Chapter 20.1

As if all the commotion before never even happened, only chilly silence filled the mansion.

The first to break the silence was Matthew, who was unaware of the situation before.

“It’s unfair. That, that kid locked me in the closet first. In a place where even employees do not come and go… I was really scared……. This can definitely be regarded as a crime of injuring the nobility…….”

“Can’t you shut up right now, Matthew! What do you have to say after acting like a scoundrel!”

Count Mceuna scolded his son to keep his mouth shut. I took a peek inside the room and found that all the musicians were standing upright, frozen and unable to do anything.

In the midst of that, the boy Duke started speaking in a calm voice.

“I didn’t know my child was hated so much. I thought we could be good friends.”

“Your Excellency, Christine has a bit of a temper, so she definitely didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, yes! I wasn’t sincere. I thought Betty was making fun of me…….”

Christine seemed to have completely come to her senses. She was back to her sweet, good child-self.

“As far as I know, eating the dessert set up seems to be all Betty did wrong. I apologize for making the people of this house so uncomfortable as Betty’s guardian. Are you satisfied?”

When the Duke gave the apology with a cold expression, Count Mceuena shook his hand with a pale face.

“Don’t, don’t say such a thing, Your Excellency.”

“And that boy has bad words, I can’t listen to what he is saying. Well, since you’re talking about being guilty, I’ll find out later if you file a formal complaint.”

“It’s because this lowly man has no virtue! I-I raised my children too pampered.”

“As an excuse, I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to eat the food that were set up to eat in Mceuena.”

“No, never, never…….”

I realized the Duke’s power again.

Even though so many people were flustered, he did not raise an eyebrow and kept throwing his tantrum. The Duke looked down at Christine and said nonchalantly.

“If you are so upset, please send the bill, lady. You can send it with your brother’s when he files a complaint.”

His tone was polite, but looking at the content inside, it meant ‘If you have a complaint, send a bill or a complaint.’

Christine, who was as blue as her father, replied with a forced smile.

“No, I am not upset at all. I’m glad Betty enjoyed it.”

“I don’t know if you’ll be relieved if I scrape off all the sweets in the capital and send them to you. What, you’re not even a beggar.”

The face of the Count’s family turned blue at the stark insult. If I had to find out the cause, it was the atmosphere I had ruined.

I looked at the frozen Yelena.

She quietly opened the door and left, as if she could not stand the situation.

‘Sister, you must not hate me. I’ve prepared a surprise for Sister.’

But I wasn’t sure. There was no doubt that Count Mceuena would only scold the innocent Yelena after sending us away. Then poor Yelena would write in her diary alone, ‘It’s ruined, it’s ruined!’ and drown in sorrow.

I glanced at Yelena’s empty spot, but the boy Duke let out a light sigh and started to walk while hugging me.

“The performance was great. It’s cold, so I’ll have to go.”

I could catch a glimpse of the butler noticeably directing the servants to help us get ready to go out.

I was a little tired of the messy atmosphere, but when our eyes met, the Duke smiled and whispered.

“Your nose is red.”

Then he carefully examined my reddened nose when I bumped into him.

“Never mind, I will find a better friend. I’ll bring you a bunch, so choose whichever you like.”

Yes, what’s there for you to care about? The world revolves around you.

I grumbled in my heart what I couldn’t bear to say to the Duke. As we got closer to the front door, the servants moved around busily and brought out the coats, hats, bonnet, and cane we had been wearing.

Count Mceuena hurriedly went out, with Christine and Matthew.

“Your, Your Excellency… So, about that mining right……. Maybe I can go to the bank and cash it in first…….”

The boy, who was fixing my bonnet after tightening my coat, said without looking at the flustered count behind him.

“I’ll send someone else later.”

It meant he wanted to pretend that everything didn’t happen.

The Count barely managed to smile and greeted with a contemplative face.

“Yes, I will wait for your words, Your Excellency.”

“It was a pleasant meeting, Count. And Miss Gloria and Mister Petros…….”

Also, since he proudly brought up the wrong name, I corrected it with a small whisper.

“Miss Christine and Mister Matthew.”

“…… Whatever. Be careful of the winter wind.”

“No, please be careful, Your Excellency. Thank you for making the house shine.”

“Thank you, Count. Goodbye.”

“Go with caution, Miss Betty.”

We went outside and were escorted by the footmen to get into the carriage, when I saw Jane, who had been wandering in the snow looking for Matthew all this time, trembling and trying to go into the mansion.

By the way, it was me who informed Jane that Matthew was out there.