# 24 - 24
* * *
There were exactly three official occasions when all members of the direct lineage of the Fraser family gathered.
Firstly. Birthday of the head of the family.
secondly. New Year's feast.
Third: When the head of the family issues an urgent order.
So today, at the small family banquet where I would receive the direct lineage necklace, not all of the direct lineage members had gathered.
“But it's definitely cool.”
As I passed through the huge marble arch, the chandeliers seemed to pour light like drops of water and fill the entire ceiling.
As this was a family banquet held after the evening dinner, thick red damask curtains hung beautifully from the row of large windows.
Perhaps because it was a small banquet with the meaning of “celebration,” I felt happy when I saw it filled with floral decorations.
The fresh scent of roses mixed with the sweet fruity scent made this banquet hall look exactly like a fairy's meadow.
Although the ceremony was called a family banquet, many senior officials also participated and offered me words of congratulations.
I answered with a smile.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
And here it happened.
Miss Tulia, congratulations on receiving your direct descendant necklace.
Rock Kilfusher approached and extended his hand politely.
But for a moment I saw him.
Rock's eyes moved slightly when he saw Adel, who was following me here.
“…Ah, I’m really curious.”
What happened between these siblings?
I moved my students skillfully.
Today too, the gold star circled around me.
“Hey, aren't you going to tell me?”
Just as you told me the story of the Grand Duke couple behind the scenes, it would be interesting if you also told me the hidden story of these two brothers. No, wait.
This will help me understand them better.
I even stared at the gold star, but the star wouldn't budge.
However, he only gets excited when he gives advice that makes people angry about strange tasks.
I should really rely on what I can trust.
“To be abandoned with this useless status window.”
Maybe like last time, I'll need to get a benefit so I can see Rock and Adele's story.
“Miss Tulia?”
“Ah, yes.”
Then Rock called me.
“Shall we go?”
"please."
I stepped forward with Rock, who was wearing white gloves.
“At times like this, I really feel like I'm becoming young.”
Even though I wasn't walking on the path of debut, just walking along the sky blue carpet was like walking on clouds.
Although what was standing at the end of the carpet was not a man offering me a warm smile, but rather the terrifying, devil-like Assis Grand Duke of Fraser…
“The Grand Duke.”
I thought it would be nice to address him respectfully at times like this, but it was weird.
What? His expression for a moment… or not? Did you see an error?
If that were the case, I would have stopped and looked at the picture carefully, but unfortunately this is the reality.
I couldn't immediately understand the Grand Duke's strange look that passed in an instant and created a puzzled expression.
“Tulia Fraser.”
“Yes, our Grand Duke.”
“Huh, there he is again.”
He looked like he didn't particularly like the way she addressed him.
Since this was a semi-official occasion, wouldn't it be enough to call him Grand Duke?
“…Should I call him Your Highness, the brave and great aide, Grand Duke Fraser?”
But Vi, even Kuriko never called him that?
At that very moment I couldn't figure it out.
"dad."
The man sitting in the highest position other than Grand Duke Fraser's aide, Viscount Lilius, spoke.
“Unfortunately, I have something I must say immediately.”
“Talk after the party.”
Although he dismissed the matter carelessly, Viscount Lilius did not back down.
“This may sound arrogant, but I must tell you that my poor niece is not eligible to receive that necklace today.”
“…?”
Immediately, the twenty or so servants in the hall and an equal number of knights and servants held their breath.
The silence did not last long. Grand Duke's assistant Frieza immediately frowned and asked.
What do you mean by that?
I know that Tulia got high scores on the direct ancestry test. No, not just high grades, I got a perfect score.
Viscount Lilius said this, and he looked at me with such pride, which increased my feeling of awe.
Ultimately, guys like him are scarier than openly bad people.
Anyone watching him would think he was a really caring uncle.
“But Tulia… you know, Big Brother Aster is away at the border and can’t take care of Tulia, and her brothers are in the academy, so hasn’t she been alone all this time?”
“Ah. Why do you keep reminding me that I'm alone?”
And I know that Tolya is lonely too.
Honestly, as Han Ina, I had been living this way for a long time, so no matter how much he talked about it in front of others, I didn't feel embarrassed at all.
It made me feel a little bad for no reason.
“So, because she needed more attention from her father, she made this mistake stupidly.”
mistake. Stop evasiveness, and give me a clear summary, Viscount Lilius.
After hearing the firm words, Viscount Lilius pointed his chin towards Tidric.
“Tedric. Go ahead and inform Grandpa directly.”
* * *
When good things happen to a country, it issues a nationwide amnesty.
Tedrick, who was under house arrest, has also been lifted, thanks to the auspicious occasion he had when she received the Direct Lineage Necklace.
He attended today's party as well.
Perhaps he had some sense. Tedric, who contrary to custom came inconspicuously elegantly dressed, swallowed and stepped forward.
“I will greet my grandfather.”
'Well, look at that.'
As expected, Viscount Lilius and Aubrey were wonderful people.
Meanwhile, they must have heard me calling him “Grandpa” and asked Tedrick to call him the same way.
“Well, it's not just Tulia's grandfather.”
Although this trembling sound probably wouldn't be very effective.
“This is…”
Tedrick's voice, which trembled violently like that of a newborn goat, was no different than it had been before he was taken into custody.
“Tedric, honey, it's okay.”
Then Aubrey, who was holding Tedric's hand, whispered in a very low voice.
Unknowingly, I was close enough to them to hear that soothing, warm voice.
“Now, this is something that needs to be said to help your cousin stay on the right path.”
“What warm nonsense.”
Tedrick seems to be shaking less now, thanks to the strong support forces of his father on the left and his mother on the right.
Grandpa...dad! Tulia Fraser stole my exam paper... she cheated!
“…?”
“Cheating?”
“Did Miss Tulia do that?”
Suddenly, the servants started moving. The glances at me began to gradually become more intense.
“Well, there's no way she can get a perfect grade all of a sudden.”
“But the examination questions of the soul cannot be the same...”
How does studying an exam paper in advance compare to taking a surprise exam? Of course, this is cheating.
“Besides, secretly stealing an exam paper shows a bad character, right?”
The servants' voices reached my ears.
There wasn't really anyone standing by my side.
No, maybe just keeping their mouths shut and observing the situation was their way of being on my side to some extent?
“Tulia’s reputation and public image were at their worst just a few months ago.”
Even in this situation, you were someone who knew very well what a trapped villainess should do.
Just as I was about to step forward.
Do you have proof?
Unexpectedly, Grand Duke Fraser's voice echoed powerfully throughout the hall.
Do you have proof that Tulia Fraser did such a thing?
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