TPTM 15

“Isn’t that Lady Tulia?”

“Even her hairstyle now… looks decent.”

“Seems the hostility from the main estate has finally died down.”

“Honestly, it was pretty bad.”

Even though the meeting hadn’t fully ended yet, several retainers were already outside. The moment they saw me, they began whispering among themselves.

Their words had a bit of bite to them, but none of them were outright insulting me. At the very least, it seemed clear that the reputation of Baroness Aubrey had completely hit rock bottom.

Standing there with a basket in hand, dressed in neat yet modest clothes, I soon saw Leuk come out and greet me.

“It’s been a while since you brought jam.”

“There weren’t many glass jars I liked, so it took some time until I could get new ones.”

In truth, the real reason was Adele.

The moment I stepped into the kitchen and picked up a knife, she looked as if the world had ended.

So during that time, I couldn’t make jam. Which also meant I couldn’t earn coins.

And to be honest, this jam had been made almost entirely by Adele.

Even the color looked different.

But I can’t let Leuk think I made my little sister do all the work.

Fortunately, the excuse I had prepared beforehand seemed to work.

“Oh? This batch looks especially delicious.”

“Well, I did put in some effort…?”

Leuk seemed completely convinced. Not only that, he even offered an unexpected favor—he said that when the glass artisan next visited the main estate, he would introduce us.

As expected of Leuk. Actually, isn’t the Kelposher family itself just ridiculously beneficial for me?

Leuk Kelposher had been fairly kind to me from the beginning, and Adele Kelposher was practically an angel to me now.

“Ah, Lady Tulia.”

Leuk asked,

“You’re not heading back right away, are you?”

“No. If Grandfather has time, I thought I’d greet him before leaving.”

Of course, that was just something polite to say.

I absolutely do not want to see him.

If possible, I would avoid him forever.

I knew he was someone I needed for my quest.

I knew that—but the Grand Duke’s gaze and aura were terrifying.

There was a reason his grandchildren trembled in fear of him.

And I was far more timid and fragile than the real Tulia.

Even Tulia—the so-called wild colt of the Grand Duke’s household—was afraid of him. So imagine how much pressure it was for me to meet him.

Still, I had no choice.

Soon the retainers would pour out of the meeting room, and I wanted them to think of me as a “devoted granddaughter.”

In fact, Leuk was already looking at me with warm approval.

“By the way, Lady Tulia. Where did you learn to make jam like this?”

Finally—the question had come.

A typical noble lady wouldn’t know how to make something like this.

But I had already prepared my answer.

“I remember learning it from my father when I was very young.”

Leuk looked slightly surprised.

Apparently he hadn’t expected Tulia’s father to come up.

The surrounding retainers were the same. I could practically see their ears perk up.

They were probably thinking my story sounded unbelievable.

Because it is.

I only lied to emphasize that Tulia had at least a tiny connection with Marquis Prezier.

Whether Tulia was really his daughter or not—I had no idea.

But please just believe she is.

My reputation depends on it.

Just then—

“Hm? That doesn’t sound right.”

I turned around.

“Did this uncle of yours mishear something just now? My brother Aster taught you how to make jam?”

Baron Lilius and his wife, Baroness Aubrey, were approaching with several servants following behind them.

I greeted them with a polite smile.

“It’s been a while, Uncle.”

“Yes, it has. But tell me—was what you said earlier really true?”

“Yes. I remember Father teaching me when I was little. Though I was very young, so the taste isn’t perfect.”

“Oh? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

Lilius stepped closer and smiled warmly.

Even his eyes looked gentle—like those of a caring uncle.

Which was fascinating.

When I played the game, I thought he was a good person.

But in reality?

He was a lunatic who fooled his ignorant niece and secretly siphoned money from her.

Lilius laughed and patted my head.

“Yes, yes. Even though my brother is busy now as a commander, he used to cherish Tulia very much when she was little! Hahaha!”

But that didn’t last long.

Baroness Aubrey stepped forward, bending slightly as she spoke in a sweet voice.

“Oh my, dear. Would the Marquis really do such a thing?”

She smiled at me.

“Tulia, lying is a bad habit.”

“…Excuse me?”

My brow twitched faintly, but Aubrey continued smiling with the elegance of a noble lady.

“I understand, of course. A fifteen-year-old girl is such a delicate creature—always suffering from a lack of affection.”

Well, yes—I did just use the Marquis’ name for my lie.

But trying to brand Tulia a liar in front of this many people is too much.

Sure, I am lying.

But she was still my aunt. And yet she was openly trying to humiliate me.

Among nobles, reputation was often the difference between life and death.

Then again, these are the same people who left me to freeze to death in that warehouse.

And the main estate was crowded with visitors.

On top of that, we were standing right outside Grand Duke Prezier’s office.

The meeting seemed to be ending, and more nobles were coming out of the office.

What a vile couple.

I suppressed the coldness rising in my eyes.

Then I spoke.

“Aunt Aubrey.”

I furrowed my brows gently, putting on a confused expression.

“What do you mean by lying?”

My hands were folded politely, like someone who had just heard something truly shocking.

Aubrey tapped my forehead lightly.

“Oh dear. Are you flustered because your lie was discovered?”

“Aunt Aubrey, I didn’t lie about anything.”

I made sure to keep my voice respectful and cautious.

“I saw Tedric get severely scolded by Grandfather for lying—right in front of me.”

“…!”

“So how could I possibly lie right here in front of Grandfather’s office?”

In an instant, Baroness Aubrey’s face turned pale.

The same was true for Lilius, who had been standing beside her wearing a gentle uncle-like smile the whole time.

“Hm? Young Master Tedric got into serious trouble for lying?”

“Not just scolded—severely scolded?”

“Could it be related to the fact that the Grand Duke confiscated his direct heir’s necklace?”

Whispers rose among the retainers behind us.

This wasn’t some private space with only servants.

This was right outside the Grand Duke’s office, where countless retainers came and went.

Go ahead. Keep calling me a liar.

I’ll make sure Tedric can’t show his face outside again.

Despite my firm resolve, I looked up at them with frightened eyes.

Baroness Aubrey turned toward her husband a moment too late.

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Only then did Lilius hurriedly step forward and grab my hand.

“Yes, yes. Our Tulia is such a kind and gentle girl.”

Even that statement was troublesome for me.

Before her full descent into villainy, Tulia had already caused chaos at every banquet she attended.

So now I had no choice but to maintain the posture of a refined lady—pretending I had changed.

“Dear, you shouldn’t tease the child like that.”

Aubrey’s face flushed red, but she forced a smile.

Lilius patted my shoulder kindly.

“Now, now, Tulia. Since you’re here, why don’t you come greet His Grace the Grand Duke as well?”

“What? Now?”

“Yes, now. Come on, let’s go inside.”

Clearly, he didn’t want to leave me outside where I might say something else in front of all these retainers.

Thanks to that, I panicked internally.

Wait, I’m not mentally prepared to face the Grand Duke yet…!

However, the one who stopped Lilius from dragging me into the office was none other than Leuk.

“Baron Lilius. His Grace did not summon Lady Tulia.”

The words were polite—but strict and precise.

Very much like Leuk Kelposher.

“Ahem.”

Lilius cleared his throat.

“She’s greeting her own grandfather. Would Father really blame her? I’ll take responsibility, so don’t worry!”

“If that’s the case.”

Surprisingly agreeable.

And then—his hands moved incredibly fast.

“Go right in, Lady Tulia.”

“…?”

“And please deliver this to His Grace as well.”

“….”

As if his earlier refusal had never happened, Leuk lightly pushed me forward.

Was it just my imagination, or had he deliberately led Lilius into saying exactly what he wanted?

And just like that—

Before I even realized it, I found myself stepping into the office of Grand Duke Asis Prezier.