The Villainess Is Annoyed by the Male Leads Again Today - Chapter 1.5

Perhaps due to Irena’s increased gratitude index, an even more abundant breakfast than yesterday arrived soon after.

After eating a hearty breakfast, I rolled around in bed waiting for her to return with an answer.

Knock knock-

“Young lady, it’s Irena.”

“Come in.”

She gave me a really unexpected answer.

“The Count said he would like to have dinner with you this evening and talk then.”

She brought an answer that seemed likely to create a very awkward and embarrassing situation.

“What? Surely not just the two of us?”

“Yes, young lady. He said to come comfortably as it will be a dinner for just the Count and you, without calling the other masters.”

I thought he would at most call me to his office for a short time.

In Lorazie’s memories, she had never even had a simple snack, let alone a meal alone with her father, the Count. It was strange.

“Okay, I understand for now. Then, could you bring me some paper and a pen from the drawing room?”

“Yes, young lady.”

Irena quickly brought the paper and pen and stood waiting by the door connecting to the drawing room so as not to disturb me.

“Irena, please, I’m begging you, take a rest.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t have a hobby of keeping people standing at the door. I’ll call if I need you, so go do your work.”

“Pardon?”

“Go on.”

I ordered with a stern face, and she once again said, “Yes, young lady,” and scurried out with that impressed expression of hers.

After the door closed, I fell into contemplation.

“How much should I ask for?”

Even for an illegitimate child, they wouldn’t give me money if I just said I was leaving and asked for it.

Moreover, Lorazie had outstanding beauty that anyone could see, so her value in the future marriage market was high. They wouldn’t let her live freely under normal circumstances.

So I decided to use a bit of a trick.

I would negotiate with the Count using the information from Lorazie’s memories.

I started to ponder what information to give and how much of a share to ask for.

I slowly recalled Lorazie’s memories and wrote down the proposal to give to the Count. Perhaps because it was based on things that would definitely happen in the future, it flowed smoothly without any hitches.

“It’s done.”

So I was able to complete it in less than an hour.

“Perfect.”

I praised my proposal, folded it carefully, and sat back on the sofa.

Soon, my eyes closed gently.

***

“Young lady, please wake up.”

“Mmm, I want to sleep more.”

I woke from my deep sleep because of Irena’s voice calling me.

“But you need to start preparing now to not be late.”

“Ugh, this is so annoying. I thought he’d just call me to his office, why is he suddenly doing this?”

Irena flinched in surprise at my muttering.

I realized my mistake for a moment, but I didn’t care since I was going to leave this house soon anyway.

After finishing my preparations, I went down to the dining room.

I didn’t want to hear that I was late like last time, so I came down early and was able to take my seat before the Count.

After waiting for a moment, the Count came down.

“You’re early, Lorazie. Let’s start the meal first.”

“Yes, Count.”

Upon my response, the Count stared at me as if something was strange.

I stared back at him, meeting his gaze.

Then the Count spoke.

“Why are you suddenly calling me Count?”

Ah, so that was it.

The original Lorazie wanted to be recognized as a member of the Epine Count’s family.

As part of that, she called the Count “Dad” instead of “Father,” and called the Countess “Mother” affectionately. Those addressed frowned, but she persisted stubbornly.

But I had no intention of becoming close to them, so I decided to draw a line.

“How could I dare to address the Count of Epine territory by any other title? I’ve been mistaken due to my inadequacy until now, so please forgive me generously.”

“…I see.”

For a moment, the Count’s expression became strange, but he soon acquiesced.

With this conversation ended, we began our quiet meal.

In the dining room, only silence prevailed, occasionally broken by the sound of cutlery.

Unlike me, who was contentedly looking at my full stomach after finishing the lemon sorbet and sweet brownie that came as dessert, the Count seemed to have no appetite throughout the meal.

‘Could it be because Lorazie changed how she addresses him?’

I thought it might be possible since she was his biological daughter after all. But it was too late to care now after neglecting her all this time.

“So, what did you want to tell me?”

The Count asked about the matter first.

“I want to live somewhere far from the capital. I wanted to see you because I need some funds for that.”

His expression hardened.

“Why have you suddenly had such thoughts? Is there something lacking here?”

I was dumbfounded, wondering if he was really asking because he didn’t know. In fact, the main reason Lorazie was treated as an outcast in the house was the Count’s problem of not giving any attention despite bringing in and raising an illegitimate child.

“Count, every day since I came here has been like walking on thin ice. I think you know how much I’ve been trying.”

“Lorazie.”

“I regret my childish behavior, thinking that no one appreciated my efforts. I want to leave. I want to start a new life in a new place.”

Of course, I was satisfied with the delicious food, comfortable bed, and luxurious life. But this wasn’t what the original Lorazie wanted.

Having seen Lorazie’s memories, I could somewhat guess her loneliness and despair.

Perhaps if Lorazie had grown up receiving sufficient affection, the ending of that book would have been different.

“…I cannot allow it.”

I expected that. It was time for me to show what I had prepared.

“Even though I’m an illegitimate child, I’m still of the Count’s bloodline, and I know I’ll be an important card in a political marriage. So I want to give you information worth my value.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the Count’s expression hardened instantly. His eyes, which looked just like mine, were shaking uncontrollably.

“Value? That’s not what…”

The Count, who was trying to make some excuse, closed his mouth at my expression that was just staring at him blankly.

It seemed that even he thought there was no room for excuse regarding Lorazie’s treatment.

“…I see. I understand your thoughts, but you are of Epine blood. I cannot allow it. If you want, I promise better treatment than now. I’ll talk to the other family members as well.”

As if they’d treat me well if you talked to the other family members. How can someone who’s been through so much be so oblivious?

For a moment, I couldn’t control my expression at his absurd words.

“Count, I feel suffocated just by being here now. I’m not asking you to let me go without any compensation. Please invest in my business.”

I took out the business proposal I had diligently written during the day from my bosom and handed it to the Count.

“What is this?”

“It’s a business proposal. Please read it.”

He read the business proposal I had written for a while, then sighed deeply and moved his lips.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about at all.”