Chapter 15
"There's no need for a priest," I said, dismissing Lian's concern. It seemed excessive to summon a priest over a mere nightmare.
Lian stepped back, and at that moment, Duke Alexis entered the room.
"You're here, Father."
"Yes," he responded.
With Duke Alexis now in the room, Lian took his seat across from me. Although Barach was absent from the dinner table, no one mentioned him. It was easy to imagine that Barach had likely argued with the Duke over the decision to bring me back to the estate, which explained his absence. He was likely still at the villa where April was staying, as there was no one in this household who would take my side.
"Let’s eat," the Duke said calmly as the servants began bringing out the dishes.
“You’re too thin. You should try to put on some weight,” he remarked, his voice casual.
“I’ve already instructed the chef to prepare a few special dishes just for the young lady,” added the head butler, his tone smooth and accommodating, which seemed to please the Duke.
The clinking of utensils was the only sound in the room when suddenly, the silence was interrupted.
“Is dinner already being served?”
“Sir?”
All eyes turned toward Barach, who had just entered the dining room.
“Set a place for me as well.”
“Right away, sir.”
Barach casually tossed his robe over the back of a chair and took the seat next to Lian. I was surprised to see him here at the mansion—hadn't he stayed at the villa?
Hiding my confusion, I noticed the restraint device on his wrist and allowed myself a small smile.
“If you’re going to join us for dinner, at least arrive on time,” the Duke chastised lightly.
“Yes, Father.”
Despite the Duke’s rebuke, Barach wore a cheerful expression, which wasn’t hard to figure out—he must have been promised April’s full recovery in exchange for wearing the restraint.
The dinner, which had been peaceful and uneventful, wasn’t what I had wanted. I decided to break the silence.
“You seem to be in a good mood, Brother Barach,” I said, my words pointedly directed at him, causing everyone at the table to tense.
Everyone knew Barach despised me. In the past, I had been too afraid of upsetting him to speak up, but that wasn’t the case anymore.
Barach’s hand paused mid-cut, and his sharp gaze shot toward me, as if to say, “How dare you address me?”
“We’re family now, aren’t we? Isn’t it only natural for me to ask?” I added, smiling innocently.
“Father,” Barach turned his gaze away from me and addressed the Duke. “April’s condition has improved significantly.”
His voice was rough, barely able to contain his excitement. It seemed he had lost his appetite, as he set down his fork and knife with a loud clink.
“They said her bones have set correctly, and with continued physical therapy, she should be able to return to her normal life soon.”
Even though the Duke had said that he, and everyone else in the household, would treat me as April, it was clear that Barach had no intention of doing so. Even temporarily, he wouldn’t call me “April” again.
But that didn’t bother me. I didn’t care if Barach was pleased or not—his feelings didn’t matter to me in the slightest.
The one who brought me to this house and agreed to pay me ten thousand Lukes a month was Duke Alexis, not Barach. What did Barach matter?
“That’s good to hear,” the Duke commented briefly, while Lian gave a small nod and glanced between me and the Duke, worried that I might be hurt by Barach’s words.
“I read in the papers that her condition wasn’t good... Who treated her?”
At my question, Barach’s body stiffened. I was curious to see how he would respond, especially given that he was under restraint and wouldn’t be able to speak freely.
I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin and smiled at him.
“It wasn’t a capital priest, was it... Another healer?”
“You don’t need to know.”
So he wasn’t going to admit that it was some strange woman with divine power. Barach nervously touched the restraint on his wrist.
“You didn’t do anything dangerous, did you?” the Duke asked, his tone calm but firm.
“There’s no need to worry; nothing reckless was done.”
Barach’s ability to make such a statement even while wearing a restraint was impressive. If he had managed to deceive everyone using an artifact to change his appearance, I would have applauded him.
It seemed that the danger of losing a hand wasn’t enough to truly scare him.
“It won’t take long for April to fully recover.”
His head snapped toward me so fast I could hear the faint crack of his neck.
I looked him directly in the eye and smiled like April would.
Watching his face contort made me want to laugh out loud.
“So please, Father, don’t allow that girl into this house,” Barach said sharply.
“Barach!” The Duke’s voice was stern.
“This matter is settled. I will not discuss it further.”
“Father!”
The tension in the room was palpable, but I was the only one who seemed unaffected by it.
“Barach, do not make me repeat myself.”
Barach’s icy glare turned to me. He probably thought I had somehow managed to sway the Duke in my favor. But even I didn’t fully understand why the Duke was so adamant about protecting me.
Was it because of the engagement to the Crown Prince? If so, Barach’s words should have caused the Duke to reconsider.
Not that it mattered. The Rise family had a history of breaking promises, so perhaps this was just empty talk.
“Once the princess returns, I’ll leave. You have my word.”
“You...”
“I mean it.”
In truth, I wouldn’t mind if April barged in right now, throwing a fit and driving me out. Her return to the mansion would only make my plan that much easier to execute.
Barach likely wanted to bring April back immediately, but he was holding off for fear that her temper would flare up again if she saw me.
If he thought it was his right to lash out, curse, and lash at others, I’d make sure to stomp out that notion.
The tension was still thick when it was suddenly broken by the arrival of Canna, the head maid.
“Pardon the interruption during dinner.”
Her discreet cough and entrance defused the atmosphere in an instant. As someone who had worked in the household for a long time, Canna seemed to have immediately picked up on the fact that the room had been thick with hostility just moments ago.
“What is it?”
“An invitation has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”
“From the palace?”
Canna presented an envelope sealed with the royal family’s crest. But the letter wasn’t addressed to the Duke; it was meant for me.
“It’s for the young lady.”
“Why would the palace send her an invitation?” Barach asked sharply.
“I wouldn’t know...”
I took the envelope from Canna and opened it to read the contents.
“I sent a letter first, so this must be their reply.”
“What?”
Barach shot to his feet, reaching out to snatch the invitation from my hands.
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