Chapter 27.1

Chapter 27 – Part 1

Silence weighed heavily upon the Avoridge Hall. It was like the calm before a storm.

And I’m glad that the storm was about to hit. It’s the first time that Missus Seymour lost her composure to this extent. Even when it was first found out that Theodore lost his memories and started hovering around me, she never acted this way.

She continued to try and raise the corners of her lips into a smile, but her mouth just kept twitching.

Then, I glanced over to Theodore with a pitiful expression, and it was at this time that anger gradually spread over his shocked face.

“What…”

His low voice resounded across the quiet hall.

“What on earth is going on here…? Aunt…”

With his hands clenched into fists, he strode towards this way. Behind him was the knight commander, who was observing the situation with wide eyes.

Missus Seymour blankly stared at the two for a moment, then she opened her lips.

“T-Theo, I just…”

I never thought I’d ever hear Missus Seymour be so bewildered. Moreover, the distorted expression that she had right now was nowhere near what she usually looked like.

I felt very pleased by this. Was this what people call retribution?

I rejoiced inwardly, but Theodore came closer to me before I knew it and carefully examined my cheek.

“…It’s swollen. We need to hurry and get you an ice pack.”

“I’m fine— This much is bearable.”

Almost slipping up and answering calmly as usual, I quickly tried to look as if I was in pain. In a situation like this, it’s better to give them a show.

Theodore let out a pained sigh as if he was the one who was hit. He turned around and looked at Missus Seymour.

Missus Seymour still looked as if she was in shock herself, but quickly enough, she schooled her features and put on a mask of composure.

I’m sure that she’s already thought of a suitable excuse in that head of hers. And I can guess what she’ll say.

“Aunt. What did you say to Lily?”

Theodore’s tone was evidently laced with fury.

It was Missus Seymour he was getting angry at right now, not anyone else. What a strange sight to see. Was this what people meant when they’d say, ‘you can see all sorts of things the longer you live’?

“Theo… You must be very surprised, too, but there’s a reason for this.”

“Whatever your reason is, how could there be any justification in laying a hand on the Duchess of Valentino? Regardless of whether you are an elder.”

Theodore’s anger was not dampened at all, but instead, it turned cold.

Perhaps in a state of disbelief that Theodore was angry at her, Missus Seymour blinked several times as she continued to look baffled.

It’s like she was a mother seeing her son rebel against her. I held back the urge to smirk.

Missus Seymour likened herself as Theodore’s biological mother. And Theodore was aware of this fact.

However, this didn’t mean that he was happy about it.

“I do hope that something like this doesn’t happen again. Do not lay a hand on Lily. These are not empty words, Aunt, so please keep this in mind.”

His words were nothing short of a coldblooded warning. If something like what happened today would be repeated… What was Theodore thinking to do to Missus Seymour?

Missus Seymour’s influence in this household was by no means negligible, so he wouldn’t do anything to punish this behavior, but… If this were to happen a second time, it seemed like he would no longer sit idly by.

In her shock, Missus Seymour covered her lips. She went closer to Theodore as she spoke.

“Theo, please listen to me.”

“There’s nothing more I have to listen to. I’ll be off with Lily.”

Theodore was adamant about not hearing excuses about how the missus slapped me.

He wrapped one arm around my shoulders and led me out of the hall. Charlotte and the knight commander followed behind us.

After taking a glimpse behind me, I briefly explained to Theodore why the situation escalated.

“…I see.”

And after hearing the entire story, Theodore nodded quietly and opened the door with one hand.

His other hand was still on my shoulder. I wanted to take that hand off me, but all I could do was flinch.

“…Your Graces…?”

The scent of medicine entered my senses. Theodore led me to the medical bay of my personal doctor, Jane Thorpe.

With round eyes, Jane Thorpe looked alternately between me and Theodore, then she asked urgently.

“What happened? Madam, are you in pain anywhe… ah.”

The single ‘ah’ held a lot of unsaid words. Jane’s eyes were fixed on my swollen cheek.

She was momentarily shocked, but she soon collected herself and spoke with a serious tone.

“First, please sit over here.”

Not long after I sat down, Jane began treating me. The cold disinfectant-coated cloth was wiped over my cheek. It stung a little, but it wasn’t unbearable.

I had been injured many times in the Everett residence, so this much wasn’t a big deal.

“Does it sting, Madam?”

“It’s fine.”

“Is it throbbing or…”

I shook my head.

Jane Thorpe let out a small sigh, then she applied a cream over my cheek.

After receiving treatment like that, the swelling seemed to have subsided a little.

I rose to my feet and found Charlotte hovering nearby. She came forward and asked.

“Should I get the Madam an ice pack, Doctor?”

“After the cream has soaked in, please apply an ice pack for about thirty minutes before the Madam goes to bed. I don’t think it will be needed tomorrow…”

Jane Thorpe told her instructions as she examined my cheek again, then she handed over the medicine I needed to take. She said that it can relieve the swelling and will help with the pain and throbbing.

“The Madam isn’t in the condition to take any more medications right now, so… Please just take what I’ve given you now, not any other medications.”

As Jane added this, Theodore’s expression grew dark. I knew why he reacted in that way, but I didn’t want to think deeply about it. I brushed away the thought of it.