Chapter 89

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Well-Raised Children
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They say raising a son is a thankless job! Cardinal de Mare angrily rebuked his son.

“Do you have any idea what you’re saying right now?”

At his father’s reprimand, Ippolito’s face broke into a wide smile.

“Oh, Father. You know what Mother is like.”

Ippolito’s smile was not one of smug defiance. It was the confidence of a beloved child who knew that no matter what he said, his father would never truly hate him. Ariadne inwardly shook her head.

‘So it begins.’

Undeterred by his father’s displeasure, Ippolito pressed on, trying to persuade the Cardinal.

“Mother doesn’t have a malicious bone in her body. She’s just so full of affection that when it comes to family, she can’t always think straight. It’s not as if you didn’t know that about her, Father.”

Indeed, Lucrezia didn't have a single drop of malice in her. She didn’t resent her husband, nor had she caused trouble to torment him. She was simply too shortsighted to consider what would happen if traces of black magic were found in a cardinal’s home.

“And then with Isabella and those absurd rumors… Mother must have been out of her mind. She has a naive side to her. Isn't that what makes her charming?”

At the mention of Isabella, the Cardinal let out a low groan. It had been nearly three months since his eldest daughter had been confined to her room. It was about time to let her out. Though her foolish actions had tarnished her reputation, his firstborn was, without a doubt, the greatest beauty in San Carlo. While her behavior might make it difficult for her to be called ‘the greatest jewel of San Carlo,’ her face, at least, was flawless. If he brought her out of her room, cleared the stain from her name, and put her back on the market, she might not be able to aim for a prince’s hand as before, but she could still secure a very respectable match. A maiden’s age was the most critical factor in determining the quality of a marriage proposal. Unless he truly intended to send her to a convent for good, Cardinal de Mare needed to present Isabella to the market again, and soon.

“Isabella has certainly been reflecting for a long time…”

As the one managing the household, Ariadne was well aware that Isabella’s attitude during her confinement had been extremely poor. Complaints about Isabella’s behavior came from all corners. However, she wasn’t foolish enough to present evidence of Isabella’s lack of remorse and throw a wrench in the works. The Cardinal’s justification for releasing Isabella was her ‘reflection,’ but the reality had nothing to do with whether she was actually repentant. If she couldn’t stop it, it was better to at least pretend to be kind. Playing the part of the kind one wasn't a trick only Isabella knew.

“Father. I was just worrying about how Mother will endure the cold winter at the Bergamo farm, where the facilities are so poor.”

Cardinal de Mare looked at Ariadne with a hint of surprise. Ariadne continued slowly, her expression the most benevolent she could muster.

“I know from experience that the Bergamo farm is further north than here, isn’t it? The winters in the north are harsh. And the country buildings are so poorly insulated, they get terribly cold. I’m worried about Mother’s health.”

Ariadne paused for a moment, appearing thoughtful, then looked at Cardinal de Mare with a slight smile in her eyes, hoping they would sparkle with a pure, pitiful light.

“Besides, I haven’t seen Sister Isabella once since Brother Ippolito returned. Family should at least greet one another. I think it would be a wonderful idea for us all to gather and catch up on your birthday, Father.”

The Cardinal looked at Ariadne with newfound appreciation. Ariadne gave her father a bright smile. Ippolito, however, raised his left eyebrow, his expression clearly saying, *What’s gotten into you?* Ariadne graced him with the same benevolent smile.

“You haven’t gone to see our sister since you returned, have you, brother?”

“Uh, well. I couldn’t possibly defy Father’s orders and meet with Isabella.”

“Of course. Father’s word is more important than sibling bonds.”

The words were strangely teasing. But her expression and tone were so earnest, as if she agreed completely with her brother, that Ippolito was left uncertain. In truth, she was mocking him. Ariadne clicked her tongue inwardly. The man who had no problem defying his father to meet Lucrezia the moment his allowance was cut off was now spouting such nonsense. Lucrezia and Cardinal de Mare had truly done a poor job raising their children.

“I will prepare the banquet for your birthday, Father. Since it’s just family, let’s have an intimate meal in the small dining hall.”

“Don’t forget the roasted pheasant. Father likes his well-done.”

Ariadne thought about punching Ippolito in the face as she replied sweetly.

“Of course.”

Cardinal de Mare cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Ariadne. It’s reassuring to know you’ll be taking care of it.”

Ariadne offered Cardinal de Mare a pretty smile. *You owe me one. Don’t you forget it.*

***

Lucrezia entered the grand de Mare residence, looking around cautiously. This place, which she had once commanded, already felt somewhat alien.

“Mother, you’ve arrived.”

Ariadne stood tall in the entrance hall of the de Mare residence, flanked by all the servants as if she were their commander. She was dressed in a luxurious indoor gown of satin and gave a polite bow to Lucrezia, who had just stepped out of her carriage and entered wearing a slightly worn fur cloak.

“I hope your journey was pleasant.”

The maid standing beside Ariadne was dressed in the attire of the head maid. Lucrezia’s confidante, Giada, was nowhere to be seen. That bastard child must have filled the house with her own people in her absence. The golden signet of the lady of the house glinted on Ariadne’s finger.

‘That damned wench…!’

Lucrezia had always hated Ariadne. Ariadne was the illegitimate child who proved Cardinal de Mare’s love for her had not been perfect. And to top it off, she had stolen the things that should have been given to her precious Isabella. Now, arrogance had been added to the list. The sight of her standing there in the entrance hall, lording it over everyone as if she were the lady of the house, filled Lucrezia with a rage that transcended reason, a fury at Ariadne’s very existence.

“Hmph!”

Lucrezia was about to let out a loud scoff, but she was in a position where she couldn't afford to give her husband a single reason to find fault, so she gritted her teeth and swallowed her irritation.

“…Where is my son?”

After composing herself, the first person Lucrezia asked for was Ippolito. She glanced around, searching for her eldest son. After all, it was thanks to her dependable son that she was able to return to this mansion.

“Mother!”

As if on cue, a dashingly dressed Ippolito descended from the second floor to greet Lucrezia.

“Ippolito!”

Mother and son embraced in the entrance hall, enjoying their reunion. Lucrezia hugged her son tightly, patting his back several times before finally letting go. But then, her eyes landed on something she didn’t like. Standing right behind Ippolito was Maletta. The two seemed to have reconciled and looked close. And the mother, who loved her son more than life itself, immediately sensed something was amiss.

“Why is she here?”

Ariadne smiled to herself.

‘She took the bait.’

Ippolito, completely oblivious, answered breezily.

“She’s my personal maid. She’s pleasant, sharp, and good at her job.”

A slight crack appeared in Maletta’s expression. As much as she tried, Maletta hadn’t expected Ippolito to introduce her as his girlfriend, or as the future lady of the house and his future daughter-in-law, during his first meeting with his mother. But she hadn’t expected to be so concisely relegated to the position of ‘a maid who does her job well.’ Lucrezia, on the other hand, was furious that her son had praised a maid. There was a clear romantic current between them, and the fact that her son had openly praised the girl in front of her was a sign of disrespect. To Lucrezia’s ears, Ippolito’s praise sounded like a declaration: ‘I will cherish this woman no matter what you think, Mother.’ Oblivious to the fact that he had just displeased two women and created an irreparable rift, Ippolito offered Lucrezia his arm.

“Mother, let’s go to the family dining hall. The banquet is ready.”

He said it as if he had prepared the banquet himself. And as if it were only natural for him to be in charge, Ippolito led the way to the small dining hall. Ariadne let out a silent, bitter laugh and quickened her pace to overtake the group. After moving ahead of them, she glanced back at Ippolito and claimed the lead position. The front of the procession when escorting a ‘guest’ to the dining hall was the rightful place of the ‘lady of the house.’ She could feel Ippolito flinch, but the ‘son’ came after the lady of the house. Only the head of the family could walk before her.

‘What a tiresome bunch.’

Another villain had already arrived in the family dining hall. It was Isabella, finally getting a glimpse of the outside world after three months of confinement in her room.

Isabella was wearing a simple, pure white indoor dress. Perhaps due to the lack of sunlight, she looked even paler than before. There were faint shadows under her eyes, and her forlorn, melancholic air made her look utterly innocent and still overwhelmingly beautiful. Ariadne clicked her tongue.

‘Even confinement doesn’t tarnish her.’

Isabella glanced briefly at Ariadne before immediately lowering her eyes and bowing her head. Her confinement hadn’t diminished her beauty, but it seemed to have tempered her fiery personality. However, the moment she thought she had allies, her attitude changed in an instant. When Ippolito and Lucrezia entered behind them, Isabella, who had been sitting with her head bowed, shot up from her seat and cried out.

“Mother!”

“Oh, my jewel!”

Lucrezia and Isabella had a moving mother-daughter reunion. It was the first time they had seen each other in nearly a hundred days.

“Mother! Mother!”

Isabella, usually so eloquent, was at a loss for words, repeating only ‘Mother.’ She sobbed in her mother’s arms, and Lucrezia, forgetting her own miserable circumstances, held her gaunt daughter and wept with her. It would have been a very moving scene, if not for the fact that the people involved were Lucrezia and Isabella. Ariadne was not the only one made uncomfortable by the spectacle.

“Ahem!”

Cardinal de Mare, who had entered the family dining hall late, cleared his throat.

‘Anyone watching would think I’m the villain.’

Cardinal de Mare was not at all pleased with the situation. He was simply the head of the family who had justly disciplined his mistress for using wicked black magic and his promiscuous daughter for tarnishing their honor. But seeing the mother and daughter weeping as if at a funeral, it seemed as though he were the bad guy. Ippolito quickly stepped in, smiling, to lighten the mood.

“Mother, why are you crying as if the world has ended? Isabella, get up. It’s Father’s birthday, a happy day. Let’s eat something delicious and cheer up. Come, come.”

After that, everyone gathered in the family dining hall acted like a normal family seeing each other after a long time. Questions about health and talk of recent daily life filled the conversation. However, Lucrezia and Cardinal de Mare carefully avoided any topics that could be perceived as romantic or personal, speaking mainly about their children.

“Ippolito, so, did you finish your studies well?”

“Yes, Father.”

For a moment, Ippolito nearly dropped his knife because of the sweat on his palms. But he hid his tension and calmly looked down at his plate, continuing to cut the pheasant leg.

“A bachelor’s in military science, wasn’t it? I’m so proud that my son earned a degree in military science from the prestigious University of Padua.”

“Of course, whose son do you think I am?”

Ippolito shoved a piece of pheasant leg into his mouth and gave his father a natural smile. Lucrezia, her face beaming with pride, smiled sweetly as she watched her son. In this suffocating atmosphere, Cardinal de Mare posed another question.

“So, when can we expect your diploma to arrive home?”

Gulp! Ippolito accidentally swallowed a piece of unchewed meat.