Chapter 37

Chapter 37

The other important letter was from Olivia Bonnet Rivien directed to Duke Icard.

‘Who is Olivia, you say…’

She was Duke Icard’s aunt, as well as the only family left for him. At a young age, Olivia married Count Rivien of the southeast. Currently, she stays in Rivien with her son after losing her husband and inheriting the County. However, she had never forgotten the fact that she has Icard’s blood flowing in her veins.

Hence, she hated that people in the Icard Duchy called her Mrs. Rivien and would insist they call her ‘Olivia.’ She was so vicious that no one could ever point out the fact that she was out of etiquette.

‘She was also in the original plot…’ Olivia was a woman as old as a grandmother, though I could never expect kindness from her.

‘What a villainess she is!’

Olivia played the role of the villainess in a story where Princess Elani was the heroine. She was the one who interfered with Evan’s blooming love towards the female lead, who didn’t even care about his love.

For one sole reason.

“The last remaining blood of Icard cannot be humiliated like this!”

She loved Duke Icard’s family very much. Although on the other hand, I didn’t think she cared much about Evan. She was a villainess and actually a bit of a bully when she was young, harassing Elani in very eccentric ways. As soon as the letter from Olivia arrived, Duke Icard touched his forehead.

“Ah…”

He looked very troubled.

“It says she’s visiting in person.”

The visit date was set during Evan’s absence from the Academy due to a sword contest.

Olivia was the only person that Duke Icard couldn’t face recklessly because she more-or-less raised him after he lost his parents too early. So, the day she came to the Duchy of Icard, all the servants were extremely nervous.

Even the always calm Lisa swallowed dry saliva and soothed my hair several times.

“You shouldn’t show any fault as much as you can… though you look a little bit older by swiping your hair to one side, right?”

“Is my hairstyle an important variable?”

“Of course.”

Lisa replied abruptly, attaching various ornaments to my hair.

“Miss Olivia hates seeing someone looking indecent.”

That was true. My mouth opened wide when I first saw her. ‘Wow, she’s so fancy…’ With her sleek white hair up, she wore a flamboyant hat, and her makeup was incredibly heavy. The flashy accessories and the dress that had a lot of details were dazzling just at one glance.

‘I want to get old like that.’

I swallowed my dry saliva.

‘I also want to be a grandmother who sheds wealth every step.’

Olivia’s crimson eyes briefly gazed at me, who was standing right next to Duke Icard.

“I haven’t seen you in a long time, Aunt.”

As soon as Duke Icard’s greeting was over, I quickly greeted them with courtesy.

“Hello, Grandmother. It’s a great pleasure to meet you. My name is Laria Rose Icard.”

Olivia nodded as she flicked her tongue when she replied.

“So, you brought in someone like your dead wife, huh.”

She spoke sarcastically and flung her fan.

‘Wah, this basta–’

The fan was embossed with a large toothless tiger. It was a small item that looked quite formidable.

‘It looks like an item I would receive in exchange when I get a refund…’

“She looks like a petty squirrel.”

‘What? a petty squirrel? Is she really talking about me?’

“I’m afraid you’re a little harsh.”

Olivia’s red eyes widened after hearing Duke Icard’s words.

“Aren’t you the one who’s being harsh? Are you really out of your mind?”

Her words were full of energy.

“You’re bringing a sick kid to accompany Evan? Do you really want to both grow old together as widowers?”

Only then did I realize why Olivia decided to visit the Duchy. She must have rushed in full spirits when she heard the news that I was unwell. Of course, she also didn’t like the idea of Evan hurriedly getting married because of my weak body.

“From the beginning, it is already ridiculous.”

She said, pointing at me while folding her fan.

“Seriously, you’re bringing in the daughter of a fallen nobleman through a wedding? Isn’t that crazy enough to think about?”

Duke Icard remained silent for a moment with his lost eyes and muttered.

“Well, now that I think about it, it’s really mind-blowing.”

Then, he glanced back at me and spoke.

“I didn’t ask a doctor about your condition, and we didn’t hold a wedding ceremony. If you’re upset, I’ll get you a wedding dress.”

‘Wedding dress? I really don’t need that…’

Triggered, Olivia widened her eyes and shouted again.

“They say she doesn’t even have the proper education to be Icard’s Princess! You’re getting Evan a partner who is someone like a colt. She’s not even ready to get married!”

Duke Icard nodded quietly at her words.

“That’s true. She certainly isn’t ready to get married.”

He looked back at me and said,

“I guess I was too indifferent. When Evan gets back, I’ll ask him to write the proposal himself”

‘What are you talking about? I don’t need a proposal nor a wedding dress.’

“Besides, she hasn’t been introduced into the social world! Is it really not enough to leave Evan unattended, now are you really bringing a useless bride for the future Duke-to-be?”

Duke Icard seemed as if he agreed with her statement.

“Right… I didn’t think that far. I didn’t consider your age and social status among peers at all.”

He looked back at me and said,

“I shall ask all young nobles around your age in the capital to send wedding gifts right now.”

‘Father, those thoughts of yours are nonsensical. Can you please calm down this instant!’

Olivia sighed and breathed in with a hint of astonishment. Oddly enough, this turn of events was also bizarre to me.

“I should’ve known you were out of your mind when that ridiculous humor of yours!”

I opened my mouth wide. Surprised, I gave Olivia an inner handshake as I finally witnessed someone honest rather than trying to be on Duke Icard’s good side.

“… It’s because auntie is old, these days, I found a lot of people who enjoyed it. Laria also likes them, too, you know.”

Olivia snorted as if she had seen a laughable sight. She spoke coldly with her eyes staring toward me as though she knew everything.

“You, seeing how you lost all manners, you seem to be possessed.”

Correct.

Obviously, that would be the case since he was the only one who could help me, you know? So, it didn’t matter if I had crawled on the floor and sold my soul acting all cute and charming.

“In my experience, you would always get hit in the back by these kinds of kids eventually.”

‘H- how did you know? You have a good sense of how to read people.’ I truly admired her insight.

“With that innocent face, it’s obvious that she would be no help to the Duchy at all!”

This was a bit harsh. It was true that I may not be helpful, but still… ‘it’s not like I can’t be of any help…’

“Can you say she’s a proper Princess of Icard? Oh?”

Since I didn’t want to be stuck here while listening to the things she said, I decided to progress toward Plan A.

“Grandmother.”

I gazed up at her with a pitiful look.

“I know I’m lacking a lot… and I’m so sorry that I troubled you.”

Then, I tried my best to look pitiful and spoke in a weak tone. I was certain that the Duke would take my side…

“Look! Look at this!”

…Unlike before, Olivia screamed.

“This is why I have no choice but to come here myself! You are always swayed by something like this! This good-for-nothing girl is very much like Matilda in every aspect I see, isn’t that right?”

There was no second for Duke Icard to intervene.

“You!” Olivia looked straight at me and shouted.

“Follow me! Right now!”

“W-what?”

She spoke bitterly with her hands on her waist.

“What are you talking about right now, grandmother? No matter how much grandmother rages, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m Princess Icard. Now, repeat what I just said!”

“…Pardon?”

“Don’t open your eyes so round! Chin up!”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering me? Hurry up and say everything I just said!”

I answered quickly and started to spit out words inside my mind without a filter.

“I’ve had round eyes since I was born… I’m sorry.”

“Ha. Do you not have any strength or confidence? Is it really that easy for you to say sorry?”

“I’ve been like this since…”

“And then what, huh? Are you going to insincerely cling to people for your own safety?”

“That’s right… you are very thoughtful.”

“You.” Olivia gestured to me with her blazing eyes.

“No, you don’t have to go to Borotna anymore.”

“What?”

Wait a minute. This wasn’t what I expected to happen…

“It’s in the south, close enough to Rivien. In that case, you should follow me back to get a proper education.”

Rivien was in the southeast, so it was quite far from Hanua, which was located in the southwest. All my plans would turn into smoke if I’m taken to Rivien…

‘No matter how cool Olivia is, she can’t do this!!’

I let out an internal scream.