At noon, the Bayrol family was gathered around the lunch table.
They didn't usually have such a family atmosphere, but they honored the family traditions.
Every Friday, the entire family was required to gather for lunch.
Rilia sat in her seat, chewing the meat with difficulty because of the suffocating silence,
before her father finally spoke:
"Rilia… I heard about what happened between you and Captain Jerma."
It was the question she had been praying wouldn't be asked at the table.
"Ah, that…"
Rilia tensed as she thought of how to answer.
"I heard that this knight was personally chosen by my father… so I couldn't stand watching him be humiliated like that. Out of respect for my father."
She spoke with polite, deliberately shy composure.
"W–what?"
Her father muttered, suspicious.
He expected an emotional answer about justice or some nonsense he dismissed,
but he didn't get angry at this explanation, so he remained silent.
Rilia felt relief washing over her—
the situation passed much easier than she expected.
Still, the atmosphere suffocated her, so she finished her meal as quickly as possible to escape.
---
After washing her hands, she returned to her room.
She sat at her desk and began writing—
but this time, she knew exactly what she wanted to say.
She wrote about people with talent and skill who are never appreciated because of their family name or status.
The topic wasn't exactly new, but what made Rilia's writings special
was that she didn't write with her hand alone—
she wrote with her spirit, her feelings, her soul.
Every word was filled with emotion and humanity.
Finally… Rilia finished writing.
She looked at the window, shocked.
Night had already fallen.
I can't believe I spent half the day finishing this…
She muttered to herself with an embarrassed smile.
But she glanced at the article again.
"It's worth it,"
she whispered quietly, pride warming her chest.
"Well, I guess I should sleep."
She yawned, threw herself onto the bed, and fell into a deep sleep the moment she closed her eyes.
---
Morning returned to Bayrol Manor once again.
The chirping birds woke Rilia from her sleep.
She washed her face, took a quick bath, and sat down for breakfast.
Everything felt normal—
except for the noise among the maids.
Curious, she turned to Isabel:
"What's going on?"
"Oh… my lady doesn't know?" Isabel asked, surprised.
"Know what?"
"Countess Belos, your aunt, will be visiting today. She's leaving the capital soon and wanted to stop by."
"Aunt Beatrice…"
Rilia murmured to herself as she took a sip of tea.
She never gives up, does she…
Rilia thought her aunt wouldn't dare come after what her mother had said,
but Beatrice clearly had more persistence than she expected.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Rilia said.
One of the maids entered.
"My lady… the mistress is calling for you."
Mother?…
"All right, I'll be there."
Rilia stood and headed toward her mother's room.
---
She entered to find her mother sitting at her table.
"You called for me, Mother?"
"Yes… come here, Rilia."
Rilia approached and sat down.
"You know your aunt is coming today, correct?"
"Yes… Isabel told me."
"Good."
The Countess murmured before continuing:
"If she says anything rude, don't hesitate to answer her back. Don't be too polite.
If anything happens, I'll handle it."
Huh??
Rilia stared at her mother in shock.
She knew her mother disliked her aunt, but she never expected her to support her this openly.
"U–understood…"
"And don't get close to her son… that odd boy. Keep your distance."
What is wrong with Mother today? Is she… sane?
Rilia wondered in disbelief.
"All right…"
"You may go."
---
When her mother had the chance to push Rilia toward noble families,
she always forced her to behave kindly and flawlessly to keep her reputation pristine—
but to push her away like this?
Even if he was the son of her aunt—her mother's rival—
she would've still forced her daughter to act polite during the visit.
Could her aunt be planning something?
Was that why her mother was acting so cautious?
Lost in thoughts, Rilia sat in the garden sipping tea
and reviewing the book her tutor would test her on:
a history of the Empire and the founding families.
Out of all the subjects her mother forced her to study,
history was the only one she genuinely liked.
She finished studying it quickly.
While she was reviewing, Isabel approached:
"My lady… you should start getting ready. There's not much time left!"
Rilia looked up at the sky—it was already turning orange.
"You're right."
She gathered her books and returned to her room with Isabel.
She changed into an elegant silver silk dress.
---
By the time she finished preparing, her aunt's carriage had already arrived.
Rilia stepped outside with her parents to greet their guests.
Countess Belos descended from the carriage in her shimmering velvet blue gown,
with Count Belos beside her.
.....
Sorry for the delayy
👉🏻👈🏻