Chapter 48


    As she had Raymond all to herself the entire day, Ise looked absolutely enthralled during tonights dinner. She didnt tire out at all, and it didnt seem like her mouth was exhausted from pping.


    Since he was a parent, how could Verdic not know what his child was feeling when he saw how bright the look in her eyes was? Verdic smiled at his one and only daughter.


    My dear, what is it this time?


    Huh?


    She was in such a good mood that shes out of it. When Verdic guffawed, Ise turned red and held out the bracelet on her wrist to her father.


    Did Sir Raymond give this to you?


    Uh-huh. Pretty, right?


    Actually, a trinket like this wouldnt be able topare to the things she already had. But the important thing was that Raymond gave this to her. It was good thinking on Verdics part to send out an attendant to Raymond in advance to rmend the most suitable jewelry.


    Verdic took a step back, keeping this little secret to himself that he wouldnt reveal to his daughter.


    Next to him, the fief lord spoke in a low voice.


    Mister Evans, its a relief to see that your daughter is in a great mood.


    Your Lordship wont have to worry about something like that again.


    The fief lord had been letting out passive-aggressive jabs to point out how rude Verdics daughter had been for the past several days. Disregarding the fief lord outright, Verdic had a pleased look on his face as he watched his daughter and her fianc sitting together. Ise was just being too sensitive.


    With Carynne, who was so overly beautiful for a youngdy of her age, out of sight, Ise Evans returned to her vivacious demeanor around her fianc.


    At the same time, Raymond carried himself like the well-bred nobleman that he was as he gently led the atmosphere and shared pleasant conversation that Ise found interesting. The level of his wit was befitting of a man of his ability.


    Verdic didnt want the young man to treat Ise like a mere fling. However, he also wanted to protect his dear childs fantasy for even a little bit.


    When he shouted at herst time, it had been necessary to shatter that false illusion that she saw, but it was his hope after all to see his daughterwho was prone to cryinugh to her hearts content. Even if what he was doing was nothing short of cold-bloodedly pounding away at a calctor to achieve this.


    Like any parent, he sorted his emotions for his child. Then, Verdic turned to the fief lord when he brought up a question.


    Does your daughter look like her mother?


    She resembles me more than her mother.


    My daughter looks exactly like her mother. Have you heard about it?


    Lady Catherines renown is very widely known, isnt it? At one point, we wanted to sponsor her some clothes.


    However, she retired just a year after she had debuted in high society and thereafter got stuck in this backwoods countryside. She remained secluded, and then she passed away like that.


    Verdic held no special feelings for Catherine, but he felt sorry for Carynne because of their close resemnce.


    Then I would be grateful if you could help out my daughter with her clothes when she makes her debut.


    I will keep that in mind.


    Verdic gritted his teeth.


    This status!


    Even though Verdic had all the rights to the fief, the Evans familys position still fell under the Hare family. All because of this status difference. This country was governed by the nobility and the royalty, and so there was no other choice but to bow down and show respect.


    It would be wonderful to see Your Lordships daughter and my daughter make their debut together.


    Itd be quite the sight to see how <i>this</i> Hare households daughter would turn into a mere handmaiden for the Evans family.


    Chuckling, Verdic raised a ss towards the fief lord.


    Completely different from Verdics own daughter, all the fief lords daughter had going for her was her beauty. Both her silence and her smile were her ornaments. Was the maturity beyond her age in which she carried herself a product of her rough upbringing? If so, then much of the adversities she experienced must have been created by Verdic himself.


    Like Ise, hes sure that hes had a lot of influence on Carynnes current personality. Verdic believed that all young people were childish. It was normal even with teenagers as old as Ise. So a teenager like Carynne, who was excessively reserved and well behaved, wasnt actually mature in thinking. Shes just been knocked down to that point.


    Your Lordships daughter must not be feeling well.


    Being so weak like that, Carynne was clearly inferior to Ise. With his head down, the fief lord mumbled out his answer.


    Mm, her physical condition has weakened a little. Many different events and happenings are ovepping after all.


    Stay that way and nevere out.


    Verdic pleaded inwardly. It pleased him to see a pretty barmaid or a lovely handmaiden at home, but it was extremely annoying to see that his daughters rival was beautiful.


    Wasnt it so peaceful with Carynne gone? Verdic didnt like how that young woman had amand over the atmosphere amongst people. Because of that face that was stunning for no particr merit, his daughter started feeling depressed and the deal was faltering.


    Verdic wanted to proceed with the deal without a hitch.


    May I ask, is Lady Hare ill?


    Before Verdic knew it, Raymond approached the fief lord and inquired.


    Lord Raymond, rather than that


    When Raymond walked over to ask the fief lord, Ise immediately clung to him. The two middle-aged men, at the same moment, turned blue in the face.


    One man wanted to soothe his daughter as she was hurt, and the other man was slighted by the young womans clingy behavior.


    Verdic nced sideways at the fief lord, then spoke to Ise.


    Ise, why dont you visit Lady Hare in her roomter?


    Huuuh?


    His daughter looked back at him as though she couldnt understand why he was doing this. However, he urged Ise again.


    It seems like shes very ill. She has even skipped dinner tonight.


    Uh Um Alright, Ill visit her.


    There was a sour look on her face as she clung tighter on Raymonds arm. She looked at her father with nervousness in her eyesthose big eyes that looked innocent.


    Go and see if shes doing alright. And tell her to be sure to attend the engagement ceremony that would take ce three dayster.


    It was a demand, not a request.


    It was as if Verdic was the lord taking care of the guest. Even so, its Miss Hare here who was making a bigger mistake.


    She was still under the illusion that her family was the owner of thisnd.


    Is there a need to force a sick person to attend?


    Unable to watch this scene unfold, Raymond stepped forward.


    Hoho, Sir Raymond. Its good that youre very popr.


    Mister Verdic.


    Its nothing.


    Verdic gleefully admired the fief lords hardened expression. It didnt matter whether Carynne really was ill, and neither did it matter whether Raymond was doing this because he wasnt fullymitted to this engagement. However, if Raymond were to say any more here, then he would only be confirming thetter.


    The Countess will be attending the marriage cereah, no, the <i>engagement</i> ceremony, so wouldnt it be a shame? Ise will also be beholden to thisnd for a rather long time. In various ways, it would be good to be shown around, yes? Verdic said.


    Hm, thats an entertaining way of phrasing it.


    Yes, yes.


    It seemed like the fief lord wanted to say something more, but he soon gave a smile again. He stepped back to instruct Dun to do something.


    The music had slowed down because the musicians had be wary of the brief war of nerves. On behalf of the fief lord, Verdic told the musicians to y a waltz.


    The music then began anew, followed by an awkward meal full of emptyughter.


    It really was the right decision to move up the engagement ceremony. Verdic saw his daughtersplexion improving noticeably, and she picked up her silverware again. As if the finest ingredients had been brought in to celebrate the festivities, each dish set before them showed off exotic tastes.


    Mm Its not as good as the dish that day though.


    But that was of no matter. Having an engagement ceremony was the same thing as having the wedding itself. Business was going smoothly, and the countess seat in the assembly was as good as his. Most of everything was smooth sailing.


    But there was still something missing.


    Just one thing.


    What could it be?


    His tongue yearned for the taste of ecstasy he had that day. Verdic smacked his lips together in regret. Verdic wished to test the level of food he could enjoy in this houseto their very limits. Once the countess arrived, would they recreate that gourmet feast and serve it again?


    With the fief lord on one side, Raymond on another, and theing negotiation with the countess, just the thought of it all made Verdic feel full. His eyes curved thinly as he looked at his daughters smiling face.


    Its all so smooth.