“Madam……. The lord has arrived.”

Chloe quickly dropped her needlework.

“You fool! Make your presence known before approaching!”

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

“He has come?”

The maid bowed as she approached. Chloe carefully wrapped the finger that had been pricked by the needle. The maids applied ointment generously.

Though the hierarchy had crumbled with the death of the sick lady of the house, a new order had arisen here. It was a hierarchy built by a mistress and her illegitimate child.

“But, Madam. The lord is drinking right now……. It might be best to see him once he sobers up.”

“Drinking again? Why?”

Outside was in disarray. A faint terror was evident in the eyes of the maids. Chloe pushed the maids aside and went out.

“Where is he?”

“He’s outside, outside.”

“Speak clearly, don’t stammer!”

“But you shouldn’t see him, Madam! Madam!”

The maid tried desperately to hold Chloe back, but at that moment, Pyotr, soaked in drunkenness, stormed into the room with a bottle of alcohol in hand, striking the servants to the ground. He gulped the bottle into his mouth, and the servants quickly dodged him.

“Lord, please calm down.”

“Where is she?”

Pyotr jerked his head around.

“Where is Charlotte?”

“The lady is no longer in this house.”

“Oh……. I see. She’s gone.”

Pyotr swallowed a sob.

“Why does my heart ache so much?”

Whether in sight or out of sight, the mother and daughter were irritating. If it was annoying to hold them in his hands, it was also galling to see them in the hands of others.

“Did father come home?”

Pyotr lifted his head at the call. Henrietta was standing in front of him, her small body huddled. Her shoulders were shaking slightly. Tsk, he clicked his tongue and suppressed Henrietta’s shoulder with his hand.

“That vulgar habit, hide it……. Your attitude reflects on my reputation.”

Ignored again. As his dead wife had ignored him, as his own daughter had ignored him.

Pyotr smashed the bottle on the ground. Clang― a sharp breaking sound echoed. The servants dodged the shards of the bottle.

“Stop ignoring your sister. Tsk, tsk! Your mother kneeled and begged, and……. lived like a parasite……. I thought I had them all, but she was my daughter too.”

It was now insolent language for a member of the royal family. Henrietta trembled in her throat. This house is strange. It’s strange, mother.

“Master, go to your room.”

The butler pushed the servants aside and whispered.

“The lord has had too much to drink. Please come inside.”

Pyotr staggered away.

“Useless fellow.”

Henrietta tugged at her mother’s dress.

“Mo, mother……. ”

“Your father becomes aggressive when he drinks. It’s not because he hates you. Listen to your father and strive, strive, and strive again.”

Henrietta buried her face in her mother’s clutching hand. Mother, I liked it better before we came to this house. I liked living with you alone.

“Father dug another grave.”

Even to his young son, the strange behavior of his father was apparent.

Smack―! Chloe struck Henrietta’s cheek harshly. Henrietta clutched her swelling cheek and groaned in pain.

“Watch your mouth.”

The butler averted his eyes.

Chloe looked at the empty grave. It seemed like the traces of the former wife were still haunting them in the mansion. She’s dead. She’s been dead for four years. Leave us alone.

“Unlucky.”

Chloe signaled the butler.

“Remove the tombstone.”

“……Madam”

“Shovel that dirt too. Throw it away. It’s unclean.”

Thump, thump. It felt as though they had stepped into a dark and damp swamp.

(This is a time separator.)

“Your Highness. Are you listening? Your Highness?”

Charlotte acknowledged with a wave of her hand.

A banquet was prepared in the dining hall. Appetizing foods were placed on the table. The waiters efficiently moved the food plates, and the hot steam rose steadily.

“I will dismiss everyone.”

The headwaiter ushered all the waiters out.
In the restaurant, the Emperor and Empress were seated with Windsor as honored guests. Since they usually enjoyed simple food in the palace, dishes without stimulating spices were served.

Aster watched the restaurant door close as she spoke.

“The country’s financial situation has finally stabilized. I thought it would take several more years to recover. There were talks about the direct aides dying in the assistant’s room.”

“How many people follow the national affairs, yet still struggle from the bottom? They should all resign from their positions and go down to the countryside.”

Benjamin swallowed a blatant curse. Perhaps he felt suffocated, for his gesture of loosening his cravat was fierce.

“But, is the meal not to your taste?”

Charlotte’s knife scraped the plate.

“No, I’ve eaten a lot.”

“A lot indeed. The food doesn’t seem to diminish.”

Benjamin scooped some food onto his fork for her. It was an action far from palace etiquette.

“I’ll eat it.”

“You’ve been looking at the food for ages.”

“I was just about to eat.”

Aster glanced down at Charlotte’s plate and mumbled.

“Mushroom……. ahem, pick the mushroom. Ahem.”