Volume 9 - CH 12

“You should have enough time to rest. Don’t tell me you’re going to sleep in my bedroom to protect me?”

William was startled when I extended my hand to his eyes, as if he had been struck by flinching lightning.

His red-hot cheeks were adorable, but I feigned not to notice and pretended even more slyly.

“Look at these dark circles, what happened to this handsome face of yours?”

At the same time, blood flowed from his nose.

“Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for you to be like this?”

William, who had just wiped his nosebleed, shook his hands as if nothing had happened.

“I’m not overdoing it, My Lady.”

I do think you’re overdoing it.

“Think about it, anyway.”

“Yes! My Lady.”

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

Fiona, who had been waiting for me the entire time, quickly grabbed my hood.

“I told you to stay asleep.”

“How can I sleep when My Lady isn’t there?”

“You, too……”

You’re just like your sister.

“What made you so late, My Lady?”

“Well, it’s probably better not to know.”

I bought some solid paint and put it on the easel.

The weather is warm in the capital and it takes time to get there.

To keep the moisture out, a water bottle was placed in the carriage, and the painting was specifically covered with cloth.

The solid paint will melt and spread across my portrait as she rushes to the capital.

Alphonse informed me about the existence of such paint.

‘I can’t send my painting to the capital intact.’

What if the Archduke happens to notice me?

Alphonse said that the portrait could not keep up with the real me, but there was nothing wrong with being careful.

“I have received a letter from my sister, my dear.”

“A letter from Pennie?”

“Yes.”

Fiona handed me a crumpled letter.

The rough grain and yellow tint of the paper indicate that it is a letter from Penny.

‘How did a child who couldn’t read write a letter?’

When I opened the letter, I saw a lot of scribbles created like a monster’s development.

Several trees, a home in the middle, a moving heart, a long-haired crying stickman, and a stickman in a skirt with pointed eyes.

There was also an enraged stickman wearing a skirt and wielding a devil’s horn……

“I know this. This is my mother right?”

“Yes. Let me read it for you, My Lady.”

Fiona snuggled up next to me and started reading the letter.

“My dear Lady Selina. I’m doing well at Crawford’s hunting ground. Thanks to you. My Lady, I’m not sure if Fiona is taking excellent care of you. I’m concerned since she’s a clumsy yet strong child.”

Nowhere is it written that way?

“I tracked down the unknown woman you informed me about. The woman was initially suspicious because she assumed I was the Countess’s person, but she subsequently realized I was around the same age as her daughter. My Lady, don’t be shocked.”

Fiona’s eyes expanded significantly for a split second.

Her eyes, which had been rolling here and there while she opened the letter, were wide with surprise.

“Lady, my sister said that Lady Shannon is not the Countess’ daughter.”

“What!?”

“My sister said that the Countess only gave birth to young Master Adrian, and Lady Shannon is the daughter of this unknown woman?”

What exactly did you say?!

“The unknown woman is a heathen with healing abilities. She abruptly summoned as a midwife and delivered the Countess’ baby.”

It was Adrian. The woman was the midwife who received Adrian.

“As a result of that relationship, the Countess decided to adopt and raise the woman’s three-month-old daughter. It was Lady Shannon.”

“But why would Mother do something like that?”

“I’m not sure. I guess my sister hasn’t figured it out yet.”

Did she know Camilla’s weakness?

There had to be some sort of deal between the two.

‘Ha, this crazy soap opera family.’

The solution is to leave as soon as possible.

“When did my mother say she’d return from the capital?”

“Before your birthday, My Lady.”

“It looks like she’s going to hold me a banquet.”

There was plenty of time because the trip to and from the capital would take at least three weeks.

Everything will have changed by the time Camilla returns.

“I heard she’d return once she found a suitable marriage partner in the capital.”

So she meant to reveal that she had found me a marriage match at my birthday banquet.

“It’s going to be a delightful banquet.”

Since she’ll be saying good-by to her stuttering stepdaughter.