Chapter 078
“Who came, you said?”
Theo and Stephanie were picking out clothes when they heard something unexpected.
“Count Solovis has arrived, Madam.”
Count Solovis?
Who was that again? Wait… Oh! Charlotte’s original last name was Solovis—so that must be her father. Oh wow.
“Where is he now?”
In the novel, I only remembered hearing that the Solovis family fell from power. I didn’t know much else. I just heard Charlotte got kicked out and protested. So he appears like this… What does he want?
“He’s waiting in the drawing room. Shall I tell him to leave?”
“Can I really do that?”
Luna gave an awkward smile at my question.
“Actually, he said he wants to see both you and the Duke. He says he’s here as the Emperor’s representative.”
“Where is Cassius right now?”
“He went to the forest.”
Oh right. Lately, the yetis had started weapons training. They were doing joint training, so he must have gone there. I nodded. I couldn’t just send him away—someone had to host him. Alright, I’ll figure out what he’s up to.
“Let’s dress the children in these today.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Lady Yurena politely accepted the clothes. We briefly talked about the children’s schedule for the day.
“Oh, and… It’d be best if they didn’t run into the guest. Maybe change the plans and take them to the art museum instead?”
“I’ll arrange an outing.”
“Thanks.”
After finishing up with Lady Yurena, I got ready too. He showed up without any notice anyway. He didn’t even take Charlotte back in after she was cast out in the original story. So I wasn’t expecting much.
I finally went down to the drawing room.
“…It’s been a long time, Charlotte. You really made your father wait this long? You haven’t changed a bit.”
He kind of looked like Charlotte, but not really. He had a similar aura, but while Charlotte was a classic beauty, the Count looked more beast-like.
So this is my father, huh.
I stayed calm and spoke.
“You came without notice, Father.”
I shrugged and sat down.
“I have a lot to do, you know.”
“…I’m sure. Are you doing well here?”
“Yes.”
“How is your relationship with the Duke?”
Count Solovis asked while sipping his tea. It sounded like a casual question, but I knew it wasn’t. He was definitely fishing for something. To ask something like that out of the blue…
“Well… It’s not too bad.”
So I answered vaguely. I didn’t feel like being honest with Count Solovis.
He frowned.
“Is that a yes or a no?”
“Why are you so curious about our marriage?”
You’re not even asking how I’m doing. Clearly not a caring parent. I’m sure he’s just here sniffing around for something useful. I clicked my tongue and gave him a crooked stare.
“…You’re my daughter, Charlotte. Even if we’ve been apart, we’re connected by blood. Does a father need a reason to worry about his child?”
“You didn’t even ask me once how I’ve been,” I pointed out.
To me, Count Solovis was no different from a stranger. No matter how friendly he tried to act, I didn’t feel anything. I was just looking at him objectively. Trying to figure out what kind of person he really was.
“Ahem! Well… Some things don’t need to be said to be understood!”
“I don’t think that kind of unspoken bond exists between us.”
“Wow… Still as sharp-tongued as ever. But I get it now—you’re doing just fine!”
“Then may I leave now? I really have a lot to do.”
Honestly, since it didn’t seem like he had a good relationship with Charlotte anyway—and since he clearly had shady intentions—I wanted to end this quickly. But the sly Count Solovis grabbed my wrist.
“I came because I have something to say. No matter how much you avoid me, I’ll be staying here for a while. It’s better to get this over with quickly.”
At that, I sat down again.
It was better to hear what he wants than keep seeing his face. Not that I was going to give him what he wanted.
“I heard something, by the way.”
I sipped my tea, planning to ignore most of what he said.
“I heard you have holy power.”
“Pfft! Cough!”
I spit out my tea. The Count was completely splashed. He slowly wiped his face and grumbled in irritation.
“Be more careful, will you!”
“…Where did you hear that from?”
“From all over. I still have ears, you know. Honestly, you should’ve told me first if something like that happened!”
The Count of Solobis scolded me like I had done something wrong.
From what I know, Charlotte’s holy power was something she was born with.
But no one—not even her own family—knew about it.
That’s how little they cared.
And now he comes here, acting all offended? I almost laughed.
“Why should I tell you?”
“What? Because we’re family, of course! That power of yours doesn’t just belong to you—it’s something passed down from me and your mother! That means it should be used for the sake of the family!”
I took a deep breath and thought about Charlotte’s family background.
Let’s see… The current Countess isn’t her real mother.
Her real mom died when she was young, and just two days later, this guy brought in his mistress as the new Countess—along with her children, who were only a year younger than Charlotte.
Wow. So he was cheating. And now he has the nerve to act all righteous?
Do these people buy scripts or something for how shameless they are?
He even turned Charlotte away when she went to him after being kicked out.
Only shows up now that she’s useful again. And this is what he calls “family”?
Unbelievable.
“You want me to use my holy power for the family? Do you even know what happens when I use it?”
“Ahem… Well… That’s just sacrifice for your family. It’s only natural.”
“Aha.”
I seriously wanted to kill this guy.
Now I understood why people commit murder. No joke.
Now I get why Charlotte hid her power.
If anyone had found out about her power, she would’ve been used and used until she was dead.
And all by her so-called family.
“If I had known you had that kind of power, I could’ve asked for a bigger dowry! The North is loaded! There are even rumors the Duke of Istheria is richer than the Emperor!”
So that’s what this is about.
He needs money. Someone must’ve found out about the power and tipped him off.
Definitely someone who meant harm.
Not many suspects—probably Lorencia or Janice.
And now that there’s a new nanny, Janice doesn’t have much power left.
Maybe she’s getting desperate.
“So, you’re here because you need money?”
“…Well, partly. Charlotte, what’s gotten into you? Did they brainwash you up here in the North?”
“What’s so weird about me?”
“…I just think you forgot where you come from. When things go wrong, we’re the only ones who’ll be there for you!”
Yeah, right. I saw how things really were.
I gave a bitter laugh.
Seeing my face, the Count slammed the table in anger.
“I don’t know what the Duke told you, but blood is thicker than water! That’s the truth!”
So that’s why you abandoned me, huh?
“First of all,” I said with a sigh,
“I don’t have holy power.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous. I know the truth. I heard the young lord with the rare illness came back to life! People said it was because of you!”
“…That’s thanks to Mr. Miller. I didn’t do anything. So, you’re barking up the wrong tree, Father.”
The Count glared at me.
What, did you think I’d just obey you?
People like this really exist, huh.
I must’ve gotten too comfortable living in the North.
I forgot how cruel and selfish the world can be.
