Chapter 7

Thank you for reading! (*- -)(*_ _) *bows*

Albertina is not usually that hot-blooded. She tends to be the one who calms down, while those around her are the ones who get worked up. And as Albertina becomes even more composed, it creates a spiral where she doesn't get angry herself.

Mikaeris von Domitrias, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, looked like a withered tree.

Why—!?

He had been in perfect health before, hadn't he!?

With his vivid red hair and rosy good looks, he had been a beautiful youth, radiating a splendor that could rival a rose!

His emaciated state not only shocked me but also Kistaria and Jibril, who were flustered and confused.

In surprise, I clung to Kistaria, and Jibril, who was clinging to me, was desperately trying to hold up her pants with one hand as they were about to fall.

"Mikaeris, what happened...?"

"Ah... eh? Albertina...? No, I mean, I've been so busy that I haven't been eating much. Is this a dream?"

"Especially when you're busy, you need to eat and sleep properly."

Mikaeris touched my hair and face, saying, "A dream? A daydream?" with a vacant gaze. This is reality.

Indeed, I am a reclusive young lady, but this time I have special permission from Father. Well, Father's purpose is to have his beloved daughter praise the resort he worked hard to build, saying, "Father, you are amazing!" Of course, I will do that.

Still, Mikaeris's dramatic before-and-after is terrible. The once vivid ruby eyes are now dull and lifeless. Even when he was with Father in Latitche, he was treated harshly, but it seems to have become even more Spartan.

If he keeps touching me, my carefully coordinated outfit with Jibril will get messy. Jibril must have thought the same thing, as she slapped Mikaeris's hand.

"That's disrespectful to a lady, Brother."

"S-Sorry. I didn't expect Albertina to be here."

"Albert is fine. I was invited because Father's resort is complete. Didn't you know?"

This is not the Latitche territory but the Domitrias territory. As the son of the lord and count, it's strange that Mikaeris didn't know.

But the shadow of Father looms, and I understand. That's Father's quality.

Still, Kistaria has been smiling strangely, and I feel a strange pressure. Recently, her smile seems to be similar to Father's and Julius's. My dear brother, where did the angelic smile that used to drive me into a mix of fear and excitement go? I can still do it, though.

"Oh... right, I remember."

This is bad. He needs to rest.

Right now, Mikaeris, who looks like he's on his last legs, is more concerning than Kistaria, who looks like she's about to explode.

"Mikaeris, I'll tell Father. You need to eat, brush your teeth, take a bath, and sleep in your futon!"

I activate my ultimate privilege, Albertina's command. Its effect is immense! Even Father can't disobey this absolute order. It's only effective on a select few, though!

"I want to do mountains of things..."

"What do you mean?"

"The cause is not the Duke of Latitche—"

"Mikael-sama! You're here!"

Mikaeris's exhausted expression suddenly vanished, looking like a Noh mask, which was extremely scary. Mikaeris, being a target of conquest, is quite handsome. If Kistaria is a sweet-faced pretty boy, Mikaeris is a powerful and handsome man. Well, that's a few years from now.

The voice that stripped away Mikaeris's expression belonged to a beautiful girl with golden hair elegantly curled and slightly upturned green eyes. She looked like a classic villainous young lady. Her red dress was an A-line dress with plenty of frills and lace, and ribbons and corsages were densely attached everywhere. It was either very elegant or very flashy, depending on how you looked at it.

She glanced at me and Jibril, evaluating our simple travel dresses, and laughed through her nose. Jibril, noticing this, quietly fumed, "Rude people wear rude dresses. Albert-onee-sama is much more elegant and beautiful." Kistaria and Anna didn't nod in agreement but scolded Jibril. My cute younger siblings have been a bit strange lately.

Mikaeris's arm was firmly entangled by the mysterious young lady, who pressed her voluminous chest against him.

"Come, lunch is ready! The Tenegallon family's chef has prepared a feast! Please come!"

"No, I have guests to guide. Seira-sama, please go ahead."

Seira-sama, who didn't expect to be refused, dramatically expressed her disappointment. Her hateful gaze reminded me of Dora. It was a very unpleasant look.

Mikaeris was trying to maintain a social smile despite his fatigue, which was painful to watch.

Kistaria stood protectively in front of me, and Julius quietly moved me further back.

"I am Seira von Tenegallon of the Tenegallon earldom. I am about to have an important lunch with my fiancé, Mikael-sama. Could you please excuse us?"

Seira raised her chin and opened her fan with a flourish, feathers fluttering. The feathers were uneven and looked cheap, and they didn't seem to be from the Rose brand.

Despite her bold introduction, Seira's family is below a duchy. The order of nobility is generally duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron. There are also quasi-nobles and privileged classes below that. There may be slight differences by country, but the principle should be the same.

I couldn't help but give her a cold glance. What is she saying? Her raised eyebrows suggested she was annoyed.

Despite her words and gaze, she is quite beautiful. Jibril is cuter, though.

"I don't recognize you, lady. Are you from some rural noble family?"

I'm a recluse, and the people I meet are carefully selected by Father, Julius, and Kistaria. Even merchants are divided into those who can enter the mansion and those who can't.

People with a bit of discernment know that if Father and I are present, it's better to pitch to me, so they introduce themselves enthusiastically. Julius and Father then evaluate them from behind.

Probably, except for the Latitche duchy and the special case of the Domitrias earldom, the only people who know my face are those I met during the kidnapping incident and a few others. And even then, only a select few who are invited to royal events.

In a sense, I am an SSR-level rarity, and a mere earl's daughter wouldn't know me.

Then, a mocking laugh came from beside me.

"Pleased to meet you, Seira. I am Kistaria von Latitche, the son of the Duke of Latitche. The lady next to me is my sister, Albertina. This is Jibril von Domitrias, Mikaeris-sama's younger sister... You didn't even know that?"

Kistaria's aqua-blue eyes, similar to Father's, coldly and calmly looked at Seira. His polite bow was almost intimidating.

Seira's mouth dropped open at the unexpected name, forgetting to hide it with her fan. The fan slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor. She seemed to know the Latitche family.

"Pleased to meet you, Seira-sama. I am Albertina von Latitche, Kistaria's sister."

I demonstrated the curtsey I learned while being hit with rulers and dusters by Dora. Was that corporal punishment? No bruises were left, but...

After Dora left, the new etiquette teacher praised this curtsey, which became one of my proudest skills as a young lady.

I bowed for a while, but since she didn't bow back, I eventually raised my head.

In noble etiquette, this is not allowed. Generally, the person of higher rank speaks first, and the person of lower rank responds and returns the greeting. If a person of higher rank greets you, you must respond with a deeper and longer bow.

Even when Jibril added a delicate curtsey, Seira only trembled and didn't return the greeting. This is quite bad, even I can tell.

To stand there after being introduced is...

"Sister, let's go. It seems the young lady of the Tenegallon family can't even greet properly.

Leaving such an impolite person in your sight would make it difficult to face Father."

Ouch! Is Kistaria this harsh?

The contempt and sneer on his well-formed face were clear.

Seira, finally realizing the situation, tried to salvage it, but Kistaria, who was holding my waist and escorting me, and Mikaeris, who was protecting Jibril, quickly left the scene. Mikaeris's expression, though seemingly blank, had a sharp and fierce light. Julius, who stayed behind, made it impossible for Seira to chase after us.

Later, I heard that the young lady of the Tenegallon family had recently approached the recovering Domitrias family and was pressing for an engagement based on a vague verbal promise from the past. She has a lot of guts.

I thought Mikaeris's troubles with his uncle and cousin had finally settled down, but why does he keep getting entangled with aggressive women? Is it his destiny? Poor Mikaeris. He seems to prefer shy and cute heroines, not aggressive meat-eaters.

The pattern was so similar that I initially thought she was a cousin. I hope she gives up quickly.

But from that day on, Seira not only didn't back off from Mikaeris but also began a fierce campaign.

She had two choices: to curry favor with the Latitche family or to connect through the Domitrias family. She made a painful mistake right from the start.

If she wanted to curry favor with the Latitche family, she had the perfect target right in front of her, but she ignored it and tried to seduce Mikaeris.

Mikaeris wouldn't want to be associated with someone who is making the Latitche family angry. Every time he heard her voice, his expression would disappear. Personally, he must have a bad impression of her.

"Seira-sama is a fool."

"I don't want any extra people around Albert."

"Oh, you're not calling me Sister anymore?"

"Unfortunately," Kistaria said, lowering his eyebrows slightly and smiling wryly. When did he become so mature?

I feel a bit lonely. We used to sleep in the same bed. Mostly because Julius told us ghost stories, and I cried and begged until I made him cry.

Julius isn't just a bit of an S, but a pure S and a chicken-hearted master's mischievous servant. However, his word choice and tone are so good that I can't help but listen to all his stories and beg for more.

But when I was terrified of the dark after the kidnapping, Julius was the one who held me and told me it was okay. It must have been difficult to deal with a child who screamed and thrashed around until the room was lit or Father came.

I'm still afraid of the dark and small spaces, but it's better than before—probably.

Mikaeris, who was becoming more and more exhausted from Seira's aggressive advances, and Jibril, who was constantly indignant. She would calm down for a moment when I or Kistaria were around but would glare at me when she had the chance. She's a real fool. If Father saw this, the Tenegallon earldom would be easily crushed.

To Father, anyone who hurts me must be eliminated.

The terrifying thing about Father is that this includes even his adopted son or the son of a friend.

As a duke, he is at the pinnacle of glory, with a good face, a good mind, and a good family. He is so capable that he is trusted by the royal family and is a flawless and perfect person.

To prevent Father from destroying the Tenegallon earldom, I subtly suggested he not visit the Domitrias residence.

I asked Julius to investigate Seira and request her parents to take her back.

I want to ask Kistaria, but he seems to be in a bad mood and might go overboard.

Thank you for reading to the end! (*- -)(*_ _) *bows*

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