Chapter 26
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26
“The exam papers…? Ah, yes, of course.”
Lilius hurried to her side and took the bundle of papers.
Somewhat flustered, he began to read the characters written on the pages aloud before he could even fully grasp the content.
“To Marquis Aster Frezier.”
“...!”
“Marquis Aster. I hope this letter finds you in good health. Since you do not like me calling you ‘Father,’ I could not find the courage to do so even in a letter…”
Lilius’s voice began to tremble.
“I ask for your broad-minded… u-understanding…”
Lilius’s hands, clutching the exam papers—no, the papers made of the exact same material as the exam papers—were already shaking violently.
As Lilius faltered, unable to read further, a cold voice cut through the air.
“To the end. Read every single word without skipping a letter, Lilius Frezier.”
That single sentence was as heavy as a blade of judgment.
It was a command from Grand Duke Asis Frezier, one that no one setting foot in the Grand Duchy could dare disobey.
“The, the winter weather is… harshly fair to all… so, p-please…”
Lilius’s voice shook more violently than a swing caught in a gale, and finally, he reached the last line.
“I, I end this letter that I d-dare not send today as well… Y-your daughter… Tu, Tulia Frezier, h-humbly submits…”
He frantically scanned all the papers behind it, but every single one contained the same sentiment.
They were letters expressing concern for Marquis Aster Frezier’s health and regret over letters that could not be sent.
They were truly touching letters, filled with content that would tug at the heartstrings of any ‘noble elder.’
Lilius wore a dazed expression.
Born as the youngest son of the prestigious Grand Ducal House, had he ever been backed into a corner like this by anyone?
It was undoubtedly the first time.
Lilius Frezier stared blankly at Tulia as if possessed.
She was covering her mouth with one hand, wearing an expression of grievance and melancholy.
There wasn't a trace of a victorious smile or a triumphant glint in her eyes.
And yet, Lilius felt it clearly.
He had been completely played.
A cold sweat trickled down Lilius’s spine.
* * *
“To think it would be this pathetic.”
The Grand Duke’s voice broke the heavy silence.
The hair on the back of everyone’s necks in the hall stood on end.
The wrath of the aged Grand Duke Asis Frezier was not raw like the impetuousness of youth.
It was a terror akin to an endless tsunami—a massive natural disaster that instantly stripped the masses of their will to fight and overwhelmed them.
“Luc Kelposher.”
Luc Kelposher, who had been standing by quietly the whole time, answered immediately.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“We will resume the conferment ceremony in five minutes.”
“I will have everything prepared immediately.”
At those words, the servants began to move in perfect order. It felt as if the stagnant air had begun to flow once again.
The curtains that had been drawn to create a solemn atmosphere were pulled back.
Bright cream-colored ribbons were tied into lush floral shapes, and the closed windows were opened to refresh the stifling atmosphere.
The lighting was made a bit brighter than before. The orchestra resumed their melody, which had been paused. The selection was sweeter and more lovely.
The vassals had served the Grand Duke for a long time and were perfect aristocrats.
They knew exactly how to act now so as not to offend their master’s mood.
They acted as if what had just happened never occurred, yet they occasionally cast glances of warm sympathy toward Tulia, who stood still.
Unlike Tedric Frezier, Tulia Frezier stood alone without any family, but she no longer felt ‘alone.’
Most of those casting soft gazes at her were sincere.
“She must have been so lonely.”
“They say the emptier a child feels, the more they resort to needless luxury and tantrums.”
“Hasn't she changed quite a bit? Just looking at her attire today, it’s very modest…”
No one showed any interest in Lilius, Aubrey, or Tedric.
Not a single vassal made an effort to make eye contact or curry favor with them as they usually did.
They might have been enraged at being treated like complete ghosts, but the Lilius couple was currently facing a much greater ordeal.
Grand Duke Asis Frezier had not handed down any punishment ‘immediately.’
In a public setting, Tedric had ‘falsely accused’ Tulia.
Out of jealousy for his cousin.
It was the behavior Grand Duke Asis Frezier hated most—no, loathed. They couldn't even begin to fathom what kind of punishment would be handed down to Tedric.
Their heads felt like they would go bald from trying to gauge the Grand Duke’s intentions.
Dancing barefoot on a forest path thick with thorns would have felt less painful than this.
While everyone’s circumstances were so different.
Luc Kelposher checked his pocket watch.
Exactly five minutes had passed.
“Your Grace. It is time.”
When Luc Kelposher made his formal announcement, the Grand Duke, who had been lost in thought with an expressionless face, rose from his seat.
“Tulia Frezier. Step forward.”
Tulia’s eyes sparkled as she walked straight to the front.
* * *
‘Hah. It’s been a long, long road.’
Lilius, Aubrey, Tedric.
You probably guessed that even if I found out, I’d just destroy the exam papers and try to make it like nothing happened, right?
‘If you hit me first, of course I have to pay you back twofold.’
Looking at the atmosphere now, it seems I didn't just give them double the trouble, but twenty times over.
I simply smiled broadly, pretending to be happy that I was finally receiving the Lineage Pendant.
“The craftsmanship on this ‘Glory’ is exceptionally fine.”
Grand Duke Asis Frezier said as he took the Lineage Pendant out of a golden box.
‘Whoa, the Glory.’
A name that also appeared in The Milk Bread. It was the name given to the necklace of the Frezier direct line.
‘Thinking about it, Corico really is the female lead.’
Even though she wasn't of the direct line or even a blood relative, there was a route where she could obtain that Glory.
The hurdle for her to get it was even incredibly low.
I had to go through all sorts of dangers and hardships to get this!
Still, the fruit is always sweet.
I knelt on one knee and received the Glory with both hands, following the etiquette Luc had taught me beforehand.
The pendant felt heavy atop my gloved hands.
As I lowered my gaze to check the Glory with my own eyes, my heart began to pound.
‘It really is decorated with light green and pink gems.’
The Glory was a necklace made solely for a single member of the Frezier family.
Therefore, everything was handmade and customized.
Gems resembling the eye and hair color of the Frezier who would own it were set into a golden pendant. This was my first time seeing Tulia’s Glory.
‘Since I never specifically saw it in The Milk Bread.’
The fact that these gems were all colored diamonds made me even more excited.
Pink diamonds and green diamonds.
Wasn't it a fantastic combination?
“Tulia Frezier.”
Soon, following the order of etiquette, Grand Duke Asis Frezier spoke briefly about the dignity she must maintain as a Frezier in the future.
“Now, put it on.”
The conferment ceremony ends with me placing this Glory around my own neck.
‘Now I can go see the male leads.’
I’m going to run full speed toward achieving A-Rank.
The moment I lifted the gold chain with the pendant, my heart fluttering.
Suddenly, my hand slipped, and the Glory fell toward the floor.
No, it almost fell.
Because I barely managed to snatch it.
“...”
There was a momentary silence, but soon, genial laughter broke out.
“It seems Lady Tulia is quite nervous.”
“It’s understandable that the strength would leave her hands. After… what she just went through.”
“Besides, the Glory is quite heavy. Haha.”
Fortunately, the vassals, who had become favorable toward me due to today’s incident, provided a solid shield for me.
I gave an awkward smile and lifted the Glory again.
To make up for my previous mistake, I brought the necklace to my neck as carefully as possible, but.
Slide, thud.
“...”
“...”
“...”
This time, a silence deeper than before fell over the room.
The Glory—this damn Lineage Pendant—had fallen to the floor again.
No, depending on the angle, it almost looked as if I had hurled the Glory to the ground.
“...Lady Tulia...?”
Even Luc called my name in a small, troubled, and bewildered voice.
“My Lady. Once you receive the ‘Glory,’ you must place it properly around your neck with prudence and care. It is a ritual that signifies truly accepting the honor and history of Frezier.”
That was exactly what Luc had taught me with such a serious voice not long ago.
“I am sure it would never happen, but if you fail to place it properly… it is interpreted as an act of insulting the blessing of the First Head and the glory of the Frezier family, so you must be careful, and careful again, when putting it on.”
Careful.
And careful again…
Cold sweat began to pour down my body.
The vassals, who had been making excuses for my behavior with such kind attitudes earlier, were now only shifting their eyes.
A mistake?
Strength leaving my hands?
Nervousness?
A rather heavy necklace?
Even so, could it happen twice?
Unless it was an intentional act to insult this sacred occasion of receiving the Frezier necklace!
And a beat late, I realized the cause of this strange situation.
‘N-no way. This isn't a penalty, is it…?’
As if praising my realization, or like a robot performing a duty it must fulfill, multicolored text floated before my eyes.
[! Warning: Your Skill is too low to perform the current action.]
[! Warning: If you do not raise your Skill stat, your reputation among those around you will drop to the minimum!]