~Chapter 102~
Part 2 Epilogue (4)
Mrs. Milliam.
She had been the private tutor for Nina and Camilla. When Camilla took over Nina’s education, Milliam’s influence weakened. After the Baroness was driven out, Camilla, now in control, had thrown her out of the mansion entirely.
“You’ve even taught the illegitimate child of the Mowin family, haven’t you?”
“Oh my, that’s a bit…”
After that, she received no recommendation from the Mowin family. Once rumors spread that she had taught Camilla, her students stopped coming. She became a recluse, drinking heavily, hiding away in the mansion for years.
‘But that brat who caused me so much trouble… became the Grand Duchess.’
Not only had Camilla stopped the rebellion and become a hero, but rumors claimed she had overtaken Grand Duchess Renelia to become Grand Duchess to Duke Raul. The story had spread across the city.
‘Thinking about the age difference makes me sick, but it will help my career.’
“Which is why you need to go to the party now and rebuild your position!”
To attend a large party and claim a new rise, she needed the right dress. She had barely gotten her husband’s permission to come here.
Snap!
“Argh!”
“Are you ignoring me? I was the Grand Duchess’s private tutor!”
Mrs. Milliam slapped the cheek of a servant blocking her path, shouting.
Then.
Tap.
“…The Grand Duchess’s private tutor, huh.”
The sound of footsteps made Milliam look up. Her face immediately went pale.
‘C-Camilla?!’
Of all people, the one who had rented the shop was her!
Camilla stared at Milliam.
“Funny, isn’t it? I didn’t learn much directly from you.”
She had only learned over Nina’s shoulder, and after regaining her memories, even that had been useless.
“G-Grand Duchess? Oh my… to meet you like this… but those words are harsh indeed.”
Camilla surveyed her. Honestly, she had long forgotten the woman’s name. She had been busy plotting revenge on the Baron.
‘Yet here she is, trying to profit off my name?’
“You remember the time you taught me, don’t you?”
“O-Of course!”
In truth, Milliam had never treated Camilla as a real student. Camilla had only been the child who took punishment instead of Nina. Yet she spoke firmly.
“The Grand Duchess was so clever that learning one thing meant never making a mistake!”
“Ah, though you treated me harshly, didn’t you?”
“…Y-Yes…”
Camilla had even raised her hand to strike in the past. She smiled faintly at the speechless Milliam.
“Well, I’m not here to reminisce about old times, so let’s finish this.”
She gave Milliam a clear warning.
“Apologize to this servant on your knees for hitting them.”
“…What?”
To kneel and apologize to a lowly servant—Milliam froze at the unexpected order.
“T-This, Grand Duchess…”
“This is not a request, it’s an order.”
Milliam closed her mouth and knelt immediately. She murmured her apology, eyes squeezed shut, practically shouting under Camilla’s fierce gaze.
“…And since a mere tutor tried to use the Grand Duchess’s authority to intrude here, could this count as defamation, Lord Eugenia?”
“It could even be brought to trial.”
“W-What?!”
Milliam’s face turned pale, and she completely lost her composure. She leapt up, pointing at Camilla.
“How dare you, a vulgar woman, oust Grand Duchess Renelia and seduce Duke Raul to claim the Grand Duchess seat?!”
Her alcohol-soaked brain erupted in rage.
The dress shop grew icy silent.
Lucy walked up, clenched her fist, and kicked Milliam in the shin.
“Ack?!”
“Camilla! Speak properly to your new sister-in-law!”
“Princess Lucy!”
Eugenia, hand on her rapier, rushed over in shock and held Lucy. Lucy struggled, yelling.
“She’s being rude! Our new sister-in-law is being insulted! The current Grand Duchess is my sister-in-law!”
“W-What did you say?!”
Camilla leaned toward Milliam, who had collapsed to the floor, and whispered:
“Madam.”
Milliam gasped for breath.
“I gave you many chances to shut your mouth, but you didn’t take them.”
Camilla smiled gently, making Milliam turn pale.
“To insult Duke Raul while you barely know him—he’s my father-in-law, mind you—you should at least check your facts before cursing.”
“…!”
“And speaking so carelessly here about my relationship with him is enough to count as insulting the entire Escalus family.”
Camilla nodded at Eugenia. The calm Eugenia set Lucy down and drew her rapier, declaring firmly:
“Immediate arrest for defaming the Grand Duchess and insulting the Escalus family.”
“Eugenia! Drag her outside so everyone can see her shame!”
“Yes, Princess.”
Milliam was grabbed by the collar and dragged out.
“Aaah!! P-Please! I-I didn’t mean that—just one chance—! Aaah!!”
Outside, the square was full of people. Seeing a noblewoman dragged by a knight in broad daylight made them gasp.
Camilla smiled at the Countess and Madame Sollic who had followed Milliam.
“Let the rumors spread.”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
It was the perfect opportunity to correct the terrible lies.
Eugenia handed Milliam over to the Escalus security, then returned to Camilla and Lucy at a café.
“Really! She deserved it!!!”
Lucy stomped her feet while eating ice cream, thinking of Milliam.
“…Well, it’s fine now, Lucy.”
“No way!!!!”
Lucy kept eating ice cream angrily, refusing to calm down despite Camilla’s soothing.
“The rumors will soon be corrected. Thank goodness, Sir Dunburton.”
Eugenia sipped her tea and asked Camilla:
“…Grand Duchess. Did you provoke her on purpose?”
Camilla looked down, silent.
“There was no need.”
“Hmm?”
“You didn’t need to risk being insulted to correct a false rumor. Soon there will be the coronation and wedding anyway.”
“But this is the fastest way.”
“…Even if fast, I don’t want the Grand Duchess insulted.”
The unexpected words made Camilla’s eyes widen.
“…Grand Duchess, were you worried about Escalus’s honor?”
Honestly, yes.
Camilla cherished everything in the Escalus mansion and had come to love the family itself.
“No need to worry. Escalus’s honor won’t be tarnished by such nonsense.”
Eugenia’s words were firm, sincere.
“And your honor is Escalus’s honor. Value yourself.”
Camilla saw her blush, remembering the girl from long ago. Finally, she smiled.
“Lucy.”
“Hmm?”
“And Eugenia.”
“…Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Because Dane and all of them were Escalus, and she loved Escalus.
Then she briefly expressed her gratitude. Lucy covered her cheeks and laughed.
“Hehe…!”
“…It’s nothing. Oh, and Your Grace. About that custom pattern… the dress you saw.”
Eugenia hesitated, then confessed to Camilla:
“I think there’s a misunderstanding. May I explain what really happened?”
Eugenia seemed to know the story behind the dress Dane had ordered every year. Camilla smiled.
“Ah, it’s fine. I’ll ask Dane directly when we return home today.”
She no longer feared speaking. She trusted the Escalus Dane would never betray her.
“By the way, Eugenia. When it’s just the two of us, can we speak casually…?”
The girl’s playful tone returned, but Eugenia firmly replied:
“No, this is more comfortable.”
A little disappointing, but the outing had already yielded plenty.
