Chapter 57
Unlike the main residence's office, which is furnished with antique pieces, the office in the annex, personally designed by Mother, features soft and bright furniture and wallpaper that give a warm impression.
The office, arranged so that my busy father can relax, resembles Mother's private room in the main residence.
Every time I came to the annex, I would spend all my time holed up in this office.
"Young lady, Lord Baldo must have been overjoyed at your return."
"Indeed."
While leaving myself in the hands of my overly enthusiastic personal maids, I recall Father's demeanor when I greeted him upon my return earlier and lower my gaze.
"He had tears in his eyes, filled with joy."
"Oh my..."
"I must be an unfilial daughter."
Before I could even finish my greeting, Father was worried about my injuries, embracing me gently as if handling something fragile, his eyes moist with emotion, which made my chest tighten.
"Calling yourself unfilial over something like that? Sometimes, it takes being brought to tears to realize certain things, especially with someone like Lord Baldo who needs that much to understand."
"The nursemaid shows no mercy toward Father, does she?"
"Oh my, of course not. I have been entrusted by the lady of the house to take utmost care of you, young lady."
Shuddering at the sight of the nursemaid, who is adept at both carrot and stick, smiling brightly, I put on the clothes handed to me one by one.
I fasten the buttons of a gray shirt with embroidery, then put on a jacket over it. Naturally, I wear slim trousers below. These clothes were made alongside a dress, as I intended to relax at the annex for a few days after the music festival, and I desperately persuaded the nursemaid to allow me to wear them, but only within the mansion.
"If the lady of the house saw this outfit, she might faint..."
"But it suits me, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it suits you so well that it's almost sad."
When I spin around in front of the nursemaid, who lets out a sigh, she lowers the corners of her eyes as if looking at a young child and smiles, as if she can't help it.
"Will my stepmother and Mirabel be at the dinner table...?"
"As you instructed, young lady, I did ask. Lady Soleia declined due to feeling unwell, but Lady Mirabel will be attending..."
"I see."
The dinner to celebrate the return of Grandfather, the former head of the family, is meant for family only. As my stepmother and Mirabel are part of the Rotish family through a contractual marriage, they are not officially recognized as family and technically do not qualify to attend.
However, I deliberately sent the nursemaid to gauge their reactions.
My stepmother, likely feigning illness, must have declined out of an understanding of her position, but I smirk at Mirabel's bold attitude, who boasted of being doted on by Father despite being her biological daughter.
"What is she thinking...?"
"Young lady?"
"No, it's nothing. Let's head over soon."
After quickly checking my appearance in the full-length mirror, I left the room with the nursemaid.
On the second floor, there are not only my room and Mother's room but also several other rooms. When my stepmother and her family first came to the Rotish family, they used rooms on the second floor as well.
Yet now, my stepmother and Mirabel use rooms in a separate building.
I heard from Bram that Father changed their treatment to reflect the fact that it was a contractual marriage, making it known to those around.
Even so, they are not treated poorly or forced into a frugal lifestyle. Their treatment is far better than that of most nobles, and care is taken to ensure they face no inconvenience.
Father's response may seem too late, but when he says they are the family of a dear friend, I can't blame him even if it feels excessive.
"Does becoming an adult mean needing a broad heart to endure and understand...?"
"Not only that, but you also need to learn to give up on certain things. For example, correcting your manner of speaking, young lady."
"..."
Silently descending the grand staircase to head to the cafeteria on the first floor, avoiding unnecessary remarks, I noticed Grandfather standing in the hallway along the way.
I was surprised, as I thought he would already be in the cafeteria, but Grandfather scratched his cheek and said, "You're late."
"What is the guest of honor doing here?"
"I took too long to change."
It seems he wasn't waiting for me after all.
Blinking at Grandfather, who prefers casual attire but is dressed up elegantly, I see him trying to loosen his tight collar with his fingers, only to be scolded by Bram.
"Do I really need to dress like this...?"
"Even if it's a family-only dinner, the servants are watching."
I shake my head with a smile at Grandfather, who frowns as if asking if I'm not on his side.
Feeling the intense pressure, I quickly gave in and swore to myself never to agree with him. I absolutely cannot defy the nursemaid or Bram.
"Then, Grandfather, may I ask for your escort?"
"With pleasure."
After confirming that I had taken the arm he offered, Bram opened the door to the cafeteria. As Grandfather and I entered together, Mirabel was already seated there, as if it were only natural.
I lightly tapped Grandfather's arm with my fingertips as he immediately directed a reproachful look at Father, shifting his attention from Father to me.
Smiling at Grandfather, who looked at me suspiciously, I moved forward, took a seat beside him, and nodded to Father without glancing at Mirabel, who sat across from us.
"Then, let's have our meal..."
"Hey."
Normally, dinner would begin with a word from Father, the head of the family, but Grandfather, the guest of honor today, seemed displeased with the situation and interrupted before the starting words.
"Why is an outsider at a family-only dinner?"
Grandfather never had a good opinion of my stepmother to begin with, and as for Mirabel, her daughter, she must have been on his watch list due to past conflicts with me.
Before Father could address Grandfather, who deliberately showed his displeasure, Mirabel, either unable to read the room or choosing not to, spoke up first.
"My elder sister invited me to the dinner table."
Mirabel clasped her hands in front of her chest, speaking in a pitiful tone as if seeking sympathy.
Father showed a hint of compassion, but Grandfather didn't even twitch an eyebrow.
"My elder sister's nursemaid came to my room and asked what I would do about the dinner with the former head of the family."
"Being asked what you would do—how does that mean Celestia invited you?"
"I thought she took the trouble to ask because it was fine for me to attend... Was I mistaken?"
As Mirabel, with a clouded expression, directed that question at me, I neither affirmed nor denied it, simply offering a quiet smile.
"...Elder sister?"
In the past, I was terrified of Mirabel's strange behavior and prophecies, and I would run away.
So, I was nervous about facing her again after several years, and recalling those times made me feel unpleasant, but after taking some distance, training both my body and mind, and returning, it turned out to be no big deal.
"Back then, wasn't it natural for you to be at the dinner table? So, I just had her ask, that's all."
"Just... asking?"
"I heard from Father that his marriage to my stepmother was contractual. I didn't know about it before, so I didn't mind if my stepmother and Mirabel joined the family circle, but since they are not family, they need to know their place. I had the nursemaid confirm with them. If they had received a proper education, they would have understood and declined, but it seems Mirabel's education is still lacking."
"To say we're not family... How could you say such a thing? I've always looked up to you as my true elder sister."
"Even if you look up to me as a sister, we are not family."
"...But..."
Mirabel glanced at Father as if seeking help, but he remained silent, saying nothing.
I need to make the positions of my stepmother and Mirabel clear in front of the family and the workers of the mansion.
"However, my stepmother and Mirabel are the family of Father's dear friend. Until Mirabel marries and leaves the Rotish family, I intend to maintain a good relationship. So, may we proceed with dinner as is, Grandfather?"
"...If Celestia is fine with it, I have no objections. Baldo."
"Then, let's begin the meal."
In this room, besides Bram and the nursemaid, there are several servants waiting to serve.
By tomorrow, word of Mirabel's personal maids being dismissed and what happened at this dinner will likely spread among the servants.
If the maids and attendants realize that there are no benefits for my stepmother and Mirabel, and that they might even become unable to work at the mansion, this dinner will be a success.
"Floyd will be coming tomorrow afternoon."
"...I'll have tea prepared."
"You can refuse if you want, but..."
"I was planning to meet and talk with him on the day of the music festival anyway."
Even when the topic of Lord Floyd came up, Mirabel didn't interject; rather, she seemed uninterested and quietly continued eating...
"Is the preparation for the music festival complete?"
"Yes. The dress and accessories are all ready."
"Elder sister, what kind of dress is it?"
Not expecting her to latch onto the topic of dresses, I glanced at Mirabel in confusion as she leaned forward and asked, "What color is it?"
"It's dark green, but..."
"That's the color of Lord Floyd's eyes! I think it will suit you very well, elder sister!"
"...And Mirabel's dress?"
"Mine is pure white. I'll wear my hair in a half-up style with a pink hair accessory, and all my jewelry will be gold."
"...I see."
"That's all?"
Not understanding the intent behind her detailed explanation, I simply nodded at Mirabel, who stared intently at my face.
After showing a thoughtful expression for a moment, Mirabel flashed a bright smile and returned to her meal, leaving me even more puzzled.
—What was that about...?
While Father and Grandfather were discussing the music festival, I quietly observed Mirabel's behavior as we finished dinner.