31 Mais Sorrowful Pas (1/2)
After browsing around New Moon Palace, the duchess kindly escorted them back to the Goldstein Manor. The manor itself was stunning with intricate Persian architecture and exotic flower beds blooming everywhere. Once escorted through the door, a line of maids and butlers greeted them along with three eye-catching figures that stood in front of the staircase.
”So happy to see you return back home, my grace.” The first to greet the duchess was a regal handsome man with shiny pale blonde hair, kneeling down on one knee as he softly kissed the back of her hand.
”I already ordered the staff to arrange a place in the Spring Pavillion for you and your guests, my grace,” said a stern but attractive male with dark blue hair like the night sky and silver eyes that glittered like the moon.
”Honey, I missed you~!” Happily throwing her arms around the duchess's neck, with no regards to manners, was a lively petite woman with long curly waist-length dark pink glittery hair that was styled into loose pigtails.
Upon seeing these three, something in Maria's head clicked. 'Ah, that's right! These three are Duchess' Dior lovers! I almost forgot how in this world polygamy is legal!'
In this world, it was normal to see a man having more than one woman, which isn't that much of a shocker. But a woman could also share this same privilege, yet this action is highly frowned down upon by most nobles and is considered shameful. A reason why it was rare to see a woman married to more than one husband or wife.
”Lullaby, you're being disrespectful in front of our Grace's guests.” The silver-eyed male reprimed the petite woman.
”Mou, Liam stop being such a grouch. Honey doesn't seem to have a problem with my manners.” Lullaby pouted her lips childishly.
”Lullaby, Liam is right. When in the presence of guests you must always act with manners.” The duchess softly comforted the pouting woman by patting her affectionately on the head. ”Now, let's head towards the Spring Pavilion.”
Once the group reached the Spring Pavilion, both Duchess Dior male husbands took their leave, seeing how they had business to take care of thus leaving only Lullaby behind. After refreshments were placed on the table, Maria finally asked the question that had been on her mind.
”Mom, how are you acquainted with the Duchess? ”
”Oh, the duchess and I go way back. We met sometime after I married your father, during Lady Lilian, Spring Banquet.”
”How could I ever forget such a memorable day? Your mother made quite an impression on the other noble ladies that day.” chuckle Duchess Dior, calmly taking a sip of her tea.
”I wasn't born into a noble house but I married into one. So some of the ladies were biased against me from the get-go and my commoner-military background didn't make it any better, ” there was a bitter smile expressed on the countess's face as she recalled those stuck-up ladies.
”Your mother has a very free and expressive attitude that tends to clash against the noble ladies here in the capital. They dislike those that go against their rules of conduct, treating those certain individuals as outsiders.” It seems Duchess Dior wasn't just talking about the countess but herself as well.
”They think of me as an unruly country bumpkin with little etiquette and brains. Ha, as if I care what those stuck-up women think of me!” The countess folded her arms and puffed out her chest.
”Don't worry, mom, I love you just the way you are~!” Maria beamed an adorable smile at her mother, having meant each word she said, hoping to cheer her mother up.
”Oh, my precious, Maria! Mommy loves you too~!” Maria began regretting her action when her mother embraced her in her arms; her head was currently buried in her buxom bosom. Her oxygen was cut off and she had no way to escape.
Luckily, Kuroka and Shirone quickly came to her aide, though it took a while before the countess freed Maria. While all of this was taking place, Mai couldn't help but watch the mother and daughter scene with a content smile and even laughed when the countess stubbornly refused to let Maria go.
”My Lady, please let ojou-sama go. She can't breathe!” Shirone distressingly informed.
”Shirone, are you trying to call me fat?!”
”O-Of course not, My Lady!”
”Ah, I think ojou-sama's body just went still,” Kurok pointed out, leaving Shirone to cry out in panic.
”My Lady, please let go! Let go!”
When all was done, Maria greedily inhaled all the oxygen she could once Countess let go of her.
”Ah, I almost saw the pearly white gates this time.”
”Countess, you need to learn how to control your strength. Mai, why don't you and Maria-chan do some exploring while the Countess and I talk?” suggested the Duchess as Mai eagerly jumped from her seat and raced over to Maria, grabbing the girl hand as they disappeared into the garden.