The Beast of the Albard Mansion - Chapter 37
Sister talked endlessly about how wonderful he was, how well he treated her, and how much he understood and cared for her. She looked genuinely happy talking about him. Seeing her like that made me want to tell her just to marry him if he was so great.
“Is it possible that someone this amazing exists?”
“Yes, there are really wonderful people in the world.”
“But before, you said everyone in the world was cunning and bad.”
“That was because I didn’t know much about the world then. Living here in this mansion made me think that way. But at the academy, I met so many different kinds of people.”
“And among them, he was the nicest, kindest, most charming, and lovable?”
“…Yes.”
“I see.”
“Can you understand me?”
Sister looked at me with a worried face. She must have expected our parents’ opposition. Even knowing they’d oppose, she was anxious because she had her own uncertainties.
The stories of ladies running away with knights never ended well.
“I just want you to be happy.”
“Seli…”
“Whether it’s him or someone else, it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re happy.”
“As you know, our parents aren’t always right. Look at the academy—sometimes my decisions had better outcomes. When I did what I wanted, I became happier.”
As she spoke, she seemed to gain confidence. The worry on her face started to fade.
“So, you’ll choose what you want this time too?”
She smiled without a word. Though she didn’t answer, it seemed she had made her decision.
“They’re bringing in the family governess soon. They don’t think you learned proper etiquette at the academy.”
“Ha… really.”
She massaged her forehead, looking very troubled.
“I had the same governess for etiquette. She was quite helpful. No matter who you marry.”
Since I found the lessons quite enlightening, I thought Sister would learn a lot too. Through those lessons, I learned about a world I hadn’t known.
I offered her the food again and then left the room.
A few hours later, I heard commotion from her room. When I checked, she was having a heated argument with the governess, her face red.
The governess, usually composed and elegant, was visibly upset. She yelled at Sister, who was equally unyielding.
“What nonsense are you teaching?! Did you teach Seli these things?”
“My goodness! An unmarried woman should have some shame!! How can you be so knowledgeable about such things already?”
“What’s so shameful about it?! I graduated from the academy in the capital! I can’t believe you’re teaching Seli such outdated ideas!”
“You talk as if you know everything! How shameless!”
“What did you say?!”
“I can imagine how you’ve behaved, tainted by the debauchery of the capital’s high society!”
“It’s not the capital that’s debauched—it’s your oppressive, outdated education that’s wrong!”
“Should I inform the Countess to bring you to your senses?”
“Go ahead! I’ll tell her what kind of backward mindset you have!!”
The governess left, looking severely insulted, and Sister stood there, breathing heavily.
As the governess stormed down the hallway, I asked Sister,
“What happened?”
“Ha…”
She looked at me, troubled about how to untangle the situation.
Holding me, she stuttered a bit before opening a book the governess left behind. She pointed out the errors in the book one by one.
What she told me was another new world. She talked about a relationship where people should cherish and care for each other and find happiness together. It wasn’t something to be hidden or avoided but was healthy and natural.
Listening to her, I had a question.
“But, Sister.”
“Yes?”
“So, it’s not shameful?”
“…Of course not.”
“They told me that being impure would disgrace the family and that no man likes an impure wife. They said I should value my body for the family and my future husband.”
“They’re not saying to be careless with your body. But men who care about purity aren’t good people.”
“Why?”
“Because they see you as an object, not a person. They don’t love you for who you are. They care if you’re new and untouched. They see you as their possession.”
“…I’m not an object.”
“Of course not. You’re not an object.”
Sister shook her head and sighed.
“And they teach this at the academy?”
Her face turned slightly red at my question. I narrowed my eyes at her.
“You know so much, Sister.”
Embarrassed, Sister tried to chase me out of the room, but I dodged her and ran around.
“Spill everything!”
“Are you going to leave or not!”
In the past, she would have caught me and kicked me out. But I had grown. I could now fight her evenly.
And because I often played tricks on Desi, teasing Sister was easier. It was much easier than dealing with Desi.
