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Chapter 62
“Jaquet.”
“Yes….”
Jaquet, who had been standing confidently until now, slumped and answered meekly at Daphne’s sharp voice.
“Tell me what happened.”
“Huh?”
“There are more of them, so you speak first.”
Jaquet froze at Daphne’s words, spoken while she suppressed her anger.
When the usually quiet Daphne spoke slowly, the entire hall fell silent in an instant.
Her voice was so sharp that no one dared interrupt.
Jaquet blinked, stunned by Daphne’s strange logic. Usually, the side with more people got listened to more carefully.
“Go ahead, tell your story.”
When Teophanes, standing behind her, joined in, the nobles present truly could not utter a word.
It was considered improper to back down once the stage had been set. The knights of the Umbra Order had taught them this rule.
“I was just trying to look around the banquet hall, but suddenly those kids came and started picking a fight.”
Mom and Dad are watching.
Mom said it was okay to speak, so it really is okay.
With that thought, Jaquet boldly pointed at the children with her finger.
“Those kids? How dare they, to a noble!”
“Count Villeden, shall I have to quiet you myself?”
At Teophanes’ words, the count gritted his teeth and fell silent.
“I only warned them several times not to touch me, but they grabbed my hood first, choking me and pulling my hair, hurting me!”
Jaquet spoke clearly, pointing directly at the boy hiding behind the man called Count Villeden.
“Choking… hurting…?”
Teophanes spoke for Daphne, who muttered with a serious expression.
“And after that?”
“After that, I told them to come at me one by one, and they all rushed at me at once.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I only told the truth. Even if that kid called me a lowly commoner, I tried to endure it.”
“Lowly commoner?”
Teophanes’ gaze moved to the boy at the tip of Jaquet’s finger: Villeden Rennox.
Daphne inspected the boy’s injuries with a worried expression and brushed off his messy clothes with her hands.
“Does anything hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You judged the situation very wisely. Now, let’s hear the side of the majority.”
Teophanes stared quietly at Count Villeden.
“Villeden Rennox, speak on their behalf.”
“Yes, yes! We only tried to prevent that filthy, lowly commoner from disturbing Anaxis’ banquet of harmony!”
Speaking with sniffles, he was like any other child.
In contrast, Jaquet had fought alone against the group, standing firm without crying, presenting her argument clearly, and naturally drew the attention of the attendants.
“And then?”
“After that… I, I…”
Villeden Rennox hesitated, clutching the hem of his mother’s dress, unable to finish his sentence.
The Count, seeing this, frowned and pulled his son’s arm.
“Speak quickly! How did that girl behave?!”
“Father! It hurts…!”
Even a child larger and stronger than his peers was helpless against an adult’s forceful grip.
The boy, now terrified, turned pale and trembled.
Seeing this, Jaquet flinched and grabbed tightly at Daphne’s skirt.
Unable to bear it, Daphne stepped forward, frowning.
“Count. The child is frightened. Do not push him further.”
Count Villeden opened his mouth to argue but stopped.
Teophanes, standing behind her, smiled brightly, his expression radiant and chilling at once.
The boy, sensing it, stammered and could not speak.
Murmurs filled the hall. Simply put, everything Jaquet said was correct, leaving the nobles speechless.
If he had been truly malicious or cunning, he would have denied it without evidence.
‘He seems to have a good heart,’
“Jaquet, wait a moment…”
Daphne sighed and was about to turn to speak with Jaquet when—
Snap—
“Gasp.”
The hall went silent in an instant.
Count Villeden still raised his hand, anger unresolved.
It is natural for a parent to discipline their child, but this was abuse.
The child, holding his cheek and shedding tears without making a sound, seemed all too familiar with this treatment.
Countess Villeden hurriedly embraced her son, checking the bruises.
Her expression was a mix of guilt and helplessness.
In this world, too many people were accustomed to violence and abuse.
“Count.”
“I’m sorry, he’s such a rambunctious boy.”
Daphne cut him off firmly, preventing further excuses, and made the boy bow his head in apology.
“Mom…”
Jaquet whispered softly, looking up at Daphne.
Daphne squeezed her hand.
“I didn’t want to introduce you under such circumstances.”
Teophanes said, lifting Jaquet into his arms.
Naturally, she had to let go of Daphne’s skirt.
“My daughter, Jaquet Anaxis.”
Caught in Teophanes’ arms, Jaquet flinched at all the gazes.
“I’m… Jaquet Anaxis…”
Now embarrassed by the attention, her voice was timid.
When a few people started clapping, applause suddenly filled the hall.
“Now, we should hear your story, Count Villeden.”
Being directly addressed, Count Villeden looked dismayed.
“Apologize at once, Rennox!”
The Count barked sharply, urging his son.
Jaquet flinched, clutching Teophanes’ coat.
“This Count is so loud.”
Teophanes, seeing Jaquet, stopped smiling abruptly and spoke expressionlessly.
“I intended to speak gently for the children, but the late Count Villeden would jump out of his grave at this. Picking the wrong son-in-law, indeed.”
Without any change in tone or expression, he spoke.
“Your Grace! That is an insult!”
Count Villeden’s face flushed red and purple. Teophanes’ words revealed that the count had inherited his title through marriage.
“It would be best to dismiss the children for now. Show the injured ones to the physician for treatment.”
Teophanes set Jaquet down, checking her condition.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
“You’re brave, my daughter.”
He stroked her head, then slowly stood to face Daphne.
“Shall I speak with the Countess?”
“Do as you wish, sir.”
Daphne nodded at his words.
“You’re saying it doesn’t matter what I do?”
“Of course.”
Teophanes took her left hand and kissed the fourth finger, where her wedding ring rested.
“You can handle this?”
“You underestimate your husband too much.”
“Actually… I know you can, I just asked.”
Daphne smiled faintly, withdrew her hand, and extended it to Jaquet.
“Jaquet, let’s go get treated too.”
“Yes—”
Daphne held Jaquet’s hand as they approached Countess Villeden.
“Madam.”
“Ah, Duchess.”
Wiping her tearful eyes, the Countess rose.
“Villeden Rennox was badly hurt; please come with me.”
“Ah, thank you…”
Rennox lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Following the nannies and attendants, the children left, with Daphne and Jaquet following behind.
Looking back, they saw Teophanes smiling and waving through the closing door.
Now, Daphne understood why his smile could make one both angry and unnerved.
Even smiling, his expression had an eerie sharpness, and Daphne shivered slightly.
“Mom?”
Jaquet tugged at her hand, concerned as Daphne stopped suddenly.
“Oh, yes. Let’s go.”
Behind them, the door closed with a thud.
