TYLWBOHEDNOOAOTTE CH 03

After finishing the imperial meeting, Serdel greeted Count Karthal Robesta as he returned to the estate.

“Welcome back, Father.”

His usually indifferent steps came to a halt. He turned his head toward her.

“…Are you… not feeling well?”

“……”

Of course.

Serdel clicked her tongue inwardly and let her smile fade.

Since the death of the Countess, the mistress of the house ten years ago, this household had lost the very concept of conversation.

Especially Serdel, the one who had been possessing this body, had always been the most out of place.

Between her cold father and her outstanding older siblings, she was little more than an unwanted duckling with no notable abilities.

So even something as ordinary as a greeting like this felt unfamiliar between them.

‘We never really had reasons to face each other anyway.’

“Phew… this is exhausting.”

At that moment, someone entered.

Loosening the buttons of his high-neck shirt and cravat in a rough motion was the eldest son of the family and Serdel’s older brother, Redan Robesta.

“Welcome back, brother.”

Serdel smiled brightly once again.

“…Are you sick or something?”

“……”

As expected.

“Dinner hasn’t been served yet, right? How about we all eat together in the dining room today? Everything’s already prepared, so please just change and come down.”

“……”

The two of them fell silent.

“I need to talk during dinner.”

“…You didn’t poison the food, did you? Or did you cook it yourself? Has she even stepped into the kitchen since she was a child? I feel like her cooking skills haven’t improved even to the level of dust under a fingernail.”

Redan muttered to himself, visibly unsettled by her unusual behavior.

“I’ll go change.”

Count Karthal stepped inside first.

Redan followed after him, still grumbling.

“…What on earth is she planning that she prepared dinner…? And there’s no way she actually cooked it, right? She wouldn’t have turned it into soup made of sand or something, would she?”

Suspicion piled upon suspicion as he glanced back. Serdel still wore her smile.

“…I feel like I’m going to get food poisoning.”

* * *

“….”

“Lady Adis’s absence is a bit unfortunate, but still, it’s wonderful to have everyone gathered for a meal like this.”

“Indeed.”

“….”

Despite the butler and head maid’s efforts, no conversation flowed between the three of them.

Only the sound of utensils touching plates filled the suffocating silence.

The maids standing behind them paled as the atmosphere grew heavier by the second.

Finally, Serdel set down her fork and knife.

It was time to bring up the main point.

“I’ve decided to break off my engagement with Count Meiyant.”

“….”

“Pfft—!”

Redan nearly spat out his wine and quickly covered his mouth with a napkin.

Karthal’s gaze slowly turned toward her. His brows furrowed.

“I thought it was a date invitation, but he suggested a breakup instead.”

“Hey! You… you’re way too calm about this.”

Redan slammed his napkin down in disbelief.

“Calm?”

“What?”

“What am I supposed to do if I’m not calm? Cry and scream?”

Would that make any difference?

‘Ridiculous.’

In the past, no one—except her maid Siri—had ever cared when she was struggling.

No one even asked if she was okay. Instead, they only threw cruel words at her as if she were pathetic.

They stabbed her heart without mercy when she was already wounded.

It was only natural that she had closed her heart long ago.

But now, she had no intention of indulging in such emotional entanglements.

There was no need to waste time on feelings when there was a clear goal ahead.

‘As long as I don’t expect anything, it’s fine.’

They were only family by blood. To her, they were no different from strangers.

She would take only what she needed. Nothing more.

Serdel turned her gaze to Redan again, then spoke calmly to Karthal.

“He’ll likely bring the formal breakup letter tomorrow afternoon. I also requested that the rights to develop Elbash Forest be separated and returned.”

“You had authority to speak about the family’s business?”

Only when the conversation turned to business did Karthal’s tightly closed mouth finally open.

His expression darkened.

“I didn’t before, but since this matter involves me directly, I believe I have the right to speak.”

“And under what authority?”

“As Karthal Robesta’s daughter.”

She met his piercing gaze without flinching.

“I am a member of this family. I believe I have the right to make this request.”

“And?”

“Marriage is, in the end, a form of business between families. If that marriage collapses, is there any reason to continue the deal as if nothing happened?”

“Then?”

Karthal gestured slightly, as if telling her to continue.

“The Meiyant family is not worth enduring this level of compromise. And there is no reason for House Robesta to be dragged along by someone who has already shown disrespect.”

Karthal fell silent.

This was the first time his youngest daughter had ever spoken so assertively.

And that challenging gaze…

“Many families are still interested in the Elbash Forest development rights. There are others with the capability and resources to support us just as well as the Meiyant family.”

Her tone had changed.

Earlier, she had spoken gently, persuading him. Now, her words were firm and decisive.

“….”

Karthal fell into thought.

Elbash Forest was a vast forest located in the western region of Robesta territory, classified as a dangerous zone due to monsters.

Only licensed hunters were allowed inside.

Then, a few months ago, monsters that had never left their territory began encroaching into hunter zones.

To prevent them from reaching nearby villages, hunters acted as bait, luring them back into the forest.

During that mission, they discovered a mana stone mine deep within the monster territory.

That discovery turned Elbash Forest into a hot topic overnight.

Karthal had decided to eliminate the monsters and fully take control of the forest.

With a mana mine at stake, hesitating would only make him look foolish.

Since the mine was technically within his domain, he still had to report it to the imperial family and grant them a portion of control.

In return, the Empire would provide support for its development.

There was no reason to hesitate.

He had already secured imperial military assistance.

The next step was finding a partner to help with development.

Many had shown interest, but in the end, Count Meiyant had been chosen.

He was Serdel’s fiancé, and his territory bordered Robesta lands.

A perfect match in terms of logistics.

But if those two reasons were removed, then Serdel was right—there was no need to insist on him.

“…Do you already have someone in mind? As far as I know, negotiations with Count Meiyant are already well underway.”

“Only negotiations. Nothing has been finalized. No exploration or development has even started yet. Isn’t that fortunate?”

“Hmm.”

“Please give me some time. I’ll recommend someone more suitable—someone reliable, not someone who breaks trust so easily.”

It was the first time Karthal had seen Serdel so confident.

Even after a breakup, she was not broken—she was composed, even bold.

“…Very well. Once Count Meiyant arrives, I will accept the breakup and retrieve the development rights.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“…You need not bow for something like this. Go rest.”

Karthal rose and left the dining hall. The butler and head maid followed.

Serdel exhaled quietly and lifted her wine glass when Redan spoke again.

“What are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you were dumped. How are you this calm?”

“You’ve been repeating the same thing.”

“Then what am I supposed to say?!”

Redan scratched his head in frustration, unable to find the words.

Serdel stood up with her glass.

“I’m tired. I’ll be going to rest. Good night, brother.”

“Hey—wait…!”

But she had already turned away, leaving Redan alone to scratch his head in confusion.