Vialle’s words were a tacit forgiveness, something the Duke clearly understood.
As they left, the Duke’s humming echoed in the corridor, and Vialle’s room was once again filled with silence.
Not far from the ducal mansion, the sound of bells announcing the Sabbath joyfully rang from the temple.
No one knew how much Vialle had been looking forward to this day.
Returning from a break, Madolyn hummed a well-known hymn while combing Vialle’s hair.
Madolyn was a devout believer and planned to visit the temple that day.
Vialle had secretly instructed a maid to gather information on the most competent information guild in the underworld.
She warned the maid that this was a lifetime secret and promised a generous reward for satisfactory results.
Though easier through a guard, if they were informed, the Duke might learn about it and prevent her from entering the underworld.
Her father wouldn’t stand idly by if there was any risk to his daughter.
Thus, after the charity event, Vialle stayed within the confines of the ducal mansion to ensure no one would suspect her plans.
As Vialle changed into a dress Madolyn had picked out for her and headed to the dining room for breakfast, she was greeted warmly.
“Lady, it’s been a while.”
“Sir Liardun.”
A sturdy middle-aged man, on his way to the training grounds, spotted Vialle and greeted her cheerfully. Though not formally part of the knightly order, his skills were exceptional, and he had been staying in the duke’s mansion as Gaijen’s longtime fencing instructor. He also maintained a close friendship with her father, making him somewhat of an uncle figure to the siblings.
“How’s Gaijen doing with his sword training?”
“Quite well. He’s doing excellently.”
Liardun nodded approvingly, proud of his pupil’s progress.
“That’s good to hear. He never talks about his training.”
Since it was unusual for her to visit the training grounds, Vialle had no choice but to ask his teacher about Gaijen’s progress.
‘I can’t help but worry.’
Especially at his age, he might react sensitively if he thought his skills were being doubted.
“You need not worry. The young lord’s skills are already more than sufficient.”
Liardun smiled warmly, bowed, and left, while Vialle, reassured by his words, continued lightly towards the dining room.
The dining room table, set for the Sabbath, was more lavishly prepared than usual. As the staff would either return to their quarters or visit the temple in the afternoon, they had to make do with the pre-prepared dinner.
The three usually dined together only at breakfast and dinner, hence the more elaborate breakfast in place of the simple evening meal.
As usual, the Duke and Gaijen were already seated, waiting for her. From their intermittent conversation, it seemed the Duke was discussing the Ekartho deity, while Gaijen sat with a sulky expression, seemingly uninterested.
Their unchanged routine brought a faint smile to Vialle’s face. As she took her seat, the Duke paused his conversation to welcome her.
“Vialle, did you sleep well?”
“Yes, Father.”
In truth, she had been restless and tossing all night due to nervousness.
Raising a crystal glass, Vialle took a sip of water to soothe her throat.
“I’ve been bearing the brunt alone in your absence, Sister.”
Gaijen grumbled to his sister, pouting his lips while reporting the Duke’s recent activities.
Caught off guard, the Duke coughed a couple of times and quickly countered Gaijen’s words.
“That boy… I really didn’t say much.”
Their breakfast, as always following the completion of their prayers, proceeded peacefully.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
