Chapter 44

What the hell?

Natalianne frowned and looked out the window.

Outside stood the butler with a group of servants, and in front of them, a few people dressed like nobles were quarreling loudly.

“Oh my, it looks like we have guests.”

Melissa, who had been peeking out the same window, brightened and grabbed her hand.

“Wh-why?”

Caught off guard, Natalianne stared at her, and Melissa smiled brightly.

“Let’s go greet them together!”

Damn it.

Why are there so many uninvited guests today?

She was supposed to be working on a paper with the daughter of Al Kidma, not entertaining random nobles.

Grumbling inwardly, Natalianne let out a sigh but didn’t resist as Melissa tugged her down the stairs.

* * *

“You may not enter.”

“How dare you!”

At the butler’s firm statement, one of the men from the Arke viscount family jabbed a finger toward him.

“Do you even know who we are? Move aside at once!”

“I know exactly who you are, which is why I’m asking you to leave.”

“…!”

The nobles froze for a moment.

The butler continued, his tone calm yet cold enough to sting.

“His Grace is currently away. Please return once you have sent word in advance.”

The noble stiffened, then once again raised his hand in anger.

“How dare you talk back to me, you insolent—”

“Now, now, let’s not get too worked up.”

A woman in a hat beside him gently laid a hand on his arm to calm him.

Turning toward the butler, she softened her voice.

“As you know, we’ve come a long way. Couldn’t you at least offer us a cup of tea?”

“But His Grace has—”

“What’s this commotion?”

A voice came from behind the butler.

Oh no.

The butler’s stoic face twitched slightly, though he quickly masked it and turned around.

“My lady.”

He mouthed a warning, urging her to go back inside, but the intruders were quicker to react.

“Oh my, isn’t that Natalianne?”

“My goodness, how you’ve grown into such a fine lady!”

They pushed past the servants blocking their way, spreading their arms as they approached.

What are these people doing?

Natalianne’s brows furrowed.

Why were they acting so familiar?

Then the noblewoman lifted her hat slightly and smiled sweetly.

“I suppose we must seem like strangers. The last time we visited, you were barely three or four years old.”

“What are you—”

Natalianne’s words trailed off, her expression hardening.

Beneath the woman’s hat gleamed gray eyes.

Depending on the light, they looked almost silver.

That color.

A man standing behind the woman spoke with an oily grin.

“Indeed. But we don’t hold it against you, our lovely niece.”

“…!”

Natalianne’s head snapped toward him. His hair was silver-gray.

So was the man next to him. And the woman beside that man.

All of them had the same silver-toned hair and eyes.

They looked just like—

“…Who are you calling your niece?”

Her lips pressed into a hard, dangerous line.

The woman, startled by her sharp glare, forced a shaky smile.

“Dear, I know this must feel strange—”

“Shut up.”

The sudden hostility made the woman falter, though she tried to keep her composure and reached out a hand.

“Sweetheart, we only came to talk—”

“Hello there!”

A bright, cheerful voice cut through the tension.

The noblewoman turned sharply toward it.

A woman in worn, threadbare clothes was hurrying toward them with a smile.

“Sorry for being late. I was preparing some welcome cookies. Please, come in!”

“They’re not guests—”

Natalianne turned quickly, trying to stop her, but before she could finish—

“How disappointing.”

The noblewoman’s tone turned icy as she addressed the butler.

“You’ve shamed the Grand Duke’s household. Neglecting a servant’s manners this badly is unacceptable.”

“The Duke’s honor is not so easily tainted,” the butler replied evenly.

“Besides, she isn’t a servant.”

“What?”

The woman gave Melissa a once-over, her lips curling in mockery.

As if that excuse would fool anyone.

Then the man beside her burst out, his voice booming.

“You expect us to believe such nonsense? Good heavens, when His Grace returns, I’ll personally see to it that your insolence is reported! Still, if you let us in now, we might reconsider—”

“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself!”

Melissa widened her eyes, as though just realizing something.

She smoothed her ragged skirt and gave a polite bow.

“I’m Mimi— no, I mean Melissa, wife of Lord Demius von Eisenhart.”

“…?!”

The nobles froze, disbelief plastered across their faces.

A few seconds later, they all burst out laughing.

“Ha, ha ha ha ha!”

“Absurd!”

“Such a cute joke.”

“A jester, perhaps? Though quite a pretty one.”

While they laughed, a man in his sixties who had been watching Melissa for some time smirked and reached toward her.

“Come here, little one. How much do they pay you here?”

“That’s enough!”

The butler’s eyes widened in outrage as he stepped forward to block the man.

And then—

Crack!

“Aaaargh!”

A piercing scream filled the air.

An icy spike had burst through the back of the man’s wrinkled hand.

“…!”

Everyone fell silent.

Natalianne slowly lowered her hand.

Frost shimmered faintly around her.

The scorching afternoon air turned frigid enough for breath to mist.

Her blank face gave nothing away as her cold voice filled the air.

“Shall I pierce that filthy tongue next?”

“…!”

The crowd stiffened, eyes darting in terror.

The oppressive chill made it feel as though the air itself might freeze.

“…Nati?”

A voice called from behind.

Natalianne turned.

Standing there, covered in streaks of blue and red from the hunting party, was Seres.

She blinked, as if doubting her own eyes, before slowly speaking.

“Natalianne, what are you doing here?”

Natalianne chuckled faintly.

“Can’t I come home, Mother?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Seres’ expression tightened slightly.

“You should have sent word before suddenly showing up.”

“No notice, huh?”

Natalianne’s gaze slid toward Linburton.

The butler flinched, ready to stammer out an excuse, but she merely smirked.

Then she turned to Melissa.

“Come here.”

“…!”

Linburton’s eyes widened in horror.

Melissa blinked, hesitated for a moment, then quietly walked toward Natalianne.

Her gaze flickered toward the man’s hand, where the ice had impaled through.

Seeing her worried expression, Natalianne clicked her tongue.

“Tch.”

At the sound, the shard of ice on the man’s hand melted away in an instant.

Everyone gasped as the ice disappeared like magic, leaving behind a frostbitten, bluish hand trembling uncontrollably.

“M-my hand, my hand…”

“Shut up.”

“Hick!”

The man bit back a sob, shaking like a leaf under her glare.

“Get out.”

“Y-yes!”

He bolted like a frightened animal.

The silver-haired noblewoman stood frozen for a moment before finally speaking.

“Dear, Natal—”

“Let’s go.”

The man behind her grabbed her shoulder and hurried her away.

One by one, the silver-haired intruders vanished, their carriage disappearing beyond the gates.

Melissa, however, continued to stare in that direction, unable to look away.

Seeing her like that, Natalianne sighed and scratched her head.

“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t actually stab him. It was just an illusion.”

Well, a cold one, sure, but harmless enough.

She decided not to mention that part.

“I see.”

Melissa nodded faintly, though her expression was still troubled.

Natalianne stiffened, then added quickly,

“I mean it. He’s fine. Looks worse than it is, that’s all.”