CH 30

In an instant, Mariette’s fine brow wrinkled.

“Don’t bring up Blanche’s name in front of me! If it wasn’t for that girl…!”

Tsk, Alphonse clicked his tongue.

Just like he did to Blanche before she tried to commit suicide.

“Don’t hate the dead too much.”

“Who is dead!”

Mariette reluctantly closed her lips, recalling Irene’s existence without speaking. But if she just left it like this, she wouldn’t be Mariette.

She stood in front of the table that Alphonse used as a desk.

Mariette swept away the open book, paper, and even quills on the table with her two hands, as if scouring them.

Klang!

Alphonse’s belongings were thrown to the floor. Alphonse licked his lower lip like a goldfish in exasperation.

Mariette frowned with a sullen expression on her face.

“If you bring out the name of that dead child in front of me one more time, I won’t let it pass.”

Alphonse’s lips twitched uncontrollably.

“Huh. I’m not going to live with my older sister for the rest of my life, so do you think I’ll be intimidated by something like that?”

Mariette snorted.

“Then who will pay for your Imperial Academy tuition? Ah. You won’t be able to pass anyway, so you can just give it up?”

Alphonse clenched his fists in anger.

Seeing this, Mariette snorted again. She beckoned to Blanche.

“What are you doing, monster? Go on, pick up my dear brother’s books.”

Blanche bent her knees in front of the tomb of books lying quietly on the ground.

And she checked Mariette’s status window.

[Mariette Marquette LV 9

Age 17 / Female

Health 40/40

Mana 90

Fame 876

Morality 28

Stress 999]

Blanche narrowed her eyes at the familiar stress stat. She remembered Ricardo.

‘Each person seems to have different behaviors when their stress is at 999.’

Around that time, the number of people picking up the books increased by one more. It was Alphonse. He grumbled and muttered to himself.

“I’m annoyed with someone who doesn-… ”

Mariette, who was more sensitive than usual, did not miss his murmuring.

“Someone? Who is that someone? Someone defective! Like Blanche who deserves to die!”

“Sister. Stop hating the person who left. Huh, daddy? When did you come?”

Blanche followed Alphonse’s gaze and turned her head.

Indeed, through the open door, a familiar middle-aged man was standing. Just like he was yesterday, the pale complexion of the Marquis closing the door one beat late strode into the room.

“Mariette. I can hear your voice all the way down the hall.”

“Are you here, Dad?”

He let out a small deep sigh after his first daughter greeted him warmly. And then he made eye contact with Blanche.

“Did you say your name was Irene?”

“Yes. Marquis.”

The Marquis smiled weakly at the calm voice.

“You’re having a hard time because of my daughter. I’ll apologize in her stead. I’m sorry.”

Blanche was startled by the unexpected apology, but soon realized what the Marquis really felt.

[System/ Marquis Marquette hates you.]

‘The Marquis’ personality hadn’t changed at all since I left. He was someone who lost his daughter who had a disability, so he’s showing me a little favor. But he was just being mindful because of other people’s eyes!’

Blanche’s voice did not waver as she answered.

“No. As a maid, it’s something I must do.”

For a moment, Mariette furrowed her eyebrows.

“Dad. Since when did you start to remember the name of someone else’s maid?”

“I decided to remember as this is your house, not someone else’s.”

At the blunt reply of the Marquis, Mariette grunted. She crossed the room and grabbed Blanche’s elbow as she got up from the floor.

“Look. Dad! Irene or whatever her name is? This kid has the same hair color and eye color as mine! Besides, looking at her like this, doesn’t it look like her body shape is similar?”

The Marquis hardened his face.

“Mariette. What the hell are you going on about now?”

Before long, Mariette spoke like a scream of desperation.

“Look, Dad! Why do I have to marry a grandpa when I’m so young and pretty! If Dad had paid the money back on time, I wouldn’t have to suffer like this! No, if Dad had properly caught Blanche then…!”

“Mariette!”

A heavy and still silence descended to the point where even if a needle fell, a clanging sound would be heard.

Thick tears dripped down from the corners of Mariette’s beautiful eyes.

The Marquis begged his daughter to appease her.

“Mariette. Please forget about Blanche.”

“But!”

In an instant, the voice of the Marquis also increased.

“Why? Don’t you hate the Third Prince? You still hate your sister the most?!”

“That’s too much. Dad… How can you mention that person in front of me?”

So that’s it. Blanche’s disappearance alone was not the only reason for Mariette to proceed with the marriage.

He would have paid off her debts by selling the little mansion for her, had it not been for Mariette’s ‘mishap’.

Because Mariette, who was known for her beauty all over the continent, was a pretty useful product.

As a dark shadow fell on the Marquis’ face, he whispered to Blanche.

“Irene. I’m sorry, but please leave. It’s a family affair.”

Following Blanche’s quiet retreat, Alphonse also stood up.

“Well, I’m going to get some air. Dad.”

“That’s fine. Alphonse.”

Alphonse ordered Blanche.

“Did you say your name was Irene? Show me the castle.”

Blanche, like a true maid, opened the door so that Alphonse could step out first. Before the door closed, Mariette, held by the marquis, pleaded with her tear-stained face.

“Dad! I really do not want this marriage!”

After trying to comfort little Mariette, he couldn’t help but get annoyed.

“Stop it, Mariette! How long are you going to keep fighting like a child!”

“I’m about to marry a grandfather, but Daddy won’t listen to any of my complaints?!”

“Can’t you mind your words?! I am a Marquis before I am your father! I have a duty to protect the Marquis Marquette!”

“Then am I not a Marquette? I am your daughter!”

“Yes. Mariette. You are my daughter. Not my son.”

Tak. The door is closed.

Blanche vowed that she would never get involved with Mariette no matter what happened. She was no longer a pushover.

Blanche found Alphonse looking up at her, waiting. Alphonse was looking forward to a tour of the Count’s Castle even in this situation.

She bowed her head.

“Sorry. Young master. I too have just been hired in this house, so I don’t know the structure of the castle.”

“Really? Then I’ll just go wherever you go. Now that I am the Count’s family, who would dare stop me? Irene, since you’re here, follow me.”

“… Yes. Young master.”

Why? Suddenly, Alphonse tilted his head.

Blanche asked.

“Young master? Do you have any other orders?”

He narrowed his eyes and watched Blanche from head to toe.

“No. Somehow, I feel like I’m used to you.”

Blanche immediately went on high alert.

“I am meeting young master today for the first time.”

“I know. That’s why it’s weird. Somehow you are not unfamiliar, that’s interesting. Your face is not that common.”

Alphonse shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t even understand himself.

“I think it’s because you resemble sister Blanche.”

“… Who is she?”

“Hmm? Don’t you know the Blanche of the Marquis Marquette? Now, she’s as famous as sister Mariette.”

“I do not know.”

Alphonse scratched his cheek as awkwardly.

“Sister Blanche is sister Mariette’s twin. She died of an illness a few months ago.”

“I see.”

When Blanche nodded her head coldly, he chuckled and laughed.

“You’re like my sister, so clumsy in dealing with people.”

Then a faint smile appeared on her lips. Alphonse didn’t seem to notice that it was a mockery.

Blanche pretended to know nothing and opened her lips.

“Young master Alphonse is very kind.”

“Huh? What?”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard the word clumsy. My family always referred to me as lacking and dull, so I always thought I was terrible.”

It was sarcastic. But the little boy seems to have taken this in a different way.

“That’s… No! You just haven’t been given a chance to deal with people. There aren’t many people who will really listen to you, so you’re left clumsy because you don’t know what to do!”

“Yes, perhaps.”

Alphonse. How could this little boy have been so harsh to his family and so kind to an ugly maid?

Blanche unknowingly contorted her face as she swallowed a snort. Alphonse did not hide his concern at this sight.

He glanced at her repeatedly, walking slowly so that Blanche could follow him.

“Hey, is your family bothering you a lot?”

“It’s fine now.”

Alphonse green eyes lit up.

“Have you reconciled?”

“No. They are all dead.”

Alphonse’s hopeful face ripped apart at the lie. He apologized, losing his energy at once.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Still…”

Alphonse muffled his speech before speaking to himself.

“It would be nice if I could apologize to sister Blanche even now…”

A lonely and gloomy atmosphere revolved around Alphonse. He asked, pretending to change the topic.

“I think there aren’t a lot of staff here. Do you think so too?”

“Maybe.”

Curiously, Alphonse did not seem to notice Blanche’s hostility towards him. That’s why he was chattering without a break.

She could not be freed from Alphonse’s one-sided chatter until she happened to meet Giacomo.

Giacomo, whom they met in the corridor on the third floor covered with red carpet, was delighted with Alphonse’s appearance.

“Who is this? Isn’t this the spirit warrior of the Marquis?”

“Ah… I mean, you’re…”