Chapter 20
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“With such a small body that wouldn’t even serve as a proper shield.”
Callista murmured blankly, staring into the center of the table.
“…Children’s trust usually doesn’t require reasons. Perhaps Lady Harper simply believed she needed you to be safe so you both could escape,” Theon quietly suggested.
Callista laughed humorlessly at his words.
“She trusts me because she has no one else. To the point of risking her own life…”
She shook her head slowly, still incredulous, then softly repeated:
“She tried to save me.”
The two sat quietly for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
“When the child wakes, inform me. I’ll go discuss the Naitra family’s punishment with Aramis.”
“Understood, Lady Callista.”
Theon stood silently in the drawing room for a moment after seeing Callista off. Soon, he walked into Harper’s bedroom with long strides.
Harper was still unconscious, her eyes tightly closed. Judging by the sweat on her forehead, her dreams weren’t peaceful.
“…Lady Harper.”
Theon knelt gently by her bedside, worry evident on his face.
“You need to wake soon.”
He whispered quietly, almost pleadingly:
“Rest just a bit more, then wake up… My Lady.”
I rubbed my eyes several times, convinced I must be dreaming.
“Lady Harper, shall I play an instrument for you?”
“No, she must eat first! We’ve prepared energy-restoring soup, fresh salad, and a steak so tender it melts on your tongue.”
“Once you finish your meal, allow me to massage your shoulders. Back home, no one had stronger hands than me!”
No matter how much I blinked or rubbed my eyes, the scene didn’t change. Three maids were fussing warmly around me.
And that wasn’t all.
“My Lady, please let us know if you’d like a larger bed. We’re replacing the table with marble as well.”
At the door, strong-looking footmen waited, holding extravagant furniture.
“My Lady, we heard you wore that yellow dress because you lacked suitable attire? We’ve brought ten new dresses.”
Unfamiliar women bustled about, bringing luxurious garments.
“If you’d like a pet, please write down your preference. Even if it’s a phoenix, we’ll fetch it.”
A muscular man in tiger-skin clothing even appeared abruptly, offering the absurd.
“What’s all this?”
I looked to Jenna for an explanation, but she simply covered her mouth with both hands, staring in awe at the new furniture.
A maid gently clarified:
“Lady Callista ordered this. She said to provide you with anything you need.”
…Excuse me?
Callista?
Instinctively, I wondered if the food was poisoned. Was she perhaps accelerating the timeline for assassination?
Yet there were too many outsiders around the drawing room for such a blatant murder. And would Callista truly kill her sister in front of so many witnesses? It didn’t match her methods.
Above all, Theon stood near the hallway, directing footmen with furniture arrangements. Seeing my stunned expression, he approached with a calm stride.
“You’ve awakened, My Lady. First, have your meal. Jenna has already eaten the same food.”
As if to prove his words, Jenna was chewing happily, clearly enjoying herself.
Typically wary of Callista, Jenna seemed entirely won over by these extravagant surroundings.
Feeling dazed, I slowly approached the dining table and took a bite of meat. It dissolved so tenderly in my mouth, I wasn’t even sure if I’d chewed.
“…Delicious.”
“Please eat more. You’ve slept long and must be weak. These three maids will follow Jenna’s instructions and attend to your needs from now on.”
…My Lady?
Theon’s form of address had changed. Was this also arranged by Callista?
I felt confused. Throughout both my previous life and this one, I’d never received such lavish treatment.
Still bewildered but regaining my appetite, I took a spoonful of soup. The rich, fragrant taste spread pleasantly across my tongue—
Bang!
The half-open door slammed open loudly, startling everyone. Behind it appeared a familiar face, enraged and breathing heavily.
“Theon! Where did you take Salia? What’s this nonsense?!”
Clarissa had been about to shout something else but stopped, glancing around my lavishly furnished room, astonishment widening her eyes.
Her gaze lingered on the maid massaging my shoulders, then rested incredulously on the marble dining table where I was eating.
“How dare you assign my maid to this child without permission?”
Clarissa fumed, glaring at us.
Wait, this woman was Clarissa’s personal maid? No wonder she was skilled.
“Even that table is more expensive than mine! Theon, have you lost your mind and forgotten the order of this household?”
Clarissa trembled with fury, pointing accusingly at Theon.
“Move all this to my room immediately! Servants, maids—everyone, get out!”
Her voice thundered through the room, but no one obeyed her orders.
Even the maid massaging my shoulders continued gently kneading, her fingers never faltering despite her stunned expression.
“A-are you all deaf now?”
“Everyone’s hearing is fine. Though continuing to listen to your shouting might damage it.”
A calm voice sounded behind Clarissa. All eyes turned to see Callista leaning casually against the doorframe.
“Duchess…what did you just say to me?”
“Everyone out. I need a private word with the Duchess.”
The servants and maids, who had ignored Clarissa, quickly shuffled out at Callista’s words.
The muscular man in tiger skin even bumped Clarissa’s shoulder, messing her clothes, yet walked on obliviously without apologizing.
“What insolence!”
Despite her protests, the muscular figure left without acknowledgment.
I lowered my spoon, preparing to follow Jenna out. Callista stopped me with a shake of her head.
“You stay.”
“But you said everyone out…”
“You’re the second daughter of Luferne and this room’s owner. You don’t have to leave just because someone says so.”
Jenna, who had nearly left behind Theon, glanced back, nodding reassuringly at me. I paused awkwardly in place.
“Fine. Better this way. I suspected you ordered all this.”
Clarissa sat heavily on the sofa Callista gestured toward, arms folded tightly.
“You dare disrespect me, the Duchess and your mother? Clearly, I’ve allowed you too much freedom.”
Her voice was stern, but her face betrayed underlying anxiety. Usually submissive towards Callista, Clarissa appeared determined to confront her this time.
“You’re greatly mistaken. My mother is alive and well at the Litra estate.”
Callista raised one eyebrow, her expression cool.
“You have no children, Duchess.”
“H-how dare you—! Is that why you took my maids? Bring back that massaging girl immediately! And where is Salia?”
“Salia submitted her resignation.”
“What?”
Clarissa froze, eyes widening. A subtle fear flickered across her face, as if realizing something had gone terribly wrong.
“Wh-where did she go?”
“…She requested not to inform you.”
“Impossible! Unless something happened to her—”
Clarissa demanded angrily, but Callista offered no explanation. A faint smirk touched Callista’s lips, as if confirming Clarissa’s fears.
Understanding Callista’s implication, Clarissa’s face paled noticeably. Her voice lowered, wavering:
“You’re acting like you’ve already become the head of Luferne. The mistress of this house is still me.”
“Indeed, which is why I checked your rooms—to see if you’ve fulfilled your role.”
Callista spoke indifferently. Clarissa grew even paler.
“Who gave you the right?”
“I discovered numerous ledgers. Evans family’s recent growth was quite impressive.”
“What?”
“Purchases made under Luferne’s name transferred to the Evans Viscounty, nonexistent trades that yielded massive profits before Theon’s arrival… Don’t worry, I returned your ledgers—keeping only the originals myself.”
Clarissa’s face twisted angrily.
“You insolent—! Do you ignore your father’s authority? Think I can’t punish you? I’ll have the servants—”
“Authority isn’t merely claimed by invoking Father’s name. To command respect, you should’ve provided value—not conspired secretly with the Council.”
Callista’s smirk widened slightly.
“Try commanding the knights to remove me. Who will listen—my personal First Knight Order trained since I was twelve, or the Second Knights selected by my own hand?”
“That’s—”
“The Third Knights’ captain taught me swordsmanship, and Aramis Müller has just become captain of the Fourth Knights—Vittori Müller’s twin brother, by the way.”
Callista’s eyes chilled further, her implication clear without explicit mention:
She knew Clarissa had been behind recent events and would not forgive her.
Clarissa sagged, drained of energy, yet still glared venomously at Callista.
“Most servants from Evans have already left the mansion. Those who remain won’t serve you willingly. Also…”
Callista added quietly to Clarissa, who seemed completely stunned:
“Never enter this room again. If you disturb Harper’s meals once more, I’ll remove every remaining maid from your side.”
Without waiting for a reply, Callista pulled a bell-cord. Servants quickly returned, and she instructed one calmly:
“Escort the Duchess to her room.”
Unlike Clarissa’s earlier demands, the servant promptly obeyed Callista, swiftly and silently guiding Clarissa away, teeth grinding audibly as she was led out.
Aaaah, the sweet smell of revenge! 😏