Episode 77

‘The whole family’s here.’

At the dining table, there was a young woman who looked to be around the same age as Lapis and the Archduke—someone I hadn’t seen at the entrance.

“They say she’s your dear friend, Brother.”

“Yes.”

Eyes shaped just like the Archduchess’s lifted slightly at the corners.

Ute's youngest sibling glanced sideways and repeated the words.

“Dear friend?”

“Yes. She’s your closest friend. Right?”

“Of course. Sonnet and I are as close as can be, Aswan.”

Ute, seated diagonally across, smiled gently.

The table was long, so I couldn’t see how his hands were positioned underneath it.

'He’s barely touching the food.'

Ute, who usually ate well and wasn’t picky, was acting out of character.

'It’s not exactly a pleasant atmosphere.'

The Archduchess was trying, but the dinner was cold—not just emotionally, but in temperature as well.

'Well, of course. With the head of the house sitting there in silence.'

If he had something to complain about, he could’ve just said it.

He’d been scowling ever since we entered the dining room.

The Archduke finally opened his mouth when the meal was nearly over.

“What is that disgraceful appearance?”

…What?

That’s… the first thing a father says to his son?

'You said it’s been years since you last saw him.'

You ignored him completely when we first greeted you. And now, your first words are a comment on his attire?

I couldn’t wrap my head around the North’s version of etiquette.

“It suits me, doesn’t it?”

“I assumed you’d come here of your own accord because you’d finally realized something.”

“…”

“But clearly, you’re still clueless.”

“Exactly, Father. Isn’t it shameful for a person like me to bear the ducal name? I haven’t done anything to sully the name of Eaudranca, so don’t worry.”

Of course not, he hadn’t even used that name…

'We only just found out he was the Archduke’s son.'

I glanced at Lapis, looking for a comrade to share my bewilderment with, but he didn’t seem to notice the signal.

Our youngest lord was too busy trying to flirt with the Archduke’s daughter.

'This dinner’s a disaster.'

Not that things were going smoothly to begin with.

Once the Archduke started speaking, he fired off like a child who had just learned how to use his mouth.

“Suddenly showing your face—aren’t you the least bit ashamed?”

“Not particularly.”

“I had hoped six years would be enough for you to realize your deficiencies. Clearly, that was too short.”

“…”

“Ute Eaudranca. That is your fatal flaw. You don’t even know what your problem is.”

“I—”

“Spare me your feeble excuses.”

At this point, it was honestly disturbing.

'Why is he going that far?'

This had long since crossed the line of mere familial nagging.

The Archduke berated, the eldest chimed in, the youngest ignored him.

It felt like a family gang-up.

Unlike the eldest daughter and the youngest, who took after the Archduke and Archduchess down to the last feature, Ute… appeared completely different, from his facial features to the color of his eyes.

'But so what.'

That can’t be the reason they’re treating him like this.

I wrapped my fingers around the cold glass, taking deep breaths. My cheeks were burning.

'Should I just throw the glass and walk out?'

No, that would ruin everything.

Clearly, we were the ones at a disadvantage.

'Then what should I do…'

Maybe pretend to be drunk and accidentally break the glass? If the atmosphere shifted even slightly, perhaps this cursed dinner would end.

'Should I bump it with my elbow or let it slip from my fingers…'

“If you think we’ll overlook your shallow cunning—”

Right. Let’s just loosen my grip.

Just as I was preparing to drop the glass naturally, the Archduchess finally opened her mouth.

“Edwin! Ute came all this way. What’s the point of saying such things?”

“But Leonora—”

“We have guests, don’t we?”

“Ah… right, guests.”

His black brows lifted and fell slightly.

“We’ve made a laughable scene. My apologies.”

The red eyes that met mine were nothing but calm. Nothing like the man who had just torn into his son.

'An Archduke can apologize that easily?'

Then why is he like that only with Ute?

Even with my foggy, heat-addled mind, the situation was clear.

The Archduke didn’t like Ute. And therefore, probably didn’t like me either.

'Even if they don’t like us, what are they going to do about it?'

I’m not going to welcome people who treat my friend like trash, either.

'If they want to provoke me, I’ll just give it back in kind.'

Determined, I closed my eyes.

---

“I’ll assist with your dressing.”

“My dressing? I can do that myself.”

“Please allow us. Would you like to pick out some clothes?”

“…Sorry?”

“Young Lady Aswan instructed us to lend you some clothes. She said you should feel comfortable.”

Contrary to my expectations, they neither ignored me nor treated me maliciously.

In fact, they gathered around me with friendly voices.

“We’ve selected a few options for you. Do any of these catch your eye?”

The absurdity didn’t end there.

“Do you have any preferred dishes? Even just ingredients will do. We’ll try to match your tastes.”

Why was the chef coming to ask me personally?

'I’m not royalty or anything.'

They clearly despise their son, yet they’re treating his friend like this?

What is this?

Seriously, what is this?

I’d faced my share of unexpected scenarios, but I was not prepared for this kind of treatment.

And this warm hospitality—

“Young Lady, Madam requests your presence—”

—was still not over.

---

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