Chapter 32
｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Divine ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
“What’s the matter? It’s good news.”
Livnell responded graciously.
“But considering Daphne’s… well, everything that happened…”
Cyan hesitated.
“But on the first day we returned to the mansion, Daphne was the one who suggested having tea first.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They served desserts and later she even prepared tea without caffeine separately.”
Cyan’s eyes widened in surprise.
The Daphne he knew wouldn’t have considered the other person’s taste.
Rather, she would have laid out plenty of teas that she enjoyed and insisted on agreement.
‘Has she really changed…?’
Indeed, it had been a long time since Cyan had heard the term ‘Uncle’.
As Cyan pondered, Livnell placed her hand on top of his.
She knew Daphne disliked their family. But Livnell didn’t believe it was unwarranted.
The best defense for someone not welcomed was to dislike them.
For young Daphne, that might have been the best course of action, and it continued into adulthood.
But now, Daphne was different.
During the brief tea time with Daphne, Livnell had read her sincerity.
Change was possible. Both for Daphne and the Peregrine family.
Livnell truly believed that.
“Let’s give it a try. I’d like us all to gather together.”
“…If you say so, I’ll do it. I’ll make it happen.”
As Cyan nodded, Livnell smiled brightly.
Then, tears began to well up in Cyan’s eyes.
“Why are you crying again, dear?”
“B-Because seeing you smile… makes me so happy…”
At his trembling voice, Livnell couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
What should she do with her husband who cried at her every smile?
“Don’t cry. You shed more tears than I do, and I’m the one who’s pregnant.”
“Oh, I’m not crying. I’m not crying…”
Cyan fought back his tears with all his might. Then, with shaking hands, he offered her the teacup.
“Here, let’s have some tea before dinner.”
Her husband urging her with a tearful face was so endearing, so Livnell accepted the cup without teasing him further.
Perhaps because of her good mood, the taste of the tea seemed particularly rich and sweet.
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“The party preparation list.”
The housekeeper handed the list to the servants.
On the paper were written the names and families of various nobles.
“As esteemed guests will be arriving, we must ensure that preparations proceed without any hitches. Remember my words.”
“Yes, understood.”
The servants nodded. The housekeeper clapped her hands, and they moved seamlessly.
After a while, a red-haired maid appeared.
She looked around and glanced at the list on the table.
It really was full of nobles.
The maid, eyes shining, laid down the paper carefully.
A few hours later, as the sun was beginning to set.
In front of the Peregrine residence that had a family symbol of a snake carved on a deep gray background, a carriage arrived.
It was Flora’s carriage, engraved with the emblems of the royal family and the temple.
Originally, Flora was scheduled to visit in about three days. However, one of Flora’s planted maids hastily contacted her.
Tonight, there was news that a party hosting esteemed guests was being held at the Peregrine Manor.
“A party!”
Flora was outraged.
Since the effective dismissal order from Lyas, she hadn’t been to the ducal estate. There was simply no reason for her to visit.
But to hold a party.
This meant that the junior duke, Lyas, had begun activities to expand his influence in earnest.
‘Maybe they’re going to bring in a new mistress.’
At that moment, Flora’s heart sank. The spot next to Lyas was something she had dreamed of all her life.
‘I must attend the party, no matter what!’
But as someone who hadn’t been invited, she couldn’t shamelessly insert herself.
As Flora anxiously bit her lip, something suddenly occurred to her.
‘…Didn’t they say that Livnell and Cyan had returned to the Peregrine Manor?’
Although it was kept quiet, it was widely known that Livnell’s health had been deteriorating day by day, leading to her departure for treatment.
But now that they had returned to the manor, it was necessary to inform everyone that she had safely recovered for the sake of eliminating any potential rumors.
This party was definitely also organized for that purpose.
‘If that’s the case, then their personal physician Spencer will surely be there. Given Livnell’s personality, there’s no way she wouldn’t invite her personal physician to the party.’
Spencer was one of Flora’s former disciples who had been helped by her.
If she went in with him, even Lyas wouldn’t dare to confront her openly.
Having made her decision, Flora immediately headed to the ducal estate.
“Hello, Lady Flora.”
“Yes, how has everything been?”
While her manner could be said to be bold and brash, Flora smiled gracefully.
Though some of the servants looked at her as an uninvited guest, she could endure this level of disdain for the sake of the party.
“Is my Lord around?”
“In his chamber as always.”
She nodded, looking at the still-empty entrance of the manor.
The party hadn’t started yet. She could afford to wait.
“Don’t inform the Lord. I will speak with him separately.”
“…Understood.”
Although she had been dismissed, she was still the teacher appointed by the royal palace and the temple.
As long as those two pillars remained, the servants of Peregrine had no choice.
Confirming she was alone, she headed to the Third Annex.
Perhaps busy with party preparations, there was no one in the Third Annex.
It was filled only with a quiet silence, as if willingly welcoming a new intruder.
‘…The atmosphere feels odd.’
She felt like someone was watching her.
It was like the feeling of a snake’s eyes gleaming in the grass, ready to pounce on its prey.
Flora brushed off a slight shiver, goosebumps appearing on her arm.
Arriving at the door of Spencer’s office, Flora knocked.
“Ah, Lady Flora!”
Spencer greeted her warmly, as if he had been waiting.
“Everything has been fine, I trust? Have you been managing your tasks properly?”
“Of course. I’ve done everything exactly as you instructed, Lady Flora.”
Spencer, who had been bowing and groveling, asked in a subtle voice.
“…By the way, I trust everything is proceeding smoothly as promised?”
Flora raised an eyebrow at his question. Spencer continued, somewhat nervously.
“Ahem, surely you’re aware of how much effort I put into adding the medicine you brought to Lady Livnell’s cup?”
“And?”
“If this goes well, I’d like to have some small assurance regarding your promise to push me forward as a physician at the temple.”
In simpler terms, it was a request for some form of financial compensation.
That’s how things were.
Flora casually brushed him off and placed a purse of coins on the table.
“This is an advance payment.”
“A-An advance…!”
“If you manage to safely deliver Livnell and her child, I’ll see to it.”
Spencer’s face brightened at the prospect.
Flora inwardly scoffed.
How could someone who belonged to Peregrine become a physician of the temple?
But outwardly, Flora just smiled graciously. It was when she looked at him pitifully, laughing heartily without knowing anything.
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, a knocking sound interrupted them.
“Lady Flora, it’s Malbera.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and a red-haired maid entered.
She was the same maid who had almost caused friction between Daphne and the twins and had informed Flora about the party.
There was a sense of urgency in Malbera’s usually expressionless face. Flora inquired, “What’s the matter? Why the sudden…”
“The party has begun.”
“What did you say?!”
Taken aback by the unexpected news, Flora sprang to her feet.
She peered anxiously out the window, but there was not a single carriage in sight. Flora exclaimed in disbelief.
“The guests haven’t even arrived yet, but the party has started?!”
“I don’t know either. They just said it’s starting…”
Flora bit her lip at Malbera’s words. She didn’t know what was going on, but she needed to go quickly.
“Come on, let’s go, hurry!”
“Uh, y-yes, I understand!”
Grabbing Spencer, who was as good as an invitation, Flora swiftly left the Third Annex.
The news of the party’s start seemed to be true; the doors were closed.
With her hair still disheveled from the rush, Flora attempted to go inside.
“You cannot enter.”
The Peregrine knights guarding the door blocked her path.
“What nonsense is this? Why can’t I enter? Open the door at once!”
“You cannot enter.”
Despite her authoritative tone, the knights remained steadfast.
‘How dare they ignore me!’
Flora shot a glare at the knights.
“I’m sure you know who I am, don’t you? I am here at Peregrine Manor by the authority of the temple and the palace! It would be wise for you to step aside before I report this disrespect to…”
“What’s all the commotion about?”
At that moment, a familiar voice sounded. Flora nervously turned around.
There stood Daphne, elegantly dressed, looking down at her.
“Daphne!”
Flora approached her as if nothing had ever happened, smiling broadly.
“Could you please listen to me? These knights say they can’t let me into the party!”
Flora grabbed onto her hand so that she couldn’t easily retreat.
Daphne gestured to the knights guarding the door. They bowed their heads and stepped aside.
‘It’s done!’
Flora inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
She thought Daphne had changed, but she was still Daphne in the end.
Foolish and powerless, obediently listening to her every word.
Just look at her ordering the knights at her request.
Flora took Daphne’s hand and said, “Thank you, Daphne. Let’s go in together…”
“No. Lady Flora, you cannot enter.”
However, something unbelievable came from Daphne’s mouth. Stunned, Flora asked incredulously, “What…? I-I cannot enter. Why?”
“The party has been canceled.”
Daphne smiled softly.
“It was too rushed, and it seemed difficult to invite other guests. So, we decided to have a family dinner. Perhaps that’s why the knights stopped you, because you’re not part of our family.”
“What…!”
Flora was speechless.
The party was canceled out of consideration for the guests, and they decided to have a family dinner instead.
It was an unbelievable story. If it was a Peregrine’s invitation, noble guests would have flocked to it no matter what.
No, would Lyas have approved such a futile plan in the first place…?
‘…Wait a minute.’
Could it be…?
‘On purpose?’
Flora looked at Daphne with a pale face, her mind racing.
