IBYVS 10

Chapter 10

Not only that, Renald resolved that he must drive Calib out of the Grand Duke’s Castle as soon as possible.

If things stay as they are and Calib really does become the Grand Duke and even enters the Sanctuary of Knowledge… if he discovers that matter…

That would be the worst-case scenario.

Renald also decided that Cedric’s marriage plans must be annulled.

If the curse is broken, then Cedric might become Grand Duke.

At least then, they might stop hastily pushing Calib into the position.

But I can’t let Cedric step into the Sanctuary of Knowledge either. Once he’s in, he’ll surely try to uncover Calib’s past as well.

Renald’s mind spun busily, plotting to have Cedric inherit the title and then sink into eternal slumber, leaving the Grand Duke’s Castle for him to devour.

And just then—

As if his head wasn’t already about to burst, Calib dropped yet another bombshell.

“My future sister-in-law is not yet familiar with noble customs.”

Well, of course. She was of common birth.

Someone let out a mocking laugh.

But Calib didn’t bat an eye. He swept his gaze over the vassals and continued.

“Therefore, I intend to attend etiquette lessons together with my future sister-in-law.”

The chamber erupted into murmurs.

The one who reacted the most violently was, as expected, Renald.

“That is outrageous!”

He even shot to his feet as though unable to endure it.

“Do you think Jeril graduated top of the Academy just to teach some lowborn creature like her?”

“Sit down. I did not give you permission to rise.”

Calib’s low voice echoed.

He spoke in a tone eerily reminiscent of his older brother. Renald’s lips twitched in frustration.

And with Cedric’s calm gaze falling on him as well, Renald had no choice but to sit back down.

“Grgh…”

Face flushed red, Renald sank into his seat again. Calib then spoke.

“And you’d better watch your tongue. Lowborn, you say? She is to be my sister-in-law and Lord Cedric’s wife.”

The threat was clear: call her “lowborn” once more, and the price would be harsh.

But instead of calming Renald, it only twisted his mood even further.

Ha! You expect my daughter to personally teach some lowborn herself?

At present, the etiquette tutor assigned to Calib was none other than the Marquess of Babylon’s daughter.

Damn it, my plan was to have her tutor Calib while catching Cedric’s eye!

In truth, Renald had always wanted his daughter to become the Grand Duchess.

Cedric was listed as his nephew, but as an adopted child, there was no blood relation—imperial law did not forbid such a union.

True, Cedric was cursed and had renounced his right to inherit, but Renald had influence.

Enough sway to rally the vassals and sideline Calib if needed.

Being the late Grand Duchess’s only brother gave him significant weight.

I thought I could wait until Calib was cast aside before making my real move…!

Cedric suddenly bringing another woman into the castle was utterly unforeseen.

And no matter how lowborn she is, with someone always by Calib’s side, I won’t be able to do that to him anymore…

Could it be retribution for the abuse he had inflicted all this time?

Renald bit his lower lip until it bled.

Calib, watching him sit there with clenched fists, red with humiliation, felt a small sense of liberation.

As expected, Calib intended to repay Jeril, his so-called etiquette teacher, for the abuse he had suffered.

But before revenge, I need Elia to see it first. To see how pitiful I really am.

Until he lived with Elia, he hadn’t even realized he was being abused.

He had only thought: since the words came from a great teacher, he had to obey them as a student.

But that itself was abuse. ‘In etiquette lessons, my word is law. You must obey unconditionally.’ I was trained to believe such things.

That was why he hadn’t told Cedric he was being mistreated.

Even the corporal punishment, he explained away to Cedric as something he had asked for himself.

Jeril told me to say so. I thought it was the right thing to do.

But living with Elia had taught him Jeril’s words were all wrong.

That skipping dinner “to look proper” was nonsense. That oversleeping once in a while was not an unforgivable sin.

And that being beaten harshly by others is not normal!

When Elia saw the scars on Calib’s legs, she couldn’t contain her fury.

Normally, when adults grew angry, he only felt fear.

But at that moment, Calib had been delighted that Elia was angry—for his sake.

Of course, I don’t want to upset her again. I want her to smile all the time. But I have to use this.

Calib steadied his wavering heart.

If Elia witnesses Jeril abusing me, she’ll pity me. She’ll want to stay in the Grand Duke’s Castle for my sake, unable to just leave so easily.

To keep Elia by his side, Calib was prepared to endure the abuse all over again.

I don’t care if I have to skip dinners, if I’m hurt again… as long as Elia stays with me… stays with me for a very, very long time.

Holding that thought, Calib turned to the silent vassals.

“I’ve informed you of my decision. That is all you need to know.”

Once again, he ignored their opinions completely—just like his brother.

But this time, too, the vassals dared not object.

If Cedric was the strongest man alive, Calib was the strongest of the future.

He was catching up to Cedric’s monumental achievements at a terrifying pace.

Among the young nobles, his progress was unmatched—even the Emperor acknowledged him as a rising genius.

Besides, the vassals had little reason to be upset over this matter.

This will clip the Marquess of Babylon’s wings.

Hadn’t he lorded it over everyone enough, bragging that he was the late Grand Duchess’s only brother and that his daughter was Calib’s etiquette teacher?

He kept demanding more and more, acting like the master himself. It’s a relief to see him checked at last.

In fact, many welcomed the idea, glad that the runaway train called Renald had been forced to halt—at least for now.

Renald, seeing not one person take his side, seethed with fury.

You wretches… just you wait.

He glared once at the distracted vassals and at his shameless nephews, then snapped his head away.

At last, Cedric, who had been calmly surveying the hall, spoke.

“Then let us end the meeting here. As for the wedding, I will consult with her and inform you of the schedule.”

Thus ended Calib’s first vassal council, leaving only an indelible humiliation for Renald.

The next morning, I awoke feeling utterly refreshed.

“This bed is amazing…”

But more amazing than the bed was… me.

I mean, how could I look this pretty right after waking up?

I even had a late-night snack yesterday, but where did all the puffiness go?

Was it thanks to that super-expensive treatment I got before bed?

“Wow, I look incredible…”

My reddish-pink hair, darker at the tips, gleamed smoothly, drenched in fragrant oil.

In the romance-fantasy novels I’d read, the heroines always had naturally wavy, flowing hair.

Mine was just straight, tumbling down like a waterfall.

Still, I liked the pure image it gave me in the mirror, so I decided to keep it that way.

The real me used to be an athlete—strong and muscular, not the delicate type.

And my gemstone-like eyes sparkled brilliantly under the chandelier’s light.

“The more I look, the more they seem like carved jewels.”

My assigned maid, Olivia, had been mesmerized by my eyes since the moment we first met.

I was still admiring myself in the mirror when a voice called out.

“Elia, are you awake?”

It was Olivia, who had said goodnight to me yesterday.

I had entered the castle as Cedric’s fiancée(!), though we weren’t married yet.

And since Cedric wasn’t Grand Duke yet either, no one addressed me as “my lady.”

Probably because I wasn’t a noble, and even after marriage, I’d only count as a family member, not a titled mistress. So they compromised with just “Elia.”

“Yes, I’m awake.”

And I, in turn, decided to use formal speech with them.

Even if they called me “Elia-nim,” I wasn’t a noble. Ordering strangers around felt awkward.

Maybe someday I’d grow used to it, but for now, I wanted things this way. I even asked them for that.

Thankfully, Olivia and the other servants seemed to understand and didn’t mind.

“Then please excuse me.”

Olivia entered with my meal.

I didn’t ask what any of the unfamiliar dishes were made of.

I had decided to hide the fact that I’d lost my memory.

“You’ve lost your memory?”
“Yes. Aside from knowing my name, age, and the calendar… I can’t remember anything. I don’t know if I had a family, who my friends were, nothing.”

I told them honestly—leaving out only the part about having transmigrated.

Better to be upfront than drag things out into a frustrating mess later.

Fortunately, neither Cedric nor Calib questioned me too deeply.

After finishing breakfast, I went with Olivia to Cedric’s office.

I heard he’d asked for me early this morning.

I left my long hair loose and simply changed into a slightly more proper dress.

“Lord Cedric, I’ve brought Lady Elia.”

Olivia’s voice was demure. From inside came a reply.

As I entered, I heard the rustle of papers being turned.

I’d expected a wide, open room, but the aide’s desk was separated by a partition, dividing the space somewhat.

I walked past it toward where Cedric must be.

“Forgive me for disturbing you so early. Did you sleep well last night?”

Cedric’s words were gentle, though his eyes remained on the desk.

I hadn’t expected him to look at me anyway, so I just stood there and answered plainly.

“Yes. The bed was so big, I ended up rolling around in my sleep without realizing.”

At my candid answer, Cedric let out a faint chuckle.

Then, at last, he lifted his gaze to me.

For a fleeting moment, I thought his hydrangea-blue eyes wavered slightly.

…But no. Must’ve been my imagination.

In the original story, he was cold to everyone except Calib.

Would such an emotionless man really waver at the sight of me? Hardly.

So I simply met his gaze without much thought.