While Grandma was waiting inside, I was with Daisy and Judy.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“And you, Judy?”
“I’m ready too.”
Both were dressed in gowns tailored by the family’s servants. Since neither had brought fancy clothes from their hometowns, they ended up wearing attire from the south.
While the southern dresses of the Pryster estate weren’t remarkably different from those elsewhere, the trend was towards lighter materials due to the slightly warmer climate.
As a result, both Judy and Daisy were dressed in gowns made of thin fabric, which had the effect of accentuating their figures more pronouncedly.
In simpler terms, they looked prettier.
It felt almost surreal to think of them both as my wives.Once they were all set, I nodded to Helen, who was standing with us at the entrance of the dining room.
Helen nodded back and opened the door to notify Grandma of our presence, letting us in.
Grandma was seated at a round table.
Chairs were placed around the table in four directions.
Grandma was already seated in the chair facing us directly.
Following me, Daisy entered, and after her, Judy.
“We’ve arrived.”
As I spoke, Daisy and Judy bowed simultaneously.
Daisy maintained a flawless demeanor, but Judy looked somewhat awkwardly, making me suppress a laugh.
No matter how much of a ducal family Judy hailed from, her devotion to the sword seemed to render her clumsy in such situations.
...Or perhaps there was a more complicated story behind it.
Thinking this made me feel apologetic.
“Please, take a seat,” Grandma said.
Guided by her gestures, Daisy and Judy took their seats beside Grandma, and I sat directly across from her.
As we all settled in, a brief silence ensued, which Daisy broke to ease the awkwardness.
“Madam Liana, thank you for inviting us.”
Grandma nodded briefly in response.
Judy, noticing something from Daisy’s actions, shuddered slightly before expressing her gratitude as well.
“Madam...Madam Liana, I am equally grateful.”
“It’s only natural, my dear.”
Grandma’s response to Judy, accompanied by a kind smile, was starkly different from her interaction with Daisy.
The difference was breathtaking, almost as if Daisy had been blatantly disregarded.
I had to suppress the urge to speak up, especially since Daisy was still managing a gracious smile.
...But as time passed, Daisy’s expression gradually hardened.
As the meal progressed, Grandma’s favoritism became increasingly evident.
“Try this too, my dear.”
She personally served food onto Judy’s plate.
It was surprising to see Grandma being so affectionate with someone, but the way she expressed her underlying anger was equally startling.
“...Thank you...”
Even though Judy expressed her gratitude, confusion was evident on her face. She glanced surreptitiously at Daisy and me before taking a bite.
Unable to bear Daisy’s stiffening expression any longer, I decided to act.
Since Grandma had served Judy, I would serve Daisy.
“Daisy, this is something I enjoy. Please, have some.”
Daisy smiled broadly at my gesture, a mix of bitterness and gratitude in her expression.
“Cayden? Don’t forget our new little one as well.”
However, Grandma’s comment shattered our brief moment of peace.
It was another blatant attempt to differentiate between Judy and Daisy, despite having already attended to Judy.
I couldn’t hold back any longer and began to speak.
“Grandma, now-”
-Tap.
At that moment, the soft touch on my thigh made me close my mouth again.
Turning towards the source of the touch, I found Daisy looking straight at me with her steady eyes.
Within them, there was a tremor I hadn’t seen before, yet she remained unyielding, shaking her head ever so slightly.
...Since she did not wish for it, my action too became immobilized.
“...No, it’s alright.”
“...Alright then. Just look after our new little one.”
Our dynamics showed no sign of improvement.
Even as the meal neared its end, Grandma hadn’t once looked in Daisy’s direction.
It was a stark reminder of her Pryster heritage.
True to reputation, her retaliation was fierce, and she showed no mercy.
Daisy now couldn’t even lift her head, her face partially hidden by strands of her fallen hair.
Yet, Grandma didn’t stop.
Calling Judy affectionately, she asked her,
“...So, my dear. How many children are you planning to have?”
Judy blinked anxiously, sending me a glance before she managed to reply,
“....Well…I was thinking... after Daisy has hers, then I’ll consider it...”
For the first time in a while, Grandma’s gaze shifted to Daisy.
Daisy hurriedly adjusted her expression to a smile and looked at Grandma, but the latter didn’t show much interest in her.
Turning back to Judy, Grandma inquired,
“I’m curious about your plans.”
And at that dismissal, Daisy’s eyes sadly crumbled.
Her expression finally compelled me, who had been a bystander until now, to act, realizing that waiting further would not improve the situation.
This time, I placed my hand on Daisy’s knee first.
I stroked her tightly clenched fist, trying to comfort her heart.
As I remained silent, not making any sound, Grandma’s eyes moved towards me.
Looking at her with clear displeasure, I slowly shook my head.
It was a signal for her to stop.
Only after seeing my expression did she look back at Daisy, who still couldn’t lift her head.
Grandma watched Daisy for a long while before sighing deeply.
“...Helen, pour some wine.”
The change in her demeanor had the servants moving efficiently.
Wine, previously untouched, began to fill our glasses with its crimson hue.
“...Daisy. Do you drink?”
It was the first time Grandma had addressed Daisy directly.
Startled, Daisy lifted her head and smiled.
“...Yes?”
“There’s no need to force such an expression.”
“......”
“Drink up.”
At Grandma’s command, Judy and I also raised our glasses.
-Clink.
A clear sound resonated in the dining room, and we all took a sip of the sweet wine.
Daisy, as if eager to prove something, tightly closed her eyes and took more than three gulps.
“...Indeed. I was being childish.”
Grandma initiated the conversation, acknowledging her own fault.
Daisy, taken aback, waved her hands in protest.
“No, not at all...”
“What do you mean, ‘not at all’? I’ve been ignoring you all along.”
“......”
I continued to gently pat Daisy’s hand under the table.
Then, surreptitiously, she turned her palm up to hold my hand.
“I should be directing my anger at your father.”
“........”
“As you know, your father and I had made a promise. You’re aware of what that promise was, so there’s no need for me to spell it out.”
Daisy nodded.
“But when the situation arose, it turned out that it was your father who had not kept the promise. Moreover, he disregarded Cayden, who was merely a day’s journey away, struggling on the brink of death.”
“I’m sorry.”
“How can this even be called an alliance? Our family’s eldest son, and the man who will be your father’s eldest daughter’s husband... How could he be taken so lightly?”
Daisy’s grip began to tighten as if she were apologizing to me once again.
“Yes, at least... considering the plague and famine you’re suffering from, and the belief that Cayden had died... I’m holding back, taking those facts into account. Your father’s actions have been quite... quite displeasing.”
“I apologize once again. I’ll ensure such an incident never happens again-”
“-It better not.”
Her words carried an almost threatening tone.
“If such a thing happens again, it will be considered an affront to us.”
Holding Daisy’s hand, I spoke to Grandma.
“Please don’t scare her with your words.”
Grandma snorted at my comment and sipped her wine before speaking.
“...Ha. You think I’m saying all this for whose sake...”
I knew her words stemmed from her love for me, but if it were solely love, she wouldn’t have been so harsh on Daisy.
I understood she was also venting her own anger.
As I continued to gaze at her sternly, she sighed once more.
“...Alright. Daisy.”
Daisy was unable to respond, tears welling up in her eyes, perhaps relieved by the resolution of the conflict. Daisy’s tears shook me.
It seemed Grandma felt the same, as her voice softened considerably.
“...My dear, I’m sorry.”
Daisy’s hand and lips tensed once again.
She opened her mouth but, perhaps unable to find the words, closed it again.
She simply nodded in response.
Grandma spoke.
“...Take good care of Cayden from now on.”
“......Yes.”
It was only at the end that Daisy managed to muster a voice, albeit with difficulty.
--- End Of The Chapter ---
[TL: First of all, thank you so much for your patience! I’ve been busy preparing for interviews and projects, which delayed translations. But now, I’ve managed to carve out some free time amidst work and personal life, so I’ll be returning to the previous schedule of two chapters a week—every Monday and Thursday.
Happy reading!
Oh, and don’t forget to check out Parth’s new pick from the same author: A Knight Who Protects His Enemies.
Here’s the link: https://www.readingpia.me/series/a-knight-who-protects-his-enemies
I’ve only read six chapters so far, but I’m already hooked. Hope you’ll enjoy it too!
Happy reading!
Dylan
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