TBDNS - Chapter 7

Episode 7. Was that the face he made when looking at his younger brother?

“That’s too much. Is it that hard to please the friend you came with?”

Seira sneered as Mia and Mrs. Hans disappeared.

“You’re the one behind all this, right?”

Adele wasn't particularly surprised.

“Oh, you still blame me when you’re in a tight spot, Mother.”

Seira was the daughter of the deceased Marquis Oswald. Since Adele was once the wife of Marquis Oswald, she was Seira's mother. She was the same age as her mother. So when Seira called her 'mother', it meant mockery. The remnants who had been mocking Adele behind her added their words as if they had been waiting for it.

“Oh my. If it were me, I wouldn’t even be able to show up in front of Lady Seira because I’d feel sorry.”

“You shouldn’t think that they are the same as people like us. They are so shameless, even after poisoning people.”

The women who had been whispering with their mouths covered by their fans flinched when their eyes met Adele's.

“It’s polite to gossip when someone isn’t listening. That’s all for now.”

Adele bowed politely and passed them by.

“Count Weiss!”

At that moment, Seira's scream was heard. She approached Adele, who was hesitating, and asked.

“Is it true that he is your younger sibling?”

As expected, the rumor must have already spread far and wide in Greenhill. Of course, it must have reached her ears as well. Adele nodded clearly, hiding her bitter feelings.

“Yeah, he’s like my real brother.”

When they heard it directly from Adele's mouth, everyone's eyes sparkled, and they began to whisper. It meant that the seat next to Count Weiss was still empty. Then, Seira pushed away all the remaining members around her.

“You two can go in first since we have something to talk about.”

When they were left alone, she got to the point.

“Then, would it be possible for you to set us up?”

"What?"

It was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard in a while, but Seira was shameless beyond imagination.

“If you help me marry Count Weiss, I can help you too. You want to clear your name as a murderer, don’t you?”

“Would it make any difference if I clear my name now?”

“Think about it. You will be cleared of your name, and the Count will become a member of the traditional Oswald family. Then he will be able to enter the Council of Nobles.”

When the topic of the noble council came up, Adele clicked her tongue.

“Think about it carefully, Seira. Don’t you see why the Emperor trusts him so much?”

“Why does His Majesty trust him...?”

Seira, who had been thinking deeply, only then realized something.

“Are you saying that the Emperor thinks of him as his son-in-law?”

Adele pretended not to know and ignored it.

“Well, how could I know the noble one’s will? But if it were you, whose hand would you rather hold, the Princess’s or the Marquis’s daughter’s?”

Adele felt relieved when she saw Seira's lips trembling. But Seira did not give up easily.

“Are you okay? I bet you have feelings for him, too?”

It hit the nail on the head. Adele felt a sting, but she was good at hiding her expression.

“You got it wrong. I already have someone I’m seeing.”

Seira's bright red lips rose strangely.

“I saw you dancing with the Count that day. I know. Your real face is hidden behind the mask. Was that really the face you used to see your brother?”

Adele, who was silent for a moment, smiled quietly.

“Seira, do you really like me?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t you think your interest in me is too much? You’re always hovering around me. Like a poor little child yearning for its mother’s love.”

"This!"

Seira finally raised her hand to slap Adele on the cheek, but Adele, who had already guessed what was going on, grabbed her hand.

“Stop acting like an adult, Sayra!”

Seira snatched her hand away, but shouted fiercely.

“Don’t show off! You will definitely connect me with Count Weiss. I will make it happen!”

*** 

Seira Oswald. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the social circle of Kalame was in her hands. A woman who was good at making people on her side with her beautiful appearance and outstanding social skills. If someone fell out of favor with Seira, her followers would spread malicious rumors. Then, no matter how innocent someone was, it was only a matter of time before they were buried in society. 

A typical example of this was Adele. Seira was the one who played the biggest role in Adele becoming the villain who poisoned her husband. That’s why even women from prestigious families were paying attention to her. The reason they didn’t talk to Adele was to avoid falling out of favor with Seira. Of course, Adele didn’t want to get close to people in a place like this. She would be grateful if she didn’t get criticized openly.

However, the atmosphere of the party today was a little different. People wearing black dresses could be seen all over the banquet hall. When Adele wore them, didn’t everyone whisper that they looked like mourners? And there were even people who approached her cautiously.

“The cookies were really good that day, ma’am.”

"Thank you."

After that, several ladies came and talked to her. Of course, the stories started with Cookie and ended with Count Weiss. These days, Count Weiss was the trend, so just being friends with him changed Adele’s status. Even people who usually disliked Seira would come and gossip about her. Perhaps sensing the changed atmosphere, Seira would occasionally look at Adele with sharp eyes, and every time, the ladies would quickly cover their faces with their fans. There was no comedy. Adele quietly slipped away from the people surrounding her.

“Adele!”

At that moment, Mia came over, dressed in a cool blue dress with a plunging neckline and white fur trim. She looked very beautiful after fixing her hair and makeup.

“You’re pretty, Mia.”

“I’m sorry, Adele. I made you attend this embarrassing party because of me.”

“No. Today is pretty fun.”

“I did that because I thought if we went back just like before, I’d feel defeated. So today, let’s have fun to the point that that girl Seira gets mad!”

As expected of her cheerful personality, Mia led Adele by the hand and led her into the middle of the banquet hall. Just then, a servant came carrying a tray of glasses and handed them to her. Mia picked up one for herself and one for Adele.

“Let’s drink, yum!”

She clinked her glasses cheerfully and started dancing in the crowd. People quickly gathered around the cheerful Mia.

'That's fortunate. I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I expected.'

Adele, who was looking at Mia with a happy expression, left the banquet hall. Her head felt a little dizzy.

'Is it because it's been a while since I've been to a place with so many people?'

But her physical condition was getting worse and worse. Eventually, her vision became blurry, and people's voices became distant. It was hard to control her body, as if she were completely drunk.

'Could it be because of the alcohol I drank a little while ago?'

No way. She only had one drink. No matter how much she thought about it, there was something strange about that drink. Thinking back, the servant who had the glass gave the drinks to Mia and Adele and then left right away. As if they were the ones who were targeted.

'Could it be that the alcohol was laced with drugs?'

Who the hell?

'Let's go out for now.'

Adele decided to go outside and get some fresh air. As she walked down the hallway, her limbs gave out, and she had to hold on to the wall.

“Can I help you, ma’am?”

A man approached her from the hallway across the street and spoke to her.

“Ha, it’s okay.”

She barely managed to answer with a face dripping with cold sweat.

“No. I think you might need my help.”

“...!”

Suddenly, Adele felt an eerie feeling and raised her head. Her vision was so blurry and everything was spinning in front of her that she couldn't see clearly. Even in such a situation, she could barely make out who the man was.

"You are...?"

He was the Viscount Eaton. He had proposed to her before the Marquis' funeral. After being rejected, he would occasionally write horrible graffiti on her fence and run away.

“Please get out of the way!”

Adele screamed, but it was no use. The man covered her mouth with his large hand and dragged her into the darkness. 

*** 

Everyone in the banquet hall bowed their heads at once. In the middle of them stood a young blonde girl of about twenty. She was the Emperor's eldest daughter, April, with her lovely, rosy cheeks.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

April smiled cutely as Seira came forward and gave a greeting.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Seira.”

“My mother, Mrs. Oswald, also wanted to see the Princess... but I can’t see where she went.”

Seira looked around with an embarrassed expression, as if looking for Adele.

“I guess she's resting because she's tired. We can meet later.”

April answered kindly. Then Mrs. Hans, who had exchanged glances with Seira, stepped forward.

“If it’s Mrs. Oswald, I saw her go into the room in the hallway over there a little while ago.”

“I will go and get my mother.”

Then April smiled cautiously.

“Then I will go with you.”

Like other women in the empire, April was also interested in Christine. So she was curious about Adele, who was surrounded by various rumors. If the two were really like siblings, she also wanted to win her favor.

“Then this way.”

Mrs. Hans led the way. She was followed by Seira, April, and several others with curious faces. They passed the corridor where Adele had stumbled a moment ago. Then, a faint sound was heard from inside the dark and secluded room. It was a strange moan that stimulated the secret imagination. The people stopped walking and blushed.

“Oh, it was definitely that room...”

Mrs. Hans covered her flushed cheeks and spoke with an embarrassed expression. Then, as if they had been waiting for this, the remnants of Seira began to whisper.

“Where will her habits go?”

“Why would you want to come all the way here and do that?”

April, who didn't notice the situation at first, was flustered and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

“It would be better to say hello next time.”

But Seira was resolute.

“No, this is a matter of honor for the Oswald family. I need to know exactly what’s going on!”

Then, without hesitation, she swung the door wide open. 

Bam! 

In an instant, everyone was so shocked that they screamed.

“Whoa!”

“What is going on!”

Inside the room, a naked man was tied tightly to a chair. He was moaning with his mouth covered with underwear, and his face turned pale when he saw the crowd of people. 

***

“Adele... Come to your senses, Adele...”

Adele barely opened her eyes at the familiar voice. Her vision was blurry, so she blinked slowly and met the blue-gray eyes that looked at her with concern. If her eyes were not mistaken, this man was definitely...

"Chris?"

“Are you coming to your senses now?”

Christine asked, clicking his tongue.

“Chris, is that really you?”

“Why do you regret not being with another man?”

Adele smiled weakly.

“I can tell it’s you because you speak so nicely.”

When Adele looked around, she was lying on a couch in a room that appeared to be a study.

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