SWMD 29

Chapter 29

Luery had seen Belinda before—when he disguised himself as a priest and visited the estate. He knew this moment would come eventually.

But this soon?

Maybe I should’ve been more careful.

Luery frowned slightly and tousled his red hair, looking annoyed.

“Do you two know each other?”

Diana looked back and forth between them, surprised. Belinda blinked innocently and smiled wide.

“We met when we were kids.”

“How?”

“I told you I grew up in an orphanage, remember?”

Diana nodded slowly as Belinda continued.

“Sometimes orphanages from the same region held events together. That’s when we met.”

Ah—Luery was from an orphanage too. If it was the same region, it had to be within the Marquisate’s territory.

Curious, Diana asked brightly:

“What was the name of the orphanage?”

“W-Wait…”

“Luery’s was Angelin Orphanage,” Belinda answered cheerfully.

Luery panicked and tried to stop her, but it was too late.

“Angelin Orphanage?”

Diana’s eyes widened. That was the very orphanage she had frequently visited before her marriage.

She blinked rapidly and turned to Luery.

“Luery, is that true? You were at Angelin?”

“…Yes.”

Diana tilted her head. Given Luery’s age, they must have crossed paths.

But try as she might, she couldn’t remember him.

That vivid red hair and striking blue eyes—if I’d seen them, I wouldn’t forget.

“Do you remember me then?”

“…I’ve seen you before.”

Luery spoke quietly, clearly unwilling to go deeper into the topic.

“Seen me?”

Diana tried to recall her memories of the orphanage: picnics with the children, cooking meals, birthday parties where she dressed up as an angel…

But when she tried to picture Luery, her mind went foggy. Her head suddenly throbbed.

“Ugh…”

“Don’t force it, Diana.”

Luery quickly approached, concern on his face as he saw her clutching her temple. He reached out instinctively, but stopped short of touching her.

His usual playful smile was gone.

“Belinda, take her inside. She’s having a bad headache.”

“Lean on me, Your Grace.”

Belinda gently supported Diana, who rested her head on her shoulder.

Luery’s eyes didn’t leave her until she was completely out of sight. His gaze was like that of a man watching a long-lost lover disappear.

He stood there for a while, dazed—until suddenly, he vanished from the spot.

Back in the dining room…

“Hello, Father. Hello, Catherine.”

Icel walked in cheerfully. Calypso and Catherine were already seated. Catherine’s brow twitched.

Icel ignored her cold stare and sat directly across from her.

“Mother isn’t feeling well, so she’ll be eating in her room today.”

“…I see.”

Calypso answered awkwardly, glancing at Catherine—who clearly wasn’t over yesterday’s humiliations.

Icel noticed the tension instantly, but smiled sweetly at Calypso instead.

“Father, would you like to come see my new room?”

That charming tone made Calypso crack a smile.

“Your room?”

Catherine had never once invited her father into her room since she turned fifteen. She was never warm by nature—only acted sweet in front of Diana.

No one besides Diana knew how bratty and irritable she really was.

“Grandfather sent tons of furniture. I’d love to show you.”

Icel blushed adorably as she spoke.

“…Alright then.”

Calypso agreed with a nod. Catherine stared at him, shocked—but he avoided her gaze.

Servants soon brought out trays of food. Icel’s eyes sparkled at the delicious spread.

Just then, Catherine had an idea. She motioned a servant over and whispered in her ear.

“Father.”

“What is it, Catherine?”

Icel was about to lift her fork when Catherine smiled brightly and spoke:

“I ordered something special for my new ‘sister’ just now.”

Icel slowly turned to face her, silently watching that smug smile.

Whatever Catherine planned, Icel wasn’t fazed.

“Oh? I’m so curious what my ‘little sister’ prepared for me.”

“You’ll love it, big sister.”

Tension filled the room like a spark waiting to ignite.

A servant nervously approached with a tray, sweating as she placed it in front of Icel.

Icel raised an eyebrow and lifted the lid.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Inside: a piece of dried bread… and moldy milk.

Only Catherine, Alicia, and Icel would recognize that food.

“Do you like it?”

Catherine asked with feigned sweetness, clearly mocking her.

But Icel remained calm. She turned to the servant.

“It’s fine. You may go.”

“Y-Your Grace…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t hold you responsible.”

Her gentle voice soothed the servant. Calypso watched with interest.

Even if she disliked her new sister, Catherine had gone too far. Yet Icel remained poised. Calypso stayed silent, wanting to see how she would handle this.

“Go on, try it. It suits you perfectly, big sister.”

Catherine smirked.

She imagined Icel storming out in disgust. Anyone would be furious.

But to her surprise, Icel simply stared at the food.

She hadn’t seen it in a while. That bread and milk had once sustained her through starvation. In a strange way, it felt nostalgic.

Icel picked up the cup of moldy milk and smiled softly.

“Thank you, Catherine. If this is how you feel, I’ll gladly drink it.”

“…What?”

“Icel!”

Calypso tried to stop her, but she had already taken a sip.

Catherine’s jaw dropped.

Icel finished the milk and placed the cup down firmly. Then she picked up the dry bread.

“Icel, stop.”

Calypso finally stood and blocked her hand.

“But this is the first meal Catherine’s ever given me.”

“Catherine, apologize. I won’t tolerate this. Moldy milk and crusty bread?!”

Calypso scowled.

He was siding with Icel! Catherine stared in horror. Everyone—Calypso, Diana, even Alicia—was falling under Icel’s spell.

She remembered her mother’s words: “Learn to hide your emotions.”

But Icel always made her lose control.

“Why should I?!”

Once again, Catherine responded poorly.

Calypso sighed and turned to Icel.

“I’m sorry, Icel. Catherine is still young.”

“It’s alright.”

Her forced smile and shrugged shoulders only made Calypso feel guiltier.

Catherine trembled with rage, but Icel’s next words pushed her over the edge.

“Since I ate something unfit even for a servant, maybe Catherine has learned a lesson. Right, Catherine?”

The tone was condescending—like a teacher scolding a student.

“You…!”

“Enough, Catherine.”

Calypso cut her off sternly, then smiled warmly at Icel.

“Let’s go see your room instead. We can eat later.”

“Okay, Father.”

Calypso gently wrapped an arm around Icel’s shoulders and led her out.

Just before leaving, Icel turned her head and locked eyes with Catherine.

In that brief gaze, she smirked—a warning.

“Your father, your mother, and this estate—I’ll take them all from you.”