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nChapter 33

nTranslator: effefille

nProofreader: xoxomonami

nCedric’s tone was stern.

n“I thought it was weird yesterday. I apologized to Lady Keshore and the other guests and sent them home. I asked why Alphonse wasn’t next to you… and that’s when a thought came to mind. How would you, the clever Aritzea, not know that Madam Rosan would appear.”

n“….”

n“I told Alphonse to stay by your side. I know that it has a symbolic meaning that shows to others that I am always by your side and am protecting you even when I’m not physically there.”

nArtizea turned away from his sharp gaze. She couldn’t figure out why he was upset.

n“But I couldn’t get it out of my mind why you asked Alphonse to leave the house the day you invited guests. You knew that Madam Rosan was coming back that day? Did you?”

n“I mean… I don’t know everything…”

n“That’s not the answer. Is this one of your schemes or not?””

n“….”

nArtizea hesitated to answer.

nIt was possible to make things up without telling him. However, it was disloyal to tell a lie when asked.

n“Yes.”

nArtizea replied and glanced at Cedric.

nIt wasn’t something that she couldn’t talk about. What she noticed was that Cedric was very angry.

n“I didn’t say it was to ‘add more fire’. I was simply inviting guests to match the day my mother would come back. And it was necessary.”

nArtizea sighed a little, but she spoke honestly.

nBecause she promised she would talk about it later when she was up to something.

n“I wanted to make sure that I had an opportunity to completely cut off my relationship with the Madam of Rosan,” Artizea said.

nAnyone who didn’t know how much Miraila hated Artizea would know now.

nAnyone who saw her at the ball would also know that she was being treated poorly by the Marquis of Rosan’s Madam.

nNevertheless, however, people valued family ties.

nAnyone who didn’t know her in person, or people outside the social circle, will say that no matter the situation is behind closed doors, one shouldn’t treat their mother that way.

nEven those who knew, would think that the mother and daughter relationship could not easily be torn apart.

n“And if there was no trigger, I couldn’t get the title of Rosan right away. I took the keys and ledger from Bill, but the moveable property in the mansion’s vault is only a small fraction.”

n“Tia.”

n“In the case of business management, estates, and other property in other areas, all of them are entrusted to the representatives, and the representatives are those chosen by His Majesty, the Emperor. Even if I get married and inherit the title, my mother would not give it up easily.”

nHowever, as things have come to this end, neither the Emperor nor Lawrence will be able to take Miraila’s side because of her actions.

nDon’t pretend you don’t know and give your daughter her legitimate rights.

nUntil now, in front of the emperor, she acted more and more like a gentle filial daughter. Now the time has come to reap the fruit.

n“It’s like I’ve lost my dignity as someone to be the Great Duchess of Evron, but my reputation would have been broken anyway. It’s better for me to be a poor girl than to do something like a court battle and splash muddy water to the Evron name.”

nA battle for property between mother and daughter was also a battle against the emperor’s government and its arms.

nEven the flowers that Miraila had on her head would become a topic of interest- enough for newspapers to write sensational articles about it.

nArtizea could not be left that way.

nNot for herself, but for the Grand Duchess of Evron.

n“Tia.”

n“The fortune of the Marquis of Rosan is by no means small. It will be of great help to Your Grace in the future. Conversely, it is too big to keep in the hands of Brother Lawrence.”

nCedric covered his face with his palm.

n“So you’re saying that it was necessary for you to get beaten?”

n“Yes,” Artizea said so without any hesitation.

nIt wasn’t that she wasn’t scared, but because it was necessary, she was willing to make the sacrifice. She’s only put a little trick on what’s about to happen.

nThen things went as they pleased, and she had to endure.

n“I’ve been thinking about it since I went into bed last night about how I wouldn’t be mad at you. I even opened my eyes this morning and reminded myself of that, but you’re not making this easy.”

nBut Cedric was really angry. Artizea could not understand it.

n“Why are you upset? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance, but this was something that could really benefit you from a little effort. I didn’t feel that it was worth talking about. No one was injured. I heard that Alice sprained her hand, but there wouldn’t be any big injury.”

nIt was Miraila who hit her, and the guests saw it. The only person that was unjustly harmed was Alice, who shielded her and was also badly beaten.

nIn this matter, there was nothing that could violate Cedric’s morality.

n“Aren’t you hurt?” Cedric said in a repressed voice.

nIt was an unexpected remark. Artizea blinked a few times.

n“Tia, I’m not angry because I thought there would be no reason for what you did. I’m angry because you put yourself at risk.”

n“Well, I, it wasn’t very dangerous, because I knew my mother would never have killed me,” Artizea replied in a stutter.

n“You can’t do that. You shouldn’t use yourself as a tool. If you continue calculating in this way and things go according to plan, you’ll end up giving your life someday. This is not how a person should be treated, even if it is your body,” Cedric said in a low tone.

nArtizea couldn’t say anything and looked at him.

nBecause it really was so.

nShe thought that she wouldn’t waste the rest of her life this time.

nA life without limbs and no tongue, it would be meaningless to spend a few more years even with the help of someone.

nSo, she wanted to use this life a little more usefully.

nUntil now, Artizea had only perceived that her body was a cheap resource with little cost.

nNo need for money to buy it, no effort to buy loyalty.

nShe also priced loyalty. It was difficult to obtain a loyal person, and once consumed, that was the end.

nIn addition, there was a limit to a person’s willpower, so if you constantly ask for hard work, they’ll cut you off.

nSo you should buy loyalty, but carefully choose where to use it.

nCompared to that, her body was too simple.

nThere was no complaint or fear of betrayal.

nSo she was embarrassed. She’s never heard such a thing before.

nHealth, yes, everyone was concerned about health.

nShe knew that Alice was always worried, and Sophie also kept notes.

nAfter establishing herself as the heir of the Marquis of Rosan, they were her employees. The flattering crowd was only concerned about her health with exaggerated remarks.

nEven Lawrence sent medicine.

nBecause she was a difficult resource to replace.

nWhen she was very young, even Miraila took care of her when she was sick.

nBut now, when she said “it’s necessary” everyone would follow suit.

nEven Alice said, “If so, it can’t be helped. “

nAnd she would just take care of her with a sad face. It was the first time she was angry.

nSomeone said that her body shouldn’t be used as a tool.

nSomeone said she was a person.

n“I said clearly at first. If you want to join hands with me, you shouldn’t hurt yourself either.”

n“Ah.”

nIt was funny when she heard it, but she had never really taken it in mind. So Artizea sighed briefly.

nCedric glared at her.

n“Were you not even thinking about it?”

n“….”

nCedric moved and approached the bed.

nArtizea bowed her head.

n“Sorry.”

nCedric grabbed her hand, which was lying on the blanket, casually. Then he wrapped it warmly with both hands.

n“There’s another thing you’ve done wrong.”

n“Yes.”

nArtizea said in a crawling voice. Now there was no excuse.

n“You shouldn’t behave like you caused me trouble.”

n“I don’t think I’ve caused you any trouble. I’m grateful for you. I didn’t even think you’d come directly…

n“But actually, did you think I would send a few people without going directly myself after hearing the news? “

nArtizea looked at him with a subtle look. She didn’t think that way.

nAnyway, her plans included help coming from the Grand Duke of Evron.

nIt was the result of considering Rize’s quick-minded personality and that Marcus Hanson was trusted by Evron.

nBut she didn’t think Cedric would come.

nShe didn’t predict who was coming, who wasn’t coming, no specific case.

n“I did what I had to do. I know that you take this engagement as just in name, and you don’t accept me as a real fiancé. If so, consider me as a companion.”

n“I am a body that has decided to serve your Grace as my master. Why would you say that….”

n“So, why don’t you want my protection? It may be your role to think and move, but it is my role to protect you.”

n“…..”

nArtizea bit her lower lip.

n“Now, do you know what to say to me?”

nIt was a little confusing.

nArtizea hesitated.

nShe was good at seeing through people’s minds and was always ready to get the results she wanted.

nBut now what Cedric wants her to say was ‘I’m sorry.’ or ‘thank you’.

nEventually, she said with a new reddish face, “I was happy you came to save me.”

nIt was a shameful thing for her to say to others.

nCedric’s face turned red just like her.

nBut he didn’t let go of her hand. Rather, he gave it strength to hold it tighter.

nArtizea lowered her head.

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