C8
The letter was completely different from what the Duke had expected.
Naturally, he thought that Deborah had recited the poem written in the letter. However, the length of the lines in the letter was not enough to contain the poem that Deborah had read.
So why did you recite that poem out of the blue?
As he looked at the letter, surprised and amazed, he soon burst into laughter.
"So, this was her intention."
[Darling, I am reading a poem by Lanz Schubert. He is my favorite poet these days. (...)
[... I often close my eyes and imagine the subtle scent of white flowers.]
Deborah had found the poem that his wife had read at that moment and recited it in front of him.
So that Marien could share the feelings and thoughts she had while writing this letter.
"If I hadn't known the poem and had seen this letter, I wouldn't have been able to feel like this."
Being so thoughtful.
Soon, he felt remorse.
He had only shouted at Deborah, who visited him with letters, asking if it was about the diamond. Blatantly pointing out that she should quickly hand over the letters.
On the other hand, Deborah didn't sleep, waited until late, and showed up with a letter when he wanted to rest the most.
His daughter's words that she would be a connection between him and his wife were not empty.
It's the same now.
"With just the clue in the letter, it must not have been easy to find the poem read by Marien."
In addition to having to read all the poems to understand the content, Lanz Schubert was also famous for being prolific.
"Indeed, I am a narrow-minded father."
The Duke, realizing belatedly his daughter's subtle consideration, looked at the letter for a long time, feeling indescribable.
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"Why does Deborah keep coming in and out of my father's office? He even released her from confinement."
In response to Belreck's question, his vassal tilted his head with a look of pity.
"The Duke's servants are all reserved, so I can't know the exact reason. It won't look good if you pry too much."
"And on Deborah's side?"
"There's nothing special, aside from the information that she recently bought a bunch of romantic novels and poetry books that are popular among young women."
No one could have imagined that there was such an important item in the flowerbed because Deborah wrapped it in a long shawl and took it secretly.
They simply thought that Deborah, who had a bad temper, was in trouble because she couldn't control her anger.
"It's annoying."
Belreck crossed his legs with an irritated expression.
A younger sister who tarnished their family name with her unfounded behavior, who didn't know how to do anything and acted arrogantly because she was a direct descendant of Seymour.
In his eyes, judging people based on their competencies, Deborah felt like a leaning rock that needed to be removed as soon as possible.
"Far from improving, it seems she's becoming ridiculous."
Aren't you trying to spend your family's fortune asking for a ridiculously expensive jewel?
Well, let's grant everything we can. That's exactly what that bastard would do.
Deborah even damaged the flower garden that her mother had taken care of.
The moment he heard the news, Belreck was convinced that his father would punish Deborah with an incomparable punishment.
But instead of punishment, rumors began to circulate that she was enjoying tea time with her father.
But instead of punishment, rumors began to circulate that she enjoyed tea time with her father.
When Belreck saw Deborah leaving his father's office with a shameless face, he felt his blood pressure rise.
Why is the bastard who was involved in a ridiculous accident walking around the mansion, looking unscathed?
And whatever the reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that his father seemed to be particularly generous with Deborah.
He was more generous with Deborah, who was the least talented and capable, than with Rosad, who was more capable than anyone else.
I can't understand my father. If I were the head of the family, someone as foolish and incompetent as that bastard wouldn't even set foot in this house...
With his dark, sunken eyes lost in thought, Belreck suddenly smiled like a fish.
Well, anyway, you won't be here for long.
The daughters of the Azutean Empire had to marry after reaching adulthood, and there were no exceptions.
Deborah could marry if she made her debut this fall, so he planned to proceed with her engagement and send her to a distant place.
Although he didn't like Rosad, who always got in his way because they were twins, their mentality and behavior were horribly similar.
Rosad also wanted to get Deborah out of Seymour as soon as possible.
The speedy Rosad had even chosen a suitable candidate for Deborah's husband.
Was it Louis Gargell?
This time, I'll have to actively cooperate with that idiot Rosad.
When she gets married, her last name will change, so Seymour's prestige will no longer fluctuate unfavorably.
Besides, they won't have to face each other.
Belreck lifted his thin lips, as that meant killing two birds with one stone.
----------------
What's wrong with this guy again?
After the morning class, I was running to the detached house to finish reading the romance novel when Belreck suddenly blocked my way.
"What's your business?"
"Business..."
I nervously looked into Belreck's narrow eyes.
Seeing goosebumps automatically appear on his arms, Deborah seemed to hate Belreck's insidious smile even more.
"You're funny. We're not on the same level, so what business should I have with you? I was on my way to see my father for the investigation report. I'm not as free as you."
Well, look at those pretty words. It's not surprising that the way I speak is so similar to my own flesh and blood in my past life.
"If you have no business, you should go on your way instead of arguing with me. I will also continue on my way."
I suppressed my disgust and spoke in the calmest tone possible.
Deborah lost her composure every time Belreck looked at her and mocked her, and she dug her own grave by venting her anger on her innocent subordinates.
"It's a waste of energy. I don't want to get involved, so let's just ignore it."
I tried to quickly pass by Belreck, but he gently grabbed my arm.
"As you're my younger sister, I'll give you some advice."
"I refuse."
"If you didn't want advice, you should have behaved properly. Even if I want to pretend I don't have a younger sister and ignore you, it's all so noisy because of you, isn't it?"
He squeezed my arm with his hand, narrowing his sharp eyes.
"I heard you've been making a fuss about jewelry these days. This brother can't sleep because he worries every day about who will take you, being so greedy and frivolous."
"You don't need to worry about that, so let it go."
"I'm looking out for you, but I'm disappointed by how you speak. You have no magical talent, and your intelligence is low. You only have youth and appearance, so if I want to introduce you to a good guy because I'm concerned about your future, shouldn't you be grateful first?"
"What are you talking about?"
Don't tell me you're trying to arrange a meeting right now?
"Louis Gargell. You'll be meeting soon, so keep that in mind."
Louis Gargell?
"That's a familiar name."
I suddenly remembered the content of the novel. That crybaby boy who used to bother the heroine!
He had a minor role, but it was memorable because his behavior was wicked, and his name was similar to Thompson Gargell.
"He's insane."
I forcefully pulled my hand away and opened my eyes fiercely.
He shrugged slightly, looking at me with a mocking face.
"You need to receive proper etiquette training again. I'll personally help you so that you're good enough not to disgrace yourself."
The more I listened, the more ridiculous it was, but if I lost my composure and got upset, Belreck would just laugh at her.
How can a lady from a noble family not control her emotions?
With clenched fists, I remembered the way my sister spoke and the tone she used to defend herself against the petty attacks of relatives in my past life.
"My brother is not polite in his speech. If he wants to marry, he will have to undergo basic language education again."
Receiving the same treatment, he looked at me with a bitter smile and cold eyes.
"How dare you, a mere princess, try to be equal to me, the heir? It seems you think we're in the same situation, but keep in mind that in your current position, you should be grateful to me for finding a man from a good family for you to marry."
"I never asked you to find one. This is beyond your authority."
"Deborah. If you had taken good care of yourself at least once, I wouldn't have acted this way. Don't you think?"
"I will take good care of myself from now on, so don't interfere. If you're so concerned about my life, give me money."
"Ah! How are you going to handle what you haven't been able to do? Don't tell me you're still deluding yourself that Philap Montes will accept you?"
"This person is evil."
I couldn't believe that her opponent even brought up her younger sister's unrequited love.
Belreck's taunting and verbal abuse continued.
"Wake up. Why would Philap Montes take you as his wife? It seems there's a girl he's quite fond of these days, haven't you heard the news?"
The girl he likes is Mia Binoche.
"I'm not interested in your news."
"Hmph! Pretending to be strong. Or... are you denying reality?"
He clicked his tongue slightly.
"Being realistic, due to your bad behavior, I won't take you to a prestigious family on the same level as Seymour. Montes, Orge, Visconti, all..."
"I'm not getting married."
His strong reprimand halted at my words.
His face, as smooth as a marble, cracked.
"What, what did you say?"
Looking at his shallow and trembling mouth, I said,
"I'm not getting married."