Chapter 48
I returned straight to my room, dropped onto the sofa, and slammed the armrest with my fist.
“Cowardly.”
If they had come alone, I would’ve thrown them out immediately.
But by dragging my grandparents along, they made it so I couldn’t act rashly.
The more I thought about it, the more infuriating it became.
They got caught scamming me, and yet—oh, we didn’t mean it like that?
Their shamelessness was like a sheet of iron on their faces.
“Haa…” I blew air through my lips, sending my bangs fluttering, and muttered darkly:
“Let anyone dare come again. I’ll tear them apart like a rabid dog.”
“Who are you planning to tear apart like that?”
A relaxed voice whispered in my ear. I flinched, my shoulders jerking up.
When I lifted my head, I saw Heraith leaning on the sofa backrest, waving at me.
“You scared me! When did you come in?”
“Since you charged out like an enraged bull, I’ve been waiting here the whole time.”
An enraged bull… feels like my list of nicknames is piling up.
No—wait, that wasn’t the point.
“Why were you waiting for me?”
“Because I figured you’d be here fuming by yourself like this.”
Heraith grinned at me.
“And since seeing my face will cheer you up, I came to show it off in person.”
“That’s some impressive confidence you’ve got there.”
“Don’t act like you don’t enjoy it.”
His smug words were so absurd I couldn’t help laughing.
“See? The moment you looked at me, you laughed.”
“This isn’t that kind of laugh.”
…Or maybe it was. Truthfully, my sour mood did lift a little, just as he said.
Still, this habit of barging in uninvited was a problem.
“Heraith, even if we’re closer now, you can’t just enter someone’s room without permission. Don’t do it again.”
“So if we get closer, then I can?”
“Of course not.”
“You never know. If we become lovers, maybe it’ll be allowed?”
“Not even if a hundred years pass.”
It was supposed to mean never, but—
“I’ve already waited five hundred years. What’s another hundred? I’ll just try harder. I’ll do my best.”
For someone like Heraith, who had lived for centuries, a hundred years was nothing.
Pretending like he’s been waiting for me all this time…
I deflated, drained by his usual slyness.
“So, who’s the one who upset you?”
“…My grandparents and uncle.”
“Family troubles, then?”
“Terribly bad ones.”
The light mood darkened again, and Heraith, quick to notice, sat beside me.
“What happened?”
“They tried to embezzle my inheritance before and got caught by Father, so they were kicked out. But the moment Father stepped away, they ran back here.”
Just remembering it made my blood boil.
“They’re probably planning to snatch up my inheritance once I die and make off with it.”
It was obvious. As soon as they heard news about Father, they must have gathered information.
I silenced the doctor, but words have a way of slipping out.
If I was right, they probably already knew about my limited time and failing health.
Their greed was so transparent I laughed coldly.
“If they find out there’s a cure, they’ll go berserk like apes who’ve had their food stolen. It’ll be a sight to see. Well—not that I’ll be around then.”
Pity. Watching that scene would’ve cleared ten years of resentment in one blow.
“What vile people. Want me to deal with them?”
“How?”
Heraith just smiled without a word. Realizing what he meant, I quickly waved my hands.
“No, don’t even say it. Don’t do anything. Just leave them be.”
“Too bad. I wanted to punish them for hurting you.”
“I’ll just take the thought.”
I reminded him firmly:
“If you happen to meet them, don’t bother with politeness. They won’t be staying long anyway.”
Noah might tolerate them for a week, but I had no intention of doing the same.
Trash belongs in the trash can, not clung to.
I couldn’t let the duchy be dirtied.
A wicked smile, one even more devilish than Van’s, spread on my lips.
I’ll make them beg me to throw them out.
“Don’t you see this dust? And the ornaments are crooked!”
“Look at this stain! What kind of cleaning is this supposed to be?”
“This is why a house needs a mistress! With the Duke away, the place is falling into ruin!”
The noisy commotion from morning had me grumbling as I sat up.
“You’re awake, my lady?”
Lina, who was pulling open the curtains, greeted me kindly and offered wash water.
“Lina, what’s all that racket outside?”
“Well… Lady Jeneca is inspecting the manor…”
“What?”
I quickly wiped my face with water, threw on a gown, and rushed out.
There in the hall, I found the servants gathered and being scolded by Jeneca.
Unbelievable. Really.
Like foxes playing king while the tiger was away, she acted like the master of the house with Father gone.
“Grandmother, what are you doing?”
“Heavens, Sienna! How could you come out in your nightclothes?”
“I’m wearing a gown.”
What, does she think I ran out naked?
I’d wrapped myself tightly, not showing an inch of skin, yet Jeneca looked at me as if I were shameless.
“Why did you gather everyone here?”
“Without the Duke, everyone’s become lax. I thought I’d restore order in his place.”
“That’s not necessary.”
I raised my voice to the hall full of servants.
“Everyone, go back to your duties. Don’t waste your strength on this nonsense.”
“Yes, my lady!”
Like the tide receding, the servants scattered.
Feeling ignored, Jeneca turned her anger on Lina instead.
“You there! What’s with that filthy apron? What if Sienna catches something from you?!”
Ugh, my ears. Grimacing, I slapped away the hand she pointed at Lina with.
“Don’t you lay a hand on my people.”
“Y-you!”
“And stop making such a ruckus in the morning. You seem perfectly lively for someone who claimed to still be tired from travel.”
“Ahem. Even while exhausted, I was taking care to inspect the house.”
“Guests don’t need to meddle in such matters. That’s overstepping, Grandmother.”
In other words—she was a guest, and the affairs of House Winter were not hers to touch.
“Overstepping?! Sienna, I’m your grandmother, how could you—!”
Her shrill voice rang behind me, but I ignored it completely.
“That apron is spotless. You’re just nitpicking.”
“My lady, I’m sorry…”
“What are you sorry for? You did nothing wrong.”
Dragging my weary body, I collapsed back into bed.
“This is why I should’ve sent them away yesterday.”
Give them one chance, and they won’t stop crossing the line.
I reached into the blankets and shook Van.
“Van. Wake up.”
“Mmm… what for?”
“There’s something I need you to do.”
I hugged him and whispered in his ear.
His sleepy eyes lit up instantly.
“Heheh!”
He sprang upright with a cheer and thumped his chest.
“Think you can handle it?”
“Of course! That’s my specialty!”
“Good. Then start tonight.”
“Leave it to me!”
As we plotted together, Lina quietly shut the door so no one would overhear.
With her attempt to intimidate the servants having failed, Jeneca naturally moved on to her next target.
“Noah, isn’t it about time you married? I know a fine young lady—shall I introduce you?”
“No, thank you.”
He politely but firmly rejected her pushy matchmaking, but Jeneca only launched into marriage lectures.
“Young men must marry early and have children, continue the line!”
And that wasn’t all—using heir training as an excuse, Alfred kept pestering Noah as well.
“Noah, since you’re the rightful successor now, I’d like to hear your vision for leading the duchy forward.”
Surrounded on all sides, Noah couldn’t even come to me.
The moment he so much as glanced my way, Jeneca and Alfred swooped in like hawks.
“My poor brother… If only we had driven them out from the start.”
“Sienna, I have an excellent business proposal to tell you about…”
Actually—no. Maybe I’m the pitiful one.
Sigh…
Seeing Frank trailing behind me like a goldfish clinging to its tank, I couldn’t help sighing deeply.
