Chapter 66
｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Bree ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
Being criticized as outdated by someone much taller and better looking must have been embarrassing for Jed.
He seethed for a moment but eventually fell silent, unable to retort.
Luciel’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me, almost as if asking, “Did I do well?”
I chuckled and nodded.
“Well, it certainly is an outdated thought.”
“Outdated…!”
“If you want to receive a handkerchief, you should start by fixing your manners.”
I cut him off firmly, pointing at him with my fan.
“It’s rude to push a lady.”
“…!”
“If you don’t understand that, it shows you’ve never received a handkerchief before. Right, brother?”
I emphasized “brother” with a smirk, and Jed’s face turned redder.
“Wh-What are you talking about…!”
“Ah, did I say too much? My apologies if I touched a sore spot.”
I smiled sweetly, not looking sorry at all, and Jed clenched his fists in frustration.
As expected, it seemed he had never received a handkerchief.
But he couldn’t easily argue back against my logical statements.
“I… I apologize for my rudeness.”
After seething for a while, Jed finally stormed out.
‘Why put on airs in the first place?’
I scoffed and turned back to Hyler.
“I gave up embroidery, so I hope to thoroughly inspect the surroundings.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
Hyler quickly came out to assist with the tour.
When Sukia tried to follow, I shook my head gently.
“We’ll be discussing business, so you stay here for now.”
Being pushed by her brother in front of everyone was surely embarrassing for her. It was best to let her calm down alone.
With everyone having witnessed her public embarrassment, Jed wouldn’t dare return soon either.
Then Luciel turned to Gael.
“Gael, would you like to stay here as well?”
“Yes, I will.”
Gael nodded. Good. With Gael around, Jed wouldn’t dare show up.
So, Hyler, Luciel, and I went to inspect the herb fields together.
I had been worried that the condition of the fields might have deteriorated under Count Drave’s management, but they were surprisingly well-maintained.
“It’s all thanks to Becky’s hard work.”
“Becky?”
“Yes. She helps us with cultivation… Ah, there she is. Becky!”
Hyler called out loudly to someone who was tending to the herbs.
A tall, slender woman with orange hair stood up and quickly walked over.
‘She looks familiar somehow…’
As I narrowed my eyes, Hyler spoke.
“She’s Jed’s sister. Becky, come and greet Lady Peregrine.”
“Ah…! Hello, My Lady!”
Becky bowed deeply to me.
She must be the smart, studious sister Sukia proudly spoke of.
“Sukia has told me a lot about you. Thank you for always being so kind to her.”
I smiled warmly at Becky, who blushed and nodded.
“It’s my pleasure, My Lady. We do our best here.”
I could see the pride in her eyes as she spoke about her work.
“That just means Sukia is doing well, so there’s no need to thank me. I’ve heard a lot about you from Sukia. She said you’re very smart and good at studying.”
“Oh… that’s too kind of you.”
Becky’s face turned red with modesty. Unlike her brother Jed, she displayed a humble attitude.
‘Sukia and Becky seem to have good personalities, but Jed is completely different.’
Even within a family, personalities can vary so much. I clicked my tongue quietly.
“The Lady would like to inspect the fields. Becky, could you help with that?”
“Of course!”
Becky smiled brightly and led me further inside.
She explained what herbs were cultivated here and how they were harvested.
Even with the continuous explanations, she showed no signs of fatigue.
I watched Becky closely and asked,
“Becky, do you really like herbs?”
“Huh? Oh… I’m sorry. I must have talked too much about myself.”
“No, your explanations were very clear, thanks to your kindness. Did you take those notes yourself?”
“Yes, although they’re not perfect…”
She blushed as she nodded, showing the notebook she held preciously.
“Since prescriptions vary depending on the patient’s constitution, I try to record as many variations as possible.”
She smiled shyly.
“With such understanding and memory, you’d be greatly welcomed at the academy. You’re really impressive.”
“Ah…”
But then, Becky’s face suddenly darkened.
“I… I can’t go to the academy.”
“What?”
“Jed is smarter than me. Our parents want him to go more than they want me to…”
She mumbled something that I couldn’t quite understand.
‘But Sukia clearly said her sister was going to the academy…’
As I frowned in confusion, another employee approached us with a concerned expression.
“Excuse me, My Lady. May I step away for a moment?”
“Of course.”
As I nodded, Becky bowed and left with the employee.
“That person didn’t look well.”
Luciel, who had been quietly following us, spoke in a low voice.
I hadn’t even noticed his presence because he hid his presence so well. Trying to calm my suddenly racing heart, I replied,
“Do you think so too, Your Highness?”
“Yes.”
Luciel nodded.
“It’s quite obvious when a smiling face becomes rigid.”
He spoke as if he had seen such expressions many times before.
I looked at him curiously, and Luciel smiled warmly, showing no signs of shadow.
At that moment, Hyler approached us again.
He suggested we continue the discussion inside, so we returned to the herbalist’s shop.
“Were there any other inconveniences during your inspection?”
Hyler placed a teacup in front of me, looking nervously.
He seemed worried about how I would react, given Jed’s earlier behavior and my reputation as a villainess.
“Everything was fine. The management is excellent.”
“Thank you! I’m so relieved to hear that.”
Hyler visibly relaxed, placing his hand on his chest.
I smiled and subtly changed the topic.
“So, Jed and Becky both work here together?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, Jed will be leaving soon.”
“Leaving?”
“Yes. Jed is about to enter the academy.”
He spoke as if he was certain Jed would be the only one to go. Narrowing my eyes, I asked,
“I heard Becky is also taking the entrance exam.”
“Yes, Becky took the exam several times with Jed. But Jed’s scores are better.”
“Unless the academy has a limit on admissions, Becky should be able to enter if she meets the required scores, right?”
“Well… yes, but…”
Hyler trailed off.
It seemed there was more to the story.
I narrowed my eyes and voiced the hypothesis that had been forming in my mind.
“So, it must be Jed who goes.”
“That…”
“Due to family circumstances, only one can attend the academy, and if one must go, the son would be more beneficial to the family.”
Hyler hesitated, then nodded.
“Yes.”
“…”
“It’s more beneficial for parents if the son succeeds rather than the daughter.”
Though I had expected it, the blatant reason still made me clench my fists.
It’s common for sons to receive preferential treatment simply because they are expected to carry on the family name.
‘I’ve faced similar discrimination myself.’
But at least I had been able to work part-time back then.
Despite being criticized by my grandmother as being too stubborn, I had managed to go to college.
But that’s not the case here. How much could the eldest daughter of a large family earn by working?
‘That’s why Becky said that.’
“I… I can’t go to the academy.”
“Jed is smarter than me. Our parents… they want that more.”
She too wanted to attend the academy but couldn’t.
The circumstances were not in her favor, and her parents’ expectations were directed elsewhere.
I had to hold my tongue to stop myself from saying something I might regret.
“Daughters become strangers once they get married, don’t they?”
“…”
Unfortunately, Hyler didn’t notice my growing anger and continued to justify the parents’ decisions.
Just then,
Crack.
A small sound accompanied by a crack appeared on the teacup in front of Hyler.
“What? Why did this break suddenly? It’s not even magic…”
Hyler, puzzled by the sudden crack, quickly realized the room had fallen silent and stopped talking.
He finally took a moment to look around at us.
He saw Luciel smiling quietly, and then…
“Gasp…!”
And my likely quite menacing face.
Realizing the tension, Hyler was startled.
“I apologize, My Lady,” he said, his voice shaky.
“I didn’t mean to offend.”
I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger.
“Hyler, it’s essential to recognize the potential in everyone, not just the sons.”
“Of course, My Lady. I understand,” he stammered, visibly nervous.
“Becky has shown remarkable dedication and intelligence. She deserves the opportunity just as much as Jed.”
“Yes, My Lady. I’ll convey your thoughts to the family,” Hyler said, bowing repeatedly.
I turned to Luciel, who was watching the scene with an amused look.
“Shall we continue our tour, Your Highness?”
“Of course, My Lady,” he replied smoothly.
As we resumed our inspection, I couldn’t help but think about Becky’s situation. There had to be a way to support her dreams without letting her be overshadowed by outdated family preferences.
“Hyler,” I called out as we walked.
“Yes, My Lady?”
“Ensure Becky gets the same opportunities as her brother. I will be checking in regularly.”
“Understood, My Lady,” Hyler agreed, looking more subdued.
With that matter addressed, I focused on the rest of the tour, determined to make positive changes for those who deserved it.
