Chapter 23 (2/2)
Besides,…
‘Poo-Poo-oo-oo’
….the sound was deeper and more beautiful.
Elisabeth gazed at Dylan, enchanted.
“Wow, the sound is different. What happened?”
“Of course, it’s because I’m better at making it.”
“But why were you jealous before? You’re so good at making it.”
“That’s…”
Dylan’s face suddenly turned red.
“I, I don’t get jealous!”
“Don’t lie. You looked jealous in front of His Grace earlier, so I was upset. That’s a bad thing. I told you to get along with His Grace.”
“That was…”
Dylan mumbled at a loss of words. Elisabeth tilted her head. Dylan turned his head away.
“Thanks for the grass flute, anyway.”
“What? Yes.”
Dylan grabbed the grass flute and went back into the mansion.
Marian, with a bewildered expression, said:
“Isn’t that the grass flute young master Dylan made himself?”
“Yes.”
“But why did he thank you?”
“That’s right.”
‘That’s weird. I just really don’t understand boys.’
***
The atmosphere of the mansion has been cluttered since morning. Elisabeth, too, sat in front of the mirror with a nervous look.
‘I’ve never felt so uncomfortable here. But it can’t be helped, so I have to endure it.’
Elisabeth clasped her small hands together. Her white hands trembled.
Marian, who was combing Elisabeth’s hair but kept looking at her face, sighed. She looked very nervous, too.
Marian said seriously:
“You have to be extra careful. I won’t be away from you for a moment today, but don’t let your guard down.”
“Okay, I fully understand what you mean.”
Elisabeth grinned. The awkwardly raised smile made Marian feel even more sorry.
‘I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. But I’m not as happy as I expected because she’s having a hard time.’
Marian looked out the window.
She had been a faithful and loyal servant of the Leschine family, and had lived on the happiness of the Leschines who saved her.
And finally, today, the Duke of Cabezo visits this mansion.
On the surface, it was a business investment visit, but on the unofficial occasion, it was finally the day the Leschines threw their first bait at Cabezos.
‘It’s natural to bring him in for revenge, but I’m heartbroken because of Miss Elisabeth.’
It wasn’t a problem hiding Elisabeth from their sight. I was worried about the scars Elisabeth would have because of their presence.
Marian thought she wanted to hug the shivering little back.
***
A fancy brown carriage has entered the Count Daughtry’s estate. The blue eagle glistened on the top of the carriage. It was a symbol of the Duke of Cabezo.
The carriage stopped. It was the Duke of Cabezo, Ferdinand and his daughter, Polia Cabezo who got off the stopped carriage.
The red-haired Polia resembled the Duke of Cabezo, who looked thin and older, but looked much brighter and more poisonous.
“I’ve been waiting, Duke.”
“Long time no see. Count Daughtry.”
Much later than the appointed time, the Duke of Cabezo spoke haughtily. It was intentional not to apologize. His late hour was clearly intended to be dominance.
Victoire looked like he was deceived by the attitude, but he did not show it.
“This is my son, Damon. And next to him is Dylan.”
“I know them well because they’re well-known for being the most suitable bride grooms. This is my daughter, Polia Cabezo. Polia, say hello.”
But there was no answer from Polia.
“Polia?”
Count Cabezo looked at his daughter.
“Yes… Father…”
Polia was gazing at Dylan, entranced. It was a face that looked like one fell in love.
***
“So our Cabezo duchy will invest in Count Daughtry’s gold mine business… Hmm.”
The Duke of Cabezo coughed in vain. But Polia didn’t notice and was just staring at Dylan. She looked completely out of her mind.
“If it’s an investment by the Duke Cabezo, it’s a great pleasure.”
“I thought so too.”
When Damon pulled up his flag, the Duke of Cabezo quickly regained his strength and spoke proudly.
“By the way, the Duke really cares about his daughter.”
Victoire said meaningfully. The Duke of Cabezo nodded without hesitation.
“Who doesn’t love his own child? Besides, Polia looks so much like me. Smart and quick-witted. She has a good heart like her late mother. There’s no reason not to like her.”
‘That thing?’
Dylan snorted at Polia, who was staring at him stupidly. He couldn’t tell from what point of view was she smart and quick-witted.
‘At the level of the Duke of Cabezo, that might seem smart.’
Dylan was sarcastic inside. Polia thought Dylan’s snorting sound was a pleasant smile that he made when she saw her, and smiled broadly with a ‘Hehe’.
“No matter how much I cherish her, this is the first time I have ever accompanied my young daughter to a place like this.”
“It’s obvious that I want my daughter to learn a lot from an early age. She’s a smart kid, so she learns very quickly.”
The Duke of Cabezo boasted.
‘Well. Looks worse when compared to our Elisabeth.’
Victoire stared at the Duke and Polia of Cabezo with a sharp glance.
Polia was still staring at Dylan, unable to grasp the atmosphere. Of course, a young girl couldn’t have been as good at grasping the atmosphere in a place like this as adults.
So Polia was just an ordinary girl.
Completely ordinary.
‘But why did the Duke of Cabezo favor this child?’
The more I looked at it, the more I could not understand why the Duke of Cabezo favored Polia. It was too much to think of simply because of Polia’s dead mother.
“There are rumors in society that Sir Dylan is also an outstanding figure in the social world. Speaking of which, why don’t you train Sir Dylan with the Cabezo family’s knights?”
Said the Duke of Cabezo. It was a sudden offer. Victoire tried not to look serious.