NIYTR 16

Chapter 16

How Did They Raise Their Child Like This?

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

At the polite knock, Edelweiss set down the brooch.

The door opened, and the maid who had handed her the knife at dinner earlier stepped in.

“To the one who makes the roses of Blossomweaver bloom in full glory, to the Lady of Oberlin, to my mistress—Lady Edelweiss Oberlin Blossomweaver—I offer my first greeting.”

With a flawless posture, the maid placed her hand over her chest and gave a graceful bow.

“My name is Anna. I may be lacking, but I will serve you with utmost sincerity. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to command me.”

‘So she’s the maid Uncle promised to send.’

Though I feel a bit sorry for Uncle…

Her demeanor was calm, and her expression gave off a sense of trust—but Edelweiss couldn’t bring herself to trust Anna just yet.

“I’m glad to meet you, Anna. I look forward to working with you.”

After what had happened with Jane, she wasn’t going to be quick to open up.

“Could you just prepare the bathwater and leave? I’d like to bathe alone, quietly.”

She didn’t want to become too familiar.

“Yes, my lady. I was thinking of adding lemon juice and rosewater to the bath—they’re great for skin clarity and relieving fatigue. Would that be all right?”

“Yes, please.”

Anna quickly went into the bathroom to prepare everything, then politely took her leave, wishing Edelweiss a restful night.

As she stepped into the tub, the water—neither too hot nor too cold—wrapped around her body in just the right temperature. Her whole body felt like it was melting.

The scent rising from the bathwater was perfectly blended and calming.

Edelweiss usually tossed and turned all night when sleeping in an unfamiliar bed—but maybe because she had soaked for so long in the warm bath, she slept soundly that night.

The Next Day.

Just after lunch, as they were about to leave for the Stern ducal estate, the Marquess and Marchioness of Blossomweaver came out together.

“Cesare kept insisting he didn’t feel safe letting you go alone.”

“We have to stop by the dressmaker on the way back anyway, Violet.”

And so, the three of them got into the carriage.

“Did you sleep well, Edel? What do you think of that girl, Anna? I picked her specifically because she’s quiet. She’s fiercely loyal to Blossomweaver, so she won’t cause you trouble—but if anything ever happens, tell me right away.”

Now that she thought about it, as soon as she rang the morning bell, Anna had brought her wash water.

She’d braided her hair and tied it up with a blue velvet ribbon adorned with pearls—her skill was solid.

“She’s diligent. I like her, Uncle.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The Marquess’s bright smile gradually darkened.

“Uncle?”

“Sigh… we’re getting close to the place I hate most in the world.”

“You mean the Duke of Stern?”

“Him and the rest of them.”

At that, the Marchioness added,

“Cesare even hates your brother. And Rosemary? Well, that goes without saying.”

‘But Brother takes after Aunt more than anyone…’

In terms of cold impressions, he resembled the Marchioness far more than the Duke of Stern.

“You know as well as I do, Tessen has never once called Cesare ‘uncle.’ He always refers to him as ‘Marquess Consort’ and speaks informally.”

“I hate it more because it reminds me of that d*mn Duke.”

True—her brother never considered the Marquess Consort as family.

Maybe because he was the second son of a count, or because the Duke and Aunt had cut ties long ago.

“If it weren’t for the fact he has Violet’s hair, I would’ve smacked the back of that annoying head of his.”

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“I’ll do it for you, Cesare.”

Clutching his chest dramatically, the Marquess said,

“How is it that even after twenty years, my heart still flutters when I see you? Violet, can you hear it? The sound of my heart pounding?”

“It’s arrhythmia. Go see a doctor. We’re here, Edelweiss.”

As they arrived at the ducal estate, the Marquess stepped down first and offered a hand.

“Please descend, princesses.”

Once inside, the sound of clicking heels echoed.

Rosemary was coming down the stairs.

“Edel! Did you sleep out without telling anyone? Do you know how worried I was? I’m sorry about yesterday.”

She ran over and threw her arms around Edelweiss.

Then, spotting the Blossomweaver couple behind, she sweetly greeted them,

“Aunt, Uncle, have you both been well? What brings you here without notice?”

At that, the Marquess Consort’s face twisted in disgust as he spoke:

“How dare a mere baron’s daughter casually refer to the Marquess and Marchioness of Blossomweaver, let alone greet us so improperly? Just what kind of—”

“…Has Baron Benel even raised his daughter properly?”

“Isn’t that a bit much…?”

By mentioning Baron Benel instead of the Duke of Stern, he was clearly pointing out Rosemary’s illegitimacy.

Realizing this, Rosemary flushed red all over. She bit her lip, suppressing her anger, and glanced toward the Duke, who had just exited his office.

In that brief moment, large tears welled up in her purple eyes.

She’s acting the moment she sees him.

With her voice trembling, she began to cry.

“I’m sorry if I upset you. I… didn’t mean to. I… hic… sincerely apologize.”

“Rosie! What happened?! Why are you crying?!”

Seeing her in tears, the Duke of Stern rushed to comfort her.

“Dad…”

“Rosie, I can’t help if you don’t tell me. Hm? It’s okay, just tell me what’s wrong.”

Seeing Rosemary just cry in the Duke of Stern’s arms, the Marquess Consort of Blossomweaver covered his mouth.

“Violet, I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Endure it.”

As the Duke gently patted Rosemary’s back, he shot a glare at the Marchioness.

“What in the world did you say to make Rosie cry like this?”

“We didn’t say anything. Probably just got some dust in her eye. Before you came, she was yelling just fine. You really are devoted, Mateo. Same as always.”

The Duke huffed in frustration and then turned his gaze sharply to Edelweiss.

“Edelweiss Stern! Have you lost your mind? Not only did you stay out overnight without notice—”

“Don’t you yell at my daughter!”

The Marquess Consort stepped in front of Edelweiss, raising his voice.

“…My daughter?”

The Duke looked stunned, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

The Marchioness pulled out the adoption agreement and flicked it open in front of him.

“She’s no longer Edelweiss Stern. She’s Edelweiss Oberlin Blossomweaver.”

“…Sister.”

“Her coming-of-age ceremony will be held at the Blossomweaver estate. You don’t need to concern yourself with her anymore. Not that you ever did.”

The Duke, still holding onto Rosemary, slowly let go and clenched his jaw.

“Edelweiss is still a minor. Legally, that adoption paper means nothing.”

“She comes of age in just a month. Are you seriously going to nitpick over that?”

“…”

“And you’re wrong about the legal aspect. Only one parent’s consent is required for the adoption to be valid—and Iris signed it before she died.”

“Sister, this is still far too sudden!”

“Mateo Stern. Who do you think you’re raising your voice to? Even if I abandoned the Stern name and severed ties with you, I’m still your elder sister.”

“I’m the Duke of Stern. You are the Marchioness of Blossomweaver.”

To that, the Marchioness chuckled.

“Even if Stern holds a ducal title, Blossomweaver received honors directly from the former Emperor. We’re of equal ceremonial rank, and the Elder Council treats us on par with dukes—have you forgotten that?”

“…”

“Let this be a warning. Show proper respect to the Marchioness of Blossomweaver. Address Edelweiss properly too—she’s a viscountess of Blossomweaver and the Lady of Oberlin.”

“What kind of father speaks formally to his daughter?”

“She’s not your daughter anymore.”

“You could’ve at least discussed this with me.”

The Marchioness turned to look at Edelweiss briefly, then let out a long sigh.

“Discussions, Mateo, are for when you’re a good father. Don’t you understand why Iris signed that adoption paper before she died?”

“…”

“Because she knew you’d never be a good father to Edelweiss.”

“…”

“Have you ever praised her? Ever wished her happy birthday? Do you even know what she likes or dislikes?”

The Duke couldn’t answer.

He doesn’t even know I’m allergic to apples.

Because Rosemary liked them, he always insisted on serving apple pie for dessert.

“Don’t you think about it at all? How desperate Edelweiss must have been—to give up the Stern name, her title as a lady, and every right that came with it?”