~Chapter 49~
Today, I was supposed to have lunch with the Duchess of Lucerte.
Originally, it had been a lunch appointment between the Duchess and the Countess Dowager of Celes, but somehow both sisters ended up joining as well.
“It’s a pity that my husband and Elias couldn’t join us.”
The Duchess smiled awkwardly.
“My husband went to the palace early this morning, and Eli said he has training this afternoon…”
“Not at all. I’m rather happy to spend such quiet time with my student like this.”
The Countess Dowager of Celes answered gently.
Throughout the meal, Milena carefully observed how the Countess Dowager treated Cecilia.
She’s kinder than I expected?
The way the Countess Dowager looked at Cecilia was very soft.
“You have no idea how diligently Cecilia studies.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Of course. I am truly proud of Cecilia.”
With a warm smile in her eyes, the Countess Dowager spoke sweetly to her.
“Continue to work hard from now on. All right?”
“Yes, Teacher.”
The two of them were conversing comfortably.
Milena’s tense expression gradually softened.
Maybe I was just being overly sensitive.
But then—
Milena noticed something strange.
Huh?
Cecilia was barely eating. She only pecked at her food like a small bird.
Even considering that Cecilia usually eats small portions, today she was definitely eating less than usual.
“Unni, why are you eating so little?”
Milena asked with a puzzled expression.
Cecilia flinched for a moment.
But only briefly.
She quickly composed her face as if nothing was wrong.
“I just don’t have much of an appetite.”
At the same time, the words the Countess Dowager had said earlier crossed Cecilia’s mind.
“Hasn’t your waist become a little thicker? Goodness, just look at this arm.”
“Do you know how much praise the Duchess received when she debuted in society with her slender figure? You’re far too different from your mother.”
And the final remark that sealed all the humiliation—
“If you are the daughter of Lucerte, shouldn’t you be perfect?”
That was right.
If she was the daughter of Lucerte, she had to be perfect.
Her relationship with her mother had only just improved.
She absolutely did not want to disappoint her by gaining weight and looking unpleasant.
Huh?
Meanwhile, watching Cecilia’s darkening face, Milena felt a strange sense of discomfort.
Why does she look like that?
It was as if eating itself was a sin.
Then a sudden thought struck Milena.
Wait… a sin?
In the original story, Cecilia’s long trauma had been clearly described.
It was the Duchess.
When she was young, the Duchess had been considered the most beautiful woman in the capital.
Cecilia had admired her and voluntarily began avoiding food.
Especially because the Duchess had been famous for her slender figure in her youth.
Cecilia, who suffered from an obsession with weight, would only be freed from that pain later, after meeting the male lead.
Because he told her—
“No matter how you look, you are fine.”
“Are you trying to control your weight?”
At that question, Cecilia’s shoulders stiffened.
So it’s true.
Milena frowned deeply.
Even though I’m now part of a romance fantasy world, at my core I still belong to a nation that lives for rice.
“Where would you even lose weight from?”
Milena asked seriously.
Cecilia’s eyes widened.
“W-well… when wearing dresses, it does look nicer if the body is slimmer…”
As she answered carefully, Cecilia glanced sideways at the Duchess.
She wanted to resemble her mother.
She wanted to look good in her mother’s eyes.
She wanted to be praised.
…She wanted to be loved.
But she couldn’t bring those words out of her mouth.
“Unni, you’re beautiful no matter how you look.”
At that moment—
Milena answered firmly.
For a split second, Cecilia’s teal eyes trembled.
It’s the same line Rudrick used to persuade Cecilia in the original story.
Of course it would be effective.
Feeling satisfied, Milena apologized inwardly.
Sorry, male lead.
My life is basically on the line here.
You’re going to end up with Cecilia anyway, so please let me borrow one line!
At the same time, the Duchess, who was sitting beside them, asked Cecilia with a puzzled expression.
“Cecilia, are you really trying to lose weight? Why?”
“……”
Cecilia’s gaze trembled.
Because I want to be the perfect daughter for you.
Because Teacher said that if I gain even a little weight, the family might be disappointed.
The unspoken words stuck heavily at the tip of her tongue.
Just then—
“She simply wishes to follow the Duchess’s example.”
The Countess Dowager smoothly joined the conversation.
“As you know, Cecilia admires you very much.”
At those words, the Duchess’s face brightened.
“Cecilia does?”
“Of course. You have no idea how hard she works not to bring shame to the name of Lucerte.”
As she said that, the Countess Dowager looked at Cecilia with meaningful eyes.
She appeared truly proud of her.
But—
“The greatest virtue of a lady is silence.”
To Cecilia, it felt as though her teacher’s steady gaze was repeating those very words.
Just as Cecilia bit her lower lip—
“To think she used me as her example… how embarrassing.”
The Duchess spoke shyly.
“I suppose I must try harder from now on. So I won’t be ashamed before our Cecilia.”
“No, Mother.”
Cecilia hurriedly shook her head and spoke carefully.
“I’ve always… wanted to become like you.”
“Really?”
The Duchess’s eyes widened, then a bright smile spread across her face.
“Oh my, that makes me so happy.”
She truly looked happy.
The Duchess added gently,
“But Cecilia, you will become a far more wonderful lady than I ever was.”
“……”
Cecilia closed her mouth tightly.
Honestly, this warm atmosphere felt so good.
For the first time, she truly felt like a member of the family.
But if she said the wrong thing now—
It would ruin everything.
Even though lessons with Teacher were sometimes painful, they were given with agreement.
Because of Teacher, she could spend peaceful time with her mother.
So—
Yes. This is fine.
Cecilia tried to think positively.
As long as I stay quiet.
Then the family would remain peaceful like this.
Her mother would continue to treat her kindly.
Her father and Elias would be satisfied that no more conflict arose.
And she could remain a mature older sister to Milena.
Just as Cecilia was comforting herself—
But only for a moment.
“Oh, Duchess.”
The Countess Dowager spoke sweetly.
“It seems Cecilia wishes to study even harder. She says she would like to learn harp from me as well.”
Cecilia’s heart dropped.
