Chapter 90

90

Today, I dressed rather plainly for someone whose birthday it is.

A simple dark green dress, and the only jewelry I wore was a pair of pearl earrings.

I didn’t want to make a fuss over my birthday. I didn’t even want to dress up nicely to meet Owen and Hessen.

“…Sister, no matter what Owen and Hessen say, don’t lose your temper. It’s fine to be sarcastic; you’re good at that.”

“….”

At my warning, Theodor made a rather complicated expression before nodding.

“I understand.”

At this point, it seemed clear what he was thinking. He must have been reflecting on the words and actions he had directed at me in the past.

The sharp and cruel words that treated my sincerity as a lie…

‘Since you look so tired today, I’ve brewed some tea that’s good for fatigue recovery…’

‘Do you think I would drink it, knowing what might be in that tea? Take it back.’

‘….’

It’s a miserable feeling to have your sincere kindness rejected. Every time it happened, I felt as if my heart had fallen to the ground and been trampled underfoot.

Do you really understand how much pain and hardship I endured? It would be fortunate if you could understand even a little. …But now, it doesn’t matter anymore.

“Then, let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

Theodor and I walked side by side to the reception room. Before opening the door, I mouthed a message to him.

‘You haven’t forgotten what we discussed yesterday, right?’

Theodor immediately nodded and mouthed back.

‘I remember everything, down to the last detail.’

It’s a relief that he hasn’t forgotten, but I still can’t help but worry.

We mustn’t let Owen find out that Theodor remembers the mage and the commander.

Can he really hide his anger well enough?

Now that he knows the Everette family might be behind the deaths of his parents and brother… he must want to strangle Owen and Hessen the moment he sees them.

I understand his anger, but now is the time to hold back. To gather solid evidence and take proper revenge.

“Open the door, please.”

“Yes, my lady.”

At my command, the servant standing by the door opened it.

The next moment, Owen came into view, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.

When our eyes met, Owen smiled, his eyes forming a crescent moon.

“Hello, Lily.”

“…Hello, brother.”

Seeing Owen’s face, I was reminded of the commander, and as usual, a wave of nausea washed over me. If I kept looking at Owen, I might really throw up.

I tried to look as natural as possible and lowered my gaze, pretending to look around the reception room for Hessen.

Just then, Hessen walked in from the balcony, glaring at me with a sullen expression.

“What’s with your outfit for your birthday? At least wear something bright.”

Seeing Hessen’s usual arrogant and insolent attitude, Theodor frowned. As always, I responded with a blank expression.

“I’m just wearing what I usually wear. It’s not like my birthday is anything special.”

“Tch, really….”

Hessen clicked his tongue in exasperation and glared fiercely at Theodor. His eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

Ignoring Hessen, Theodor sat down, and Hessen, with a scowl, strode over and plopped down next to Owen on the sofa.

Theodor continued to ignore Hessen and instructed a maid to bring tea. Just as I was about to sit next to him and start the conversation, Hessen abruptly asked Theodor in a brusque tone.

“Does His Excellency Valentina find the Everette family amusing? What’s with the appearance of the Everette daughter on her birthday? Surely you didn’t dress like this last year, did you?”

Theodor glanced at him and replied matter-of-factly.

“The Valentina family values frugality. Hessen Everette.”

Anyone could tell it was a forced excuse. While it’s true that the Valentina family values frugality, they don’t neglect the appearance of the nobility. Hessen, who seemed to understand this, shot back with a look of disbelief.

“Frugality can freeze you to death. Look at her! Does she look like a lady on a special occasion? I’d believe she’s a country woman passing by!”

However, Hessen’s analogy was also forced. While my outfit was simple today, the fabric was of the highest quality—something a country woman would never touch in her life.

“Indeed, even to me, Lily’s outfit seems too plain. When she was at the Everette castle, she was the most beautiful in the world….”

Owen chimed in, lifting one corner of his mouth in a long, mocking smile. He acted as if he were the master of the castle, not a guest, which must have irritated Theodor.

Sure enough, I saw Theodor clench his fists. Worried that he might lose his temper and make a mistake, I quickly changed the subject to something Owen might find unsettling.

“By the way, brother, I heard you’ve been in talks about a marriage with the daughter of the Wellington family.”

The Wellington family was not powerful but was very wealthy. The bride would bring a substantial dowry, which my father seemed to find appealing.

Moreover, my father, who values appearance above all else, whether in men or women, seemed quite satisfied with the Wellington family’s daughter.

However, Owen’s thoughts seemed to be a bit different.

“….”

Sure enough, Owen, with a slight frown, said in a bored tone.

“It doesn’t matter who I marry. As long as she can bear an heir, that’s enough. I don’t need anything else.”

His words made it sound as if the only role of the woman marrying Owen was to bear a child. …It’s no wonder, given that Owen Everette treats even his future wife as a mere tool for reproduction.

The reason Owen broke off his engagement with Florentine Elsner was probably because of this. He needed a woman who would bear an heir and obediently follow him, but Florentine wanted to be more than that to Owen.

‘…I need to bring down the Everette family before Owen marries. For the poor Wellington family’s daughter, at least.’

I don’t know her well, but no one in the world wants to be a tool.

“The Wellington family’s daughter….”

I was about to continue the topic Owen disliked, but the side door opened, and a maid appeared with a tea set.

The maid carefully approached and set the tea and pastries on the table. During this time, no one spoke, and the reception room was unusually quiet.

After a moment, the maid poured tea into each of our cups and quietly retreated. The tea was a strong black tea. Owen, returning to his relaxed demeanor, lifted his cup and asked playfully.

“Surely you didn’t poison the tea? For your information, I’m almost immune to all poisons.”

“….”

Theodor turned his head as if it was none of his business. Owen, with a smile, took a sip of the tea. He seemed unconcerned even if it had been poisoned. …That’s understandable, given that he was almost immune to all poisons.

Owen had been consuming small amounts of various poisons since childhood to build up his resistance. I had secretly hoped he would die from an accidental lethal dose, but unfortunately, Owen never made such a mistake.

“By the way, you seem very interested in my marriage.”

Owen, tilting his head slightly, looked at me with a clearly amused expression. I avoided his gaze and pretended to drink my tea, responding.

“Of course, I’m interested. It’s the marriage of my only brother, after all.”

I was surprised at how smoothly such words came out, even though I found them revolting. I must be more shameless than I thought.

“What do you want to know? That the Wellington family’s daughter is a renowned beauty in the capital?”

Owen, leaning back against the sofa, asked. His eyes sparkled with a strange pleasure. I nodded obediently.

“I’ve never met the Wellington family’s daughter, so I’m a bit curious.”

“Is that so? But it’s not worth your curiosity.”

Owen chuckled and continued.

“You’re much more beautiful.”

“….”

A strange sense of discomfort ran down my spine. Despite the compliment, I felt terrible. I almost clenched my teeth but managed to control my expression and spoke.

“…I’m not that beautiful. The Wellington family’s daughter is famous in society.”

“She’s not my type.”

“….”

Does Owen even have a type? I found it difficult to connect him with human desires. Owen was always beyond reason, and his way of thinking was inhuman in many ways. He seemed like a demon born in human form.

“Damn, I can’t stand it.”

Suddenly, Hessen lost his temper. He gulped down the hot tea and glared coldly at Owen. I remained expressionless, as it wasn’t surprising that Hessen could drink hot things, but Theodor was staring at him as if he were a madman.

“Calm down, you lunatic.”

Hessen growled at Owen. I couldn’t understand why he suddenly got angry, but it wasn’t the first time Hessen had reacted this way, so I just let it be.

“Why are you angry? It’s just a compliment.”

“Compliment? Ha, put your hand on your conscience—”

Just as Owen and Hessen were about to start an argument as if they were in their own living room,

Knock knock—

A knock came from outside the door, followed by the servant’s voice.

“Master, my lady. A guest has arrived.”

Owen and Hessen, startled, turned to look at me almost simultaneously, their eyes asking, ‘Is there another guest besides us?’

I smiled softly for the first time since dealing with them today and spoke in a warm, friendly tone.

“In fact, one more person was supposed to come.”

“…Really? Who is it?”

He asked with interest, but behind Owen’s eyes, a fierce sense of caution was brewing. It was a typical reaction from Owen Everette, who wanted me to be isolated and unable to interact with others.

Instead of answering immediately, I stood up and smiled, then slowly walked towards the door.

When I reached the door, I stopped and turned to Owen and Hessen.

“It’s the Viscount Della Cruz.”

At that moment, Owen’s calm facade cracked.

Turning my back to them, I smiled slyly and grabbed the doorknob.

When I opened the door, Zen, who had been waiting in the corridor, beamed at me. He was holding a large gift box and a bouquet of flowers in his arms.

He greeted me with a bright, puppy-like smile.

“Lily! Happy birthday!”