Chapter 31
As Rail left and the door closed, silence settled over the office.
After reviewing documents for a while, Edmund sighed, loosened the top button of his shirt, and leaned back into his chair. His gaze landed on the green grape tart that Rail had left behind.
“It’s from a famous tart shop. Lady Etricia asked me to deliver it as a token of gratitude. She said she chose it based on your preferences.”
Edmund stared at the green grape tart as if he were engaged in a staring contest.
An inexplicable frustration and irritation bubbled inside him. He couldn’t understand why. Why did it bother him so much that Etricia had drawn a line and refused his help? Especially toward someone who had once tried to kill her sister.
He had received reports that she had turned public opinion around by boldly slapping the culprit twice and pretending to cry… But wasn’t she being too reckless? It was undeniably dangerous.
She flinched at ice and trembled at high places, yet she acted so fearlessly.
Recalling Etricia coldly distancing herself made his stomach churn even more.
“She once said we were in the same boat, but now she’s jumped ship alone? What a self-centered woman.”
The fact that he had hesitated in keeping an eye on her because of those words annoyed him even more.
She had probably said them so easily just to win his favor while smiling falsely at him.
Clicking his tongue, Edmund picked off only the grapes from the tart and ate them, chewing as he resumed his work.
Lilien, who had been feeling down after her appointment with Etricia was canceled, hurried home upon hearing that Etricia had bought a tart for her.
As she rushed out of the pastry workshop building, she spotted groups of students chatting.
Passing by them, she caught a familiar name in their conversation and instinctively poked her head into their circle.
“Why are you talking about Lady Etricia?”
“Ahh!”
The students jumped, clutching their chests or shivering their shoulders in surprise.
When Lilien blinked her large eyes at them, they exchanged glances and began to speak, not even realizing who they were talking to.
“That’s nonsense!”
After hearing everything, Lilien boarded her carriage, fuming.
The paper box in her grip became pitifully crumpled as she recalled the rumors she had just heard.
“So… the secluded Countess of Buell has been staying with the Mipedian family. But the reason is… while Count Buell was away, Count Mipedian and…”
“They were seen coming and going from the forest?”
“Oh dear, how scandalous…”
Lilien exhaled sharply and stomped her foot hard.
Who in the world had spread such an outrageous rumor?
“If I find out who it is, I won’t let them get away with it…!”
Then, a sudden thought flashed through her mind, making her pause.
She rolled her eyes.
“…Should I let it slide?”
The rumor was clearly meant to insult both her brother and Etricia, which infuriated her. But when she thought about it carefully, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
If the rumor turned out to be true, she could be with Etricia forever! Besides, Edmund was a much better match than that garbage ex-husband.
“Why didn’t I think of this sooner?”
Recently, the thought of being separated from Etricia had made it hard to focus on her pastries.
She had barely passed her certification exam, and each night, she felt the passing of time was a waste. She was even somewhat grateful that Devon hadn’t granted Etricia a divorce yet.
After all, Etricia seemed to intend to stay at the Mipedian estate only until the divorce was finalized.
Frowning in concentration, Lilien furiously brainstormed.
“First of all, there’s no way Edmund doesn’t like Lady Etricia.”
How could he not? She was as brilliant as fire and endlessly kind. But what about Etricia?
Lilien recalled her brother’s strengths.
Her friend Marie always said that for men, looks came first, second, and third. Wealth was a bonus, but God was fair. Yet in Edmund’s case, it seemed God had played favorites excessively.
And soon, with his upcoming title ceremony, he would officially be a duke.
As a husband, he met all the qualifications. Moreover, Lilien even knew Etricia’s secret preferences.
Grinning mischievously, Lilien stormed into Edmund’s office the moment she arrived home.
Edmund was calmly reading documents, maintaining his composure.
Despite her bold entrance, Lilien hesitated. Even between family, this was an odd thing to ask…
“Uh, Edmund, I have something to ask.”
“What is it this time? My mind is already a mess right now—”
“Are your… are your chest muscles big?”
“…What did you just say?”
Edmund slowly lifted his dazed gaze from the documents.
Lilien’s face burned bright red. Her brother’s expression crumpled in confusion. But since she had already brought it up, there was no going back now.
“Let me measure your chest size just once!”
“Did you learn something strange from Countess Buell?”
“Lady Etricia would never say such shameless things!”
Sighing in utter disbelief, Edmund pressed his temples.
“…Get out.”
“Just one measurement, please?”
Edmund abruptly stood up, walked to the door, and pushed Lilien out.
“If you won’t, then how about doing some chest exercises?! As far as I know, Lady Etricia’s ideal type—”
Bang!
Lilien, shoved out of the office, stood with her back to the door, pouting.
“So mean…”
She spun around and shouted at the door.
“Edmund! You have to do chest exercises! Got it?”
A loud crash sounded from inside, but Lilien didn’t give up and kept talking to the door for a long time.
The banquet was approaching.
After a leisurely breakfast, we enjoyed a light tea time in the greenhouse.
While Lilien left to bake cookies, I was left alone with Edmund. As we sat facing each other, drinking cherry blossom tea, he was the first to speak.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
His tone was oddly displeased.
“Well… a little?”
I smiled faintly and folded my hands on the tea table.
“Actually, I requested an official verification of the will’s authenticity. The results should be out soon.”
After breakfast, Rail had delivered an imperial decree—a mid-process notification from the Magic Tower’s verification team.
“I see.”
Edmund merely nodded, uninterested.
“Well, he must have checked the decree before me.”
I smiled slightly and lowered my head.
“Today, I’m planning to talk to Lilien about the Marchioness of Wickley. It’s not something she needs to worry about, but I don’t want her to be caught off guard when they’re introduced at the banquet.”
“Go ahead.”
“Oh, right. I forgot to thank you for resolving that scandal.”
“You were the one who resolved it, not me. And quite spectacularly, at that.”
“……”
He sounded a bit prickly today. Did Devon cause trouble again?
Feeling a chill at the back of my neck, I scratched my head and tried to recall, but I couldn’t think of anything. Though, honestly, Devon’s antics and scandals were too many to keep track of.
Phew. I let out a small sigh.
‘Let’s pretend I don’t know.’
If someone’s feelings are unclear, it’s best not to bring it up. Trying to start a conversation to clear the air might only cause an argument.
Trying to change the mood, I glanced at Edmund in search of a new topic.
Unusually, he had his hair down today. The sunlight shining through the greenhouse windows made his silver hair sparkle even more than usual.
As I stared at him, unable to look away, I noticed a messy strand falling over his shoulder.
“What if you got a haircut before the banquet? I think your hair would look really good swept back.”
Edmund frowned and looked straight at me, clearly displeased.
“Why should I?”
“But you and Lady Lilien are the stars of the banquet, after all.”
“I’m fine. Just take care of my sister.”
Too bad. He’d look even better with it.
I tapped the table and smacked my lips in regret. I couldn’t keep making suggestions just to satisfy my personal desires.
After a brief silence, Edmund spotted Lilien walking into the greenhouse and stood up, pressing his hand on the tea table.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
“You’re leaving like that?”
Surprised by his cold and sudden departure, I forgot my resolve and blurted it out.
Edmund stopped before passing the table and looked at me indifferently.
“What now?”
I hesitated, then brought up the discomfort I had been feeling.
“…Did I do something to upset you?”
Edmund raised one eyebrow and gave me a cold stare. After a long pause, he finally answered.
“No.”
With a cold voice, Edmund brushed past me harshly.
‘…No, something’s definitely wrong.’
What could it be? Is it because of that rumor about us? I had no idea, and all I could do was stare blankly at Edmund as he walked away.
