The Radiant Young Lady of the Dark Family - Chapter 16
There was something that needed to be confirmed before completely erasing her aunt’s traces from the mansion.
In her previous life, there was likely a hidden force behind her aunt’s underground work to take over this house. Otherwise, her aunt alone couldn’t have driven her father and Dayan to their deaths.
Then, tracking down those behind it was just as important as driving aunt out to prevent the family’s destruction. We needed to know who and why they tried to destroy our family. That’s why I asked Tar about it.
Hasa scanned the list written on the paper.
As Hasa slowly read through the list with her eyes, Tar added an explanation.
“Most are shopping and social gathering attendees. In particular, the regular meetings she attended were Countess Pelgao’s garden parties, regular gatherings at the Imperial Palace, and the Commercial Association’s charity parties.”
Hasa pointed her finger at the last Commercial Association charity party. Tar continued as if waiting for this moment.
“It’s definitely different from the others. While garden parties and regular meetings are gatherings for upper nobility or central social circles, the Commercial Association charity party…”
“Who’s the Chief Merchant?”
“They say it’s Sium. I heard they operate mainly in the capital, but I don’t know the details yet.”
Tar’s voice grew smaller, seemingly apologetic about the incomplete investigation. Hasa smiled in response.
“That’s enough. I’ll look into the rest myself. Thank you, Tar.”
Only then did a bright smile spread across Tar’s face.
“Have you eaten? Should I bring some snacks to your room?”
Tar rolled up her sleeves, ready to prepare something immediately.
“It’s fine, I already ate a bit with Dayan.”
“With young master?”
Tar’s eyes lit up at the good news. Upon seeing this reaction, Hasa decided it was a good moment to bring up something that had been on her mind.
“Tar, would you happen to know who was in charge of attending to Dayan among the mansion’s servants?”
“Servants related to young master?”
“Yes, like his tutor or personal maid.”
The area around Dayan’s room was more than quiet – it was lonely. Judging from his earlier behavior, the servants probably feared Dayan’s blessing and avoided getting close, while Dayan, hurt by their behavior, pushed them away even more strongly.
She asked thinking that someone who was in charge might have stories to tell about Dayan, but Tar furrowed her brow in deep thought before answering.
“Well, the tutor was dismissed when the young master went to the Academy, so it would take time to track them down. The same goes for the personal maid.”
Tar answered that while it would be difficult to find them immediately, she could look into it through Salam. But even if they managed to find them, the events were so long ago that they might not have any stories to tell. Above all, Dayan would soon return to the Academy.
As gloomy clouds settled over Hasa’s face, Tar, who had been staring at her, suddenly clapped her hands as if remembering something.
“About a year ago, when I briefly managed the mansion’s mail, letters often came from the Academy addressed to the young master. They seemed to be for the master – perhaps the master would know about the young master’s Academy life?”
“Father?”
Looking back, this wasn’t just an issue between her and Dayan, but a family matter.
She had forgotten, still having the habit of thinking about and trying to solve everything alone. Feeling she needed to see her father right away, Hasa grabbed Tar’s hands.
“You’re really the best, Tar.”
Tar simply smiled as Hasa enthusiastically shook her hand in the air, not understanding the reason for such excitement.
***
Hasa sat with tense shoulders, just blinking her eyes.
After talking with Tar, she went straight to find her father in his study. While getting permission and entering the room went smoothly, Vanwilhelm remained at his desk, focusing on documents without coming over.
She wondered if she should leave if he was busy, but his silence left her confused. Finally, Hasa carefully called out to him.
“Father.”
Instead of an answer, only the sound of papers turning came back. The room was so quiet that he must have heard. Hasa’s lips quivered with slight dejection. She thought they had gotten a bit closer, but perhaps that was just her imagination.
As Hasa’s shoulders visibly drooped, Salam beside her bent down and quietly advised.
“The form of address seems a bit long, young lady.”
“Long?”
Father? Then what should I… As the thought connected, Hasa’s eyes widened, and she cleared her throat before calling Vanwilhelm again.
“Dad.”
Finally, the sound of turning papers stopped abruptly. Hasa, worried she might be interrupting his time, tried to continue.
“If you’re busy, I can come back lat…”
Before she could finish saying “later,” Vanwilhelm folded the documents with a sound and immediately stood up to sit across from Hasa. He leaned back comfortably and spoke casually.
“I’m not busy.”
After answering like that, Vanwilhelm’s eyes narrowed as he muttered almost to himself.
“If anything, you seem busier.”
Though the volume was unusually timid for his deep voice, Hasa heard it clearly. She tilted her head in response.
“Me?”
Vanwilhelm didn’t give any particular answer. As Hasa just blinked in confusion, Salam, caught between them, cleared his throat and whispered carefully.
“I believe he’s referring to the time you’ve been spending with young master lately.”
“Ah, that’s because Dayan wasn’t eating.”
“Yes, when he focuses on something, he tends to skip meals like a habit. Wonder who he takes after.”
Though it reminded her of Vanwilhelm, who ate sparingly during business trips despite his large frame, Hasa pretended not to notice and continued with a shrug.
“I was worried about that.”
“I see.”
“….”
Though her father had never been one for warm words, today he seemed – and she never thought she’d use this word to describe him – sulky.
Hasa blinked her round pink eyes while looking at him, then opened her mouth as if realizing something.
“Did you wait for me because I didn’t come to breakfast?”
Cough cough. Vanwilhelm abruptly turned his head away with a fit of coughs, as though something had caught in his throat. Alarmed, Salam hurriedly prepared a teacup and poured tea.
Though it looked hot, Vanwilhelm gulped it down. Hasa quietly observed this series of actions, and when Vanwilhelm met his daughter’s composed gaze, he finally gave a late response.
“…Waiting? Of course not.”
“Really?”
Hasa nodded obediently, thinking it must have been her imagination. At that moment, Salam placed a teacup in front of Hasa and poured tea. Then, as if familiar with the routine, he took out a jar of strawberry jam. It seemed quite used, as the jar was nearly empty.
When she looked up in surprise, Vanwilhelm calmly put a spoonful of strawberry jam into his tea. Then he spoke in a casual tone as if it was nothing special.
“As someone said, drinking it this way really does make me feel better.”
“….”
Only then did Hasa break into a bright smile. Seeing the smile spread across Hasa’s face, Vanwilhelm also slightly lifted one corner of his mouth.
“So why did such a busy person come to see me?”
At his question, Hasa carefully opened her mouth.
“Actually, I heard there were letters from the Academy addressed to Dayan.”
When Dayan’s name came up, Vanwilhelm’s upturned lips momentarily stiffened. Not noticing this, Hasa stated her main point.
“I’d like to see them.”
Vanwilhelm put down his teacup and asked in a subdued tone.
“Why do you want to see those?”
“…Being with Dayan made me curious about his Academy life. He seems to have concerns, but given his personality, he’s not the type to talk about them directly.”
Instead of making weak excuses, Hasa decided to be honest. As Vanwilhelm met Hasa’s round eyes and gaze, he briefly tapped the table with his index finger before giving Salam a slight nod of his chin.
In response, Salam retrieved something from the bookshelf that filled one wall of the study. What was placed on the table was a box. When Hasa stared blankly at it, Vanwilhelm slowly blinked, indicating it was fine to open it.
Hasa opened the box slowly. Inside the box were letters from the Academy, filled to the brim.
