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Chapter 103
“Sir Shan, please wait here.”
Lucy said to Shan, who was standing at the entrance to the dining room.
“That man is…?”
Baron Diallo trailed off as his eyes fell uncomfortably on Shan, who was wearing a knight’s uniform and carrying a massive greatsword.
From Shan’s build and presence, it was clear enough to the baron that treating him carelessly would be dangerous.
“I didn’t mention it before, but Shan is actually my bodyguard knight. His duty is to remain in my sight at all times to protect me. I hope you’ll understand, even if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Once they entered the dining room, a table full of lavish dishes awaited them.
They say they prepared the food I like? As if they’d even know what Lucy actually liked…
Her stomach twisted at the thought, but she sat down with a composed expression, quickly scanning the table.
If I were Baron Diallo, where would I put the poison?
She recalled something Dino had told her a few days ago.
“Most likely, they’d smear it on the dishes you use separately or mix it into the main dish. If it were me, I’d poison both.”
Remembering Dino’s mischievous grin as he said that sent a chill down her spine, and Lucy gave a small shiver.
Soon, the appetizers meant to whet their appetites were placed before them.
Lucy only picked at the fish dish without actually eating it, and just as Jessica finished her plate, Lucy quietly set down her fork.
“You don’t care for the food?”
The baron asked curiously at her behavior.
“I’m not very fond of strong-tasting foods like fish.”
“Ah, that’s right. I’d completely forgotten!”
The baroness spoke as though she’d only just remembered. Lucy found her words ridiculous but decided, for now, to play along.
“I didn’t really know my preferences either. My memory still isn’t completely back, after all.”
“Oh dear, so your memory hasn’t returned yet?”
Baron Diallo looked at her with feigned sympathy. Lucy simply nodded quietly.
Moments later, the dishes were cleared, replaced with soup and bread.
But Lucy still didn’t touch her spoon.
The signal should be coming any moment now…
While she kept an eye out for Dino’s sign, Baron Diallo spoke again.
“I heard the story. I don’t know how it came to be, but you’re the head of the Pablo Merchant Guild, are you not? My daughter has become so successful—how proud that makes me! But how on earth did this all happen?”
So that’s how you want to play it?
For a fleeting moment, tension rippled between Lucy and the baron as their eyes locked.
And then—
“Fire! Fire! There’s a fire!”
A sudden shout rang from outside.
“What? Fire? What’s the meaning of this?”
“Ahh! F-fire?”
The baron’s face twisted as he rose abruptly, followed closely by the baroness and Jessica, both looking alarmed.
Lucy feigned surprise as well, rising to her feet and flicking a quick signal toward Shan, who stood by the entrance.
“What on earth is going on?”
Baron Diallo grabbed a servant in the hallway and barked at him.
“There’s a fire in the storage, my lord. Fortunately, it’s not a large one, so it should be contained quickly.”
“If it’s not serious, then put it out quietly! What’s all this noise about?”
“M-my apologies…”
The baron roared at the servant, then forced his expression back under control as he returned to his family.
“Forgive me for startling you. It was nothing. Come, let us return inside. You—bring out the next course.”
He ordered the maid to continue serving and led them back to the dining room.
As Lucy entered, Shan, still stationed by the door, gave her a subtle nod.
It was the signal that, amid the confusion, he had switched her plate with Jessica’s.
Dinner resumed, and Lucy began eating at a relaxed pace.
“Now, where were we? Ah, yes—how you became the guild’s leader.”
The dishes were cleared again, replaced with new courses.
“It’s nothing special. As you know, Father, I simply found my true family. You’ve heard of the Rayford Count’s household, haven’t you?”
Lucy asked openly.
“Your true family? That’s a hurtful thing to say. Does that make us your false family? Hmph. And this Rayford Count… I don’t recall ever hearing that name.”
Feigning ignorance, the baron tilted his head.
Lucy could no longer contain her disgust at his brazen act. She slammed her hand down on the table.
“Enough pretending! We both know the truth, so drop the act!”
The baron flinched for a moment but quickly responded with shameless boldness.
“Pretending? I truly don’t understand what you mean. Yes, you are not our real daughter—that much is true. But it was I who took you in from the streets and raised you! At least grant me that.”
Lucy was stunned by his audacity.
He really intends to deny all his crimes to the end!
She bit her lip and glared at him.
At that moment, the main dish—steak—was placed before them.
Still fuming, Lucy deliberately cut a piece of steak and popped it into her mouth.
Baron Diallo’s lips twitched ever so slightly as he watched.
This is it. The poison’s in here.
From that tiny flicker of expression, Lucy instantly understood she had just done exactly what he wanted.
“Well… if I’ve wronged you in any way, then I apologize. Let us forget the bitterness of the past. Will you not forgive this foolish father of yours?”
The baron spoke with an overly gentle expression.
“You don’t look sorry at all. If you mean to apologize, then get on your knees and beg before me.”
Lucy sneered and took another bite of steak.
“What? You’ve grown arrogant indeed! Ever since gaining the Rayfords as your backers, you’ve lost all respect!”
At last, Baron Diallo’s temper snapped, and he roared at her.
“This is more like it. Sitting here pretending to be a doting father while we eat—it was making me sick.”
Lucy chuckled dryly and set down her fork.
But soon, the baron regained his composure and sneered, his expression turning sly.
“Hah! And you actually believe yourself fit to be Rayford’s heir? You don’t even know who your real father is, you bastard child!”
“What? What did you just say? A bastard?”
Lucy’s eyes widened in disbelief at his words.
“No! I was told my father and mother were properly wed. You can’t shake me with lies like that!”
“Of course that’s what they’d tell you. The count’s daughter not only had an affair with a foreigner, but came back already pregnant with some unknown man’s child. What else could the previous count do but cover it up?”
The baron’s eyes glinted as he pressed on, watching Lucy’s shaken expression.
“Shall I tell you the truth? Your mother, Valencia, returned from a business trip pregnant. And she never revealed who the father was.”
“N-no… That can’t be true!”
“And so, what choice did they have? They had to invent a false father for you.”
Shaking her head desperately, Lucy only made the baron laugh more cruelly.
“That’s impossible! Don’t you dare insult my mother!”
“Hahaha! No matter how proud you act as the Rayford daughter, you’re nothing but a bastard who doesn’t even know her own father!”
As Lucy’s anger flared, the baron laughed louder and louder.
Shan, who had been holding back all this time, finally lost control and rushed forward, landing a punch squarely on the baron.
“Gah! Y-you insolent—!”
The baron collapsed to the floor, and his wife rushed over to help him up.
“Shan, I’ll head to the carriage first. Make sure he’s taught a lesson—but don’t kill him.”
Lucy ordered coldly, her eyes fixed on the baron.
“Kyaa! Lucy, what are you doing?!”
Jessica’s piercing scream followed Lucy as she walked out of the dining room.
