3 - Not Your Son, But Your Father
Chapter 3
Gilbert was persistent. Some days, he sent different servants every morning, noon, and evening, begging to see me.
But it backfired.
The Marquessate's people began to think Gilbert was too rude.
It would have been better if he had come himself.
Then I could have at least excused it by saying he was so blinded by love for me that he lost his judgment. It might have worked on some people.
However, Gilbert only overworked innocent servants.
The servants who received Gilbert's orders lingered in front of the Marquessate's main gate all day before returning.
However, they were not as thick-faced as their master.
They were ashamed of their actions and made it obvious that they were only doing it because they were afraid of Gilbert.
The Marquessate's servants couldn't have seen that favorably. They must have thought that the servants were like their master.
The Morgana Marquessate was a prestigious family, and the servants had their own pride.
They didn't take any special action because I condoned it, but they openly glared at Gilbert's servants whenever they passed through the main gate.
Even my parents, who had been indifferent, saying that marriage was something I had to resolve, couldn't hide their displeasure.
Eventually, my parents, whose patience had run out, threatened to prevent Gilbert's servants from even approaching the Marquessate.
Well, I just sipped tea next to them.
While Gilbert's reputation was declining, I became a little closer to a raven and even gave it the temporary name Raven.
"Lady, the carriage is ready."
As I got up at Sera's words, Raven flew over and sat on my shoulder.
I put the cheeky baby raven back down.
"It's no fun if you see everything from the start."
"Caw? Caw! Caw!"
I left Raven, who was crying as if wronged, and went outside.
As I headed to the main street in the carriage, I noticed Gilbert's servants subtly following me, but I pretended not to notice.
Four young ladies were waiting at the dress shop.
Charles Morgoz especially welcomed me enthusiastically.
"Eve! Thank you so much for inviting me! I wanted to get a new dress anyway, but Camellia Dress Shop, where Vanessa the designer is, is so popular that it's hard to get a reservation."
"I'm the one who's grateful that you readily joined me today. I hope Charles finds a dress you like."
I smiled brightly because I was in a good mood.
Charles lowered her head and whispered softly.
"Actually, I've been looking at something in advance. But I don't have a good eye for dresses, so I was hoping Eve could give me some advice..."
"Of course. You're looking for a dress to wear to the upcoming Imperial Ball, right?"
"And a dress to wear to Monica's birthday party. Thank you so much, Eve! You're the only one for me!"
I tilted my head.
"Monica's birthday party? Is it okay for me to go?"
Charles was treated like a fashion terrorist at Monica's birthday party last year.
It was just a plain dress, but Monica went too far.
"It's okay. It's not like I'm not used to being nagged by Monica. If I don't go, she'll make even more of a fuss."
Charles, who had become accustomed to Monica's tyranny, sat down and looked through the catalog.
The elaborately sketched dresses were pleasing to the eye.
I didn't need to have my measurements taken separately because I came here often.
It was over after checking the fabric samples to be used for the dress, and choosing the lace, frills, buttons, jewelry set, and finally the shoes.
Shopping is the best. Spending money is the most fun.
Charles also crossed her arms with a very satisfied expression.
"Eve, I've made a reservation at a restaurant, will you come with me?"
"Ah, I know a really delicious dessert shop!"
"I'm determined to spend a lot of money today. We have to play until the sun goes down!"
"That's right! The first person to go back will have everything they ate today turn into fat!"
The other young ladies flinched for a moment at Charles's words, which may or may not have been a Curse.
I didn't hold back my laughter and left the dress shop first.
Then, I met a man waiting in front of the door.
Tall Gilbert looked down at me.
"It seems you've recovered quickly."
I heard the sound of the young ladies behind me stopping.
I responded with a bright smile.
"Oh, not at all. I still have a fever."
"Are you telling me to believe that lie?"
"It's true. However, I thought my illness would worsen if I didn't buy new jewelry, shoes, and dresses, so I reluctantly dragged my sick body out."
Of course, it was bullshit. Then Gilbert, as if he couldn't lose, raised his voice and spouted nonsense.
"Stop it now. It will be difficult for me to tolerate you if you go too far."
"Hmm?"
"Aren't you just acting out because you want to see me anxious about you?"
...What?
At this point, he's almost crazy, right?
As I laughed habitually in disbelief, Gilbert frowned.
He clenched and unclenched his bony hands.
He must have been quite angry from being ignored all this time. It would be nice if he threw the first punch.
After all, Gilbert was destined to die in the novel anyway. Cutting off his lifeline early wouldn't be a bad choice.
Kind-hearted Rigen would be sad because he was still family.
The male protagonist, Rigen, and Gilbert were brothers. But Gilbert would punch Rigen whenever he called him brother.
In the novel, Gilbert's inferiority complex towards Rigen caused many incidents and accidents.
Hmm, I guess it's okay to just kill him.
"I've told you that I have no intention of marrying you."
Because I said it with a smile, Gilbert retorted as if I was joking.
"I know that's not true."
"It's true."
"Lady Maybia, I don't have much patience. Don't forget that I'm already tolerating you enough."
The red eyes staring at me gleamed like those of a beast. It was a clear indication that I should give in while he was being nice.
To Gilbert, Maybia Morgana was just a mere Marquess's daughter.
A noble who was born with good parents and grew up like a hothouse flower without ever getting her hands dirty.
A pathetic and naive woman who couldn't even be compared to himself, who had lived fiercely with a sword every day.
I changed the smile that had been on my lips to a sneer.
"Really."
"......"
"How little did you think of me to do this kind of bullshit..."
Just as I was about to swear, someone pulled me from behind.
And Charles stood in front of me.
"Stop it? Eve said she doesn't like it."
Charles straightened her back and faced Gilbert.
"The Duke is not Eve's fiancé, and certainly not her friend. Be reasonable."
I could feel Gilbert emitting a subtle murderous aura. But Charles didn't back down.
Oh dear, she chose the wrong opponent.
The Morgoz family was a military family tasked with defending the border from the southern barbarians.
Anyone with the Morgoz name had to know how to wield a sword, regardless of age or gender.
As a result, Charles, the next Marquess of Morgoz, was not good at choosing dresses, but she was used to facing murderous intent.
It would be different if Gilbert deliberately poured out his murderous intent and put pressure on her, but there were already many eyes watching.
See, Vanessa came out to see what was going on because it was noisy.
She was good at spreading rumors as much as she dealt with many nobles.
"Don't interfere. Charles will take care of it."
Reina, the Viscount's daughter, who was famous for being timid, grabbed my arm with trembling hands.
She tried to reassure me even though she looked like she was about to cry from the murderous intent she was feeling for the first time.
Of course, I was fine. In the first place, I wouldn't have touched him if I couldn't handle his nasty temper.
I really don't do battles that I have no chance of winning.
As the young ladies protected me, Gilbert gritted his teeth and tried to persuade Charles.
"Please step aside. I don't want to cause any more trouble. I just want to have a proper conversation with Lady Maybia, who keeps avoiding me."
You look like you want to grab me by the collar right now, who would believe you?
Charles said firmly as if it wasn't worth persuading him.
"I'll call the guards."
"Do you see me as a rogue who would harm the Lady? Didn't I say I would only talk? You will be in considerable trouble later if you look down on me like this. I will become the Grand Duke Calakis who will rule the entire North in the future...!"
"Go away, Duke. Before your reputation falls further here."
"......Ha."
Eventually, Gilbert took a step back.
As I passed him surrounded by the young ladies, I heard the sound of him grinding his teeth.
As soon as we left the dress shop, Charles's escort knights followed us.
Charles went into a nearby cafe, exchanged a few words with the owner, and then gestured for us to come in.
As we entered, her escort knights blocked the door.
The owner greeted us with a beaming smile, probably because she was promised a large sum of money in exchange for monopolizing the cafe for a while.
The young ladies sat me down first and asked me in a rush.
"Maybia, are you okay?"
"Shall we call a carriage? Would you like to go back to the Marquess's residence?"
"But I think it's better to rest here for a while before going back. What if the Duke follows us?"
I was taken aback by the more intense reaction than I expected.
I was just trying to scratch Gilbert a little in front of the young ladies and damage his image.
The young ladies had already recognized Gilbert Calakis as a public enemy.
In particular, Charles had glared at Gilbert with fire in her eyes.
When our eyes met, Charles, who had been silent, opened her mouth with difficulty.
