Chapter 111
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 111
Adel finished tidying the bedding with the maids and stepped out.
“I wonder what brought this on? Why would the young lady want to sleep in the same room as the young lords?”
At Assistant Butler Grans’s question, Adel tilted her head as well.
“Lady Tulia always has a deep meaning behind her actions, so she must have some sort of grand design. I haven't the slightest clue myself, but…”
Only the chief physician answered with a triumphant, all-knowing air.
“The lady is still a child, after all! She simply wants to make memories with her brothers!”
“Our lady?”
“Lady Tulia?”
Grans and Adel spoke in unison. They looked at each other and shrugged.
Only the chief physician nodded confidently. He looked to his side and spoke.
“Well then, Mr. Tess? Why don’t you yield your room to me for today?”
“Excuse me?”
Tess, Leon Frezier’s physician, was flustered by the sudden request.
“Why my room…?”
“Our lady is fragile, isn't she? She was severely injured not long ago. If anything happens, I need to be able to dash there like the wind.”
“Ah…”
Tess immediately understood.
“That is true.”
“Right?”
“Yes, then I shall yield the room. Mr. Aiden, it’s clear to anyone that Lady Tulia appears far more fragile than our Lord Leon.”
“Oh, thank you for understanding.”
While the two physicians were warmly exchanging rooms—
“Um, Mr. Tess, Mr. Aiden.”
Another physician standing behind them—that is to say…
“That was originally my room.”
“…”
“…”
Grace, Lisian’s physician, raised a fundamental question.
“In the first place, isn't this Lord Lisian’s quarters…?”
“Ahem.”
“Cough, cough.”
She couldn't understand it at all.
She could accept Tulia visiting Lisian’s quarters.
But why had Leon Frezier barged in here as well?
“Setting Lady Tulia aside, why did Lord Leon… My apologies. Why did Lord Leon come to these quarters with them?”
From the moment they were born, those twins had been inseparable almost every day, yet they had never once slept in the same bedchamber.
They weren't infants anymore; they felt that brothers sleeping in the same room was something for cowardly children.
Leon Frezier felt particularly strongly about this, so the number of times the twins had slept together could be counted on one hand.
In response to Grace’s question, Tess, Leon’s physician, answered in a kind voice.
“You see, Ms. Grace.”
“Yes.”
“It is because Lord Leon is suffering from an incurable disease called jealousy.”
Grace nodded reluctantly.
“Ah… Jealousy…”
“Indeed.”
“So, you’re saying he came running because he was jealous of Lady Tulia and Lord Lisian chatting and falling asleep together?”
“Precisely.”
“…The same Lord Leon who takes first place in every Academy swordsmanship class and competition?”
“That’s what I’m telling you.”
“…”
In the end, Grace simply shook her head.
* * *
“Lisian oppa, goodnight then.”
“Yeah, you too, Tulia.”
I blinked as I lay in bed.
“But oppa, is it really okay for you to give up your bed for me?”
Lisian had yielded his bed to me and settled himself on the sofa.
Of course, the sofa was large and plush, so it was more than adequate as a substitute for a bed, but still.
“It is… it is against the e-etiquette of the entire c-continent to make a l-lady sleep on the floor.”
“Heehee.”
It had happened several times now, but being treated like a ‘lady’ was more enjoyable than I expected.
“Thanks, oppa.”
As I smiled, pulling the blanket up to the tip of my nose, Lisian let out a soft chuckle.
“Hey. Why aren't you thanking me?”
A voice immediately broke the mood. I lifted my upper body slightly.
Leon Frezier was lying on the actual ‘floor’ with only a few blankets spread out.
He had the expression of a very disgruntled mutt.
Especially since he had suddenly barged into Lisian’s room.
“Why should I be thankful? I asked Lisian oppa to let me stay over.”
Leon Frezier seemed momentarily speechless at my question.
But only for a moment.
“No, I’m your brother too, but this discrimination is a bit much, don't you think? Is it fun to leave me out and play just the two of you? Huh? Is it?”
“Lisian oppa.”
Lisian answered immediately at my call.
“Yes? Tulia?”
I asked in a serious tone.
“Is he really the same age as you? Isn't he actually younger than me? Or does he just have a severe case of looking way older than his age?”
Leon Frezier jumped up and shouted.
“Hey! I’m older than you!”
“No, it just doesn't make sense. It doesn't. Where exactly did all those years go?”
“Wow, brother. Look at her, seriously.”
Leon Frezier protested in a truly aggrieved voice.
“We seriously need to have a family council meeting about this. She doesn't even think of me as a person, let alone an older brother!”
Gasp. Did he find out?
To be honest, lately, Leon Frezier did often look like a giant breed of dog.
I knew if I said this to his face, he’d definitely fly into a rage, shouting, ‘You see me as a mutt, don't you?’ so I kept my mouth shut.
I lay back down in bed and curled up into a ball under the covers.
“Lisian oppa, goodnight.”
“You too, Tulia. H-have sweet dreams.”
Into this peaceful atmosphere, which felt as though it were filled with the cozy glow of many candles, Leon Frezier’s voice abruptly intruded.
“Hey. Tulia. What about me?”
“Go to sleep.”
“…”
The bedding Adel had freshly prepared was not only fluffy but also very warm, having been pre-heated with hot stones.
I came here on impulse, but this is better than I thought…
I had run to Lisian because I was scared of the status window.
The bedroom was spacious (even though Leon Frezier was sleeping on the floor).
The bed was soft (even though Leon Frezier was sleeping on the floor).
The atmosphere was cozy (even though Leon Frezier was sleeping on the floor).
It feels safe.
I decided I would shamelessly parasite off Lisian’s bedroom until he kicked me out.
However, Lisian never once kicked me out or even indirectly refused me.
Leon Frezier, too, never returned to his own quarters, even as he grumbled about being made to sleep on the floor every single time.
In the end, the three of us lived together in Lisian’s quarters, sleeping, reading books, and drinking tea in harmony.
“Hey. What are you eating?”
“Cream cookies. Adel baked them for me.”
“How does your head maid even find the time…?”
It was true that Adel had become incredibly busy after being entrusted with the sovereignty over internal affairs.
Even so, Adel made taking care of me her top priority.
To the point where she would personally make snacks for me at least once every two days.
“Hmm. They look really sweet. Are they good?”
Leon snatched a cream cookie and tossed it into his mouth; his eyes widened instantly.
“They are good!”
Lisian, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, spoke without even looking up.
“Leon. D-don't take too many of Tulia’s s-snacks.”
“Bro, I didn't ead thad many.”
Leon Frezier mumbled with his cheeks bulging, but he didn't reach for my snack basket again.
Sitting around the fireplace sharing cocoa, chewing on dried fruit, coughing after eating spicy beef stew, and falling asleep together while reading.
The days were beyond cozy; they were idle.
And they were days without fear.
Since they’re both male leads, they must be incredibly strong.
I had tried poking and prodding the status window when Lisian and Leon were around, when the sun was high in the sky, and when the room was bustling with physicians and servants, but there were no more eerie reactions like before.
While I felt relieved, it was also strange.
Don't turn this into a horror story. You know this isn't a horror game.
I hoped it was just a temporary glitch.
But it was odd.
This was a place where I lived and breathed; did it make sense for there to be a ‘glitch’?
Then again, I knew that the very fact that I could see a game system window was crazy in itself.
Time flowed like clouds.
Before I knew it, the Grand Ducal Settlement Period had arrived.
With the nobles arriving one after another, the castle was more vibrant than ever.
The annexes were filled to capacity, and the servants became equally busy.
“Lady Tulia. Grand Duke Nigella is said to be arriving shortly.”
“Okay.”
Since Nigella held a higher rank than me, I had to go out with the twins to greet him.
Vassals and noblewomen passing by also stopped to join the greeting party upon hearing the news of Nigella’s arrival.
And finally, the moment the carriage came to a halt.
“Oh… who is that woman?”
“It’s her! Belladonna Merton!”
“Wait, did he actually bring his mistress to the main castle?”
“I heard she received the title of Countess Orquichin from Her Majesty the Empress, but still.”
“A mistress is still a mistress.”
“Regardless, His Grace the Grand Duke will be furious…”
In an instant, numerous nobles began whispering to one another.
“Wow. Now that’s something I didn't expect.”
Leon Frezier, standing beside me, gave a light whistle.
“And she’s dressed to the nines. Was Uncle Nigella always that rich?”
Just as Leon Frezier said, Belladonna Merton was so beautiful it made one’s eyes sting.
Was Nigella really that secretly wealthy?
To the point where he could shower his mistress with so much?
Enormous diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other priceless gems were draped all over her dress.
The parasol she held and the heels of her shoes, glimpsed through the folds of her dress, were red.
She’s dressed even more extravagantly than Empress Carmi.
I wondered if Nigella had gifted her the clothes and jewelry with a specific intent, but I took on a puzzled expression when I saw him stepping out of the carriage.
I immediately whispered to Lisian.
“Oppa.”
“Yes, Tulia.”
“Uncle Nigella… doesn't his expression look a bit off?”
“…Yes. Very m-much so.”
I thought he would look triumphant after decking out his mistress so beautifully and luxuriously, but Nigella’s face was dark and sullen.
Even Belladonna Merton, who was smiling radiantly, had a shadow over her expression upon closer inspection.
Did they fight on the way here?
I guess even adulterous couples fight.
I thought they wouldn't since they probably think theirs is the romance of the century.
Thinking it was strange, I stepped forward. The twins took charge of my escort.
“Uncle Nigella. And Countess Orquichin. Welcome to the main castle.”
Since Sandra was of a lower rank than us, there was no need to specifically greet her.
Belladonna Merton wore a full, characteristic smile that resembled a poisonous flower.
That much was fine, but—
“Thank you for the welcome, Tulia.”
“…?”
“Thanks to you, I feel that coming all this way was worth it.”
Wait, hold on.
Did this woman just speak informally to me?