Chapter 16

# 16

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* * *

"Miss!"

While Nabiya was engrossed in flipping through a book, Charlotte came into the storeroom with an excited look on her face. She was carrying a blanket, warm water, and a hearty meal.

Nabiya lifted her gaze from the book and looked at Charlotte approaching her.

"Did you bring a snack?"

Charlotte nodded vigorously.

"Yes! Lord Agnus has sent a gift from the Ansier Boutique as a token of gratitude. Since Agnus' orders are usually processed within two days, you should receive it soon."

Even a prominent noble had to go through a long reservation process to barely purchase items from the Ansier Boutique.

However, such rules did not apply to the privileged Agnus family.

"How did Lord Agnus manage to match your tastes so well? I've never seen you eat pumpkin porridge before."

Charlotte was anxious when preparing the cold tea and pumpkin porridge at Nabiya's request, but her worries were unfounded.

Nabiya shrugged.

This was a privilege of a time traveler.

Instead, she smiled quietly and muttered softly.

"The Duke must be quite upset."

The Ansier Boutique, indeed.

She hadn't planned for such a reward.

'I've never received a gift from that boutique before.'

The Ansier Boutique was a place reserved exclusively for Vivian.

"Sis, look at this. Isn't it beautiful? Dad is the best! I'm the only one in society who has the latest dress from Ansier."

"Of course, Father loves you. I got my coming-of-age dress from Ansier too…"

"Oh, by the way, I saw a shop that would suit you yesterday. It was a commoner's clothing store, but I can't remember the name. Anyway, you can get your coming-of-age dress made there!"

"Ah… Thank you for your concern."

"I have to step in because everyone is so indifferent to your affairs!"

At the time, she felt a bit bitter, but since Vivian was so innocent, she thought it was understandable.

Now, recalling that incident, she couldn't help but chuckle.

'Really, Vivian must have been taking her own measures to protect herself as the Agnus princess.'

She wondered if even six-year-old Vivian had already felt that way.

"Charlotte, don't tell anyone about this."

Charlotte found it hard to understand why Nabiya didn't want to use this good news to boost her status, but she nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

* * *

Just as the unexpected water disaster was being cleaned up, Filippa, who had gone out for a while, arrived at the mansion.

She immediately received news about Wood.

"What? Master Wood was trapped in a water column!"

"Moreover, Lord Agnus has ordered him to be confined to his room…"

"I have to go see him!"

Filippa rushed to Wood's room.

"Master Wood!"

Clang!

As soon as she opened the door, an expensive ceramic vase with a floral design smashed against the wall, shattering into pieces. It was Wood's doing.

"I'll kill them! I'll kill them all!"

Filippa's gaze fell on the frenzied Wood.

He was still wet from being trapped in water and hadn't changed into dry clothes.

What if the precious heir caught a cold…!

Filippa slapped the nearest servant's cheek with all her might.

Crack!

"What have you been doing instead of taking care of Master Wood!"

Since Wood had been in this state since he arrived, the servants hadn't had the chance to dry his hair or change his clothes.

But Filippa was not the type to consider such details.

They had to bow their heads and suppress their complaints.

"…I'm sorry."

"Nothing works properly without me!"

Filippa grumbled, then turned to Wood with a sympathetic look, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Oh, what if you hurt yourself…!"

After a while, Wood, who had been destroying everything in the room, stopped, panting heavily.

Filippa quickly approached him.

"Your precious body will be hurt! Please think of yourself."

Wood gritted his teeth.

"This is all because of that lowborn!"

At the mention of "lowborn," Filippa's eyes changed.

That was how Wood referred to Nabiya.

"…Miss Nabiya?"

"That damn lowborn tried to kill me, and why is Father protecting that woman!"

Filippa was shocked.

"Trying to kill Master Wood?"

"How could a lowborn trap me in water? Damn it!"

'Trapped in water… Is that magic? Then does that mean she's a mage?'

"Master… Are you saying Miss is a mage…?"

At Filippa's cautious question, Wood furrowed his brow.

"Father said she's not, but she definitely used the same ability as me when my magic suddenly disappeared. I saw it clearly!"

"Ah…"

Filippa inwardly sighed in relief.

If she wasn't a mage, there was no way she could use such an ability.

So, it must have been Wood's delusion.

Filippa tried to agree with Wood to soothe his mood.

"For heaven's sake, if that's true, we must expel that girl immediately!"

"Because of that despicable lowborn, Father is going to cut off my allowance. That's not all; he's threatening to stop me from going on hunting trips and attending parties!"

"How could he do such a thing!"

Filippa felt a heavy weight in her chest, pounding it.

To dare to belittle and oppress not only the heir, Wood, but also herself, who had been loyal to the Agnus family for generations.

'How dare she, who isn't even a real Agnus, accuse me of embezzlement?'

Filippa couldn't stand the idea of Nabiya, a mere outsider, enjoying the Agnus family's gold and living a life beyond her station.

She should be the one using that money to take care of Nabiya.

To call it embezzlement? Filippa hated Nabiya so much she couldn't bear it.

Wood felt the same way.

"I can't live in the same house as that despicable woman who tried to kill me!"

"You're right. We can't let it be that way."

Filippa's eyes turned vicious.

'Nabiya couldn't have known about the embezzlement of her allowance on her own. Who could have told her? Who else but the cook, who was embezzling money with me?'

Moreover, Charlotte seemed suspicious.

'They must be in cahoots!'

Filippa had suspected this since yesterday and had gone out quietly today.

She had long been prepared for the possibility that the cook might betray her, so she had kept evidence of his other misdeeds.

The ledger detailing the cook's corruption with a trading company that dealt with the Agnus family would be in her hands in two days.

'It won't be hard to implicate Charlotte in the cook's corruption.'

Filippa spoke in a soft, velvety voice to Wood, who was still trembling.

"This governess will do anything to help Master Wood. You know that, right?"

Just wait a little longer, Master Wood.

I, Filippa, will not stand idly by while those who threaten the future of the precious heir.

Filippa twisted her lips in a despicable smile.

She was already overflowing with joy at the thought of punishing those despicable people by implicating Charlotte and Nabiya in the cook's corruption.

Wood, standing beside Filippa, also had a cold look in his eyes as he was lost in thought.

'The lowborn definitely stole magic. If that's the case, I don't need to use magic. I'm stronger.'

Wood was boiling with a desire for revenge, admiring his own cleverness.

He wanted to show Nabiya who was boss, but if Nikan found out, his allowance might be cut.

He needed to choose the right place and act secretly.

He said brusquely, as if it were nothing.

"Never mind, governess. That lowborn isn't worth my time."

'Today was a mistake.'

But the next time will be different.

Wood and Filippa, lost in their own thoughts, had a gleam in their eyes.