Chapter 88

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: A Belated Bout of Filial Piety
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Ippolito thought he detected a hint of mockery in her voice. A surge of anger rose within him. But Ippolito took a deep breath and suppressed his temper.

*Patience, Ippolito. What is there to gain from fighting with a trivial little girl?*

Having managed to hold back for once, he needed things to go smoothly. In the gentlest voice he could muster, Ippolito pressed Ariadne.

“Mother used to send me 23 ducats, in addition to the 15 ducats.”

“Ah, you mean that.”

Ariadne opened an old ledger, found a specific entry, and drew a long line under it with red ink.

“This is the ledger Mother kept. Fifteen ducats—Ippolito's allowance. Twenty-three ducats—Ippolito's study abroad expenses.”

She waited just long enough for Ippolito to read Lucrezia's handwriting before closing the ledger. The snap it made was particularly loud.

“Your studies abroad have ended, so the expenses for it will no longer be paid. You no longer have rent, and since you eat at home, there are no separate food costs. Excluding that, the budget allocated to you is 15 ducats a month.”

Ariadne believed she was treating Ippolito with the respect due to the eldest son. In principle, this ledger was something Ippolito was not allowed to see. She had made a special exception for him, the eldest son who would one day inherit the household, to look at the lady of the house's ledgers. But Ippolito, however, felt that Ariadne was unjustly denying him access to a ledger he had every right to inspect as the eldest son. But gold was a powerful motivator. He had come for money today, so he took another deep breath and held his tongue once more.

“Look here, if you look closely, you'll find other expenses Mother covered for me as extra money. Birthday money, for instance.”

“Is your birthday this month?”

It was January, and Ippolito's birthday was in the summer. Ippolito's face flushed.

“Ah, come on, can't you be a little flexible!”

“There needs to be a reason for an increase in expenses, but there's no item listed.”

He simply couldn't get through to his newfound illegitimate sister. Ariadne stated firmly.

“If you have circumstances that require more money than you usually spend, please tell me. If the reason is valid, it will, of course, be provided. If not.”

Ariadne paused for a moment.

“Bring me a justification for an allowance increase. Even including the royal family, there is hardly anyone in the entire capital who spends 38 ducats a month purely on pocket money.”

Ippolito's anger exploded.

“Are you telling me I need your permission to get a paltry sum?!”

“Is 23 ducats a paltry sum?”

From her seat, Ariadne looked up at Ippolito, who stood pressed against her desk as if he meant to smash it.

“If you're finished, please leave.”

Ariadne swiveled her chair around to look out the study window.

“And next time, please knock before you enter.”

It was a clear dismissal.

***

*Ugh, I'm already sick of this.*

Ariadne felt she had been more than lenient with Ippolito. The reason he needed money was obvious. It was to buy luxuries for Maletta.

*He should have been more moderate with his generosity.*

If he had started with something like ugly pearl earrings or a bolt of silk, he could have easily pleased the maid within his means. But from the very beginning, he had splurged on items like a South Sea pearl necklace or a mink fur shawl—things even Lucrezia would have hesitated to buy—so it was no wonder Ippolito's small purse couldn't keep up. She hadn't said a word about the foolish situation of a brat living off his father's money, indulging in extravagance for a mere maidservant. Nor had she pointed out that he was the most unfilial son in the world, gallivanting around San Carlo while ignoring his mother's plight. Ariadne had even been exceedingly kind, going so far as to explain the reason for the 23-ducat cut by showing him the lady of the house's ledger, which he had no right to see. Ariadne had truly done Ippolito a great favor. At least, that's what Ariadne herself thought. Ippolito, on the other hand, couldn't overcome the seething anger he felt at being treated so poorly.

*She's just managing the money that will all be mine eventually... How dare that insolent girl!*

He sat alone in the dim room, clenching his fists. He had sent Maletta away. He couldn't bear to let Maletta see his sorry state after being scorned by Ariadne, nor his empty pockets. As Ippolito grumbled to himself, he belatedly recalled the golden signet ring of the lady of the house that had gleamed on Ariadne's hand.

*Yes, if only that had been in Mother's hands...!*

His mother had always been devoted to her son. She had never spared anything Ippolito needed, be it gold, time, or people. That bastard was a villain who had usurped his mother's rightful place. He was suddenly overwhelmed with self-loathing for not having visited his mother even after returning to San Carlo, and he couldn't think straight.
- *Knock, knock.*

“Young Master?”

The clueless Maletta opened Ippolito's door and peeked her head inside. She wore a cute expression, trying to look adorable.

“Myyy loord. Has the ermine scarf you promised to buy me arrived? The weather is getting colder, and my neck is sooo chilly.”

Maletta showed her exposed nape to Ippolito. Goosebumps had risen on her white skin. Normally, Ippolito would have thought, *‘How cute, like a little moonbeam,’* scooped Maletta up, and headed for his private chambers. But right now, Ippolito seemed to be in a very bad mood.

“Young Master?”

“...Get out.”

“Pardon?”

“Get out of my sight. Do even the likes of you find my words amusing now?”

Ippolito glared at Maletta with his impossibly cold violet eyes. Startled to see this side of the young master for the first time, Maletta immediately closed the door and retreated. Ippolito gritted his teeth. He had forgotten his mother for a time all because that vixen had seduced him. It was the maid's fault. He was merely a victim, seduced by her powdered scent.

*Mother...!*

The sun was already setting, so it was too late to ride for the Bergamo estate now. He resolved to go see his mother early the next morning. It had been a full eighteen days since his return home.

***

Arabella had been having the time of her life lately. Her scolding mother was gone, and her father and eldest brother paid her little mind. Instead, her older sister, who now held all the authority in the house, was always generous with her. Besides, Ariadne was always busy. She spent her days moving about the house or meeting with outside vendors for business. Thanks to that, her older sister's room was always empty. With Isabella's room locked, preventing her from playing with Isabella's things anymore, Arabella amused herself by rummaging through Ariadne's possessions instead.

“It's so pretty!”

Holding a piece of crimson silk embroidered with gold thread, Arabella let out a cry of admiration. This would surely be transformed into a beautiful dress one day. Arabella was going through the neatly arranged chests in a corner of Ariadne's dressing room one by one.

“Look how it sparkles!”

A delicate lace woven with silver thread also drew Arabella's admiration. It was of such fine quality that she had never seen anything like it. Beside it was a letter from the sender.

*Who would send something so nice?*

Suppressing her fluttering heart, Arabella took the contents out of the already opened envelope.
「To my dear débutante, this sheer lace might seem ill-suited for the cooling weather. However, it is my belief that all things find their use in time. When the Court, now in Taranto, returns to San Carlo, perhaps you could have this fitted at Collezioni? Would it not make for a splendid summer dress? I look forward to seeing your beautiful figure. - Count Cesare de Como.」

“This is insane...!”

Arabella covered her mouth, barely suppressing an excited squeal. So this is what my big sister does in high society—gets courted by men like this! Arabella had heard of Count Cesare de Como. He was a famous womanizer, renowned as the most handsome man in San Carlo. *'Who cares if he's a womanizer? As long as he's handsome, that's all that matters,'* Arabella muttered, humming as she picked up the envelope next to it. With a soft rustle, a deep green satin ribbon fell out. Tiny jewels were embroidered on the satin, sparkling in a way that made it look very valuable. But it was strange to find it in her sister's wardrobe. It didn't seem to have been made for a woman in the first place. Unlike the silver lace, it lacked the crisp splendor of a new item; it was subtly modest and showed slight signs of use.

“Hmm, what's this?”

Arabella peered inside the envelope from which the green ribbon had come. She had hoped to find a letter. But what rolled out was not paper, but a silver metal clasp. Arabella placed the metal clasp in her hand, gauging its weight. It felt strangely heavier than iron or silver of a similar size.

*I've seen this somewhere before...*

As Arabella pondered, a shadow fell over her from behind.

“Eek!”

The fear from her days of being scolded by Isabella and her mother was still ingrained in her, and she spun around in shock. Only after confirming who it was did Arabella relax.

“It's just you, Ari.”

Dressed in a stylish house gown, her black hair in a single braid, Ariadne stood before the wardrobe. Arabella smiled guilelessly and started to cozy up to Ariadne.

“You scared me for noth—”

“Arabella. You can't play with those.”

It was the first time she had ever seen such a stern expression and heard such a firm voice from her older sister.

“Huh?”

Watching Ariadne carefully, Arabella picked up the bundle of silver lace scattered on the floor and held it out.

“I guess this is too expensive for me to play with...”

If her sister found out she'd read a letter from a man, she might get into big trouble. Arabella prayed to God that the letter would magically fly back into its envelope. But the item Ariadne was focused on wasn't the silver lace or Cesare's letter.

“Give it here.”

The object Ariadne held out her hand for was the metal clasp made of silver and lead.

“It's important. You can't play with it and lose it.”

“This...?”

Between the silver lace and the jewel-embroidered satin ribbon, the metal clasp looked so shabby. Arabella hesitantly handed the clasp to her sister. As she did, Arabella gave it a slight squeeze, and contrary to its solid appearance, the clasp bent easily.

“Don't bend it!”

- *Hic!*
Startled, Arabella got the hiccups. Seeing Arabella's hiccups, Ariadne looked apologetic. Perhaps thinking she had been too harsh, she patted Arabella's shoulder.

“You should go get some water. This is important to me. It will be very useful later. That's why it absolutely can't be lost or broken. You can play with anything else you want.”

“Why—*hic*—is this so important?”

The metal clasp Arabella had been playing with was evidence of Isabella's scheme to rip the front of Ariadne's dress at her débutante ball. Isabella was confined now, but if Ippolito returned and Lucrezia was reinstated, she would naturally be released from confinement as well. After that, a decisive blow would be needed to bring about Isabella's downfall. Cardinal de Mare hated it when family members damaged each other's 'market value.' It wasn't because he valued cooperation. It was because it was an act of his subordinate willfully damaging his property. In Cardinal de Mare's mind, it was betrayal and an overstep of authority. It was a matter of authority. And on matters of authority, the patriarch did not compromise. Right now, Isabella was confined for ruining her own reputation with her own hands and for failing to help her sister when she was in danger.

*What would happen if a man like Cardinal de Mare got his hands on proof that Isabella tried to harm her perfectly fine younger sister?*

If she could prove that the dress-tampering incident at the débutante ball was Isabella's doing, Cardinal de Mare would more than willingly impose a punishment far worse than confinement on Isabella. Even if he didn't, he would never put forward the uncontrollable Isabella as a candidate when a good marriage prospect appeared.

*A very good marriage prospect will soon appear for the de Mare family.*

None other than the position of Prince Alfonso's spouse. Before that, she had to expose Isabella's misdeeds to their father. This was Ariadne's plan. But she wasn't sure how much of this she should tell the young Arabella. Arabella was already separated from her mother. She hadn't been a good mother, but that probably didn't matter much to a child. Besides, she didn't want to speak ill of Arabella's own sister to a child. So Ariadne decided to fudge the truth a bit.

“Because it's a curious item. I wanted to try making one myself later.”

“Ari, you like these kinds of metal clasps?”

“Of course.”

Arabella's eyes sparkled. If Sister Ariadne was this obsessed with it, she must really love it. Arabella resolved to bring Sister Ariadne an identical one if she ever found it. As Arabella was about to leave Ariadne's dressing room to get some water, she suddenly remembered a question she had wanted to ask her sister.

“Oh, right, Ari.”

“Yes?”

Ariadne was carefully picking up the green ribbon from the floor when she looked up at Arabella's call.

“Hey, have the results from my music academy application arrived yet?”

When Ariadne had suggested she apply to the music academy, Arabella had acted tough at first. She had feigned indifference, saying things like, 'Why bother applying?' and 'I'm too young, so I'll obviously be rejected.'

“That... when do you think it might come?”

Although she'd said that, it seemed she was very anxious about the lack of news from the music academy in Padua.

“They're probably still reviewing the applications.”

Ariadne smiled gently.

“If we don't hear back by the end of the month, I'll ask the sister to look into it for you.”

Color immediately returned to Arabella's face. Her small face lit up so brightly that Ariadne couldn't help but kiss Arabella on the forehead.

Arabella threw a fit, asking if Ariadne thought she was a baby, but Ariadne retorted that a younger sister who wasn't a baby but still played by rummaging through her older sister's wardrobe deserved to be scolded. She offered to let it slide if she was a baby, telling her to pick one. Unable to choose either option, Arabella was finally driven to the brink of tears. Ariadne, who had been gleefully teasing her, had to hastily comfort her youngest sister. It was a peaceful afternoon.

***

Having ridden out at dawn to visit the Bergamo estate and only returning just before dinner, Ippolito barely managed to attend the evening meal with his father. Acting nonchalant, he brought up a topic at the de Mare family dinner table.

“Father. It's the new year, and your birthday is coming up soon.”

Slicing into a filet mignon steak that was crispy on the outside but juicy within, Cardinal de Mare looked at his son. He had lived long enough to see the day his son brought up his birthday first. He wondered what admirable thing his son was about to say.

“Shouldn't the family gather for a meal? With Mother and Isabella too, let's have a birthday banquet with roasted pheasant, your favorite.”

- *Clink.*
The sound of Cardinal de Mare setting down his knife echoed loudly through the main dining hall of the de Mare estate.