MLIIWTFL Chapter 171

 

 

“Isn’t it a bit much to call your younger sister a child when she’s already come of age, graduated from the academy, and even passed the civil service exam?”

 

“A younger sister will always seem like a child in her brother’s eyes, Your Highness.”

 

“Even so, it’s only natural for siblings to grow up and become adults eventually. Besides, as the daughter of a grand noble house like the Duke of Averil, she’ll have to marry someday. Shouldn’t you at least start preparing yourself for that?”

 

At those words, Achilles’s expression twisted immediately.

 

“We have no intention of marrying off my sister in such a manner. Unless it’s a man who loves her as much as we do and can protect her just as fiercely, I won’t allow anyone to even covet her.”

 

“Brother…!”

 

Ariette tugged at his sleeve, flustered, but even Alexander stepped in to back Achilles up.

 

“I feel the same way. Anyone who tries to steal away Averil’s precious treasure and drive a stake through our family’s heart will never be forgiven.”

 

“…I can see now just how deeply attached you are to your sister.”

 

Matthias said, glancing between Alexander and Achilles with an expressionless face.

 

Unable to endure the heavy atmosphere, Ariette clung to her brothers’ arms and spoke in a slightly coaxing tone.

 

“Brothers, wouldn’t it be better if we sat down now? It’s almost time for the performance to start.”

 

“You’re right. We’ll take our leave, Your Highness.”

 

Once the three Averil siblings had left, Ezkhiel couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of relief.

 

Dealing with his superior was nerve-wracking enough—adding the ultra-sensitive Averil siblings on top of that was enough to give him a stomachache.

 

Meanwhile, Matthias clicked his tongue softly as he watched Alexander and Achilles walk away.

 

“As expected, with people like that, it’s no wonder Lady Sharon had quite a difficult time five years ago. To hand over letters of introduction to the Marquess of Brie and Elrey Freesia because of the second son’s rash behavior—I’m sure even the Duke must have been greatly troubled.”

 

“That’s all in the past. Sir Achilles has reflected on his actions and personally apologized to Letticia again not too long ago. Since Letticia said she no longer wishes to bring up the matter, I also have nothing more to add.”

 

Lenard spoke the official stance of his family rather than his personal feelings.

 

Even casual conversations in private carried the weight of representing the entire family when it came from the heir.

 

Besides, Lenard and Matthias were hardly on the kind of terms where they could speak openly, man-to-man.

 

Unlike his younger brother Eustace, Matthias had no interest in getting close to the House of Count Sharon, which his stepmother treated almost like her own family.

 

There was even a time when they wondered if Matthias might be deliberately distancing himself from them.

 

However, they had never made their doubts obvious.

 

After all, meddling in someone else’s family matters could easily be taken as an attack.

 

Especially when it came to the Crown Prince’s family—even if you were sure of something, silence was the wiser choice.

 

Fortunately, Matthias didn’t seem particularly displeased with Lenard’s answer. He gave a small chuckle and muttered as if speaking to himself.

 

“It’s ideal for the person involved to say that themselves. Still, it’s a relief that relations between the two families seem to have improved. I heard the young ladies are even close enough to have tea together?”

 

“Not frequently, but my younger sister does occasionally invite her over for a meeting.”

 

“Good. Make sure to maintain that friendly relationship. It would be quite a headache if the House of Count Sharon and the House of Duke Averil were to clash.”

 

After saying that, instead of dismissing Lenard, Matthias simply changed the subject to continue their conversation.

 

Their discussion shifted to questions about the current situation of the jewelry industry—a conversation utterly devoid of warmth—but Lenard was well aware of how others might perceive him being kept at Matthias’ side during such an event.

 

‘Because Ezkhiel and I are friends, and because Letticia has started seeing Ezkhiel, people will probably assume that my connection with His Highness also stems from that.’

 

This wasn’t bad news, either for Count Sharon’s house or for Lenard himself.

 

Strengthening ties with the imperial family for the next generation was one of their important tasks.

 

The real issue was that Lenard had no idea why Matthias was acting this way.

 

‘What on earth is His Highness thinking?’

 

‘I have no idea either.’

 

During a lull in the conversation, Lenard stole a glance at Ezkhiel, silently asking with his eyes.

 

Ezkhiel responded with a small shake of his head, equally baffled.

 

As the performance was about to begin, Matthias once again suggested Lenard remain seated with him.

 

When Letticia’s performance—the first of the event—began, Matthias even sat attentively, listening with focus.

 

Letticia, having chosen a lively song to liven up the atmosphere, played the piano and sang with a bright, confident face.

 

Her singing skills were excellent, and even if she made a mistake, the upbeat, carefree mood she created would likely smooth everything over.

 

Even the most critical members of the audience seemed a little less stiff thanks to her cheerful energy.

 

“Is it really appropriate to perform such a lively piece at a charity concert? And to sing on top of it—doesn’t it come across as rather frivolous?”

 

“So what? It’s not a funeral, it’s a concert. Besides, her singing was so good, it actually lifted my mood the whole time.”

 

“If we ever invite Lady Sharon again, we must ask her to perform both the piano and a song.”

 

Hearing the whispers behind him, Ezkhiel smiled in relief.

 

He was the kind of man who felt happier hearing praise for his beloved than for himself.

 

Matthias, resting his chin on his hand, quietly observed Letticia as she bowed and left the stage, murmuring to himself.

 

“Just like during the audience, Lady Sharon refuses to act like everyone else.”

 

“My sister dislikes blindly following trends or customs. Of course, she doesn’t completely ignore them, but within the acceptable boundaries, she tries to maintain as much freedom as she can.”

 

“So you’re saying she isn’t calculating her actions in advance—she just does as she pleases? And yet people actually respond positively to it?”

 

“That’s Letticia’s strange gift. It’s not easy to do whatever you want and still win people’s approval.”

 

Of course, there were a few who disapproved, but for the most part, people found Letticia’s behavior and fashion choices refreshing and admired her for them.

 

Letticia herself didn’t seem to think much of it, but from Lenard’s perspective, that too was a kind of talent.

 

“My mother was the same way—someone who followed her own heart over trends or customs. I suppose Letticia takes after her.”

 

“Like mother, like daughter, huh… It does seem that way.”

 

Matthias murmured softly, turning his gaze back to the stage as the next performer took their place.

 

Lenard, too, said no more and focused once again on the performances.

 

Following Letticia’s solo, the event continued with Audrey and Evelyn’s flute concerto, and then a duet of harp and cello performed by Dayna and Vanessa.

 

The audience thoroughly enjoyed each performance, rewarding them all with generous applause.

 

As one of today’s highlights—the joint performance by the two ‘Diamonds’—was about to begin, Matthias seemed to be in a better mood again, and Lenard breathed a small sigh of relief. And then—

 

“Kyaaah!!”

 

“Lady Eskis collapsed!”

 

“Someone, call for a physician, quickly!”

 

The nobles, seated comfortably just moments ago, all sprang to their feet in shock.

 

Letticia, seated at the piano, was so startled that she immediately jumped up from her bench.

 

Not even a full minute into the performance, a harsh, metallic screech typical of a violin gone wrong rang out—and Seraphina suddenly collapsed on stage.

 

 

***

 

The moment she heard that metallic sound, Letticia instinctively froze mid-performance and turned toward Seraphina.

 

Even during their practices together, Seraphina had always performed flawlessly.

 

For her to make such a mistake on stage—it could only mean something was wrong.

 

That fleeting thought passed, and then Seraphina staggered and fell heavily onto the stage, the violin slipping from her grasp and clattering loudly to the floor.

 

“Lady Eskis!”

 

Springing from her seat at the piano, Letticia rushed over and quickly examined Seraphina’s face.

 

Seraphina was gasping for breath, her face twisted in pain.

 

Before Letticia could even organize her thoughts on what to do, she instinctively began shouting orders.

 

“Someone get a physician, now! She can’t breathe! And someone else—help me support her! Hurry!”

 

Letticia’s urgent voice snapped the stunned servants back into action.

 

One of them bolted toward the door, while Count Wallace, standing near the stage, rushed forward with a grim expression.

 

“What happened?! Why has Seraphina collapsed like this?!”

 

“I don’t know either! We need to have her examined by a physician first before we can say anything.”

 

Letticia replied firmly.

 

Thankfully, the Count seemed to agree. Instead of pressing her further, he scooped Seraphina into his arms and hurried out of the hall.

 

Once they were gone, Letticia quickly scanned the audience.

 

The abrupt interruption of the performance, and the sight of Seraphina collapsing, had thrown the entire hall into chaos.

 

‘What should I do? Should the concert continue? Or should I call it off?’

 

The time she had to think was short, but it was enough for her to make a decision.

 

Stepping into the center of the stage, Letticia activated a sound amplification magic device.