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Chapter 26
“Test papers…? Ah, understood.”
Lilius hurried over and took the stack of papers.
Flustered, he began reading aloud before he could even fully grasp the contents.
“To Marquis Aster Frezier…”
“…!”
“Marquis Aster, I hope this letter finds you in good health. I… I hesitate to write, for I know you dislike being called ‘father,’ and even now I lack the courage to address you in person…”
Lilius’s voice began to tremble.
“Please, in your magnanimity… I hope you can understand…”
His hands shook violently, clutching the test paper—or rather, the paper identical to it.
Unable to continue, Lilius froze. Then, a cold voice cut through him.
“Read it all. Every single word. Do not skip a letter, Lilius Frezier.”
The weight of that one command fell on him like a blade of judgment.
It was the order of Archduke Ashis Frezier, whose command no one in the duchy could disobey.
“Th-the winter’s weather is harsh… to all… so, please…”
Lilius’s voice quivered more violently than a swing in a storm. Finally, he finished the last line.
“O… oh, the letters I dared not send… I… send them now… Your daughter… Tu… Tulia Frezier… oh, I humbly…”
Frantically, he checked the remaining papers, but they were all the same.
Each letter brimmed with concern for Marquis Aster Frezier’s health, lamenting the letters they never dared send—a collection of heartfelt messages that would move the heart of any noble.
Lilius stared blankly.
As the youngest son of one of the greatest ducal families, had he ever felt so cornered by someone?
Certainly not.
He looked at Tulia as if in a trance.
She covered her mouth with one hand, her face a mixture of indignation and gloom.
There was no victorious smile, no triumphant glint in her eyes.
Yet Lilius felt it clearly:
He had been completely outmaneuvered.
Cold sweat ran down his spine.
“This… is utterly pathetic.”
The Archduke’s voice shattered the heavy silence.
Everyone in the hall straightened, their fine hairs standing on end.
The wrath of Ashis Frezier was not raw youthful temper—it was more like a relentless tidal wave, a natural disaster that stripped the courage from anyone in its path.
“Luc Kelfosher.”
The quiet Luc responded immediately.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“We will resume the award ceremony in five minutes.”
“I’ll prepare immediately.”
At that, the servants sprang into coordinated action, like stagnant air flowing once more.
Curtains were drawn back to brighten the hall. Cream-colored ribbons were tied into lavish floral bows, and the previously closed windows were opened to refresh the stifling atmosphere.
The lighting grew brighter, and the orchestra resumed, playing sweeter, more charming melodies.
The attendants, long-serving and impeccably noble, knew exactly how to avoid offending their master.
Though they acted as if the earlier incident had never happened, their eyes occasionally cast gentle, empathetic glances at Tulia Frezier.
Unlike Tedric Frezier, Tulia stood alone—without family—but she no longer felt entirely “alone.”
Most of these gazes were sincere.
“Truly, you’ve felt such loneliness.”
“They say the more empty a child’s life, the more they indulge in extravagance or mischief.”
“You’ve changed greatly. Even today, your attire is very proper…”
No one paid attention to Lilius, Aubrey, or Tedric.
Not a single servant attempted to impress them or curry favor.
The Lilius couple might have felt anger at being treated like invisible people, but now they faced a far greater trial:
Archduke Ashis Frezier had not immediately punished them.
In a public setting, Tedric had falsely accused Tulia—driven by jealousy.
This was exactly the kind of behavior Ashis Frezier most despised.
No one could predict what punishment Tedric might face.
Watching for the Archduke’s thoughts felt more excruciating than dancing barefoot along a thorny forest path.
Amid all these differing circumstances, Luc Kelfosher checked his pocket watch.
Exactly five minutes had passed.
“Your Grace, the time has come.”
Luc announced formally, and the Archduke, previously expressionless and deep in thought, stood.
“Tulia Frezier. Step forward.”
Tulia’s eyes lit up as she walked forward confidently.
Ha. That was long.
Lilius, Aubrey, Tedric—they probably thought I’d just get the test papers destroyed and forget the whole thing, right?
Of course I’d return the favor. Twofold, naturally.
Looking at the current mood, it seemed I hadn’t just returned it twice—I’d multiplied it twentyfold.
I simply smiled, genuinely happy to finally receive the Frezier family heirloom necklace.
“This ‘Glory’ is exquisitely crafted,” Archduke Ashis Frezier said, drawing the necklace from a golden box.
Glory—the name itself resonated. The heirloom necklace of the Frezier direct line.
‘So beautiful…’
Even in the <Gmilpan> records, the name appeared, reserved for a Frezier of direct descent.
Though technically, there were low hurdles to receive it even without direct blood ties.
Yet I had faced countless dangers and hardships to reach this moment!
Still, labor always tastes sweet in the end.
Following the etiquette Luc had taught me, I knelt on one knee and accepted the Glory with both hands.
The pendant felt heavy through my gloved fingers.
I lowered my gaze to inspect it with my own eyes, my heart pounding.
‘Real green and pink gemstones…’
The Glory necklace is custom-made, designed for only one Frezier.
Each stone matches the hair and eye color of its owner. Tulia’s Glory was the first I had ever seen.
Even in <Gmilpan>, it had never appeared.
And all the stones were colored diamonds—pink and green—a stunning combination.
“Tulia Frezier.”
Archduke Ashis Frezier briefly instructed me on maintaining the dignity of the Frezier line.
“Now, wear it properly.”
The award ceremony concluded as I placed the pendant around my neck.
Now I can finally face the main characters.
I lifted the gold chain with excitement… and suddenly, my hand slipped. The Glory nearly fell to the floor.
“….”
Silence swept the hall, but quickly laughter and lighthearted comments followed.
“Tulia seems nervous.”
“After what happened just now, her hands would naturally tremble.”
“And the Glory isn’t light, either. Ha-ha.”
Thankfully, the servants, now on my side after the morning’s events, shielded me with their kindness.
I smiled awkwardly and lifted the necklace again, carefully positioning it around my neck.
But—
clatter
“….”
“….”
“….”
The pendant fell again. Worse, it looked as if I had thrown it on the floor deliberately.
“Tulia…?”
Even Luc’s voice wavered in embarrassment.
“Miss, when receiving the Glory, you must handle it carefully, placing it properly around your neck. This is a ceremony that truly honors the Frezier family’s history and reputation.”
Luc’s serious instructions replayed in my mind:
“Even if unlikely, failing to wear it properly is interpreted as an insult to the blessings of the first head and the honor of the Frezier lineage. Be deliberate, very deliberate.”
Deliberate… very deliberate…
Cold sweat ran over my body.
Even the previously supportive servants now only watched, wide-eyed.
Mistake? Trembling hands? Nervousness? Heavy necklace?
Could one possibly make that mistake twice?
Not unless one intended to insult this sacred ceremony…
Then, a moment later, I realized the true reason for this bizarre situation.
No… this can’t be a penalty, right…?
And as if to confirm my realization, a multicolored message appeared before my eyes:
(!Warning: Your current skill level is too low to perform this action.)
(!Warning: If you do not raise your skill stats, the reputation of those around you will drop to the maximum!)
