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Chapter: 13
. Counterattack (1)
From the very beginning, Sesenia had thought it wouldn’t be strange if Teddy ran away. Anyone would want to escape if left without a single watcher. Yet, unexpectedly, Teddy was diligent.
“What are you thinking?”
It was then.
Sesenia, enjoying her tea after finishing her meal, snapped back to attention at the sudden voice.
Only then did she realize that this was the family meal gathering that happened once a week.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about something for a moment.”
“You must be busy with your business.”
The marquis, looking slightly tired, gave Sesenia an awkward smile.
“It seems so. Father, are you alright? Originally, the family meal was three days ago… but I heard it was canceled because you weren’t feeling well.”
“Ah… yes. I suddenly felt unwell back then. But I’m fine now.”
“Yes. But did Elder Sister not come to the meal?”
“Haha. Asking so early, are you? She must have overexerted herself for a few days and collapsed. She had so much ambition about properly continuing the marquisate.”
The marquis clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“But I suppose she’s doing something nonetheless.”
In the past, all of that would have been left to Sesenia—headaches, body aches, all of it. Since she was the younger sister, she could help, couldn’t she? With those words, Sesenia would have been used and would have done everything.
‘Come to think of it, I was really naïve.’
After taking advantage of her, Elzer never once acknowledged that it was thanks to Sesenia. He attributed everything to his own merit. Sesenia had no complaints about that.
She had thought that eventually, people would realize it.
‘Foolishly. If I hadn’t spoken up, no one would know what I’ve done. I didn’t realize that.’
She would no longer live like that. She would tell everyone who benefited from her, leaving no one in ignorance. She would make sure no one else claimed credit for her work. She promised herself again that the whole world would know her worth.
“Of course.”
“Though it’s surprising.”
“What is?”
“It seems Father didn’t worry much even when he heard that Elder Sister collapsed.”
Elzer had often been sick since childhood. The marquis had pitied her so much that if Elzer collapsed, he would nurse her in her room for days.
But now, he seemed emotionless, talking about others’ affairs as if detached.
“Is that so? Haha. I’ve had my mind occupied… but how about you? You don’t look well.”
“Father seems a bit different.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Somehow… you’ve become… more gentle, I guess. You worry about me.”
He twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth, as if surprised. The marquis never worried when Sesenia collapsed. He thought her healthy body would recover quickly and didn’t even check. So seeing him suddenly concerned made Sesenia feel disgusted, like being stuck in mud. Now he wants to pretend to be a father?
“I see.”
“You’ve always been gentle only toward Elder Sister.”
“Don’t even mention Elzer.”
“Yes…? Suddenly? Did you fight?”
A few days ago, he had looked at Elzer with such sorrow. But in just a few days, his expression and behavior had completely flipped.
“Oh, no. Not a fight exactly…”
It was really strange. Why was he like this? They say when a person suddenly changes, it means death is near. Is the marquis about to die?
“Anyway, what business are you planning this time?”
Trying to change the subject, he waved his hands frantically and leaned forward.
“Ah. It’s still a secret.”
“Still, you should tell me. If you need anything, I might be able to provide more support.”
Should she tell him? In the past, Sesenia would have informed the marquis before starting her business to receive support. But this time, with separate funding, she could act as she pleased.
‘Even if I tell him now, there’s nothing he can do to stop it.’
With that thought, she slowly spoke.
“I bought cotton.”
“Cotton?”
“Yes. Winter is coming soon, colder than we’ve ever experienced. So the demand for cotton will increase.”
Would he scold her again? Sesenia quietly observed him. In her memory, the marquis had shouted that it was madness. She thought it might be better to endure it now rather than later, so she steeled herself.
“I see. Wouldn’t it be better to buy firewood as well?”
But surprisingly, the marquis’s reaction was odd. In the past, he had surely cursed her idea as insane.
If it were the marquis two weeks ago, he would have scolded her. But now, he looked at her with a sorrowful expression.
“Firewood?”
“Yes.”
She had always bought cotton with firewood. Firewood was harder to manage than cotton. It required a larger storage space, and it had to be kept in a ventilated area unless it was dry.
Cotton was light and easy to transport, but firewood was heavy and difficult to move. She had been considering it carefully this time.
“If it’s because you lack money, I can provide more.”
“That’s strange. Really.”
He spoke as if he already knew she would need firewood, and the difference from when she had mentioned it in the past felt strange, so Sesenia felt a barrier growing between them.
“Me? Haha. No, it’s not that strange…”
“Anyway, I’ll tell you if I need it. Not now, though.”
“Alright. Whenever, anytime, let me know.”
“Yes.”
That was it. Sesenia and the marquis were never particularly affectionate. Knowing he didn’t love her much and favored her sister, Sesenia never tried to get close to him.
After failing a few times in childhood, she didn’t try again. That’s why this meeting felt awkward.
“Then may I go now?”
“Yes, you may.”
The marquis’s gaze felt odd, making her chest tingle slightly. Sesenia didn’t want to speak any longer. Since the meal was already finished, she bowed and stood up.
“Um, Sesenia.”
It was then.
“Yes?”
“Don’t you want the marquisate?”
The marquis’s question stopped her just as she was about to leave.
“You seemed to want the marquisate since childhood. Last time, I might have been too strict giving it to Elzer.”
“Are you regretting it now?”
“A little…”
Sesenia shook her head as she looked at him.
“Father.”
“Hm?”
Even saying “Father” was hard. The moment he learned about Elzer’s affair with her husband, he worried about Elzer, not Sesenia. Her stomach churned. Even now, pretending to act normal and facing him at the table, it was difficult.
But for her future, it wasn’t yet time. He had completely ignored and abandoned her before. Now it was her turn to abandon him.
‘Not now. I’ll hold back.’
“I like it as it is now. So don’t change. Favor Elder Sister like before. Give her the marquisate. I’ll live with my business.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to put the marquisate’s name on your business too?”
Ah. That explained why the marquis had been unusually attentive today and acted unusually kind. He wanted to tie her business to the marquisate. That’s why he spoke poorly of Elzer and feigned anger.
‘For a brief moment, I thought the marquis, my father, might love me. But of course, he doesn’t.’
Sesenia smirked and shook her head.
“No. Whether it succeeds or fails, it’s my business. Don’t think of taking it for Elder Sister Elzer. This is my business under Mother’s name.”
“Hm…? No, but that…”
The marquis seemed flustered, as if trying to say something, but she turned without hesitation toward the door.
“Then I’ll go now, Your Excellency, Marquis.”
“Se-Sesenia!!”
Though she heard his urgent call, she left without hesitation.
‘You’ve only ever cared about Elzer, from past to present.’
She felt pity for herself. If they were half-sisters, she might understand, but Sesenia and Elzer were full sisters. Such discrimination made her feel burning anger.
She felt sorry and pitiful for herself.
‘No. I’ll make sure nothing else makes me unhappy.’
With that resolve, Sesenia headed to her room.
And then.
Just as Sesenia took her first step, someone in a room of the marquisate muttered to themselves:
“Again… I can start.”
In the pitch-black darkness, the voice carried a mixture of hope and joy.
**
“Milady. Milady.”
Three days had passed since the marquis had dined alone with her.
Lysbet, usually unflappable, rushed into the room in a fluster. Sesenia, sorting through business documents, greeted her flatly.
“Yes. What is it?”
“It’s important!”
