Chapter 82
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82
“So, from now on, Adel is the Head Maid of the main castle.”
“Thank you, Lady Tulia.”
“Clara?”
“Ye-yes!”
“You shall serve as my senior maid.”
Clara, who had been trembling with fear, hunched her shoulders even further at those words, looking more terrified than before.
You’re scared, aren't you? Good. Stay scared.
Clara.
She was one of the maids Aubrey had bribed to put me in danger.
After my counterattack, an enraged Aubrey had subjected her to all sorts of lashings before eventually selling her off to an illegal slave auction house.
She was also from the Borderlands.
I had bought Clara back with a large sum of money—or more accurately, with the proceeds from dismantling and selling the pure gold hairpin I’d received from Empress Carmi.
And I made her my senior maid.
Right where everyone could see.
“Lady Tulia.”
The assistant butler approached and whispered in a low voice.
I followed his gaze and then asked, “Aunt Aubrey was here, wasn't she?”
“Yes. The moment she saw Clara, she turned pale as a ghost and hurried away.”
“Good. Well done.”
The assistant butler bowed slightly and disappeared, taking Clara with him.
She must be feeling the heat, right? Hehe.
I didn't even need to see Aubrey’s face to imagine it.
An illegal slave auction house.
Of course, the Brillant Empire does not recognize slavery.
But as is the case everywhere, the wealthy classes often enjoyed their twisted tastes as an open secret.
In The Milk Bread, it was mentioned that quite a few nobles were like that.
However, openly selling a ‘servant’ of the household to such a place was a significant—no, a massive—problem.
It was the kind of scandal that wouldn't just crack Viscountess Aubrey’s reputation; it would shatter it.
Depending on how I played the ‘Clara’ card, Aubrey might even…
Hehehe.
I almost burst out laughing in delight.
“Tulia. Shall we… shall we head to the banquet, banquet hall now?”
I nodded at Lisian’s words.
“Let’s put your shoes back on, on.”
“Okay.”
Since I had been sitting in the wheelchair, I had taken off my shoes and was comfortably wiggling my toes.
Even though I had to remain in the wheelchair for the time being, I couldn't exactly be barefoot in the banquet hall.
Just as Adel was about to move to put my shoes on for me—
“Brother?”
I blinked in confusion.
It was because Lisian had personally dropped to one knee to put my shoes on.
“Is it comfortable?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
I nodded, feeling a bit awkward.
For a high-ranking noble like Lisian to kneel so casually and put shoes on someone else…
Isn't this the kind of special treatment usually reserved for Saint Corico?
While I felt a bit shy, another thought crossed my mind.
Sigh. I should have shown this off somewhere like the Academy where there are lots of people.
Or at least at a grand ball overflowing with ladies and noblewomen.
I knew well enough from The Milk Bread just how incredible the popularity of these twins was in the Brillant social circle.
Ugh, what am I thinking, using the angelic Lisian like that?
It must be Tulia’s naturally wicked personality surfacing. Yes, that’s it. There’s no way I would think such things.
To think I should brag to countless ladies about such a stunningly handsome man kneeling to put on my shoes.
Wait, was that a thought, or just my devious true nature?
“Brother. Are you done with her shoes?”
My endless train of thought was snapped by a sudden voice.
It was Leon Frezier, speaking from right behind me.
“Yes. I’m all, all done.”
Lisian stood up with a gentle smile.
“Is that so?”
I felt a massive sense of foreboding in Leon Frezier’s voice as he asked that.
“…Hey.”
“Then we should head to the banquet hall.”
“Hey…”
“Hold on tight.”
“Hey! Let go!”
But Leon Frezier was not the type to listen to a word I said.
“Waaah!”
The wheelchair began to race like a runaway train, just like last time.
I screamed and gripped the safety handles of the wheelchair for dear life.
“Hey! Slow down!”
“Huh? You’re hungry? You want me to go faster?”
“Leon! Hey!”
The sound of Leon Frezier’s boisterous laughter echoed in my ears.
* * *
The banquet hall.
Grandfather sat at the head of the table.
Below him, seats were arranged according to rank.
I sat in a fairly high-ranking seat and looked down at the delicious food being placed before me.
I took a full spoonful of soup and put it in my mouth.
The beef, simmered until tender, mixed with flavorful butter and rich cream to stimulate my appetite.
The basket was also full of bread, baked with a light brown, crispy crust and soft, white insides.
I picked up a bun the size of my fist, spread some sweet lingonberry jam on it, and took a bite.
Perhaps because it was a family dinner held first to celebrate Grandfather’s ‘birthday,’ all the drinks were champagne.
Among them were many sweet champagnes that suited my palate perfectly. Of course, they were incredibly expensive.
Since it’s 300,000 Gold a glass… that’s about 300,000 won?
Champagne that costs 300,000 won per glass…
I had already asked for and finished three glasses of that expensive champagne.
The servants politely and courteously served me fresh glasses of chilled champagne.
I was certain that if I just said the word, they would bring me the entire bottle.
Gulp, gulp.
The popping bubbles tickled my tongue and throat as they went down refreshingly.
Then, I stuffed a newly served sweet and spicy shrimp dish into my mouth. There wasn't a hint of fishiness.
The texture of the shrimp was so bouncy and salty it made me happy.
Eating it with leafy greens topped with snow-like grated cheese gave it yet another unique flavor.
How are the chefs of the main castle, who report directly to Grandfather, so good at cooking…?
They were on a completely different level, incomparable to the chefs in my own kitchen.
I was able to enjoy the continuing meal immensely.
Unlike the others, that is.
Tedric wasn't even allowed to join this gathering.
The same went for Lilius.
Aubrey and Sophia.
They were the only members of the ‘Viscount’s family’ who could sit at this banquet.
Perhaps because the head of their family and the heir were absent, Sophia and Aubrey both looked cautious.
“…”
Aubrey, in particular, looked unwell.
Good grief.
To not be able to properly enjoy such an expensive and delicious meal.
They were beyond pitiful; they were just ungrateful.
It was after the main meal was over and we had moved to the dining room.
Small commotions could be heard beyond the thick doors, as if guests had already begun to arrive outside.
A lot of people must have come since it’s Grandfather’s birthday banquet.
Moreover, the news that Sophia had received a proposal from Crown Prince Ferdinand must have already spread far and wide.
This birthday banquet was bound to be a large-scale event in many ways.
While I was thinking about the various things prepared in the Grand Banquet Hall, Grandfather called for Sophia.
“Sophia Frezier.”
“Yes, G-Grandfather.”
Sophia was no different from the other grandchildren.
Her voice trembled slightly. However, her posture was much better compared to Tedric or the old Tulia.
“I’m sure you’ve already heard from your mother.”
“…?”
“Crown Prince Ferdinand has proposed to you.”
“…?!”
And in that moment, seeing Sophia’s eyes widen instantly, I knew.
She was hearing this news for the first time.
If I noticed it, how could anyone else here miss it?
Grandfather also seemed to realize that Sophia was hearing about this proposal for the first time right here.
“Did you not tell Sophia in advance?”
Aubrey hurriedly stood up and spoke in a polite tone.
“Ah, since it is such an important matter, I thought it would be best for Sophia to hear it directly from you, Father…”
“Hmm. And what is your opinion?”
“He and I have decided to accept the proposal.”
“…!”
Sophia’s eyes grew so wide they couldn't possibly get any larger.