Chapter 128
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128
And today.
Today was the day Sandra and Belladonna were finally leaving the Grand Duchy.
The luggage inspection was already complete. Perhaps because they had been thoroughly humiliated at the party, or perhaps because they were now truly terrified of me, I had just received a report that they weren't trying to smuggle out a single piece of jewelry.
I had them wait just as they were about to flee for the Imperial Capital.
“S-Sister. Do you still have something left to say?”
Having lost a significant amount of weight over the past few days, Sandra asked cautiously, her eyes darting nervously toward me.
“Yes. I told you to stay because I do.”
“W-What is it?”
Instead of answering her directly, I turned my gaze to the woman sitting beside me, Countess Roxanne Frezier.
“Aunt Roxanne.”
“Speak, Tulia.”
“No matter how I think about it, our Sandra is technically a lady of the Frezier family, having been officially adopted into the family, isn't she?”
“That is correct.”
Even though it was a statement that could have been incredibly offensive to her, Roxanne Frezier simply nodded calmly.
‘So this is what a true noblewoman is like. She’s so dignified and hardly ever loses her composure.’
She was far too good for a man like Nigella.
“It seems Countess Orquichin has failed to properly educate such a precious and noble lady of Frezier.”
“...!”
Belladonna flinched visibly.
I scanned her briefly before letting a smile spread across my face.
“So, as Sandra’s ‘mother,’ shouldn't you be the one to teach her properly from now on, Aunt Roxanne?”
A short while ago.
I had called Roxanne aside and served her tea.
“You’ve grown up well, Tulia.”
“Auntie. You’re being far too formal with me.”
Our family hierarchy... my inner K-whatever... those things made me feel a bit awkward.
However, Roxanne only offered a small smile.
“I’ve heard what has been happening at the main castle. As your eldest aunt, I am sorry I couldn't look after you better. It may sound like an excuse, but Nigella... that man of the house absolutely forbade me from entering the main castle.”
“Pardon?”
Wow, what kind of person actually does that?
As I stared in shock, Roxanne, who had been looking off into the distance, dropped a bombshell.
“That man won't be able to maintain his position as Great Count for long. His debts are astronomical.”
Did she just call him "that man"?
I was momentarily taken aback by such a bold statement coming from the mouth of the ever-dignified Roxanne.
“And in the future, Marquis Aster will inherit the position of Grand Duke.”
Roxanne had a son with Nigella.
So, I had wondered if she might harbor ambitions for the Grand Duke's seat for her own child.
It seemed she had read my expression.
“If my son were to inherit the title of Grand Duke, do you think that man would stay quiet?”
“Aha.”
Roxanne seemed utterly fed up with Nigella as a human being; every word she spoke was laced with profound weariness.
“His Grace the Grand Duke will surely provide a suitable position for him later. I am perfectly satisfied with that, but...”
“Aunt Roxanne. I really hate infidelity.”
When I mentioned "infidelity" so bluntly, Roxanne’s eyes widened slightly.
“You’ve endured a lot all this time, haven't you?”
“...”
Roxanne said nothing, but a faint shimmer of tears appeared in her eyes. It was only natural. Her husband had abandoned her and their son to set up a second home with another woman...
How many holes must have been torn in her heart?
“Aunt Roxanne. I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?”
* * *
‘Well, it’s all going according to plan.’
Unlike me, who was leisurely reminiscing about our earlier conversation.
“Tulia Frezier!”
Sandra jumped to her feet. The finger she pointed at Roxanne was trembling violently.
“W-W-Why am I that woman’s daughter?!”
“That woman?”
“The, the Great Countess...!”
“And didn't you just call me by my name before that?”
“S-Sister...”
“See? Because you haven't taught her properly, Auntie, the child is still like this.”
“I’m sorry, Tulia.”
“Sandra has to have her debutante eventually. If she’s in this state, won't I, the one in charge of internal affairs, be the one getting blamed?”
“Certainly...”
Roxanne slowly scanned Sandra from head to toe. Even to my eyes, her gaze was incredibly cold.
So, how must it feel for Sandra, who was on the receiving end of that look? She was likely shivering like someone who had been plunged into ice water.
Just like she was now.
“I see. It’s late, but I must start teaching her properly now.”
“...!”
“I was too soft on my ‘daughter,’ and it seems I’ve caused Tulia a great deal of trouble.”
Belladonna, whose face had turned as white as a sheet, cried out as if screaming.
“What on earth are you all talking about?! Sandra, this child is my daughter!”
“Countess Orquichin.”
Roxanne cut her off with a frigid voice.
“Is your surname ‘Frezier’?”
“...!”
“My surname is ‘Frezier.’ And Sandra also carries the name ‘Frezier.’”
Glaring at the trembling Belladonna, Roxanne Frezier clenched her fists as if she had something revolting in her mouth.
“Furthermore, Sandra is the daughter of ‘my husband,’ Great Count Nigella Frezier.”
“Don't be ridiculous!”
“What part of this is ridiculous?”
“You! Are you taking revenge on me right now?! Is it my fault your husband was taken away?! It’s your fault for lacking charm as a woman that you lost your hus— Ack!”
Slap!
The sound of the slap finally silenced Belladonna.
My hand stung as much as Belladonna’s cheek reddened. But I didn't care and glared at her.
‘This woman really... there are things you say and things you don't.’
Clutching her bright red, swollen cheek, Belladonna pointed a finger at me.
“You, you dare lay a hand on my face!”
“Dare?”
“Yes! Dare...”
“Daaaare?”
Perhaps sensing that my reaction was unusual, Belladonna finally faltered.
I lowered my head and let out a low, villainous chuckle.
It was enough to make everyone in the drawing room, even Adel, look flustered.
“...”
As I slowly lifted my head, my pink hair spilled down my cheeks. My wide-open eyes were gleaming wildly.
It was one of the Tulia-version evil laughs, ver. 234892348.
The effect? A perfect ten, obviously.
“Did you just say ‘dare’?”
I continued, speaking to Belladonna, who had turned her head away, unable to meet my crazed gaze.
“The one who dared to insult a Frezier within Frezier territory is you, isn't it? Countess Orquichin?”
“...”
“Aunt Roxanne. What do you think? I feel we should lodge a formal protest with Her Majesty the Empress for granting a title to such a woman.”
“The Grand Ducal House of Frezier is the only one of its kind in the Empire. If my niece, the practical mistress of the house, felt insulted, the Imperial Family must naturally offer an apology.”
Roxanne’s response was calm. Even while mentioning the Imperial Family, she didn't waver in the slightest.
Only Belladonna was trembling.
“Sandra Frezier.”
Sandra, who had been pale and watching the situation unfold, answered a beat late.
“Ye-Yes...! Sister Tulia...!”
“From today on, you will receive your education from your ‘mother,’ Aunt Roxanne.”
Her eyes widened.
“What does that...! M-Mother, say something!”
Sandra threw a tantrum, her voice thick with shock.
“...”
But Belladonna remained silent. Eventually, Sandra let out a shrill scream.
“I don't want to! I’m going to stay with my mother!”
“By what right?”
“What?”
“Uncle Nigella’s legal wife is Aunt Roxanne. Unless you want to ask that man Nigella—ah, sorry, I misspoke. Unless you want to ask Uncle to get a divorce and remarry Countess Orquichin.”
Sandra’s eyes went wide. Her mouth froze.
‘Right. Do you think you could actually do that?’
Perhaps Sandra had already hinted at it a few times.
Asking him to divorce Roxanne and marry Belladonna.
But throughout all that time, Nigella had lived separately from Roxanne but never divorced her. He simply kept Belladonna as a mistress and lived with her.
“Countess Orquichin.”
Staring at Belladonna, who was shaking with humiliation, rage, and fear, I spoke leisurely.
“I’m sure you’ve already heard that you have to sell your mansion in the Imperial Capital?”
“What?! Sell our house?! Sister, are you even human?!”
It was Sandra who screamed again.
“Oh, seriously!”
A Korean cannot tolerate being interrupted more than three times!
Truly annoyed, I barked out an order.
“Adel!”
“Yes, Lady Tulia.”
“Stuff a handkerchief in Sandra Frezier’s mouth!”
I didn't care if Sandra was shocked or not. The maids under Adel, who were organized like a disciplined army, instantly gagged Sandra with a handkerchief and tied it shut.
I then spoke in a chilling tone, wearing the expression of a wicked Empress who hunted down concubines like rats.
“Interrupt me one more time, and I’ll sew your mouth shut with thread.”
“...!”
“And, Countess Orquichin.”
I informed her of the agreement I had reached with Grandfather last night, using a mockingly sweet tone.
“The family law has been far too lenient, hasn't it? A Frezier living openly with a mistress while having a legal wife.”
“...”
“So, His Grace the Grand Duke—Grandfather—and I have established a new family law. Since it concerns internal affairs, it mostly reflects my opinions.”
“...F-Family law? What kind of...?”
“From now on, any mistress brought in by a direct descendant of Frezier will be classified as a high-ranking manservant or a high-ranking maid. In other words.”
I continued, watching in real-time as a truly wicked human being crumbled into pieces before my eyes.
“Countess Orquichin, from today on, you will serve as Aunt Roxanne’s personal maid.”