Chapter 36
Staring at Bellieta, who had drawn a line and interpreted everything in a way that was completely favorable to herself, I smirked.
Apologizing first means I admitted I was wrong?
What a flimsy argument.
“Bellieta, I think you’re misunderstanding something.”
“What do you mean?”
“I apologized to you simply because I wanted to end this situation. That’s all. There’s no other reason.”
“…Sierra?”
“And the thing is….”
Trailing off, I stood up from my seat, and Bellieta’s gaze followed me upward.
After a brief silence, I slowly opened my mouth at just the right moment.
“Si….”
“I did nothing wrong, right?”
Just like the words you always carried around with you.
Turning my head, I saw the faces of the maids who had frozen.
Now that I’ve witnessed the maids who live under the protection of the Brilloxen family siding with Bellieta, I realized there’s no time to delay the internal shake-up.
I made eye contact with each of the maids who had actively supported Bellieta or displayed such behavior.
The number of maids flinching and avoiding my gaze made me smirk.
You’ve planted quite a few.
“I’m just a person, and I’m not happy about having to apologize because the maids pushed me into it, When I haven’t done anything wrong. Well, I’ll take my leave now. Be careful on your way back.”
I turned around and started to leave through the open terrace door, but then I stopped and looked back.
Seeing Bellieta frozen in place, I smiled gently.
“Oh, and don’t worry, Bellieta. I’m not upset because of you.”
Who else would be to blame for taking over my family, killing my parents, and stealing my man?
All this anger that boils up when I see you, the coldness that enveloped my body as I sank into the abyss.
Whose fault is it, Bellieta?
Even at this moment, as I make eye contact with you, the desire to tear you apart and kill you—whose is it?
I glanced over at the maids following behind me and wiped the smile from my face.
“You did nothing wrong.”
As always, right?
* * *
“You called for me?”
The Datum family butler adjusted his glasses, which rested on the tip of his nose, as he entered the room.
Nodding, I stood up and handed over the neatly arranged documents to the butler.
“These are the personnel replacement approval documents I mentioned earlier. The list is included, so please handle it accordingly.”
“Understood. However, will you be replacing Rita as well? She’s efficient and quick-witted, and you seemed to be quite fond of her.”
“I was fond of her. But I can’t let others miss out on benefits that rightfully belong to them just because of personal feelings. So, take care of it properly.”
“I will proceed accordingly. However, it might take some time to replace the personnel.”
“Is there a lack of prepared replacements?”
“They’re ready. But it will be difficult for the newcomers to handle the duties during next week’s military conference. Though their tasks may seem small, each one handles important matters in their respective positions. We can’t fill those roles immediately. They’ll need training and time to adjust.”
Now that I think about it, the military conference is next week.
I stared at the desk calendar for a moment and nodded.
“Proceed as you’ve planned. But announce the replacements after the military conference is over. I don’t want unnecessary noise in the mansion, especially now that my parents aren’t here.”
“Understood.”
“You may leave.”
Returning to my seat, I picked up my pen.
The butler bowed slightly and turned to leave the room.
I glanced down at the approval documents, ready to organize them, but then looked up again.
“Oh, and Mr. Butler.”
“Yes, miss?”
“Have you heard anything regarding the deputy commander?”
“If you mean Deputy Commander Gilbert, there’s been nothing unusual. The only noteworthy thing is that he’s taken two days of leave as of today.”
“Is that so?”
It’s been a while since I had a conversation with Gilbert.
I expected some response by now after giving him this much time, but nothing came back.
The paper I handed him to testify hasn’t been returned, and there’s been no other reaction.
No word from Bellieta’s side either.
“Also, keep a close eye on Deputy Commander Gilbert for the time being. If he does anything suspicious or has any unusual interactions with others, inform me immediately.”
“Understood.”
If he has any other schemes in mind, it won’t take long to reveal them.
But in the end, there was only one path Gilbert could choose.
A spy whose identity is exposed can never be safe anywhere.
Bellieta will surely move to eliminate Gilbert out of fear that her actions will be revealed.
“The rainy season is ending too.”
The start of the heatwave was imminent.
* * *
Winston Paliéva was the current head of the Paliéva duchy and simultaneously the Minister of State of the Bertos Empire.
He was the de facto second-in-command of the Bertos Empire, second only to the Emperor.
The Palieva family, which had virtually monopolized the military industry for many years, was even said to possess an inexhaustible gold mine.
Moreover, as a relative of the imperial family that had produced several empresses, they enjoyed the status of quasi-royalty.
“Father, I have something on my mind.”
Though it seemed like the Paliéva family had nothing to worry about, Winston, the head of the family, had recently been troubled by trivial matters.
As per Winston’s principle of always having breakfast with his family, all eyes were on him at the dining table filled with the Paliéva family members.
Winston lifted his knife, which he had been using to slice bread, and pointed it at Kestian, who had a rather serious expression.
“Do you create problems worth worrying about every day, or are you doing it on purpose just to see my reaction?”
Winston raised his eyebrows in exasperation.
Kestian’s sister, Rubiche, chimed in to support Winston.
“Brother, this is the fourth day. If you have something to say, just say it. Listening to ridiculous worries every morning is exhausting.”
“Rubiche, this time it’s not ridiculous. Hear me out.”
Rubiche shrugged her shoulders as she stirred her scrambled eggs with a fork, looking fed up.
Kestian made eye contact with each person looking at him, creating suspense before his eyes sparkled.
“Yesterday, I happened to come across a platypus, and I suddenly wondered whether it’s a duck or a raccoon. Its bill looks like a duck’s, but its name says it’s a raccoon. And it looks more like a mole than a raccoon… .”
“I knew it. I’m an idiot for falling for this again. Father, I’m leaving now.”
Rubiche sighed and got up from her seat.
Following Rubiche, Kestian’s other siblings also left the table.
“Why? Where are you all going?! I’m serious this time!”
There was no response to Kestian’s desperate calls for his siblings.
In the end, Winston was the only one left, facing Kestian.
Winston let out a small sigh and put down his butter knife.
He pushed aside the plate of bread, clasped his hands together, and placed them neatly on the table.
“Kestian, as I’ve told you repeatedly, you need to carry weight if you want to take a seat of power. If you’re too light, you won’t be able to take that position; you’ll just float away. Especially the seat you’ll be sitting in soon.”
Unlike the lighthearted Kestian, Winston exuded a sense of weightiness in his voice, actions, and gestures.
Born into a ducal family, raised as an heir, and having lived his entire life learning how to be a duke, Winston saw Kestian as an anomaly.
As the eldest son, Kestian had been taught the numerous etiquettes, protocols, and behaviors expected of someone in his position.
Kestian was bright and intelligent, absorbing everything like a sponge. But as he grew older, he became increasingly carefree.
Winston disapproved of this side of Kestian, but there wasn’t much he could say.
After all, Kestian’s abilities were exceptional, and he always proved his worth through results.
“Always maintain your composure and pay attention to your conduct. In this world, people will find fault even with a single smudge on your shoes. Haven’t you learned anything from observing me?”
“Despite that, I’ve heard you’ve recently become quite fond of salsa dancing. Many people have seen you dancing in your room during work hours. You used to say that such dances were too frivolous for nobles.”
“…”
Winston forced a sheepish smile, silently cursing the aide who had promised to keep it a secret but had ratted him out to Kestian.
“That’s just a hobby….”
“The other day, I happened to glance at some mail in your room and noticed you signed up for an amateur salsa dance competition… .”
“Kestian!!”
Winston jumped up in a panic.
The chair clattered loudly as it fell backward.
Feigning surprise, Kestian widened his eyes, then broke into a grin.
“You seem to have floated away from your seat, haven’t you?”
“…You insolent brat.”
Winston gritted his teeth, setting the chair upright and sitting back down.
Kestian’s sly smile made Winston click his tongue as he shifted his body slightly to the side.
In Winston’s eyes, Kestian was a brilliant talent, and as the head of the State Department, he believed that Kestian had what it took to succeed him as the Minister of State.
Calming his racing heart, Winston spoke in a low voice.
“Are you prepared for next week’s military conference?”
“No problem. With Brilloxen’s support, we should be able to secure a lot of moderate votes, so I don’t foresee any issues in passing the agenda.”
“Brilloxen… This time, Lady Brilloxen will attend, won’t she?”
Sierra was just as well-known as Bellieta. Though most of the opinions about her were negative, Winston never judged people based on rumors.
“I don’t know how the Count of Brilloxen raised his daughter, but she’s quite impressive. She’s knowledgeable and possesses a level of insight and depth that’s rare for someone her age. Her level of intellect is beyond question.”
“At the last banquet, Lady Brilloxen personally told me that she supports the direction of the Paliéva family. I was a bit taken aback, as I hadn’t brought it up first, but it was helpful.”
“She’s a wise girl. It’s a pity that Count Brilloxen declined; otherwise, you could have been paired with her.”
