“It’s too much, Miss Igraine! The young lady has been sick all night and couldn’t even step outside, but you’re playing outside all night!”

“Look around.”

Lady Emelene, with a cold expression, waved her hand, indicating the surroundings.

“See how everyone is looking at you.”

The air touching my skin felt cold.

Hubert, Lord Bakenin, other servants—except for the three servants who helped Jenny and me—everyone had the same gaze.

A blaming look as if saying I was selfish.

“Do you have any excuses?”

Lady Emelene unfolded her fan with a triumphant expression.

‘It seems she’s trying to crush me on this occasion.’

Although the rain had stopped, it was clear that Arias’s position would diminish in the future. Whether someone came first from the royal family or the temple, it was only a matter of time.

Then naturally, my position in the house would rise.
In the situation that unfolded in the royal family, I hold the nominal position of a princess, and I also have a friendship with Princess Lallatu.

“Well, even if you have a mouth, there’s nothing to say.”

In response to my silence, Lady Emerun raised the corner of her mouth mockingly.

“Your rash actions have severely damaged the family’s dignity, and it’s a grave offense that cannot be overlooked. From today, you are prohibited from coming and going…”

Snick.

Laughter emerged.

“Are you laughing right now?”

I covered my mouth, chuckled, and finally lowered my hand.

“Calm down, madam.”

“…….”

“You’re too hasty right now. I don’t know what misunderstanding has occurred.”

“Ha, misunderstanding?”

“Why is the lady who isn’t even the head of the family pointing out my mistake? I don’t understand.”
My gaze flickered towards Hubert. The face of Lady Emerun, who looked at Hubert following my gaze, wrinkled.

Punishing the household’s lower-class staff is the authority of the head of the family, not the authority of the former count’s wife. That was truly a disturbance to the household hierarchy, and Hubert, who cared about his reputation, couldn’t tolerate it.

“I’m just doing it for the order of the household…”

“Anyway, that’s something the count will decide. I won’t say more.”

Quietly conceding, Lady Emerun opened her hawk-like eyes.

“You!”

She was about to speak but seemed to change her mind, letting out a snort.

“Well. The punishment for your vulgar actions will be appropriately dealt with by the count. However, as the head of the household’s kitchen, I can express my opinion, right? As an adult in the household.”

“Sure.”

When I responded obediently, she scrutinized me suspiciously, as if questioning my sincerity.

“It seems like you want to emphasize that your actions were among the worst. Everyone in the household was worried about Aris. They were all in disarray. And you took advantage of that and left the house. Very cunning.”

“Did you forget? I mentioned that someone had come seeking help from the family. I said I was going to help that person.”

Lady Emerun chuckled sarcastically.

“I didn’t know you could bring up that story with your mouth. I stopped you then, thinking you might act recklessly. You were so eager, and people were cheering you on. I was worried about that!”

“For a few hours, I helped someone who came seeking aid.”

Lady Emerun snorted as if amused.

“You’re good at lying. I didn’t know that. I’ve been misjudging you all this time. No, we all misjudged you.”

“Lying?”

“Didn’t you say you were with the prince? But you helped people?”

“Yes, I helped, and the prince also assisted.”

She still looked at me with a gaze accusing me of lying, shaking her head slightly.

“Fine. Let’s assume that’s true. So, what business did you have at the temple?”

“I went to pray. Many people have been affected by this incident. I prayed for those people.”

“Ah, a noble heart.”

I shrugged.

“Not to the extent of being noble. Anyway, the responsibility for the family can’t be denied in this heavy rain. At least, with a sense of duty…”

“Responsibility? Why are you saying such things?”

A startled Lady Emerun shouted back.

“It was an accident! Don’t go around saying such things. If you don’t want to ruin the family, then… Oh, was that what you wanted?”

Suddenly, a gleam shone in her eyes.

“Now I get it. You thought you could live well alone without the family’s strength, huh? Without the family’s power, you’re nothing. Seems like you’ve already forgotten that. Your bloodline and origin.”

‘Ugh, annoying.’
I suppressed the desire to dig my ears. However, for others, unlike me, who found it boring because I had heard it too much, it still seemed effective.

“For whatever reason, it’s true that you acted recklessly alone. It seems like you should come to your senses.”

The former Marquis, Duke Bakeun, murmured to himself as if he were speaking to no one in particular.

However, it was no different from what he said for Hubert to hear.

“Igraine.”

Hubert looked at me with an expression of bewilderment. I stared back at him.

“I don’t know. Why were you with the prince at such an important time? You’re not the type to make such foolish moves. Have you already forgotten what I said?”

Hubert, who said that, sighed as if disappointed.