The Radiant Young Lady of the Dark Family - Chapter 7
Seeing his daughter acting so comfortably, he too unfolded the newspaper as if to do his own work. It meant that Hartbisa had blended into this atmosphere so naturally.
Hartbisa, feeling satisfied, inwardly cheered and examined the contents of the newspaper article that Vanwilhelm was scanning.
It was the Imperial newspaper, and the section he had been looking at was about real estate.
Come to think of it, the reason this business trip took so long was said to be due to the prolonged procurement of goods.
After all, Chelsea, where the Cellie main house was located, was situated in the northern part of the western empire, making it difficult to travel anywhere due to the rough roads.
There seemed to be an incident later that deepened Father’s concerns about this…
Hartbisa smiled as if remembering something while dusting off memories covered in dust from long ago.
Having finished her meal early, Hartbisa left first.
Only then did Vanwilhelm put down the newspaper that hadn’t been easy to read.
He had thought she might be doing something unusual because she had something to say or ask of him, but it didn’t seem to be the case at all.
Hartbisa rose from her seat politely, telling him to continue his meal comfortably without much lingering.
Vanwilhelm looked down at the empty bowl. He had heard occasionally that she was picky about meals and often left food. Because of that, he had been concerned about how noticeably thin she seemed to be getting each time he saw her.
‘Indeed, words passed through mouths can’t be trusted.’
Vanwilhelm smiled without realizing it.
“It seems we’ll need to prepare more next time.”
He muttered that without realizing it. Hearing this, Salam asked.
“By next time, do you mean dinner?”
At his question, Vanwilhelm withdrew the smile he had been wearing unknowingly.
Right, next time…
For a moment, he had said something uncharacteristically buoyant about what might be his daughter’s whim. After a brief consideration, Vanwilhelm answered with a coolly composed expression.
“Ensure her meals are taken care of, even when she dines alone.”
“…The madam is currently overseeing the young lady’s meals. Would you like me to intervene independently?”
“If that’s what she prefers, then by all means.”
Salam’s lips curved into a subtle smile, as if pleased with the response.
“I’ll see to it personally.”
***
“What? That Hartbisa had a meal with whom?”
Helena rose from her seat with her brow deeply furrowed as if she had heard an unbelievable story.
As she retorted in a sharp voice, the maid who was reporting the facts became flustered, bowed her head deeply, and hurriedly continued speaking.
“It seems she had a meal right away with the Duke who has returned.”
“Do you think I’m deaf? Do you think I asked again because I couldn’t understand that? So why did she!”
“That… well.”
The maid felt like crying, wanting to ask how she was supposed to know the reason, but she knew that if she said that, she would be kicked out of the mansion tonight.
As the maid hesitated, Helena, unable to bear the frustration, stood up from her seat.
She should have noticed something was strange when the mansion’s head butler suddenly came to her three days ago and said he would be involved in managing that girl’s meals from now on, but she had been too focused on the newly acquired artwork to pay attention.
She still remembered Hartbisa’s appearance, glaring at her with both eyes and speaking lowly.
“Aunt, you should wait quietly like a death row inmate for the day I remove you from this house. That’s all you can do now.”
“Impudent girl.”
Soon, she would become the true owner of this hollow mansion, no matter before whom she dared to utter such words.
She had not a shred of doubt in her belief because ‘He’ said it could be so. However, no variables should occur until then.
Until now, there had been no need to take the forefront in dealing with Hartbisa. She had lived crumpled up well enough on her own without needing to do anything. That had been good, but what wind had blown now?
Helena paced anxiously in the same spot, then stopped her steps upon seeing her frivolous appearance reflected in the mirror.
“There’s no need to act undignified over just one meal.”
It’s just a passing breeze. Thinking so, she cleared her throat again in an elegant voice and asked.
“So, is that Hartbisa reflecting on her actions in her room?”
“…Well.”
The maid, chewing on her dried lips, reluctantly continued.
“They are still having a meal together.”
***
Vanwilhelm looked at Hartbisa with curious eyes.
He had thought the breakfast three days ago was this child’s brief whim. He had assumed it was an act out of curiosity towards him who had returned after a long time, but since then, Hartbisa had always appeared in the dining room for breakfast.
Properly dressed even at such an early hour.
And as always, she ate the meal placed before her with all her heart. Even on days when nothing particularly delicious was served, watching Hartbisa put it in her mouth made one feel as if they were at a banquet.
There’s a saying in a distant country about eating heartily, or feeling full just by watching someone eat.
He had thought it was truly an exaggerated expression. Why would there be a need to praise someone just for watching them eat?
But this was a sight that perfectly fit those words. Hartbisa ate the food and scooped generously onto her spoon with relish.
Vanwilhelm was staring at his daughter when their eyes met. After a moment of surprise, Hartbisa smiled brightly.
“The meat melts in my mouth.”
“…Bring more cooked lamb.”
Vanwilhelm added food without delay.
Hartbisa watched this with satisfaction and continued her meal.
Whether he was aware of it or not, as the meals with her continued, Vanwilhelm’s portions were gradually increasing as well.
It was amazing how he had been eating only as much as bird feed with such a large frame.
Although it was said that he had minimized his meals due to frequent travel and the need to eliminate heretics, it was said that the source of all strength comes from a warm dining table.
In the empire, modesty and minimal movement were considered aristocratic. Therefore, one would not find a lady who ate like Hartbisa.
But such external standards were unnecessary.
‘Because I decided not to be conscious of others anymore.’
With that thought, Hartbisa continued her meal when the door opened and Helena, dressed elegantly, appeared.
Usually, she was someone who decorated her entire body with all sorts of jewels to the point of being gaudy, but now a gold ring on her finger was all she wore.
She approached gracefully, then looked at Vanwilhelm and smiled, curving her eyes.
“My beloved brother. You must have had a hard time on your long journey.”
“You’ve come.”
Vanwilhelm answered mechanically without even looking at his sister, Lady Winblad.
Hartbisa quietly observed the lady’s affected attitude.
She had thought she would show up at the dining table soon.
Although she acted nonchalant, Helena had been avoiding encounters with the Duke as much as possible, making various excuses.
Two conflicting mindsets coexisted at its core. On one hand, arrogance that perceived the Cellie family as weak; on the other, fear. Ironically, Helena harbored both of these contradictory emotions.
Helena passed by Vanwilhelm, who didn’t remove his black leather gloves even at the dining table and approached Hartbisa, placing her hand on her shoulder in a friendly manner.
“Are you feeling better now? It’s been so long since we’ve had a meal together like this. How admirable.”
She smiled shamelessly as if she had forgotten the past events and gently grasped Hartbisa’s shoulder. Even with just that touch, her dark intentions were clearly felt.
The lady turned her gaze to Vanwilhelm and said subtly.
“It’s nice to see you eating together, but still, always be careful, brother. Hartbisa is fragile, unlike you, isn’t she?”
“……”
One blessing that the Cellie family possessed. It was the ability of darkness passed down through generations.
It absorbs all shadows and makes everything, living or non-living, dull and bruised.
And just as light is followed by shadow, there is a hidden truth behind the blessing. The successor suffered as much backlash as they used the power.
The curse that came down in the Cellie family using the power of darkness was to make everything they touched decay.
Hartbisa’s mother died with her entire body rotting black as if poisoned by a deadly toxin.
After that, Father didn’t touch Hartbisa or anyone around him, even while wearing gloves with suppression magic cast on them.
Helena was shaking the shadow in Vanwilhelm’s heart.
She had wondered why she, who usually avoided even encountering him let alone joining meal times out of fear of her father’s curse, had come here in person, but now she knew. People couldn’t be more transparent than this.
What was most concerning in the eyes of her aunt, who wanted to possess the Cellie family, wasn’t Hartbisa’s rebellion. It was family harmony.
Hartbisa slightly twisted her shoulder to shake off her aunt’s hand touching her body.
