Chapter 3

Today is Marca Perlusia's sixteenth birthday.

Sebastian, who was enthusiastic, called out to people here and there to prepare for the party, so it looks like it will be the grandest birthday party of my life.

"I wonder what Lilianna will be like. It's exciting, isn't it, Mer?"

"The Monster Duke will be there too, won't he? We have to be careful not to scream in surprise."

My mother and sister are also enthusiastic, but for different reasons.

Since it's technically a family birthday, Sebastian sent an invitation to Lady Lilianna, and she happily agreed to attend.

I thought she might not come, but there's been no word of that, so it seems she really will be here.

I hope they don't feel uncomfortable, but I wonder if everything will go smoothly...

"..."

"Is something wrong, Miss Marca? Are you not feeling well?"

"No, it's not that."

I sighed involuntarily, and Sebastian looked at me with a worried expression.

"Is there something you're worried about?"

"Um, well, there's a lot going on today, so..."

I shrugged.

"Don't worry. There will be many people here who admire you today."

"..."

I smiled, encouraged by Sebastian.

I have a feeling it will be a turbulent day, but it's my birthday.

It would be a waste of the guests' valuable time if the main guest looked worried.

I put on a dress specially prepared for me, and my hair and makeup were done beautifully.

I've done everything I can to make today special.

I'll make sure it's a good day.

I was unusually nervous that day.

Then, finally, my colleagues who help me with my work gathered from all over the country, bringing their words of congratulations and gifts.

Lady Lilianna and the Monster Duke made their grand entrance.

"---No way. That's Lilianna!?"

"Then, the one next to her... Could it be!?"

Sister Melthia and Mother opened their eyes in shock.

Lady Lilianna, beautifully dressed, looked like a flower blooming in the sky.

The man next to her, her partner, was not a monster but a handsome man who made me doubt my own eyes.

Sister Melthia and Mother gritted their teeth at the sight of the two of them holding hands affectionately.

...Well, this was within my expectations.

I've already instructed Sebastian to keep them as far away as possible.

Everyone is here.

I want to start the party before any unnecessary events occur.

The host's voice echoed through the hall, and the buffet-style party began.

"Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful party, Marca. Happy birthday."

Lady Lilianna came to greet me, the main guest.

As always, her gaze was downward, and she didn't make direct eye contact with me, but it was the first time in years that I received her words of congratulations, so I was happy.

"Thank you, Lady Lilianna. And thank you for joining us, Your Grace. This is the first time we've met. I am Marca, the third daughter of the Perlusia Baron family."

I bowed slightly.

"I apologize for the late greeting. We haven't had a wedding ceremony yet. I am Albert von Geyaron."

The Duke greeted me with a slightly ambiguous tone, and I replied succinctly, "I am aware."

The wedding... They must be planning to have it.

Seeing him put his hand around Lady Lilianna's waist, I felt relieved inside.

The Monster Duke, who always carries a sword as if ready to slay enemies, will surely protect Lady Lilianna from everything.

Everything is going well.

This will conclude the major task I've been dealing with.

I want Lady Lilianna to marry the Baron and be happy, as per our agreement.

"Please enjoy the party today."

I smiled at them.

It was very good to see them with my own eyes.

Then, a woman caught my eye.

"Who is she?"

"Oh, she was originally a maid of this house. Since it was stated that attendants were allowed, she came as Lily's companion."

"..."

I see. I was surprised to see a face I thought wouldn't be here today. I appreciate Your Grace's consideration."

Ami looked troubled, so I probed her, and the Duke gave me that answer.

Lady Lilianna, who didn't say anything, clenched her fist in the Duke's arms.

Pretending not to notice the awkwardness, I bid them farewell and moved on to the next guest.

The guests are all my colleagues who understand me.

Thanks to Sebastian's efforts, many people came from far away, and my heart felt warm.

...However, when I returned to reality, I saw my real mother and sister, who hadn't even said "Happy Birthday" to me, and I steeled myself.

My mother and Sister Melthia have been neglecting me.

Whether I eat with them or frequently leave home, they turn a blind eye, trusting in the mysterious belief that "Marca will be fine"...

They seemed surprised by the number of guests today, but they didn't suspect anything and just envied Lady Lilianna, who stood out the most in the hall.

Their figures disappeared from the hall.

Looking around, I realized Lady Lilianna was also gone.

My heart sank when I noticed this.

"Sebastian!"

"---Yes, Miss Marca, what is it..."

"My sisters!?"

I asked without trying to maintain my composure, and Sebastian's eyes widened.

Seeing his agitation, I couldn't stay calm.

I rushed through the crowd, my unfamiliar high heels clattering, desperately searching for them.

Where could they have gone?

Trying to suppress my anxiety, I looked around frantically.

Then---

"Someone like you, why!?"

The voice came from the greenhouse, which was open for the guests.

Sister Melthia's shrill voice.

It was a cry of frustration.

I finally kicked off my heels and ran into the greenhouse barefoot.

"---Sister!"

I wasn't sure which sister I was calling.

"Stop it!" I shouted, opening the door to find---

"Everyone, are you ready?"

The Monster Duke, who was protecting the trembling Lady Lilianna, looked angry.

Lady Lilianna, kneeling on the floor, had a red, swollen cheek, and a broken decorative box on her knee.

It looked like an important music box left to her by the Baron and Lady Lilianna's mother.

Sister Melthia had clearly used it to call Lady Lilianna.

My mother was there too, and they were both bullying Lady Lilianna again.

"You will receive your punishment."

He declared in a voice that cut through the air.

The name "Monster Duke" was apt for this moment.

Without hesitation, the black sword at his waist was drawn.

I didn't need to think to know that "you" included me.

The killing intent made me shrink back.

Oh, I might be killed by him too.

Just as I thought that---

"---Please run, Miss Marca!!"

It was Ami who shouted.

Turning around, I saw her being restrained by a knight, desperately pleading with me.

Seeing Ami being held down, I realized something.

From the beginning, Lady Lilianna... no, the Monster Duke, Albert von Geyaron, had no intention of celebrating my birthday.

Knights had surrounded the mansion without my notice.

More armed knights from the Duke's household stormed into the greenhouse one after another.

Lady Lilianna, supported by the Duke, stood up and watched the scene with a tense expression.

My carefully planned birthday party was being ruined, and something inside me was crumbling.

The Duke stopped the hand that was gripping the black sword he had drawn.

"Marca Perlusia. You are the traitor's master. Are you all aligned against Lily?"

It was the first time I had been called by name, but the content was ominous.

There was no place for me to run in this small greenhouse.

Sebastian was beside me, but he was too old to use as a shield to force my way out.

Everyone's gaze pierced me.

I hadn't fully grasped the meaning of "traitor's master," but from the situation, it must be about Ami. No one else came to mind.

If that's the case, Ami, who was supposed to be on Lady Lilianna's side, must have had a different master and was a traitor.

I couldn't bear to see Ami resisting the knight.

It was my fault she was in this situation.

"Ami has not betrayed Lady Lilianna."

So, after a sigh, I said.

"She had to serve me to support her family."

"Miss Marca!"

"That's not true!!"

It was the answer most desired in this situation.

Sebastian's expression turned stern, but I was only stating the facts.

"Hasn't she always been on Lady Lilianna's side? Lady Lilianna knows that best, doesn't she?"

Speaking calmly, I saw Lady Lilianna, holding the broken music box, look at me.

"..."

"Yes. Ami... She always helped me when I was in trouble..."

"Taking hostages on the day of your coming-of-age, what a character you are."

She spoke softly, looking back at the Duke.

There was a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Perhaps she could now feel relieved that her trusted maid was not a traitor.

"What are you talking about...!?"

Sister Melthia, who had been pointed at by the knight's sword, muttered in shock.

"Lilianna is the one at fault. What have we done!?"

Unrepentant, Sister Melthia said.

"Hah. You have no sense of guilt. I was going to go easy on you because you're Lily's family, but now I can deal with you without hesitation."

His chiseled face took on a menacing look.

"You didn't give her proper meals, made her wear old clothes, forced her to behave like a servant despite being a baron's daughter, and continuously took and destroyed her precious things. I won't let you deny it."

"---That's not something you should judge!"

Mother, who had been silent, opened her eyes wide.

"That's normal in this house! It's none of your business, Your Grace!!"

Mother, with the same eyes as Sister Melthia, declared.

She didn't flinch even when the knights surrounding her looked at her as if she were trash.

She didn't think she had done anything wrong.

"There's no point in talking. ---You are not needed by Lily."

The Duke declared.

At his signal, the knights repositioned their swords, and death drew near.

For the Monster Duke, burying us in darkness would be as easy as breakfast.

All of this was my fault for not being able to properly protect this house.

I tried to fulfill my promise to the Baron, but I couldn't live in harmony with my family.

I should have separated Lady Lilianna and the two of them sooner.

This might be the price of breaking the contract.

---It seems today will be my death day.

"Let her go."

Ami, still held by the knight, spoke.

"Release her. I already sent guards to her family."

The Duke forgave Ami.

He must think she took me hostage out of anger.

"---Ami!"

And so did Lady Lilianna.

She called out to Ami, who was walking toward us.

"..."

"Lady Lilianna, could you please move a little to the left?"

Ami, passing by me, stood in front of Lady Lilianna.

"---? Okay."

Lady Lilianna tilted her head but moved to the left as instructed.

Then, Ami crouched down.

I was stunned when I realized what she was about to do.

"Ami! Don't open it now!!"

I tried to stop her, but I couldn't move forward with the knights' swords threatening me.

The Duke, seeing my actions, made Lady Lilianna step back behind him and watched Ami closely.

---Click.

Ami turned a circular part of the stone floor.

The sound of a lock opening, and she lifted the lid.

From the large box inside, she took out a music box carefully wrapped in paper and cloth.

"---What?"

Lady Lilianna was shocked.

Because it was exactly the same as the broken music box in her hand.

"This is the fake music box I prepared at Miss Marca's instruction."

And she said it.

"What do you know about Miss Marca---"

Tears welled up in her eyes as Ami glared at Lady Lilianna and the Duke.