Resetting Lady

After a long moment of tension, just staring at the cup, she finally spoke.

“I, I don’t really… know.”

“Isella.”

“……”

Selena clicked her tongue, but it was clear from the expression on Isella’s face as she drank the coffee that she didn’t enjoy the taste. Verdic scoffed and took another sip from his cup.

‘These two really have no taste.’

Both Selena and Isella shook their heads at the bitter beverage, but Verdic, who loved gourmet experiences, was different. Not only sweet and greasy flavors are considered gourmet. Bitter and harsh tastes can also be stimulating and bring happiness. Verdic loved his identity as a gourmet. It was something more pure and beautiful.

The downside was that it was hard to sleep after drinking it, but for someone like Verdic, who drastically reduced his sleep and worked day and night, even this side effect was a blessing.

“…Good.”

Verdic savored his morning coffee, pondering when to introduce this beverage to the countess’s salon. Countess Elva was an annoying woman, but she always drew crowds and loved gossip. Her salon was always busy.

“After I meet Lord Hare, I’m thinking of passing the estate to you, Isella.”

Verdic discussed his plans.

* * *

“Please tell Isella Evans that Carynne Hare has come to visit.”

* * *

After all, most of the rights had already been transferred to Verdic. Formally, the fief lord remained seated, and the next fief lord would be a relative, but that was merely for show.

Isella would marry Raymond and become the real landowner there. She would get a feel for being a landowner and then if, ‘unfortunately’, Raymond’s older brother were to die soon, Isella would naturally be integrated into a noble family.

“Isn’t it too early for her to become the lady of the house?”

“That’s why it’s suitable. Even if one estate goes to ruin, it’s not a big problem, right? The next fief lord is said to be a clergyman, so telling him to live in the abbey will be enough.”

One estate could be managed by Isella without causing any major issues. Although Isella was still young, Verdic had enough resources to bail her out if she ever went bankrupt. In a way, Isella would be given the land as a form of business.

Selena nodded.

“That sounds like a good idea. But you’ll hold the wedding in the capital, right?”

“Yes. But I plan to have the engagement ceremony there as well. It’s necessary to inform the locals who the new owner of the land is.”

Isella’s eyes sparkled as she spoke up.

“Am I finally having an engagement ceremony with Lord Raymond?”

“Yes. Then, Dear, I’ll continue to choose a seamstress in the capital and send her directly to the Hare estate.”

“That sounds good.”

Knock, knock.

Isella’s face hardened. It was a rare moment of conversation between her mother and father, and to have it interrupted. Selena also frowned in displeasure. However, Verdic, seemingly not as bothered, stood up. An attendant quietly opened the door.

“What is it?”

“Master, a visitor has arrived. A lady calling herself Carynne Hare.”

Selena and Isella exchanged glances.

It was the daughter of the estate they were about to go down to. It wasn’t likely to be a good relationship, rather it was bound to be unpleasant.

Verdic asked with a sigh in his voice.

“Why has she come? Did Lord Hare send her?”

“Actually, a telegram arrived a few hours ago.”

“Whether it’s a few hours ago or now… she’s in quite the hurry. The daughter of Lord Hare… Did she say why she came?”

“That’s…”

Verdic and the attendant exchanged a few more words. Selena was slowly getting ready to leave for her room.

“Isella, it’s about time we get up.”

Isella clenched her skirt in her hand.

That girl had shattered a rare moment of family time.

Verdic didn’t love Selena, and Selena didn’t love Verdic. But because of Isella between them, they maintained the form of a family. Once Isella would get married, such moments would become even rarer. How dare she. Isella bit her lip.

“Isella.”

Verdic called out to Isella.

“Yes, Father.”

“What should we do since Carynne Hare has come to visit? Since we’ll be going to the Hare estate anyway, it seems right to let her into the mansion now that she’s here. Selena, when are you planning to go to the capital?”

“I’ll be leaving soon. Then, it would be okay for Isella to entertain that lady.”

Verdic nodded and continued to ask Isella.

“And it seems she wants to see you. She’s waiting in the reception room. She’s about your age. Would you like to meet her?”

Though he asked for her opinion, it meant she was expected to go to the reception room.

“I don’t want to.”

Isella answered truthfully nonetheless. At her brief reply, Verdic raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Though she is the daughter of a fallen noble house, she is still the granddaughter of a Count. Even the great-granddaughter of an Archduke. It’s a connection worth noting. It would be good to meet her.”

However, Isella shook her head.

“Father, how many times have you seen such people? She’s just trying to charm her way into weaseling some money for herself.”

“Charm, huh.”

Verdic nodded. Many had come to the mansion asking for debt forgiveness, for terms to be renegotiated, for acceptance of this or that. In the end, it was all the same. They would just say they couldn’t pay back my money.

Of course, Verdic had no intention of being generous to Lord Hare, but he thought this girl who could add to Isella’s debutante might be useful.

However, Isella did not want to see Carynne.

“Send her away. What does it matter how noble her predecessors’ blood is now?”

* * *

Carynne waited for a long time.

Nancy and the coachman were not allowed into the mansion, so Carynne had to enter alone.

“How much longer must I wait to see Mister Verdic or Miss Isella?”

“Please wait a little longer.”

They wouldn’t say Isella was unavailable or what had happened. Fortunately, it seemed Raymond had not yet gone to Isella.

“Then, I’ll wait.”

Carynne leaned back on the sofa, observing the interior.

The mansion here was different from Isella’s residence in the capital. The building in the capital was a lavish and grand summer villa, but this mansion was more practical.

It allowed movement with minimal pathways, and the materials inside were simpler. It felt more like a business establishment than a luxury mansion.

Nonetheless, it was much more luxurious than the Hare mansion. The dark marble on the floor was something even the countess couldn’t afford.

However, the overall neat style was contradicted by the furs on the floor and the abundance of animal heads on the walls, revealing Verdic’s hobbies.

Carynne looked at the decapitated deer and tiger, feeling her own neck itch. She remembered the past when Verdic had come at her.

Verdic and Prince Gueuze were somewhat similar.

A slight chill ran down her arms.

“…Excuse me, but the Miss seems to be unwell. It would be better for you to leave.”

“Leave?”

“Yes. There’s an inn in the village where you can stay for a day or so.”

“Oh my…”

Carynne covered her mouth with her hand and thought.

Would you look at that girl.

* * *

Who’s supposed to be sick?

Carynne knew Isella’s physical condition well. In a while, Isella would come down to the Hare residence in good health. But to say she’s too sick to meet someone who came to the mansion? It’s definitely a lie.

“…Why?”

“Why, you ask. There’s no reason for her to want to meet you, is there, Miss?”

“But to dismiss me right to my face like this without any reason?”

Carynne sulked and sat at an outdoor table in the village with Nancy, sighing deeply. The coachman had gone to buy cigarettes, and Nancy and Carynne sat with gloomy faces, drinking water.

“…I didn’t expect to not even be let inside.”

Isella was more immature than Carynne had expected.

***

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