Chapter 8
“I’m not sure about being ‘like family,’ but the reality is you aren’t family, and you can’t even be listed on the Duchy’s genealogy. I can no longer overlook a mere vassal’s daughter acting so recklessly to my face.”
At the mention of being like family, Haela did not hide her sneer.
Did Uriel eventually take that position after her death?
Probably so.
However, in this life, she would not get a single thing she desired.
“Count, how long must I endure this kind of humiliation because of your daughter? Does the Count’s family share the same thoughts as the young lady?”
At that moment—
“Father!”
Uriel clutched her stinging cheek with a shocked face.
“What is this rudeness toward the Princess! Your mother and I did not teach you that way. Beg for her forgiveness this instant!”
Count Betia scolded her in an angry voice and slapped her cheek once more.
This time, blood flowed as the flesh inside her mouth tore.
As he shouted, Uriel’s eyes wavered, and tears pooled in her beautiful eyes.
Haela was not moved at all and said with a cold face:
“Parents disciplining their children is the Count’s private family matter, so I cannot interfere. However, looking at the young lady’s attitude, it won’t be easy for her to realize her wrongs by ordinary means.”
When Count Betia tried to raise his hand again, the tears finally fell from Uriel’s eyes.
With a distorted face, she turned around to leave.
However, she was blocked by Haela’s knights.
“My heart, which was startled and hurt because of the young lady, still aches. The young lady’s tongue is sharp, so I am worried she might hurt someone again. Therefore, it would be good for her to completely fix this bad habit today.”
It meant the punishment was insufficient and he should continue. Count Betia forcibly grabbed Uriel and made her kneel.
“Apologize now. Hurry!”
“Princess… I was wrong.”
She looked up at Haela with tearful eyes.
Haela’s attire was far more luxurious than her own, her gaze was full of contempt and anger, and her expression was like a sheet of ice.
Seeing her own mess of an appearance reflected in those clear, glass-bead-like eyes, Uriel felt like she was going crazy with resentment.
Haela looked down at her and twisted her lips.
“Count, judging by the young lady’s attitude, I feel she might cause another accident if left alone. Out of a desire to maintain a good relationship with the Count’s family, I would like to make a proposal for her and your family.”
Ignoring the anxiety rising on Count Betia’s face, Haela continued with a calm face.
“I heard the young lady is already at a late age but hasn’t even been engaged. So, I am thinking of finding her a good marriage match.”
“Uriel is four years older than the Princess, but she is not yet at an age where she has missed her marriage window. I am grateful for the proposal, but it is the wish of my wife and me to keep her by our side and teach her, as she still lacks much.”
Before Uriel, whose eyes went wide at the mention of a marriage match, could cause another scene, Count Betia hurriedly refused.
“I am worried the young lady might try to disturb the order again, but if that is the Count’s wish, I will put it on hold for now,” Haela said with a smile.
It was a more peaceful withdrawal than expected.
However, she still left the possibility open, making their hearts anxious.
“I will keep that in mind,” Count Betia said with his head bowed.
Compared to the father and daughter who looked miserable, Haela’s complexion looked much brighter than before.
The servants watching from a distance with tense faces gossiped, forgetting their duties.
Seeing that arrogant and fierce Uriel kneeling before someone made them feel as if they were dreaming.
They also saw the once gentle and kind Haela in a new light.
At the same time, they were worried about how Kersian would react when he returned and heard about this.
“If you understand, I’ll let it go this once. However, I don’t want to see the young lady’s face for a while, so I hope we don’t cross paths.”
On the way back to the Count’s mansion, the atmosphere in the carriage was dark.
Uriel sobbed with eyes full of venom. Unlike her finely groomed appearance when she arrived, her hair was disheveled and her cheeks were swollen, making her look like a mess.
“Is that woman really crazy? Does she think this is the Imperial Palace? What does she think she can do here! She acted so gentle in front of people, but it was all a lie. Does she think she can hold onto His Grace with such shallow methods? Where did a young girl like her learn such vulgar ways?”
Uriel shed pearl-like tears and grit her teeth hard.
“What a delusion. If it weren’t for her family, she’d be a nobody. To see her so excited and talking nonsense… she must be desperate to put gold on her own face.”
“Stop!”
Count Betia shouted.
Uriel looked at him with startled eyes, then shut her mouth upon seeing his sharp gaze.
Looking at her tearful face, he warned her with a gloomy expression.
“Keep that mouth shut.”
“Father!”
“It seems I raised you too indulgently. To fail to reflect even after causing such a disgrace.”
Uriel couldn’t talk back further; she bit her lip and turned her head away.
She could still taste blood inside her burst mouth.
She would absolutely not let this go.
Recalling the grudge from earlier, the sinister look in her eyes deepened.
Upon arriving at the mansion, Uriel ignored the stares of the servants who were shocked by her appearance. As soon as she returned to her room, she called her close maid and gave an order.
“Tell the servants at the Duchy. When His Grace returns, report to him that the Princess whipped me and my father and kicked us out.”
***
Haela sat on the sofa and drank cold tea.
Today was the first time she saw Uriel in such a mess, and she felt a slight thrill.
But it was still far from enough.
Haela stared into the air with reddened eyes as if those two were standing right there.
Kersian, the people of the Duchy, the people of the Betia family, and everyone who participated in the rebellion…
She would not let a single person go.
“I never knew the Madam had such a firm side. To be honest, it was satisfying… but will it be okay?” Marlin asked.
Haela was a new bride and had caused a disturbance shortly after getting married.
While her response was refreshing, if this became known, people would think she was being unruly without knowing her place.
The Betia family was a deep-rooted noble family here, and because of this, she might become enemies not only with them but also with those close to them.
Marlin was worried about the future since Haela had damaged her reputation and made enemies before even adapting to the place.
“It’s fine,” Haela replied and stood up.
After calling a merchant to choose a dress for the banquet and having a meal, the sun began to set.
In the evening, she went to the training grounds and called Heinrich.
“Madam, what brings you all the way here?” Heinrich asked.
“Sir, is there anything uncomfortable while staying here?”
Heinrich was a loyal knight she had known since childhood.
Reliable like a small mountain and possessing a kind impression, he was an escort she had personally appointed and the person she relied on second only to Marlin.
“Everything is fine. It can’t compare to the Imperial Palace, but the training grounds are very large and the treatment is good. But are you okay, Madam? Your complexion seems worse than a few days ago.”
Heinrich asked worriedly. Haela tried to answer immediately that she was fine, but somehow the words felt stuck in her throat.
Seeing the worry deepen in his eyes, she forced a smile.
“Actually, I came to ask for a favor. I need close-range protection. Someone who can always be with me, whether inside or outside the mansion.”
The Emperor, worried that Haela would be living in a strange land, had selected several people including Heinrich from the Imperial Knights to send with her as escorts.
They usually trained at the training grounds and performed their escort duties whenever Haela went out.
However, hearing her words now, it seemed she was wary of threats inside the mansion, not outside.
Heinrich spoke carefully.
“I heard about what happened during the day. Is it because of the daughter of Count Betia?”
“It’s not just because of one person.”
“Madam, what do you plan to do from now on?”
Heinrich’s gaze while looking at her was serious.
Facing a gaze filled with sincere affection and worry, her heart felt overwhelmed.
Haela’s eyes wavered, and his gaze looking at her grew one level darker.
Haela was silent for a while.
Her sunken eyes seemed full of deep thought.
After a moment, she spoke.
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell you when I’m mentally prepared. It won’t take long.”
“I understand. I will wait, so please tell me when you feel like it. However, I am worried because it seems you are carrying a burden of the heart alone. Please do not forget that I am always on your side.”
“Thank you.”
She could endure cold treatment, neglect, harsh words, and even physical pain.
However, at this moment, her heart grew weak at a single word of warmth.
Haela smiled while holding back tears.
“I have one request. Sir, you probably know that there is a large group of bandits in the forest near the Duchy. They often come down to loot the village, and recently they even set a fire that killed many people.”
Haela said with a heavy expression.
A glimpse of apology could be seen on her face.
She hesitated, unable to continue easily.
As the silence grew longer, Heinrich also waited for her next words with a tense and determined face.
“Soon, there will be a proposal for you to join the bandit subjugation.”
