(17) Rachel's Trick (3)
Cyrus's eyes grew cold.
"Who says such things?"
"Lord Isaac said that you'll have a consort soon... Ah! Why are you hitting me, Louis!"
Noah, who had been elbowed in the side by Louis, suddenly snapped, but then felt Cyrus' gaze, and his voice died down.
Feeling a cold chill run down the back of his neck, Noah gulped and knelt on one knee.
"I've talked too much. Please kill me, my lord."
"Of course."
Cyrus drew his sword without hesitation. Noah closed his eyes tightly, but Louis, who had been silent until then, spoke.
"There's no need to stain my lord's sword with the blood of a bastard like this."
"You're protecting him because he's your subordinate."
Thud- Thud-!
Louis kicked Noah several times without saying a word. Noah took the kicks raining down on him without a single groan.
Louis, who had stopped kicking, stood upright and spoke.
“He may be stupid, but he’s quite skilled. It would take a lot of effort to train another one to this level, so please hold back your anger. I’ll teach him well.”
Cyrus glared silently at Noah before putting his sword back.
Louis asked,
“Do you have any future plans?”
Cyrus turned his head and gazed at the Bronte ducal mansion.
“We’ve come a long way, so we can’t go back without getting anything. Wait another week, and if we still have nothing, we’ll go back.”
Isaac, who had been drinking in a small mansion rented under the name of a fictional merchant, widened his eyes when he saw Noah return covered in blood.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you run into any thieves?”
“Am I the kind of person who would get hurt by a group of thieves? Louis hit me.”
Isaac turned to Louis, who was standing nonchalantly next to Noah.
“Why did you hit him? Was he acting up again?”
“Yes.”
“Surely... you wouldn’t have said something about a consort in front of His Excellency, would you?”
“No way.”
“Ha!”
Isaac shook his head, as if dumbfounded.
“You’re amazing, Noah. You’ve almost died from acting up in front of His Excellency more than once, so why can’t you fix it?”
“But I’m curious. Who is the woman who captured our lord’s heart?”
“She’s a bold and smart woman. She doesn’t hesitate to ruin herself for her plans. She doesn’t seem to care about reputation.”
“Well. Judging by His Excellency’s actions, it seems highly likely.”
Isaac thought of Cyrus when he was dealing with Ariana.
Cyrus said he was being nice to Ariana because she had ‘use value,’ but how could Cyrus be such a person?
Even to save Ariana from Rachel's beating, Cyrus used ice magic, something he rarely used.
Furthermore, when Ariana asked what happened, he showed off his ice magic, saying things like, "It's just simple magic."
Whatever Cyrus' intentions, Isaac saw him as just another arrogant boy showing off his skills to a girl he liked.
"The problem is the Second Princess's feelings. She doesn't seem to particularly like His Excellency."
"No way. Where in the world can you find a man as handsome as our lord? Even women who say looks don't matter crumble in the presence of our lord. Isn't that right, Louis?"
Louis said with a small sigh.
"Isaac, don't say unnecessary things to Noah. He's just a child; he'll start rambling again."
The spacious and luxurious drawing room. Warm sunlight streamed in through the large windows. Helena was playing the piano in one corner of the living room, while Victoria sat on the sofa embroidering.
Rachel stood for a moment at the entrance to the living room, watching her lovely daughters. Ariana, who had been locked in a narrow, cold dungeon for four days without a single sip of water, was completely ignored.
Helena and Victoria, who had argued about the party, were in the same room, but they didn't even make eye contact.
Rachel swallowed a sigh and called out to her daughters in a bright voice.
"Victoria, Helena. Come and sit here."
Helena trudged over to the sofa and sat down, far away from Victoria.
Victoria smiled at Helena, but Helena turned her head to the side with a "Huh!" Victoria smiled wryly, as if she couldn't help it.
Judging by their actions alone, Victoria seemed like Helena's older sister, several years older than her.
Rachel also knew that Victoria was smarter and more mature than Helena.
She felt sorry for Helena, who had to live as the daughter of a Baron, so she gave her consent, but, thinking calmly, it was Victoria who would benefit the family.
Of course, she had no intention of using her two daughters for the family's benefit. But she had faith that Victoria would marry into a good family on her own.
"We need to start preparing for this year's social season now. It'll be very busy. Helena, especially since you have to take your debutante, so you'll need even more preparation."
"How can I take my debutante now? Everyone will gossip about Ariana... If I go, it'll be embarrassing! Everyone will only pity Ariana and not even look at me."
"That won't happen, Helena. I, Mom, will never let that happen."
Victoria asked cautiously.
"Mother, what are your plans?"
"Is there anything I, Mom, wouldn't do for you? If you just do as I say, there will be no problems during this year's social season, so just come with me. Understood?"
She couldn't tell her two daughters what she had planned.
Rachel wanted her daughters to grow up unaware of the dark side of the world.
Clear as a lake, as blue and refreshing as the sky on a fine day.
"Don't worry about Ariana at all. Helena, when have I ever disappointed you?"
"You didn't even invite His Excellency the Northern Duke,"
Helena said, her lips curling into a pout.
Rachel swallowed a sigh.
"Helena, the Northern Duke has a bad reputation. Marrying a man like that will only lead to loneliness and hardship. You need to meet a warm and affectionate man who only looks out for you."
"I can make the Northern Duke treat me that way. I just have to make him love me."
"Of course. But I doubt a man who enjoys blood will be kind to a woman. It's better if he doesn't exploit you."
"Mom, I'm confident I can win the Northern Duke's heart. I'm good at many things. He'll definitely take notice of me."
"Helena, the problem isn't the Northern Duke. The important thing is whether you can receive Her Majesty's blessing during this debutante."
At imperial parties, the debutante ladies first greet the Empress.
The Empress observes the ladies' appearances and presents a lily brooch engraved with her signature to the one she likes.
A lady who receives the Empress's blessing attracts attention, receives marriage proposals from various families, and sometimes even receives the Empress's help in their marriage.
However, receiving the Empress's blessing is difficult; only one or two are chosen from dozens of candidates. Some years, no one receives the honor.
"If I receive Her Majesty's blessing, the Northern Duke will take notice of me, right?"
"Yes, Helena. He will."
Rachel thought the Northern Duke and the Bronte family would never be linked, but she smiled and tried to appease Helena's childishness.
"I will definitely receive Her Majesty's blessing. Mom, please make me the prettiest dress in the world."
“Of course you should. Victoria, you won’t be able to go to the royal party, but you will go to a small party, so you must make a good impression on the ladies then. At least for your debutante later. Understood?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“So...”
Rachel got to the point.
“We’ll release Ariana tomorrow.”
“Why release her? Let her starve to death there!”
Rachel frowned at Helena’s shout.
“Helena. That’s unbecoming of a noble lady.”
“But Mother, have you forgotten what she did? She disgraced us all. Even the Duchess of Robert took her side.”
“Yes, but it’s necessary. When Ariana comes out of the East Tower, you must treat her well. I’ll even make her a dress. Don’t bother her, and only show your good side to the tailors. Understood?”
Victoria interrupted before Helena could voice her displeasure.
“Is this part of your plan?”
“Yes. It’s a way to get through this social season without any problems, so do as I say. Don’t bother Ariana and ruin things for no reason.”
When Ariana was released from the East Tower basement, Victoria was waiting at the entrance to the East Tower.
“You’ve had a hard time, right?”
Ariana smiled back at Victoria, who approached with a kind smile.
“No. It’s because of me that mother and you got into trouble.”
“Hey, what do you mean? We didn’t have any trouble. It’s just... I didn’t know you were having such a hard time. It was so heartbreaking.”
Ariana looked down at Victoria’s hand, linking hers.
She knew she'd be released from prison soon, but Victoria's actions were unexpected. She thought she'd never even make eye contact with her again. What could she be up to?
'I have to be careful.'
Because of what Ariana did at the garden party, the future had probably changed. She wasn't sure what Rachel, Victoria, and Helena would do next.
"The tailor will be here tomorrow. Since you're going to the capital, I need to get you a pretty dress. You're looking forward to it, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I will."
"The day after tomorrow, I'll go shopping for jewelry. Since you don't have much, I think it would be a good idea to buy a lot this time."
"Yeah, I will."
Victoria glanced at Ariana. Her green eyes studied Ariana's complexion.
Every time Victoria looked at her like this, Ariana felt like a snake coiling around her.
"You're not very happy, are you?"
"I'm happy. But right now, I'm so hungry and thirsty..."
"Oh, come on, look at my mind. You haven't eaten well in a while, sis. Go to your room and rest. I'll send some food and water for the maids."
"Yes, thank you. You're really the only one I have."
Ariana, returning to the main building, was surprised to find that her room wasn't a den, but the one she'd been staying in because of the stomachache incident.
She'd expected them to prepare her a dress and accessories for the social season, but she'd expected to be stuck in a den, without a bed, like before, until she went to the capital.
Entering the spacious room, Ariana frowned.
"I guess they're up to something else."
Cyrus's eyes grew cold.
"Who says such things?"
"Lord Isaac said that you'll have a consort soon... Ah! Why are you hitting me, Louis!"
Noah, who had been elbowed in the side by Louis, suddenly snapped, but then felt Cyrus' gaze, and his voice died down.
Feeling a cold chill run down the back of his neck, Noah gulped and knelt on one knee.
"I've talked too much. Please kill me, my lord."
"Of course."
Cyrus drew his sword without hesitation. Noah closed his eyes tightly, but Louis, who had been silent until then, spoke.
"There's no need to stain my lord's sword with the blood of a bastard like this."
"You're protecting him because he's your subordinate."
Thud- Thud-!
Louis kicked Noah several times without saying a word. Noah took the kicks raining down on him without a single groan.
Louis, who had stopped kicking, stood upright and spoke.
“He may be stupid, but he’s quite skilled. It would take a lot of effort to train another one to this level, so please hold back your anger. I’ll teach him well.”
Cyrus glared silently at Noah before putting his sword back.
Louis asked,
“Do you have any future plans?”
Cyrus turned his head and gazed at the Bronte ducal mansion.
“We’ve come a long way, so we can’t go back without getting anything. Wait another week, and if we still have nothing, we’ll go back.”
***
Isaac, who had been drinking in a small mansion rented under the name of a fictional merchant, widened his eyes when he saw Noah return covered in blood.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you run into any thieves?”
“Am I the kind of person who would get hurt by a group of thieves? Louis hit me.”
Isaac turned to Louis, who was standing nonchalantly next to Noah.
“Why did you hit him? Was he acting up again?”
“Yes.”
“Surely... you wouldn’t have said something about a consort in front of His Excellency, would you?”
“No way.”
“Ha!”
Isaac shook his head, as if dumbfounded.
“You’re amazing, Noah. You’ve almost died from acting up in front of His Excellency more than once, so why can’t you fix it?”
“But I’m curious. Who is the woman who captured our lord’s heart?”
“She’s a bold and smart woman. She doesn’t hesitate to ruin herself for her plans. She doesn’t seem to care about reputation.”
"I'm really curious. When we return to the Northern this time, will he be taking the Princess consort with him?"
Isaac thought of Cyrus when he was dealing with Ariana.
Cyrus said he was being nice to Ariana because she had ‘use value,’ but how could Cyrus be such a person?
Even to save Ariana from Rachel's beating, Cyrus used ice magic, something he rarely used.
Furthermore, when Ariana asked what happened, he showed off his ice magic, saying things like, "It's just simple magic."
Whatever Cyrus' intentions, Isaac saw him as just another arrogant boy showing off his skills to a girl he liked.
"The problem is the Second Princess's feelings. She doesn't seem to particularly like His Excellency."
"No way. Where in the world can you find a man as handsome as our lord? Even women who say looks don't matter crumble in the presence of our lord. Isn't that right, Louis?"
Louis said with a small sigh.
"Isaac, don't say unnecessary things to Noah. He's just a child; he'll start rambling again."
***
The spacious and luxurious drawing room. Warm sunlight streamed in through the large windows. Helena was playing the piano in one corner of the living room, while Victoria sat on the sofa embroidering.
Rachel stood for a moment at the entrance to the living room, watching her lovely daughters. Ariana, who had been locked in a narrow, cold dungeon for four days without a single sip of water, was completely ignored.
Helena and Victoria, who had argued about the party, were in the same room, but they didn't even make eye contact.
Rachel swallowed a sigh and called out to her daughters in a bright voice.
"Victoria, Helena. Come and sit here."
Helena trudged over to the sofa and sat down, far away from Victoria.
Victoria smiled at Helena, but Helena turned her head to the side with a "Huh!" Victoria smiled wryly, as if she couldn't help it.
Judging by their actions alone, Victoria seemed like Helena's older sister, several years older than her.
Rachel also knew that Victoria was smarter and more mature than Helena.
She felt sorry for Helena, who had to live as the daughter of a Baron, so she gave her consent, but, thinking calmly, it was Victoria who would benefit the family.
Of course, she had no intention of using her two daughters for the family's benefit. But she had faith that Victoria would marry into a good family on her own.
"We need to start preparing for this year's social season now. It'll be very busy. Helena, especially since you have to take your debutante, so you'll need even more preparation."
"How can I take my debutante now? Everyone will gossip about Ariana... If I go, it'll be embarrassing! Everyone will only pity Ariana and not even look at me."
"That won't happen, Helena. I, Mom, will never let that happen."
Victoria asked cautiously.
"Mother, what are your plans?"
"Is there anything I, Mom, wouldn't do for you? If you just do as I say, there will be no problems during this year's social season, so just come with me. Understood?"
She couldn't tell her two daughters what she had planned.
Rachel wanted her daughters to grow up unaware of the dark side of the world.
Clear as a lake, as blue and refreshing as the sky on a fine day.
"Don't worry about Ariana at all. Helena, when have I ever disappointed you?"
"You didn't even invite His Excellency the Northern Duke,"
Helena said, her lips curling into a pout.
Rachel swallowed a sigh.
"Helena, the Northern Duke has a bad reputation. Marrying a man like that will only lead to loneliness and hardship. You need to meet a warm and affectionate man who only looks out for you."
"I can make the Northern Duke treat me that way. I just have to make him love me."
"Of course. But I doubt a man who enjoys blood will be kind to a woman. It's better if he doesn't exploit you."
"Mom, I'm confident I can win the Northern Duke's heart. I'm good at many things. He'll definitely take notice of me."
"Helena, the problem isn't the Northern Duke. The important thing is whether you can receive Her Majesty's blessing during this debutante."
At imperial parties, the debutante ladies first greet the Empress.
The Empress observes the ladies' appearances and presents a lily brooch engraved with her signature to the one she likes.
A lady who receives the Empress's blessing attracts attention, receives marriage proposals from various families, and sometimes even receives the Empress's help in their marriage.
However, receiving the Empress's blessing is difficult; only one or two are chosen from dozens of candidates. Some years, no one receives the honor.
"If I receive Her Majesty's blessing, the Northern Duke will take notice of me, right?"
"Yes, Helena. He will."
Rachel thought the Northern Duke and the Bronte family would never be linked, but she smiled and tried to appease Helena's childishness.
"I will definitely receive Her Majesty's blessing. Mom, please make me the prettiest dress in the world."
“Of course you should. Victoria, you won’t be able to go to the royal party, but you will go to a small party, so you must make a good impression on the ladies then. At least for your debutante later. Understood?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“So...”
Rachel got to the point.
“We’ll release Ariana tomorrow.”
“Why release her? Let her starve to death there!”
Rachel frowned at Helena’s shout.
“Helena. That’s unbecoming of a noble lady.”
“But Mother, have you forgotten what she did? She disgraced us all. Even the Duchess of Robert took her side.”
“Yes, but it’s necessary. When Ariana comes out of the East Tower, you must treat her well. I’ll even make her a dress. Don’t bother her, and only show your good side to the tailors. Understood?”
Victoria interrupted before Helena could voice her displeasure.
“Is this part of your plan?”
“Yes. It’s a way to get through this social season without any problems, so do as I say. Don’t bother Ariana and ruin things for no reason.”
***
When Ariana was released from the East Tower basement, Victoria was waiting at the entrance to the East Tower.
“You’ve had a hard time, right?”
Ariana smiled back at Victoria, who approached with a kind smile.
“No. It’s because of me that mother and you got into trouble.”
“Hey, what do you mean? We didn’t have any trouble. It’s just... I didn’t know you were having such a hard time. It was so heartbreaking.”
Ariana looked down at Victoria’s hand, linking hers.
She knew she'd be released from prison soon, but Victoria's actions were unexpected. She thought she'd never even make eye contact with her again. What could she be up to?
'I have to be careful.'
Because of what Ariana did at the garden party, the future had probably changed. She wasn't sure what Rachel, Victoria, and Helena would do next.
"The tailor will be here tomorrow. Since you're going to the capital, I need to get you a pretty dress. You're looking forward to it, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I will."
"The day after tomorrow, I'll go shopping for jewelry. Since you don't have much, I think it would be a good idea to buy a lot this time."
"Yeah, I will."
Victoria glanced at Ariana. Her green eyes studied Ariana's complexion.
Every time Victoria looked at her like this, Ariana felt like a snake coiling around her.
"You're not very happy, are you?"
"I'm happy. But right now, I'm so hungry and thirsty..."
"Oh, come on, look at my mind. You haven't eaten well in a while, sis. Go to your room and rest. I'll send some food and water for the maids."
"Yes, thank you. You're really the only one I have."
Ariana, returning to the main building, was surprised to find that her room wasn't a den, but the one she'd been staying in because of the stomachache incident.
She'd expected them to prepare her a dress and accessories for the social season, but she'd expected to be stuck in a den, without a bed, like before, until she went to the capital.
Entering the spacious room, Ariana frowned.
"I guess they're up to something else."
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