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Chapter 24
There were only three occasions when all the direct descendants of the Prezier family gathered officially.
First: the patriarch’s birthday.
Second: the New Year’s banquet.
Third: whenever the patriarch issued an urgent summons.
So today, at this small family gathering where I was to receive the direct line necklace, not all the direct descendants were present.
But it’s still quite extravagant.
Passing through the massive marble archway, I found the ceiling adorned with chandeliers that spilled light like cascading droplets.
Since this family gathering followed the evening banquet, the tall windows were draped with thick, crimson damask curtains, perfectly arranged.
Perhaps because this was a smaller celebration meant to convey congratulations, the place was filled with floral decorations, which lifted my spirits.
The mingling scent of fresh roses and sweet fruit made the hall feel like a fairy-tale meadow.
Even though it was a family gathering, some high-ranking retainers had come to offer their congratulations. I responded with a smile.
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”
That was when it happened.
“Miss Tullia. Congratulations on receiving the direct line necklace.”
Lerk Kelpoche approached and extended his hand politely.
But in that instant, I noticed something subtle: Lerk’s eyes flickered slightly when he caught sight of Adel, who had followed me here.
…Ah, so he is curious.
What on earth had happened between these two siblings?
I shifted my gaze slightly. The golden star—my ever-present companion—hovered around me today as well.
Hey… aren’t you going to tell me?
Just as it had once shared the Grand Duke couple’s behind-the-scenes story, I thought it would be fun—or rather, helpful—to learn the hidden tale of these siblings.
I glared at the star, but it didn’t budge. Only when teaching irritating tips for strange quests did it show enthusiasm.
You really can only trust someone you can trust.
Abandoned with this lousy status screen…
Perhaps, like before, I’d have to earn a “benefit” to see the story of Lerk and Adel unfold.
“Miss Tullia?”
“Oh, yes.”
Lerk called me, and I nodded.
“Shall we?”
“Please.”
I took his arm, gloved in white, and walked forward, escorted by him.
Every time this happens, I really feel like a proper lady.
Though it wasn’t a debut walk, even following the sky-blue carpet made me feel as if I were treading on clouds.
Even if the figure waiting at the end of the carpet wasn’t a smiling male lead, but rather the fearsome Archduke Asis Prezier…
“Your Grace.”
At moments like this, it felt right to use the proper title. But something seemed off.
What’s wrong? Was that expression… no, did I see it wrong?
If this were <Grim Bread>, I would have paused and analyzed the illustration down to the last detail. Unfortunately, this was reality.
I couldn’t immediately interpret the Archduke’s strange glance and froze, bewildered.
“Tullia Prezier.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Again.
He didn’t seem pleased with the way I addressed him. Was simply saying “Your Grace” insufficient for a semi-formal occasion?
…Should I call him ‘The Valiant and Magnificent Archduke Asis Prezier, Your Grace’ then?
But even in <Grim Bread>, Koriko had never addressed him like that.
Just then, the man seated at the highest position after Archduke Asis, Lilius, spoke.
“Father.”
“I regret to interrupt, but I have something urgent to report.”
“Speak after the ceremony.”
Asis responded dismissively, yet Lilius didn’t falter.
“Pardon me, but I must report that today, my poor niece is not truly worthy of receiving the necklace.”
“…?”
The two dozen retainers in the hall and the twice as many knights and servants went silent.
The silence didn’t last long—Archduke Asis furrowed his brow and demanded,
“What do you mean by that?”
“I know Tullia scored highly on the direct line exam. In fact, she didn’t just score highly—she got a perfect score.”
As Lilius said this, he looked at me with what seemed like genuine pride, which sent a chill down my spine.
Usually, people like him—who pretend to care—are far scarier than obvious villains.
Anyone would think he was a doting uncle.
“However… as you know, Master Aster is away on the border and cannot care for Tullia, and her brothers are at the academy. So she has been alone all this time.”
Ah, why do you keep reminding me I’m alone?
I know I’ve been alone. Honestly, having lived this way as Hanira, I felt no shame even when everyone talked about it. It just made me slightly annoyed.
“So, it seems she made this mistake out of sheer immaturity and a need for parental attention.”
“Mistake? Enough with the rambling. Summarize it clearly and report it, Lilius.”
With that firm command, Lilius gestured to Tedric.
“Tedric, you will step forward and report directly to Grandfather.”
Whenever good things happened in the country, a general pardon was issued nationwide.
Tedric, who had been under house arrest, was now released because of the celebration of my receiving the direct line necklace. So he could attend the ceremony today.
Apparently aware of the situation, Tedric dressed neatly, more subdued than usual, and stepped forward, nervously swallowing his dry throat.
“H-Hello, Grandfather.”
Oh my, look at that.
Lilius and Aubrey were truly impressive. In the middle of everything, they had made Tedric call Grandfather “Grandfather” just because I had done so.
Well, he’s not only my grandfather, after all.
Even if his trembling voice wasn’t particularly effective…
“Th-That is…”
Tedric’s voice shook violently, like a newborn goat. Not much had changed from his time under house arrest.
“Tedric, dear, it’s alright.”
Obri, who held Tedric’s hand, whispered softly. I happened to be close enough to hear the warm, comforting tone.
“This is necessary to guide your cousin back onto the right path.”
Ah, it’s warm nonsense.
With the steady support of both “dad” and “mom,” Tedric’s trembling subsided slightly.
“Grandfa…ther! Tullia Prezier stole my exam paper… she cheated!”
“…?”
“Cheated?”
“Miss Tullia?”
The retainers suddenly murmured, their gazes sharpening on me.
“Well, there’s no way she could have scored perfectly all of a sudden.”
“But how could the exam be fair if she practiced with the paper beforehand, but the real one differed?”
“Moreover, stealing the exam paper is a serious offense, isn’t it?”
I could hear the retainers’ whispers reaching my ears. No one seemed to defend me. Or perhaps those staying silent were tacitly on my side.
Well, my public reputation a few months ago was already awful.
Even so, I knew exactly how a villain cornered like this should react.
Just as I was about to intervene, a heavy voice echoed through the hall.
“Do you have evidence?”
Unexpectedly, it was Archduke Asis Prezier, his tone resonating ominously.
“I want to know if there is proof that Tullia Prezier did this.”
