CHAPTER~57
The first to enter was Uncle Julich.
He entered alone without inviting anyone else, the reason being that Julich himself was the representative elder for this banquet.
The Night of Decart banquet was hosted in rotation by a total of seven elders.
Each elder set a different theme and dress code for their banquet.
As everyone had expected, the theme of this banquet was ‘Harmony.’
In the hope that the red moon would rise as soon as possible, a special ritual was also scheduled to be held.
Originally, there was to be a commemorative address honoring the representative elder, but for today, it was omitted.
The entrance of honored guests continued, and warm applause poured out amid the cordial atmosphere.
“Next, Elder Anselmus Decart and Lady Grimora will enter.”
Anselmus and Grimora entered in order, followed by the brothers.
Although Grimora’s family was not noble, they were the only ones to receive an invitation from the council of elders.
Perhaps because of that, everyone was paying attention to them, whether consciously or not.
“Lady Grimora is truly remarkable. She’s earned the elders’ favor in such a short time.”
“Indeed. It’s nothing but envy, isn’t it? She’s not even a noble, yet she’s risen that far.”
“That must mean she loves the children equally and is exceptionally capable.”
At first, many believed Grimora had no real ability and was merely using the council of elders to remain within the Decart family.
She wasn’t from the northern region of Northskal, nor was she even a noblewoman like Nanny Quina.
And though she was middle-aged, her refined beauty had once given rise to unsavory rumors about her.
“Honestly, I’ve thought this for a while now, but I wondered who could ever fill Nanny Quina’s place. She was incredible.”
“That’s true. She was also Lady Artemene’s close friend. I heard the current Duke followed her greatly…”
Even so, most people acknowledged Grimora’s abilities.
Rather than jealousy, the looks directed at her were filled more with envy.
People’s gazes shifted to the twin brothers holding hands and entering beside Grimora.
Unlike Lazar, who was smiling brightly as if banquets were his natural element, Morris wore a grim expression the entire time.
His complexion was so pale he looked as though he might collapse at any moment.
They were twins with similar features, yet they were so different.
At that moment, a male noble who had been watching them spoke.
“You know, perhaps it’s just me, but don’t those twin brothers resemble Elder Anselmus a little?”
“Oh my. Lord Moher, you really shouldn’t say such things…”
A deep shadow fell over those whispering behind them.
Grimora stood there smiling, though no one knew when she had arrived.
Her tone was gentle as always, but her eyes were frighteningly cold, creating an unsettling contrast.
“Ahem. I should go and greet another elder.”
“Oh dear, so should I.”
“I need to see the commander…”
Those who had been chatting in a small cluster moments ago scattered, each making their own excuses.
Watching them so blatantly avoid her, Grimora clicked her tongue.
They couldn’t utter a single word in front of her, yet they whispered so freely behind her back.
“Mother.”
“Yes, what is it, Lazar?”
Grimora glanced down and gestured with her chin toward Lazar.
Lazar rolled his eyes back and forth, clearly trying to decide what to say.
“Will it be all right? Leaving things like this…”
At that, Grimora’s face cooled.
Instead, she smiled even more brightly, bent down to meet their eye level, and gently pressed down on the trembling brothers’ shoulders.
“Why are you shaking so much on such a fine day, my sons?”
“Anyone would think you’d done something bad.”
At that moment, Morris, who had only been reading the room, gathered his courage and spoke up.
“M-Mother. Even now, we could go back and—”
“That’s enough, Morris.”
Displeased by his behavior, Grimora’s expression hardened further.
“Don’t disappoint Mother any more than this.”
“You did nothing wrong, so don’t be intimidated. Understood?”
Grimora smiled kindly, as if nothing had happened, and pressed firmly down on Morris’s shoulder.
“Ugh… y-yes. Yes, Mother.”
She applied such force that her long, smooth nails dug sharply into the flesh of his shoulder.
Morris’s hands trembled violently with fear.
Still, he could only clench his fists, unable to say anything.
Someone appeared behind the brothers.
“There’s no need to raise the children so harshly, Grimora.”
“Ah, Lord Anselmus. Harshly, you say? I’m simply giving them plenty of love, in my own way.”
Grimora approached Anselmus, casting a coquettish smile.
To anyone watching, the two appeared quite close.
Anselmus signaled subtly with his eyes toward Grimora, who was pressed close to him.
“Don’t worry.”
“Our sons have never disappointed me.”
Grimora, clearly understanding the meaning behind his look, covered her mouth with her fan and whispered softly.
She was that confident.
The children had never disobeyed her words until now.
Judging by the situation, Artemene would eventually enter alone.
“I do wonder how that confident face of hers will look when it crumbles.”
Anselmus clicked his tongue and shook his head.
In truth, he didn’t like Artemene very much.
More precisely, he envied her background and influence.
Because she was blood-related to the previous Duke, she had enjoyed many privileges.
Above all, he couldn’t accept that she, a woman, wielded more authority than he did.
“Lastly, Elder Artemene Decart will enter.”
At last, the long-awaited moment arrived.
Not only Grimora, but all the elders turned their eyes toward the platform.
Everyone waited for the doors of the grand hall to open, each for their own reason.
“We apologize, but there seems to be some kind of mistake. If you could please wait a moment—”
Yet even as the doors opened, there was no sign of Artemene.
People stirred at the unexpected situation.
“As expected.”
“It seems Miss Reia couldn’t overcome her illness after all. Tsk, at this rate, the future of the family…”
Just then—
The doors of the banquet hall opened once more, and the sound of footsteps echoed.
“Elder Artemene and her granddaughter, Lady Reia Decart, are entering together.”
With the resounding announcement, Artemene strode confidently onto the carpet, holding Reia’s hand.
As everyone murmured at Reia’s appearance—
“Following them, the current head of the Decart family, Duke Frezen Decart, and his family have also arrived to grace us at last!”
Finally appearing side by side were Frezen Decart, Evlyen Leella, and Mela.
The five of them attended boldly.
Without a single injury.
Thus, the atmosphere—
Began to turn in a completely unexpected direction.
* * *
The family banquet continued under a somewhat strange atmosphere, different from before.
“To think Miss Reia is attending…”
“So the rumor about her having a terminal illness must have been false. She looks perfectly fine.”
“The Duke and his wife seem extremely close.”
Leaving the murmurs behind, someone walked forward confidently.
“Why does everyone look so gloomy on such a fine day?”
“With faces like that, won’t it ruin the occasion?”
It was Artemene.
Holding a glass of wine, she walked toward where the elders were gathered.
Even from behind, it was clear she was deeply angered.
She smiled as she spoke.
“It’s as if someone who shouldn’t be here has shown up.”
“Lady Artemene!”
“Really now, no matter what, isn’t your tone far too harsh?”
“Please maintain some dignity.”
“My tone is harsh…?”
“Ha! Even a dog passing by would laugh.”
As she said that, Artemene poured the wine in her glass straight onto the table.
The dark red wine soaked the surface like blood.
Gasps of shock erupted from all around, and the elders rose to their feet at once.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing, Elder Artemene?”
“Are you trying to ruin this family banquet meant to foster harmony?”
“Sorry, but the ones ruining it aren’t me.”
“It’s you.”
“What do you mean by that—!”
Artemene glared with bloodshot eyes, raising her voice as if she might grab someone by the collar at any moment.
At that instant, Grimora appeared and tried to calm the highly agitated Artemene.
“Lady Artemene!”
“Please, calm your anger, won’t you?”
Artemene stared at Grimora with a murderous gaze.
“I don’t know what happened, but Miss Reia must have been terribly worried— kyaah!”
As if she had been waiting for this, Artemene struck her across the face with a sharp slap.
Then, before everyone, she shouted.
“After doing something like that, you’re still so calm?”
“It’s disgusting.”
“No, it’s downright revolting.”
“Grimora, you wretch.”
“Did you really think you’d be safe after daring to kidnap my granddaughter?”
