Chapter 15
Julius and Lucilla had similar temperaments. When they were in a good mood, they would laugh endlessly and lavishly give away their belongings. But when upset, they wouldn’t hesitate to speak harshly even to their own children.
They were fond of power and flaunted it in a manner so blatantly crude that it often failed to win people’s goodwill.
Unfortunately, both Bartol and Dameira inherited these traits. This was one of the reasons why Anthony Morin, who was being courted by her, disliked Dameira.
“Th-that’s…”
“I even made you a lady of the Apellemeon estate, and you can’t even seduce a mere count?”
Lucilla huffed through her nose. She had been the first to set her sights on Anthony Morin. His strong background and handsome face matched exactly what she had imagined for a son-in-law.
Perhaps because he had lived in the Imperial Capital all his life, he seemed more elegant compared to the members of the Fenton family, which she also liked.
Whether due to shared tastes or because the daughter took after the mother, the moment Lucilla dragged Dameira over and introduced her to him, Dameira began chasing after Anthony.
“By the way, haven’t you gained some weight? I told you to skip dinner.”
Lucilla pressed Dameira.
“I’m doing just as you said.”
Dameira responded firmly.
“It’s all because I’m not a real noble lady.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! What difference is there between you and a noble lady? You’ll bring a dowry bigger than any other noblewoman.”
“But still…”
“Silence, both of you!”
When Julius snapped, the mother and daughter immediately fell silent.
“There’s a winged horse showcase at Count Morin’s estate today, isn’t there?”
At his question, both Bartol and Dameira looked toward the distant mountain outside the window.
“Don’t tell me… neither of you were invited?”
“…”
“You useless children!”
“It’s not our fault…!”
Bartol and Dameira, for once, protested in unison. But Julius’s eyes were already bloodshot with rage.
Just as he reached for another flower vase on the table—
Creak—
The door connecting the mansion’s living room and the library opened, and Iris appeared.
With her arms full of books about mana stones and a cheerful expression, Iris clearly triggered Julius’s rage.
“You!”
Julius stormed over and grabbed Iris’s shoulders.
“What have you been doing while we were away for a few days?!”
“…”
“You dare to confess to the First Prince in front of everyone? You’ve decided to drag Bartol and our family’s name through the mud!”
“You’ve thrown away your pride.”
Lucilla chimed in.
“No man will ever want to marry you now. The thought of having someone like you as a daughter-in-law is dreadful.”
She ground her teeth and glared at Iris.
“Hah… we can’t turn back time, can we?”
Julius sighed heavily as if making a decision.
“We’ll hold the wedding in two weeks.”
“What?”
Iris, who had been quietly enduring their fury, raised her head.
“I was going to give you time to accept it, but now, with the scandal involving you and the First Prince, we can’t afford that.”
He spoke stiffly.
“The only way to suppress the rumors…”
“I don’t think so. The rumors will probably get worse.”
Iris responded casually.
“What are you talking about…”
“Not about me, but about Bartol and the Second Prince.”
“What?”
Julius and Lucilla both frowned.
“You haven’t heard about that yet?”
Iris tilted her head curiously.
It was only natural.
The people who briefed the recently returned couple on the ball’s events were the head butler and servants.
Not knowing all the details, and even if they did, no sane person would dare tell them what humiliation Balthazar suffered and how Bartol was involved.
And since Iris had decided to be that insane person, she told Julius everything that had happened at the ball.
“What… what did you say?”
“As you’d expect, there are even rumors that Bartol, who tried so hard to insert himself between the two of them, is the Second Prince’s second lover.”
Looking at the two frozen in place, Iris continued.
“If we suddenly hold a wedding in such circumstances, it’ll draw attention from high society. They’ll say we’re trying to cover up the scandal with a marriage, or that the rumors about Bartol are true… And then what?”
“…”
“Prince Balthazar will never come near Bartol again.”
She spoke with certainty.
“Y-you insolent brat…”
Julius huffed through his nose as though he were about to breathe fire. He twitched his lips, wanting to argue, but found no words.
Because Iris’s logic made sense.
“Someone! Come here!”
He suddenly shouted.
“Lock Iris in her room! She is not to take a single step outside without my orders!”
At his command, a few servants rushed over and grabbed Iris by the arms.
She bit her lower lip gently. She had only wanted to avoid the wedding, not provoke him this much. She was used to confinement, but the timing couldn’t be worse.
She had to meet Carsiel to deliver a message. She had studied the maps around Kachnav to the point of wearing holes in them just for that purpose.
Her plan to sneak into the Morin family’s showcase through the bribed stable master now seemed ruined.
“No food or water. She’s having these delusions because she’s too well-fed.”
Julius instructed the lead servant. The servant, who had also received gold coins from Iris a few days ago, looked somewhat troubled.
Iris shook off his half-hearted grip and asked Julius:
“What’s the justification?”
She didn’t expect to persuade him, but she had to try.
“What?”
Julius glared. Iris had shown resistance in unexpected places before, but this direct challenge was new.
“What’s the justification for locking me up because of Bartol and the Second Prince? If there’s no reason, when this gets out, it’ll seem like you’re trying to cover up Bartol’s scandal…”
“Your disgraceful display before the First Prince is reason enough!”
Lucilla seized the opportunity to shout. She seemed to think this was an irrefutable argument, her chin raised high.
“It wasn’t disgrace. It was a confession.”
Iris retorted, making Lucilla snort loud enough to shake the mansion.
“Don’t tell me you actually believe the First Prince is interested in you?”
“That’s not…”
“Just because you have a pretty face, you’re dreaming impossible dreams.”
She sneered.
“The First Prince may not be the Empress’s biological son, but he’s still an Imperial Prince. Every noble lady in the Empire wants him as a husband.”
“…”
“Do you really think someone like that—whose parents are dead, has no friends, who’s never learned etiquette or socializing, with no connections or backing—would even remember someone like you?”
“Milady!”
Just then, a servant burst into the living room.
“What is it?!”
Julius shouted irritably.
“Well… there’s a guest.”
The servant trembled, his face pale.
“If it’s a guest, just tell them to wait in the parlor. Why the fuss?”
Lucilla asked.
“Th-this guest can’t be kept waiting…”
At that, Julius and Lucilla finally turned to look at him.
“What nonsense is that?”
“It’s… someone from the Imperial Palace.”
“What?”
Lucilla’s face lit up.
“Prince Balthazar must’ve sent someone! He’s finally forgiven us…”
“No, it’s not that…”
The servant shook his head.
“His Highness, the First Prince Carsiel, has come personally with his escort.”
Everyone in the room froze where they stood.
“What are you saying…”
Julius asked, barely collecting himself.
“Did he come to see me?”
“No.”
The servant shook his head again.
“He asked to see Lady Iris. He said he wouldn’t leave until he speaks with her personally.”
Lucilla’s eyes wavered wildly, unable to find a focus.
“He has something to say directly, and he won’t leave until he does.”
