The Beast of the Albard Mansion - Chapter 42
The young noble laughed it off.
“I made a mistake because the shy lady is adorable. Please don’t scold her for my error.”
Then, Mother smiled softly and praised Lord Brent.
“You have such a generous heart. You seem very relaxed, not like a typical young man.”
The Count of Ozr joined in.
“He is very sociable. He has many friends and acquaintances. Sometimes I worry that he’s too friendly. In noble society, being too amiable can be criticized.”
“Who in the social world isn’t gossiped about? It’s an unnecessary worry.”
“That’s true.”
They started chatting amongst themselves again. I wanted to return to my room, to escape this uncomfortable and awkward dinner.
Laughter and chatter filled the room, but neither my voice nor Sister’s was heard. We were merely present at the table.
As the final course was served, Sister spoke up calmly.
“I met someone in the capital. We are in love.”
Though her voice was gentle, her words were like a shattering glass, silencing the room. Everyone froze, staring at her in shock, disbelief, and anger.
Sister stood up, the sound of her chair scraping loudly.
She bowed politely and left the dining room.
Father broke into a sweat, watching Count Ozr. It was an insult, and it was likely their relationship would turn sour. Father would be branded as one who couldn’t manage his daughter, facing humiliation in high society.
He trembled, imagining the consequences. His face contorted as if ready to kill Sister.
But he couldn’t storm off just yet. He had to appease the Count first.
Despite Father’s attempts to calm him, the Count remained silent for a long time, creating a tense atmosphere.
Staring into space with a dark expression, the Count suddenly smirked.
“Women with a bit of education often become haughty and indulgent, thinking they’re exceptional.”
“Hahaha… She’s not usually like this.”
“That’s why I was worried on the way here. I doubted if a girl who graduated from the academy would be obedient.”
“……”
“But what’s the issue? You don’t have only one daughter, do you, Count? I value the name of the Albard family highly.”
Father’s face lit up as if he had been saved from a great predicament. Lord Brent also smiled.
Mother, with a somewhat worried face, spoke up.
“Solivia is still here, and Selenia has just come of age.”
Before she could finish, Father shouted.
“How dare you interrupt while the men are talking?!”
Worried about upsetting the Count, Father was anxious. Lord Brent then addressed Mother to ease her concerns.
“Mothers always worry about their children. Seeing you, I can imagine how gentle Selenia must be.”
His words seemed to reassure Mother, who quickly relaxed.
“Don’t worry. Being part of House Ozr means enjoying the capital’s luxurious parties and a prosperous, leisurely life. I will ensure my wife experiences all those luxuries.”
Mother looked surprised. It was the sweet promise of the life every noble lady dreams of.
But my heart sank deeper. Other noble ladies might have been moved by Brent’s words.
Lavish parties, dazzling dresses, sweet wines, and grand orchestras. A life of opulence and splendor in a fantasy world.
A life of flaunting beauty and wealth, filled with pride.
Brent promised such a life, but I felt like I was facing a beautifully deadly mushroom, paralyzed.
Count Ozr looked at me intently, his neck craning like a turtle.
“It seems our young lady has many worries.”
Mother quickly interjected.
“Not at all. The glamorous life in the capital is every young lady’s dream. Selenia is just too kind-hearted. She must feel guilty, thinking she’s taking something precious from her sister.”
Lord Brent smiled as he looked at me.
“Oh dear. A kind-hearted lady is always pitiful. I will cherish and love her like a flower, so she needn’t worry anymore.”
Father, Count Ozr, and Mother all laughed as if they had found a perfect solution to a troublesome problem.
Only my face remained stiff.
The Count raised his glass.
“Isn’t it a good day? A joyous occasion of alliance between House Ozr and House Albard. Let us drink!”
Laughter echoed in the dining room again.
The Count promised to take today’s incident to the grave, and Father thanked him as if he had saved his life.
Lord Brent glanced at me repeatedly, smirking.
I felt a chilling cold seep through me, as if all my blood had drained away. Until dinner ended, I couldn’t shake off the sense of dread.
***
I returned to my room.
After enduring that painful time, I came back to my warm and peaceful sanctuary.
“Desi.”
I called for Desi in fear, but he was nowhere to be seen. The wind blew through the slightly open window.
I collapsed by the open window. The night sky was visible, with a crescent moon and twinkling stars.
I felt like a lost child. It was as if everything I had believed in and relied on until now had been denied. I felt as if I had lost even myself and had been thrown naked into the street, feeling an overwhelming sense of shame.
I missed Desi so much.
I desperately needed those eyes that looked straight at me.
