Episode 34
But now I understand. I realize how valuable this mealtime, with everyone gathered together, can be.
Mother is a frail person, but she is someone who shows unexpected resolve when a certain trigger arises or when she feels a sense of duty is necessary. This was most evident when it came to matters concerning me or issues regarding how she was treated.
The mealtime with everyone gathered, that is, the dinner with Madame de Lavallier, was more solemn and quiet than usual.
No one was bold enough to make the sound of clinking cutlery in her presence.
There were occasional noises when serving food, but it was almost as silent as a grave, and even the sound of chewing was barely audible.
Except for Roena, everyone was cutting their meat with expressionless faces.
“Elder sister.”
At my adoptive father’s call, Lavallier turned her head. Her brow was slightly furrowed, and her wide-open eyes trembled as if in disbelief.
It was extremely rare for my adoptive father to address Madame de Lavallier during mealtime, and it was almost a breach of convention.
But the face of my adoptive father looking at her was filled with seriousness. He wore a stern expression, as if he had firmly resolved something.
“You must know how much I respect you, elder sister. Your bright intellect, graceful demeanor, and noble actions that never lose their aristocratic charm often serve as an example to others. That must be true for my two daughters as well. Having a perfect role model to aspire to is a joyful thing, isn’t it?”
“If you’re bringing this up to flatter me, couldn’t it wait a little? I don’t understand why you’re in such a hurry.”
“It’s because this needs to be said when everyone is present. Elder sister, you know that I am the head of the Wischwaltz family, don’t you?”
“Of course. That’s an utterly obvious fact, isn’t it?”
“And my wife, this lovely woman sitting beside me, is the mistress of the Wischwaltz family. You know that too, don’t you?”
Lavallier picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. It was a sign she would no longer continue eating.
Instead of responding to my adoptive father’s words, she wet her lips with wine. Her slightly furrowed brow clearly showed her discomfort.
I looked up at Mother. Her face seemed to hold both fear and an indescribable firm resolve. It was the noble pride that resided in one facet of this lovely woman.
I realized that Mother would no longer retreat or stand by, but would boldly confront all the unreasonable things directed at her. It was a very courageous and utterly ladylike decision.
Madame de Lavallier spoke in a low, cold voice. Her chilling tone, as if laced with frost, made everyone shrink back.
“This doesn’t seem like a conversation for this setting.”
“No, this is exactly the conversation to have here. It absolutely must be. So, no one will leave their seat until I’ve finished speaking. That applies to you too, elder sister.”
“Good heavens, how outrageous! I’m utterly speechless. No one, save the sovereign who stands above the empire and my late husband, has ever commanded me so forcefully. If you respect me as your elder sister, you wouldn’t act this way.”
“But I am the Count of Wischwaltz. Even though your surname has changed to Lavallier, as we are siblings by blood, you must respect and follow my opinion. And I have a duty to properly manage my household. Above all, elder sister, there’s one thing you should know: I have never once considered you a guest.”
“Fine, then what is it you want to say to me?”
My adoptive father spoke in a resolute tone, as if making a declaration.
“Please respect my wife, the mistress of the Wischwaltz family. If you love me—no, if you love the Wischwaltz family—I believe you can do that. Of course, I’m not unaware that appropriate advice can enlighten the foolish and reform the reckless. But there’s a time and place for everything! Surely, with your wisdom, you understand that, don’t you?”
Lavallier’s face flushed red, as if it might burst. Her tightly sealed lips and sharply raised chin trembled with humiliation and anger.
It wasn’t hard to imagine the blue veins bulging in her clenched fists hidden beneath the tablecloth. Lavallier should be thankful that the dress she wore today was made of silk.
Otherwise, she might have left unsightly creases in the hem, becoming the laughingstock of everyone.
“Is that the opinion of your wife, the Countess? Did she tell you to say this?”
“No. This is entirely my personal opinion. It’s just something I should have done much earlier.”
Is this the calm before the storm, or a situation on the verge of exploding? Lavallier placed a hand on her chest, as if trying to suppress her rapid breathing, her lips twitching.
All eyes were on her. My adoptive father tried to calmly endure the uneasy atmosphere, while Mother, with a terrified expression, trembled but did not turn away. Only Roena, with a tearful face, was cautiously gauging the situation. I quietly enjoyed this pleasant tension.
After a moment of silence, Lavallier spoke. Her face was still red with anger, but her voice was as gentle as usual—or at least, it seemed like she was trying to make it so. She likely thought that raising her voice in confrontation with my adoptive father would only hurt both of them.
“I’ve been rude to the Countess. I hope you’ll forgive me with a generous heart. Whatever misunderstanding I may have caused, please know it was never my intention. Can you do that?”
When had Madame de Lavallier ever spoken so courteously to Mother? All she had ever shown was contempt, disdain, and cold mockery.
Strictly speaking, Lavallier’s attitude wasn’t as warm as the one she showed Roena.
It was merely superficial politeness, nothing more, nothing less. But both my adoptive father and Mother seemed quite satisfied with it.
Especially Mother. She—though with the help of my adoptive father—was so delighted to receive Lavallier’s apology in front of everyone that tears welled up in her eyes.
“Oh, of course. Of course. Naturally, I can.”
Oh, innocent woman! Why can’t you see the miserable anger in Lavallier’s eyes?
I felt despair at Mother’s attitude. I was disappointed in my adoptive father for not pushing Lavallier further. If it were me, if it had been me…!
In truth, if I had resolved to confront and oppose her, I would have pushed harder. Like a wolf with strength, like a fox with agility, like a snake with cunning.
Thus, a response like the one just now was worse than not trying at all. Oh, why don’t they understand that such naive, sheep-like reactions are not the elegant responses befitting nobility?
Above all, Madame de Lavallier is not a woman to be trifled with. She is not someone who would smile and endure such humiliation.
Yet my adoptive father’s clumsy handling only provoked Lavallier’s resentment. Now, what does this mean?
“I’ll excuse myself first. I’m not feeling well.”
Lavallier rose from her seat, as if she could no longer bear it. Neither my adoptive father nor Mother stopped her.
I, too, no longer felt like eating, so I asked to be excused and stood up. As I left, I heard someone calling me from behind. It was Roena.
Did this mean she wanted to talk about what just happened?
“Sisse, um… can we talk?”
Her flushed cheeks and eyes sparkling with excitement. Her shy voice was as clear as a bird’s chirping. Things I could never have. But things I would soon possess.
I smiled and responded.
“Of course.”
☆☆☆
I didn’t want to have a long conversation with Roena, so I didn’t suggest moving to another place.
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than sitting face-to-face with her for a long time.
Above all, hadn’t I just been eating delicious food? If I couldn’t hold back my disgust and ended up vomiting, it would be quite the embarrassment.
Roena, who had called me so confidently, now hesitated and glanced at me nervously as we started to talk. Her silently moving lips seemed to speak of her worries.
Wasn’t she going to talk about Mother and Lavallier?
I waited patiently for her to speak.
The corridor where I stood was a place where many people passed by.
Therefore, I had to maintain as gentle a demeanor as Roena. It was quite tiring, but I endured it calmly.
After a moment, Roena nodded decisively, as if she had made up her mind.
As she looked at me, I almost burst into laughter at the anxiety and something more in her expression. It was because I had a hunch.
“Sisse, I’m sorry. You must be really disappointed in me, right?”
Oh, as expected. She came to talk about that after all.
But why today? If she was going to do it, she should have done it that day.
Hiding behind Lavallier and Mother, what more could she possibly say now? It’s not like she’s trying to provoke me. In the end, she’s just acting as she pleases.
I forced strength into my lips, which felt like they might twist. And with a gentle tone, as if I couldn’t possibly guess, I asked back.
“What are you talking about? What would I be disappointed about?”
“That time when I forgave the servant without even asking you. But please don’t misunderstand. It was because you said you weren’t used to the ways of nobles, so I was trying to help. Aunt taught me, but you haven’t learned much yet, right? That’s why I did it.”
“Oh, I see.”
I smiled brightly. Then I reached out and held both of Roena’s hands. Otherwise, I might have slapped her cheek. That’s how terrifying instinctual impulses can be.
Roena seemed deeply moved that I held her hands. The anxious expression vanished, and her simple, almost foolish smile appeared.
Oh, right, foolish. When had I ever described her as foolish? Somehow, it felt like my mood was improving. I spoke softly, in a gentle tone.
“It’s okay. You were thinking of me, so it’s fine. It didn’t bother me at all.”
“I’m so relieved. I was afraid you were really disappointed in me.”
“No, it’s fine because it’s you, Roena. Anytime.”
I had no intention of giving her any advice, only praise, even if she acted wrongly. I just wanted her to stay as she is.
To seem strange and questionable in the eyes of others, yes, like that.
Hadn’t I already experienced how Roena could grow and soar if given the chance?
Therefore, I desperately wished for Roena not to grow. I hoped she would remain a child crying in Margo’s arms. Matters of etiquette or common sense were secondary.
But I planned to suffocate her with interpersonal rudeness and innocent malice. Based on the phrase, “It’s fine because it’s Roena.”
☆☆☆
By Anna 💓
As always the next two chapters can be unlocked with the site’s free coins enjoy💓
