chepter 13
Lavinia began examining my body, which had been grabbed by the Countess.
For a moment, her expression turned so sharp it sent chills down my spine.
Looking down at my arm where I had been grabbed, I saw red handprints forming.
“I can’t let this slide. I will do everything in my power to make your actions public.”
Lavinia’s resolute voice made Countess Giltwick’s face turn pale.
“Publicize it? I only grabbed her arm. And isn’t it common for noble families to have maids get slapped? I wouldn’t dare actually hit the Marchioness’s cheek!”
It was obvious that escalating the matter would affect her reputation badly.
Countess Giltwick tried to protest timidly, but she quickly caved under Lavinia’s chilling aura.
Lavinia put me down and approached Countess Giltwick, speaking quietly.
“You should know that ending this through publicity is being merciful.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“If I had a sword, your arm would have been severed.”
Countess Giltwick’s face turned pale.
“I-I only slapped a maid…”
Lavinia responded with a look of disdain.
“How do you explain injuring my daughter-in-law’s arm and insulting both the Marchioness and the Duchess families?”
Seeing Lavinia’s icy stare, Countess Giltwick and Martha trembled and hastily left the dressing room.
“Wow… amazing!”
I admired Lavinia’s presence.
Since no bell had rung, Lady Dallis, who had been unaware of the incident in the guest room, arrived a little later, realizing what had happened.
“How could something like this happen in our dressing room? I’m truly sorry.”
She bowed repeatedly as she apologized.
“We will train our staff more strictly from now on.”
I shook my head. The real problem was the unreasonable Countess.
There was no way the staff could stop a noblewoman barging in.
“Don’t scold the staff.”
When I blinked and said that, Lady Dallis’s smile deepened.
“Still, since this was partly our fault, we will craft the banquet dress with the utmost care and highest quality.”
I turned to look at Lady Dallis busy organizing the guest room, then approached Jesse, who was cooling her cheek with an ice pack.
“Jesse, are you okay? I’m sorry… because of me…”
“I was a little startled, but it’s common in noble households. I was actually very happy you protected me.”
Sending Jesse to the medic, I made a silent vow.
I would grow strong enough to never allow anyone to harm those I cherish.
Lavinia insisted I should also see the medic, but I stopped her, saying there was no need for that over just handprints.
I felt heavy-hearted, thinking I had unnecessarily escalated the situation.
“Lavinia, I’m sorry.”
Lavinia opened her eyes wide, then, with a look of apology, spoke to me.
“No, Lara. It’s not your fault. I’m the one who’s late. I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t really late…
I lowered my head, feeling even more downcast.
I had strongly discouraged Lavinia from coming to the Marchioness’s house early to help me choose her dress.
Yet she had arrived earlier than the time we had agreed on.
I felt embarrassed, thinking my selfishness had caused trouble for my favorite person.
“I was stubborn and caused you worry, Lavinia.”
“More importantly, can you tell me what happened?”
I recounted everything about Countess Giltwick to Lavinia, step by step.
“I guess the jewelry I gave her before was a fake. I’m sorry.”
“Why does it matter if it was real or not? What matters is that you gave it to me.”
A pang struck my heart.
Could she give such overflowing affection just because I was a friend’s daughter?
I shook my head internally.
Both in the book and in real life, Lavinia had always been consistent—correcting wrong actions, patiently waiting, quietly watching from behind.
Her loving actions felt so warm that tears threatened to overflow.
I wanted to be someone who would never betray Lavinia’s trust.
“Lara.”
“Yes?”
“From now on, don’t call me Lavinia. Call me Mother.”
My heart thumped.
I was Lavinia’s daughter-in-law…
Well, at least until the heroine Ibelia appears in the side story.
Still, I was thrilled! I could call my friend’s mother “Mother”!
“Don’t like it?”
Her sulky expression was pitiful, like a delicate flower. I nodded without thinking.
“Ah… Mother.”
My face flushed red with embarrassment.
“Thank you,” Lavinia said, smiling at me and gently stroking my head.
‘Huh?’
I was basking in the joy of calling my favorite person “Mother” when a chilling gaze made me peek up.
‘Who is that?’
A tall woman with neatly styled hair and a dark brown hue stood there.
“Master, I have already instructed the knights regarding the Countess’s treatment.”
A woman with fresh, sprout-like light green eyes spoke, standing straight.
‘She’s so tall! Looks like a model.’
Lavinia was already quite tall, but this woman was even taller.
Do all Northerners grow like this?
‘Maybe I should drink more milk,’ I thought, glancing at my small hands and feet with envy.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Brilston.”
The cold tone and icy presence intimidated me.
I felt I should respond… but words wouldn’t come out under her aura.
“Oh, greet her. This is Celine, my student and aide.”
“I’m Celine Davies.”
I immediately recognized her.
Celine Davies. Lavinia’s right hand and the living sword of her story.
One of the few female knights of the empire, she had been trained by Lavinia, who saw her talent.
Celine supported Lavinia in every way.
Although skilled in swordsmanship herself, in the story, she preferred managing the Duke’s household.
‘Even against Lavinia’s wishes, she retired from being a knight to become an aide.’
I hid my nervousness and greeted her.
“Ah… hello. I’m Lyla Brilston. Hic—”
Celine’s icy stare made me hiccup involuntarily.
‘The first person to look at me this coldly besides Calix. Did I do something wrong again?’
I felt downcast without realizing it.
“Oh…”
Ah, I forgot about Lady Dallis in Celine’s presence.
Lady Dallis, who had been watching me and Lavinia happily, slowly spoke.
“Since the Duchess of Tracia has arrived, shall we start preparing the dress?”
My eyes sparkled in anticipation of finally choosing Lavinia’s outfit.
“This isn’t it. This dress doesn’t capture all of our Lara’s cuteness!”
“No, Master. With the frills on this design, it will be far more charming for Her Ladyship.”
Lavinia and Celine were quarreling while choosing my dress.
‘Why are they fighting…’
I felt like crying.
Just an hour ago, I had been excitedly helping choose Lavinia’s dress.
She tried on a couple I picked, liked one, and purchased it immediately.
Then she opened the girls’ catalog and suddenly started picking my dress.
She asked a staff member to bring some sample outfits, insisting I try them on just once…
But soon, Lavinia and Celine began competing over which design suited me better.
“Not my dress, Mother’s dress…”
I tried to suggest choosing Lavinia’s dress first, but…
“This is prettier! You’re disqualified as an aide!”
“Master, are your eyes on your feet? Look at this color—it’s as beautiful as Her Ladyship’s eyes!”
They were growling at each other.
“….”
I felt mentally drained.
Giving up on the two who seemed ready to throw gloves at each other, I looked elsewhere.
I noticed a blue catalog that hadn’t been opened—it was for boys.
‘Calix would look great in this.’
He’s already handsome, but even in rough clothes, he’d look fine.
Imagining him in a formal outfit made me curious.
‘I should give him a gift.’
Good idea—would also score points with Calix.
Maybe he’d think differently about me.
I began picking a formal boy’s outfit suitable for Calix.
A stylish black fabric adorned with golden trim looked like it would match his presence perfectly.
While watching the two still arguing, I gestured to a staff member.
“Do you have Master Tracia’s measurements here?”
“He’s scheduled to visit the Duke’s house in two days. We’ll measure then.”
“Send this outfit to him according to those measurements. But don’t show him this base design.”
“Understood, Miss.”
I also ordered matching shoes and boy’s accessories.
‘Will Calix like it?’
My worry didn’t last long.
“Lara! Isn’t this prettier?”
“Master, this dress is more beautiful.”
Lavinia and Celine, with serious expressions, presented their designs to me.
“….”
Only after saying I liked both designs did I escape the hell of choosing clothes.
‘Almost died.’
Suddenly, I found them a little scary.
As I prepared to return to the mansion, Lavinia made an unexpected suggestion.
“Lara. Want to come to my house for a snack?”
I couldn’t hide my joy.
‘To her house!’
She mentioned something I had wanted so much, first.
Of course, I said:
“Yes!”
I nodded vigorously.
