“You already know that Theo will be attending the Imperial Magic Academy.”

She clicked her tongue, lamenting that even talent had favored the younger sibling.

“However, for some reason, the Academy is not granting your brother’s admission.”

“Did that happen?”

“‘Did that happen?’ Well, I suppose you wouldn’t have any interest in family matters.”

She clicked her tongue and said to me. I’m too scared to say anything.

“I heard the Duke makes substantial donations to the Academy. Why don’t you ask him about it?”

“…Pardon?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? Obviously, I’m telling you to ask him to help your brother get into the Academy.”

She got irritated again, saying I couldn’t understand what she meant, and Theo started to calm her down.

“Mother, please calm down. It’s not like this is the first time sister has been like this.”

“Theo, my son. Really, if it weren’t for you, I might have died from stress long ago.”

What’s with this mother and son?

So, they’re asking me to use my influence to get my brother, who failed the entrance exam, admitted?

Oh, my head hurts.

“Um, Mother. If he failed the exam, wouldn’t it be better to aim for next year…”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Don’t you know your brother didn’t fail because of his grades, but because our family isn’t prestigious enough? Besides, your brother has been preparing for nearly three years. Are you telling him to prepare for another year?”

If it doesn’t work out, he should keep trying for a year or two until he succeeds.

As I hesitated to answer, showing my disagreement with her opinion, the Countess stood up and approached me.

“Stand up.”

“Pardon?”

I awkwardly stood up at her forceful command.

And in an instant, a strong impact struck my cheek.

As I staggered from the shock, she muttered in a cold voice.

“Since when did I allow you to talk back to me? It seems you’ve forgotten everything while living comfortably in the Duke’s household. I’ll have to re-educate you. Stand up straight.”

Saying this, she struck my cheek again, and this time I fell to the floor. The impact was enough to make my head spin.

It hurts so much. Why do I have to be treated like this?

“Stand up.”

Once again, a chillingly cold voice shot down at me, and I saw Lily frantically pacing beside me, not knowing what to do.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Her words seemed to contain some magic, as my body rose from its place as if bewitched. It felt more like a habit my body remembered rather than my own will.

As I barely managed to stand up, she raised her hand high once more. And just as she was about to strike my cheek again,

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Ilion grabbed her hand and stopped her.

“Let go of me, Your Grace. I’m merely providing family education.”

“You call this family education?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“Madam, this is…”

“Your Grace, just a moment.”

I raised my hand to stop Ilion.

“Ravenne, you need treatment first…”

“I’m fine. Really.”

Saying this, I forced a smile, pulling at my still stinging cheek. Getting slapped twice had certainly cleared my head.

Out of guilt for taking over Ravenne’s body, I intended to be as friendly as possible to her family members.

They were also in a similar predicament, as they wouldn’t be safe if Ilion committed treason.

So I had remained silent at words that could be considered gaslighting or nagging…

“I was short-sighted, Mother.”

Stopping Ilion, I bowed my head and apologized to her.

“It’s understandable that you’re angry, Mother. I failed to grasp your intentions. So, please give me one more chance.”

“Now you’re finally making sense.”

She said, coldly shaking off Ilion’s hand.

“As they say, strike while the iron is hot. Since you’ve come all the way to the capital, why don’t we go directly to the Academy and have a talk?”

“…What?”

“Wouldn’t it be good to introduce Theo to the Academy’s headmaster and make an impression? As you said, Mother, isn’t the Academy all about connections, regional ties, and blood relations? It can’t hurt to make an early impression.”

After pondering my sudden suggestion for a moment, she nodded.

“That’s not a bad idea. Let’s do that.”

“Yes. I’ll prepare the carriage. Please wait a moment.”

Hearing this, she seemed somewhat satisfied and returned to her seat.

I left the reception room, taking Ilion, who still looked displeased, with me.

Ilion seemed to have a lot to say but was holding back for now.

“First, to have seen such an unpleasant sight from the morning…”

Once out of the room, Ilion grabbed my hand and pulled me along without giving me a chance to speak.

“W-wait, where are we going?”

Although he wasn’t walking particularly fast, perhaps due to his long legs, I had to almost run to keep up with him.

“Your Grace?”

But no matter how many times I called, he didn’t respond, and eventually, the place he dragged me to was the kitchen. When Ilion appeared, the kitchen servants tensed up to greet him.

“Bring ice and a towel. And contact the temple to bring a priest.”

At his words, the servants moved in unison, bringing ice wrapped in a towel.

“Sit down.”

His voice sounded thoroughly angry. Earlier, the Countess had ordered me to stand up, and now Ilion was telling me to sit down.

Reluctantly, I sat on a nearby chair, and Ilion pressed the ice-wrapped towel to my cheek.

“Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt…”

Though I feel like a monkey in a zoo.

It was quite bothersome to see the servants peeking curiously in our direction.

Noticing my discomfort, an older maid led the others out.

“I’m sorry you had to see such an unpleasant sight.”

“……”

“Actually, I have a favor to ask.”

Feeling urgent, I quickly brought up my request.

“Why did you just stand there and take it?”

“…Pardon?”

“You could have at least screamed.”

Suddenly?

“No, it wasn’t that bad.”

Though it did hurt.

“I’ll send the Countess and your brother back. I also intend to hold them accountable for this incident.”

Ilion seemed to be suppressing his anger as he said this.

“W-wait a moment.”

I hurriedly grabbed Ilion’s collar.

“You’re going to be the Duchess. Even if they’re family, they shouldn’t lay hands on you…”

“That’s not it.”

I shook my head and smiled.

“I’ll handle this matter, so please just grant me one favor.”

If I left it to Ilion, he could solve it effortlessly, but I couldn’t let those two go so easily.

It’s not that I felt particularly betrayed by them, nor did I want to seek revenge for Ravenne’s life.

But they should pay the price for slapping me.

“If you’re trying to quietly cover this up because they’re family…”

“You’ll grant my request, won’t you?”

Ilion was about to say something more, perhaps worried that I might let this incident slide, but my resolve was firm.

Knowing he couldn’t break my stubbornness, Ilion sighed softly and asked.

“What’s the favor?”

“Please write a letter to the Academy’s headmaster.”

“A letter?”

“Yes. I’ll dictate the content for you.”

I said with a smile.

***

That afternoon, with my cheek slightly less swollen thanks to Ilion’s ice pack, I covered it with makeup and left the mansion with a normal face.

“I’ll come along.”

“You’re busy, aren’t you? The Captain’s company should be enough.”

If he was worried I might cause another incident—though I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t—there was no need for him to come along.

Lucas alone should be sufficient.

I didn’t intend to cause any major incidents today, and I felt Ilion’s presence might be more of a hindrance, so I refused his offer, but he was more stubborn than I expected.

“No. I’m coming with you.”

“Then… promise me that no matter what I say or do today, you’ll just watch from behind.”

“…Alright.”

“Likewise, you must remain still no matter what my mother does to me.”

Ilion hesitated, unable to answer that.

“…I can’t promise that.”

“Then don’t come.”

“I can’t do that either.”

This stubborn man.

I reluctantly offered the condition that he should promise if he wanted to come along, but Ilion ultimately never agreed to do so.

Well, can’t be helped.

For now, I decided to be satisfied with the promise that he would allow whatever I did.

And so, Ilion and I, along with the Countess and Theo, boarded the carriage.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was quiet, and the four of us were silent for a while.

Just as the silence was becoming suffocating, the Countess spoke first.

“How are the wedding preparations coming along?”

“They’re proceeding as planned.”

“Is there anything we need to prepare on our side…”

“No. I believe I’ve already informed you.”

Ilion’s responses to the Countess’s questions were extremely curt.

Naturally, this wouldn’t sit well with her, and as expected, the sparks flew towards me.

“How are you preparing?”

“I’m simply following His Grace’s instructions.”

My answer didn’t seem to satisfy her, as her brow furrowed slightly.

“You really can’t do anything properly, can you? I told you this isn’t just a simple wedding. Seriously, I’m ashamed to face Your Grace.”

Her tone sounded as though she wanted me to hear it.

I had no particular intention of denying it, so I let her words go in one ear and out the other.

“There’s no need to say that. Ravenne is smarter and more capable than you think. Haven’t you been reading the newspapers lately?”

On the other hand, Ilion seemed a bit irritated. It’s rare for him to openly sneer at others like this, except for me.

“Of course I’ve been reading. She’s a daughter to be proud of. But no matter how well she does, a parent’s eyes always see room for improvement, so I can’t help but worry.”

“Mother is just concerned that sister might make a mistake, Your Grace.”

The quick-witted Theo began to defend her as well.

“The mistake made today was by the Countess.”

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Theo lightly stepped on my foot, giving me a look. He wanted me to do something about it.

Am I everyone’s punching bag?