A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 24.2
“They must all know by now.”
“Yes…”
Though I hadn’t specified what, Nancy immediately understood and answered gloomily.
Half resigned, I asked again,
“Who’s waiting for me now? Father? Brother?”
“The Duke, Milady.”
“…I see.”
Even if my outing hadn’t been discovered today, I would have had to face the Duke sooner or later.
Resigning myself to that reality, I told Nancy,
“Go and fetch the butler.”
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I didn’t ask Nancy, but the butler, to show me the way.
It was intentional, of course.
As he led me quietly toward the study, occasionally sneaking glances at me, I spoke up in a low voice as we reached the east wing.
“Butler.”
“Yes, Milady?”
“I heard you told Father that I frequently threatened people?”
“…Pardon?”
At my nonchalant tone, the butler failed to catch on at first, but then turned pale in an instant.
“N-No! W-Who would ever say such nonsense…! Was it Nancy?”
“No. I didn’t need to ask Nancy. The rumors were already everywhere.”
“T-That can’t be…! No, Milady! Please believe me! I-I would never tattle about such things…”
“Of course I believe you. You’re not the kind of petty man who would gossip that your master was just joking around, are you, Butler?”
“……”
The butler gave no answer.
Silence filled the empty hallway.
I looked out at the midday sunlight streaming in through the window and grinned.
“Ah, the weather’s nice today. Maybe I’ll play a round of croquet for the first time in a while?”
“……”
“Butler, if you don’t mind, could you stand in for the wickets? I’m still not very good…”
“A-Ah, Milady…! I-I’ve committed an unforgivable sin! This old man’s heart has only gotten smaller with age, and I… I…!”
After sufficiently chastising the loose-tongued butler, we finally arrived in front of the Duke’s study.
Knock, knock.
“Your Grace, I’ve brought Lady Edith.”
“Come in.”
“…Please enter, Milady.”
With the Duke’s permission from inside, the butler respectfully opened the door.
He looked as if he’d aged ten years in just a few minutes.
Feeling a surge of tension, I took a short, deep breath and entered.
The study was vast and austere.
The Duke, seated at his desk, was speaking with his aide while going over work.
Apparently, both the Duke and his aide were Awakeners, since I could see fairly decent berserk values above their heads.
After a quick glance, I lowered my gaze.
I hadn’t noticed when I first woke up, but up close, the Duke’s face really did resemble Edith’s.
But the platinum hair streaked with gray and the eyes a paler blue than Edith’s, marked by the years, actually made him look more like Ethan than like Edith.
It was a bitter reality.
Whether because he was concentrating or just ignoring me on purpose, neither of them looked at me until I had nearly reached them.
“…You called for me, Father.”
With no other option, I spoke up first.
Only then did the two men stop talking and turn toward me at the same time.
“Ah! Good afternoon, Milady!”
The aide greeted me a beat late, his face cheerful.
In contrast, the Duke looked away from me, fatigue written all over his face.
“Langdon. Go bring some tea.”
“Yes, sir!”
Perhaps wanting to avoid an awkward mood, the aide hurried out as soon as the order was given.
“Sit down.”
Rising from his chair, the Duke gestured toward the sofa.
Without complaint, I sat across from him.
“Edith Blake.”
The Duke immediately addressed me in a heavy tone, skipping any pleasantries for his daughter he hadn’t seen in a while.
“Yes.”
“You couldn’t wait and just had to go out, didn’t you?”
“……”
“Did you know you fainted and were brought back by Count Frederick?”
“…Yes, I heard.”
“I told you so many times not to get involved with him… Your foolish behavior isn’t enough to ruin your own reputation, you’re bringing shame to our entire family.”
He clicked his tongue in disapproval, glaring at me.
Even though it wasn’t my fault that I fainted, I felt wronged.
But meeting those eyes, filled with disappointment, I instinctively bowed my head, as if I were some kind of criminal.
— Did you still not awaken?
— Tsk. At your age, you’re still brawling around… How much longer are you going to disgrace me like this?
Someone’s voice echoed in my ears, and I clenched my fists tightly.
It wasn’t brawling, it was the adopted kids you brought in who beat me up.
But I couldn’t say that.
Those disappointed eyes hurt too much.
“…I’m sorry.”
I told myself it was just one more time, nothing new.
‘Still, Edith’s much better off than me…’
The Duke only had one adopted son, Ethan, and at least he wouldn’t openly beat me up…
I tried to console myself.
After hearing my apology, the Duke suddenly flinched and then—
“You… Who are you?”
His eyes wide, he pointed at me.
“…Excuse me?”
“My daughter, Edith, would never say such a thing. Reveal yourself!”
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