Chapter 28 – Who?
Nonetheless, Bianca persisted and returned to the secret room the following day as well, perhaps in a fit of frustration. She wanted to overcome the uneasiness that was festering inside of her. That was the sole reason why she went there. The search time was limited though, and with no clear results being found. Besides, several documents were there, but Bianca, who didn’t know anything about them, had no clue what they meant.
She carefully positioned the documents’ borders so that her equally meticulous brother wouldn’t notice that she had searched the house. No, she would probably be exposed.
She noticed a huge piece of fabric hanging in the corner of the room when she became disappointed by the futility of her endeavor. Perhaps it was covering a painting. Only that part of the room was not dusty. Satias might’ve been tending to it. If so, she figured it must be significant.
“I am sorry, Brother.”
While muttering what sounded like a prayer, she pulled off the cloth. What emerged was a portrait in a magnificent frame. A young man and woman were depicted. They appeared to be husband and wife.
On closer inspection, the man looked familiar. He was much younger and slightly glorified, but this was her… father. And beside him was a stunning woman whom she didn’t recognize.
“Huh, who is this person?”
Although she was at the end of the road, she felt like she had finally stepped on a landmine in this house. However, not knowing what she had stepped on, she shouted, “Who in the world is this?” and Bianca’s search drew to a close after two days.
Had her father drawn a portrait of himself with his mistress? Why was it in the secret room? Even that enigmatic diary…
Who was Lily? The diary overflowed with affection for his new wife… and he was anticipating the birth of their child. It was hard to believe that he was the father she knew now. Was he indeed a good guy at heart?
By the looks of her father, he seemed to have had her eldest brother fill out most of the paperwork for him, but she would have to verify his handwriting when she got home to make sure.
In any case, Satias would chastise her if he learned about it. Or rather, her eldest brother seemed to be a fastidious person. He may not be sneaking into other people’s diaries like Bianca did. She might be scorned. Bianca was now freaking out.
Following that, she reflected on her actions substantially, studied diligently daily, and ceased going to that room. At night, she went to her room, prayed to the unseen God, and repented. Regrettably, the outcome was nothing more than guilt without any significant results.
One day, while she was spending a generally peaceful day, she received a call from the royal capital.
“Bianca, there is a tea party at the royal capital, so we are leaving.”
“Am I permitted to attend?”
She was shocked because she had thought that she wouldn’t be able to attend any tea parties or evening parties during this year’s social season.
“Of course. It’s a tea party at our house.”
“Huh? We’re hosting another one?”
Just a while ago, they held a tea party at the villa.
“Yeah. Every year at the main residence in the royal capital, we organize a grand tea party in the garden and the saloon,” said Irene with a nonchalant look on her face.
Bianca figured that would be a great deal of trouble.
“Well, this time, you better make sure you’re wearing a new dress as well.”
“Yes.”
Would Stuart and Flora show up again? Bianca hoped that they would soon get married or settle down. She wanted nothing to do with them.
Three days later, Bianca departed from the villa. She would receive a brand-new dress, just as her mother had predicted. Instead of being uplifted, her mood sank.
The new dress she had just put on was something she had intended to show her oldest brother, but he was away. Recently, he had been going out with their father a lot.
Even though she hadn’t seen him in a long time, he seemed so hectic that there was no time to converse with him. That made her dissatisfied. While studying in the small saloon, Bianca was in anguish.
“Bianca, are you irritated that you can’t talk to Brother?”
A voice called out to her, and she looked up only to find that it was Julian.
“Are you disappointed that it’s me?”
The second elder brother was smiling at her without a trace of disappointment. Did her face reflect hers? She felt apologetic.
“No, not at all.”
Bianca reddened.
“Bianca, you sound like you’re infatuated with Brother.”
Bianca vehemently objected when she got out of her chair.
“What are you saying! Satias is my biological brother. As if that’s possible!”
“Oh no, Bianca. I’m only joking. Don’t get so worked up,” Julian laughed.
She was being teased.
“I’m not getting worked up. You’re simply awful, Brother Julian.”
Tears welled up in Bianca’s eyes.
“Okay, okay, okay don’t be upset. By the way, it’s almost time for tea. Why don’t you come with me to the greenhouse?”
“Eh?”
“The flowers I’ve been cultivating for a while now are in full bloom. How about having a cup of tea while watching them?”
At Julian’s invitation, she involuntarily glanced around. Irene wasn’t here. It appeared that this second elder brother took the trouble to invite his younger sister to join him when their mother was not around. Perhaps he was a sociable person, yet a lonely one. Most of the time, he was with someone.
Accompanied by maids and attendants, the two of them headed for the greenhouse at the back of the mansion. The house looked like a rather spacious and cozy one. As though it were a representation of the duke’s family’s wealth.
Led by Julian, she entered the greenhouse. True to his word, the corner a little further in was awash with flowers. Among them, she spotted tall, slender, delicate flowers. In the garden of the duke’s residence, flowers had recently been blooming as well.
“What are those?”
“Digitalis. Did you notice it? They wither this time of year, you know.”
“Certainly. Is it possible to keep them blooming because of the greenhouse?”
At Bianca’s question, Julian shook his head.
“I’m experimenting with selective breeding so we can keep them blooming through the summer and into the early fall.”
“You like those flowers, don’t you, Brother Julian?”
Her second elder brother was fun-loving and no doubt liked beautiful things. He was a very aristocratic person.
“You’re wrong. It’s Mother’s favorite flower.”
“Well…”
She had never thought of doing anything for her mother. It was probably out of consideration that he was treated exceptionally well by their parents. She realized that after all this time.
Thank you for the translation!