Chapter 8. From Winter to Spring (11)

“Just follow me. I’ll figure it out roughly from memory.”

“Truly dependable. I’ll serve you for the rest of my life.”

No… there’s no need for that.

If I really end up marrying into the ducal family, Sebastian will naturally become my designated attendant, and my future will be filled with stress caused by this directionally challenged butler. No way! I need to fix that flaw somehow!

“Sebastian, I hope you overcome your… spatial disability soon.”

“I’m not directionally challenged.”

As I offered my encouragement, Sebastian firmly shook his head in denial.

Ha… Sebastian. Everyone in this mansion knows you get lost. Literally everyone except you.

And so, while he muttered in disbelief, clinging to his denial of reality, we finally found the dining room.

“Oh, come in.”

The elegant Duchess was already seated, quietly reading a book.

Next to her—when did he arrive?—sat the Duke of Raven, looking as dignified as ever. Across from them, Karn was waiting patiently for the meal.

The Duchess handed her book to a maid and gestured gracefully for me to sit.

Such a refined movement.

“I’m sorry. We got lost on the way…”

—I mean Sebastian did. I swallowed the rest of my sentence and made my way to the long table, plopping into the nearest chair.

Oh wow, this chair is so comfortable! Even the seating is flawless in the Raven household.

“It’s fine. I’m just glad you made it safely.”

“Let me guess… Sebastian got you lost again? I told you not to let him guide people!”

“The Duke greeted me warmly, and Karn firmly opposed Sebastian giving directions. I nodded along in agreement. Yes, Sebastian should definitely not be allowed to guide people.

While Karn and I shared solidarity in protesting Sebastian’s navigation, the dining room doors swung open with a bang. I stared blankly at the opening door, and before long, I saw Kyle entering in light clothes. As he approached me with confident steps, I greeted him.

“Welcome back.”

“Did I keep you waiting?”

Kyle said that as he casually took the seat right next to mine. Of all the seats at this long table, he insisted on sitting next to me—something I didn’t mind, but… he sat so close it was a bit uncomfortable. Um… how am I supposed to eat like this? Not to mention, doing lovey-dovey things in front of the Duke and Duchess could earn us a scolding—

“Haha, young love. Isn’t it sweet?”

“Indeed. Don’t mind us, dear. Feel free to get even closer.”

…That was a completely unnecessary concern. Rather than being strict, the Duke and Duchess looked at us with amused affection, even encouraging more affection. Hm. Karn looked distinctly displeased, but didn’t say anything out loud.

What is this? Is this really how in-laws treat their future daughter-in-law? From dramas, I expected lines like “How dare you touch my son!” or “You cunning little vixen, seducing my child like that!” So this kind of response felt… foreign. Honestly, I was feeling a little pressured from all the attention—

“Ah, excuse me for a moment. I’m getting a call…”

Cold sweat trickled down my back from the pressure, when the comm crystal in my pocket lit up, signaling an incoming call. I didn’t know who it was at this hour, but the timing was… convenient. Whew, this was getting awkward anyway—thank goodness.

“…Gasp.”

But the relief vanished as soon as I saw the caller ID.

Aunt Orton.

The name I hadn’t seen in so long sent a jolt through my chest.

How did she even get my comm ID?

Ah, right. It was winter break now. She’d said she’d give me two months to think—and that she would come for my answer sometime this month. Ugh, not that she ever intended to listen to me anyway. She’d likely proceed with the engagement whether I agreed or not…

What should I do…

I stared blankly at the comm crystal, then lightly tapped it. I had no choice. I’d just have to face this somehow.

“…Hello, Aunt Orton.”

「I see you’re looking well. That’s good to know.」

I had it set to voice-only mode so I wouldn’t have to see her face—my little act of resistance.

「I told you, didn’t I? That I’d give you two months. Your time’s up. I’m on my way to the count’s estate to hear your answer. Be ready.」

Her tone was still cold and sharp as ever.

Ah, but… I’m not at the estate right now…

Not to mention, she never really cared about my answer, did she?

I hardened my expression at her words, then opened my mouth.

“Aunt, actually… I might already have a fiancé. Or, well… I’m about to.”

“We haven’t even held an engagement ceremony yet, so technically, Kyle isn’t my fiancé.”

Kyle drooped beside me in dejected mode at those words, but I ignored him and pressed on.

“So I can’t marry the man you chose for me, Aunt.”

I was pretty proud of how firm I sounded. Smiling to myself in satisfaction, I looked up—only to see the Duke of Raven giving me a big thumbs up. Oh my, how adorable.

The comm crystal remained silent for a moment.

What’s going on? This silence feels… ominous…

「Radel, you’re clearly under some kind of delusion.」

When the silence broke, my aunt’s voice was sharp and low, like she was barely holding back her fury.

She was pissed. She was absolutely furious.

「You never had a choice to begin with! All you need to do is marry the man I picked for you and bear his children!」

The first to react wasn’t me—it was Kyle.

His face contorted into something downright monstrous, and he reached for the comm crystal like he meant to crush it.

Sebastian and Karn barely held him back.

Aunt’s words about me marrying some other man and having his children had clearly driven him to the brink.

To calm him down, I gently grasped his hand.

He clenched his lips tight, but thankfully, settled down.

Good boy.

“Aunt. I’m going to marry the person I love. I will never marry—let alone get engaged to—the man you picked. So turn back. This is a waste of time.”

「……」

Aunt Orton fell completely silent, seemingly at a loss for words.

Then, after a long sigh, her voice returned—sharp, biting, and filled with venom.

“A third party? I’ll have you know, I’m about to become Lady Radel’s mother-in-law. And more importantly, you just spoke quite rudely—so I think it’s time you apologized to my future daughter-in-law.”

D-daughter-in-law?!

More than the conversation itself, it was how the Duchess referred to me that set my ears blazing red.

I hung my head, squirming with embarrassment, when a shrill voice rang from the comm crystal.

「Ha! Are you joking right now? Do you even know who I am?」

“I don’t, nor do I care to. Not like we’ll ever be seeing you again, anyway.”

The Duchess’s cool reply flew right over Aunt Orton’s head.

Apparently still clueless as to who she was speaking to, my aunt’s tone became increasingly abrasive.

Well… it seems she’s about to find out the hard way.

「Who do you think you are! Talking to me like that—!」

“Such poor manners… If you’re so curious about me, I’ll indulge you.”

The Duchess calmly changed the call setting to allow video feed.

For a moment, I was startled by the sight of Aunt Orton’s gruff face appearing on screen—but I quickly took a deep breath to steady myself. Goodness, that caught me off guard.

「Y-You’re…!」

The moment Aunt Orton saw the Duchess’s face, all the color drained from hers.

She finally realized just who she’d picked a fight with.

Her trembling hands were visibly shaking even through the video.

“Well? Has your curiosity been satisfied?”

The Duchess asked with a graceful smile still gracing her lips.

And Aunt Orton, completely stunned, began to mouth words she could no longer properly form.

“W-What… how could such an esteemed lady…”

“Oh my, your tone seems quite different from earlier. Why so meek all of a sudden?”

At the duchess’s question, Aunt Orton broke out into a cold sweat.

Just from the way it glistened on her forehead, I could tell how nervous she was.

Hmm… she’s probably feeling like she’s dying inside right about now.

「I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize it was the duchess—I’ve made a terrible mistake!」

“Oh, that’s enough. You’re boring me already. And if you’re going to apologize, start with my daughter-in-law first.”

Even I found the duchess frightening when she spoke those words with such a sweet smile.

Goodness, Auntie… you really picked the wrong opponent this time.

I mentally noted to never get on the duchess’s bad side—she may be gentle by default, but when she’s angry? Yikes.

That was when Aunt Orton, her voice trembling, finally turned to me.

「R-Radel. I’m sorry. Please… say something to the duchess for me…」

The same woman who used to yell at me like I was dirt was now groveling.

Power really is something else.

I tilted my head and pretended to ponder it for a moment.

“Hmm… should I?”

Then I smiled brightly.

‘Why should I?’

After all, people should clean up their own messes.

She brought this on herself with her arrogance—now she can face the consequences.

I gave a cheerful wave to my aunt, who looked like she might faint on the spot, and the duchess finished her off with one final line:

“I’ll be sure to remember your name. Now then…”

「D-Duchess, wait!”」”

Despite hearing that desperate wail, the duchess ended the call without a shred of hesitation.

She handed the communicator back to me, then turned to the duke and spoke with a pointed tone.

“You heard everything, didn’t you?”

“Hm, I did.”

“Then I’m sure you also know what it is I want?”

“Heh… Sometimes, you’re frighteningly cold, you know that?”

The two of them locked eyes, exchanging words in some cryptic conversation I couldn’t fully grasp.

Hmm… I could guess, but I decided not to think too deeply about it.

Somehow, I had this ominous feeling that Aunt Orton might actually be in serious trouble now.

“Miss Radel, if anything like this ever happens again, please tell me right away. I’ll always be on my daughter-in-law’s side.”

“Ah, thank you…”

The duchess held my hand tightly as she spoke. Her sincerity was clear.

Truly, the duchess was graceful and dignified.

Even earlier, when Aunt Orton was spewing all that nonsense, she had kept her serene expression the whole time…

It still felt surreal to think this woman was going to be my mother-in-law now.

Ah, and by the way—Aunt Orton?

Shortly after, she lost her entire estate and all her assets.

She was completely ruined, and when the noble society heard the news, they were reminded once again just how terrifying the House of Raven really was.