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Chapter : 23
Tsk. Clicking his tongue, he continued as if scolding her.
“Even if Astella is your cousin, she’s still a duke’s daughter. And not just any duke’s house, but the only daughter of House Vinok. Do you have any idea who you dared to offend?”
How foolish could she be, to give that man something to pick at.
“Do you know what an honor it is to serve the empire’s only duke’s daughter at her side? Knowing full well what your actions would mean for our family, you still went and caused this mess?”
What expectations he had placed on this affair. It had been a chance to put that arrogant bastard in his debt.
And his foolish daughter had ruined it.
The Marquis of Valche’s deep navy eyes fixed on Freya. A sharp, condemning gaze pierced her.
No matter what I say, Father won’t believe me. He’ll just think it’s all excuses.
Even so, she had to say something. Freya, who had been touching her slapped cheek, looked straight at him.
“Did I even have a choice to refuse? You said it was for the family and that I had to do it—no, you decided it yourself. You never even asked for my opinion.”
“I am the head of the Valche family. Of course a daughter like you should obey me.”
“Ha… You’re always so overbearing. The deal you promised—you only did it because you had to, didn’t you? Do you even think of me as your daughter? Why… why are you so….”
Why are you so cold to me?
‘Dad! Look at this. Isn’t this dress so pretty?’
‘No, Astella. I can’t even see the dress because of how lovely you are.’
‘Haha, Dad, that can’t be true.’
‘I’m not lying. Your bright smile shines even more beautifully.’
‘Then even if I wear a strange dress, I’ll still be pretty?’
‘Of course. My daughter is beautiful and lovely no matter what she wears.’
“….”
At that moment, Freya thought of the Duke of Vinok and Astella.
He might be more doting than most fathers, but every time she saw them at the ducal estate, she could tell how much the Duke of Vinok loved Astella.
In contrast, the Marquis of Valche and Freya could never have that kind of relationship. The look in his eyes when he gazed at her was proof enough.
She hadn’t wanted to think about this. Freya bit her lip, her expression heavy.
“How can you be so different? The Duke of Vinok cherishes Astella so much. I don’t even know if you can really be called the same kind of father.”
“…!”
“In the end, you’re just using me for your own benefit, aren’t you? Because the family is everything to you.”
“Freya Valche!”
Smack!
The Marquis of Valche struck Freya’s cheek once more. Selene flinched behind them, but she didn’t stop him.
“How dare you take out on me the consequences of your own misconduct?”
“……”
“Because of you… my relationship with Frederick is about to fall apart. You threw away that opportunity. Just do as your mother says—go on blind dates and get married.”
The marquis’s cold voice struck Freya’s ears.
So in the end…
That was the conclusion. He used her as he pleased under the excuse of her being his daughter, and now that she was no longer useful, he would discard her.
A marquis who could easily raise his hand against his child, and a marchioness who had already relayed the talk of blind dates.
It was all so predictable that she couldn’t even muster a bitter laugh. Freya thought she had done well to accept Raiden’s proposal.
Her cheek throbbed hotly where the marquis had hit her. Opening her mouth, which didn’t move well from the pain, she spoke in a firm voice.
“Don’t order me around. No matter if you’re my father, you don’t have that right.”
“What? Have you lost your mind? How dare you speak to me like that?!”
“I’m no longer a minor. I’m an adult who can live independently and voice my own opinions. And anyway, you can’t marry me off unless I agree. Under imperial law, the person’s own will comes first.”
“…So you’re saying you won’t listen to me.”
“There’s no reason to. And if we’re being precise, I carried out my role of assisting Astella perfectly until now. The ending wasn’t good, but there was a legitimate reason for that too, so I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Freya spoke boldly.
She had gone through hell for months—there was no way she’d just let it slide. Even if she didn’t get the reward she wanted, she could at least use it as justification against the marquis.
“A legitimate reason?”
“Astella lied to me.”
“What kind of lie could justify something like this?”
“It wasn’t just some trivial lie. She didn’t deceive only me. Astella caused something that could become a huge problem for high society—no, for the entire noble world.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
The marquis, who had been raging, frowned at Freya’s words. She rarely exaggerated, so he couldn’t simply dismiss it.
Narrowing her eyes, Freya answered.
“A letter will arrive soon from House Bethelheim. Then you’ll know too, Father. I’d appreciate it if you’d be sure of the facts before blaming me.”
“What? House Bethelheim—what is that supposed to…?”
“If you’re finished speaking, I’ll be going now.”
“Freya!”
Turning around, Freya opened the door and stepped outside. She half expected the marquis to follow, but thankfully he didn’t.
“Haah…”
Leaning lightly against the closed door, Freya let out a sigh and touched her tingling right cheek.
Hitting the same place twice… It would definitely swell by tomorrow. From the faint taste of blood in her mouth, it seemed she’d been wounded inside as well.
Was it a relief that both cheeks weren’t red? She wanted to collapse right there, but she didn’t want to stay here any longer. Let’s just go back to my room.
“Noona…!”
“…Allen.”
As she went down the stairs holding her cheek, a boy coming up from below called out to her. It was her younger brother Allen, now almost as tall as she was.
With a big age gap, he attended the academy in the capital. So he had already returned.
Freya removed her hand from her reddened cheek and spoke to him.
“Welcome back, Allen. Did your classes go well today?”
“Yes… but, Noona, that….”
“Ah….”
Allen’s gaze landed on her right cheek. Seeing how red and badly swollen it was, his yellow eyes filled with worry.
Freya forced a smile, lifting the corner of her mouth that barely moved from the pain.
“It’s okay. It’s nothing.”
“Father hit you again, didn’t he? Why does he always do that only to you?”
“Allen, that’s….”
“He shouts at you every day, scolds you. Why does he keep telling you to get married?”
“Ah….”
Oh no. It seemed he had heard everything. Seeing him on the verge of tears, Freya quickly held his shoulders and soothed him.
“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt at all. And about marriage—you don’t have to worry about that.”
“I’m sixteen now too! You said it yourself, Noona. That since I entered the academy, I should become mature and thoughtful.”
“I did. Allen, you are… the heir who will succeed our marquisate.”
A faint bitterness spread over her lips. Until Freya reached Allen’s age, the word “heir” had never once come from the Marquis of Valche’s mouth.
But five years after Allen was born, he had named a child who had just finished picture books as the heir.
‘From today on, Allen will be the heir.’
‘What? What do you mean by that, Father?’
‘The eldest son has grown to a certain age, so of course he should inherit. Allen is also bright, so there’s no reason not to.’
‘Then… what about me?’
‘Your usefulness will come soon enough. So don’t think of doing anything foolish and stay in line.’
That had happened when Freya was twelve. Now, she didn’t particularly want to inherit this marquisate, but back then, it had been a huge shock.
Why had she endured such difficult classes and stayed up nights studying?
From that day on, all her efforts turned to dust, and she realized that no matter how much she met her father’s expectations, she would only ever be a daughter convenient to “use.”
“I don’t really understand important things like being an heir yet, but I can protect you, Noona! So don’t get married.”
“…Yes. Thank you, Allen.”
That incident had left a deep wound in her, but it was already in the past. This child, who knew nothing, was not at fault.
Just seeing him follow her well and grow up kindly was enough to make her happy.
Allen, at least you’re on my side. I’m glad.
Freya gently stroked the small head of the boy.
