CHAPTER 57…………………………………..
Seeing Getre unwavering, no one could say a word.
Rynes, eyes blazing with intensity, opened his mouth.
“I see. I have no intention of opposing the opinion of my beloved younger brother and head of the family, Getre. I also trust his flawless judgment. However, I will say just one thing.”
What nonsense is he about to spout now?
I glared at him sharply.
“Lemine and Jark 12th Street are very special lands for our family. Yet, I’ve heard rumors that a building might be constructed there. To harbor personal desires and selfish greed on land that flows with such noble energy… I cannot understand it.”
As soon as he finished, Rynes glanced at the relatives, who quickly nodded in agreement.
Some even raised fists to show support.
“That’s right!”
“Exactly!”
I was speechless.
Wasn’t this the Kerais family, said to be one of the empire’s shadowy powers?
And yet they spoke against personal desires and selfishness?
Rynes, noticing my frown, continued with great enthusiasm.
“There are statues of Emperor Veron and Sir Kerais on that land. They were erected to commemorate the victory over the enemy during the war hundreds of years ago.”
One of my eyebrows shot up.
Ah—so that’s why the Duke hesitated when he first gave me the land deed?
Even a shadowy family gains legitimacy when they invoke being founding contributors of the empire.
That is exactly why the Kerais family’s authority was so elevated.
In other words, Rynes had found a proper “loophole” to argue.
Essentially, if I don’t take it, neither can you.
Rynes’ absurd speech wasn’t done yet.
“I was shocked to learn that it was Miss Delve’s intention to build a structure there.”
A collective gasp echoed through the room.
All eyes turned toward me, cold and piercing.
Seizing the moment, Rynes lowered his voice dramatically.
“To think that such a young lady is already blinded by greed… it pains me. As a father, I could not help but shed tears for poor Miss Delve.”
What is he even saying?
I was too stunned to respond.
Of course, I had no right to speak, being merely an observer.
And then I realized what flaw he had discovered.
“All of this is due to having no private tutor and lacking basic education and etiquette.”
Even louder gasps erupted.
A noble lady without a private tutor—unthinkable.
No matter how humble the family, basic education was always provided.
Yet Maryanne Delve, betrothed to the heir of the Kerais family, Shevard, had received none.
It was a serious issue.
Ugh, what do I do…
In truth, this criticism applied not just to me but to the Duke as well.
When I looked at him, normally unflustered, he furrowed his brow.
I felt sorry for him.
I had delayed my education, and now he was receiving the family’s sharp glares because of me.
After a while, the long family council ended.
In the end, the agenda regarding Lemine and Jark 12th Street was decided according to Rynes’ wishes.
No private building could be constructed on the land flowing with noble energy.
Bowing my head in frustration, someone approached and spoke gently.
It was the Duke.
“Anne.”
“Father…”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, but you, Father…”
The Duke smiled softly.
“I’m fine too. You’re probably tired, so return to your room first. I’ll see the relatives off and meet you at dinner later.”
“Yes.”
The Duke paused as he walked, adding a few words.
“Anne. It’s not over until it’s over.”
“Eh? What do you mean…?”
“I intend to flatten your older brother’s pride.”
I stared blankly at him winking one eye as he left.
Of course, Father had a plan.
I straightened up and clenched my fists.
I wouldn’t stay idle either.
Just wait, Rynes. I’ll get my revenge!
“…Are you planning to fight again?”
A familiar voice came from behind.
I turned to see him.
Rynes’ son, Therseus.
“Lord Ther… I saw you sitting among the spectators earlier. Ah, but is it alright to call you this?”
His full name was long and difficult, so I shortened it to Ther.
“Yes… thank you.”
He thanked me—was that really necessary?
His face seemed slightly flushed.
“My father was too harsh earlier.”
“Yes, well…”
“I apologize on his behalf, for everything he’s done.”
“That’s not something you need to apologize for. And you discreetly warned me about the assassins first, which saved my life.”
“You consider that meaningful… I feel even more apologetic.”
I lowered my voice to speak to Ther quietly.
“I heard your family has a lot of debt.”
His eyes shifted nervously, but he replied firmly.
“I’ll resolve the debts soon.”
“How?”
I knew that Rynes had repeatedly gone to the Northern grandfather asking for more money and been scolded.
So there was no choice but to earn money himself.
“I’ve signed my name on a voyage departing from the eastern coast. I must go and work hard to earn money.”
“Does your uncle know?”
“That… is a secret. They only know that I’m going east to work as a tutor for a noble family.”
“I see. When will you depart?”
“In about a month.”
My mind raced.
Time passes faster than I thought. Only a month left.
“Earlier, you apologized to me, right?”
“Yes.”
“Since you feel that sorry, I have a request.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
Ther’s pale, almost collapsing face brightened immediately.
“Tell me anything. If it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”
“You certainly can. But just… come here for a moment.”
I led him behind a pillar to avoid others.
He bowed his head, puzzled, towering over me.
His nervous, stiff posture made him look very cute.
“Lord Ther, you know the Trensia Forest in the north, right?”
“Yes. That’s grandfather’s forest. Why do you ask?”
“I heard only Kerais family members may enter. You qualify, of course.”
“Yes, but…”
Ther’s expression grew increasingly puzzled.
“I need to go there for a very important reason. But the Duke won’t allow it. Would you come with me to Trensia Forest?”
“…!”
His eyelids trembled.
His tightly pressed lips barely parted, a small voice emerging.
“But Trensia Forest is protected by barriers.”
“But if we go together with Kerais family members, we can enter.”
“Miss Delve, why do you want to enter? After Ron went missing, no one may enter freely.”
“That’s why I’m asking. I want to know what happened that day.”
“…Why are you curious?”
I couldn’t say that I found Ron and needed to know why he disappeared.
“I… saw it in a dream.”
“A dream?”
“Yes. I’m not sure, but Ron appeared in my dream, in Trensia Forest. So, please, Lord Ther, come with me.”
Ther shook his head, saying it was impossible, but I had already made up my mind.
“What if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll break through or blow up the barrier, like a proper magic family lady.”
“Miss Delve…!”
“As you know, I have that kind of power. Of course, there may be side effects.”
Ther staggered, dizzy, but eventually agreed.
“I know how powerful you are, Miss. But my grandfather is formidable as well—do not destroy the forest.”
“Still…”
Hoo.
“Miss Delve, you’ll only be looking around, right?”
“Of course! Just quietly observing!”
“Good. I’ll arrange it so we can go without my father noticing soon.”
“Really? Thank you!”
Watching me happy, Ther let out a small laugh.
After dinner, the Duke and I sat across from each other in the study.
Butler Duvier set tea in place of the maid, smiling softly.
I understood the meaning.
Lately, the Duke had been drinking tea more than alcohol.
Probably because he spent more time with me.
“Your older brother Rynes is in debt. That’s why he wanted the land I gave you.”
I nodded slightly, listening to the Duke continue.
“So it ended up like this. I’ll call another family council to discuss this matter. If needed, I may even bring the father who gave you the land.”
The warmth of the teacup seeped into my palms, like the warmth of the Duke’s thoughts for me.
I decided to share what I had been thinking all evening.
“Father, can we really overturn this agenda by calling grandfather?”
The Duke’s eyes widened slightly.
“Anne, do you have another idea?”
“I’ve already received the land you gave me, fully, in my heart.”
At first, that wasn’t true.
I had planned to build on that prime land and sell it.
But now my thoughts had changed.
Seeing the Duke insulted alongside me in the council, yet still trying for my sake, changed me.
“So, you mean you won’t take the land?”
