Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 9
Cecilia reflected on her conversation with Margaret. She had indeed made comments that could be perceived as insulting, but these were strictly limited to Margaret herself.
Cecilia was puzzled why her father, primarily concerned with his own interests, was so angry about this.
As Cecilia pondered, Margaret grew arrogant. Normally, Cecilia would have trembled and apologized immediately, but she was too composed.
‘I thought she would revert to her old self in front of Father at least.’
But Margaret was unaware of one fact.
Cecilia had already experienced all kinds of betrayal in her past life. She had already lost everything. A mere reprimand was not enough to scare her, given her harrowing experiences.
She used her experiences as a foundation to calmly assess the situation.
‘Usually, when the reason is unclear, it’s because the incident has been distorted.’
Soon, Cecilia figured out the whole story.
‘Margaret lied to Father.’
Disproving the lies of a young child like Margaret wouldn’t be too difficult. Cecilia decided to be somewhat brazen.
“Father, the accusation that I made any statements that would dishonor our family… Of course I did no such thing. And certainly not to Margaret either.”
“Liar! You said you hate me!”
Margaret interjected immediately, triggered by the word ‘hate.’
‘Is she really upset over something so trivial?’
Cecilia suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
“Father, if I had committed a grave mistake that disturbed your peace of mind, I would kneel a hundred times and apologize.”
Cecilia continued smoothly.
“But to admit to distorted facts just for the sake of covering up would be dishonest to myself and deceitful to you.”
“You’re all talk.”
Count Lasphilla raised his walking stick and banged it on the desk.
“Are you suggesting this child has lied to me?”
Margaret shrank back as if stung, while Cecilia remained utterly composed.
“That’s improbable. Margaret is just a ten-year-old. A girl raised in a noble family, only seeing beauty and receiving the finest education, couldn’t possibly harbor such ill thoughts.”
Cecilia’s gaze shifted to Margaret, who clenched her lips and glared. Cecilia, patronizing her childish sister, clasped her hands.
“However, children often have very flexible and uninhibited thoughts compared to their experiences. It’s the age when even clouds can be seen as food.”
“Who are you calling a child!”
Margaret screamed, but Cecilia ignored her.
“…So, even if she misconstrued my words based on her preconceived notions, I can fully understand it.”
In other words, Margaret’s malicious thoughts led her to misinterpret Cecilia’s words and tattle out of spite.
“What are you talking about? Explain clearly.”
“Your Lordship, please wait.”
Quick-witted Bernarda put her hand on the Count’s shoulder to calm him.
“It’s not good for the servants to see family members raising their voices at each other. Perhaps we should stop here for today.”
“Failing to discipline one’s child is also a parent’s flaw. Cecilia, answer now.”
Unfortunately, the Count’s anger wasn’t easily soothed by his wife’s intervention.
“What exactly did Margaret misconstrue?”
His question was not so much an inquisition of Margaret as it was a forceful urging for Cecilia to retract her statement.
However, this ultimately presented Cecilia with a golden opportunity to turn the tables.
“Margaret said this to me.”
Cecilia began, unleashing the bombshell she had been holding back.
“She called me a lowlife of questionable origin, claiming that my blood is tainted with filthy gypsy lineage.”
“What…?”
The Count’s face hardened like stone. Bernarda, too, covered her mouth with her hand, letting out a small sigh.
The easiest way to insult a family is to deny its bloodline.
Cecilia had been officially recognized as this household’s offspring while the late Countess had still been alive, and the process was distinct from adoption.
She was acknowledged as a true-born child of the family, and Cecilia had to refer to the late Countess as her ‘biological mother’ or simply ‘mother,’ even though her real birth mother was alive and well, tucked away in a corner of the Coffret Manor.
Despite her half-gypsy bloodline, Cecilia had lived as if she had no ties to the gypsies of the back alleys, who had once told her fairy-like magic stories and formidable ancient legends.
But now, her contradictory origin had become another weapon for her.
“Since when was my mother of gypsy origin, Father?”
Cecilia posed the question, then turned to Margaret.
“Was it not your maternal grandmother who was a gypsy?”
“What? Are you crazy? That’s your story, not mine!”
Margaret flared up and rushed at Cecilia. Bernarda quickly grabbed her arm. This was not the time for the child to raise her voice.
Cecilia’s origin was an open secret to everyone inside the Lasphilla manor, yet it also remained an unspoken taboo.
“…”
The Count stared at Margaret, his mouth set in a firm line.
“Ah…”
Realizing her blunder, Margaret hung her head.
Bernarda, choosing to stay out of the awkward situation, watched Cecilia’s offensive from a distance.
“If I’m considered a lowlife, isn’t that an insult to you as well, Father?”
