Chapter 42
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 42
Lilius was momentarily flustered to see Tulia enter the dining room, but his thoughts quickly shifted.
‘Actually, this works out better. I don’t know what’s possessed her to eat with her twin brothers for once, but still.’
His wife, Aubrey, was currently half-mad.
Even if that weren't a metaphor, it wouldn't have been an entirely inaccurate description.
Since he was a child, Aubrey had doted on and coddled their only son, Tedric, to an extreme degree. Now, that very son was shivering away in a freezing stone warehouse where even commoners wouldn't live...
To make matters worse, the kitchen and bedroom in that warehouse were a complete disaster!
Aubrey could have prepared meals at her own castle and sent them over, but the distance was the problem. The Randelleur Warehouse was located quite far from the main castle and the annexes; no matter how well the food was prepared and wrapped, it would arrive cold and soggy.
“This is all because of that wretched girl! My poor son... A noble of the Frezier direct lineage, unable to even have a proper meal...”
As Tedric’s mother, Aubrey’s heart broke daily, and she spent her time cursing Tulia through her tears.
‘My wife will surely launch a tactless attack on Tulia again today.’
Lilius’s mind whirred with calculation.
The Tulia of late was different from before. In the past, she had been their literal pushover. She had a notorious reputation for being a brat, a "madwoman" whose temperament made even the Frezier vassals recoil in disgust.
However, no matter how much of a scoundrel she was to others, Tulia had been relatively open with Lilius and Aubrey, perceiving them as the "only" adult blood relatives who looked after her. Thanks to that, the amount of money they had managed to squeeze out of her was quite substantial.
Thinking of that vanished passive income made Lilius resent Tulia all over again.
Lilius noted how much she had changed recently.
‘I wonder what kind of bribes or instructions she received from her father.’
She now meticulously threw their own words back at them. She was no longer an easy target. Naturally, both Aubrey and Lilius had begun to watch their tongues around her, but...
The twins were here today.
Though to varying degrees, neither of them liked Tulia. In particular, the younger twin, Leon Frezier, loathed Tulia like mold growing on a wall.
‘It would be best to let them see Tulia acting like an unrefined, wild filly again.’
If that happened, the rift between those eyesore siblings of the Marquis’s house would only widen on its own. Leon Frezier, who had the most fiery temper among the twins, would surely lose his patience and hurl harsh words at her.
The atmosphere at the breakfast table would be ruined, but that would undoubtedly make Lilius feel much better. The stronger the discord between the siblings, the narrower Tulia’s standing would become, putting her at a disadvantage once more.
Lilius stole a glance at his wife, Aubrey, seated beside him.
It had been nearly a month since Tedric was banished to that shabby warehouse. Having not had a single night of decent sleep during that time, Aubrey was glaring at Tulia as if she wanted to kill her.
Until now, Lilius had exerted himself trying to stop and soothe her whenever she looked ready to tear Tulia’s hair out, but not today.
“My lady.”
Lilius took Aubrey’s plate, sliced the steak for her himself, and whispered in a tender voice.
“Eat plenty.”
Eat your fill, and then feel free to attack Tulia with all the elegance you can muster.
* * *
“Tulia. You’ve come to the table wearing the Glory necklace, of all things. It’s quite excessive. Have you not yet learned that over-decoration does not suit the virtue of modesty?”
“Ah. My apologies. It’s just that I don’t have any other decent accessories. I won’t wear it starting tomorrow.”
“Tulia. You never once joined your brothers for a meal when they visited before, so why bother coming now? You didn't give any prior notice; the kitchen must be struggling because of you.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. In that case, I’ll just have some salad and soup.”
“Tulia. I heard you caught a cold. What if you pass it on to your brothers? How can you be so selfish?”
“Ah, my apologies. I just wanted to eat with Lisian and Leon after such a long time... But the doctor said it’s hardly contagious anymore.”
“There’s always a 'what if'! You’ve always been so wicked and selfish!”
Finally, Aubrey’s true feelings burst out in her voice. Lilius waited expectantly for Tulia to snap back with her usual sarcasm and rebellion.
“Then...”
However, a completely unexpected reaction struck them like a bolt from the blue.
“I simply won’t eat.”
“...What?”
“Assistant Butler?”
“Yes, Lady Tulia.”
“Bring me one of the veils from my dressing room.”
“Understood.”
Tulia smiled at Aubrey like a gentle fairy.
“I’ll keep my mouth covered, Aunt.”
“Wh—what did you say?”
Even Aubrey was momentarily speechless. Lilius was no different.
‘...What is this?’
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. The Tulia who usually barked back was nowhere to be seen.
Lilius and Aubrey slowly began to panic. This was a breakfast where the entire direct lineage was gathered. Since the formal banquet had been canceled the previous evening, several key vassals were also present at the table.
In such a setting...
Tulia actually took the veil from the Assistant Butler, covered the lower half of her face, and sat there as if she were perfectly fine with not eating a single bite.
The words Aubrey had spat weren't even proper discipline. They were stubbornness, nitpicking, verbal abuse, and bullying. Yet Tulia sat there submissively, even covering her mouth, as if she were the picture of obedience.
‘What is wrong with her?’
To any observer, this was excessive. Anyone looking at this would see a fifteen-year-old niece being unilaterally bullied by her aunt and uncle!
Even Leon Frezier, who was always itching for a fight with Tulia, had set down his utensils with a strange expression. Furthermore, the expressions of the vassals... were not good at all. One could tell just by the way they were subtly exchanging glances.
‘This won't do.’
At this rate, strange rumors would spread even to the nobility of the Grand Duchy.
Though he maintained a calm and dignified exterior, Lilius, who was internally frantic, suddenly had a realization.
‘I see.’
Tulia Frezier had changed her tactics to win over her brothers—those twins.
‘Just how great a reward did her father promise that girl for her to act so submissively? Or...’
Did she have some personal reason for needing to gain the twins' favor? Whatever the case, for now...
“Tulia Frezier! How dare you insult me with such a display at the dining table...!”
“My lady.”
Lilius’s first priority was to soothe Aubrey, who was trembling and finally screaming.
“Let us eat.”
“Dear!”
“...My lady.”
In the end, Lilius called her name in a low voice through gritted teeth. Only then did Aubrey seem to come to her senses.
Lilius cleared his throat and spoke to Tulia in a gentle tone.
“Tulia. You should take off the veil and eat as well. You know your aunt has been going through a difficult time lately, don't you?”
With sickening innocence, Tulia looked at Aubrey with an expression of pity.
“Of course I understand, Uncle.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Poor Aunt. Please, stay strong.”
Aubrey’s clenched fists, which she had barely managed to lower, trembled violently.