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Chapter: 14
The Belbart mansion had suddenly become unusually bustling.
The unexpected news had arrived that the young marquis, who had gone on an inspection of Argentean residences, would be returning to the mansion.
Kelson, the head steward of the Belbart family, set the servants in motion to prepare a proper welcome for the marquis’s return.
“His Highness the Young Marquis will be returning shortly. Everyone, maintain proper decorum.”
“Yes, sir.”
Soon, a carriage rolled into the mansion.
Though the carriage bore no symbol of the Belbart family, the fact that the knights guarding the front entrance allowed it to pass unchallenged indicated that it was indeed the awaited guest.
Kelson passed between the rows of standing servants and stepped to the front.
“Welcome back, Your Highness.”
As the carriage door opened, Kelson bowed deeply. The other servants followed his example, bowing politely.
Even in the face of such a grand display, the one who stepped out of the carriage showed no reaction, as if it were only natural.
“Kelson, nothing happened while I was away, I hope.”
Theodore, stepping down from the carriage, looked around. Every time his sharp, gray eyes swept over the assembled servants, they involuntarily swallowed nervously.
“Yes, of course. Your Highness, everything is—”
Kelson’s gaze, fixed on Theodore, fell on Seria, who was still inside the carriage. As if expecting this, Theodore turned and looked at her.
“Seria, come out here.”
At Theodore’s voice, Seria slowly rose from her seat in the carriage.
He naturally extended his hand to her.
Until just a few days ago, holding this hand would have filled her with discomfort—but not now. Now that she had decided to use him, this much was trivial.
Seria placed her gloved hand in Theodore’s.
As she held his hand and stepped down from the carriage, she felt dozens of eyes fix on her.
Her heart pounded from head to toe.
She held her head high and faced Kelson.
The steward, glasses perched neatly on his nose and hair slicked back as cleanly as his attire, exuded an air of arrogance.
“Your Highness… who is this?”
Kelson openly scanned Seria from head to toe as he spoke.
“What’s this?”
Kelson’s face clearly showed displeasure.
It was natural to be wary of a stranger suddenly appearing, but anyone of common sense would hide personal emotions in front of their superiors. Acting this way while the family heir stood right there was beyond reason.
As Seria rolled her eyes and glanced at the surrounding servants, Theodore lightly placed a hand on her head.
“Ah, this is Seria Belbart. As of today, she will be residing in this mansion as an adopted daughter of the Belbart family.”
Kelson froze at Theodore’s shocking announcement.
“Adopted daughter?”
“You left the mansion this time…”
“That hair…!”
From behind Kelson, the servants murmured among themselves.
Kelson quickly turned and cleared his throat, silencing the whispers as if by magic.
“Adopted daughter… you say?”
“Yes. As a Belbart like me, she will serve His Majesty the Emperor faithfully.”
“But she’s an Argentean. Did you know about this, Your Highness?”
“Does that matter?”
Kelson had no response. Theodore deliberately guided Seria to stand in front of him.
Startled by Theodore’s sudden action, Seria blinked while tensing her shoulders.
“Now, make your proper introduction, Kelson. You are a loyal servant of the Belbarts, aren’t you?”
“…I am Kelson Barnes, Head Steward.”
Kelson bowed to Seria with a contorted expression, his reluctance clear.
Here, it became obvious: Argenteans were not welcomed in Antithesia.
The discomfort she had felt since leaving the Naq monastery was not an illusion.
“Good. Kelson. I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
Seria deliberately ignored the steward’s rudeness. It would be unwise to call him out here. After all, at this moment, she was an unexpected visitor in the Belbart mansion.
“Well done, Seria. That’s the way to handle it.”
Theodore spoke gently, loud enough for her to hear, his gaze soft and kind.
It was an act convincing enough to deceive everyone present.
‘So I’ll have to keep playing along with this…’
Seria’s lips trembled as she smiled.
“Yes, Theo.”
The sight of Seria and Theodore, acting like inseparable siblings, left Kelson and the other servants in shock.
An Argentean adopted daughter no one knew existed—and she appeared to be on friendly terms with the young marquis.
This shocking scene rippled through the entire Belbart mansion.
The news even reached the most solemn part of the mansion: Duke Ivan Belbart’s bedroom.
“Summon Theodore.”
Ivan Belbart, leaning on the head of his bed with his eyes closed, sat up.
The servant, intimidated by the duke’s stern demeanor, hurriedly left the room.
“Haah… Theodore, how dare you…!”
Ivan gripped the glass in his hand tightly. The glass couldn’t withstand the pressure, cracked, and shattered.
The Belbart mansion boasted grandeur comparable to a palace.
The imposing aura of each building alone was enough to make one feel intimidated.
The interior was no different.
Soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and long corridors stretched on both sides.
It was no wonder the family was considered second only to the emperor in Antithesia.
“Seria, this way.”
“Okay.”
Seria, pausing to glance around, followed closely behind Theodore.
Throughout their walk, the stares from others burned into her. None of them were welcoming.
Oddly, the harsh gazes were not aimed solely at her.
Seria subtly flicked her eyes between the servants and Theodore.
The servants seemed uneasy and distrustful of Theodore as he passed, yet he appeared unfazed.
What could he have done in this mansion to earn such treatment? Seria had no idea.
“I knew he must have committed more than a few offenses…” she muttered quietly.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“Your room has been prepared. We’ll take you there shortly. For now, in this room…”
Theodore paused mid-sentence, turning his head toward the stairs.
A servant came running up in a hurry, looking pale with urgency.
“Huff… Huff… Your Highness! The Duke…!”
Theodore turned the servant around, who had just arrived and caught his breath.
“We’ll go soon. Wait a moment.”
The Duke had summoned Theodore sooner than expected.
Truthfully, she wasn’t worried. Theodore had surely prepared for this confrontation with Duke Belbart.
‘The problem… is me.’
Theodore entered the room, gesturing for Seria to follow.
The room was dim, the curtains drawn, giving it a gloomy atmosphere.
The furniture looked old, not well maintained, and gave off a musty smell.
It seemed as if this room had been neglected for years.
“What’s wrong?”
Theodore asked as he turned to see Seria hesitate at the doorway.
“Uh… nothing.”
After instructing the servant to wait outside, Theodore closed the door and opened a window to let in fresh air.
The cold breeze hit her face sharply.
“I’ll be paying a visit to my father. For now, rest in this room. I’ll make sure no one disturbs you.”
Seria nodded obediently and sat on the sofa.
“Go ahead.”
The door closed, and their footsteps gradually faded away.
Left alone, Seria relaxed her tightly forced smile.
She had been laughing so much it felt as though her face might cramp. Acting sweet, innocent—behaviors she had never practiced before came naturally, driven by desperation.
“It’s so quiet.”
A silence she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Having lived in the bustling monastery, she rarely experienced solitude like this.
Perhaps that was why her thoughts became tangled and restless.
Where was Cerion now? Could she really kill the crown prince with her own hands?
And after everything was over, could she really leave Antithesia and return to Argentean lands?
Seria leaned back on the sofa, closing her eyes.
