# 52 - 52
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Count Nigella Fraser.
He sat in a large reception room, drinking tea
And opposite him.
“That bastard Tedrick is out.”
Tedric Fraser was chatting with Count Nigella Fraser, his face flushed.
“Brother, the children have arrived.”
suddenly.
The conversation stopped completely.
It was not a natural fading of voices, but an unnatural silence, as if they had closed their mouths simultaneously upon hearing the news of the traitors' entry.
“At least there's no idiot here who couldn't read the runner.”
Originally, their relationship wasn't like that, I think.
At least on the surface.
But the magic project in States Plain failed, didn't it? Because of me?
I don't know exactly, but both Lilius and Nigella must have suffered great losses.
In fact, they should be grateful to me.
If things had gone as planned, it would have been a loss-making company that had caused hundreds of times more damage than it does now.
But it is impossible for these people to know that.
And even if they knew, they didn't seem like the type to be particularly grateful.
I could tell just by looking at the looks directed at me – there wasn't even a single hint of warmth.
“It's been a long time. Lycian, Leon. And... Tullia too.”
Count Nigella Fraser's voice was low and heavy.
How do I express that?
I think he's just a typical intelligent middle-aged noble.
Nigella Fraser glanced at us, then pointed his chin towards the seats opposite him.
“Sit down, all three of you. And you too, Lilius.”
“Yes, brother.”
This was a noble society.
A place where “ladies first” was the norm, and it was normal for ladies to receive escorts from gentlemen
Thanks to that, I, being a woman, had to sit down first.
But unfortunately, the person actually sitting was that bastard Tedrick Fraser.
“Ugh, I don't really want to sit next to him.”
Just seeing him look at me with eyes mixed with sarcasm and anger made me feel extremely angry.
Once my steps slowed, hesitant to sit next to this not-so-nice person.
Someone's steps passed me.
It was Lycian.
Lycian was originally the handsome young master who accompanied me with a smiling face – a truly beautiful angel, or rather, a beautiful young master
But now…
Did he notice that I didn't want to sit next to Tedrick?
Even if it was Lycian, he wouldn't know everything that happened between Tedric and me
Because Lycian and Leon Fraser rarely came to the Grand Duchy.
The two resided either at the academy or at the Marquis's castle in the imperial capital.
Unless they had planted spies in the main castle of the Grand Duchy, but would the twins really need to do that?
There were no particular opponents to be restrained, and Tullia, their only younger sister, was probably not valuable enough to them to justify such measures.
Since there was no need for that, they probably wouldn't waste manpower either.
More importantly, Lelius, who still had great influence in the main castle of the Grand Duchy, had done his best to cover up Tiedric's shameful actions.
“I didn't bother telling Lycian about it either.”
What's the point of telling him?
It would be like throwing dirt on clean white snow that piled up layer after layer.
Moreover, because of me, Lycian left a black bruise on his twin brother Leon's cheek.
“Well, to be precise, it was Leon Fraser who behaved badly.”
Anyway, I wanted to avoid telling Lycian bad stories as much as possible.
Reading books together, or saying that the books are very difficult, or that Lycian seems very smart.
Today's dessert was delicious, I would love to eat it tomorrow.
In other words, such ordinary conversations…
“Things I wanted to do with my family when I was Han Ina.”
I wanted to have these types of conversations slowly.
As if there are no dark conspiracies or conflicts here at all.
Those quiet times were as wonderful as a sunny spot on a winter's day.
“Of course, I ignored Leon because he didn’t deserve it.”
Stories about how relatives were wary of us, and the like.
“…Hmm.”
I followed Lisien with a confused heart.
Suddenly, long steps passed me
“What is this?”
It happened in an instant.
Lycian next to Tedric
Leon Fraser next to Lycian.
I ended up sitting next to him.
“…?”
What's wrong with him?
I furrowed my eyebrows inwardly, wondering what his intention was this time, but only briefly
“…That’s right. I heard that you got first and second place in the academy again.”
"My brother always does this. He's famous for being a genius."
"Liziane. What exactly is your score?"
“My brother always gets full marks. I got two questions wrong.”
“Is he the one conducting all the conversation?”
Count Nigella Fraser.
This person, who was Tullia's great-uncle, was completely different from Lelius
Lilius, who may be evil in secret, but he acted like a good uncle with bright smiles in front of others.
But Nigella had a dark expression and look, and was noble with a solemn voice.
The type who doesn't care about kindness or consideration for children's feelings.
In short, he was difficult to deal with.
“That bastard Leon Fraser is handling it very well.”
Of course, that was clearly out of consideration for the stuttering Lycian and not me, but nonetheless.
It wasn't bad to watch.
I felt that his usual regard for Lycian was ingrained in him.
Thanks to this, I was also able to lean back more comfortably.
To be honest, I was a little nervous about Nigella Fraser attending.
“…It is wonderful that my nephews are among the academy’s best students.”
Nigella looked at Lisian and Leon Fraser with cold eyes as he spoke.
Then his gaze settled on me.
“On the contrary, Tullia, you...”
“…”
“You haven't achieved anything compared to those two.”
I hesitated for a moment
Should I resist as I did to Opray, as I did to Lilius?
But I soon changed my mind.
“There's no need for that now.”
Besides, unlike the Lilius couple who had an absolute weakness in Tedric, Nigella didn't have any major weaknesses as far as I knew.
Not yet, anyway.
As I bowed my head quietly, suddenly...
“Tulia is…”
It was a low voice.
“She's still young...”
It was Lycian.
“She's at the age... where she should... play.”
I blinked slowly.
Lycian, perhaps because of his stutter, rarely spoke in crowded places
Unless it is absolutely necessary.
“Then he must think it necessary now to defend me.”
Just because he didn't want my soul to be broken in front of these people.
And one more thing.
“...He almost didn't stutter at all.”
Lycian spoke slowly, but when he got angry, his voice would lower and his stutter would noticeably improve.
Just like now.
Is he angry just because of this comment?
This level of ignoring was not real ignoring
Even as I thought about it, I felt a strange tickle inside me.
Nigella slowly opened her mouth.
“…I don’t know when you two became so close.”
Was it because Lesien was described as the greatest talent in the academy's history?
It seems Nigella has decided to take a step back.
“Anyway, Lilius?”
“Yes, my brother Nigella.”
“I heard from a servant that the weather the day after tomorrow will be clear with light winds, ideal conditions.”
Count Nigella Fraser was already a high-ranking noblewoman living in the Imperial Capital.
He was very good at changing the subject.
“There's only one week left until my father's birthday banquet, so before that I want to gather the province's followers to participate in a hunting competition.”
“The hunting competition season has already begun.”
"What do you think, Lilius? Can you get things ready?"
"Sure, brother Nigella. It's an annual event."
Viscount Lilius Fraser counted on his fingers as he spoke gently.
“The sunshades, tents, snacks and seating are all ready. All we need to do is issue invitations today.”
“Good. You should really handle internal affairs.”
As he said this, Nigella Fraser looked at me again.
He says this so I can hear him.
His gaze at me was very cold, really.
I felt doubt again.
Why do all the uncles in this family hate me?
Because I blocked Statis Blaine's actions?
“But it was their fault.”
I punished them with the heart of a Confucian girl.
“I was the one who fell victim to Lilius's scam and lived in the warehouse. I was the one who lived receiving the extorted money.”
Without any remorse, they stared at me like I was something strange.
I found it fascinating in many ways.
It was a bit unfair.
But since there was no responsible adult behind me.
Sitting quietly was the best option.
“Alright, though.”
Instead of listening to this kind of talk on my own, having Lysiane standing next to me and Leon Fraser who at least has some presence...
Having the twin brothers with me was somewhat better.
...much better than I expected.
“Tedric.”
Then Nigella called Tedrick. Tedric answered as if he had been waiting
“Yes, Uncle Nigella!”
“Hmm. Tedric is still as lively as ever.”
“It's all thanks to your care, uncle!”
“And good manners, too.”
With an attitude completely opposite to how he treated the twins and me, Nigella Fraser nodded in satisfaction
Tedric, who had been glancing at me and the twins from the corner of his eye up until this point, raised his chin in triumph.
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