Chapter 10

This time it's a serious episode, but from next time onwards, it will be back to normal.

"Hey, Ali, don't scare him too much. Look, Yuria's face has turned pale from all the sudden talk."

"Your Highness..."

"Is that so? I'm sorry, but I just don't want you to resign as Primera's attendant..."

"Yeah, I guess so. It's fine, I'll explain the rest. Ali, just keep practicing calmly."

"Uncle, don't treat me like a child forever...!!"

"Hehe, Prince Alarbaert Daum."

In contrast to the laughing Prince, I truly feel as if I've been suddenly confronted with a bombshell.

Especially considering that I had been turning a blind eye to the reality that the "disownment" was just a farce, perhaps that's part of it.

Indeed, this disownment, to be honest, was just a back-and-forth of words with my stepmother.

I simply took the opportunity to leave home, and my father, as the head of the household, said there was no such fact.

That's why I can still use the family name "von Vandied" and work at the royal castle.

If it were a real disownment, a letter of estrangement would be written and sent to neighboring nobles, stating, "The von Vandied viscount family and the person in question have no connection. Please consider our relationship if you wish to employ them."

I learned this reality about three months after I started living at the royal castle, full of enthusiasm, following my stepmother's disownment declaration.

Back then, I was young... and naive... Even now, just thinking about it makes me feel so embarrassed that I could roll around in shame!!!

At that time, my father was probably trying to protect his wife, who was struggling with how to interact with a stepdaughter, so no one told me about it...

Furthermore, our Vandied family is not that wealthy.

I wanted to leave home early not because I had to debut in high society and find a husband, but because I preferred to live as a maid...

I know, I ran away.

I was told to be a role model for my younger brother as a viscount's daughter.

I knew that my father was disappointed because I didn't meet the beauty standards.

The eldest daughter and son debut in high society, but in a not-so-wealthy family, younger siblings have to rely on their siblings' connections to navigate the noble society.

My stepmother, who was the second daughter of a more prestigious earl's family, had come to our family without debuting in high society, so it was difficult for her to dote on a stepdaughter, and she resented me for being able to debut just because I was the eldest daughter.

I also knew that my father was worried about the funds for my brother's debut in high society if I were to debut.

So, I ran away.

Was the result my father's debt? Was the request for money for repaying the debt?

Even if I was asked for money, it was more like being asked for 50,000 to 100,000 out of a monthly salary of 400,000.

I would reluctantly give the money my father occasionally asked for, in addition to the regular remittances to my family, because I felt guilty for not being beautiful. I didn't want to admit it, but...

Because Lady Primera needed me, I indulged in it...

"Hey, you seem to be depressed. Why don't you think about it after hearing my story?"

"Ah, yes... I'm sorry!"

"No, it might be a depressing story either way."

"...Huh?"

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Prince Alberich Agares' story honestly made me depressed.

Apparently, my father, who had remarried and had a son with my stepmother, is also having an affair with an older woman.

It might sound romantic to say "a noble's secret love," but it's not a good thing.

If it were a love affair between single people with a status difference, the only damage would be to their reputations, but it's different when one of them is married.

In this country, polygamy is allowed, but only if the main wife approves of the concubines. Otherwise, it's considered adultery.

I was stunned.

I was stunned!!!!

Is that why he's in debt?! I bought jewelry for my stepmother under my father's name because my brother told me she didn't get much due to the lack of money! Was her gratitude all a lie?!

"Anyway, you might have guessed, but the problem is the other party, and the rumor is that she is pregnant. It's just a rumor, and the issue is that your father isn't the only one involved..."

"Who is the other party...?"

"Yeah, you'll be surprised. It's the Grand Duchess!"

"What... what do you mean...?"

This time, I was speechless.

According to Prince Alberich Agares, who chuckled at my speechless state, the Grand Duchess is Ninon Chagran von Kouraume.

Why does she have two names? Because she is a "princess" from the neighboring country of Chagran who married into the Kouraume royal family as a political marriage.

Her husband was the current king's younger brother, Prince Alberich Agares' elder brother.

She died of an epidemic, and the state of their marriage is unknown, but they couldn't send her back to her home country or have her remarry anyone, so they are currently supporting her by giving her money every month to live a luxurious life.

She doesn't have many close friends in high society and doesn't want to be put in awkward situations, so she is only invited to dance parties and tea parties hosted by the royal family.

Naturally, she has no children, and as a result, the Grand Ducal family will end with this generation.

Even though she was young when she married, time has passed, and if my memory serves me right, she is in her fifties now.

Still, her smooth, white skin and those bright red lips left a strong, sensual impression on me.

She is so sensual that any man would be putty in her hands.

Her beauty is a bit different from what is considered beautiful in this country, but she is slim yet curvaceous, always wearing sexy Chagran-style dresses, and her languid, sidelong glances are enough to make any man fall for her.

I can't believe that my father, a minor bureaucrat of a small rural lord near the border, could be involved with such a woman.

"Well, it's just a hunch, but I'm pretty sure your father isn't the one in the rumor. The Grand Duchess... my sister-in-law, has a strong preference for men. Unfortunately, no matter how much you get worked up, the chances are low."

"..."

"But, the rumor of a woman who was once the wife of the second in line to the throne being pregnant is not something to be ignored. Who the father is, and the fact that she is a widow of a Grand Duke, are all issues. Moreover, your father has been seen visiting her, and he is married."

"That's nothing but trouble!"

"Yeah, you're right. But it's not just your father who has been seen. A minor rural viscount isn't much of a cover for the country... There are plenty of other heads to cut off."

"That's... terrible..."

"But, Ali and I like you, so we came to talk to you before things get worse."

It didn't get as serious as a rebellion.

But it still makes me feel dizzy.

"Make your father write a letter of farewell to the Grand Duchess and have a trustworthy person deliver it. Of course, we need someone to witness this."

"...I'll talk to my father."

"I knew you would say that!"

Prince Alberich Agares grinned, patted my shoulder heartily, and hugged me.

Hey, you're too close...!!

"I'll be the witness. Let's go to your territory now!"

"What?!"

"Can you ride a ground dragon? It's faster than a carriage. We can get there in half a day. It's a bit of a forced march, but—"

"Now? I need to hand over my duties and apply for leave for tomorrow..."

"Your uncle should have already explained to Primera before coming here. Don't worry, go with peace of mind. If your uncle does anything inappropriate, tell me immediately."

"Hey, you!"

"How much has this story already spread without my knowledge?!"

Please, can you give me a little more time to process this!

At this point, I really want to see Lady Primera and be comforted...

And I'm worried about how my skin will look tomorrow after staying up all night...