for Alfred's strength.
"Let go! I said let go!"
Moments later, she was pried off. A fistful of silver strands clutched in her palm.
Raging at the forced separation, Dia hurled Alfred's prized porcelain to the floor.
Crash—shards scattered across the corridor.
Artisans' masterpieces shattered pointlessly.
"What now! Withdrawal from no meds? Call someone? The doctor?"
Abera treasured these; Alfred dusted them with extra care. Now, he couldn't stand idle.
"Young Lady! Stop! Keep it up, and I'll fetch Lady Abera!"
He knew Dia obeyed Abera, at least—meant as a warning.
But Dia froze at the words.
She wanted Ganeghan and her sister apart. Unspoken, but she knew she felt it.
Call sister... or Ganeghan... to me.
"...Call her."
"Pardon?"
"Call her. Now. Tell her to come to me! Right now!"
Dia snatched floor shards, slashing her wrist wildly.
"Calm down first! Dia Young Lady! Please!"
Hildia's plea fell on deaf ears; Dia carved on.
No name for the feeling, no clue how to vent it—but it eased her a fraction.
Doesn't hurt. Feels cool. Cool, that's it.
The deeper the cuts, the fiercer the thirst surged.
The drug's effect must have worn off.