Chapter 76
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76
He had known she was Tulia Frezier from the moment they met.
As the saying went, a high-ranking member of the Imperial Family was expected to memorize the genealogies of most prominent nobles. Moreover, while the Emperor cursed Ferdinand as a monster, he would never be satisfied unless Ferdinand was as flawlessly perfect as one.
Thus, he was well aware that the plain-looking young lady possessed a formidable lineage—even if the handkerchief she had given him was a pathetic scrap of cloth that only a commoner would use.
Ferdinand glanced at the handkerchief, which sat neatly folded on his desk.
Lately, the rumors in high society had shifted; word was spreading fast that the youngest daughter of the Marquis’s house now held the exclusive favor of Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
“I had a feeling that might be the case.”
Her lovely appearance suited her name perfectly, and her unexpected consideration was enough to leave one bewildered.
“Hmm? Your Highness? Did you say something?”
“I said nothing.”
“Am I deaf, then?”
“I was talking to myself, Master.”
Ferdinand easily buried his minor musings. Schuls Schmidt, who shared a similar temperament, did not press him further.
“Regardless, asking you to write a proposal so suddenly is a bit…”
Schuls Schmidt’s ability to read people was exceptionally keen, matching his intellectual and sharp gaze. Empress Carmi was cautious in front of him, but he had already seen through to her true nature.
“Is there anything I wouldn't do to protect my position?” Ferdinand asked.
“You speak of such ambitious desires while radiating an aura of divine power.”
“My mother told me that if I were to lose that seat, I shouldn't even bother coming to heaven. I have no intention of letting it be taken from me, even if it kills me.”
With a cynical smile, Ferdinand headed to his desk to draft a formal proposal to Lady Sophia Frezier.
A short while later, a swarm of servants sent by the Empress arrived to assist with the letter. Even amidst the bustle, the handkerchief occasionally caught his eye.
The young lady’s eyes had been a light green, like sprouting buds. And now, she was said to be the apple of the Grand Duke’s eye.
There were other rumors—that she was a spoiled brat and so on—but in this vast high society, rumors were silenced in the face of practical honor and wealth. Naturally, the moment she made her debut, the crystal of the social circle would shift. He wondered who she would eventually be engaged to.
One thing was certain: he hoped she wouldn't end up under Empress Carmi’s thumb.
It was a fleeting thought, passing like a light breeze.
* * *
Aubrey was pacing her room anxiously.
“So, when is Sophia supposed to arrive? Why is there no news from her!”
At her sharp question, a senior maid answered hurriedly.
“The young lady sent word that she is delayed by matters at the Academy, but she will arrive in time for the birthday banquet.”
Fearing she might further upset Aubrey, the maid quickly added, “She’ll be here soon, My Lady.”
“Sophia needs to get here as soon as possible. As fast as she can.”
Aubrey’s appearance was far from that of a noblewoman. Her complexion was as pale as a corpse, and her hair—usually elegantly swept up and adorned with all sorts of jewels—was disheveled.
But right now, she had neither the time nor the inclination to check her reflection in the mirror.
“I shall leave Tedric Frezier’s punishment entirely to you, Tulia.”
Those words from Grand Duke Asis Frezier had been like a bolt from the blue. And she remembered how surprised Tulia had looked upon hearing them.
But Aubrey knew better. She had seen the confidence that wicked girl had snatched up so greedily! She could see the future plain as day—how cruelly she would torment Tedric!
“That cunning, evil girl said she would announce Tedric’s punishment on the morning of Father’s birthday banquet.”
As soon as she was granted sovereignty over internal affairs by the Grand Duke, that Tulia Frezier had begun swinging her sword as if she’d been waiting for the chance.
“The punishment of a direct descendant of Frezier is a very, very important matter. I will decide and announce it on the morning when all our family and relatives are gathered.”
The brat hadn't even flinched; she had set the time and date right then and there, smiling at Aubrey. It was a truly wicked smile—at least, that was how it looked to Aubrey’s eyes.
Lilius and Aubrey had barely slept, doing nothing but waiting for the day of the banquet.
“That girl is so vicious. She’s bound to tear Tedric apart with some ridiculous excuse.”
Lilius was holding up better, but Aubrey frequently woke up screaming from nightmares whenever she tried to sleep. Since she couldn't eat properly either, her mood was foul. Not a day went by without a servant being beaten.
Sensing Aubrey’s mood, the senior maids chimed in with forced smiles.
“My Lady, think back. Didn't you always say that Lady Tulia never knows her place and acts out of line?”
“Yes, I did…”
“A person’s nature doesn't change. Lady Tulia has just been lucky for a moment. In the end, won't she just commit some outrageous act that crosses the line, as she always does?”
“That’s right, My Lady. Do you really think His Grace the Grand Duke will just keep letting it slide?”
“Yes, you’re right.”
Aubrey nodded slowly.
“No matter what, Tedric is Father’s own blood. Father couldn't be that heartless. And Lilius has built up quite a bit of rapport with the Elders… It will be fine.”
To reassure herself, Aubrey took several deep breaths.
“Of course, My Lady! Everything will go back to being exactly as you wish.”
The senior maids chattered busily to soothe Aubrey’s volatile temper. They didn't forget to bring out the sweet snacks she preferred and fragrant tea.
“That young lady is so spiteful; she’ll surely hand down a punishment so severe that it will be rejected instead.”
“My Lady, here. Please try these. They’re cookies filled with plenty of fruit pulp.”
Only then did Aubrey’s expression soften slightly, and she spoke with a thin, bitter smile.
“Yes. No matter how much that girl pretends to be smart, I’ve known for over a decade that she’s ultimately a fool…”
* * *
The day of the birthday banquet.
“Am I a genius after all?”
No one laughed at my words. Of course they didn't. Behind me stood only Adel, the Chief Physician, and the Assistant Butler.
I looked down leisurely at the Grand Banquet Hall from a high vantage point.
From the evergreens signifying longevity to the rock-ferns symbolizing glory, and even the massive embroidered tapestry wishing for good health—everything was perfect.
Since a ball would also be held here, I hadn't chosen a hall with marble floors. Instead, I had opened the Grand Banquet Hall with oak flooring. The servants had rubbed enough wax into it that the polished wood looked as noble and elegant as a black carpet.
Fresh flowers were used in abundance but arranged without being gaudy. The glass of the wall lamps had been wiped clean of every speck of dust; once lit, they would radiate beautiful light from every angle.
The dais, consisting of only five steps for Grandfather to ascend and descend, was decorated with only a few items. Instead, the entire platform was covered in a blue Arabella carpet embroidered with silver thread, creating an atmosphere of opulence.
Considering Grandfather’s tastes, the banquet hall—prepared to be as luxurious yet clean as possible—looked magnificent even to my eyes. It was a level of craftsmanship that anyone would give a passing grade.
“Your eye for detail is truly amazing, My Lady. To turn this banquet hall into something so wonderful so quickly.”
Adel seemed genuinely impressed. It was understandable.
Even ladies who have just married into high society struggle with party preparations.
But I’d done it all before in The Milk Bread.
Decorating a banquet hall of this size perfectly for its purpose required a significant amount of experience. Of course, if it had been the original Tulia? She would have sunk, obviously. She probably would have chosen curtain colors that were either too bright or too dark, ruining the entire atmosphere.
There was one reason I could show such proficiency from the start.
The Skill Stat.
It really is useful for everything. Thanks to it, I was able to prepare the birthday banquet entirely on my own without any help from the adults.
“I see them over there.”
Right on cue, I spotted Aubrey and her senior maids, who had come to preview the hall. Aubrey looked around the Grand Banquet Hall with an expression of disbelief. I could see her grinding her teeth from all the way up here.
She probably expected me to make a mess of it.
Maybe she even thought I’d come crawling to her for help. But I have the Skill Stat helping me, you know?
Swish!
Aubrey turned away with a resentful look. I watched the senior maids scurrying after her. Only then did I smile, my mood lifting even further.
“It’s all thanks to your help, Adel. Thank you.”
“Not at all, My Lady.”
Adel smiled shyly and warmly. Just then…
“I also helped quite diligently. Technically speaking, I worked twenty-four hours a day, My Lady.”
The Assistant Butler—Grans—interjected in a robotic voice.
“Ah, right. Thanks, Assistant Butler.”
Then the Chief Physician cleared his throat.
“Ahem. It was I who pushed your wheelchair for twenty hours straight, My Lady.”
“…Thank you very much.”
Honestly, why don't they just ask me to bow to them? But both of them looked so proud that it was hard to tell what they were thinking. Well, that’s not what’s important right now.
“Adel?”
“Yes, Lady Tulia.”
“Could you send people to tell the direct descendants of Frezier to gather in the family council room?”
“Understood, My Lady. What time shall I tell them?”
I smiled confidently.
“Ten minutes from now.”
Adel checked her watch and asked, “What if the Viscount or the Viscountess say they won't attend?”
It was a realistic concern. However…
“Tell them it’s the place where Tedric’s punishment will be announced. One side won't be able to stay away out of curiosity, and the other will come because they want to grab me by the throat.”
The Assistant Butler and the Chief Physician looked at each other.
“No one will be able to skip it, right?”
A faint smile played on Adel’s lips. “Yes, My Lady. I will do as you command.”
After telling her I was counting on her, I spoke with eyes full of fighting spirit.
“Now then, Chief Physician.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Straight ahead!”
“Yes, ma'am!”
Now that I’ve become a person of power with sovereignty over internal affairs… Shall I try using that power properly?