Chapter 115 – conversation between Ruby & Duke Omert

Chapter 115 – conversation between Ruby & Duke Omerta

“That’s how you came to us. You were placed in a complicated situation from the very beginning. That would have been obvious even if I didn’t explain it. Now, I will refrain from saying anything about my true feelings of this situation. It’s a bad habit and it’s not helpful. But what can I say? My wife had to always knock some sense into me.

“…Yes?”

“I mean, this whole time, the situation had been unexpected. So at some point, somehow, for some reason…Damn it, I’m starting to say nonsense again. I’m afraid that some things slip past me as I’m getting older. My eyes are not as sharp as they used to be.”

“…”

“I was confident that I could understand the true essence of anything but it was always just bad judgment on the part of an arrogant, old man. It’s why the children brazenly doubted their noble father.”

“Father.”

She took a deep breath and called out.

Duke Omerta, who had turned his head and coughed loudly, shrugged his sturdy shoulders and looked at me.

“Don’t say that. Father is one of the few people who can understand me better than anyone else.”

Of course.

I vividly remember a conversation we had the other day by the stables.

The expression on the Duke’s face who had been wondering whether there was any hope for his son.

I see. Now I know.

Unlike those ridiculous, suffocating days, everything feels clear to me now.

At that time, it seemed that the Duke of Omerta was really worried, he had vague suspicions that I had more in common with the deceased Duchess other than an eating disorder.

In a way, I have to thank Cesare.

Without that fuss, I probably would have walked on eggshells forever.

As time passed, I realized and regretted very late that the unconditional love present might have devolved into a disastrous relationship over time because I was already tired and overwhelmed by the steep cost of my facade.

It would have been too late even if we held on and loved each other at the end, we would have only hurt each other. Though it seemed like our love would last forever, it would have never been able to recover. We would have been trapped into a state of madness as we were swept away by the turbulent feelings of love and hate.

The Duchess’s illness must have been similar to mine.

If my anorexia originated from my desire to have control over life, maybe hers originated from wanting to turn back time.

To when she was a smaller, weaker girl and her red eyes were filled with passion and adoration. She desperately desired to return to that time when she just met a paladin…

Of course, this is all just my own speculation.

Meanwhile, Izek and the Duke had also reached an understanding unexpectedly at the same location, the stables.

Are the stables a good place for these conversations?

“Father, you said I looked like I was struggling with matters of life and death. You know now after you’ve seen it properly.”

“…”

“Among the various disturbances of this festival, what Cardinal Valentino did to me at the mirror room was unimaginable, but it’s true I was also desperately trying to avoid talking about my problems in the first place. So the guilt is mine. Because I didn’t trust Iz every time and tried to deceive him instead. No, should I say that we understood each other much too late…? As a result it left him with a permanent scar.”

“Madam…”

“If anyone was in a situation like mine, they could try to make excuses, but rather than that, I want to tell you that I have misunderstood, father. I’m really surprised that Izek is being so incredibly generous and friendly despite all of this.”

“…That’s great.”

He stood for a long time without moving, it made me wonder what he was thinking about.

“Father….?”

“…Hmm, we decided to keep Madam’s hidden talents confidential from the northern and southern regions for the time being. You know that if you want to meet with the young dragon from now on, it will have to be under supervision. If anyone is stupid enough to talk about what happened to others, they will inevitably be charged with the crime of violating the royal command.”

“…”

“Oh, I forgot the most important thing. I was originally here to ask this question. This raid made Erendil, as well as the palace, extremely chaotic, and if Cardinal Valentino was behind it, there must have been someone who assisted him. God would laugh at us if he saw the current state of the Temple of Erendil. By the way, do you know what the heck the Cardinal is doing with that ignorant bastard (Pietro)?”

“Yes, but I don’t know if he’s still in Erendil. He’s been a loyal subject of his for a long time. As soon as the situation broke out, he must have returned to Romagna with the Cardinal.”

“Hmm, I don’t think so, but…”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing. I will inform my son since he wants to take care of everything on his own and don’t think about anything for now, just focus on getting a good rest.”

What in the world…?

I gently closed my gaping mouth then smiled at the thought that suddenly flashed through my head.

“Father?”

The duke, who finally arose from the delicate armchair and was about to walk away, stopped and looked back at me. A strange feeling of embarrassment spread across the solemn face that stared at my smiling face.

“Is there something else…?”

“Thank you. I mean it in more ways than one.”

“……”

“By the way father, can you just call me Ruby from now on? Please address me comfortably.”

The Duke didn’t say anything for a moment.

Of course, it would have been strange if he immediately accepted it.

However, as soon as I thought it would be better if I could just take it slowly and approach it step by step, the Duke, who was staring at me with a fierce look as if he suddenly remembered something upsetting suddenly said:

“Oh, by the way. I sent the chief maid somewhere else.”

“…Yes?”

“I sent her to my relative’s house on a distant land.”

“…Oh, why?”

“I don’t know about that either. My daughter suggested that I nip it in the bud before it’s too late so I just said ok.”

This is a bit of unexpected, shocking news.

You sent the maid away?

Elenia’s fiercely loyal nanny?

Elenia suggested that first?

It’s an unbelievable change, but did something happen?

I thought he would ask me if I had any reason to question it, but the Duke just scratched his beard and added one last thing.

“Okay? You’ll have a lot of work to do after I leave. The management of the household will also be under Ruby’s jurisdiction.”

“Well, father, just now…”

“So take a good rest. Hm!”

After that, the Duke suddenly left.

I laid flat on the bed for a while and collected my thoughts

No, why is the maid…! How the hell…! This is so sad and pointless!

I was planning a thrilling head to head confrontation with that wicked human being in my own way, but of course, I was relieved that she disappeared on her own.

However, it was surprising and bewildering because this was unexpected.

I can’t even imagine what the hell happened.

Was it because I thought Ellenia would never do that? Or did she want to distance herself from the people she was close to in the meantime because of the complicated situation?

“Madam, should I bring out a new cart? Is there anything you want to eat separately?”

It’s not surprising that Ronya was originally agreeable but it was strange that it felt like Lucille seemed to be warmer and friendlier.

Is she happy that the former chief maid is gone?

Even if she’s gone, it’s unlikely that Lucille, who is still young and has only been here for three years, will become the new chief maid, so why was she so happy?

Has she not realized yet that she must give up her greedy plan of receiving more jewels from me?

I didn’t think she was that stupid.

“You know, Lucille.”

“Yes, madam?”

“I will not be giving you anything anymore.”

Lucille, who had been diligently cleaning out the cold teacup, looked astounded.

Her wide-eyed face was very satisfying to look at.

She looked shocked and dismayed, as if she had been stabbed in the heart.

Seeing that expression, I giggled.

“I’m not going to give you anything other than your fixed salary. So you can stop serving me.”

“·······My, what do you mean?·········I’m not asking for such things, Madame!”

“Really?”

“······”

“······”

“No, of course, it’s great to receive additional awards but it will be fine even if I don’t receive any more than my fixed salary.”

Our greedy Lucille stuttered and blushed.

For a moment, I was caught up in the question of why were they so devoted?

Loyalty isn’t necessarily a bad thing though.

“Well, very occasionally, I can reward both of you when you and Ronya do especially well. Other than that, don’t expect it to be a regular occurrence”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Surprisingly, it was Lucille who smiled broadly and arranged her hair, as if she had never been embarrassed despite the fact that she had been exposed so openly.

Oh my. She’s always been straightforward.

Should I say that I like her because she’s blunt?

She’s a little too blunt, but she’s also affectionate.

After drinking the tea that Lucille brought me, I drifted off to sleep again.