Chapter 28

"Thank you for coming today, despite the inconvenience. I have called you here today regarding the incident at the recent evening party."

In the reception room of the Chaltry Manor, the Earl of Chaltry, the Countess, Sir Percival, myself, and my father, mother, and older sister were gathered around a single table.

Tea was served, but there were no sweets, a clear sign that there was no intention to welcome us. The voice of the Earl of Chaltry was also heavy.

"And one more thing... It would be best to start with the incident at the evening party."

A report had been submitted to His Majesty. Our family's situation was undoubtedly included in the report.

I had only intended to meet and clear up any misunderstandings, but I never expected Casablanca to react so strongly.

Was it because she had been living a reclusive life, claiming to be frail, which had truly affected her mental health, or because she could no longer vent her stress with me gone? I couldn't be sure, but...

As I thought about the upcoming conversation, cold sweat trickled down my hands and back. I was scared, but this was not a matter that could be brushed off as ignorance.

Sir Percival, sensing my tension beside him, gently held my hand, as if to say, "Don't worry."

"First, Miss Casablanca, the daughter of the Viscount Norton. You are hereby banned from attending any royal social events. Your behavior at the evening party, where you welcomed the ambassador of a neighboring country, was extremely inappropriate and tarnished the reputation of the royal family. You should be grateful that you were not arrested on the spot and that you have been spared further charges."

"Wh-What...! ...I, I understand."

The Earl of Chaltry's gaze instantly quelled any attempt by Casablanca to retort. Though usually gentle and kind, the Earl was the commander of the Royal Guard. A single glance was enough to silence a young girl's defiance.

"And one more thing... What will you do, Viscount Norton? Shall I proceed with the story?"

"Yes, go ahead. The investigation was conducted by the Earl of Chaltry. I will only share the conclusion, as it is my responsibility."

"Understood. -- Lady Norton, after your marriage to the Viscount Norton, it was confirmed that you had an affair with a commoner. You did indeed invite Casablanca to our home, but before that, you sought the Viscount's approval and conducted a background check. The man you were involved with is still unmarried, living a carefree life, and has no job. He claimed to have seduced you with the line, 'You have the same hair color and eye color as a noble lady.' Do you recognize this?"

"…I don't understand what you're saying."

As the conversation progressed, the calm expression on my mother's face gradually disappeared. She answered in a flat voice without looking at the Earl of Chaltry, her complexion slightly pale.

"Even if you deny it, the man's identity has been confirmed. At that time, the Viscount Norton had returned to his estate. It is possible that you conceived and gave birth during that period. However, based on the testimonies of the lady's maids, the attending physician, the midwife, and the wet nurse, there is no evidence that the child's development was accelerated or delayed. The period when your menstrual cycle stopped has been identified. …Due to your extravagant habits, the Viscount Norton was unable to conduct a thorough investigation at the time. Despite some reservations, he raised Casablanca as his own daughter. Casablanca, like you, had a severe spending habit."

The Earl of Chaltry paused, acknowledging the Viscount's efforts to keep the estate from going into debt.

My mother's face was flushed with shame and anger. My older sister, sitting beside her, seemed to have understood everything, hunching her back and turning pale.

"Well… I admit that I was at fault for not investigating immediately. However, that is only half the blame… As a viscount who failed to manage his wife properly, I will live in disgrace, and the estate will eventually be passed to someone else. I will divorce you and send Casablanca back to your family, as she is not my blood relative. Of course, the money you spent on your affair and the expenses you imposed on our household for social events will be paid to your family… They are a large merchant family, so they can pay half."

My father, sitting at the end of the long sofa on the Earl of Chaltry's right, was looking at my mother with a serious expression.

I had always thought that my father was somewhat afraid of my mother's words and her piercing gaze, or perhaps he felt a sense of resignation.

But now, my father was undoubtedly the proud and responsible "Viscount Norton."

"After Mimosia left, I compiled all the documents during my breaks and informed your family. Plotting against a noble is a crime… Yes, the real reason will not be made public. It is too ugly… I admit that I was too lenient and was mocked by you, but as a viscount who inherited the title, I allowed you to have an affair with a commoner and raised the child. Did you realize this?"

His tone was calm, but there was a strength in his voice that made me wonder where he had hidden such resolve.

My mother, who was asked with certainty, twisted her lips in frustration but did not open her mouth.

"The divorce papers will be sent to your family later. The dresses and jewelry you bought can be sold to pay for the compensation, or you can keep them and have your family pay. Unfortunately, your family will never be able to do business with the nobility again. Your marriage to me created those connections. …Phew, when was the last time I spoke for so long? I had no right to speak… I caused Mimosia a lot of pain, and I will continue to do so, but you should live with your head held high as a member of the Chaltry family."

My father slowly but clearly stated this, straightened his back, and spoke to me with a clear face. He didn't smile, but his face looked as if a weight had been lifted. My mother, sitting beside him, realized that there was no way to defend herself and covered her face with her hands, thinking about the life that awaited her back at her family home.

My father gently picked up his teacup and drank the tea, as if he were now a stranger to the two people beside him. This might have been the first time I had ever heard my father speak for so long.

In front of me, Casablanca was sitting, her head bowed, trembling.

"J-Just kidding!..."

And then she threw the teacup at me... It was the only pattern she knew... She didn't pour the contents but threw the cup at me.

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