Chapter 76

Chapter 76

* * *

‘Isn’t this too easy?’

Rosaline rolled around in bed and laughed.

‘Everything is working as I was told.’

Learning how to draw was really hard, though it was worth it now. Even though Duke Icard remained silent the whole time without saying much, he didn’t even kick her out while she was painting.

“It’s a gift, Duke.”

“….”

“I’ll come tomorrow to draw a profile picture! Because the Duke is so cool looking at his documents.”

It was a smooth start.

Usually, staying as a guest in a noble family at her age couldn’t exceed ten days. Therefore, if he were going to send her to another place, he should have already been looking for an adoption position here and there.

However, she was never asked which family would be better.

After being idle, she had to show her face every day, build affection, and eventually make it so that the Duke had no choice but to adopt her as a foster daughter because Kallaudin couldn’t kick her out if she just pretended to act as Matilda.

Well, since Kallaudin was the current head of the Duchy, Rosaline only had to look good for him.

As far as she knew, Evan was not a particularly loved son, Olivia would leave after the foundation festival, and the other one was a pushover.

“Miss Rosaline.”

Laria, the very easy-going pushover, seemed to have decided to completely take her side.

“Do you want a cup of tea?”

Because every day she visited to talk about random things.

“After the foundation festival is over, I’ll have to go back to Borotna again.”

Although she was a bit dense, she only talked about things she liked, so it was fun to deal with foolish Laria.

“If you continue to stay in the mansion, please take good care of father. I’m worried because he doesn’t get along well with Evan. I’ll also tell Father to get along well with Miss Rosaline.”

Rosaline had heard that Lariat was one year younger, but because of her small stature, she looked three or four years younger.

She didn’t look easy in terms of personality but also in appearance.

“But, in my opinion… if you really want to stay in this mansion…”

Laria said, trailing her words while blinking.

“I think you can claim your rights more confidently so that everyone has no choice but to acknowledge Miss Rosaline. In the meantime, if there’s anything I can make concessions to, I’ll do it unconditionally.”

Then, she coughed a few times, pathetically.

“As you may know… I’m leaving soon, so I hope that Miss Rosaline will adjust to the mansion better while I’m here.”

Recalling the way the servants looked at her was strangely unpleasant, so Rosaline nodded coldly. She had decided she wouldn’t care much, but the way they looked at her clearly showed negative emotions. Like, eyes that judged someone unscrupulous who had taken someone else’s place.

Although she didn’t seem to have done anything particularly bad, the servants of the mansion seemed a bit arrogant. Laria was right.

Even though everyone else was unnecessary for her plans, she needed to show off in front of everyone that Kallaudin wouldn’t ever abandon her.

No, even the fact that she had an advantage over Laria.

And, the opportunity came quickly.

“After the foundation day is over, I have to go back, but I want to make as much time as possible with my family.”

On the eve of the foundation festival, Laria set up a family meal with the desire to have one more meal together.

“I heard Morand had a hard time finding special class seats.”

Olivia brought it up during the meal.

“It wouldn’t be fun, but I haven’t participated in the festival in a while, so I’ll have to go and see it. Especially since Kallaudin will receive a medal.”

“Oh my, special seats?”

Rosaline said with a smile as she picked vegetables from pilaf. She felt like dreaming, being treated with the highest level at the Duke’s residence.

[ T/N: Pilaf is a fried rice dish. ]

‘By the way, special class seats for the foundation festival…’

It was an opportunity to enjoy Duke Icard’s authority in front of others. At that, her heart, which had never seen the founding festival, was pounding.

“There are only four seats.”

Morand quickly answered if he had a bad hunch.

“Because Young Master Evan only asked for four seats… and as the festival is now, I can’t afford to get more seats.”

‘This is it.’

Rosaline looked at Laria with a slightly startled expression and smiled inwardly. A very good opportunity to promote her position in front of everyone and to drive a wedge between her and Laria.

“Is there no place for me among those four seats? I really want to see the festival from those first-class seats…”

Rosaline scratched the tip of her ear with her index finger. It was Matilda’s habit whenever she really wanted something. Obviously, Kallaudin wouldn’t be able to say anything.

“Do you think you can see everything you want to see?”

Evan spoke bluntly.

“You should be able to grasp the subject that much. It’s obvious who should be left out here.”

‘I can’t be pushed back here. In addition, some opponents will definitely yield if you put some pressure.’

Thinking so, Rosaline spoke to Laria.

“Princess, you cough frequently. Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable to go to the bathroom if you are in those seats?”

Laria smiled awkwardly at those words. She, who was keeping silent, fidgeted with the glass of water and sighed.

“Yes… that, that’s right.”

“You.”

Evan spoke coldly, though Laria quickly grabbed his arm.

“It might be our last family dinner, Evan. What would you say? Don’t make the mood weird. Miss Rosaline’s words weren’t wrong.”

Then, she took a trembling deep breath, blinked slightly, and added.

“I’ll just watch it in the regular seats.”

“What are you saying?! Why are you making concessions!”

Olivia was annoyed, but Kallaudin didn’t say anything.

Rosaline, who thought he would say, “Laria, you give up your seat,” was a little disappointed, but still, his silence meant permission, anyway.

“That will make me more comfortable, please.”

Laria whispered to Evan. Because of that, he sighed and opened his mouth again.

“…Then, I’ll watch it in the regular seats, too. Laria, you can’t be alone.”

“Ngh, I got it. So, don’t make any more problems, okay?”

She spoke kindly to Rosaline.

“But, if you want to sit in the VIP class, you have to wear a luxurious dress… It’s tomorrow, so you can’t make a new one, right?”

Olivia sighed, frustrated.

No matter how big the family was, Kallaudin, the head of the household, looked at a loss without saying anything.

“My doctor is leaving work soon, so I’ll tell the doctor to hurry up and get the tailor to come at dawn. I’ll give you one of my new dresses, so I think it’ll be okay if you cut it a little bit.”

Rosaline was already very envious of Laria’s high-class dresses and wanted them for herself. Nonetheless, she didn’t know the sound of those words would be so pleasant to her ears.

“Instead of me and Evan, you’ll be seating in Icard’s family seat with Father, so of course, you have to dress up with the highest quality.”

So, on the eve of the foundation festival, Rosaline got everything she wanted from a family meal.

And, it was the same for Laria.

She had no intention of yielding the special class prepared by Evan himself because she had always lived a life far from concessions.

* * *

“Does it make sense?”

On the morning of the foundation day, Lisa was frustrated as she decorated me.

“I can’t believe she’s treated more like family instead of Young Master Evan, who’s his biological child and successor, and Miss Laria, who already has Icard’s last name. Just because she resembles Lady Matilda!”

In fact, I gave away my place, but rumors circulating were all about ‘Rosaline took the family seat instead of Evan and Laria.’

“Morand will burst out of anger and die.”

“Morand can’t say anything either.”

I replied, smiling helplessly.

To be honest, I thought today was going to be a very long day, so I ate Oklasia fruit at dawn to feel more energetic.

“The resemblance to Lady Matilda is a great weapon in this mansion. Even father couldn’t say a word…”

In fact, whenever Rosaline was in Duke Icard’s office, I would visit him and stand still with droopy shoulders in front of the door. ‘Oh, is Miss Rosaline inside? Don’t say anything… I’ll just go…’ those were my words to the restless Morand who looked at me pitifully.

“Ha—Whew…”

Lisa was still enraged as she decorated me.

‘Just hang in there, Lisa. There’s really not much time left. She won’t even step up to the Foundation Festival.’

“Lisa is right.”

Evan, who had been fully prepared in advance, spoke indifferently while reading a book in the back.

“I stayed still just because you didn’t want to cause trouble, although you didn’t have to make any concessions.”

“Evan, perhaps, you don’t like her?”

“Aha.”

I asked cautiously, but in fact, it was only natural. How could he like a child who imitates his dead mother and gets more attention from his father? In addition, she keeps mentioning Matilda, one of his traumas…

“How dare she show her greed by taking advantage of your illness and using it as your weakness?”

‘Huh? Pardon, what…?’

“Even though I wasn’t paying attention to her, I wanted to cut off her throat when she said that.”

‘Wait Evan, the reason you don’t like her is because of me…?’

Right at that moment, the door swung open and Serena came in with a cheerful expression.

“Miss Laria, I brought you a pretty hair ornament. I found it in the city last night…”

Seeing her, Lisa sighed deeply and said, “I was wondering why you weren’t coming when I was dressing Miss Laria, but as expected…”

Lisa seemed more on edge with Serena than usual.

Of course, she was frustrated about what had happened with Rosaline.

“Does it make sense to suddenly change her hair ornament? Think about it. No matter how formal it is, it’s still a big event of the Empire, so you can’t improvise like that.”

“Lisa, Serena must be embarrassed.”

I said, holding Lisa’s wrist slightly.

“Still, I think Lisa is right about this. Although the hair accessory that Serena brought is really pretty, why don’t you give this to Miss Rosaline?”

“Pardon?”

Lisa muttered with a stunned face.

“I don’t want Miss Laria to use it now, but isn’t it a waste to give it to Miss Rosaline…?”

However, contrary to Lisa’s annoyance, Serena nodded willingly.

“Yeah… well.”

She spoke cheerfully.

“It’s fine with me. If it’s to make someone prettier, that’s is.”

I continued with a bright smile.

“Once I’m ready, let’s go to father. It’s the dress my father prepared for me, so I should say thank you. Then, we’ll go to Miss Rosaline and give her the hair ornament.”

Lisa replied abruptly.

“Just order a maid. You don’t have to go there yourself…”

“It’s because I want to see if my dress fits Miss Rosaline. Ah, Evan, why don’t you come with me?”

“Me? Why?”

“Thinking a bit, Evan wasn’t always with me whenever I thanked father. Even if we won’t even be able to be together at the festival, I want to spend more time with my family… Ah, and we should go see Lady Olivia, too.”

“Well, okay.”

Evan replied obediently, and Serena put back the hair ornament she had brought.

It was a sign that she was ready.

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