Chapter 179

“Well, anyway, it’s nice to meet you like this.”

“It’s nice to meet you too. I’ve wanted to greet you for a long time, but you didn’t show yourself.”

“Oh, Viscountess. I was wondering where you were.”

“… ”

Yes. She wondered why she didn’t come. She quietly turned away to the daughters who appeared with a strong presence. Compared to what she expected, they were a little late.

“You’ve been avoiding meeting me for a while, but now that you’ve succeeded, should I congratulate you?”

“P-Princess!”

The Viscountess lowered her head in response to Lania’s sharp observation. Lania, who lowered her head and then looked up at her with a smile, must have calculated her actions as well.

“Oh my! I almost missed you, Mother.”

“I’ll take it as a compliment, daughter.”

“… ”

As expected, Lania was on a different level from Rebecca, who openly glared at her. She approached her gracefully without losing her dignified posture.

“You suit each other better than I thought.”

“Do you think so?”

“Of course. How happy would Father have been if he had seen you like this in his lifetime?”

Reviving her position and dignity, Lania, who seemed to awaken her surroundings, smiled brightly like her own dress. One noblewoman who had been on Lania’s side from the beginning quickly caught on to her intention and interjected.

“That’s right. Well, after all, the Duchess’s beauty is well-known in the North.”

“Is her beauty the only thing that’s famous?”

“Hahaha.”

Laughter was exchanged among them as if they understood the meaning of the words like they had been waiting for someone to say it. The other noblewomen who came to greet her hinted at their rudeness, but even so, they couldn’t compare to Lania’s power from the beginning. Well, if they did confront her for this, Lania wouldn’t have just left it alone without cursing them.

“Stop it, please! My mother mustered up the courage to attend this gathering, and if you tease her, it won’t be pleasant.”

“P-Princess.”

“I just feel a little hurt because my father, whom I saw in my dream, came to mind.”

“A dream?”

“Just the other day, Father appeared in my dream. He said he could see my mother, who was always waiting for him by the lakeside, wearing black mourning clothes, all at once.”

“Oh, I see.” They all agreed in acceptance. Watching Lania confidently converse with her attendants, she smiled quietly. Even though they tried to maintain an impression as if they were light-hearted, she couldn’t help but laugh as she witnessed this scene.

“Mother, is that so amusing? Among the stories, it was mentioned that you were deeply saddened by seeing Father’s appearance in your dream—-”

“Oh. Well, there’s no need to worry about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Your father appeared in my dream just yesterday as well. He asked me why I’m the only one wearing mourning clothes that even his own chin don’t wear and how angry he was about it.”

“…”

Everyone’s attention was focused on Lania and Rebecca’s colorful dresses. Now, take that!

As if she could rush in at any moment, Lania reached out her arm to stop Rebecca. However, since her elegant facade had already been shattered, if now was the beginning, then it was the beginning.

“My late husband said there’s no need for you to do that anymore and to let me do as I please, right?”

She sighed. “Why did Father have to appear like that in front of you just last night?”

“Yes. Originally, he was going to show up the night before, but as you know, he went to visit his eldest daughter’s dream first.”

“Huh.”

Why sell medicine using a deceased person as a tool? As laughter that seemed unbearable echoed from various places, Lania’s head abruptly turned in that direction. As if to keep it in memory, the laughter quickly subsided under her cold gaze, but taking advantage of the silence, someone grabbed Lania’s arm.

“Um, Lady. I hope to give you a little more of what I was saying earlier—–”

“Viscountess.”

Lania’s arrow of feigned anger, aimed at the old lady who interrupted the conversation, turned back and fell silent. With her old dress and dull eyes, it was evident that attending the Emperor’s party was not her purpose.

“Please, at least find out some news about my youngest son—-”

“How rude! You must be aware that I am currently having an important conversation with my mother.”

“It’s not that—–”

“Leave. As I mentioned earlier, how many noble houses in the North have not experienced casualties from the previous battle?”

If she understood, please just leave. The old lady shrank back at Lania’s displeasure. Another lady tried to pry the old lady’s grip off her shoulder. It was the Countess who had come to greet her a while ago.

“Viscountess Benia, please don’t do that and go over there to clear your mind a bit.”

“How can a mother who lost her child regain her composure? All my siblings have already left, and only Jeremy remains, but even contact with him has been severed…”

“Jeremy, you say?”

“Ah, does the Duchess happen to know my son?”

She, who had been muttering absentmindedly, suddenly rushed towards her and grabbed her arm. People tried to restrain her, but she raised her hand to indicate that she was fine. Only then did she seem to regain her senses and lowered her gaze as if repenting.

“I-I’m sorry. The Duchess has never seen that child, I suppose.”

“I’m the one who should be sorry. I couldn’t be of any help.”

“Ah.”