Chapter 210***https://.patreon


    After a long moment of tension, just staring at the cup, she finally spoke.


    “I, I don’t really… know.”


    “Ise.”


    “……”


    Selena clicked her tongue, but it was clear from the expression on Ise’s face as she drank the coffee that she didn’t enjoy the taste. Verdic scoffed and took another sip from his cup.


    ‘These two really have no taste.’


    Both Selena and Ise shook their heads at the bitter beverage, but Verdic, who loved gourmet experiences, was different. Not only sweet and greasy vors are considered gourmet. Bitter and harsh tastes can also be stimting and bring happiness. Verdic loved his identity as a gourmet. It was something more pure and beautiful.


    The downside was that it was hard to sleep after drinking it, but for someone like Verdic, who drastically reduced his sleep and worked day and night, even this side effect was a blessing.


    “…Good.”


    Verdic savored his morning coffee, pondering when to introduce this beverage to the countess’s salon. Countess Elva was an annoying woman, but she always drew crowds and loved gossip. Her salon was always busy.


    “After I meet Lord Hare, I’m thinking of passing the estate to you, Ise.”


    Verdic discussed his ns.


    * * *


    “Please tell Ise Evans that Carynne Hare hase to visit.”


    * * *


    After all, most of the rights had already been transferred to Verdic. Formally, the fief lord remained seated, and the next fief lord would be a rtive, but that was merely for show.


    Ise would marry Raymond and be the realndowner there. She would get a feel for being andowner and then if, ‘unfortunately’, Raymond’s older brother were to die soon, Ise would naturally be integrated into a noble family.


    “Isn’t it too early for her to be thedy of the house?”


    “That’s why it’s suitable. Even if one estate goes to ruin, it’s not a big problem, right? The next fief lord is said to be a clergyman, so telling him to live in the abbey will be enough.”


    One estate could be managed by Ise without causing any major issues. Although Ise was still young, Verdic had enough resources to bail her out if she ever went bankrupt. In a way, Ise would be given thend as a form of business.


    Selena nodded.


    “That sounds like a good idea. But you’ll hold the wedding in the capital, right?”


    “Yes. But I n to have the engagement ceremony there as well. It’s necessary to inform the locals who the new owner of thend is.”


    Ise’s eyes sparkled as she spoke up.


    “Am I finally having an engagement ceremony with Lord Raymond?”


    “Yes. Then, Dear, I’ll continue to choose a seamstress in the capital and send her directly to the Hare estate.”


    “That sounds good.”


    <i>Knock, knock.</i>


    Ise’s face hardened. It was a rare moment of conversation between her mother and father, and to have it interrupted. Selena also frowned in displeasure. However, Verdic, seemingly not as bothered, stood up. An attendant quietly opened the door.


    “What is it?”


    “Master, a visitor has arrived. Ady calling herself Carynne Hare.”


    Selena and Ise exchanged nces.


    It was the daughter of the estate they were about to go down to. It wasn’t likely to be a good rtionship, rather it was bound to be unpleasant.


    Verdic asked with a sigh in his voice.


    “Why has shee? Did Lord Hare send her?”


    “Actually, a telegram arrived a few hours ago.”


    “Whether it’s a few hours ago or now… she’s in quite the hurry. The daughter of Lord Hare… Did she say why she came?”


    “That’s…”


    Verdic and the attendant exchanged a few more words. Selena was slowly getting ready to leave for her room.


    “Ise, it’s about time we get up.”


    Ise clenched her skirt in her hand.


    That girl had shattered a rare moment of family time.


    Verdic didn’t love Selena, and Selena didn’t love Verdic. But because of Ise between them, they maintained the form of a family. Once Ise would get married, such moments would be even rarer. <i>How dare she.</i> Ise bit her lip.


    “Ise.”


    Verdic called out to Ise.


    “Yes, Father.”


    “What should we do since Carynne Hare hase to visit? Since we’ll be going to the Hare estate anyway, it seems right to let her into the mansion now that she’s here. Selena, when are you nning to go to the capital?”


    “I’ll be leaving soon. Then, it would be okay for Ise to entertain thatdy.”


    Verdic nodded and continued to ask Ise.


    “And it seems she wants to see you. She’s waiting in the reception room. She’s about your age. Would you like to meet her?”


    Though he asked for her opinion, it meant she was expected to go to the reception room.


    “I don’t want to.”


    Ise answered truthfully nheless. At her brief reply, Verdic raised his eyebrows in surprise.


    “Though she is the daughter of a fallen noble house, she is still the granddaughter of a Count. Even the great-granddaughter of an Archduke. It’s a connection worth noting. It would be good to meet her.”


    However, Ise shook her head.


    “Father, how many times have you seen such people? She’s just trying to charm her way into weaseling some money for herself.”


    “Charm, huh.”


    Verdic nodded. Many hade to the mansion asking for debt forgiveness, for terms to be renegotiated, for eptance of this or that. In the end, it was all the same. They would just say they couldn’t pay back my money.


    Of course, Verdic had no intention of being generous to Lord Hare, but he thought this girl who could add to Ise’s debutante might be useful.


    However, Ise did not want to see Carynne.


    “Send her away. What does it matter how noble her predecessors’ blood is now?”


    * * *


    Carynne waited for a long time.


    Nancy and the coachman were not allowed into the mansion, so Carynne had to enter alone.


    “How much longer must I wait to see Mister Verdic or Miss Ise?”


    “Please wait a little longer.”


    They wouldn’t say Ise was unavable or what had happened. Fortunately, it seemed Raymond had not yet gone to Ise.


    “Then, I’ll wait.”


    Carynne leaned back on the sofa, observing the interior.


    The mansion here was different from Ise’s residence in the capital. The building in the capital was avish and grand summer vi, but this mansion was more practical.


    It allowed movement with minimal pathways, and the materials inside were simpler. It felt more like a business establishment than a luxury mansion.


    Nheless, it was much more luxurious than the Hare mansion. The dark marble on the floor was something even the countess couldn’t afford.


    However, the overall neat style was contradicted by the furs on the floor and the abundance of animal heads on the walls, revealing Verdic’s hobbies.


    Carynne looked at the decapitated deer and tiger, feeling her own neck itch. She remembered the past when Verdic hade at her.


    Verdic and Prince Gueuze were somewhat simr.


    A slight chill ran down her arms.


    “…Excuse me, but the Miss seems to be unwell. It would be better for you to leave.”


    “Leave?”


    “Yes. There’s an inn in the vige where you can stay for a day or so.”


    “Oh my…”


    Carynne covered her mouth with her hand and thought.


    Would you look at that girl.


    * * *


    <i>Who’s</i> supposed to be sick?


    Carynne knew Ise’s physical condition well. In a while, Ise woulde down to the Hare residence in good health. But to say she’s too sick to meet someone who came to the mansion? It’s definitely a lie.


    “…Why?”


    “Why, you ask. There’s no reason for her to want to meet you, is there, Miss?”


    “But to dismiss me right to my face like this without any reason?”


    Carynne sulked and sat at an outdoor table in the vige with Nancy, sighing deeply. The coachman had gone to buy cigarettes, and Nancy and Carynne sat with gloomy faces, drinking water.


    “…I didn’t expect to not even be let inside.”


    Ise was more immature than Carynne had expected.