I Became the Older Brother of a Villainess - Chapter 4.1
The royal representative was a total of three people, all of them astonished as they looked at Daria. The man who seemed the youngest among them glared at me with an exceptionally stern expression.
“A pale yellow dress…”
Someone muttered as if surprised. This remark was followed by a murmuring that swelled like waves and then disappeared.
It was worth putting Daria in a yellow dress. Stepping out briskly and standing in front of Mother’s casket, Daria looked like a single flower.
The young lady in a yellow dress at Mother’s funeral.
To anyone watching, it didn’t seem like a mournful appearance. Rather, it was as if she was saying it was a good thing Mother died, brightly lit up.
Daria turned to look at me. She stood at attention like a small soldier. I had told her to smile before entering, but it wasn’t a smiling face. I demonstrated, saying ‘smile,’ with my mouth forming the words.
Understanding my mouth shape, Daria raised the corners of her mouth slightly. It was an incredibly awkward expression. I wanted to tell her to smile more broadly, but that was probably the best she could do. From what I observed today, Daria seemed like a child with not much inclination to smile.
At that moment, the royal representative who had been eyeing us took a step forward.
“Duke Cierra! What is this commotion? You’re disrupting a solemn funeral! Moreover, the attire of the noble lady is not suitable for a funeral. Are you carrying out such actions without the approval of the royal family?”
His remarks caused a stir among the mourners.
“It would be more convenient for you to be mindful of the royal family as usual.”
“You can’t hide the fact that she has no parents.”
“Getting a burial site for Lady Daria won’t be easy later.”
The hall was noisy. Another royal representative beside him pretended to restrain him, while another one kept their lips sealed.
“There has never been a precedent for conducting a funeral like this! It’s an insult to the royal family! Apologize!”
“The royal family? Royal family, you say. This is a family matter.”
I deliberately responded with an exaggerated tone, as if feigning sadness. My words caused another ripple among the mourners.
While everyone was still perplexed, I stood beside Daria. Turning to the mourners, I pretended to hold back tears, inclined my head as if in deep sorrow, and then lifted it with determination. It was time to showcase the skills I honed during my days of selling multi-level pharmaceuticals.
“My mother was a beautiful and cheerful person.”
Although I had never met her.
“After the passing of my father, Duke Glutoni, who managed and governed the duchy alone, he also became the lord.”
Despite embezzling assets from the in-laws.
“We will always remember our mother, who lovingly cared for me and Daria.”
Perhaps we won’t remember.
“I have made a decision. I had resolved to let our wonderful mother depart with a smile, ensuring she can leave happily while cherishing the adorable sight of young Daria.”
When mentioning gods, smiles, and happiness, I adjusted my tone to convey a welling of emotions. Some of the mourners were already moved by my words. An elderly lady wiped away tears with a handkerchief, and a stern officer nodded in approval.
“Duke Glutoni welcomes a new day today, bidding farewell to the duchess. The duchy left behind by our mother will surely prosper magnificently.”
I looked better standing here. People who hadn’t greeted me when Daria and I arrived at the church, those who had expressed concern about Daria’s future after losing her parents – I could recognize each and every one of them.
Their expressions at this moment didn’t matter to me. I was going to do as I pleased anyway.
“We are only welcoming a new era.”
The mansion manager, standing near the entrance, gestured for applause. Subsequently, the mourners in the back rows began to clap enthusiastically. They weren’t invited nobles but Glutoni Duke’s entourage, hastily dressed in neat attire, some recruited on the spot from the church.
People are inevitably creatures swayed by the atmosphere. As others applauded, the rest of the nobles joined in a hasty, disorganized manner. Most seemed bewildered, but thankfully, there was no lunatic challenging the duke to a duel in front of the duchess’s corpse.
Even the imperial representative, after exchanging some words with his companions, nodded and stepped back. The authority to engage in a verbal battle wasn’t within the duke’s prerogative in this case. The one who initiated the verbal skirmish looked amusingly adorable.
But no matter how much I think about it, something seems off.
‘In the game world, why didn’t Cierra act like me?’
Was it really just a lack of courage? The contemplation was brief.
“I understand the intentions of Duke Cierra Glutoni.”
A bishop with a dignified voice extended his arm. The sunlight dancing on his ornate robe shimmered like a rippling surface.
“Now that the duke has arrived, we will proceed with the funeral.”
The bishop’s eulogy was the worst. I couldn’t quite catch the content, but it was definitely the worst. His speaking speed was painfully slow, and he repeated himself, often resorting to expressions like ‘um,’ ‘uh,’ and ‘so.’
The verbose bishop started rambling about recent international affairs. Initially listening attentively to the earnest and seemingly upright young man, I found myself almost nodding off unintentionally.
Nevertheless, there were a few points worth noting.
“While the chaos caused by the flow of monsters from the Hermit’s Land continues…”
The following information was about monsters invading the continent through the Sosuri Strait. The clergy of the church seemed troubled, likely due to the large size and tough hide of these monsters.
“We all greatly anticipate the actions of the crown prince and Duke Glutoni.”
“If it’s the Sosuri Strait, it’s also an area where mermaids appear. And if it’s mermaids, you can’t help but think of one of the protagonists, Envy.
If I participate in subduing the monsters, I’ll need to come up with a plan for that guy. He’s hostile. There’s no doubt that avoiding a fight won’t be possible.”
While listening for useful information, a popular gesture of nodding off emerged from beside me. Daria was dozing off, shaking her little head like a rock singer.
“Wake up.”
