Episode 19
The banquet was splendid to anyone who saw it. The three members of the Mollet family and the family of the countess, who was celebrating her birthday today, gathered to greet each other, and the surrounding area was filled with fresh flower arrangements that the gardeners had poured their heart and soul into.
Monica was trying her best not to wander around the banquet hall. It was the first time she had seen such a sumptuous banquet.
‘No, this is my first time at a banquet, really… ‘
“Lord Mollet… … .”
“He is in the capital city due to a busy schedule. I would like to express my regret on his behalf for not being able to attend today’s banquet… … .”
People chatted and danced among themselves. People dressed beautifully walked around the banquet hall, which was as bright as day.
There were also several noble young men who spoke to Monica, whom they were meeting for the first time. Each time, Monica revealed that she was not a noble, but rather a tutor to Martinel.
The young men would greet me with a friendly smile, but would quickly turn around and leave.
Ironically, Monica was devastated by this, because even though Mrs. Mollett had given her permission, it was clear to her that this was not the place for her.
So when Monica heard Martinel say he was leaving, she was so happy she cried.
“I think Miss Violet went to the fountain, sir.”
The girls who had just finished their debutante banquet seemed to have gathered together and gone to see the beautiful fountain of the Mollet family.
“Is it okay for you to not be with your family?”
“It’s okay. Besides, there are some people I don’t like.”
Martinel whispered to Monica. You don’t like that? When Monica glanced at her family, Martinel said, “Oh, dear,” and grabbed Monica’s arm, leading the way.
Monica followed Martinel, who was walking quickly. The area in front of the fountain was also dazzling with the number of bright candles that were decorated.
The girls were happily chatting away in front of the fountain, sharing a small cake. Martinel whispered to Monica.
“The lady over there is Miss Violet.”
I had thought of a calm impression when I heard Violet, but the girl Martinel pointed to had a cheerful look with ginger-colored hair in braids.
At that moment, Miss Violet turned her gaze and our eyes met. She greeted me with her eyes and quickly approached me. I could sense Martinel getting nervous.
“Hello, Martinel. This is… … .”
“Oh, this is my tutor.”
Monica almost burst out laughing when she saw Martinel suddenly explaining himself in a more dignified tone.
Monica tried to calm her mind by recalling the horrors of the battlefield and greeted Violet politely. Fortunately, the girl had a cheerful personality as impressive as her appearance.
“Martinelle, is that fountain not working?”
“Oh, I can turn it on. But I think Madam turned it off today on purpose because of the banquet.”
Martinel smiled as he said that.
“I don’t want any misfortune to happen where I can’t hear Miss Violet’s beautiful voice because of the sound of the fountain.”
Monica could immediately tell that this was the conversion comment that Martinel had been saving. But unfortunately, Miss Violet had a strange expression on her face. It was only natural. Martinel was only a ten-year-old boy.
“I’m sorry, but is it traditional for the Mollet family to address their mother like that?”
“Yes?”
“Madam… … .”
If Mrs. Mollett had been there at that moment, she would have been very grateful to Miss Violet. It was the ‘Madam’ sound that Mrs. Mollett had been begging for months to fix, but Martinel would not listen to her.
But Martinel immediately denied saying anything like that when Miss Violet mentioned something about the lady.
“I think you misheard.”
“Yes?”
“Ah, soon there will be a fireworks display, which is our family’s tradition and pride… … .”
Martinel quickly changed the subject. And the attempt was quite successful. Miss Violet said, “Ah!” and clapped her hands, and began to talk happily about fireworks. Martinel, ahem, cleared his throat and explained in detail.
“My family originally dealt in gunpowder in a neutral country. My father… … .”
Martinel’s explanation was not something that the boy had thought up himself, but something that someone in the family had clearly instilled in the boy at one time or another… no, many times.
The elder of the family must have been very considerate of children, as his explanation was very simple and concise. Thanks to him, Monica learned that the Mollet family had grown to be a very large family that dealt in military supplies.
Thanks to that, my stomach felt cold. In short, it was a family that enjoyed great benefits thanks to the war.
The already wealthy Mollet family became even wealthier thanks to cannons and gunpowder. Martinel even boasted that the kingdom went to war because of the firepower of the Mollet family’s new gunpowder.
But the kingdom lost the war.
Monica’s head also grew cold. Monica knew someone who had been hit in the eye by gunpowder. Suddenly, the smell of gunpowder lingered in her nostrils. She felt nauseous.
“Oh, Miss Monica. You can go.”
At that moment, Martinel, who had been acting like a know-it-all, gave instructions to Monica as if he were an adult. As he watched the adults around him, he started imitating them, the boy’s attitude seemed overly arrogant.
If it were normal, I would have laughed. Or I would have said to Martinel, ‘What are you talking about, Master? Your mother told me to keep an eye on you.’
But Monica was really upset. Monica hesitated and lowered her head.
“I’ll just have a glass of water and come back, Sir”
“I told you it would be okay to just go… … .”
Martinel muttered in displeasure. Monica hurriedly left the place. Even so, she did not forget to ask the familiar maid standing near the fountain to take care of Martinel. The maid nodded and told her to go quickly.
She walked frantically across the garden, wanting to go where there were no people, avoiding bright places and seeking out dark ones.
If it were any other time, I would have avoided dark places, but there were so many people in this mansion today that nothing serious would happen.
“ha.”
After a long walk, we arrived at a wildflower garden that could be seen from Monica’s room.
Unlike the rose garden, the wildflower garden behind the mansion was quiet and dark. Monica sat on a bench in a corner of the garden and took a deep breath. She wanted to get away from the party, even if only for a little while.
“haha.”
Monica smiled slightly. She had no idea that the Mollet family was like that. She chewed her lip. At best, she thought they were a family that did well in business.
But I had no intention of accusing the Mollet family of immorality. It was just that, as I listened to Martinel, the things she had experienced flashed through my mind.
Arvid’s hospital was located inside the fortress, so it barely saw any fighting. However, it was unable to do anything about the shells carried by the planes that were deployed at the end of the war. The kingdom’s defeat was also due to the planes.
Monica thought back to the last time she had left the hospital. Boom, boom, the dirt exploding everywhere, the flying debris…
Her mind was complicated. Monica looked up at the Mollett mansion obliquely. Before, she had only envied and been amazed, but now she began to hate the sight of the splendid mansion. The fact that the Madam of the family that made the gunpowder always had a smile on her face…
‘Riella is… … .’
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. Would Riella be proud of such a family?
Monica soon shook her head alone.
The war was already over. No matter how much she trusted the gunpowder of the Mollet family, it was the king who started the war. It wasn’t the Mollet family who started the war. In addition, a slight sense of self-loathing tormented Monica.
‘It’s almost as if I’m looking for excuses to hate Riella… … .’
She remembered the inferiority complex she had towards Riella yesterday. The ugly side of herself that she had compared and hated even Riella’s small leisure. Monica roughly washed her face. And muttered.
“Stop it.”
No matter what I did, I kept going back to the same feelings. In a way, it was natural. Everything that Riella had was something that I could have had.
But now, Riella is in that banquet hall, and I am crouching in the corner of the garden.
‘I’m the problem… … .’
Monica felt like she was going to end up with an inferiority complex. It was an unpleasant and suffocating feeling, like standing in the blazing sun in midsummer. This would continue even if Riella left this mansion.
I heard at the banquet that the man from the family called ‘Sollivan’, who is in talks to marry Riella, is also coming today.
Sollivan. I’ve heard it a lot, but it’s said to be one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom.
The eldest son of that family died in this war, but it was a family that had been in charge of the kingdom’s military for generations.
And the man who was to marry Riella was the second son of that family.
The son of a prominent family and the successor to that family, Riella will probably leave and become the mistress of that family.
Monica could tell. After Riella left, she would be jealous of her perfect husband. She would beat her chest, thinking that Riella’s place could have been hers, as she often heard news of Riella. The children Riella would bear, the jewels Riella would wear, Riella would have… everything… .
Monica had no desire to eat herself up like that. That much she was certain of.
‘I should stop.’
This was a really great job. A salary of over 20,000 SGD a year, a beautiful and wealthy city, a kind landlady and a good boy who pretends to be mature.
Everything was perfect, but Monica still made up her mind.
Let’s stop.
It was not like her to keep having bad thoughts, as she was always cheerful even on the battlefield.
What would her coworkers say if they saw her now? Thinking about it made me feel better. It’s okay. I’m still young. I can just find another job.
“Phew.”
Monica sighed softly, jumped up, and shook her skirt.
‘Let’s finish what we have to do today first.’
Monica had just left Martinel with the girls in front of the fountain. Even if she had left him in the hands of the maid, that was Monica’s original job.
I’ll finish what I have to do, and then I’ll stop… … She repeated this as she left the garden.
No, I was going to step forward.
“I know, Sir, you probably won’t be happy with me doing this.”
Monica’s eyes widened as she tried to walk slowly. Someone was nearby.
And that moment she saw someone that she knew.
“But… … all I have is you in my mind.”
Aaaah. Monica barely held back a moan and lowered her head again.
Shit!
She almost let out the curse words she only uttered on the battlefield. At this particular time.
It was Riella.
