chapter 12
“Hey, why are you coming from that way? Who said you could just wander around wherever you please?”
That was Serena’s line to say. Why wasn’t she just quietly eating in the dining room? What was she even doing here?
Before Serena could reply, Caroline, frowning deeply, spoke again.
“Hey! Why aren’t you answering me? I asked why you’re walking around alone.”
Alone?
At those words, Serena turned to her side—indeed, there was no one there. Only a faint trace of warmth remained where Carlos had been sitting.
He left just like that?
It wasn’t like she expected him to escort her back to the dining hall… but still, she hadn’t even had the chance to ask if they could be friends.
What was so urgent that he left without a word? Did something come up?
Suppressing her disappointment, Serena held up the book in her hands.
“I got bored, so I went to the library.”
Caroline’s lips twisted.
“Don’t make me laugh. What would you do in a library? You can’t even read.”
“I can read.”
“Oh, now you’re lying too? You couldn’t even bring back the right book whenever I sent you to the library. You’d spend forever wandering around because you couldn’t read the titles right in front of you.”
With her arms crossed, Caroline sneered at Serena.
Serena blinked, suddenly realizing something.
So… she used to send me on those errands on purpose, knowing I couldn’t read?
No wonder she’d always been sent to fetch books so often.
Come to think of it, after she turned fifteen—when she started learning to read in preparation for independence—those errands had practically disappeared.
I was running all over the place trying to do my best, and she was just making fun of me?! This is ridiculous!
She’d been in a decent mood until a moment ago, but somehow, meeting her family again instantly made her irritation flare up.
Serena swallowed down the urge to grab Caroline by her shiny hair and instead raised her book, reading the title clearly.
“The Legend of Rosegold. I’m going to read this all the way to the end. Then I’ll tell you what I think of it. I’ll tell Mother, too.”
Honestly, she wanted to pull out the document her great-grandmother had left behind and shove it in their faces—but now wasn’t the time.
If I show it too soon, they’ll definitely beat me senseless and steal it.
She couldn’t afford to relax yet. First, she had to show the document to Jeremy, the Count of Rozelantis, and get his confirmation that she’d inherit the property.
“What did she just say?”
“A review? From you? Don’t make me laugh.”
Unaware of what Serena was thinking, Liana and Caroline laughed mockingly.
But something felt off.
After a moment, Serena realized—it was quiet.
The sharp, shrill voice that usually grated on her ears wasn’t there.
“Where’s Daisy?” Serena asked, glancing around.
“Didn’t you hear her earlier? She said she was starving.”
“Don’t tell me she’s alone in the dining room…?!”
They left that ticking time bomb alone?!
“What if something happens while she’s by herself!”
Serena’s sudden shout made Caroline frown in annoyance, as if to ask, Is that even a real question?
“She’s not a toddler, Serena. How’s she gonna cause trouble while eating?”
“Caroline, let’s go to the garden already. I don’t know why we’re standing here wasting time.”
Liana gave her youngest daughter a disapproving look and gently pushed Caroline’s back.
“Wait! What about lunch? Shouldn’t we eat together as a family?”
Serena quickly blocked their way. She’d already pieced together why the family had gone downhill, but until she could confirm it herself, she couldn’t just let them go.
“Oh, please. I said I’m not hungry! What’s with you today? I just want a quiet walk—go eat by yourself if you want to!”
No matter how she tried to stop them, it was useless. Caroline snapped angrily and stormed off with her mother.
Now they’ve split up… who am I supposed to keep an eye on?!
Between the walking disaster Daisy, and her mother and Caroline heading the other way, the choice was obvious.
There was no way she could leave Daisy unsupervised.
Serena hurried toward the dining hall, silently praying that her second sister was just quietly eating her meal.
Fortunately, the dining hall wasn’t far.
Unfortunately, as soon as she reached the entrance, she heard Daisy shouting.
“HEY! What did you just say?!”
Something had already happened.
Serena rushed inside. Daisy was facing off against another girl about her age—Stella, the bright brown-haired daughter of Jeremy.
Stella blinked her pretty green eyes and replied sweetly,
“I asked if you’re a beggar. Look at the pile of plates in front of you—if that’s not a beggar’s meal, what is? Actually, no… even a beggar wouldn’t eat that messily.”
Indeed, several plates sat before Daisy, half-eaten.
No one could tell whether she was done or planned to keep eating, so the servants hadn’t dared clear them away.
So that’s why Mother and Caroline went for a walk.
The sight was such a disaster that Serena lost her appetite entirely.
Even if she looks like a mess, shouldn’t family at least help her clean up or ask what’s wrong? How could they just leave her like this?
Serena silently cursed her family.
Meanwhile, Stella continued.
“Well, since you’re a beggar, I guess you came again after a week to ask for more money. I shouldn’t have even asked.”
“I–I’m not! I have a reason!”
“A reason? What reason?”
“T-that’s…!”
She denied it, but the truth was… she had come for a reason that sounded exactly like what a beggar would say.
Her eyes darting around, Daisy fumbled for an excuse.
“…You don’t need to know!”
Serena pressed her fingers to her forehead.
Even for an eleven-year-old, that was way too childish.
You should’ve just kept quiet, sis…
It seemed Daisy wanted to act mysterious, like she was saying, I’m not telling you, so stay curious! But all it did was make Stella laugh.
Stella chuckled, twirling her glossy brown hair around her finger.
“Well, you’re right. Why would I need to know a beggar’s problems anyway?”
“You—ugh! Say that one more time and I swear I won’t let it slide!”
“Oh really? What’ll you do, beggar?”
Stella’s green eyes crinkled in mock amusement as she giggled.
“You all think it’s funny too, don’t you?” she said, turning to the servants.
They could only force awkward smiles, unable to agree.
Regardless, Stella’s laughter, light and mocking, was infuriating.
And there was no way Daisy—hot-headed as she was—could tolerate it.
A chill ran down Serena’s spine.
No. This is bad—!
Before she could act, Daisy lunged like lightning, grabbing Stella’s beautiful hair in both hands.
Crash!
Stella toppled to the ground with a thud, too shocked even to scream.
“M-Miss Stella!”
“Miss!”
No one had expected that. Yelling or throwing food maybe—but not that.
The room fell into chaos. Serena panicked too but quickly snapped to her senses and tried to pull Daisy away.
“Daisy! Let go! Let go of her!”
But Daisy’s grip was firm; her hands wouldn’t budge.
“It hurts! I said it hurts!”
Stella screamed, tears spilling down her cheeks as Serena struggled to separate them.
“Someone—get her off me!”
Servants panicked, unsure what to do, when suddenly, a woman entered the dining hall.
Her elegant attire and graceful bearing immediately drew every eye.
“What’s going on here? Why are you all gathered like this? What’s with all this noise?”
“L-Lady Chloe…!”
It was Chloe, the woman destined to become the next Countess of Rozelantis.
With her silver hair and blue eyes—so much like Liana’s—she looked like a proud, regal cat.
Gracefully reprimanding the servants, Chloe stepped forward—and froze.
On the floor before her lay two girls entangled together.
And one of them was her precious daughter.
Chloe gasped, unable to believe what she was seeing.
