Chapter 92
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 92
‘A formal banquet this morning, too.’
Lulu.
Technically, it wasn't exactly morning.
‘Most people find a lavish meal early in the morning a bit much, after all.’
In the Empire, even if it was called a "morning banquet," it was standard for it to be served around brunch time.
Just like now.
As it had been yesterday, the table set for the banquet was magnificent. Only the seats for Grandfather and Sophia remained empty.
‘They must be finishing up their talk right about now.’
I feasted with my eyes first on the meal, which was nothing short of extravagant.
Today’s soup was a clear mussel soup. While the well-steeped mussel broth would surely have an excellent, deep flavor, one thing seemed slightly lacking.
‘It would be better if it were a bit spicier.’
After transmigrating as Tulia in The Milk Bread, my palate had adapted to hers to some extent, so I didn't crave spicy food like crazy. Still, there were moments like this when a sudden yearning for heat would strike.
If there was one stroke of luck, it was that The Milk Bread was a Korean-made game.
In other words, Korean spices existed within this Empire. Even if there wasn't any gochujang, there were various types of chili peppers.
‘I’ll have to ask the chef to make something for me later.’
The thought of a hot mussel soup with sliced chilies for a sharp, refreshing kick actually made my mouth water. Though, to be honest, there were very few times when I didn't have an appetite.
‘I wonder if they’d make it for me if I asked them to make some kalguksu noodles to boil in the mussel soup?’
If I explained how to roughly make noodles out of flour, I felt like they might understand.
It was then.
“Father. You’ve arrived.”
Grand Duke Nigella’s voice broke my train of thought.
Grandfather had come down.
Sophia followed behind him. Her expression was cautious, but it was undeniably bright—bright enough to make me let out a small, inward smirk.
“Everyone, sit.”
Grandfather, taking his seat at the head of the table, gestured toward Sophia.
“Sophia Frezier has decided to enter an engagement with the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“I have just finished deciding on her engagement gift.”
I caught a glimpse of Aubrey out of the corner of my eye. Her face was filled with hope. She looked more desperate than anyone for this to be the key to saving Tedric.
But would things go her way?
I leaned back leisurely and waited for Grandfather’s next words.
“Sophia Frezier.”
“Yes, Grandfather...!”
“I shall grant you the entirety of Tedric Frezier’s commercial district. It is your engagement gift.”
“...!”
Scrape!
“F-Father! What do you mean by that!”
The one who bolted upright and shouted was, naturally, Aubrey.
Usually, like the other Freziers, she was terrified of Grandfather. But in this moment, her shock seemed to have eclipsed even that fear.
‘Well, it looks like everyone else is just as shocked.’
Even Grand Duke Nigella Frezier had his eyes wide in a rare display of surprise. Only Lisian and Leon remained unfazed, maintaining their usual expressions and posture.
“What do I mean? As his mother, you should know best, Aubrey. It is Sophia Frezier’s engagement gift.”
“B-but...! That belongs to Tedric, Father! That is the commercial district Tedric received as his Debutante gift...!”
“Tulia.”
Grandfather suddenly called my name.
“Yes?”
“Tell me again the sentence passed upon Tedric Frezier.”
“Ah.”
I spoke, suppressing a smile.
“He is to be exiled to the border where Marquis Aster Frezier is stationed. His rank will be that of the lowest knight, and the duration is indefinite.”
“...!”
“And all of this has been authorized by Grandfather.”
Grandfather nodded slowly.
“According to the sentence, there is no longer anyone to manage Tedric Frezier’s commercial district. Is there any gift more suitable for Sophia Frezier’s engagement?”
“But, Father...!”
“Aubrey Frezier.”
Finally, a note of irritation entered Grandfather’s voice.
“Are you questioning my decision and the family customs now?”
“...!”
“Answer me.”
“N-no... It’s not that... I was just so surprised that I...”
In the end, Aubrey sat back down, at a loss for what to do. It was more like she collapsed into her seat. She looked as if she were about to burst into tears.
If I hadn't been here, she surely would have cried.
‘But it looks like it’s been sublimated into spite.’
Given how she was glaring at me with murder in her eyes.
Of course, I wasn't the type to just let an adult’s glare slide. I returned a smile so wide it practically split my face, just like the Tulia from The Milk Bread.
At that, not only Aubrey but all the servants standing nearby flinched in terror. Ultimately, Aubrey couldn't withstand my smile any longer and snapped her gaze away in resentment.
That’s right.
‘This is the official villainess smile.’
Do you get it now?
The banquet continued as if nothing had happened. Sophia sat demurely next to Aubrey and began her meal. Despite her acting, the hand moving her cutlery was trembling slightly.
‘She’s probably terrified that Aubrey Lilius will find out.’
The fact that she was the one who asked Grandfather for the commercial district, that is. And her mind must be spinning constantly.
‘Wondering if she’s in the same boat as me or not.’
If I were to tell Aubrey Lilius the truth, her position would be over. Perhaps before that happens, unable to bear the pressure of being found out, she might weave a story and whisper it to Aubrey—something to make me the public enemy.
But I knew.
‘You know what the scariest thing in the world is?’
It’s coins.
It’s money.
Once she sees the gold coming in every month from Tedric’s commercial district, she’ll never want to let go of that right. And she’ll realize anew just how massive the difference was between the love she received and the love Tedric received.
“Tulia. You’re e-eating well today.”
“Yeah. I think the food is especially delicious today.”
“T-then have some more.”
“Eat this too, kid.”
Food piled up high on my plate. I happily polished off the stacks of meat.
On the other hand...
My gaze kept drifting toward Grandfather at the head of the table.
‘He must feel a bit complicated.’
The Lilius family would likely be completely fractured by this incident. They might even self-destruct from within.
‘I had no choice if I wanted to survive, but...’
I couldn't help but feel a bit concerned for Grandfather.
* * *
The sentence for Lilius Frezier was finalized.
Forfeiture of owned territory.
Deprivation of the right to free movement for five years.
And...
“Why is it so cold even inside the castle!”
Lilius Frezier shouted, trembling violently.
“Are you sure all the windows are closed?!”
“Y-yes! They are all closed! Every single one, Master!”
“Then why is it so cold!”
“Since the castle is prone to severe drafts, there’s nothing we can do about that part...”
Lilius had been completely cast out. To Gers Territory, located at the northernmost tip of the vast Frezier lands.
And that wasn't all.
The castle where the lord resided was a shabby stone-walled fortress situated on a high mountain. This stone castle was called ‘Gers Castle,’ named after the territory, and the word ‘Gers’ itself was derived from a word meaning ‘isolated.’
Lilius Frezier.
He had been exiled to a place of total isolation.
Near Gers Castle, there were no proper villages, let alone many subjects. The people of Gers, consisting of hardy hunters, numbered fewer than fifty, and they lived scattered far across the mountains for hunting, living their entire lives with almost no connection to their lord.
A place with no subjects to serve him.
And above all...
A place that was far too cold!
“Light the fireplace! Now! Why must I stand here shivering in front of a cold hearth!”
“T-that is...”
The advisor said, flustered.
“The firewood we used yesterday was the last of it, Master...!”
Flames of fury erupted in Lilius’s eyes.