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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Confession
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Demian's voice was calm and his expression unchanged, but his golden eyes gleamed like those of a beast.
The moment she met his gaze, the Grand Duchess felt a chill run down her spine. His eyes held a look that suggested he would do anything to achieve what he desired.
Instinctively overwhelmed by a sense of danger, she deliberately raised her voice even louder. She had a hunch that if she backed down now, she would be pushed around forever.
"Ha! How dare you talk back to me. You must be utterly insane, mad with obsession over a woman, aren't you?!"
"Was anyone in our family ever sane to begin with? It's amusing, considering we're both equally out of our minds."
Demian sneered and took a step forward. An intimidating aura emanated from him, his physique larger and more robust than his father's.
The child who used to come up only to the Grand Duchess's chest, whom the entire family had manipulated at will, was no longer there.
"Or, do you wish for me to go down to the ducal territory and treat Father the same way?"
"You insolent wretch! Just you dare lay a hand on our Alex! I will never let you get away with it!"
"Then live quietly. As you said, I'm mad for my wife, and I cannot stand by if you harm her."
The formal smile was gone from Demian's lips as he spoke. Realizing that this was a genuine warning, the Grand Duchess was struck speechless.
Aracilla, who had been watching the situation with keen interest from behind Demian's broad shoulders, suddenly sensed a presence at the door and turned her head.
Through the slightly ajar door, Audrey was frantically gesturing.
Hmm, what is she saying?
'Sister...? Ah, my sister is here? Oh... with Mother?'
Audrey, are they right behind you now?
Aracilla's eyes widened as she perfectly deciphered the maid's signal. Her family was waiting outside the door.
She hadn't planned on them seeing this spectacle, so she quickly racked her brain.
'Calm down, in a way, this is an opportunity.'
Currently, Demian was defending his wife and confronting his grandmother.
Looking at it positively, he was effectively demonstrating the strong bond between husband and wife, just as Aracilla had wanted.
'It would be good to show even more intimacy, wouldn't it?'
If, in addition to a husband fighting for his wife, they also showed direct affection, it would further emphasize their strong connection.
"Demian."
"...?!"
So, Aracilla abruptly called Demian's name and hugged him from behind. Demian, who had no immunity to physical contact, froze.
She subtly pulled his arm to wrap it around her shoulder, then snuggled into his broad chest and spoke in a very small, clear voice.
"Tell me you love me right now."
Demian's eyes wavered at the sudden demand for a confession following the radical physical contact.
Feeling his body stiffen even more than before, Aracilla stood on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear,
"My mom and sister are here, so hurry!"
At her words, Demian snapped back to attention and lowered his hands, wrapping them around Aracilla's waist. This made their embrace look more natural.
"My wife is the person I love most in this world. I will no longer tolerate my grandmother's outrageous behavior."
"If you won't tolerate it, what do you intend to do?"
"I will give you exactly three days. If you do not return by then, I will have my subordinates forcibly remove you."
The Grand Duchess clutched the back of her neck at his threat to forcibly evict her if she didn't leave voluntarily. How dare he threaten her like this!
However, she couldn't leave the mansion until Aracilla restored her honor and reputation, which she had dragged through the mud.
Besides, if the woman was cherished by the grandson she detested, she would feel satisfied only by keeping her close and tormenting her.
"Do you think I'd go back just because you say so? Never, especially because of you—!"
"That's enough, Grand Duchess."
An elegant voice interrupted the Grand Duchess, who was fuming.
The startled Grand Duchess whipped her head around. The Marchioness and Iris had entered through the now wide-open door.
"Marchioness Hugo...?!"
"This is the children's home, not ours, is it? As the Sir said, please return to the ducal territory now."
The Marchioness smiled gently, her calm gaze resting on her daughter, who was clinging tightly to Demian.
Demian had unconsciously tightened his grip, causing Aracilla's cheek to be pressed against his chest and shoulder as she was held.
"Marchioness, do you dare interfere in the affairs of the Vandermir family?"
"I am merely acting on behalf of my daughter."
"Your daughter is married and has become a part of the Vandermir Ducal Family!"
The Grand Duchess thundered. She held conservative values, believing that a married woman belonged to her husband's family.
But that wasn't the only reason she was so brazen in front of the Marchioness in the current situation.
If the Marchioness became enraged by this, she might view Demian unfavorably and even urge her daughter to divorce.
This was precisely what the Grand Duchess had originally wished for, so she was deliberately acting shamelessly.
"It means you have no right to meddle in this situation, Madam!"
"I see."
In truth, the Marchioness was also old-fashioned and had no objection to her married daughter becoming part of her son-in-law's family.
However, she was also a mother who loved her daughter so much that she had even accepted her declaration of celibacy. She was not the type to stand by and watch her daughter be humiliated just because it was someone else's family matter.
"In that case, as the mistress of the Hugo Marquisate, I will tell you this: Stop this at once and return to the ducal territory."
The Grand Duchess flinched at the gentle voice, which contrasted sharply with the Marchioness's chilling expression.
While she might disregard a daughter-in-law's mother, the mistress of the Hugo Marquisate was not someone to be easily dismissed.
She had been ignoring Aracilla and using the Vandermir Ducal Family to pressure her, but in reality, the Hugo Marquisate was not an easy family to trifle with.
The Hugo Marquisate was one of the most prestigious families in the Empire, ranked directly after the three great ducal families.
No matter how high-ranking the Grand Duchess was, it was difficult to treat the mistress of such a family disrespectfully.
"Do you truly not realize that by maintaining my dignity here, I am already showing considerable patience and consideration?"
A quiet fury seeped from the Marchioness's expression and voice.
Frankly, if she were to grab the Grand Duchess by the hair, no one would fault her, and the Grand Duchess would find it difficult to punish her.
After all, the other party had provided the justification first.
But the Marchioness did not do that. It wasn't because she didn't care for Aracilla or prioritized her own dignity.
She had noticed that her daughter didn't want this incident to become a conflict between the two families, and so, despite her teeth grinding in frustration, she endured.
"If you leave now without further harassing the children, I will appropriately explain this incident to the capital's social circles."
"...How will you explain it?"
"I will say that the Grand Duchess deeply regretted her actions toward my daughter and promised to prevent any recurrence."
"Are you playing games with me?! How is that an explanation—!"
The Grand Duchess, who had secretly been expecting a different course of action from the Marchioness, bristled. If that was the explanation, it would truly make her out to be in the wrong.
The Marchioness coldly retorted to the Grand Duchess, who was angrily lacking in conscience.
"Then what should I say? Should I tell everyone exactly what I saw and heard today?"
"…!"
The Grand Duchess lost her words, her lips parting silently. If today's events spread through high society, it might even tarnish the Vandermir Ducal Family's honor.
"Grand Duchess, you are truly a wise and benevolent person. Not only are you the highest elder of both families, but you are also an elder in social circles. If such a person shows the exemplary behavior of reflecting on and accepting her mistakes, everyone will be impressed."
The Marchioness, whose appearance resembled her eldest daughter but whose personality was similar to her second, smiled, exerting subtle pressure.
If she had flared up and confronted her, the Grand Duchess might have known how to respond, but with such a gentle approach, she found it difficult to counter.
"Then, I wish you a peaceful journey. Please return safely."
The Grand Duchess said nothing as the Marchioness, without permission, placed a hand on her chest, bowed her head, and bid farewell.
Finally, she gasped for air and stormed out of the room. Not bothering to bid farewell was her last shred of pride.
After the Grand Duchess disappeared, the Marchioness approached her daughter.
"Aracilla, are you alright? How are you feeling?"
"Much better. You don't have to worry."
"Oh, this troublemaker. Even after getting married, you're still giving your mother headaches."
The Marchioness, having confirmed that her daughter's complexion was reasonably good, sighed, then lifted her gaze to look at Demian.
"Sir Vandermir, may I have a word with you?"
"...Me?"
Demian was taken aback by the unexpected request for a conversation. Aracilla was equally surprised.
"Mom, why Demian? What do you want to talk about...?"
"Don't worry, I'm not going to devour your husband. Do you have a moment, Sir?"
Demian hesitated, then nodded. Few people would refuse a request for a conversation from their wife's mother.
Aracilla watched the two leaving the room with an anxious gaze. She worried whether Demian would be able to appropriately handle her mother.
What on earth did her mother want to talk to him about?
Iris, glancing at her sister who was clearly showing her nervousness, chuckled softly.
"Why are you so worried, Ari? Do you think Mom would say anything bad?"
"Still, you never know. She shouldn't say anything strange to Demian."
"Goodness, do you like Sir Vandermir that much?"
Aracilla paused at Iris's playful question.
It wasn't that she liked him that much; it was that she couldn't get a divorce because of her sister...
But on the other hand, she didn't dislike him as much as she used to.
'Is this what it means to grow fond of someone?'
***
The Vandermir mansion's garden was filled with roses of various colors, blooming profusely. Their subtle fragrance wafted gently on the breeze.
Demian followed behind the Marchioness, feeling a slight tension. She must have called him to scold him for Aracilla being humiliated by the Grand Duchess.
He seriously pondered what would be an appropriate explanation and excuse.
Meanwhile, the Marchioness stopped walking and turned to face her son-in-law. Demian stood rigidly, like a subordinate meeting his superior.
"I heard you went on a monster investigation to the eastern Etar Mountains. Was everything alright?"
"Yes, it was."
"Any injuries?"
"None."
Demian moved his head from side to side awkwardly, as if he might creak.
His expression control was excellent, but even to an adult's eye, his stiffness was apparent, so the Marchioness chuckled softly.
"Do you know why I asked to speak with you, Sir?"
"...Is it because I failed to properly protect my wife?"
"That's right. I was very upset with you for not playing your part as a mediator."
The Marchioness quietly looked at Demian, who stood stiffly before her like a child called in to be scolded by a teacher.
Anyone with reasonable perception would have realized, through the conversation between grandmother and grandson, that he was at odds with his family.
It wasn't a particularly surprising fact. The Marchioness also knew that the Vandermir Ducal Family had complicated family affairs.
'Oh dear, how on earth did my child manage to live such a difficult life and then choose such a difficult person to marry?'
She sighed silently, then spoke with a rather gentle expression.
"I can't know the details of another family's affairs, but it seems the Grand Duchess tormented my daughter with the intention of also tormenting you, Sir."
Demian couldn't deny that. Although the Grand Duchess was always cruel to her daughters-in-law, her going overboard this time was indeed because of her animosity towards him.
"But Sir Vandermir, I..."
"I apologize. I know you resent me, but I cannot live without my wife."
Demian, who had been wary of what the Marchioness would say, preemptively declared.
Clenching his fists, he looked directly at the Marchioness and spoke.
"I need my wife. I wouldn't trade her for anyone in the world. So I will apologize countless times."
This was an apology for intending to continue using Aracilla and causing her hardship for his revenge, but the problem was that a detailed explanation was impossible and thus omitted.
To the Marchioness, it simply sounded like a son-in-law making a passionate and heartfelt confession in front of his mother-in-law.
"Oh my."
She covered her mouth with both hands, quietly exclaiming in admiration.
