Chapter 81
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81
“Heavens, are these all mine?!”
“That’s right, my daughter! I prepared everything just for you!”
As Aubrina Lilius spoke with a bright smile, Sophia Frezier threw herself into her mother’s arms.
“Kyaaa! Thank you, Mother!”
Sophia Frezier.
She let out squeals of delight as she opened the gift boxes piled high in the room one by one.
They were magnificent gifts.
Seven dresses from the latest season, and shawls woven as thin as spiderwebs.
There were shimmering jewels of every color and hats adorned with large feathers.
And that wasn't all.
There were glossy satin shoes, a sky-blue fan with white ivory ribs, lace decorated with organza, and even a large silk ribbon with a pearl set in the center.
Every single item was exquisitely luxurious, leaving nothing to be desired.
Just looking at them one by one was a feast for the eyes that left her feeling utterly satisfied.
“Mother! You prepared all these gifts because it’s been so long since I returned to the main castle, right?”
“That’s part of it, but there’s also something to celebrate.”
“What? Something to celebrate?”
Aubrina hesitated for a moment, an awkward smile playing on her lips, before she spoke.
“Let’s discuss that later during the formal banquet with the Grand Duke.”
Sophia, quickly distracted by the gifts again, brushed it off.
“All right!”
Whew.
Aubrina swallowed a sigh of relief inwardly.
She hadn't yet told Sophia that she was to become a ‘Crown Princess Candidate.’
The reason was simple.
She knew Sophia would undoubtedly throw a fit.
Sophia possessed both the pride of a Frezier and an inferiority complex from not being a blood relation; moreover, her ambition was immense.
Aubrina knew her daughter well—Sophia was aiming to be a Marchioness at the very least, or even a Duchess.
While the position of Crown Princess was incomparably higher than those, the fact that Crown Prince Ferdinand might remain a ‘boy’ forever was a serious flaw that could jeopardize even that power.
Of course, even the offspring of high-ranking families with such ‘flaws’ almost always succeeded in marrying.
But could that truly be called a proper marriage?
It was essentially no different from a family with low status and no money selling their child for wealth and power.
Viscount Lilius hadn't muttered that it was ‘unfortunate’ for no reason.
Since Sophia was the one getting married, it was obvious she would scream in protest even more.
That was why Aubrina had prepared such a mountain of plausible gifts—to soothe Sophia’s heart in advance using the money she had borrowed from Tulia.
In truth, even that had been a stretch, forcing Aubrina to sell off almost all of her cherished dresses.
For the time being—no, since both her son and husband had ended up like that anyway—Aubrina gnashed her teeth, vowing not to attend any external social events for at least three years.
As the Viscountess who held the internal power of ‘Frezier,’ she had always been treated with the utmost respect regardless of which social party she attended.
Hosts would always show her the most attention, asking her questions, providing conveniences, and frantically trying to stay in her good graces.
The thought that she could no longer enjoy that luxurious, cozy atmosphere where she felt like the queen of the room made her loathe Tulia even more.
It was all because of that girl.
“Mother?”
“Oh, yes. Go ahead and try them on.”
After Sophia excitedly changed into a new dress, the mother and daughter headed out.
They were on their way to attend the formal banquet held for the direct lineage before the main event.
Just then.
Huh?
In an instant, Aubrina’s face turned pale and stiff.
“Mother? What’s wrong?”
“Sophia. Why don’t you head to the dining hall first?”
“What? Oh, okay. I understand.”
Though puzzled, Sophia followed Aubrina’s maid and moved ahead.
But it wasn't long before Sophia came to a halt.
“Oh my!”
It was because she saw a face she had been hoping to see.
“It’s Brother Leon!”
“Lady Sophia, you must head to the dining hall immediately.”
“Be quiet! I can just greet Brother Leon and ask him to escort me!”
“B-but…”
Aubrina’s maid couldn't bring herself to say how strained the relationship between the Lilius family and that side had become.
She could only lower her head helplessly.
Sophia moved forward, her mood lifting.
At the Academy, the popularity of the twins—Leon Frezier and Lisian—pierced the heavens.
It was only natural.
Their prestigious status.
Their sculpted looks.
And their outstanding skills, as they never missed being the top and second-top of their class.
While Lisian possessed a neat and gentle charm, Leon had a slightly more wild aura.
Furthermore, unlike Lisian who stuttered, Leon Frezier was truly ‘flawless’ and perfect.
It was a bit of a shame he was the second son, but considering their close relationship, Sophia figured he would eventually be handed a decent title.
That was the general consensus among most Academy students as well.
Sophia was often the envy of other female students because she was a relative of the twins.
“Did you know? The brothers are surprisingly soft-hearted. If you ask them to dance at an Academy banquet, they always agree.”
At Sophia’s boastful words, Aubrina’s maid quickly played along to keep her in a good mood.
“It’s because Lady Sophia is their only younger sister at the Academy. It’s only natural they would treat you well.”
Sophia laughed triumphantly.
“Of course. I’m the only granddaughter of the Frezier family attending the Academy with them.”
However, contrary to her confident voice, the twins weren't actually that friendly toward Sophia.
Even at banquets, they would only dance with her after she begged and pleaded, and otherwise, she barely received a short greeting.
Even when she tried to act close to them in front of other female students, the twins would often just give a curt nod and walk away.
But surely, she could at least ask for an escort at today’s formal banquet!
Just as Sophia hurried to tidy her dress and hair and opened her mouth to speak—
“Brother Leon, ugh…?”
Her steps faltered.
“What is this? What is he looking at that’s making him smile like that?”
Leon Frezier rarely smiled in public.
Lisian smiled much more often, while Leon was far more frequently seen with a stoic expression that suited his large frame and dark black hair.
So why was he grinning like that?
What was he looking at?
“…Who is that? Is that Tulia Frezier?”
“Yes… that is correct, Lady Sophia.”
Sophia did not yet know that Tulia had taken over the sovereignty over internal affairs, nor did she know that Tulia’s position within the Grand Duchy had completely changed.
As someone who only remembered Tulia Frezier’s former status, the scene before her eyes made no sense at all.
“What’s with her? She’s laughing with Brother Lisian, too?”
Lisian and Tulia were laughing at some joke, and Leon Frezier was creeping toward them with a foolish grin on his face.
Sophia’s face contorted with irritation.
“Their relationship was definitely the worst, so what is this? What happened while I was gone? And what is that dress Tulia is wearing?”
The dress Tulia wore was just as beautiful as the one Sophia had on.
“I guess Mother gave her a gift as well?”
Tulia had always chosen tacky, gaudy dresses due to her vulgar nature.
Even then, she only had a few that she rotated through.
As Sophia stood there frozen, the maid asked cautiously.
“Lady Sophia? Shall we go to Master Leon Frezier…?”
“Forget it!”
Grinding her teeth quietly, Sophia spun around and walked away.