Chapter 14: Judgment
The next day, I was so tense that I couldnât focus on anything, and spent the time pacing restlessly around my room.
My father, who had left the house, didnât return until evening.
That night, the family was gathered once more.
We were to have dinner together, so I asked Bell to help me change.
We would likely be hearing the final decision.
I pulled my hair tightly up and styled it neatly.
I chose a dress with a crisp, formal look as well.
In the dining room, Mother and Noel were already there, whispering together.
From the way they spoke, it felt like gossip.
Perhaps it was about the letter from Brian-sama yesterday.
The two of them glanced sharply at me as I entered.
Keeping my composure, I sat down in the chair a servant pulled out for me.
Their gazes prickled against my cheeks.
“I hear a letter arrived from Brian-sama.
If thereâs been any progress in the investigation, please tell us as well.”
Mother spoke to me.
Just as I thought.
“It was merely a courtesy letter.
He seemed concerned about my health.
As expected of someone from a ducal house, his manners are very refined.”
Mother and Noel pursed their lips as if wanting to say something, but my brother entered next, followed by Father, and in the end they said nothing.
Once everyone was seated, the food was promptly brought in.
“Todayâs meeting resulted in a decision.
Iâll explain the details after dinner.
Letâs eat first.”
At that, everyone ate in silence, quickly and without savoring the meal.
It seemed none of us had the appetite to enjoy it.
When dessert was served, Father finally opened his mouth.
“The punishment handed down was heavier than I expected.”
As he said that, his eyes met mine, then slid away.
“No, it was an appropriate punishment,” he corrected himself.
Then he let out a vague sigh.
“Please stop speaking so cryptically.
I canât even swallow my food from the suspense.”
Everyoneâs eyes turned to Motherâs plate.
The large dish of bavarois was already empty.
Knowing that speaking up here would only cause trouble, no one said anything, and we all focused on our own bavarois.
Once dessert was finished, Father asked Lloyd for drinks.
“Brandy and liqueur.”
Then he added, “Bring a bottle of whiskey as well.”
Father and my brother received brandy, while Mother, Noel, and I were given peach liqueur.
It was sweet and thick, but the alcohol content was fairly strong.
Mother urged Noel to drink some water.
After finishing his first glass, Father finally began to speak.
“Jason has been ordered to undergo medical treatment.
He will not be able to succeed the marquisate, and a blood relative will inherit the house instead.”
My brother froze with his glass tilted.
A little brandy spilled and soaked into his cuff.
Lloyd swiftly offered a napkin, then took the glass and replaced it with a fresh one.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Why such a severe punishment?”
“The decisive factor was that he had clearly planned to drive Bell away.
When asked for the reason, he claimed it was to help her adapt to the household customs, but thereâs no way a mistress he dragged in from elsewhere would be well-versed in the family traditions.
The more he spoke, the worse it made him look.”
“Thatâs true.
That explanation doesnât hold up.”
Mother said slowly, thinking it over.
It was obvious no one would be convinced by such a claim.
“It seems the marquis had already resolved himself.
He said that once the succession was handed over, he and his wife would retire to their territory.”
“There was no other choice.
Theyâll live out a quiet retirement.”
Having lived in noble society for many years, Mother seemed to understand these matters well.
She appeared satisfied with how things had concluded.
My brother drained his glass of brandy in one go and switched to whiskey.
“What will happen to Jasonâs status?
Will he live with his parents without a title?”
As Jason-samaâs friend, my brother seemed concerned about Jason-samaâs personal fate.
Father glanced at him briefly and switched to whiskey as well.
“The marquis will transfer a baronial title to him.
Heâll govern a rural territory.
It seems this was discussed with the royal family in advance.”
“What!”
Noel cried out in a shrill voice, her face flushed from the alcohol.
She looked genuinely shocked.
I wondered which part had surprised her so much.
The sweet liqueur slid down my throat.
It was very sweet, yet bitter.
“Was there no punishment for Brother Eric?”
Noel asked Father bluntly.
Iâm sure everyone flinched at that.
I couldnât help worrying whether she would truly be able to navigate noble society properly.
The question was far too frank, with no consideration at all.
Mother seemed to think the same and hurriedly scolded Noel.
“There was none.
Jason insisted that he simply fell in love at first sight with Eric.
And also⌔
He took another large gulp of whiskey.
“Apparently, while Maria was feeding the carp in the garden, she spoke about Eric, saying the way his mouth moved looked just like them, and told Brian about it.”
Father turned toward me.
Oh no.
Did Brian-sama really tell him that?
I flustered.
“They say the king laughed and said that one canât punish a carp.
The captain of the guard told me that, laughing.”
“Well, you were saved, Eric.”
Motherâs relieved voice and my brotherâs completely opposite expression were quite the sight.
My brother looked utterly drained and downed more alcohol.
“I donât really understand it all, but it means Maria did well, right?
Thank you, Maria.”
Mother was in high spirits.
Perhaps the sweet, easy-to-drink alcohol contributed to that.
“That concludes the meeting.
This matter is not an official condemnation.
It is framed as a consultation regarding the marquisâs sonâs medical treatment.
Understood?”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Mother glanced at Noel with concern, clearly planning to lecture her later.
“After that, I spoke with the marquis alone.
Regarding compensation, they will pay a substantial sum to our house and to Maria personally.
This is consolation money for the broken engagement due to Jasonâs medical treatment.
There is no other meaning to it.”
Mother immediately seemed satisfied and spoke excitedly.
“Well, of course.
To go from heir to marquis to baron under the excuse of illness is practically fraud.
The marquisate is entirely at fault.”
Noel puffed out her cheeks, muttering, “Itâs unfair that only Sister benefits.”
It would be best to send the two drunkards back to their rooms early.
I asked Father,
“Is that everything?”
“The rest concerns the wet nurse and the mistress.
The wet nurse will be treated the same as the marquisâs family.
Since her title has already been passed on, the couple will retire to their territory.
As for the mistress⌔
Father hesitated.
“Is something wrong?”
“She fled and is now missing.
No one knows where she went, and Jason doesnât seem to know either.”
“What do you mean, she fled?
Does she even have anywhere to go?
Does she have relatives who would hide her?”
Noelâs speech was starting to slur slightly.
“The mistress was apparently an illegitimate child of a rural baronial family.
The marquis said he would permit Jason to marry her.
Her name is Luna.”
Hearing her name for the first time felt strangely moving.
Luna.
A name meaning moon.
Thinking that, I asked Father what came to mind.
“The marquis family really allowed that?”
“He said that given Jasonâs future title and position, she would be a suitable matchâŚ
I wouldnât want to be in a position to say such things.
Right, Eric?”
Father and my brother both kept their heads lowered as they asked Lloyd for refills.