Edited by “Freya”
Chapter 011
Count Marcelin sat at the center of the long dining table. To his left sat Aira, and to his right, Luna. Tonight’s menu included roasted turkey, tender veal steak, and a seafood stew that had recently arrived. The family chef meticulously prepared the dishes.
“You look great with those cross-shaped cufflinks, my Lord,” Luna said with a bright smile, sitting to the count’s right side. Normally, Aira would join the conversation and create a pleasant atmosphere, but today, Luna seemed upset about something. She seemed determined to monopolize the count’s attention.
“I’ll serve you, Father.”
Luna took the count’s plate and served him the most tender part of the steak. The count smiled contentedly as he ate the piece Luna had cut for him.
“Your cutting makes it taste even better.”
“Really? I’m glad to hear that,” Luna said, her face lighting up even more. Aira, however, continued her meal quietly, paying no attention to the father and daughter’s exchange.
‘The first priority is to stop her from accessing the storage room.’
Despite being caught taking things from the storeroom earlier, Luna’s bad habits would likely continue. Luna was responsible for managing the household’s treasures, so Aira needed to take back that authority.
‘To do that, I must shake Father’s trust in her.’
Aira took a small piece of steak, but Luna spoke again.
“Actually, I was feeling so nauseous earlier that I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat tonight.”
Count Marcelin’s brow twitched. Luna clasped her hands together with a relieved expression.
“But I’m glad I could join you for dinner, my Lord.”
The count set his fork down, puzzled.
“Were you feeling sick from the carriage ride?”
“Yes… It’s been a while since I rode backward,” Luna said with wide eyes and nodded.
Aira barely suppressed a laugh at such an obvious play.
“Aira.”
“Yes, Father?”
“Didn’t you offer to switch seats today?” The Count asked, sounding a bit reprimanding. Aira nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
It seemed that Luna had probably wanted to inform the Count of the seating arrangement as soon as she returned. Aira had a feeling Luna was trying to get her into trouble after a frustrating day.
“Aira, as the elder sister, you should have given up your seat,” the Count said, his gaze showing mild disapproval.
He understood that Aira, as the daughter, should have had the seat of honor, so he didn’t scold her harshly.
“You know Luna isn’t used to carriages.”
Despite her noble blood, Luna had lived in poverty for ten years, far from aristocratic comforts. This often led the count to ask Aira to make sacrifices for her.
Luna smiled faintly, watching Aira closely, expecting her to show resentment, hoping it would cause tension between them.
But Aira had no intention of falling into her trap.
“You’re right, Father…”
Luna’s expression flickered at Aira’s calm response.
“But as the future Crown Princess, if I allowed Luna to sit in the place of honor when visiting Her Majesty the Empress, wouldn’t the maids of the Imperial Palace question our family’s order and dignity?”
Aira’s elegant smile and composed voice made the Count’s brow furrow slightly. Her words held no trace of personal grievance, making the Count feel embarrassed for suggesting otherwise.
“…You’re right.”
“…I see, I didn’t consider that,” the Count admitted, acknowledging his mistake.
“Well done, Aira,” he said, and Luna’s expression turned flustered. She had hoped Aira would get scolded for not giving up her seat, but now the Count had praised Aira instead.
Luna, feeling embarrassed, clenched her fists under the table. The Count then turned to Luna and spoke in a firm yet kind voice.
“Luna, your sister is now of royal status. You must understand and accept this, even if it feels unfair.”
Luna clenched her fists under the table, trembling.
“Make sure to uphold proper etiquette in the future.”
With no room to argue, Luna couldn’t say anything in response. Aira, on the other hand, calmly resumed her meal, stifling a smile. She could easily tell that Luna was furious inside.
“Good job, Aira,” the Count added, and Aira responded gracefully.
Aira recalled how, in her past life, Luna had silently played the part of a loyal friend and sister for over seven years. Beneath the surface, she had schemed to win over both Xavier and Julienne.
Not this time, Julienne thought. This time, Luna will struggle openly, and she’ll face the consequences of her schemes.
“The food tastes especially good tonight. I should commend the chef,” Julienne said lightly, her tone laced with subtle mockery.
Luna’s expression hardened even further, but the Count, oblivious to the tension, simply nodded.
Her plan was clear: to use Luna as bait, a stand-in for the pain Aira had endured in her previous life. Luna would become the family’s disposable pawn, with neither love nor favor.
“You should eat well when your illness is so severe, Luna,” Aira said, pretending to be innocent.
“Indeed. Eat well, all of you, especially you, Aira. You worked hard today.”
“Yes, Father. Today is a joyful day, marking our family’s name reaching the palace,” Aira replied with quiet confidence.
The Count looked at Aira, impressed by how composed and reliable she appeared. She had always been quiet and gentle, but today, she seemed even more mature and thoughtful, having put aside her personal feelings to present a gift to the Empress.
Meanwhile, Luna could only clench her fists tighter, her plans crumbling before her eyes.
‘Come to think of it, perhaps I’ve been neglecting Aira…’
When the Count had asked Aira to give up her seat for Luna, she could have shown some sign of disappointment, yet her calm, unbothered demeanor pricked at his conscience. Count Marceline took a sip of water, quietly reflecting.
“Here you are.”
After dinner, as they prepared to return to their rooms, Aira approached the Count and asked if she could use his private library. Normally, he would have refused because important family documents were only accessible to the head of the house, but given that he had almost scolded her earlier for something inappropriate, he didn’t outright refuse her request. Instead, he said he would allow her to access the books if she had any specific ones in mind.
Aira asked for books on holy relics, which made the Count curious. When he asked why she was suddenly interested in them, Aira explained that it might help her bond more with Xavier, who seemed to have an interest in sacred artifacts.
“Thank you, Father. I’ll read it carefully,” Aira said, bowing slightly.
The Count willingly retrieved the books and handed them to her. The book was an ancient one, written by the Marceline family 300 years ago. It was a rare text that couldn’t even be found in the Imperial Palace library.
As soon as she got to her room, she planned to open it and start reading.
“Aira.”
As Aira was about to leave with the book tucked under her arm, Count Marceline, looking slightly awkward, called out to her. When Aira looked at him with a puzzled expression, the Count said,
“…If you need anything else, just let me know.”
Aira gave him a small smile and responded, “Yes, Father.”
