Chapter 56
“Eh? Eh?”
“Eek!”
I panicked as Allen’s face came closer and hid behind Fin’s back.
“Hey, Allen… stop. Miss doesn’t like it.”
“Ah, oh… I didn’t realize, I’m just enchanted by the Princess’s cuteness… Ah, can I call you ‘Miss’?”
“Call me Princess.”
“No, that’s for you to decide. So, can I call you Miss?”
Allen smiled brightly and peeked at me, asking.
Even that felt overwhelming to me.
He probably acted this way because he thought I was just a child… but…
“It’s… overwhelming…”
The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“See! Allen, back off a little!”
“Tch, not yet?”
Finally, Allen stepped back. I could finally come out from behind Fin.
Still, Fin stayed in front of me, blocking Allen, so I felt protected.
“By the way, you being here means…”
“Ah, yes. That’s right. The lady insisted she would come today, so here I am.”
“What? But the Duke said he refused, according to the butler…!”
What were they even talking about?
Curious, I glanced between the two, and accidentally met Allen’s eyes.
“Haha, the Princess seems curious about what we’re talking about. How cute!”
Eek! I quickly ducked behind Fin again.
I never thought I’d feel more comfortable behind Fin than anyone else. Thinking back to when I first met him, this was a huge change.
“Allen.”
“Ah, my lady!”
Just then, a low, neat, smooth female voice called Allen.
He immediately turned his back to me and went to the one who called him.
He really seemed like a well-trained puppy. His hair matched too…
Allen started talking to someone, but the person was completely hidden behind him, so I couldn’t see clearly.
“What have you been doing there?”
“My lady, look! Princess Chloe Ereiton is here.”
“What?”
I grabbed Fin’s sleeve and watched Allen carefully. He stepped aside, revealing the person behind him.
She wore a large hat that hid her face, but there was no doubt she was a high-ranking noblewoman.
Hmm… she looks familiar somehow…
Her face was covered by the hat’s netting, and she was far away, but her gaze was definitely on me.
Just receiving her stare gave me chills. Then she slightly turned her head.
“You’re still here.”
“Ah, greetings. It’s been a while, Marchioness of Polz.”
Marchioness of Polz? Who’s that?
I had never heard of her before; she probably doesn’t appear in the story.
But Fin looked tense enough to suggest she was extremely powerful…
“By the way… why is the mansion in such disorder?”
“Yes, yes?”
Her sudden scolding confused both Fin and me.
“No one came to welcome the guest… Has discipline relaxed, or were only incompetent staff here from the start…?”
Her sharp gaze was fixed on Fin.
And Fin, receiving that gaze fully, stiffened completely.
I had never seen him look so helpless…
At that moment, my palms grew sweaty as the mansion’s front door suddenly swung open.
“Aunt!”
Herald came out, running slightly, his chest heaving fast.
“Herald! You didn’t even prepare to receive guests… How rude!”
“Haah… Aunt. I already sent a reply saying the invitation would be difficult.”
“Well… I didn’t receive it.”
Her bold answer made Herald cover his eyes and sigh.
Wait… Aunt? Herald’s aunt?
I glanced at Herald, then back at the noblewoman.
In the meantime, she removed the hat that covered half her face.
“Uh…?”
A gasp escaped me.
She had the same red hair as us, but her eyes were light emerald.
There was no softness in her expression, but her wrinkled forehead showed sharp intelligence.
It felt like elegance was firmly held within her posture.
Her calm, solid green eyes turned toward me.
The moment our eyes met, I felt my breath stop.
I hadn’t been scolded, but I felt like I was. I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I lowered my head.
“Chloe.”
Her low voice made me lift my head.
Herald gestured for me. I ran to him and hid behind his back without hesitation.
Yes… this feels safer than being behind Fin.
“So this is the one.”
Her voice matched her stern expression.
She scanned me from head to toe several times.
But Herald, in black, blocked her completely, so her gaze naturally withdrew.
“……Why did you come here?”
“Why… I came to ask why the mansion has been empty for so long since she returned.”
“Haah… I told you Adeline was resting due to her health, so she was away for a while.”
“A person claiming to be the lady of Ereiton! Leaving the family just because of her own sickness… is that acceptable?”
“Hic!”
Startled by her loud voice, I hiccuped.
“Don’t shout suddenly. It will scare the child.”
Herald’s large hand rested on my head.
The touch was reassuring; my fear melted instantly.
“Scared?”
“Hic!”
Her light green eyes fixed on me.
I wanted to hide behind Herald, but I also didn’t want to submit to her.
She was intimidating—the commanding voice, the downward gaze, the perfectly straight posture.
But… I didn’t feel dislike.
I continued watching her from behind Herald, hiccuping.
The Marchioness of Polz, not avoiding my gaze, touched her temple with a gloved hand and frowned.
“Haah… traveling in the carriage for so long is tiring. How long do you plan to keep me waiting at the entrance?”
“……”
Herald didn’t answer, but the staff nearby were already moving quickly.
Why is this happening?
I sat half-empty, barely alive, in front of delicious juice and desserts.
I glanced up to see the Marchioness of Polz sipping tea across from me.
Her hands held the cup neatly, her posture straight.
Her back was straight, almost as if supported by something.
Even while drinking, her frown didn’t disappear.
When smelling the tea, her nose twitched in slight displeasure, but she tilted the cup anyway.
I observed every small gesture carefully.
“Haah… You flinch and watch others’ eyes so much, just like your mother.”
Huh? Mom?
Why is she talking about my mother? With a sigh too…
I lifted my head at her words.
The Marchioness glared at me with displeasure.
And quickly, a memory crossed my mind:
‘The Marchioness and the elders constantly came to find faults with everything I did. They insulted us in every way.’
Ahh! This person… she’s the one who tormented my mom!
