Chapter 9

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: A More Cunning Approach
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Roena, both now and before my return, was a stranger to the word ‘doubt.’ The world reflected in her eyes was always just and beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale.

Funnily enough, Roena thought disputes only arose from disagreements, completely unaware they could also stem from jealousy or envy. Or how destructive they could be when linked to feelings of inferiority.

Therefore, Roena could never imagine that I possessed a ‘malice’ she could not even fathom. She was the type to interpret everything in her favor and laugh it off. So, there was no way such a paltry scheme would work.

Ah. I hid the low sigh that threatened to escape and blinked my teary eyes a couple of times.

I felt ashamed of my own immaturity. Unlike in the past, I was so drunk on the joy of being able to confront her on more equal footing that I’d acted like a reckless fool. That was the problem.

The ‘hard worker versus complacent genius’ narrative would have been somewhat effective had I laid the groundwork with subtle preparations first. But I couldn't overcome my impatience and made the mistake of revealing my hand too soon.

My cheeks burned red with humiliation. The searing heat made me feel stifled, even angry. Of course, in their eyes, I probably looked like a Cisse who couldn't control her emotions out of love for Roena.

In any case, I needed to become as stealthy and sly as a cat in the night, and adopt a more clever demeanor. To act so naturally that others couldn't easily guess my intentions.

And so, I had a duty to be more cautious, until I could blind the eyes, deafen the ears, and seal the lips of everyone in the Count's household.

So, let me become as cold as ice and as sharp as a blade. Let me sharpen my eyes with the wisdom of an owl and act with the cunning of a snake. I must lay low, ever so low, until the very end, when I can laugh aloud before her distorted face. Until then, I could play the part of the kind older sister, the innocent ‘Cisse’ who envied Roena, for as long as it took.

From then on, I stopped my subtle attacks on her. Instead, I devoted myself to the role of the naive older sister, desperate to be just like Roena. Ignoring the rising nausea and the goosebumps prickling my arms, I forced a sweet smile so wide it made the corners of my mouth twitch.

Mother watched us, smiling brightly, looking happy. Though she pretended otherwise, it seemed a part of her had been worried that Roena and I would not get along.

Mother was delighted when I took Roena's hand, my eyes welling with tears. At the same time, she tried to project the air of the lady of House Vischwartz and a ‘mother.’ It was so conspicuous it was almost pitiable. So I giggled at Mother's unfunny jokes to lift her spirits.

As time passed and conversation dwindled, Roena rose from her seat with a reluctant, regretful expression.

“My literature tutor will be here soon. So I must be going. Um, may I come visit often? I mean…”

Roena hesitated before finally uttering the word ‘Mother.’ Mother, seeming deeply moved, forgot all decorum and shot up from her seat to rush to Roena. She embraced her, patting her comfortingly as tears streamed down her face.

“Oh, of course, child. Come visit anytime. Thank you so much for calling me Mother.”

I nearly scoffed at the ridiculous scene, but I held it in, rose from my seat, and joined their embrace. Spreading my arms as wide as they would go, I hugged them both and pretended to sob along. Then I glanced up at the maids and saw that they, too, were floundering, lost in some strange emotion that might have been sentiment, unsure of what to do.

After all, who would have thought that the mother who practically seduced her stepfather to become the lady of the manor would be so docile and frail? Or that she would stage a comedy under the guise of ‘family’ so quickly.

Of course, Mago and her flock of followers wouldn't be so easily fooled, but it was important for good ‘rumors’ to spread first, so it couldn't be helped. So, tiresome as it was, I had no choice but to play along in this ridiculous charade.

Only when tears covered half her face did Roena finally stop crying and pull away from Mother's embrace. She showed the kindness of wiping Mother's tears before her own, moving her once more.

And of course, I nearly collapsed at her next words: ‘I'm so happy that you've become my mother.’

Mother was overjoyed at those pathetic words. So much so that she showered Roena's face with a flurry of kisses.

I lowered my head, the sight leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Unlike in the past, it was good that Mother was maintaining her kind nature, but it felt strange for that to lead to a friendship with Roena.

A sense of anxiety even crept in. Because Mother would surely see through my covert schemes and my mockery disguised as idiocy in an instant. She would undoubtedly scold me sternly and worry about me. After all, before she was corrupted, she was more righteous than anyone.

That's why I was already afraid. Afraid of what I would do if she became my ‘wall.’

Even with the ridiculous sight of her reddened nose, Roena radiated an aura that screamed, ‘I am happy.’ Whether she knew the maids were stifling giggles at her or not, she beamed like a child. Her face was as fresh and beautiful as a dew-kissed flower, drawing low gasps of admiration from everyone.

“Well, I'll see you at dinner. I wish the time would pass more quickly.”

Mother saw Roena all the way to the door. That side of Mother was so unfamiliar that I couldn't move a single step from where I stood. Somehow, I felt as if Roena had stolen Mother from me, and it was unpleasant. I knew it was a childish complaint, but I meant it sincerely.

After seeing Roena off, Mother asked if I would like to walk in the garden. I scampered over to her and linked my arm through hers as my answer. Mother smiled gently with her eyes and stroked my hair. Funnily enough, that simple gesture was all it took for me to feel relieved.

The Count's garden was incredibly beautiful. The trees and shrubs, painstakingly cared for by the gardener, were astonishingly fresh and vibrant. The chirping of some unknown bird from somewhere was a delight to the ears. Even the hem of my dress brushing against the grass sounded like music.

Everything was so quiet and peaceful that I sank into a feeling of tranquil contemplation. Even the malice consuming my body held its breath and recoiled for this moment.

“I'm going to be much busier from now on. We may have less time for walks like this.”

Mother began to speak.

“For the next few days, with the help of the butler and head maid, I'll be inspecting the bakery, brewery, and meat larder, as well as reviewing the household accounts from the country estate. I also need to learn about household expenses, how to manage the servants' wages, and factor charitable donations into the budget, so I'll be swamped for a while. You must be very busy too.”

“Yes. Learning instruments and singing, literature, history, etiquette, dancing, and so on… even ten bodies wouldn't be enough. I'm going to learn falconry, too.”

“Falconry?”

“It's a popular hobby among the young ladies these days. I want to learn it too.”

In the past, it had become fashionable for noble ladies to accompany the young lords to the hunting grounds and practice falconry. One might wonder how those ladies, so busy protecting their elegant persons, could handle such fierce hunting birds, but the trend lasted for quite a while, so it must have been enjoyable enough to be worth the risk.

But back then, I was too busy being hell-bent on beating Roena to pay it any mind. This was especially true after an embarrassing experience at the hunting grounds, the one time I pestered her into letting me tag along.

Roena didn't enjoy hunting either, but she went to the grounds a few times for the sake of socializing.

My current interest in falconry wasn't because I was fascinated by birds of prey like the other ladies, nor was it to take it up as a hobby. It was because most of the young lords and ladies who gathered at the hunting grounds would grow up to be the future power brokers of the empire. They said even the Crown Prince had joined them several times. Need I say more?

Right now, I needed new ‘connections’ who would take my side and help me attack Roena. Her social circle was too solid for me to infiltrate and destroy.

Above all, the crowd she associated with consisted solely of Roena's followers. Thus, they were of no use to me.

Mother seemed quite puzzled by my sudden mention of ‘falconry’, but she soon nodded, giving her silent approval.

In fact, she was more concerned about something else. Seeing the maids walking some distance behind us, Mother lowered her voice and whispered to me.

“Cisse, do you not like Roena?”

“Why would you think that? We were getting along so well just a moment ago.”

“Oh, perhaps this mother of yours is just being too sensitive. It's just that you seem to keep putting up your guard around Roena. Of course, if I'm wrong, I apologize.”

“Of course not. It's not like that at all. I'm just not used to this. I haven't been able to shake my old habits from running around the market with the other children, so my words just came out a bit too bluntly. I'm sorry if I made you worry. I'll be more careful from now on.”

Mother said to me, her voice tinged with a sigh. Her neck was a little stiff, as if she were tense.

“I'm grateful you feel that way, but… somehow, you seem so different.”

“Isn't that a good thing?”

“I suppose it is. In any case, promise me. Promise you'll continue to get along with Roena.”

“Of course.”

I answered without hesitation. It was a promise I had no intention of keeping, but I said it with a straight face. I love my mother, but I feel no guilt in lying to her. Because I know that, in the end, she will be happy because of me. Therefore, I felt no shame in my actions.

Mother, as if proud of me, gave me a light kiss on the cheek.

After that, we enjoyed our walk by bringing up other topics and making small talk.

I barely managed to endure Mother's unfunny jokes, playing along until, just as we were returning to my room, I casually asked if she had received the ‘keys’ to the household.

With a troubled expression, Mother said she hadn't received them yet. To my troubled mother, I spoke in a casual, offhand manner.

“If Roena truly thinks of you as her mother, she'll give you the keys. That's what I think.”

Truly, I was born a wicked bitch. But I hoped that by doing this, Mother would harbor a small bit of suspicion and wariness toward Roena.

I would prevent them from clashing with hatred as they did in the past, but there was no need for them to become unnecessarily close. She is my mother, not Roena's, isn't she?

In any case, the possession of the ‘keys,’ the symbol of the lady of the house, was a very delicate matter. The longer it took for her to receive them, the more disappointed Mother would become in Roena.

Roena, too, would struggle with the fear of having something intangible stolen from her, and would start treating Mother awkwardly. It would also be good if Mago started whispering in her ear around this time. No, it would be more than welcome. The more that old weasel did, the more cards I would have to play. So, I gave my mother, whose face had half-stiffened and whose eyes were shifting anxiously, a deep, affectionate kiss on the cheek.

“I'll see you at dinner. I need to rest for a bit.”

I genuinely love my mother. I adore her fragile heart. That is why I hope she does not become a shield to protect Roena. Because if she does, I will be very sad. Therefore, isn't a little scheme like this acceptable?