ICMMF | Chapter 3

Episode 3

Aicel Silva.

Freya Ethelred knew that name too.

Had it not been over ten years already?

It was vague when she heard it from the Grand Madam’s maid. But the Grand Madam’s terrified reaction made it all come back clearly.

‘Why that woman! Why here. Why now!’

Freya clenched her trembling hands and followed behind Grand Madam Audrey.

She was the Grand Duke Arden’s first fiancée and the woman rumored to be the one he was still searching for.

If not for that woman, her marriage to the Grand Duke would have gone far more smoothly.

She ground her teeth as her steps grew firmer.

‘She won’t become an obstacle now, will she?’

No way.

She’s the daughter of some insignificant noble family the Grand Madam despised so much.

And since the Grand Duke wasn’t even here, the Grand Madam might just drive her out herself.

After all, it was three years ago when she’d only mentioned her in passing, like a trivial complaint.

That woman was someone the Grand Madam used to compare to Freya, saying they were finally a better match, and was pleased with that.

Startled by the Grand Madam’s reaction, Freya quickly composed her agitated thoughts.

As she followed the Grand Madam hurriedly down the stairs, Freya adjusted her attire.

It was their first meeting, so she had to assert herself, to prevent that woman from entertaining any unnecessary ideas.

Though she was older than Freya, the years that had passed made no difference—it was best to suppress her clearly.

Freya held her head high as she descended the stairs and stopped behind the Grand Madam who stood in the hall.

Then she froze at the sight of the child in front of her.

“Where is she, where is that girl?”

From the moment she began descending the stairs, Grand Madam Audrey had been shouting for the butler.

Upon seeing him, she immediately yelled.

But then, seeing the child standing next to him, her mind went blank.

“Who… is this child?”

She asked hesitantly, though she already knew the answer.

Jet black hair and violet eyes.
Anyone could see that the child bore the traits of House Kreshmir.

If she had seen her on the street, she would’ve gotten out of the carriage to grab her.

“Miss Aicel is receiving a medical examination. She’s in the guest room.”

“Why would you put her in the guest room…!”

She was about to scold the butler, but Grand Madam Audrey’s gaze kept drifting to the child, and her words trailed off.

“If she left of her own will, she should live her life on her own. How dare she return here!”

Barely regaining her senses, the Grand Madam snapped at the butler.

The butler, holding the child’s hand firmly, didn’t explain who he was—there was no need.

She assumed Emmet would know anyway, and didn’t add anything more.

“Get her out. Now!”

“She’s unconscious, so we can’t do that. We’ve already contacted the master as well.”

“Y-you…!”

If word had reached the Grand Duke Arden, he would return sooner than expected.

The Grand Madam knew this well. That he still hadn’t forgotten Aicel and was searching for her.

So she had to resolve this before he returned.

But unconscious? Was she gravely ill? Near death?

“I must see her.”

Lifting her skirt as if to take the lead, Grand Madam Audrey glared at the butler.

“No. She can’t be woken yet.”

Lucy stepped forward before Emmet could.

She stretched her arms out wide, as if to say no one could go further.

“You insolent child, how dare you meddle in this?”

Grand Madam Audrey turned her sharp glare on the child. Then her lips parted slightly.

Could this really be the Grand Duke’s child?

It seemed silly to even doubt it—the child resembled the previous Grand Duke too. Especially the stubbornly closed lips.

“You hated my mom! Who knows what you’ll do to someone who’s sleeping!”

Lucy remembered this old lady.

In her mother’s memories, the Grand Madam had shown nothing but contempt, malice, and scorn. She had never once spoken Aicel’s name kindly.

Was it because she saw this woman through her mother’s eyes that she couldn’t understand her?

Every time her mom awoke, Lucy had wanted to ask: Why did the Grand Madam of Kreshmir hate you so much?

But she couldn’t say that she had seen her mother’s memories, so she had to keep that question hidden.

And still, she couldn’t understand.

Why was the Grand Madam this furious just because her mother returned here?

It wasn’t her mom’s fault she got engaged to the Grand Duke.

It wasn’t her fault she had healing powers.

The money sent to House Silva was all from her mother’s own inheritance.

Yet the Grand Madam always insulted her mom, calling her lowly and unaware of her place.

She even hit her when the Grand Duke wasn’t around.

Now facing the Grand Madam, who was just as monstrous as in her memories, Lucy’s outstretched arms trembled.

She feared she’d get slapped like her mom once did.

But she couldn’t run away.

She couldn’t let someone who might hurt her mom again go free.

“W-what do you take me for?!”

“You drove my mom out! You hit her!”

“W-what…?”

Grand Madam, who had raised her hand to strike the child, froze.

Had she told the child everything she had done?

It wasn’t fear of the child. It was fear the child might meet the Grand Duke and tattle.

That thought paralyzed her.

She hadn’t hit Aicel many times. Only those who didn’t know their place needed a few slaps to come to their senses.

That’s why she educated Aicel only when they were alone, without any maids around.

That, to Grand Madam Audrey, was a kindness.

Better than getting slapped in front of servants, wasn’t it?

But the child spoke of things only the two of them knew.

Just as she thought—so lowborn and loose-lipped.

Even so, her face burned bright red with shame.

Facing the violet eyes full of resentment, even her nape grew hot.

A child. The Grand Duke’s child.

Burning with rage, the Grand Madam grabbed her forehead and staggered. She brushed away the hands trying to support her and ordered the butler.

“This mansion is too good for them. Move them to the annex.”

She wielded what power she had left.

If not for the child, she would’ve kicked that wench out immediately. Her being ill wasn’t her concern.

“That child too.”

Grand Madam Audrey pointed at the child like tossing aside a piece of luggage.

Then she turned away coldly, only to groan when she met Freya’s eyes.

She too couldn’t take her eyes off the child.

Though it wasn’t her fault, the Grand Madam quickly climbed the stairs as if caught in the act of doing something wrong.

“I’m sorry.”

After the Grand Madam and Lady Ethelred, who had caused a scene in the hall, left, Lucy apologized to Emmet.

When he said nothing, she spoke again.

“I was told not to talk back to adults…”

Maybe Miss Aicel had taught her that.

He hadn’t heard when she developed her sleeping illness, but the time spent with the child must’ve been long.

To some, she may have seemed impudent, but Emmet, knowing the circumstances, didn’t blame her.

“Why didn’t you let Miss Aicel meet the Grand Madam?”

Even if they had met, there wouldn’t have been a problem. It was something bound to happen sooner or later.

That’s why Emmet had even wanted to get it over with today.

But the child had said the Grand Madam drove Miss Aicel out and hit her.

Though he knew the Grand Madam disapproved of her, he hadn’t known how she drove her out.

He learned today she had hit her.

That she had bullied her through the maids and used harsh words was no secret in the mansion.

But the child said she did even more.

“She made my mom cry a lot.”

The defiant eyes that had faced the Grand Madam were now brimming with tears. Her cheeks stiffened as if she were holding back sobs.

“My mom cried a lot.”

Unable to hold back, the child dropped her head. Emmet couldn’t ask further.

He patted her small shoulder, giving her time to collect herself. They were just about to have a meal.

He wanted to carry Lucy, but unfamiliar with such gestures, she flinched, so Emmet stopped.

“But… what’s the annex?”

“Oh, this building is the main mansion used by the master, and the annexes are separate buildings located some distance away.”

“So… I won’t have to see that grandma there?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then I’ll go to the annex.”

To Lucy, being sent to the annex wasn’t bad. Actually, it was good.

She wouldn’t have to see that monstrous old Duchess —or even the Grand Duke.

She had expected to meet both when she came here.

She hadn’t seen the Grand Duke yet, but Lucy wanted to delay it a little longer.

There was a lot she wanted to say if they met, but at the same time, she didn’t want to see him.

It was Emmet who felt regretful.

Miss Aicel’s room was still left as it was.

If she hadn’t been unconscious, they would’ve moved her there instead of the guest room on the first floor.

When the master returned and saw the young lady in the annex, he would surely scold him, but for now, Emmet wanted to ease the child’s mind.

“Then shall we eat first and move slowly afterward?”

“Okay.”

Lucy nodded innocently, wiping the tears from her eyes.